Her Fated Family

Chapter 2

“Hurry up Mags! We are going to be late!” Rayna shouted from the living room.

I sighed and pulled my black mourning gown out of the back of my closet. It was a simple spaghetti strap a-line gown with a slit coming to just above my knee.

The Shadow Moon pack did things a bit differently than most other packs when it came to saying goodbye to our lost members. The funeral was held within 24 hours of the death of a pack member and was a private service at the lake for the family members. The head warrior was also in attendance in order to light the funeral pyre. Two days later, a Remembrance Ceremony would be held with the entire pack in attendance. This was a formal event and typically included a dinner in the packhouse ballroom with friends and family sharing stories of their lost loved one.

Tonight was Luna Lara’s Remembrance Ceremony.

I slipped the dress on, being careful not to mess up my hair, and a pair of black heels. I grabbed my black clutch and the black shawl that I had crocheted a few weeks prior.

Within minutes Rayna and I were making our way towards the packhouse.

“So,” Rayna said, breaking the silence as we walked. “Just how devastated do you think Alpha Dominic really is?”

“Ray!! That’s his mate!!” I used the same scolding tone I used in the classroom. “Of course he’s crushed.”

“Okay but really Maggie. They were such an odd couple and they never really looked all that, y’know, lovey dovey,” she replied.

“Odd couples is what the Moon Goddess does best Rayna. You know this. A wolf’s fated mate-“

“I know, I know,” she cut me off. “A wolf’s fated mate is someone who completes them, the calm to their storm, the fire to their ice.” She rolls her eyes at the corny analogies we were taught growing up. “But still. You gotta admit they were a weird couple.”

I had to agree with Rayna on that one. I rarely saw Alpha Dominic and Luna Lara together when I was at the packhouse for DJ’s tutoring. And the times I did they were just… off. The Alpha always seemed too busy to talk to her and the times when he appeared to want to, she sort of brushed him aside and ran off to do something.

We walked quietly the remainder of the way and finally arrived at the packhouse amid a steady stream of other pack members. There were four warriors guarding the entrance, which was unusual even for a pack event such as this. But what was even stranger was that every guest was being scanned with a silver detector.

Rayna and I raised our eyebrows at each other.

‘What the f**k is this all about?’ she linked me, sounding just as confused as I was.

‘No idea,’ I linked back. ‘But Luna Lara was killed by rogues. I’m sure the Alpha is probably just being cautious.’ We shrugged at each other and waited for our turns to be scanned.

We entered the packhouse and the heavenly scent of pine trees and citrus filled my nose. Echo’s ears perked up. Apparently she liked the scent as well.

“I love the way it smells in here,” I commented to Rayna as we made our way to the ballroom. “I wish I could just bottle it up and keep it…”

“You love the smell of steak and potatoes that much?” she laughed at me. “I mean, I guess I can cook more at home instead of us eating bar food all the time.”

I frowned at her.

“No you goober. Pine. Citrus. Don’t you smell it? It’s absolutely-“ I stopped talking and our eyes widened as Rayna and I both realized suddenly what was happening.

“My mate!” I exclaimed softly. Rayna squealed with excitement. I stood there, frozen. “But we know everyone in the pack. How could my mate be here?”

“I swear Mags. He’s probably got guests from other packs! Go! Find your mate!” she giggled and shoved me into the crowded ballroom.

Echo was whining in my head, sniffing and prancing excitedly. The further I went into the ballroom, the stronger and more intoxicating the smell became.

I came to the hallway off the east side of the ballroom that lead back toward the ballroom kitchen and serving rooms. Was my mate one of the packhouse staff?

I wandered down the hallway and stopped at a door marked private. Without hesitation I grabbed the doorknob and opened the door, rushing inside to meet my mate.

I stopped suddenly, completely mortified. I had entered Alpha Dominic’s private office that he used during packhouse events. And he was there.

The Alpha was standing behind his desk looking angry. His hazel eyes glared at me and his hands gripped his desk so hard that his knuckles were white. His long black hair was hanging loose and wild. Damn that man was hot when he was pissed. Echo was howling in appreciation.

Realizing what I had just done, I panicked.

“I am so unbelievably sorry, Alpha. I smelled my mate down this hallway. I didn’t mean to invade your privacy. I- I’m sorry for your loss.” I turned around to run out of the office but before I could reach the doorway, a strong hand grabbed my arm.

Sparks shot up my arm and I nearly melted where I stood. I turned and found myself inches away from Alpha Dominic’s face. The amazing smell of citrus and pine hit me. I gasped, shocked.

“Mate…” I whispered. This couldn’t be real.

“Mate. Maggie Malone. My second chance mate. You’ve got to be f*****g kidding me,” he growled.