Memory of Fire

He is my mate?

{Alora}

The party seemed to drag on for ages as people danced, drank and talked for so many hours that i wanted to leave my own party before cake was even mentioned. My mother could tell something was up because she pulled me away by my elbow gently to a quiet spot in the side yard.

"What's going on sweetheart?" she asked as she tucked a rogue curl behind my ear.

With a sigh, I told her everything. Well, not everything. "I have a wolf mom. I didn't think i would have one..." I whispered as tears sprung up in my eyes, and slowly fell down my cheeks.

"That's amazing, sweetheart! Oh, I knew you would have one too. You are far too special to be a human, and far too good at fighting." She said with a lighthearted chuckle as she wiped the tears from my face.

Her happiness makes me smile softly, as i nod "I also found my mate.." i watch her reaction carefully.

"Oh! Sweetheart, that is amazing!!! Who is he? Where is he? Wait, if you found your mate, then why do you seem so sad love?"

"Because mom... I don't know who he is. He seems to be from another pack because I didn't recognize him at all. And when I found him, or well he found me, he wouldn't say anything and just left. I thought he would be somewhere around the party and I could have a chance to talk with him, but he isn't here." I shrugged my shoulders. It's not like I had asked, or even wanted a mate for that matter. So why does it hurt so bad that he hasn't shown up to my party....

"OH I see. Well, if you don't want to stay here at the party, you can leave, try and find him? Maybe he is staying at one of the nearby hotels? Give him a shot." She patted my arm and walked away as I nodded after her.

She was right. He had to be in the pack still. There were maybe six hotels i could check, three luxurious ones for higher ranked wolves who needed a place to stay while visiting the pack. I took a deep breath and straightened my back with determination. If he was anywhere, it was the woods like he said he would be. Though it's on the other side of the pack and quite a walk from the packhouse. I didn't have a car to drive since the limos aren't going to come back for a few more hours, I would have to walk the distance.

Taking steady steps, i walked around the side of the packhouse and started walking down the street. I had only gone a few blocks when I saw Karmen with the same warrior from earlier, giggling as she got into his car and kissing him while reaching between his legs. Yeah, she was going to be busy for a while. Shaking my head i turned and continued my walk, going slow and taking in the buildings that i rarely see at night. Most nights i spent in the gym, working to get better, to be better. There were teens heading into a movie theater, an old couple sitting on a bench in front of some small business store, a group of little kids and their parents at one of the many parks we have. the breeze picked up a little and blew my hair around, i still had 20 minutes more to walk si i reached out to my wolf, i don't even know her name.

"Hello?" I asked, unsure.

"Alora!" she squealed and bounded happily around my consciousness.

"Hello. What is your name? I feel so rude for not even bothering to ask!" I awkwardly rubbed my arms.

"It's Pru" I could feel her smile. She felt hopeful, she hasn't said it yet but i know she wants me to accept our mate. I don't know i want to, it wasn't in my plans to have one. I had a goal, and i don't stray from them. Ever.

"It is nice to meet you pru." i smiled back, it was night to have the company honestly.

"I have been here the whole time, Alora. You just didn't know, and when our birthday came and went you didn't bother to care that I had woken up. You had training to do so i let you be." her words confused me, wolves always shifted the first full moon after they get their wolf.

"I don't understand, you let me be?" I shook my head and frowned.

"Yes, you had to prove to everyone that you were worthy of being here, but more importantly, you had to prove it to yourself, Alora. I have been waiting for you to be ready. I couldn't help myself though, when our mate pulled us into that office."

She waited for me to be ready? "When is our birthday?"

"Our birthday was 4 moons ago, Alora, there is a full moon tomorrow, so 5 months ago."

Five months? I have had my wolf for that long and didn't even notice...

I was almost to my favorite clearing, I could smell him there. He smells like fallen leaves and cool nights. I took a deep breath to steady myself. This is it, this will decide our fate as a mated pair. Do I accept him? Will he accept me?

As I step through the tree line, I can see him standing by a fallen tree, and I continue on my path towards him until we are only a few feet apart. Now that I'm standing in front of him, i don't know what to say. Thankfully, he spoke first.

"I'm Alexander." he said smoothly.

"Hi, I'm Alora" I say much softer than I had wanted to. Wuss.

The grin that had erupted on his gorgeous face was so dazzling that I had lost all train of thought.

"I wasn't looking for a mate, Alora, Not till I saw you, not till I kissed you. And my wolf is run tamped now that he has met you, if you were looking for a rejection, I don't think you should've showed up in this." he said all of this with a smirk on his face as he gestured to my dress and heels.

"I-I don't know what I was looking for, to be honest. I didn't need a mate. But the thought of not knowing was killing me. I didn't even think to change." I said, as a deep red blush rushed up my chest and face. I crossed my arms insecurely.

"Alora." he whispered. I looked up from my feet to see him looking at me deeply. "You look amazing Darling. Please, come home to my pack with me, and we can get to know each other, find out if we actually do belong together. I know my reputation is bad, but I would never reject my mate on her birthday, especially without getting to know her first. And Alora, I want to know you". He gently grabbed my arms, forcing me to look up at him and hear his words.

I feel so confused, Pru is agreeing with him wholeheartedly, but I don't know what I am feeling. Deep down I think this is the best decision.

Nodding softly, I straighten my shoulders and look up at him. "Okay, I will try."