Chapter 3

Ethan and Daisy were mates. Yes, that's right; Ethan couldn't enjoy his single hood for long. Two weeks after our 16th birthday, it was Daisy's big day. And when poor Ethan was busy kissing his latest crush behind a tree, at Daisy's party, he felt 'the pull'. He raised his eyes only to meet those of an angry Daisy's. It was hilarious. Tyler met his mate Emily when he went to visit his mother's pack one winter. She is beautiful. Aylin found out on her 16th birthday that the school hottie, Adam, who was also a human was her mate. He was a strange creature (that's coming from a strange creature herself). Aylin had to put years of hard work on him. He's still strange but Aylin loves it that way. Me? Nope, six years and no such luck. I went away to finish university. I love kids; I love how they learn new things every day. From the time I can remember, I knew I wanted to be around pups, look at their amazed faces as I teach them new things. Guess who has a certificate for her dream job now? That's right fellas, me. Well at least there is Bruce in the group. I'll feel a little less lonely, and the look of pity that I otherwise am the sole recipient of, will be shared. ***** "What is this?" I asked, as I get squeezed to death by Daisy "A crazy carnival?" They had weird lights of different shapes hanging like creepers wrapped around makeshift pillars, barbeque set up and table full of food and beer. "Welcome home sweetie" Daisy said with a big smile "We missed you" "I was here three months ago, remember?" I said trying hard to breathe against Aylin's death grip "Yeah, but that was for a few days" Aylin reminded "This time you're here for good" I hugged Emily and Tyler together. Bruce and I shared a long knowing look of 'I feel you' and we were done with the choke-Esther-to-death part of the function. We talked and ate and drank for hours. Why was everyone feeding me like a pig today? God I was totally going to look like a bloated pumpkin in tomorrow's party. "Can we stop drinking now?" I asked "We should save of the party mood for tomorrow" "There is no party tomorrow" Ethan said "It's going to be a sophisticated, gentle, engagement ceremony, with all the right people doing the right thing" He made dramatic hand gestures and theatre voice. "haha.... Very funny..... Stop mocking the future alpha, Ethan" "Nope" Tyler shook his head "That's exactly what he said". I raised a brow at that. "We don't want the humans to be scared of our wild side" Bruce finished. "Seriously? " I asked "What other instructions do we have to follow? And why are there humans to our alpha's mating ceremony?" "It's not the mating ceremony tomorrow" Daisy explained "They are having a full human-like wedding next week, Flora's dream wedding. Dennis wants to fulfill her dream." "Awww...... how romantic" I sighed dreamily. "Mr. Perfect" Aylin reminded. The boys groaned. "So when is the actual mating then?" I asked "It will be another three months to that. She is 2 months in her pregnancy" Daisy said "So we have a movie like engagement party tomorrow morning" Aylin piped in "And there's the all-young-blood party, the day after. There are some hot humans too" she winked at me "Where's Adam again?" Bruce enquired "Off to work" Aylin yelled to his ears "Humans have real jobs to do, you know" "What are you thinking, chipmunk?" Ethan asked "Nothing" I said "Tell us" Emily insisted "Should he not get over with the mating ritual as soon as possible" I voiced "Why would he risk taking another three months? What if he bumps into his mate in the mean time?" Everyone went silent. I just ruined everyone's mood. "He won't leave Flora for his mate now" Ethan said "She's pregnant" "I know, it's the mate I'm worried about" I told him "Well, she better hide in whatever cave she's been hiding in for the past 11 years" Aylin said "It'll be good for her to never bump into her soul-mate" "Amen" we raised a toast to that. "So, tell me about her" I said to Daisy "Flora" Daisy smiled "You have to personally see her to believe she's real" "Don't tell me 'someone elegant, graceful and kind, someone who will serve our pack along with me'" I "ed "the opposite of me" Everyone other than Ethan looked at me, confused "How do you know?" Emily asked Ethan was holding his stomach, laughing "Yes, yes, yes" he grinned "Wow, really? He found her?" I said, impressed "That's some goal clarity" I was amazed, he knew what he wanted in life at such a young age and I still don't have an ideal type. Duh. "You have to greet the alpha though and the future alpha too" Ethan said "Dennis is taking over alpha's duty in a week from now, on his wedding day" "I guess I'll greet them at the party tomorrow" I said "It's weird though, I haven't met Dennis in ages. I hope I didn't annoy him enough to hold grudges. I won't want to be on the wrong side of the alpha" I tried to think; nope, I'm pretty sure we both were non-existent to each other. No harm done. "Ah! That's right" Aylin said "When did you last see him?" I tried to remember "I don't know" "The day Dennis fought with dad for Flora" Ethan said quietly "before our 16th birthday" "Oh" I remember "Was that the last time? That's like almost a decade ago. How did we not bump into each other?" I know how; he didn't come home for 3 straight years after the fight and only returned after his father agreed to his demands, stubborn ass. "You were off to uni" Tyler reminded ***** I sat by the window of my room that night, thinking back to Emily's question "So, are you seeing someone?" It was a simple enquiry, one that would have ended with a one word answer. But it wasn't a simple answer, it was a memory. A memory that, I had no idea until now; was strong enough to shake my whole being. "It wasn't a mistake for me" he said "I kissed you because I wanted to, I wasn't drunk. And no you weren't drunk either" "It was a moment" I looked away "just a moment" "Why are you so stubborn? Why can't you just admit that you like me? Why can't we be together?" What was I supposed to tell him? That it didn't matter what I felt. That in a few years I might not even remember him, he won't even matter. Why were my emotions so strong for him if he wasn't even made for me? ***** Morning came faster than I expected it to.