The Tribrid's mate

The Festival of the Moon

Lexa POV:

I looked around and saw no one. Then suddenly a wave of fatigue hit me. That was the last thing I felt before it all went black.

* Two days later*

"Wake up sleepy head, it's your birthday, it's time to get ready for the festival. I got you a dress", Mother said smiling at me.

I got excited at the thought of finding my mate and leaving the Kala Moon Pack. I loved my mother and even my Father but I kept having this feeling that I was not welcome here. Yes, that sounds ridiculous.

Albeit, that was exactly how I felt....that's how I have felt for the past 20 years. Alone. Unloved. An outcast.

From my bright red curly hair to my blue eyes, I was nothing like the other girls in the pack. No wonder no one wanted me. Tonight, I had to go all out, I thought to myself.

I frowned and asked my mother if I had slept for a whole day as I remember the previous day being at the preparation ground. "You fainted right at the shores of the lake....Your Father & I were so worried and then I remembered you had a fever earlier in the morning. I shouldn't have asked you to come with me to prepare", Mother said.

I wanted to ask about my eyes but again I was tongue tied. Mother took that as a sign that I needed to slow down and just get ready for the festival. "Close your eyes, I brought you a surprise!", Mother said excitedly. I happily obliged. Upon opening my eyes, what i saw before me took my breath away. Literally! A white dress with ruffles at the ends and a slit that would definitely run up halfway through my thigh. The neckline was a cross that would show off my shoulders elegantly.

I was star struck...the fabric had tiny sparkle detailing that meant I would likely dazzle..at night.

I looked at Mother, "Did Father agree to have me wear this?" "It's so beautiful but maybe too much", I blushed.

Looking at the size, it would definitely hug my curves and that was something I really had! Thanks to Mother, I thought.

"It was Father that picked this particular dress out for you", Mother responded. I immediately hopped off the bed and pulled my mother into a hug! "Then I can't wait for the celebration tonight, do you think I'll find mate?" I said.

Mother's smile didn't quite reach her eyes but she responded " Everything will work out just fine, Lexa."

In that same moment, my wolf said to me...."Our time has come."

I brushed the thought aside and happily began to prepare myself.

~ On the other side of the Lune District where the Kala Moon Pack was situated, stood the cosmopolitan city - Nevida.~

Nevida was a busy city always bustling with energy. It was one of the few places where all forms of supernatural beings were permitted rights to interact and live among each other. On every street walked the wolves, vampires..even witches. Rumour had it that a few humans even stalked around in search of some kind of supernatural power.

Nevida was governed by a council - The Grey Ones. The council constituted of a representative from each clan - Werewolves, Vampires, Witches and Humans. Albeit, the Werewolves had been ruling as head of the council for the past century. It passes on to the next clan that has contributed the most to the city's economy.

In the heart of the city stood a skyscraper and on the penthouse sat a man deep in thought, sipping on a glass of scotch. Vince Mooncliff.

Vince POV:

Here I was sitting at the penthouse of my apartment. Lost in thought. 

Cursed? Why did she say that to me? I never really believed in these things but I was werewolf..in fact one of the most powerful there has been in a long time especially for my age. Father was the leader of the Grey Ones council until he died three years ago and I had to take over his position as leader of the council at 25 years. 

This was highly unusual, it was a big surprise to the council members but the witch among them immediately fell into a trance speaking of a prophecy and a curse! She said I was cursed. Me?

I was definitely cursed in the aspect of not finding my mate yet and possibly the size of my wolf form which has proved to be the largest to be seen in centuries but other than those I felt fine.

No, I wasn't cursed. I couldn't be.

Except those dreams I have been having lately about a red haired girl with blue & red eyes. 

"Red hair...Blue & Red blood-shot eyes", I said aloud nearly laughing at myself. That sounded like some fantasy..there was no girl like that. Such a girl would stand out in a crowd. In a city for f**k sake.

I kept seeing her run. What was she running from? Who was chasing her? She ran with impossible strength, was definitely a wolf but didn't shift. What was this all about?

I shook my head as I got up and walked out to get a better view of the city. My pack members were on high alert on each side of the penthouse. Nevida was a beautiful city and yet dangerous..although being a haven for all form of supernaturals meant the rich culture could make you fall in love with the diversity. 

However, this also meant the thin line between peace and chaos was strained too often for comfort.

I loved the city though but ever since Father died and I assumed leadership, the duties to the people of the city became quite a weight on my shoulder and I gradually began to see the city differently. A job. An obligation.

I felt alone. Surrounded by family - I still had Mother around and my little sister but I knew it was a void that only a mate could fill. I thought about the red haired girl running. That beauty. That strength. 

Enough of that! It was time to go attend the Moon Festival. I planned to make my visit brief. Again, this was an obligation. Being exclusively a werewolf celebration, all the packs from neighbouring territories would be present at the Crystal Moon Forest. The forest was located at the far end of the city and divided the city from other packs on the other side who identified in districts. 

It was time to leave. "Let's leave now so i can get back in time. Where is Mother & Bella?", I said to Ovaro.

Ovaro was my Beta and best friend who also recently happened to be my sister's mate.

"Yes, everyone's in the car and waiting. Let's go find you a mate!", he said mischievously.

I shot him a look that said "Shut it" but he knew I was nervous and hoped I found her tonight or soon at least. 

* The Crystal Moon Forest*

It was packed already, well we were late and for good reason. I was technically the leader of the werewolves...as Ovaro would often say.

As soon as I walked in and joined the ceremony, I started to feel uneasy. The hairs on my body stood up and I wasn't sure what this was. This was close to my wolf's reaction whenever danger was somewhere lurking. I looked around, all i saw were happy couples lazily dancing to the music and openly exploring each other's bodies. It was a full moon so hormones were at its highest.

There was no need to be ashamed.

Again, I felt it. What's going on?

I moved around a bit and froze. A realisation hit me, this was how I felt in my dreams whenever I saw the red haired girl run. I shook it off. Again with my wolf's fantasies. 

"Be patient, we will find our mate", I said aloud but to myself alone.

I suddenly felt hot and wanted to escape for a bit, nothing better than a run in the forest. The wind in my hair and my wolf misses being out. I gave in and told Ovaro I would be back within the hour.

Immediately, I walked off into the deeper parts of the forest, I had to admit I was disappointed. I had hoped I would find her here but not a single girl intrigued me at the very least.

I stripped down and neatly tucked my clothes at the base of a tree. 

Before long, I was running through the forest...God! I wish i could do this more often!

Then I stopped, I heard breathing. Someone was coming, running. Really fast too.

I looked around. I concentrated on the footsteps and knew where to go.

I ran and ran...what hit me first was the scent. A mix of spices - jasmine, cinnamon and wild flowers.

My wolf said "Mate."

I ran faster. If she was in danger, I would die before anyone hurt her. I had to see her, hold her, meet her...love her.

Then I saw her. A sparkling white dress with a high slit to her thigh that didn't stop her from running at an impossible speed. Her full red curly hair with freckles and light red colour on her cheeks and forehead from the running.

Her eyes. This is the girl I had dreamt about. Even if I didn't see her, the way my body was reacting made me know for sure.

Then suddenly she looked at me as though she had heard my thoughts.

Most people's reaction to my wolf's size was fear but what I saw hit me in places I didn't know existed.

She wasn't afraid. She looked at me like I was I was beautiful. There was a look of awe and wonder as she walked towards me.

I could hear her heart beat. This could only mean one thing...she felt it too. That scent!

We stopped right in front of each other and then she touched my fur. Whatever it was that I was missing, whatever it was I thought I was missing or needed...I knew right here and now that I had found it. Found her.

I went back to my human form, naked but I didn't care. She stared at me wide-eyed, a blush slowly rising to her cheeks. I stepped forward and touched her cheek, bent my head to her neck...her hair.

That scent! That face, Those eyes, Her luscious body. My mate was right in front of me..I had found her.

I couldn't hear anything else. It was as though everything was paused. Until I heard it, footsteps.

Someone must have been chasing her. Protectively, my wolf was back and stood in front of her waiting to see who dared think to harm my mate.  And then they came but to my surprise...it was Alpha Eric Sinclair, his mate and members of his pack.

These were her family.

Why were they chasing her?