Accidental Mates

4

As Cassie and her parents neared the conference building, she could see Liz and Mark waiting outside. On closer inspection, Cassie could see her friend literally bouncing with excitement, Mark standing beside her, trying to contain his amusement.

“Cassie! You’re finally here! What took you so long? We’ve been waiting forever!” Liz exclaimed as she gave Cassie and her parents a hug.

Mark rolled his eyes at his sister, “ It’s been 5 minutes, at most.” He shook Calvin and Logan’s hands. “Please pay no attention to her, she wanted us to be here before sunrise. I thought I’d have to tie her to something to prevent her from leaving the house without me!”

“I’m sorry, I’m just so excited! Cassie, aren’t you even a little excited? We will have our mates soon. Hey! What do you think of a double ceremony?”

Cassie looked at her friend nervously, “How about we wait until we are mated before we start planning the ceremonies. But I am happy we get to do this together.”

“Hey! I have an idea!” Laura exclaimed, “why don’t the girls share a room during the trials? That way, we have extra security for both of them and they can be together on one of the most important days of their lives.”

“I have no objections.” Calvin replied “As long as the girls agree” he added to his mate.

Laura turned to Cassie and Liz, “ Well girls, what do you think? After all, today is all about you two.”

“Oh wow! Really? That would be awesome!” Liz started jumping and clapping with glee. “We could literally find our mates together! What do you think Cass?”

“Actually, it would make the day a lot easier to have someone to spend it with. At least it won’t be boring.”

“Well, since we are all in agreement, shall we go inside?” Laura suggested

“Of course, you are right. We still have a few minutes, but we might need to do some rearranging. Let’s have Tessa move from room one into room two, room one is the biggest and since our girls here will be sharing the space, it will make things less cramped to put them in the largest room. I’m sure Tessa won’t mind, especially when she isn’t here yet to object! Calvin chuckled as he and Laura led the way inside.

Calvin seemed almost giddy as he led their small group passed the reception area, pausing only long enough to say a quick hello to the lioness behind the desk, before heading down the main hallway to the door of the room that Cassie and Liz would spend their day in, at least until they found their mates.

“Gentlemen, please come with me for the moment. Our ladies need their privacy, and I’d like to check in on the progress of the males that have signed up to meet our lovely beauties today.” With that, Calvin kissed Laura’s cheek and gave each of the girls a hug before turning and walking toward a door at the end of the hall, Logan and Mark in tow.

“Come girls.” Laura smiled as she opened the door. “Let me explain how this will work.” She led the way into a dim room with a row of chairs facing what looked like a window with a door alongside. The room itself looked comfortable enough, the chairs were soft and large enough for even Calvin and Logan to sit without having to squeeze in. But there was something off about the window at the front of the room. Although it was early morning, the window was dark. However, before Cassie could ask about it, Laura walked to the side of the room and flipped a switch. Suddenly the window was no longer dark, and it wasn’t a window like any Cassie had ever seen before.

“This ladies, is a one way mirror. On the rare occasion we need to, we use these rooms to interview criminals or rogues that trespass on our land. Although we can see into the room from this side, it just looks like an ordinary mirror from the other side. It is a very useful tool to get the truth from someone without letting them know we’re listening. It also comes in handy for the trials because we can monitor you without the males knowing we are watching. The females’ parents are the only ones usually allowed to watch their daughter’s trials.”

Laura reached out to Liz. “I know we aren’t your real parents sweetheart, and we would never presume to attempt to replace them, but Calvin and I would be honored if you agreed to let us stand in their stead today. I know they would have been so proud of the woman you have become.”

With tears in her eyes, all Liz could do was nod as Laura wrapped her in her arms, Cassie joining in seconds later.

After a brief moment, Laura gently eased the young women away, giving each a loving smile. “We have more to discuss.”

Leading them into the other room, she pointed to a door on the opposite wall. “This is where the males will enter. They will each have a few minutes with each of you and if neither of you bond with them, they will leave through the same door and another will come. The process will repeat until you are both bonded or all of the males have had their chance. You will each have a chair and your guards, Calvin and I will be monitoring from the other room. There will be 5 minute breaks every hour for you to stretch your legs and get refreshments. There will be an attendant on hand to assist you if needed. Do either of you have any questions?”

“What happens if we don’t bond with any of the males?” Cassie asked nervously

“That’s easy, you just wait until the next trials and try again.” Laura answered understanding that her daughter wasn’t just worried about not finding a mate, but also about the reason she was here at all. “There’s no need to worry dear. Yes, you are young, but mate bonds aren’t about age, they are about compatibility and strength of character. I have no doubt you will meet your mate today. There’s just one more thing;” Laura added, glancing between their two young females in front of her.

“You will both wear a hood while the males are in the room. The males are f*******n to know who the females are until after the mate bond is in place. The hoods ensure the bond is authentic and not forced by the males in an effort to obtain a certain female they may favor.The males are also f*******n to touch either of you intimately in an attempt to force a bond.” Seeing the fear on each of the girl’s faces, Laura placed a comforting hand on each of their arms.

“ Remember, Mark and Logan will be present, along with Calvin and I. Nothing will happen to either of you.”

Just then, Calvin stuck his head through the door connecting the trial room with the observation room.

“All set?” He asked, looking at the three women, “ The males are all ready and excited to meet you.”

Laura waited for each of the girls to nod before answering her mate.

“Yes, they are ready. Where are their guards?”

“They’re coming. There was a little incident with the room switch but it has all been handled. They are just getting a couple comfy chairs for our girls to sit in. The ones that were provided were not suitable to sit in for more than a few minutes and I wasn’t going to put them through that! Today will be t*****e enough already, without the added discomfort of a sore bottom!”

He chuckled at his own cleverness as Logan and Mark emerged from the hall, each carrying a chair that could have only come from the elder’s meeting room. The cushions were a deep, rich red and made of the finest looking velvet. As each male deposited his load in it’s designated spot, the girls couldn’t help but appreciate what they had been given. Liz let out an audible groan as she sank into her chair, Cassie just barely restrained herself from making her own sound of contentment as she lowered herself into her own.

Calvin nodded his approval. “There now, isn’t that better than a hard wooden chair? Thank you for your help gentlemen, now please, follow us into the observation room..”

As Mark and Logan did as they were told, Laura looked at Cassie and Liz in turn. “Ok girls, it’s time to begin. This is your last chance to change your minds about this. Are you sure this is what you want?”

Liz, who was almost bouncing in her seat gave an excited yelp, followed by a nervous nod from Cassie.

“Alright then, since you both agree, let the trials begin!”