Mate Me

Chapter 3

Y/N POV

This was a horrible idea. I stared, feeling drained, at the luggage the footmen had brought to my room. We arrived hours ago. I should be getting ready, but I can't seem to pull myself off the edge of my bed. I could hear movement throughout the house. Luna had taken the stylist first, because I haven't left the room since we arrived. I heard the short disagreement her and In-Su had before he gave in. Honestly it was a blessing, even if he didn't know it. All I want to do at this point is sleep, and pretend this never happened.

Pretend that I can keep this secret from my family longer.
Pretend that I'm indifferent to this festival.
Pretend that I care about this expensive gown laying in a blacked out bag.
Pretend that I'm fine.

When is enough, enough?

Hushed, strained voices could be heard from down the hall.

"What do you mean she won't leave her room? Have you checked on her?"
"I don't even know what I would do to help her."
"The ball is in an hour. Is she dressed?"
"I have no idea."

A quiet knock shortly followed by a soft "hello" filled the room. My eyes snapped up to the mirror reflecting an angel dressed in an off the shoulder light pink floor length gown adorned with small flower accents, her smallish swollen belly showcased beautifully in her flowy gown. Her sandy blonde hair pulled back in a playful messy bun.
    "Yura," I breathed out relieved. I quickly made my way to her, throwing my arms over her shoulders.
     "Hello love." I could hear the smile in her voice. I could feel the tension in my throat turn into a knot as I held back the overwhelming sense of relief and the tears that would no doubt follow. She sighed knowingly, her hand brushing the back of my head tenderly. We stood there for a moment taking in each other's warmth and comfort. I inhaled deeply taking in the rich smell of roses mixed sweetly with a warm sense of— woods?
    I wondered about the off scent, but pushed all questions to the back of my mind. I was the first to call Yura out on both of her pregnancies. Even though we are all wolves, not all noses are created equal. I'm very sensitive to smell, and even though her scent still stays prominent, there is an unknown scent that is peculiar to me with my nephew Sujin and the newest growing member of our family. I knew somewhere in the pit of my stomach not to ask. Call it intuition or "sisterly-knowing", but I knew better, mostly because they smelled nothing like Jason.
    "W-what are you doing here?" I tried not to focus on my voice breaking. She tilted her head to the side, slightly offended.
    "Did you think I would let you do this alone?" The corners of her mouth turned up in a sympathetic smile. She tucked my hair behind my ear. "Besides, who will do your hair? God knows Luna is giving the stylist a run for her money, and you're completely helpless at it." She laughed, and I wanted to laugh with her. However, a rogue tear spilled over sending waves of relief and exhaustion wracking through my body.
    Yura squeezed both of my hands, pulling me to the vanity. "Sit. You don't have to talk about it," she paused catching my gaze in the mirror, "but I am always here for you." She kissed the side of my head and began to prepare for the daunting task ahead.
    Taming my hair.

At the ball...

"Go to the ball," they said.
"You'll have so much fun," they said.
"You can eat and get drunk," they said.

    Well, yes, all of this would have been fun. However, I am now sitting in the dressing room with Luna waiting for her to finish getting changed back into her dress so I can send her out as my spy.
    "So tell me why you ran exactly?" Her voice carried over the partition. Her question sounded genuine. At first when I ran in here, I thought she would kick me out and tell me to stop embarrassing myself.
    "I—" I sighed. I reached behind my head untying my mask, throwing it on the ground. No sense in having it now. I knew he would find me sooner or later.     "Honestly," I paused, "I don't really know. I was so scared before, but when I actually came face to face with my mate, and I wasn't afraid at all...I panicked." I crossed my legs sitting in an unflattering manner in my dress, the slit exposing my whole leg.
Luna hummed in response coming out. "It is a bit scary isn't it?"
    "What is?" I tilted my head. She took a deep breath sitting across from me on the bench, her arms resting on her thighs, leaning forward. "Luna?" There was a silence that filled the room that made me uneasy.
    "Being tied to someone for the rest of your life and not even knowing their name," she whispered, playing with the golden butterfly clip that was meant for her hair. "Not knowing if they will care for you like Appa does Eomma." Her eyes never left the butterfly, but I could see the storm brewing behind them. Oceans of worry and contemplation. I was watching my baby sister mature right before my eyes.
    "Oh Luna," I smiled, "your mate will treat you well when you find him." I grasped her hand. "I mean between my temper and In-Su's idiotic strength he has to." A laugh forced its way out of her mouth, a tear slipping from her eye.
    "He wouldn't run away and disown me, without even getting to know me would he?" She sniffed.
    "Of course not Luna, what type of person—" I blinked slowly taking in her words. I didn't mean for it to be like this. I haven't rejected him. I can still feel his presence, it's very daunting and persistent. He's still looking for me. Calling out for me.
    Luna squeezed my hand that was holding hers. "I didn't mean you Y/n. I just..." she trailed off looking back down at her lap. I waited patiently for her to find the words. Her brow creased, "I think I may have found my mate, but I'm not sure...it all happened so fast and the dance ended, and then I saw him walking away, and then the feeling faded and ..and..." she started rambling.
    "Luna," I placed my hands on the side of her face making her look at me. "Take a deep breath." She followed my instruction.
    "What did it feel like?" I blinked slowly. "What happened exactly?"
    "It felt..."