Fated Mate

The Reception

The High Priestess is the one who passes out as she slumps forward. Derek looks toward Diane and I can see some tears falling as she stares forward, blinking slowly.

"I was a child" I say, ready to defend myself from what the Moon Goddess painted me out to be. Diane held up her hand to me before I could add more.

"I will forgive you even if you are not sorry because you are my sister." She says, taking a deep breath and looking towards me "I do not want to spend the rest of my wedding night arguing with you over this and you need your mind free for this decision. She said she was not punishing you Alphas, but, the fact of the matter is that you will be tied to her until she sets you free, which means your pack will be tied to her as well." She stands and Derek follows quickly behind her. "I am going back to my wedding, please feel free to join us when you are able." And with that my sister leaves me alone with two Alphas.

I should be scared at this moment. I should be terrified but, the fact is. I feel more safe than I have ever felt in my entire life with these two men. Besides their appearance, they both have made tremendous accomplishments with their pack. Rourke runs the Clover pack and uses their power to help preserve Gaelic and Irish heritage that is quickly being lost to time. There are rumors that they are the only pack in North America with a connection to Fae. Many believe that the Fae are an extinct race that has ceased to exist thanks to deforestation and climate change. Others believe that that is just what they want you to think so that they can protect themselves. In the world of Mythos, Werewolves run the show. We have all the power of a vampire, minus the brooding that exists with being immortal and we can work during the daytime. The Lycan King presides over all those who fall into the category of supernatural. Lycans are different than werewolves because, when they change, they are a humanoid wolf, not a human stuck in a wolf's body. Lycans are Wolfmen, Werewolves are shapeshifters. The Fae have their own royalty that does not jive with the Lycan King, so if they did go into hiding that could be a factor. The Clover pack is also tied to the earth element, just like the Kinderwood pack is too. Which means Rourke and Derek share the same powers undoubtedly.

For Xander and the Twistriver pack, they are tied to the water element, which I don't really know what power that comes with. I will have to ask him more about that later. Twistriver is a powerful pack the same as Clover. They have worked hard to clean up riverfronts as much as they can, some even traveling to other states to help in efforts. There are also rumors that follow them too. Some believe that they are tied with Naiads or the riverfolk. In my world, the only confirmed and acknowledged races are Shapeshifters, Lycans, Mermaids, Vampires, and Witches. Every other myth has existed at some point, but with how the world has changed, there is no way to know if they have taken themselves off the map for protection or if they were hunted. Some humans like to hunt us like animals, the majority treat us like equals. Well, Shapeshifters, Witches, and Lycans receive equality. Mermaids and Vampires struggle more than us since their race has limitations. Mermaids can exist in human form but not for long. Vampires do not sparkle but instead receive second-degree burns. One thing Twilight did get right is that Vamps can survive on animal blood quite well and most do not feed on humans at all unless they have a human companion who thinks it's fine. Vamps have been making strides in their movement, but for a long time Mermaids were content to just go to the ocean when things got tough. Now the ocean has become a lot more dangerous for them, so they will begin their march soon.

The two men looked at me in unison and again I am so glad that someone else was in charge of my appearance tonight so I can look some what desirable.

"Before things go further I should ask now, Do either of you want to reject me as your mate?" I asked, hoping they could make the decision for me. They turned to look at each other and then turned to look back at me.

"Nope", Xander says, popping the "P".

"Not a chance, Love," Rourke adds as well. "I think we should rejoin the party and get to know our mate?" He asks Xander. Xander turns to ask me.

"Does that sound good Celeste?" He asks carefully with his words. I think back to what the Moon Goddess had said about him and his arrogance.

"Yes we can." I said. They each take an arm and begin leading me back to the ballroom.

When we arrive, the only ones who notice we have returned are the Betas. Both Sean and Leith are looking for us and come running up when they see that we have returned.

"Xander, is this our new Luna?" He asks, placing his arm across his stomach ready to bow.

"No, not yet. It goes for you too, Sean. She must decide herself who she will choose, but I can't lie and say that I would not be honored if it was Twistriver she chose to help rule." I blush and look down.

"Alpha Rourke, can I speak with you a moment?" Sean asks, looking apologetic. Rourke looks at me and smiles and kisses my hand.

"Why don't you and Xander dance while I talk to my Beta". He says, then turns to Xander, "Will I have my turn when I come back?"

"If she doesn't fall for me while we are dancing", Xander says, grinning.

"Oh I am sure your dancing is not that, like to make her trip." Rourke adds, walking off with Sean and letting go of my hand slowly. Xander and I are alone and he takes a second to look into my eyes and I see that shimmer I saw earlier tonight. As he leads me to the dance floor, I ask.

"When does the shimmer go away?" I worry he doesn't know what I mean, but after pausing and adjusting us into a dancing pose he speaks.

"You know, I don't know" he says with a laugh. I expect to find myself uncomfortable since I have never danced before but, clearly, Xander has danced enough for both of us. He leads and glides me around the floor and I feel like Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

"We should have asked the Moon Goddess when we had the chance" I said.

"I have far better words to have with her when we see her again", he adds, grimacing.

"Was it the arrogance comment?" I asked, wanting to know more about my suitor. He clenches his jaw before responding.

"Yes it was, did you know that when a Lycan mates with a Werewolf 75% of the time you get a Lycan, the other 25% you get me" he says.

"You're half Lycan?" I asked, surprised.

"I am supposed to be, but unlike my brothers, I am a werewolf just like my mom." He says and spins me around.

"Well, at least you are an Alpha, you could be an Omega like me." I said, hoping not to sour the mood so soon.

"For my father and his family, I might as well be an Omega. It doesn't matter that I lead an entire pack at 25 years old or any other achievement I earn. I am still only just a shapeshifter."

"Well to your pack your more than that, and your pack is your true family after all," I said, with a smile. He smiles back and asks.

"Do you know how I became Alpha?"

"No, I just assumed you inherited it like Derek."

"Maybe that is for the best," he says, and if it was his intention for me to become more interested in him, it is working.

"So who your dad is made you arrogant" I say, hoping I am following along.

"In a way, yes, you may understand this as an Omega with a Luna sister. From the moment I was born, it was clear I did not belong in either world. I didn't want to fight my way into the Lycan world, just be my father's son, so, I became an Alpha and even then, with this title, I was still treated as less. So I started making sure everyone knew I knew where I was supposed to be." He finishes and the song ends. He leads me back to where I was sitting when we first met.

"No one can tell me I don't belong anymore and I guess I come off as arrogant." He shrugs and he reaches up his hand to my face to brush some of my hair away.

"Regardless of who you choose, you are a Luna now, Celeste. You should know who you are and know where you belong." He says, meeting my gaze as he says the last bit. I hadn't thought of it, but he's right. No matter who I choose, I am a Luna of a pack now. My Omega status is gone now. I think of what opportunities I will have for my art career now that I am stuck in that caste system any longer. I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked around to find Rourke standing behind me.

"Xander, did you warm her up for me?" He asks with a very cheeky grin. He extends his hand out to me and I take it and stand turning around to look at Xander.

"Have fun Celeste, enjoy your tale of two princes." He smiled at me. They shifted in tone with me. At first, they were possessive when the mate bond struck them. Now they seem to have come to the conclusion that, since this is up to me, they have better luck if they act like gentlemen. Some bravado is good, but too much is a turn off. I would, of course, want my mate to fight for me. That's one of the best parts of having a Mate, one person to love and care for you always. Who would do anything to protect you and them. I had gotten used to the idea that I would not find my mate and I would have to go through my life on my own. I wasn't exactly opposed to it, but the idea that I don't have to be resigned to that life makes me happy. Rourke leads me out on to the floor just as Xander did before.

"I am not as good as this as Xander may be, so apologies" Rourke says sheepishly. I smile.

"Alpha Rourke, I have no reference for this, so you're doing fine." I said.

"Oh please don't call me that. My friends like to call me Lee," He says.

"Lee, I have not danced before this night so, the fact I have yet to trip and fall has been amazing."

"I am a far better dancer when I have had a few drinks" He grins again at me. "And before you say anything. I am an Irish Caricature. I drink and I am a ginger. I could be a Leprechaun and no one would know it."

"Do you have a pot of gold?" I asked.

"Oh no, I have met my mate and she is a gold digger" we laughed. "I wish I was lucky like one."

"You don't think you are lucky?"

"Well, now dancing with you? I feel like the luckiest man in the world, but no, not always do I feel this lucky." He says and keeps smiling, but, I can see something else behind his eyes.

"I haven't felt lucky either," I admitted.

"Is that what made you want to curse your sister". He asks. I am struck by his boldness. Sensing this, he retracts."I'm sorry I just was curious."

"It's okay. You should know. After all, you will have to accept me as your mate as well."

"For the record, anyone who could reject you, Celeste Black, is an idiot." I blushed again.

"My sister and I used to be very close. She became a teenager and boys and status became more important. I was just so mad and angry and confused." I looked down. He reached out to me and cupped my chin and tilted my head up to look at him.

"You were young and you made a mistake. Honestly, I am grateful you did that because it means I got to meet you. I mean, chances are one of us was your first choice mate, and the other was tacked on" I hadn't thought of that but, he is probably right. I wonder if The Moon Goddess would reveal this to me to make my choice easier. Not anytime soon, I imagine. The song ends and Lee brings me back to the table with Xander.

"How was second place", he asks as I sit down.

"Haha very funny." Lee says, rolling his eyes. He looked at me. "Celeste, would you come join me in the Clover pack for a week?" I will return home tomorrow and you should get to know the packs before you make a decision."

"Whoa, I am also returning home tomorrow. What if she wants to come home with me?" Xander asks.

"Can I flip a coin?" I ask shyly. They nod and Lee pulls out a cold goin from his pocket. He handed it to me.

"Oh luck of the Irish, Leprechaun got into his pot of gold for that one." Xander says, laughing at Lee.

"Xander, I will rip your throat out now to save our mate the trouble of having to decide if you like?" Lee says, laughing, but his eyes are speaking a different language than his mouth. I flip the coin before this escalates.

"Heads!" Xander shouts, calling it in the air. I put it on my hand and see that it is tails.

"f**k!" Xander shouts in the same tone he shouted heads with.

"Cheers mate", Lee says, toasting a glass of champagne at him that he has picked up from the table. Xander stands downing his drink. After he finishes, he looks down at me. Grabbing my hand to kiss it.

"Goodbye my dear, I will see you in a week", turning to Lee. "Rourke, I will contact you later to work out what day I can pick up my future bride." Smiling, turns to walk away.

"He can laugh now. I will have the last laugh when you choose me after a day with my pack." Smiling, he sips his drink. We watched the rest of the reception together. As my sister and Derek play games and cut the cake, I start imagining how my own wedding might look. I keep dreaming about how my wedding might look as I drift off to sleep, resigning to pack in the morning. The only thing I can't plan about my wedding right now is the Groom.