The Human's Gargoyle

My Brother's Mate

I woke up when the bed shifted. I could feel that my eyes were puffy from falling asleep while crying. I couldn't believe my own father would attack me like that! I rolled over to see Matthias shrugging a shirt on.

"Where are you going?" He turned to me with a small smile on his face.

"I am going to go get your dress for tonight. You should sleep some more mate." He kissed my forehead. I couldn't help the smile that formed when he called me mate. I seriously would never get used to that!

"I don't think I can sleep any more if you aren't here. Do you know where my dress is? How will you get in?"

"Rest love. And then take a hot shower. I won't be gone long. I know where the dress is and I will get in through your window. No one will know that I was even there." He kissed my lips. I could feel through our bond that he really didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay! I wanted him to stay! "I know love. However, I will not argue with a vision. If you say you must be there tonight, then you will be there. I will be there as well. No harm will come to you. I swear it." With one more kiss he jumped out the window and flew off. I ran to the window to see him. He was magnificent! When he was just a small dot, I turned towards the bathroom. A hot shower did sound really good. I used the shampoo and conditioner that were in there as well as the body wash. I smelled like Matthias! When I stepped out, I dried off and pulled on one of his shirts. I wrapped the towel around my head and left the room. I was kind of hungry but I didn't know when he would be back. The stone floors were cold but not uncomfortably so. I found the kitchen. It was fully stocked! I giggled as I made a couple of sandwiches.

"What are you doing here?" I jumped at the voice. I wasn't expecting anyone else in there! I looked to the door to see an older woman wearing a gray dress with a white apron over it. Her brown hair was pulled into a bun on the top of her head.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't know anyone else was here!"

"Are you her?" I could see the excitement on her face.

"Her?"

"The master's mate! Are you her?"

"My name is Ariana. My mate is Matthias."

"Oh!" She exclaimed before rushing forward and wrapping her arms around me. "I am so excited to meet you dear! I'm Mary. I keep the estate running smoothly! My family has been doing this for generations!"

"What?"

"Master Matthias. He didn't tell you who he was?"

"I just know he's a gargoyle and my mate. I know he served my family for a long time. But other than that, I don't know much about him." She waved her hand dismissively.

"He'll tell you everything in time. Now is there something you need?"

"I just made a couple of sandwiches. He left to get my dress for the Gathering tonight. He should be back soon." And as if summoned, Matthias walked into the kitchen. "Speak of the gargoyle!" He chuckled.

"I was wondering where you managed to run off to. I see you've met Mary."

"Yes. We were just talking. The flight didn't take you long. Is my pack close?"

"Just a few minutes by air. Come. We must start getting you ready for tonight. Mary, would you be able to help her?"

"Of course!" The three of us walked through the castle back to the room. I handed Matthias his sandwich and he kissed my hand after taking it. We were both finished before we made it back to the room. Mary looked over my dress, everything I bought to go with it was sitting on the bed with it. She marveled at the color. "This teal will go wonderfully with your eyes! Who picked this?"

"My mom." I smiled sadly. I missed her so much! I pulled the towel off my head and started brushing my hair. I could see a silent conversation happening between Mary and Matthias.

"Oh. I'm so sorry my dear." I nodded. I didn't trust my voice at the moment.

"Love?" I looked over at Matthias. "I have an errand to run. I shouldn't be long. I just need to leave a message with someone. I should be back in about 2 hours."

"You're leaving?"

"You'll be perfectly safe here. I will be quick. I promise." He gave me another lingering kiss before leaving again. When he returned again, I was behind a curtain with Mary pulling on my dress. My hair was braided to the side with the delicate tiara expertly sewn to my hair so it wouldn't fall off any time soon. "Ari?"

"She's back here sir. Almost done. You should change as well!" I heard him chuckle but he didn't say anything else. It took a few more minutes to lace up the back of the dress. When I stepped out, Matthias was adjusting the sleeves of his suit jacket.

"Wow." I whispered. He looked absolutely amazing in his suit! And he had pulled his hair back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. I bit my bottom lip. He saw and his eyes darkened slightly.

"Mate. You look beautiful! But if you want to go to this thing tonight, I am going to need you to refrain from biting your lip. I told you I would gladly abuse your lip for you." I blushed deeply.

"You look fantastic, Matthias!"

"As do you! You look like a princess." He held out his arms to me. "Come. We should probably get going. We're already a little late." I thanked Mary again before walking into his arms. He picked me up and then we were leaping out of the window into the night air. The night air was cool but the cloak Mary placed around my shoulders helped keep me warm. Plus Matthias was very warm! We weren't airborne 5 minutes before we landed on the lawn of the packhouse. The Gathering was going on inside one of the larger ballrooms. Many werewolves gasped and glared at us when we landed.

"Ari?!" I heard my name and turned toward the door. Aiden was standing there staring between me and the large man with a hand around my waist. I smiled at my brother a second before rushing forward and throwing my arms around his neck.

"Aiden!" He wrapped his arms around my waist as well, but then pulled back and pushed my braid away from my neck. Then he pulled the cloak off of me. My mate mark was on full display now.

"You're mated?" I took a quick glance around. I needed to get him back inside. This was when he was about to leave! He needed to be inside to meet her!

"I am. To Matthias."

"Then you can't be here. This is for unmated wolves only."

"Then I can be wherever I want! I'm not a wolf. But I'm not here for them. I'm here for you. I need you to go back inside with me, Aiden."

"Why?"

"Your sister has seen something and is helping it to come true. You need to trust her. Do as she asks." Matthias came up beside me. He took the cloak from me and hung it over his arm.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Matthias. I am your sister's mate." I could see Aiden's eyes darken.

"You're not a wolf."

"No. I am something else. But you don't need to fear me. I am here merely as support and protection for Ari."

"Um... okay." Aiden turned to me again. "Ari?"

"Come on, Aiden. Let's get something to drink." I looped my arm with his and we walked inside towards the drink table. I could feel Matthias behind me. We stood at the drink table for just a couple of minutes before Aiden stiffened and smelled the air. I smiled. She was here! Aiden smelled her! I stopped them from not meeting! I watched as Aiden spun around in a circle trying to find her. I rolled my eyes before taking his hand and pointing towards the door. He would have to cross the dance floor to get to her but it would be so worth it! I watched him walk off. Matthias then took my hands.

"Will you dance with me mate?" I looked up at him and smiled.

"Always!" He pulled me gently to the dance floor and wrapped his arms around my waist. I rested my hands against his chest and we swayed there on the dance floor surrounded by unmated male and female wolves. They didn't bother us. Barely spared us a glance! But I didn't care. I was at the Gathering with my mate! Dancing! My brother met his mate. I did what I came here to do! I didn't notice when the dance floor started to empty or when someone started growling. My focus was completely on my mate!

"Get your hands off my chosen mate." Someone growled next to me. I turned to see the face of the alpha who was trying to claim me! Matthias glanced over at him.

"She is not your chosen mate. She is my fated mate. You will do well to leave her alone." Alpha Rick growled again and swiped his claws at Matthias' chest. I screamed, expecting blood, but the only thing that happened was the clothing on Matthias' chest shredded, leaving behind skin that looked like stone. I glanced up to see Matthias' face was stone! He was a moving stone statue! He growled at the alpha and his eyes turned completely black. I stepped back trying to get away from the fight that was going to happen. Then Alpha Rick attacked.