The Princess's Destiny

Mates

Cooper's Perspective

Today is the day. I'm laying in bed just thinking about how crazy my life is about to be. It is my eighteenth birthday. The day I gain my wolf and the day I could meet my mate. Mate. The one person created just for me, I love them already and I don't even know them. I wonder what my wolf is going to look like.

"Hi Cooper."

"Wait who are you?"

"Your wolf dummy."

"Holy s**t. What's your name? What do you look like? Are you massive like my dad's wolf?"

"Okay slow down. My name is Apollo. You'll see what I look like when we shift. We are an Alpha wolf, why would we not be massive? Just calm down, I know you're excited but I'm with you for life now Cooper."

I can't believe what just happened. I knew my wolf would come to me today but I didn't know when. Pulling on some basketball shorts and a t-shirt I head for the pack house kitchen to grab some food this morning before I head over to Ana's house to see if anyone planned anything for me. I am their future Alpha but more importantly we've all been best friends since kindergarten. Ana is a planner, there is no way she didn't plan something for me, she always has everyone's special days planned out for them so they can feel special and it works.

"Cooper, my baby, happy birthday," my mom coos at me like I'm a small child as she walks to me for a hug. "I can't believe you're eighteen. A man. I'm sure your dad is planning your Alpha ceremony for the next full moon, he's ready to retire." We both share a belly laugh knowing dad has been planning his retirement for years. 

"You're probably right mom, I just hope I'm fortunate and find my mate quickly. I don't want to be an Alpha without  Luna." She just smiles at me and I see her eyes cloud over meaning she's mindlinking someone. A minute later my dad walks in the kitchen, "Morning dad," I mumble though the fruit in my mouth.

"Good morning son. Did you meet your wolf yet?" I nod while I take another bite of pineapple. "Are you ready for your Alpha ceremony tonight?"

"What? Tonight? Dad you've got to be kidding me!"

"I am not. We said you would take over on the first full moon after you turned eighteen. Today is the full moon."

"I haven't even shifted yet. I'm not ready!"

"But you are. Your wolf will shift for you in front of the pack before you lead us on a run for the first time as Alpha. You've been training for years. I believe in you and I will be there for you. Charlie will step down as Beta as well so you'll need to let Ben know today. Have you given thought to who your Gamma or Delta will be? Normally it would be the son of the current Gamma and Delta but I never replaced them after the attack. If you don't have those positions filled yet we can manage but then need to be filled soon, preferably tonight so the transition goes smoothly and everyone can see you are strong and ready."

I run my fingers through my hair, clearly stressed out and not ready for this, "Apollo what are we going to do?"

"What do you mean? We were made for this." He slinks back to the back of my mind and I realize they're right. I decide to head to Ana's and hope they made biscuits and gravy. It's my favorite and I can smell it from a mile away so I always end up there when they make them. I start walking to their house and I can already smell the biscuits and gravy but there is something else. Cinnamon and fresh baked bread? Cinnamon rolls! Oh I love those, I don't think they've made those before but it is my birthday so maybe they did today.

I walk up and ring the doorbell and hear Ana on the other side, "Come in birthday boy!"

I turn the knob and walk in, "biscuits and gravy and cinnamon rolls?" Apollo is going absolutely nuts, howling, and running and then I turn to Sarah, "Mate." I walk to her as calmly as possible when all I wanted was to shove her against the wall and make her mine right there, "I guess we should go someone and get to know each other," I winked at her. We had been best friends since we were little and there was only one thing left to get to know. 

"NO NOT MY SISTER DUDE WHAT THE f**k?!" Ben whines, obviously upset that the moon goddess would give his twin sister to his best friend.

"Oh by the way the Alpha ceremony is tonight, that means you'll be the beta after today. Bye! See you later!" I sweep Sarah off her feet and walk out the door, "I was hoping you were my mate Sarah. You were the one I wanted and you really are mine." I smile and nuzzle into her neck to inhale her sweet scent as she wraps her arms around my neck and places a gentle kiss on my cheek.

"Mine," she whispers in my ear as she pulls me closer, smiling against my lips. I place her on her feet and crash my lips on hers, desperately wanting to taste every inch of her. "Maybe let's take this somewhere more private?" Sarah asks seductively as she grabs my hand and leads me toward the pack house. We both know that my Alpha suite will be empty and it will be easy to get some alone time together as long as we can get there. 

"Baby? As much as I want to take you straight home and make you mine you do know our Alpha and Luna ceremonies are tonight right? We have to sort out the details and get our clothes for the night," I stop walking and pull Sarah into me, "Are you okay with being the Blood River Luna?" I ask her cautiously, if she says no I'm going to be forced to choose between my mate and my pack and I can't imagine what I would do.

"Coop. I believe I called you 'mine.' That means you're mine. Period. Alpha and Luna or a pair of rogues. You. Are. Mine," she tells me really focusing on the last three words pecking soft kisses on my lips between each one. "Now that that's clear, what am I supposed to wear? Most of the time new Lunas are already alphas and they wear their mother's Luna gown. My parents are Betas. Mom doesn't have a Luna gown."

I reach forward and open up the door to the pack house so my beautiful mate can walk through the doors, it is still breakfast time so most of the warriors and ranked members are here, "Leave the dress to my mom baby, she's been waiting on this day. I have a small announcement to make."

"Wait no-"

I say nothing but I hold my hand up, commanding authority and drawing the attention of everyone there. The low roar of the pack house dwindles to nothing, "Good morning everyone!"

"GOOD MORNING ALPHA."

You could hear a pin drop, " As you know today is my birthday, it is also the day of my Alpha ceremony. This morning I found my mate." The pack house erupts into cheers, howls, and applause as Sarah turns fifty shades of red, "Her Luna ceremony will also be tonight. You will refer to her as Luna and treat her with the same respect you would give any of the ranked members. Is this clear?"

"YES ALPHA."

"Good. Enjoy the remainder of your day and I will see you all this evening for the ceremonies and festivities," a few pack warriors come over to congratulate us and to introduce themselves to Sarah, as the commotion dies down I see my parents approaching. "Good morning Mom, Dad."

"Good morning indeed! Sarah will make a fine Luna. I always hoped your mate would be from our pack. I hate seeing the joy and devastation when a shewolf finds her mate in a different pack. On one hand it is wonderful that she has her mate on the other she must leave behind everything she knows and loves," my dad speaks with such knowing, nearly twenty years as Alpha and he has seen his fair share of females coming and going with their mates. 

"Luna, Cooper told me you may be able to help me find a dress for the ceremony?" Sarah asks meekly.

"Noreen my dear. There are no formalities among family. Most of the ranked members don't use rank unless it is a formal occasion or they get a little out of line. Next we need to get you a dress. Mine won't fit you I'm afraid but we can head to the city now to get you your own. Come on now," Mom grabs Sarah's arm and guides her toward the garage to get a car and their body guards.

"Um Noreen? Do you mind if my parents come? This is a big deal and I haven't even had the chance to tell them yet," Sarah asks quietly.

"Oh of course. Your mother would never forgive me if I took you to get your Luna dress and didn't include her. Run over to their house, let her and your father know and I'll be there in fifteen to pick you all up."

Sarah's Perspective

I take off out of the pack house running as fast as my legs will take me to my parent's house. "Mom? Dad? Are you home?'

"Upstairs honey!" I hear my mom yell for me as I walk toward the stairs. I decide to have this conversation on my terms instead of in their room. I just need to feel more in charge and in their room that's just not possible. 

"Can you and Dad come down? I need to talk to you." I say with confidence as I fix all of us coffee. "Goddess give me strength," I mutter under my breath as they come around the corner into the kitchen and take their seats at our breakfast bar. I slide their coffee cups to them and take a deep breath, "I found my mate this morning."

I wait for the shoe to drop. It hasn't hit them yet. "What? Well where is he? Why didn't he come here with you? He didn't reject you did he? That's it I'm going to rip this b*stard's head off for hurting my baby."

"Dad slow down. It's Cooper. He didn't hurt me. Our Alpha and Luna ceremony is this evening. Luna Noreen is taking me shopping for a dress and I wanted you both to come with me." I take a deep breath and look to Mom to calm Dad down a little bit.

"My baby is going to be the Luna?" I can see the tears starting to flow in Mom's eyes, "I'm so proud of you."

"Mom I need you to pull yourself together, Luna Noreen will be here any minute to take us to the city for a dress," I walk over and give her a tight hug, "I'm gonna need both of your help picking the perfect gown."

"I think I'm gonna stay back princess. I need to have a chat with the future Alpha," Dad wasn't happy about Cooper being my mate at all and I am not sure if it would be better or worse if it was a stranger. 

I look over at my mom expectantly, "Mom? You coming?" I hear a car pull up followed by a knock at the door. Mom stays silent but gets up, puts on a pair of shoes and heads for the car. 

"Rebecca are you okay?" Noreen looks at Mom, concerned she didn't greet her as usual.

"Hm? Oh yes. I'm just a bit shocked that our children are mates is all. I mean what are the odds?" Mom actually seems skeptical of us being mates but I can't figure out why. Maybe she just wasn't expecting it, "So where are we going to get her the perfect Luna dress?"

"I was thinking the Strip. There are plenty of shops there and I am positive we can find her a beautiful gown. I already called the spa to get her in for hair and makeup as well so she doesn't need to worry about a thing tonight." I am in good hands today. Noreen and my mom just took so much of the weight off my shoulders. Now I just need to hope my dad doesn't kill my mate.

Ana's Perspective

"WHY? WHY DOES MY SISTER NEED TO BE MATED TO COOPER?" Ben has been whining for twenty minutes already as I sit there stuffing biscuits and gravy in my mouth just trying to ignore the fact that Coop and Sarah are probably doing the nasty right about now. 

"Hey Ben? What are you wearing for the ceremony tonight? I mean you'll officially be the Beta so I figure you should dress like it's a formal occasion right? Who is your date?" It was tradition for the new Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta to bring their mate or a date to the ceremony as a symbol of strength and loyalty to the pack. Don't ask me how a random date shows that but our pack has done that ever since we can remember.

"My dad had his Beta ceremony suit tailored for me, it has been passed down for five generations now so it is pretty dated but it shows strength and pride in our family. I was going to take my sister to show more Beta power but obviously that isn't happening," Ben paused, trying to figure out how he was going to find a date by tonight, "Ana? Did you already have someone to go with?"

My eyes grew to the size of saucers, "Well considering I'm not eighteen no I do not." I already knew what was coming next, Ben is too much of an introvert to go out and actually find a date. Sarah said he is hoping I'm his mate so he doesn't need to go find her. 

"Do you want to go with me maybe?"