My True Mate

Princess Rue stood at the top of the stairs with her fingers laced with her mate’s, Darian. They looked into the sea of their pack members and many guest as a warm smile spread across her face. The ball of the first full moon was always the event of the year, and this year their kingdom was blessed with the opportunity to host it. Darian slipped his hand from her fingers and placed them on her waist before bringing her closer to whisper in her ear, “You look delicious, my Queen.” Her smile widened, “FUTURE Queen,” she winked and then added in a sultry voice, “and you don’t look too bad I might add my future King.” A low growl escaped him and before he knew it he brought her even closer, embracing her as if she was the air he needed to breathe. Rue’s wolf purred inside her. Being with Darian was so much more than she could have ever asked for. He was smart, brazen, and oozed s*x appeal. His tall and strong statue often led to other she-wolves swooning over him despite it being known he was spoken for. Darian was a year older than her and they’d been friendly in the same social group for years. The night of his 18th birthday party however he found her within minutes and claimed her as his. Not by marking, no that wouldn’t be proper and they would have to wait until she was 18 anyways. But his possessive growl shook the house and silenced the party members the moment he saw her. That night Rue was leaned on the wall, as her friend Manny leaned over her and whispered a funny story in her ear. The entire act was innocent, and they were only that close due to the sheer loudness of the party that surrounded them, but as Darian stated, the moment he turned 18 his wolf went into a frenzy to find the she-wolf at the party that was his. Darian and Manny were best friends for years, but in that moment Darian’s growl signaled he would kill if Manny stood near Rue for even one more moment. He quickly rushed to Rue’s side and brought her body from under Manny and into his own chest. Gasps signaled around the room at the sight before them, but Darian didn’t care. He tilted Rue’s face to his own, his eyes piercing right into her soul and growled, “Mate.” Rue was speechless. Darian was so sure but she was not yet 18 and thus his possessiveness came as a shock to her. “Mine.” Darian growled loudly as he leaned into her and kissed her deeply. More gasps from around the crowd but Rue was too wrapped up in Darian’s embrace to take in the gossip surrounding them. Regardless of her not being 18 she felt something! That kiss was intense, and she found herself wrapping her arms around him to pull him closer. She pulled and rested her forehead into his, he looked into her eyes longingly, “Yours.” She breathed. That was last year and their relationship had blossomed into the passion of being with their gifted lover from the Moon Goddess, and the fun of creating an adventurous friendship as they matched in nearly every way possible. And tonight only further highlighted that love as Rue’s kingdom named them as the mates of the night. You can think of this as similar to being named prom king and queen for a human, but as werewolves and for the first full moon’s ball, the status was far from comparison, and the ball was thrown in the honor of the couple’s love. It was not often unmated couples were honored but with Rue being a Princess, and their love story being known through almost every pack on their side of the country, it also came as no surprise. Her mother and the other party council members for the ball were also able to convince the other packs adding on to the lovingness of the couple as the ball would fall on the night before Rue’s birthday. The thought of Rue being able to dance into her 18th birthday while awakening her own wolf’s awareness to their mate bond would be the cherry on top to their love story. And other she-wolves were looking forward to the moment to further add to their own fantasy of love. Darian takes Rue’s hand and leads her down the grand staircase into the ballroom. Rue smiles at her pack members and guests, as they in turn look at her and Darian admiringly. He leads her straight to the dance floor and begins twirling her as they step into one another. Sighs of longing can be heard not far and his grin widens as he looks into Rue’s eyes. They continue like this for a few moments more before Darian is pulled away to speak to Rue’s father, and she to socialize with her friends Giselle and Penny. “You two look sooooo adorable!” Penny squeaks. She wraps her friend in a hug and then holds her at arms length. “Are you nervous?” Rue shrugged and answered honestly, “No. I mean, I have known my fated mate for almost a year now. I’m just excited for my wolf to know as well” Giselle jumped excitedly to her right, “Ughhh! You are so freaking lucky! And Darian! Of all the guys who would have known that it would be him. You’re seriously the luckiest girl I know!” A blush burned on Rue’s cheeks but she didn’t deny it. “Well ladies, before the clock strikes midnight how about a drink?” The three girls turned and found Manny nearby motioning for a waiter to give them each a glass. “Manny!” The three of them yelled, excited to see their friend. Penny and Giselle rushed into his arms as Rue smiled behind them at him. He nodded her way before placing his arms around the girls to return their hug, as Rue reached for a glass. “Actually,” Rue excitedly stated, “we should drink anyways to celebrate your birthday too.” Manny smirked and chuckled, “You’re right birthday twin.” Then he winked. Winked? Why has he done that just now. Rue looked around the room for Darian who she found still wrapped up in conversation with her father. She breathed a sigh of relief. Ever since Darian’s 18th birthday party Manny and him had had a tense friendship. They went from best friends to what could only seem as frenemies. Manny’s family came from a lineage of both Gammas and Betas and it was known that he would take on a high title at some point. With Darian being Rue’s mate it meant his loyalty would forever be tied to Darian as well once he was king. “Well let’s get this party started!” Shrieked Giselle. They all clanked their glasses together before taking their drinks. A few drinks later and the girls had found their way back to the dance floor. They twirled each other around as they hiccuped and giggled, vibing with the music. “Behave!” Rue loudly whispered to them as she looked over at her mom, who had an eyebrow raised. Penny spun herself around and said, “Ah live a little! This night is perfect! And in just a few minutes it’s only going to get better.” Giselle grabbed Rue’s hands and spun her in a circle around Penny, “she’s right babe. This night is literally about you! Enjoy yourself!” Rue smiles at her friends before peering up again and seeing Darian make his way to her. His gaze is tense and he looks a bit pissed off. Before he can get too close Rue let’s go of Giselle and backs up a few steps. When he finally is within ear shot she looks at him concerned and asks, “Darian, what’s wrong?” He firmly yet also gently grabs her waist as he whispers in her ear, “I need you to come with me.” Penny and Giselle smirk at the couple and exchange glances. “But my birthday,” Rue begins, “it’s only a few minutes away. Everyone wants to see the moment, you know..” Giselle laughs and then says, “Oh go on Rue. Clearly your man wants you to himself when your bond awakens.” And then low and moreso to Penny, “And who could mind that at all.” Penny laughs and nods in agreement. “Go! We will cover for you.” She then grabs Giselle’s hand and twirls away. Rue knows better than to think her drunken friends will cover her, and as she looks at Darian, his face does not look like he’s in the mood for a romantic moment. Figuring it be best to ask him privately what the problem is, she takes his hand and let’s him lead her down a private hall away from the ballroom. They stop at the servants quarters where he asks one to grab a green bottle and ibuprofen for him. He grabs Rue’s chin and tilts it up. She swoons as she looks at him. “You’re drunk.” He states angrily. She blinks. She didn’t see that coming. Werewolves drank as early as 16, and being in the same social group they often got drunk together. She pushes away from him annoyed. “Darian,” she begins but he cuts her off. “I’m sorry Rue.” The anger fades from his face and she sees a flash of concern cross his face. She reaches up to cup his chin and pull him close, “Darian, what’s wrong?” Just then the servant comes into the hall and Darian turns from Rue to grab the green bottle and medicine. He opens the bottle and motions for Rue to stick her tongue out. “I’m fine Darian.” She assured him, “we had way more just last week at Manny’s cabin party.” Darian flinched and she saw anger flash his eyes before he quickly composed himself. Rue felt her stomach tighten as she realized she had brought up Manny. She knew Darian’s wolf was still pissed from the night of his own 18th birthday no matter how much he assured her he was over their harmless conversation. “Just drink it,” he orders her before sighing, “I just don’t want anything to ruin your birthday. And you twirling around drunk with your friends could easily lead to you hurling all over them too. I know tonight is really your night, hell it’s in honor of your birthday more than it is our love story…” Rue laughs, “No way, it’s about us.” She smiles and reaches for the bottle in his hands, “And I’m sorry, I was just having fun but you’re right. All eyes are on us tonight, I’ve got to make sure nothing ruins this perfect night.” She kisses him before sticking two ibuprofens in her mouth. She was about to take a swig of the green bottle when they both heard someone loudly shout, “Fuck.” They snapped their head in the direction of the hall and found Finn, her cousin, holding his crotch. She also hears heels scurrying down the hall but couldn’t make out the she-wolf they belonged to. Rue gives the bottle back to the servant and rushes over to him. Finn looks up at her glassy eyed and moves his hands to his thigh. “Hey cuz!” He coughs, “don’t worry, I’m fine.” Her cousin had been known to be mighty flirtatious with women. Though most fell for his advances, what with him being of Royal lineage and all, there was one she-wolf who would give him an earful and a knee to his jewels every time. “If you stop being so disgusting maybe you will be,” Rue remarked, “besides, I thought Bonnie’s brother told you he would kick your ass the next time you pissed her off.” Finn waved his hands at her and rolled his eye, “I’d like to see him try. Besides, Bonnie wants me, she’s just playing hard to get.” He smirks and now Rue is the one to roll her eyes. “Rue, my dear,” all three of them look up to see the Queen coming their way. They all bow as respect but stand at her dismissal of their posture. “Rue, Darian, you need to return to the ballroom. Everyone is looking for you. And we have just two minutes before midnight. Come both of you now.” Darian grabs Rue and pulls him close to her, “If I may interject my Queen, Rue and her friends have had a lot to drink. Allow me to finish giving her her medicine and then we can meet everyone..” “Nonsense!” The Queen interjects, “I know a drunk Rue and I can tell she’s fine to stand on her two feet, at least 5 minutes past midnight. Now come on.” Rue gives Darian a reassuring glance, “I’m fine my love. I appreciate your concern. Now come on, let’s give these people the love story they are waiting for.”