The Warrior (continuing from optimistic_dreamer)

Mason

I was six years old when my mother died.

I remember my dad constantly being by her side and how broken he was once he learnt from our pack healer that he could not explain why she always fainted, was so tired and felt this pain in her legs. The healer tried everything he could and even asked other pack healers for help, but no one had a clue what my mom had.

I was the youngest of three children. My sister was 12 and my brother already 16 years old. I was more or less a surprise, but I always felt loved.
I adored my brother, who taught me how to fight, and my sister, who always had my back. My father was always very pleased with me especially with my fighting skills. My mother was more on the soft side and constantly told me, how to treat a lady and once I would meet my mate, how I should court her.

I often was at my mom's side when she was too sick to even stand up. She would listen to me ramble about my day and cheer me up when I was sad. She laughed with me when something funny happened and told me fairytales to get me to sleep at night. She was the best.

However, one night I was making my way towards her and dad's room when I heard loud growling coming from their door.

I was scared, but I was more frightened what would happen to my mother, who was sick and defenseless in there. I worked up all my courage and peeked through the slit that I managed to open.

My brother and the beta held my father back, who looked deadly furious. The healer stood beside my mom's bed and put a cloth over her face. I did not understand why the healer would want to hide her when everybody saw him hiding her.

My sister caught me and lifted me up into her arms. She brought me into my room and told me that our mom was going away. I could not understand why she would leave us and when was really upset with her.

Years later I realized what it meant and it also reinforced the wish to never have a mate. I saw how devastated my dad was and how he slowly faded away in front of us.

With 18 years old my brother took over as the Alpha and as soon as it was officially announced my dad slumped to the ground. The healer called it a heart attack, but we all knew that he just waited for the right time to join his mate in heaven.

When I learned that I showed the qualities of a warrior I was delighted. Not only did it mean great honour, but I also realized that I would not get a mate, which relieved me. I never had to endure such a heartbreak like my father had to.

However when I saw Live and Leo together and how happy they were I doubted myself. Was it really that bad to have a mate? With the two of them I just could see all the advantages.
Leo seemed to constantly have the need to touch her and I could see how much they loved each other. They were always there for each other and I knew that Live was not only Leo's mate but also his best friend and anchor.

Jake and his new mate Keiki on the other side, showed me the disadvantages. Keiki made Jake's life a living hell for a few weeks, because she did not want to accept him as her mate. I really admired Jake's determination of constantly trying to win her over and now I could see that Keiki really was what Jake needed. Keiki immediately grew very close to Live and she helped Keiki a great deal to discover her feelings for Jake. So now they were almost as lovey-dovey as Leo and Live all because of Jake's determination and the help of Live.

Thinking about my Luna brought me back to the present and when I could not find her anywhere near me I panicked.

Live was almost eight months pregnant by now and Leo was more protective of her then ever. I mindlinked him instantly but not before scenting Live.

Leo was seething, but knowing that I was aware where Live was helped him stay calm and he immediately sprinted towards me.

He said nothing when he finally found me, probably because of his wolf, who wanted to have my head for letting Olivia escape me yet again.

Close to a clearing I picked up another scent - it smelled like chocolate and cherries. It was addictive.

We noticed that Olivia was kneeling next to someone in the clearing and made our way towards her.

Leo grew wary immediately, but I could not help myself and went further into the clearing, because the other intoxicating smell was coming from there as well.

"I'm okay!", Live instantly whispered to us, without turning around and said: "Just helping someone here."

That someone grew very nervous and I could not help but wanting to help.

My wolf was shouting in my mind, but I did not know what he wanted to tell me.

Suddenly ocean blue eyes were staring in my own and my whole world stopped. A beautiful girl with long brown hair was laying on the ground covered in a blanket. I watched Live giving her a potion, which the girl sipped gingerly.

When she noticed the girl watching me, she turned around and when she took in my frozen position she smiled sweetly at me, faced the girl again and whispered to her gently: "That's Mason. He is the Beta here and a very dear friend of us. He's going to help you get to the pack house so I can check you over."

The girl nodded once in understanding and I rushed to her side to help her up.

The first time I touched her an electric current went through my system and she gasped.

MATE my wolf howled in triumph.

I picked her up bridal style and went to the pack house with her.

My mate looked wide eyed at me and I could not help myself and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She gasped and smiled dreamly at me.

Instantly her expression sobered and she looked sad at me.

"What's wrong honey?", I wanted to know. My wolf demanding why our mate was sad.

"It's just...you won't want me after..", she trailed of.

"After what?", I coaxed her.

"After me telling you that I'm a rogue."she whispered brokenly.

"What's your name?"

"Lilly Harrison.", she whispered sadend with her eyes shut tightly togehter.

"I, Mason Johnson, accept you Lilly Harrison as my mate.", I whispered to her.

Lilly gasped and opened her eyes. Her lips opened in pure shock as well and I took this opportunity and leaned in to take her lips in a soft kiss.

Lilly responded immediately and circled her hands around my neck.

I could hear Leo applaud behind me and Live's soft giggles.

When I pulled away from my beautiful mate I saw her sweet smile and a blush gracing her cheeks and it was then that I realized that I had always longed for mate.

And now that I had her, I would never let go!