31. The True Mate

thirty-one

The True Mate

*ELDEN*

I t’s never been so silent during a car ride with my friends. This time, Janice didn’t join us because she went on a short trip with her grandma, but Vince and Jace joined me and Flora. To my surprise, Tobias was able to help us connect with the small pack we are about to visit. In his active years as gamma, he was well liked all around the country and often accompanied my mother to functions.

“I don’t know what to say,” Vincent finally disrupts the silence, after we have driven for two hours.

“Me neither,” Jace mutters.

“There is not much to say,” I say bitterly. “My father is an asshole who has never considered anyone else’s feelings but his own.”

“I can’t believe he is hiding his mate somewhere,” Jace says.

“I bet that’s not the only thing he is doing,” I say. “I guess he is actually preventing her from moving on. He always did. He had my mother and his supposed fated mate. Then, he found Emilia, a woman he believed was good enough for him, and yet, kept her as a side piece.”

“It’s despicable,” Flora says bluntly.

At that, the others full-heartedly agree.

“Tell me something,” I say. “Anything. I need to get my mind off this.”

“I wish I had something to tell,” Vincent says. “But I just barely made it through school. There was no time for anything else.”

“You did awesome,” Flora applauds him. “And you really shut everyone up by graduating.”

“I know,” he grins. “They didn’t believe I had it in me, aside from Elder Geneva, of course. She is the only cool one.” He gazes at Jace. “What about you?”

“I will graduate with pretty good grades,” he says. “Fortunately.”

“We know that!” Vince chuckles. “That’s not what I was asking about.”

Jace stays quiet. “I know,” he finally says.

“What happened?” I want to know.

“Listen, today… it’s your day, and I am not going to make this about myself,” he says.

“Are you an idiot?” I ask bluntly. “I’d very much appreciate it if you’d make it about yourself!”

“I just don’t want to throw a pity party now, of all moments,” he admits.

“Seriously, Jace, you are our friend, and you are my best friend. You can always share anything with me. There is no bad moment.”

“Another parent of the year story?” Vincent asks.

Jace sighs. “It’s Mom… she has started to introduce me to ‘fitting’ she-wolves. Girls, she deems worthy of the luna position. There is one in particular Mom adores. She is called Sybille and seems to be the daughter she never had. She is obsessed with her.”

I can’t believe what I am hearing. His parents are absolutely insane. They even manage to make Dad look good. “Oh no, that topic again?”

“Yes,” he says. “I think she is picking girls she would have loved to have as a daughter.” He looks at Vincent. “I am not really a wanted kid,” he explains. “My parents wanted a daughter. After me, they couldn’t conceive anymore. So, there’s that.”

“But your dad is alpha,” Vincent says, surprised. “Aren’t they usually all about having an heir?”

“They don’t like children,” Jace explains. “And think boys are rough, loud and uneducated. That’s why Mom wanted a daughter. The plan was to have a girl and then find a fitting mate for her who could take over the pack.”

“That’s what it was like for my mom,” I say quietly. “And she was miserable.”

“I am actually glad they didn’t bring a girl into this world,” Jace admits. “Their potential favoritism aside, I still think I am safer than she would have been.”

“Are your parents fated mates?” Flora asks.

“Unbelievable, but they are,” Jace admits. “My plan is to procrastinate. I will study economics at college. I made sure to get into a tough program.”

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to study that?” Vince wants to know.

“It’s boring, and it doesn’t interest me at all,” he admits. “But it will get them off my back for a while. I can play the card that I am too busy to date and that I want to finish my studies, before I meet a woman. It buys me time.”

“I see,” Flora says. “It makes sense. We will support you in whatever you are going to do,” she assures him.

“You can always retreat to Silverlake,” I back her up. “There is a place for you when you want to hide or, I don’t know, pretend you are busy. Or even if you want to leave your pack behind. You are not forced to take the path your parents chose for you.”

“Thanks,” he says with a smile. “I like my pack, though. I don’t want to leave them hanging. It’s just… I don’t want to take a mate my parents chose for me.”

“What do you want?” Vincent asks. “If you could choose, what would you want?”

“Who,” Jace corrects him.

“Pardon me?”

“It should be who do you want,” Jace says. “Because I want Janice.”

We are silent for a moment. All of us have known that he really grew to like her. “She is great,” I tell him. “She would make an awesome luna.”

“Right?” he beams at me. “The thing is,” He puts a hand on his chest. “Don’t tell her, please, but ever since I turned eighteen, I… I felt something.”

“Wait a moment, wait a moment!” My eyes widen. “You mean…”

“That’s what I believe,” he says. “But I am not sure if it's true, or if I’m just imagining things because I hope it’s going to happen. Janice is waiting for her mate. I think she likes me too, but she is only going to date her mate.”

Flora looks at Jace, her gaze intent. When I squint my eyes, I can swear there are little dots of light flying around her. What is this? Is this what Flora usually sees? Regis is stunned, too. They never show themselves.

They?

I don’t know what they are. Little beings of light or something. That’s what Celeste calls them.

Flora doesn’t say anything, but suddenly, a content smile spreads on her lips. She turns to look at me and winks.

We need to ask her about that later, I mutter.

Let’s not, Regis says.

I raise my brows at my lycan. How come you are suddenly being so reasonable? You are always the first to pester our mate.

Celeste told me once. She said it pressures her and Flora into saying things they can’t. She said she doesn’t understand it either, just something what weird dream-woman said.

He must be talking about Ersa. Ersa had a private talk with Flora’s lycan. I know Flora doesn’t want to think about it yet, but I strongly believe there is a relationship between Ersa, the goddess, and Flora.

“We have arrived,” Vincent comments while stopping in front of the gate, which leads to the small pack.

I get out of the car and talk to the guard there. Tobias has helped me reach out to them, so that they know I’d be coming without anyone in my pack – especially not my father – knowing what I am up to. Since they have been expecting me, the alpha soon arrives at the border, greeting us all.

He is around my father’s age. “You must be Lord Elden, the soon-to-be Alpha of Silverlake,” he greets me politely, shaking my hand. “I am Arthur. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Likewise, Alpha Arthur. I am sorry for barging in here at such short notice,” I say.

“Tobias is an old friend,” he explains to me, eyeing me skeptically.

“Gamma Tobias was the only person who protected my mother,” I say. “I trust him with my life and would never betray him. In fact, I think I owe him.”

“He told me you are trustworthy,” Arthur says. “And I will believe in his words, my pack is small, and we wouldn’t survive an attack from a bigger pack.”

“My mate is going to turn eighteen soon. Once she does, we will take over Silverlake,” I say. “You don’t need to fear any repercussions then.”

“Come,” Arthur says. “I know who you are looking for.”

“You do?” I ask.

“Tobias just told me the bare minimum,” he says quietly. “But I put the pieces together, and I know your father,” he adds bitterly. “It’s my fault, too,” he continues while I follow him onto the pack grounds. My friends are behind me, keeping their distance to give us some privacy. “I should have protected her better. She is my pack member and, as her alpha, I failed her.”

“I doubt it’s that simple,” I say.

The alpha looks sad but nods, eventually. “We make sure to look after Alma,” he tells me.

“So, that’s her name,” I mutter.

“She is a kind woman,” he explains. “An omega she-wolf. We are a small pack and don’t see omegas as lesser than others. We need everyone to work together to strive and survive.”

I find his words inspiring. My father was always about rank, which is hilarious, seeing how he didn’t even rank alpha yet cheated everyone into believing he was. When I take over, I want my pack to be a place where everyone is respected and safe despite their rank.

Alma lives in a small, cozy-looking cottage. It looks well attended to, and I am glad to know that the pack is looking after her.

“Alma,” Alpha Arthur says while knocking at her door. “Our guest is here.”

I turn to look at Flora, trying to convey to her that I want her to be with me. She instantly understands and steps to my side. Jace and Vincent, meanwhile, stay further away and talk to some of the guards.

The door opens and a woman peeks outside. She is small in height with brown hair, brown eyes, and olive skin.

“I am sorry to intrude,” I say. “Thank you so much for agreeing to see me.”

Alma gazes at Arthur, who nods at her reassuringly.

“Please come inside,” she says.

I gesture towards Flora. “This is my mate and future luna, Flora.”

Flora smiles warmly at her, and it seems the tension around Alma subsides a little. “We mean no harm,” Flora says quietly.

“We are just looking for the truth, to finally bring justice to everyone involved,” I say.

“You are his son, aren’t you?” Alma asks me.

“Unfortunately, yes,” I say.

Her lips tug slightly. “Is it true what they say about his first wife?” she asks.

“I think it’s no secret anymore that he was and is a terrible mate,” I say.

“He is also a pretty shitty father,” Flora adds.

“And sucks as an alpha,” I add.

Alma looks surprised, but then smiles slightly. “Come in now. I will prepare some tea.”

Flora and I step inside, greeted by a cozy interior. Everything is tidy and well put together.

“The pack looks after me well,” Alma explains.

“I am so glad to hear that,” I say. “To be honest, I never knew my father had a real mate somewhere. Up until recently, I thought my mother was his mate.”

“It must have been a shock for you,” Alma says while putting on some water.

“I wish I could say I was overly surprised,” I mutter. “Pardon me for asking. Why didn’t you move on?” I ask quietly.

“I couldn’t,” she says with tears in her eyes. “I wanted to reject him, but he wouldn’t let me. He is an alpha and stronger. Our laws are on his side.”

So that’s what Alpha Arthur meant about not being able to protect her. My father used his rank and his position over her and her pack. Flora is clearly shocked as well. “I can’t believe it,” she whispers. “He is so cruel.”

Before Alma can reply, we hear small footsteps coming closer, making us turn around to face a little girl in a pink tutu and an equally pink sweater. Almost instantly, I can feel panic seeping through Alma’s whole stance.

“That’s…” she hurries to say. “It’s no one.”

I can see the fear in her eyes, but while she might be able to fool me, she can’t fool my lycan. Regis senses the relationship instantly. I carefully scoot closer and get down on my knees. “Hello,” I smile, pointing at her crown. “Are you a princess?”

She twirls around in front of me. “I am Princess Minnie.”

“That’s a beautiful name,” I tell her.

“Mommy always says a cute name for a cute girl,” she says.

I smile, relieved to see how confident she is. “I am Elden,” I say.

“That’s not a cute name,” she mutters.

I chuckle. “You are right. It’s not cute. That means you need to be cute enough for both of us.”

“Yes!” she beams.

Alma’s expression softens in relief, her whole stance relaxing.

“Can I play with Elden?” Minnie asks.

“How about you play with me instead?” Flora offers, reaching out her hand to Minnie.

“I can show you my dolls. I have one that looks like you,” Minnie mutters. “Do you like dolls?”

“Of course,” Flora tells her.

I wait for them both to leave before I look at Alma. “She is my half-sister,” I say quietly.

Alma lowers her head. “I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” I say. “You did what you could to protect yourself, your pack and your daughter. I am not going to disown her.”

“What?” Alma stares at me.

“She is my sister, and I will make sure you and her will be safe,” I tell her. “Just hang in a little bit longer, until I am officially leading the pack; it should be soon. Then, I will make sure you can break the bond to my father, and be freed of him to do whatever you want.”

She gazes at me, and I know she isn’t sure yet if she can trust me, or if I will live up to my promise. I am trying to stay calm and composed, but am inwardly raging. My father fucked over so many people. He kept his mate as a hostage here, to do as he pleased with, while exploiting my mother and that woman in Paris, and now he is doing the same to Emilia.

How can one single person suck so much!?