You Have Always Been Mine

There she is. His chosen mate. Well, his intended chosen mate. She’s just turned sixteen and he can’t claim her yet, of course, but oh, she’s worth the wait. Her name is Ginny and she is the Alpha’s youngest child and only daughter. Max knows he is reaching for the stars here—she is so beautiful, so perfect. But somehow, by the Moon Goddess’s grace, she feels the same way about him, despite his wolf’s issues, his not-so-impressive pedigree, and his poor social standing (or lack thereof). Tonight, she will prove it to him. Tonight, on her sixteenth birthday party, she will declare to one and all that she has accepted to become his mate. Their secret love will not be a secret anymore. In just a few minutes, they will be recognized as— “Max? Why… Why are you all dressed up?” He turns around to see his mother, Lettie, holding a tray with champagne glasses and frowning at him in confusion. She’s wearing the customized pink apron for the party over her white uniform, just like all the other staff who are serving the guests tonight. He beams at her, showing her the long-stemmed red rose he is holding in one hand. “I’m in the dance, of course.” Lettie glances nervously at the stage where the master of ceremonies is entertaining everyone before the Sixteen-Roses dance begins. Ginny is sitting on her princess throne, smiling prettily at the cameras. On one side, there is a line of young men waiting for their turn to give her a pink rose and dance with her for a few minutes. Most of them he recognizes from Ginny’s high school, but the unfamiliar faces must be from neighboring packs. Ginny did mention that her father is mixing pleasure with business, inviting allies and their young ones to her Sweet Sixteen celebration. Max would bet all the money left in his savings account that these pups are also sniffing around her heels for a possible match. Everyone knows that, aside from her beauty and natural charm that would make her a perfect future luna, Miss Imogen ‘Ginny’ Groves comes with money and good connections through her father. Young and beautiful, well-mannered and charming, rich and well-connected. She is the perfect catch and they are all on the hunt. But she has chosen to be with him. Max can’t help but grin triumphantly. “Son, do her parents know about this?” He frowns. “Well, no, but Ginny told me it’s fine,” he explains in a low voice so as not to alert anyone. “The last dance is a surprise, she will be introducing me to everyone as her intended mate.” Lettie pales and her shoulders stiffen. “Oh dear Goddess…” He smiles calmly to reassure her that everything will be okay. “Mom, please don’t worry. We have an understanding. It’s going to be—” “A disaster! It’s going to be a disaster, Max! Please, don’t do this! Please! The Alpha will never consent to this and… and to go publicly behind their backs when everyone who is anyone is here—Max, they will be furious!” Lettie looks around for a place to put her tray down. “At least talk to the Luna about it first! She will know what to do—” “Mom, Ginny and I… have an understanding. It’s going to be okay, we have a plan—” “Like what!? To leave the pack because her father disowned her!? To dig your own grave for when the Alpha is done with you!? Max, please! You’re all I have—I can’t bear to lose you!” “You won’t!” He tells her firmly. “I promise everything will be just fine.” Tears begin to fall from his mother’s eyes. “You can’t make that promise…” “Mom, trust me—” The Master of Ceremonies is now calling the names of the young men lined up to dance with Ginny. Romantic music is being played by the live band, the singer’s sweet voice floating around the ballroom in perfect harmony with the swaying bodies of the celebrant and her current dance partner. “Son, please…” He swallows painfully, staring at Ginny like a wanderer who sees water after a very long time in the desert. Even if he wanted to listen to his mother, he’s in too deep now. He has promised Ginny he’ll be there to claim her. That he will stand beside her and hold her hand when she finally reveals the truth about them. There is no way in hell he is going to chicken out now. “I’m sorry, Mom…” he whispers. “I have to do this. I love her. I have always loved her. And by some miracle, she loves me too.” “Oh, Max…” Lettie sobs, shaking her head. “I-I can’t watch… I can’t…” she turns away and runs back to the kitchen. Max sighs. It can’t be helped. Of course she’s going to be worried, but she just doesn’t understand. He and Ginny can do this. Their love can conquer anything and this is just the first step towards happily-ever-after! The Alpha and Luna might be angry at first but it is a necessary evil, some sort of baptism by fire. They will come around once Ginny tells them this is what she truly wants. What will make her happy above all else. Just a few minutes now and his mother won’t cry anymore. Well, not tears of sadness anyway. She won’t have to slave away in the kitchen with the omegas any longer. Finally, their lives will change, and everything will be better. Max will make sure of that. Just a couple of dances left and it will be his turn. He grips the rose a little bit tighter, trying to ignore the cold dread that makes him want to shiver in his formal three-piece suit. It cost him a lot more than he was willing to part with from his savings but this is a special occasion and Ginny deserves the best. He will not embarrass her by not looking more than presentable. Everyone will be scrutinizing Alpha Timothy’s future son-in-law. “...and finally, tonight, our lovely celebrant will introduce to us a special someone for her last dance…” the Master of Ceremonies announces grandly, making everyone hush and turn to look. Max takes a deep breath and steps closer to the stage, causing curious glances and whispers from the tables he passes by. He ignores them and takes his stand on the spot for the next dance. The Master of Ceremonies takes a double look at him and glances down at his tablet in confusion. Luna Grace stands up as the whispers grow louder and the Alpha glares at him from the principal table. Max ignores everyone and keeps his eyes trained on Ginny, who is looking back at him with a bland expression. “Max, what are you doing?” the Luna asks him under her breath, touching his arm and giving a subtle but warning tug. “I’m Ginny’s next dance.” “I’m sorry—what!?” “No, I’m Ginny’s last dance,” Rupert Hawthorn steps in from behind the speakers, holding the same long-stemmed red rose that Max has in his hand. “It’s my right as her boyfriend. Why are you here? This is a formal event. Didn’t think they’d let the dogs in!” The Master of Ceremonies glances awkwardly at Ginny and then at Max and Rupert. “Uhm, there seems to be some sort of misunderstanding in the queue, let me just check—” “There is no misunderstanding,” Max cuts him off in a firm and unwavering voice, keeping his eyes locked on Ginny. “I’m claiming her last dance. She is mine.” As gasps and loud whispers now begin to fill the grand hall, Alpha Timothy stands up and marches furiously towards Max, grabbing him by the arm. He winces in pain but stands his ground. Luna Grace tries to tell Alpha Timothy not to make a scene for Ginny’s sake but the Alpha brushes his mate aside. “Are you out of your mind, boy!?” The Alpha growls. “Get out of here now before I tear you to pieces for your audacity! What the hell do you think you’re doing, embarrassing yourself like this!? Embarrassing us!” “Ginny is my chosen mate and she has accepted me as well,” Max declares, trying to keep his voice from breaking as doubt begins to creep in because Ginny still has not said anything. She’s supposed to stand beside him. To tell everyone that him being there is not a mistake, but something they have been planning for a while now. She’s— “Ginny, tell them! You can do it!” He calls to her as Beta Collins starts to drag him away from the stage. “Please—Momogin!” Out of sheer desperation, he escapes from the Beta’s grip and runs back to Ginny, offering her the red rose he’s holding, expecting her to take it. Still believing in her. In them. “Be brave for us…” She seems to be frozen in place, her eyes darting at the crowd around them. He can see fear in her eyes, the confusion, but then her eyes settle on a particular group in the crowd who gives her a thumbs up sign and with that her eyes harden. She takes a deep breath and turns to Max with cold eyes. “For goodness sake, Max, it was a prank. Can’t you take a joke!?” she mutters sullenly, avoiding his gaze. “Go away! You’re ruining my Sweet Sixteen.”