The Unexpected Mate

So close, yet so far.

Nineteen years go by and Willow is a strong, stubborn, and free spirited mini version of her late mother. She made her father worry with how fearless she is. It's like when she first started walking, she knew she had to keep Cornelius busy. He has never gotten over Rosemary's death, he just has learned to hide it better. Sadly Ursula passed away five years ago. She had lived a very long and happy life. She lays next to Rosemary so when he is there, he can visit and talk to them both. If it wasn't for Willow, Cornelius would have given up and gave in a long time ago. Cornelius was visiting Rosemary and his mom. It was a warm Spring day. The sun was setting and there was a gentle breeze blowing the Willow trees branches that hung low enough to rub Cornelius's arms. He loves the thought that it was Rosemary letting him know it was okay. He then sees someone sneaking behind the bushes. Then that person slips to the next one avoiding him. He lets out a big sigh and sneaks to the Bush. When he gets to the bush, he quickly jumps behind the Bush. He knew it was Willow. She isn't allowed to be outside until all of her school work is done. Willow screams and falls backward holding onto her chest like she's trying to keep it from jumping out. She had mud and dirt all over her feet and leaves in her long wavy dirty blond hair. She was out exploring deep in the woods. which she isn't allowed to do since the hunters have been prowling about out there. He gives her that parent look and just waits for her excuses this time. She stands up and brushes off her dress and clears her throat. "Look i know what this may look like, but it isn't." She smiles at him, he is still giving her that look. Then her smile fades into the "you've been caught look". She then rolls her eyes. "Okay it is BUT I'm being careful dad! I was so board just sitting there wasting away. It's not like i wont do the work later." She looks at him with a serious look. He then sighs and wipes his face in frustration. "Willow, it's not that i don't want you having fun, what i don't want is you getting caught by hunters, getting lost, or eaten by something. The deep woods are a very dangerous place for a single warrior let alone a princess." The woods surround the kingdom making it hard for hunters and other creatures to reach there. She looks at the sunset, accepts the defeat for right now and starts to head home. Cornelius watches her full of guilt. He speaks out loud talking to Rosemary. "I don't know what I'm doing Rose. Am I failing? I don't know how to show her that she is a princess and not an explorer. I can't lose her. I need help." He looks down missing Rosemary more each and every day questioning if he's being a good father.

Willow opens her bedroom door slams it, and plops on the bed. She lets out a loud grunt in frustration in her pillow. She turns her head and sees her mother's jewelry box on her stand. She reaches over and opens the lid to play the music. She rolls on her back staring at the ceiling wondering if this what her life will be like forever. Just a princess stuck in the small kingdom learning pointless things. Wearing dresses when she would rather wear pants. dresses get caught on everything and are hard to run in. The sun has set which means its time for dinner. She hears a knock on her door. The door opens and comes in her cousin Esma. She's Phoenix's daughter. Esma plops on the bed next to Willow. They may have been cousins but they're more like best friends. Willow is only a year older. They both dream of life of adventures and not dresses and feasts. Phoenix is more lenient with their sense of adventure unlike Cornelius. "What are they doing for dinner?" Willow was hoping for something simple tonight like ham and not some weird stuff the cook, Benjamin makes. "Please don't make me try to pronounce everything. All I can say is that it looks like some soup that a wild animal ate, barfed out, ate again, then crapped it out." Esma was starting to feel sick with the thought of that. "Oh, that stuff again?" Willow and Esma giggled. Esma looked at Willow, "Going to asleep so we don't eat that dinner?" Willow looked back, "Yep!" Then they looked up at the ceiling. "I guess I better go to bed. I'm not eating that crap." Esma gets up and heads to her room. Willow got under her covers and looked at her mother's jewelry box one last time before bed. She lifted the lid again so she can fall asleep to the music and then blew out the candle next to her bed.

Fifteen miles away, way past the forest rests a small village full of more mythical creatures, werewolves. The pack of the Misty Lake. Tonight is the Ball to try and find the son of the Alpha and Luna's son, Xavier his mate. This would be their forth ball this month. They try each surrounding packs to see if his mate is there. The Alpha Victor and Luna Bella were dressed to impress while Xavier really didn't care about the whole thing and wore a basic white bottom down shirt with a pair of black right pants. They were getting older and want to pass down the crowns to Xavier and his mate. "Oh darling how about her? She seems strong enough!" Belle pointed out the wealthy daughter of Alpha Fredrick's, Gabrielle. Tonight's ball guests were the Royal and wealth of the twin peaks pack. She was indeed pretty, with her fancy up do blond hair and pink gown, But she wasn't the one. Xavier groan in annoyance. "No mother its not her either." The look around in desperation at the crowd dancing and talking. Then Victor point at a lady who was by the food table facing away. She has long brown hair and a blue dress, but when she turned they saw she was very much pregnant. "Well... at least you know she can have pups." Victor chuckles. Xavier looks at him, "You're kidding right?.... No." His mother was about to show him another when he gets up, "I'm going out to get some fresh air." and he walks past them. "Oh okay dear." Belle said a bit upset. Xavier heads out to the balcony and looks out in the distance. You can see the Misty lake, some mountains, a forest, and the big full moon. Xavier combs his fingers through his thick medium length black hair in frustration. He does feel so lonely. Being twenty one without a mate does take its toll on one and their parents. He would love to just lie and accept someone as hit mate, but it wouldn't be fair to her or himself. He wouldn't be able to put his full love and dedication to the marriage knowing his true mate is out there somewhere going through the same thing and feeling the same thing under the same full moon. "I'll find you and when I do, I'm going too show you so much love and give you all of me. I just wish I had a hint of where you are, who you are. Just don't give up." Xavier stands outside looking at the full moon lost in thought when I hand touches his shoulder. It was his father. He walks next to him and they both look up at the moon. "Don't worry son, she's out there somewhere." Xavier sighs with a hopeful heart. Victor pats Xavier's shoulder and they head back in to the party. Belle is still looking at the crowed in hopes she is there. Xavier walks to her and says "She's not here mother. I'm going to bed, you and father can enjoy the party. I appreciate everything you're doing I'm just tired tonight." He leans in and gives her a hug. She hugs him extra tight knowing that it maybe hard on her, but it's got to be harder on him. He then walks through the crowed to go upstairs. When he reaches the stairs he stares at the crowed one last time to see in case his mate is there and he had just missed her. When he doesn't get that feeling, he just goes upstairs to his bedroom. He shuts the door behind him upset that she wasn't here tonight.