Fate

Chapter Eight: John

I watch Lillyanna for a minute, I know I should have waited to tell her. Honestly I never thought it could be possible that she would be my mate, of all the people in the world it had to be the girl I first distrusted and wanted nothing to do with. 'You made the right choice telling her' My wolf Axel speaks in my mind and I sigh. 'Perhaps you are right, I just never never thought I would care for her. I mean sure we've become somewhat friends but still not close to the point I pictured her as my Mate.' I tell him. 'The moon goddess doesn't make mistakes and you can't refuse her gift. You know the consequences of such actions and choices.'

I sigh 'I was never going to reject our mate no matter who she was. I just didn't expect it to be Lillyanna.' I mumble back to my wolf. "You good?" I was startled when Lillyanna spoke and I turned my head to look at her. "What?" She smiles and chuckles while shaking her head. "It's just I was saying something and it's as if you didn't hear me." Her smile was soft, that smile could have been my undoing. I've seen her smile often especially when she's with my sisters or the other girls, but not once had it made my heart beat so fast.

I rub the back of my neck and give her an apologetic smile, "Sorry I was talking to Axel." She nods understandingly, "I get lost like that and often don't realize where I am walking when I'm talking with Ella." I laugh, "Must be interesting conversations then." I turn and look at her as I speak only to find her staring at me with a soft expression I've never seen on her face before, it takes my breath away and I can't look away. As I get lost staring at her and lean in she turns away a blush blooming on her cheeks. "Sorry" I say softly " I shouldn't...."

She shakes her head cutting me off, still turned away "It's fine, you didn't do anything wrong I just....I've never...uh..." I watch her it was the first time I ever seen her so flustered or heard her stuttering like this. She doesn't continue and I hesitate before I rest my hands on her shoulders then gently pull her back against my chest. I murmur close to her ear, "You don't have to tell me, I know. We'll take it slow, one step at a time. Okay?" I feel her tense at first but then relax and she nods her head. I smile, despite everything I thought about her she still wants to give me a chance. "You know, I'm surprised you didn't want to reject me as your mate." She breaths leaning back more into my chest.

I clear my throat as I feel my chest tighten at the thought of rejecting her. "The moon goddess chose you as my mate and me as yours. It's considered bad luck to reject a gift from the goddess. Also I never planned to reject my mate no matter who she was." She hums softly and Axel was content with her in our arms like this. I lean down burying my face in her neck and I inhale her sweet scent. The sparks shooting through me. f**k I couldn't wait until she turns eighteen next year and feels what she does to me.

I feel her shiver and Axel wants me to claim her. 'Not yet, she needs time. Let's wait until she's eighteen.' I tell him and he simmers down a little, this was going to be tough. Eventually I step back and turn her to face me, I take in her face seeing her in a way I've always refused to see her when I first thought she would be a problem. She was powerful, yet held no anger or resentment. "We should head back inside before everyone wonders where we both went." I told her softly, she nods "yeah, your right, plus Rebecca and the other girls will be wondering why I left even after I said said I just needed air." I chuckle, I knew the girls had been teasing her about us being crushes but she always refused it and yet here we were...Mates. ironic really.

We walk back to the ball room in silence, it wasn't a uncomfortable silence and we would bump shoulders occasionally. We walk threw the doors as my dad walks onto the stage to make an announcement, guess he already knows. He looks our way and inclines his head before he speaks. Lillyanna goes to walk away but I grab her wrist gently and pull her into my side and lean down to whisper into her ear. "Where do you think your going? We're about to make the announcement so stay by me, got it?" She shivers but nods. "Sometimes you are an ass, you know that?" I laugh at her words. "Maybe, but I'm your ass." I watch as a blush forms on her cheeks, Axel and I both like to see the blush, it made her even more beautiful.

When my dad is done speaking he looks my way and nods, I take Lillyannas hand and walk to the stage, I feel her tense but she knows this is custom for us wolves especially for my family. Some people start murmuring I see some girls give Lillyanna disdained looks. I was aware of how many girls wanted my attention just like they wanted Josh's however I never gave it nor did Josh ever. We had been taught to wait for our destined mates, Josh found Rebecca four years ago when we took Lillyanna and her two cousins in. Now I found my destined mate in Lillyanna.

I clear my throat and take a breath then speak into the microphone that had been set up. "Good evening everyone" I start "As you know this party was for my eighteenth birthday today like we do for every Alpha blood beta blood or Gamma blood or anyone who may ask. However it was also to help some find their mates and me as well. I am happy to say I did find my mate." I smile as I hold up my hand that was still holding Lillyannas and she tries to hide her blush and I grin. Goddess she was beautiful, how have I never noticed before?

After everyone applaud and congratulated us both I walk off the stage still holding Lillyannas hand. We get cornered by the girls, Rebecca, Sahra, Adeline, and Addison. And the guy's, Alex, Josh, Henry, and Aurther. They ask us all kinds of questions and I can tell Lillyanna was embarrassed. I never thought I would ever see the day she was shy or embarrassed. She's always been the kind to be energetic sure but also serious in some ways. I liked this side of her, and the best part...she was mine and I hers.