Atelophobia (TW soulmate AU)

Prologue

Peter had been waiting for his 16th birthday with bated breath. Watching his parents, his sister, and his niece, Laura (who is a couple of years older than him), talk to their mates. The bond they share. One he's been told about all his life. The one he desperately wanted to experience. And anyone who knows Peter knows that he was never desperate. Meaning this moment is very important to him, his soulmate is going to be very important to him, they're going to come first. So, he wasn't going to let this day go to waste. He immediately wrote on his arm. 

'I cannot wait to meet you'

A true statement. Quickly he pulled down his sleeves and headed downstairs where his family greeted him. 

"Happy birthday Uncle Peter." a small boy with black hair like his mother and astonishing green/blue eyes says as he slams into the slightly older boy. 

"Thank you, Derek."

"Did you write to your mate?"

"Yes." 

"Did they respond?"

"I don't know, I'll check later. Figured most people like to sleep in on the weekends." 
Derek nodded in agreement running off to Cora who was in the living room calling "Der." to play with her. 

"Happy Birthday Peter." 

"Thanks."

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The Hales had a great birthday lunch for Peter with more celebrations to come that evening, but for now, Peter wanted to check his soulmate. He walked off slightly, from his family and rolled up his sleeve to see the message still there. It should've disappeared by now. The ink transfers from your skin to your soulmate's, so why wasn't his?

"Ha, seems like not even the Goddess wants you to have a soulmate. They'd probably hate you anyway." Laura said coming up from behind him. Peter quickly shoved his sleeve down glaring at his niece.  

"Go away, Laura." 

"Thomas and I connected the minute I woke up on my 16th birthday. Soulmates are always the same age, yours must've rejected you before they turned 16." 

"Stop it, Laura." 

"Or what? I have a soulmate that can hurt you badly and mom will take my word over yours. You know she will." 

"Enough Laura, that is not how an Alpha treats her pack." the older girl walked away causing his sister to turn to him. 

"She's wrong you know."

"How?"

"Peter, your soulmate might not be 16 yet, or not even born yet. You have to be patient besides good things always come to those who wait. " She hummed patting his shoulder and walking away. 

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Peter kept writing to his soulmate every year until he was 26. He needed to move on and focus on his life. Unbeknownst to him, the same day he gave up a 10-year-old boy sat in a hospital experiencing the worst part of a soulmate bond as his mother lay dying and his father nowhere to be seen.