"He's dead," I declared with a huff when the last pack entered the clearing.
I could practically hear my mother roll her eyes next to me as she flicked me behind the ear, "Be quiet Tate."
I grumbled under my breath as I watched all the unmated wolves run into the arms of their newly discovered mates.
Honestly, my mate was as good as dead.
As everyone gathered around in their own little groups, my mother finally turned to me with a sad smile.
"He's not dead... he's just not here yet," She suggested as she shrugged.
"Mom, I love you, but you and I both know you're wrong."
Today's our annual Mate Meet-Up. Wolves usually meet their mates at sixteen and most of the time their mate is in the same pack. The others usually find their mates in neighbouring packs. Therefore, the Alphas of the four closest pack to our territory all meet up with their unmated wolves so they'll be able to find their match.
Most of the time, everyone who had yet to find their mate does. However, there were a few that didn't.
I, of course, landed in that niche as I have not found my mate yet. This leads me to believe that my non-existent mate is either dead, a rogue wolf, or simply does not exist.
I'm going with the first since I was a few weeks shy of being eighteen and Mr. Mate still had not shown up.
"Listen to me," My mom grabbed my shoulder and looked me in the eye, "mates are nice...sure. But you're Tate Blackwood, Alpha's daughter, and warrior extraordinaire. To be honest, I don't know any wolf that'll be able to balance you out."
"So cheesy," I said as I wiggled my nose, but she just flicked my ear again.
My mom, Anne, could always make me smile, no matter what.
"Let me rephrase," I smiled as her eyes narrowed on me. "Very wise words mom. Thank you for being my Yoda."
That made her laugh because she loathed Star Wars. Giving me a warm embrace, she made me feel a lot better.
Mom's hugs were the best. I don't know what I'd do without them.
"How about you go mingle with your friends while I go help Emery with Luna duties," She suggested, and I nodded as she walked away.
As I stood looking around the clearing, I watched as my friends and fellow pack members all fawned over their mates and received an equal amount of affection in return.
It's not that I necessarily wanted a mate...I just wanted to know what it felt like. That bond. The connection. The deep emotional connections formed by some magical powers that were bigger than us all.
I was curious about it because it wasn't something I could feel or touch. The only way I could see these strings connecting two souls was through the people around me. My parents and my brother with his mate. Watching them was like watching the most beautiful and most amazing love story unfold before your eyes.
My parents were as much as in love as they were when I was a child. I'd always assumed that because your mate is your one true love, that you'd instantly fall in love. The superficial notion that one would feel that much passion within a second of meeting someone always made me loath the concept.
But that all changed when I witnessed my brother and his mate, Emery. Their story of falling in love was something else entirely. They certainly weren't 'love at first sight' with Emery hating Thane's guts and Thane refusing to tell her his secrets.
They fought for it though. Their love was built by them but strengthened by the mate bond.
That was what I wanted.
Not a superficial fairy-tale but a roaring fire of passion.
To be in love instead of loved.
To experience the thing that was as invisible as air but as necessary as oxygen.
Just as I started marching out of the clearing, as I'm not needed there anymore, Bailey, the Beta's mate, stopped me in my tracks.
"Hey, where are you headed off to?" She questioned.
"To pack on a few pounds in whatever dessert's brewing in the kitchen," I grinned, and she shook her head knowing that was a given.
"Fine, but while you're there make sure and help out the pack in preparing the guest rooms for the other packs."
I saluted her and started to trail off again before she grabbed my hand, "And Tate, don't wander off alone."
Before I could ask, she switched over to her mind link since we were in a field of werewolves, most of who weren't our pack members.
'The Alpha of the Oaks Pack hasn't shown up yet, but his Beta said he's expected to arrive soon, so be careful.'
'Right Alpha Dickhead,' I said in apprehension and she smirked because she created the nickname.
Alpha Dickhead, more formally known as Alpha Aiden Oaks was the ruthless, callous, dangerous, and mate-less Alpha. The one who just so happened to be on a hunt for a Luna.
He usually skips these meetings and sends his Beta, Rick, in his place but this year, the infamous Alpha of the Oaks pack has decided to join in the festivities.
The reason being, he was finally in search of a mate to strengthen his pack.
An Alpha wasn't an Alpha without a Luna to lead by his side. Two figures leading the pack always made them stronger. But with Alpha Aiden being the arrogant narcissist everyone proclaims him to be, I see why wanting a Luna is of use to him.
Not because he wants one, but because it will just give him more power. But he hasn't found his true mate yet at the age of twenty-one.
I mean, sure the Alpha can mate with any other wolf if he doesn't find his mate, but the pack would only be strengthened if the Luna was a true born Luna. This meant that she or he had to be an unmarked mate of an Alpha or an Alpha born male or female. That's the only way he'll be able to reinforce the power and strength of his pack.
And that's where the Luna of my pack comes in.
My brother, Thane, the Alpha of the Blood Moon pack, met his mate Emery a few months back. She's human so they've been moving slow and haven't mated yet nor has Thane marked her. This puts her in the face of danger since Alpha Aiden can challenge my brother for the pack, kill him, and then claim Emery. Or he can simply kidnap her and mark her before my brother does.
Twisted, I know, but apparently, Alpha Dickhead didn't give a flying fuck about who he must kill to get what he wants. His main concern was finding a mate and Emery was the only Luna not marked which made her a prime target. So, until Alpha Aiden showed up and we had eyes on him, all of us were on high alert.
Was I worried? Heck yes.
Alpha Aiden fought dirty, won quickly, and didn't show remorse. I'd be an idiot to not be apprehensive about him, especially since he wanted something that didn't belong to him.
My brother Thane was strong but I'm afraid he didn't have the prerequisite of being a crazy killing bastard. Now that would have worked out in his favour if Alpha Aiden did decide to challenge him.
Worst yet, I feared for his mate Emery.
Since she's human, there's no way she could defend herself against a werewolf, it was physically impossible.
If something went down, the plan was simple. Take Emery and run for the hills as I was one of the fastest wolves in my pack.
As I made my way back to our packhouse, I sighed in frustration at the possible shit show that could go down between now and the next few hours.
But we couldn't do anything until Aiden arrived, so I followed my nose directly to the kitchen. I greeted some of the pack members in there who were preparing a big meal for our guests since they're staying here for the next two days.
Instead of offering help, I grabbed a plate of cookies and a soda to induce a diabetic coma by way of sugary goodness. One hundred percent don't recommend unless you're a werewolf and can't get diabetes.
Just as I plopped myself onto the soft recliner in the living room, snuggled deep into the soft material, popped open my can of soda, and brought a warm cookie to my mouth, my brother's voice echoed through my mind link.
'Where is she?! Where's Emery?'
His Alpha tone made it exceedingly clear what was about to go down.
"Oh shit," I cursed as I scrambled to my feet.
Soda can knocked over, cookie crumbs laying on the floor and my comfy seat long forgotten, I sprinted towards the front door just as Thane busted in.
His enraged expression warned everyone to back up as he fumed.
"What happened?" I questioned.
His eyes were wild as he sniffed the air, "Emery came here looking for you but I can't smell her. Her scent's not here! Where is she, Tate?"
Panic gripped my insides as I shook my head, "She hasn't been to the packhouse."
The fear that overtook his face was one I never thought I'd see on his usually relaxed and controlled features.
Without another word we all rushed outside and tried to find her scent.
But like a ghost, she disappeared without a trail.
A/N
NEXT UPDATE: NOW
Whatcha think of Tate and the first chapter?
Remember this is pre Everette and Callum so they won't be making any appearances, unfortunately 😭
Song: Lauv & Troye Sivan - i'm so tired...