Ice

Mates

Mates. Short for soul mates, and mainly used among packs. Legend has it, it happens instantly, that you just know. My name is Namaho, and this is the story of how I met my mate.

Eight months earlier,....

"Namaho! Come here!" I rushed to the side of my future female alpha, Lily, who was named for the perfect white of her coat. "Yes, alpha Lily?" She barked at me to sit, so I plopped down in the dirt.

"I have some news." I met her eyes to listen. Lily was future female alpha, and I was future female beta. We had been raised side by side, and as much as I now resent it ,then I had to and was happy to follow orders. "Yes, alpha?" "My previous engagement was canceled, as my father is now considering the offer of another pack."

As amazing as it is to be with your mate, not everyone is lucky enough to find theirs, therefore, when the packs are at war the alphas marry off their daughters as a peace offering. That's the one thing I do feel sorry for her about. "Any luck with this one?" I asked, meaning is he her mate.

"It's not like I've met my mate before now have I?" She snapped at me. I bowed my head and she sighed. "Raise your head Namaho, I know you meant no harm. I truly do not know if either of them are. However, I am to meet, I guess, my ex-fiance tonight." My tail wagged happily, acting like my pup self.

"Then you will tell me how it goes?" Lily then touched her nose to my forehead to calm me down, even though her own tail was wagging slightly. "Yes Namaho. Now you can continue training. " I bowed my head as acknowledgement of her dismissal and continued on to my training.

2 weeks later,...

I attacked the practice tree, over and over. Clawing, biting, scratching, just about anything you can think of, tearing chunks out of the bark. I looked up to see Lily approaching, for the first time in weeks. "Alpha Lily, greetings. Do you wish to speak?" I could see defeat in her posture. "Yes Namaho. Follow me please."

I stood behind her and to her left, beta position, and followed her to the spot where we forgot rules and formalities. I looked up at her "What is bothering you Lily? You seem troubled." She shifted restlessly, "he is not my mate. not even close." I brushed my head against her side in comfort. "There is still the other. I say you have your father arrange a meeting with him as well."

Lily growled in frustration "I have already asked. He says it is not possible." "Well then just accept. He has to be better than someone that sets you up. " Her eyes widened, "How do you know?" I'd look at her with pity. "Pack sister, you forget I would smell the newcomer on you."

Lily got up, with sad determination and went to tell her father her decision.

1 month later,...

"Do you know?" Lily looked at me confused. "Know what?" I'd shake my head in frustration, "The engagement, do you have news of it?" She looked at me and smiled. " Yes. Father, however is less sure of the intentions of this pack though, and requests you go with me to meet him. Would you be willing, beta Namaho? " My tail wagged in excitement, "of course I would."

"Now, we will be meeting at the separate alpha house, so be sure to bring your things and that you look nice." I bowed my head respectfully. "Yes, alpha Lily."