Chains of Fate

3

Aidan

I had given up on finding my Luna years ago, I had scavenged every pack, every town, and yet have still come up empty-handed. The growing emptiness in my soul crumbling to dust as the days go by. The Moon Goddess had not gifted me with my other half, and yet, even with every unmated female willing to take my mates' place. I still refuse, holding out hope that maybe one day I will find her. I may be an idiot for even thinking she may be out there, but hope is a powerful thing. I hope for my mate to be alive, to exist. Refusing to believe she is dead or even never existed. I just don't think hope will be enough.

My Beta Ryan walked in, breaking my wandering thoughts. As usual, I ask how the packs are going, the looming paperwork playing on my mind. Ryan opens his suitcase and hands me the reports. As he opens the suitcase a wave of different scents hit me, but one, in particular, caught my attention, it was faint but it stood out. Honeysuckle and vanilla filled my senses, making my wolf go wild. I instantly stand up and go to explore this scent.

'Woah, Woah, hold on there,' Ryan yells ' I got personal stuff in there!'

'Yeah like, what?' I reply as I continue to sift through his belongings.

'Used underwear.' He smirks as I happen to pick up a very worn-looking pair.

Erasing that memory from my mind, I eventually came upon one of the files in Ryan's hand, it was the Silver Lake Pack, my best pack under my care, paperwork immaculate, record clean, and now perhaps the home of my mate. If this scent was hers and not just a random beautiful smell.

I smiled thinking of the possibility of a mate, not just that but could be part of the star pack of my top warriors, a Beta, maybe even an Alpha to be allowed to handle such sensitive documents.

'What is it? Did they make a mistake?'

'No, I think it's my mate.' Ryan looked at me with a sad look on his face,

'Dude, look I'm sorry but we searched that pack a million times and no trace of your mate anywhere, I think you may be clutching at straws here.'

'Maybe,' I mused, realizing how ridiculous I sounded.

'But hey, in two weeks is that mating ball maybe she'll show up, it's hosted at that pack this year anyway.'

I grinned at his encouragement, thankful he didn't just say I was delusional, and of the fact that I could have my mate in my arms in two weeks. I felt like a giddy teenager, who would have thought, that I, one of the Three Alpha Kings would be nervous of a girl. Actually, I was terrified, the one person that would love me no matter my past, accept all my flaws. But could also break me, crush my heart, bleeding it dry till there was no life left in my chest.

-

I had spent the last week worrying about my suit, currently, I had 5 choices laid out on my bed while Ryan lay there complaining of my quote on quote, undecisive worrying ass.

'C'mon you have to decide, I'm bored and tired, she gonna love whatever you choose.'

'I don't know what if she rejects me because I chose a navy suit and not a black one?'

'Aiden, I think you've gone over to the bad place. It's a suit, it's a piece of clothing, and to be honest how long is it really going to stay on?' Stated Ryan, winking at me at his last statement.

'Ok, ok you're right.' I dragged my hand down my face in frustration.
'This one or this one?' I asked holding up two greyish-black suits.

'They're the same suit.'

I sighed at my friend's lack of observation skills, 'One is slightly darker.'

'They are both grey man.' He stated again, reclaiming his title as Sir Obvious of Duh.

'Uh, c'mon you have to help me.'

'Ok, ok,' he walked up and smelt and licked both. I wrinkled my nose in disgust as he salivated my nice clothes. 'Ew gross what are you doing?'

'Choose this one it tastes better,' I stared at him in disbelief.

'Ok. Thanks?'

'You are welcome. Now please don't talk to me for another 24 hours,' and with that he walked out, leaving me to dry clean my now ruined suits.

The smell of Ryan's saliva, washing powder, and used underwear filled the laundry as I prepared for next week's ball. But the nerves kept evading my thoughts, what if I was wrong and my mate didn't exist? What if I was just delusional, wanting what I can't have, what I don't have?

These thoughts consumed me as the nights consumed the days, a constant ticking clock determining my fate and whether I would die alone, my last desperate chance at true happiness. I saw the way my Betas looked at each other, it makes me ache, seeing someone you care about having the one thing you don't. Ryan and Sarah completed each other, I watched as their love grew to make them both stronger and better leaders for the pack, the Betas they deserved. While I was still lost, my other half not existent, a cracked shell.

Eventually, the days ticked over to Sunday,  my suit now saliva-free and my chest tightening as we neared the event. My wolf anxiously paced my mind awaiting his fate. The Alpha greeted us eagerly as my presence was not regularly known to attend this event. 'Welcome Alpha Aiden, Beta Ryan, we are glad to have you bless us with your presence.'

'Thank you, Alpha Kain, and might I say impeccable paperwork as usual.'

'Ah, thank you Alpha, I do hold pride in my paperwork, after all, it is the thing that keeps life running smoothly.' I nodded in agreement and refrained from asking about a female in a high status as to not remind him of his past. The tragic loss of his mate and Luna. He was a strong man in my eyes, most mates go insane and sink into depression and alcohol, but he, despite everything, carried on to lead his pack.

'Well come in and enjoy the party I hope you enjoy yourselves this evening.'

'Oh I will,' I replied with a knowing smirk.