Chapter 4: Mate

When we arrived at the pack house, Elaine was outside waiting for us. Her kids ran to her and threw their arms around her, excitedly telling her everything we'd learned today.

"Alright, boys. Go wash your hands so you can eat."

"Can Miss Azula stay and eat with us?"

She looked at me with that same longing gaze she always gave me, the one that made me uncomfortable.

"I don't know. Can she?"

"I'm not sure I can, kids. The Alpha has requested my presence. Another day, okay?"

Elaine's expression shifted, as if those words had taken her back to a painful memory. Yeah — that made two of us.

The kids ran to hug me and I held them close.

"Thank you for bringing us, Miss Azula."

"It was my pleasure. Now go eat everything on your plates so you grow up big and strong."

"As big as you?"

"Much bigger than me."

The two of them ran excitedly into the house, and Elaine looked at me with a smile.

"Thank you, Azula."

"It was my pleasure, Luna."

She gave me one last look and went inside. I opened the mental link with Jace.

"I'm here, Alpha."

"Come to my office."

I entered the house and walked to his office. I could smell Aron and Elliot inside. I knocked and entered, giving a respectful nod in greeting.

"Alpha. Beta. Gamma."

"Hey, little one." Aron ruffled my hair and I smiled.

We turned to face them, and they were watching us — yes, with that strange, uncomfortable look they always had when I was around.

Jace cleared his throat and spoke.

"Now that we're all here — tomorrow, the Alpha King and his sisters are coming to visit Luna Nueva. Apparently, they're looking for their fated mates." His eyes flicked to mine for a moment, as if those words reminded him that I was his true mate — or rather, that I had been. I wasn't anymore, and never would be again. "I want you to meet them at the border, Aron. Elliot, make sure everything is properly arranged. I want a banquet prepared for their welcome. Azula, I want you here with me and Elaine to receive them."

I frowned. Why did they always insist on dragging me into things like this? Like the time the Alphas from neighboring packs visited and he wanted me to welcome them alongside him and Elaine. Or the time Eliam was born and everyone came to celebrate the future Alpha's birth, and he wanted me there to greet everyone with him because Elaine was busy with the baby. Talk about awkward. Why did I have to be there? I hated standing next to the two of them and watching them look at me, treating me like I might shatter and burst into tears at any moment.

"You'll escort the Alpha's sisters while they're in the pack, so tomorrow, first thing, everyone needs to be at their posts to welcome the Alpha King."

"Yes, Alpha," we all said in unison.

"Imagine if one of them turns out to be your fated mate, Elliot," Aron teased.

"What if she's yours, Aron?"

Aron burst out laughing, which made me laugh too. His laugh was contagious — it always brought me so much peace.

"I doubt that's happening. I'm too much for them. Right, little sister?"

I looked at him with a grin. "You're too much for anyone, Aron. I think you'll end up alone. We'll live together and have a bunch of cats — or maybe we'll adopt a kid. You'll be his dad and I'll be the aunt who spoils him rotten."

He laughed, amused, and draped his arm over my shoulders. "Well, as depressing as that sounds, I'd be happy spending every day with you, my little one."

I clung to him, never wanting to let go. I knew that someday Aron would find a mate and we wouldn't be this close anymore. He'd move out, and that room we'd shared for twenty-four years would feel as big and empty as my heart.

I didn't want to dwell on it, but the thought crept into my mind on its own.

I pulled myself together and stepped out of his embrace. I turned to Jace, and he was watching me with pain in his eyes. They shifted to his wolf's, and just as quickly, he took back control. Always the same. As if he were running from me.

"I'll take my leave, Alpha."

"Alright. Goodbye, Azula."

That night I did my rounds checking the patrols, then went to bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

When I arrived at the pack house the next morning, it was chaos. Everyone was rushing back and forth, and Elaine looked like she was about to faint from stress. The kids spotted me and ran over.

"Miss Azula!"

I crouched down and hugged them. "Good morning! How did my favorite students wake up today?"

"Great!"

"Miss Azula, our mother told us the Alpha King is coming to visit today and we have to be on our best behavior."

"Of course, and you will be. You two are good, well-behaved kids. The Alpha King and his sisters are going to adore you."

"You think so?"

"Of course, my darlings. You two are easy to love."

They ran off happily. The smile on my face vanished when I looked up and saw Jace and Elaine watching me.

"Good morning, Alpha. Luna." I straightened up.

"Good morning, Azula. Have you eaten? We're about to have breakfast. Would you like to join us?"

"Thank you for the invitation, Luna, but I'll have to pass. I ate with Aron before he left for the border. Please, go ahead and eat. I'll help out around here."

"Thank you so much — you'd be doing me a huge favor. I'm losing my mind with all these arrangements." She laughed, and I forced a smile.

"I'll get started, then. If you'll excuse me, Alpha. Luna."

I turned and walked away. I would never be comfortable with the two of them in the same room.

I found the attendants and started helping them. I gave a few orders, and in less than an hour, everything was ready for the Alpha King's welcome.

I was gazing out the front window when I heard the kids running toward me.

"Miss Azula!"

"Well, don't you two look handsome."

"Mommy said this suit makes me look like Daddy."

And it was true. Eliam and Azuma were the spitting image of the little Jace who used to run around the pack with me and Aron — the little Jace who used to share secrets with me behind everyone's back, the little Jace who had been my best friend.

"Yes, sweetheart. You look just like your father. Both of you do."

They bounced with excitement. Elaine appeared beside them, wearing a blue dress and a silver tiara. She looked lovely. She smiled at me and came closer.

"The kids love you so much. They're always talking about Miss Azula."

"I love them very much too, Luna. They're very smart children."

She gave a half-smile. She was always trying to start a conversation with me, but it always fizzled out quickly. I'd never stopped caring about Elaine — she was my best friend — but I didn't want to rekindle a friendship that would only hurt me.

We stood in silence, waiting, until Jace appeared.

"They're here."

Right on cue, wheels rolled across gravel, car doors opened, and footsteps approached. My heart leaped in my chest. Luz stirred inside me. That delicious scent flooded my nostrils — strawberries and chocolate, my favorite.

The door opened. Aron entered first, his face pale. Behind him came a girl with golden curls and a radiant smile. Then Elliot walked in, looking stunned, as if he'd seen a ghost, and behind him came two more girls — identical, twins, I guessed — with black hair and blue eyes, skin as pale and white as winter snow. They both smiled and stepped to the side.

Then the owner of that delicious scent made his entrance. His jet-black hair was styled to perfection, with a few rebellious strands falling across his face. His dark eyes found mine, and from our lips came the same word at the exact same time.

"Mate."

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