Fate's Divide

1. The Question

Tristan caressed his lover's skin, enjoying the curve of her hips and the warmth of her body. He could stay like this forever. They weren't mates, and they rarely spoke of tomorrow, but he secretly hoped she would always choose him no matter the circumstances.

"Is everything okay?" Lena asked. The dim room, cool air and hot s*x they just had had relaxed her tense body and usually did the same for Tristan. Yet his deep brown eyes were somber. He smiled at her and traced a finger down her arm and hand, grasping it gently. A long pause filled the air.

"Just savoring the moment." He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. Was it the right moment? He had to find out if she wanted more from him, but he wasn't sure if he could stand the embarrassment of a rejection.

It's now or never, he thought. "We've been dating for a while," Tristan started, sitting up in bed and crossing his legs. Lena followed suit and pulled the sheets around to cover her nakedness. Her heartbeat sped up in anticipation of what was coming next.

"So why don't you come stay with me? We do so much together already. It just makes sense. Plus, I'd like to cuddle a lot more often than twice a week." He shot a wink at Lena, trying to mask the anxiety he felt. She sat there, lips parted, and light brown eyes widened in shock. This wasn't an outrageous question. They had been casually dating for over a year, but there was a deeper commitment behind the act of living together - the implication that if either one of them found their mate, they would reject them.

Okay, so maybe it wasn't quite that serious, but who wanted to face a heavy conversation like that? Sensing Lena's thoughts, Tristan sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Look, if you're worried about being committed for life, don't. It's not like we will ever find our mates if we were even chosen to have one anyway. But I get it. You don't have to answer today. Just think about it."

Fated mates were hard to find. Some were told that few were blessed by the Moon Goddess to have a true mate, and others were told that everyone had a mate out there somewhere. One generational story spoke of two fated mates who spent a lifetime trying to find each other, having never met and only feeling a small tendril connecting their two minds. They never unite. Lena was skeptical she had one but enjoyed entertaining the thought.

After a quick peck on her cheek, Tristan stepped out of bed and walked to the master bathroom. Lena watched him in the dim glow from the bathroom light, taking in his chiseled shoulders and legs as he walked. His brown hair fell down to his shoulders, and his skin was tanned from working in the sun. She certainly needed time to think about moving in. Pulling the sheets up around her, she rolled onto her side with her back facing the bathroom door. By the time Tristan emerged from the bathroom, Lena already dozed off. The almost-constant schedule of a pack doctor, plus the recent bedroom calisthenics, were a perfect cocktail for instant sleep.

~~~~

Cement sidewalk gave way to the center of the White Haven community, modeled similarly to a large college campus. Lena's house nestled on the western outskirts of the border with the rest of the housing, a decent walk from the main pack house. This morning, in the orange glow of the sunrise, it was eerily empty. Alpha Lane called for every capable wolf to help prepare for the yearly royal ball. This year, it was to be held in White Haven's historical castle, one mile north of the pack house.

Every five years, the location of the royal ball changes, going through a short list of beautiful destinations that can accommodate a large crowd. This is the start of the five years of hosting for White Haven. The castle, reserved for special events, was constructed atop a hill. Wooden palisades protect the rear and also serve as a territory boundary. Thick stone walls are dotted with rayeres to let light in and crow nests adorn each corner of the ancient building.

The gatehouse welcomes visitors and then gives way to a spacious courtyard that transforms into an outdoor ballroom. Inside the castle are spiral staircases, plenty of secret passageways, and even a small, unused dungeon on the lowest level. The inside is carefully modernized with marble flooring, electricity, and plumbing. Crystal chandeliers hang delicately from vaulted ceilings, and priceless works of art fill the empty spaces on walls. Another section of the castle was recently renovated for several meeting rooms and two small private offices. The largest room hosts a dance floor and a formal dining arrangement. This is where the ball will take place.

Lena remembers the castle well, having been to many academic events as a pup. It has been several years since she walked inside it. And I'm sure it will be several more before I visit again, she thought sarcastically. It was a royalty only event, plus there wasn't any other reason for her to visit.

Crisp clean air hit Lena's face as she opened the infirmary door, pulling her out of her castle thoughts. It still had the classic hospital scent despite being only one room within the packhouse. There were no scheduled appointments today, but she was required to be available in an accessible place in case of emergency. The rest of her time off, she was really just on-call. Werewolves have a remarkable ability to heal themselves with the exception of omegas, so most of her days were predictable, save for wounded warriors and ill wolves.

An unremarkable day. Lena used her free time to organize, count, and order supplies. On her lunch break, she took a stroll outside, where she caught her best friend walking out of a building. Lena waved at her and jogged to catch up with her long strides.

"Hey, girl!" Sophie grinned. "Long time no see. How are you?" Taller than Lena by a head, Sophie bent down to give her short friend a tight hug, her scent of coffee and vanilla enveloping Lena. It was comforting, bringing back a sense of security and nostalgia. They were best friends since toddlerhood. Everything that happened within the pack and their families, they told each other. Squabbles, debates, belly-shaking laughter, tearful heartbreak, and loss, they supported each other through it all. If fated mates were real, then Lena was sure fated sisters were, too.

"I'm having boy troubles," Lena admitted, quickly summarizing the previous night. Sophie's eyes widened at the news.

"Do you have a minute? Let's talk in private. Come on." She grabbed the doctor's hand and led her back to the infirmary. Shutting the door behind them, Sophie plopped down on a stiff gray armchair and looked to her friend expectantly. Lena leaned against a stainless steel table.

"So? Tristan asked you to move in with him. You two have been together a while, but I know you. You're not ready for that, are you?" Lena sighed and shook her head, a wavy lock of black hair falling in her face. She didn't have to say much for Sophie to know what she was thinking. They talked a while more about Lena's predicament.

"He loves you. You really should have stopped him long before he asked this to tell him you're not wanting serious." Sophie frowned. "It's not totally your fault. He should have known better. But relationships get complicated no matter how casual." Lena's cheeks reddened, ashamed that she had led him on so long. She played with the hem of her blouse while Sophie continued.

"Just tell him no and go from there. It doesn't have to be a big deal, but it might be once he realizes he doesn't know where you stand. Don't make him wait for you." Don't waste any more of his time, Lena mentally added. Of the pair, Sophie is more socially adept. It was easy to ask her for relationship advice because she always knew how to handle things eloquently and reminded Lena when she was taking herself too seriously. Sophie glanced at the analog clock on the wall and stood, smoothing her azure skirt.

"Everything will be fine, Lena, trust me." She gave her friend another hug and squeezed her hand, offering a sympathetic smile that quickly turned into a grin. "Besides, if you're really waiting for a mate, maybe he'll be at the royal ball waiting for you." Sophie winked, her eyes bright with mischief. Lena rolled her eyes and told the blonde beauty goodbye as she walked out of the room.

Wouldn't that be a sick joke, she thought, for my mate to be within arms reach and I wouldn't ever know?