Not My Mate - Finished

Chapter Three - The Last Day

“Happy Birthday, beautiful.” Seth whispered into my ear. He kissed the top of my head.

“Thank you.” I whispered back, pulling the blanket around me. We were wrapped up in my bed, my head on his chest, his arms around me. I didn't want to leave this moment.

We had spent most of the last week in my bed cuddling. We had left a few times to shower, that was all. My brother brought us up food. He felt bad and had not been told.

“I'm going to go see Lena for a few minutes. I'll be back.” I said. Lena was my brother's mate, and knew what it was like to become a future Luna and what the mating ceremony, and more importantly, after, was like. She was the only sister I had.

I walked down the hall and knocked on their bedroom door. Ben, my older brother, answered.

“Happy birthday, Sis.” He said.

“Thank you. I'm actually here to see Lena.” I told him.

“OK. Lena? Bria would like to speak to you. I'll be downstairs.” Ben said before leaving the doorway, leaving it open for me. I walked in and shut it behind me, and went to sit on the bed beside Lena.

“What's up sister? You must be stressed.” She said.

“I am. I wanted to talk to you. I'm not sure what to expect.” I told her.

“I wish I could help. I'm not sure what to expect either, sweetie. I wish I had better advice for you. I don't think I could live without Ben. I don't know how I would ever go away from him, be in a separate pack, never live our lives together. I'm so sorry you have to do this.” She put her hand on my shoulder as she spoke, gently rubbing my shoulder blade.

“Thank you Lena... what about the mating ceremony?” I asked.

“Well, you were at ours. It is short, his entire pack will be there. Your mother, father, Ben and I will be there as well, possibly a few others from the pack. Their Elder will do the ritual, which is basically a spell with sand, and you'll kiss. You'll have dinner, drinks, and dancing and then go home.” She explained. I remembered hers and Ben's – a much happier occasion.

“And after?” I whispered.

“You mean.. s*x?”

I nodded.

“Let him lead. It hurts the first few times, but you'll get through. Take it slow. It can be very good after a few goes, but take it easy at first. It's awkward, just go with it.” She said.

“I don't want to... with him.” I told her. “With Seth, it seemed like, any time, I could do it. Now I'm dreading it, and I'm afraid.”

“That's understandable, you barely know him. Make sure you tell him these things. A good husband will listen.” She said. “We should go downstairs for breakfast.”

We walked downstairs to my entire family and those of the Beta and Delta sitting at the table. I took my seat between Seth and my Father. I was across from Ben.

Are you okay? Ben asked - Wolves were able to communicate telepathically.

No.

I'm sorry. I never expected this from mom and dad. I never thought an alliance would come before your happiness. I promise when I become Alpha, I will undo this decision whatever it takes, and you will come home to Seth. I know it will be 5 years, but still. Just hold on.

Thank you.

Wolves took over the Alpha position at 25. I realized that meant Kayne was likely 27 or 28, almost 10 years my senior.

I picked at my breakfast, my mom made comments, but I didn't care. I was waiting to be able to get a moment alone with Seth, Ben and Lena. We had plans to go to the river outback, dip our feet in and have a final afternoon together.

“Bria, would you like to pack your things, or shall I have Emma do it for you?” My mother asked. Emma was one of the omegas. Omegas served the pack with cooking, cleaning, childcare, and other tasks.

“Emma can do it. May I be excused?” I asked. My mother and father granted this request, and the four of us took off outback to the river.

I rolled up the pantleg of my jeans and stuck my feet in the water after taking a seat along the bank before I spoke up. “We could run away?” I suggested, looking at Seth – we were desperate to stop what was about to happen.

“You can't run away, Bria. Dad would find you in days if he didn't disown you, he'd still make you go.” Ben spoke up.

“He's right.” Seth and Lena chimed in.

“What if I killed myself? You think that would get the point across?” I mumbled. Growls came from all three of them.

“No. I'd rather live without you in a world where you're alive than one that you're dead.” Seth said.

“I told you, I will reverse this decision as soon as I become Alpha.” Ben said.

“That's five years. I could be a mother by then.” I said. The thought made me sick to my stomach, carrying a baby for someone other than Seth.

I always pictured my children having Seth's black, straight hair and green eyes. Kayne had brown hair and brown eyes, like I did. Everything I pictured for my future was now gone. I thought Saturday would be mine and Seth's mating ceremony, and that night we would make love and make children together. Now I would be doing that with someone else.

“Bria.” My mother called from the back door. “Please, come check through your room.”

I stood up and went inside with Seth behind me. My room was stripped, my closet bare, my bedding gone. Suitcases sat filled with my clothing and my jewelry box sat packed on top of those.

“I'll give you privacy. Please let me know if I can pack anything else for you.” Emma said. She exited quietly.

I grabbed Seth's waist and kissed him. He was much taller than me, and I had to stand on my tippy toes to reach his lips. “We need to do this now.” I said.

“Do what?” He asked, stopping my kisses and looking at me with confusion.

“Have s*x. I want you to be my first time, and you may not get a chance if not now.” I said. I started taking my shirt off when he stopped me.

“No, baby. As much as I'd love to be your first time, I don't want to risk you having my baby away from me. I may not even ever know. You'd raise it as his. Plus... I'd rather not know what I'm missing. We need to get downstairs for your birthday dinner.” He said. My heart broke in a million pieces. I would never know what it was like to make love with Seth, with my mate.

When I got downstairs for dinner, Kayne was already there. I still took my place next to Seth, and held his hand in mine the entire time.

Dinner was awkward, I was silent. I gripped Seth's hand, savoring our last hour together. I didn't want to leave him, and I was terrified. My parents kept trying to get conversation out of me, with some not so subtle telepathic messages to be respectful to my soon to be husband. I refused. 

The car was packed, and it was time to go. We all walked out to Kayne's car together. This was it.

I started crying immediately and clung to Seth.

Ben asked my parents to reconsider. They wouldn't.

“Take your time saying goodbye.” Kayne said.

I did. I held Seth, he hugged me. Our tears falling into each other, neither cared. We kissed a final time before Seth whispered, “Go.” and helped me into the passenger seat.