Dark Moon Alpha Twins

Mate?

Chapter 21

Aric POV

As we pulled into the back of the food hall, Aiden turned to me with a serious look on his face.

"Aric, we need to take this mate thing seriously," he said, his tone unwavering.

I noticed the change in his demeanor, a stark contrast to his usual laid-back attitude. It made me recall the conversation he must have had with Dad this morning when we woke up. "What did you and Dad do all day?" I asked, curious and slightly concerned.

Aiden remained quiet for a moment, then shook his head. "I can't say, Aric."

I could feel a shift in Aiden, something deeper and more intense than before. It was clear that whatever Dad had told him had a significant impact.

"Look," he continued, meeting my eyes with a determined gaze. "I need you to promise me that you'll take this seriously. Finding our mates isn't just about us anymore; it's about the future of our pack. We can't afford to mess this up."

I nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "I promise, Aiden. I'll take this seriously."

He gave a slight nod of approval, then we both took a deep breath and headed inside.

Our mom rushed us through the back door, her face lighting up with pride as she saw us. "You two look so handsome," she said, fussing over our collars and smoothing out invisible wrinkles. "Just be patient, okay?"

I felt a surge of nerves, but Aiden remained stoic, his expression unreadable. I couldn't help but wonder what had happened today that made him so resolute.

"There's a huge line of girls outside the building," Mom continued, her voice filled with excitement. "We're making sure they're all above 21, unmated, and from our pack. Some girls informed their friends from different packs, and they tried to get through the gates. Your dad is currently shooing them away with the warriors."

"Wow, I didn't realize it would be this intense," I said, feeling the pressure mounting.

Mom smiled reassuringly. "It's a big deal. Finding your mate is one of the most important things you'll do as future Alphas. Just take your time and trust the process."

I nodded, trying to take her advice to heart. Aiden's stoicism only made me more curious about what had transpired between him and Dad earlier. But there wasn't time to dwell on it now.

Our mother placed us at different sides of the food hall, allowing for some privacy. She informed both of us that every girl would get five minutes with us each. "Two will come in at a time," she explained. "One will go to you, and then you get to switch."

"Five minutes?" Aiden asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mom nodded. "Yes, that's all it takes. It's literally instant," she said, placing us in our seats.

Hours and hours passed as girls filtered in and out of the food hall. Some left in tears, some were mad, upset that we weren't their mates. The process was exhausting and emotionally draining. Each time a girl approached, I hoped for the spark, the connection that would indicate she was my mate. But each time, I was disappointed.

The last girl finally came through the door. I felt a mix of hope and resignation, but just like the others, she wasn't my mate. I watched her leave, feeling the weight of the day's events settling heavily on my shoulders.

Mom got the warriors to pull all the girls away, making sure none would try to re-enter. Aiden and I met in the middle of the room, both of us exhausted.

"Any luck?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

Aiden shook his head, looking just as worn out as I felt. "No. You?"

"Nothing," I replied, sighing deeply. We started to talk about the girls we had met, sharing our experiences and frustrations.

Mom came back into the room, her expression a mix of concern and sadness. "The place is secure," she said, but it was clear she was disappointed that we hadn't found our mates.

"We'll find them, Mom," Aiden said, trying to sound hopeful. "It just wasn't meant to happen today."

She nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know. It's just hard seeing you both go through this."

I put an arm around her, offering what comfort I could. "We'll keep looking. We're not giving up."

Aiden joined the hug, and for a moment, we all stood there, drawing strength from each other.

After our hugs, Mom suggested, "I can throw a mating ball for you boys. This one is where all unmated wolves come to find their mates. I can have it prepared by next week. It's up to you if you want one."

She paused for a minute, her expression turning dreamy as she recalled a memory. "Come sit, boys. You know, I met your father at a mating ball. He actually hosted it himself in order to try and find me. Your grandfather made me go. I honestly wanted it to happen naturally. But, of course, my only job in his eyes was to be mated once I became of age. I was actually the last pack to arrive due to a flat tire."

Aiden and I sat down, listening intently. She continued, "I knew instantly. Your wolf will sense them before you see them. That's how it felt for me. You can smell their scent, too."

"Mom, please don't express more about you and Dad. That's all I can see now," I said, feeling weird.

Aiden made a comment that caught my attention. "I'm learning a lot about you and Dad today."

I looked at Aiden, curious about what else he had learned. But my focus quickly returned to Mom. "So, a mating ball, huh?" I said, thinking it over. "I guess it's worth a try."

"Yeah," Aiden agreed. "It could be a good opportunity. Besides, it worked for you and Dad," he said, looking at Mom.

Mom smiled warmly. "It did. And who knows, maybe it will work for you two as well. I'll start making the preparations."

I nodded, feeling a renewed sense of hope. "Thanks, Mom. We appreciate it."

As we stood up to leave, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The mating ball could be our chance to finally find our mates. It was another step in our journey, and I was ready to take it.

"Let's get some rest," Aiden said, breaking the moment. "We have a big week ahead of us."

"Agreed," I said, feeling more at ease.