Ashton stood on the patio of his parents' white mansion with his kids who were bubbling with excitement on either side of him. He looked as stunning as usual in his black tux, his son was dressed like him too with his blonde hair pulled back in the same fashion as Ashton's. Damon resembled him in every bit. He'd dressed Diamond in a white floral dress and placed a floral tiara in her hair. It's what she wanted. “Make me a fower faewie, Daddy”, she had told him and so he did.
Yes, it was a Loria Family Dinner, you had to dress up or Luna Freya, his mother would kick you out.
Another custom was you had to wait until his father or mother opened the door. If none of them opened, you were not welcome. If a servant opened the door, then you were someone whose presence they did not want but had to endure. It was all his mother's arrangement of things.
Another vehicle drove in and stopped in the driveway. Caleb, Orion and Julian stepped out and Julian threw the keys to the omega who served as a valet. The three quickly joined him on the patio. Just then, the door was pulled open and Alpha Trojan crouched before them, holding out his hands to his grandkids, “Oh, how are my favorite pups?"
Damon and Diamond ran into his arms giggling.
Luna Freya stepped forward. She was dressed like a queen as usual. Tonight it was a long glittery silver dress and diamond jewelry adorning her hair, ears and hair. She kissed her son's face, “Ashton, I'm happy to see you."
“The pleasure is mine, mother." He proceeded inside while his mother greeted Caleb, Orion and Julian in similar fashion.
They all sat in the living room. His mother questioned Damon and Diamond on many things to check their learning progress. Ashton and his friends updated his father about matters in the pack and his father gave advice where necessary.
When Orion excused himself, Ashton wondered what was up. Julian was always the first to excuse himself and that was because some pretty she-wolf had caught his eye. Ashton hoped Orion was alright.
~§~
Orion tried to maintain his composure as his wolf, Crest was leaping happily within him. He was following the scent of sunflowers while Crest chanted “Mate! Mate! Mate!" His green eyes held some glow now. Then he reached a door. He knocked first.
“Please come in.” The lady's voice sounded expectant. Orion knew she could sense him too. He opened the door and stepped in confidently.
There she was, standing in the middle of the room, his beautiful pale-skinned mate. Her red hair danced around her shoulders in curls. Her dark green dress was helpless in hiding her beautiful curves. Her green eyes were so lovely.
“Mine." The word escaped his lips before he intended. After his declaration, he felt proud. Mate is perfect! Crest was shouting in his head.
But the lady's face suddenly squeezed into a scowl. “You're not Ashton."
Orion laughed, “No, I'm not. I am Orion White, the Gamma of this pack." He started taking a step towards her but she stopped him.
“Don't come any closer." She held a hand up. “Let's just get this rejection over with."
It was like a thousand bricks were rained down on him at once. “Wh..what do you mean? Why would you reject me? Don't you feel it?" Orion could not believe his first conversation with his mate was going this way. “Don't you feel the pull of the bond? We were made for each other. You're the Moon's gift to me. We know nothing about each other yet but that does not wane the bond between us. Don't reject me, please." The last line came out as a whisper. On a normal day, he was not a man of many words but today, he was about to lose a woman he already cared passionately about.
