Yil

If I had to oblige one more unmated male who looked at me like a delectable meal, to the dance floor, I was seriously going to lose it. This ceremony was going on in the same direction as the previous ceremonies in the last four years. Dance with multiple wolves until I'm tired then bail, the only difference being that bailing might not be an option tonight.

I was currently moving in time to the slow tunes of waltz with Holt or was it Kent. I couldn't seem to remember his name, there had been so many of them. He was a tall solid mass of a man with broad shoulders, inquisitive hazel coloured eyes and a full beard. His dark hair was gelled professionally to the back of his head and his rugged, hard face was in contrast to his gentle, easy going nature.

He was about the tenth unmated male that I had danced with and by far the better conversationalist but I was fed up already. The dull ache in my feet and ankles didn't even begin to explain my tiredness. Six hours of gruelling hard core workout I could stomach but throw me into a ceremonial gathering in a short dress paired with heels and I couldn't even last an hour.

"It's such a pity that we aren't mates, I would have loved nothing more than to care and protect you for as long as I lived," he manoeuvred my body gently into an underarm turn and when I was facing him again, he moved both our bodies around the closest dance partners who did the same.

I can care and protect myself very well, thank you. But I couldn't say that out loud my mother would have a heart attack. Even right now she watched me like a hawk from her seated position at the high officials table no doubt hoping that Mr rugged here was my mate. So I settled for the next best thing.

"It really is but I'm sure the Sky Lordians know what they are doing by purposefully making it so," I smiled up sweetly at him.

"I guess they do," he replied sadly. "But it doesn't make it hurt less," he pouted slightly.

"I'm sure it won't even hurt one bit once you find your mate," I laughed. "You'd be too busy kissing up to her to even remember this encounter"

"Come what may, I will never forget this encounter," he laughed back. "But I might forget the feelings," he added.

The song came to an abrupt halt signifying the next round of patiently waiting unmated and newly mated wolves to the dance floor. He escorted me away from the dance floor and to the drink corner with a hand to the small of my back and proceeded to pour me a punch from the punch bowl.

"Here you go," he motioned to the glass cup in his hand and I collected it grateful for something to relieve my parched throat.

"Thank you," I gulped it down greedily and dropped it back on the table with a soft bang.

"Someone's very thirsty," he remarked with a slight smile.

"You have no idea just how tiring this can be," I motioned to the dance floor and moved to refill my glass cup.

"Indeed but I would never have thought the relentless fighter and top skilled element controller would say that," he decided to sip on his drink slowly while staring intently at me. His hazel coloured eyes held amusement.

"Well, I can't be a pro at everything, you know," I replied with a nonchalant shrug. "It's only fair that I leave a little something for others to excel in," I added with a smirk.

"Wow what a way to be modest," he chuckled and shook his head.

"Besides I don't have to train with this torture tools," I pointed to my heels and rolled my ankles to help relieve the dull ache.

"I can't relate but I can bet they are not the most comfortable things in this world," he chuckled. "You know what," he started, taking the glass cup out of my hand and pointing to the couches across the room from where we stood. "How about we go over there then you can sit comfortably while I help you out of your misery," he said motioning to my shoes.

"That would be very much appreciated," I almost squealed in excitement. Finally, these shoes had to go. "But just give me a sec to grab Zena's pouch first or else she'll kill me"

I quickly moved towards the table where I sat down before the endless dance requests and picked up Zena's red pouch then I walked towards his back and tapped on his shoulder. "I'm ready, let's get these instruments of pain off," I whopped, enthusiastically to a few amused stares.

He was unresponsive to my touch and so I retapped his shoulders hoping to get some kind of reaction but none was forthcoming. Until he said the famous one word that every unmated wolf hoped to say at this ceremony.

"Mate," he growled possessively.

I followed his fixed line of sight and noticed that Zena was stuck in the same position on the dance floor. Her dance partner had taken the hint and scurried off to find someone else to dance with. From the movement of her mouth, I could make out one word as she kept staring transfixed.

"Mate,"

Well what do you know. Mr McMuscles aka gentle giant was Zena's mate.

They both moved in sync and met each other halfway never breaking eye contact and probably regarding the other in awe, adoration and maybe love, I couldn't be sure.

I turned around from them not wanting to pry into their shared moment and moved closer into the curtains not wanting to be seen by other unmated males who might regard my being alone as an opportunity to flirt or dance.

I had had enough of this ceremony and the only thing keeping me here was the promise I'd made to my mother. A white-wolf keeps her word. Wallowing in my boredom and feet ache I failed to notice the familiar presence that crept up on me.

"Bored senseless yet?" I knew that voice and intoxicating scent anywhere.

I turned and our eyes met. Rae was dressed sharply in a tailored black suit to match his dark eyes. His chiseled jawline was in contrast to his easy going smile and his deep dimples added to his already mesmerizing beauty.

"That I am, did you find yours yet?"

Rae just like Zena and I was also unmated. We even formed a group called the unmated trio but plot twist we were now the unmated duo as Zena had already found her better half.

"Nope," his deep voice answered. "But I see she has," he motioned to Zena and Holt or was it Kent, who were now making their way outside the hall probably to get on with the completion of the mate bond. With the way they were so close I wondered if they'd ever make it to a room before things got heated.

"Yeah, she's 'finally' complete," I said mimicking my mother and making air quotes with my fingers.

"What's with the attitude?" He chuckled, the deep sound reverberating in his chest.

"Attending the same ceremony year in and year out only to leave alone," I sighed. "And that's not even the bad part but having to listen to my mom tell me that I'm not trying hard enough. I'm very happy for Zena, really I am. I'm just tired of being reminded that I'm getting old and I need to find my mate who decides on hiding," I said hurriedly, finally relieved that I let out all of my pent up emotions.

"I mean there's more to life than finding your mate and happily ever afters. There's adventure, thrill, the blood pumping adrenaline that comes with training, travelling and other things," I mused staring into space with a wonder lost expression. "There's so much more to life than this, I know it"

He kept quiet for a while not saying anything but just allowing me to dwell on my thoughts before he broke my faraway gaze.

"Do you want to go outside? The fresh air will do you good," I looked towards him with hopeful eyes but if my parents were still watching my every move then going out was only wishful thinking.

However, he was quick to placate my doubts. It was almost as if he had read my thoughts. Or maybe he had, he was always very in tune with my feelings.

"They're preoccupied at the moment," he whispered, pointing towards the table where they were speaking to some high ranking faerie officials. "So you coming or not?"

"Hell yes" A white-wolf keeps her word..... until it becomes a serious threat to her mental health.

The cool breeze hit my face as I stepped into the garden under the starry night. The crickets chirped softly and the fireflies moved about in rhythm to their own special song.

"Tonight is so beautiful," I breathed out in awe

"Indeed it is," he agreed as we walked side by side along the garden pathway.

As we moved further along I noticed the hung capiz lanterns dangling from under the large willow tree. They swayed gently in the breeze and their glowing inner light faded slowly before it brightened again. Another year, another missed opportunity to set the lantern off into the sky.

"Maybe one day," he mused, breaking into my thoughts.

"Why would the Sky Lordians ever think it was a good idea pairing us with mates?" I questioned out loud as I walked towards the tree and lightly felt its leaves. Not waiting for his answer I continued. "Don't get me wrong but don't you want to fall in love with a person willingly and not because of some strong and irresistible bond"

He moved towards the water fountain opposite the tree and sat down by the edge of the fountain basin careful not to get his suit wet.

"The bond speeds up the intimate process, there's no denying that," he chuckled and I faced him with my back to the tree. "But love is something you learn and the relationships are never without their ups and downs. So while it eliminates the chances of you ever bonding with anyone but your mate, you wouldn't even want to when you meet them" he explained as he got up and in two long strides stood before me. "Because they'll be everything you ever wanted," he finished

"How would you know?" I questioned. "You've never even had a mate," I mumbled.

"I guess there's no changing your mindset huh?" Before I could respond he tucked my hand into the crook of his arm and led me out of the garden.

"Where are we going?" I asked, confused as we neared the Wonderan Forest.

"Somewhere," he replied with a slight smile as we took a familiar route into the forest and towards a tree house. Our tree house.

"The tree house," I gasped in surprise. I hadn't been here in ages especially after what had happened.

It stood proud and tall on the oak tree. The sides were the colour of each element; azure, emerald, scarlet and aqua and the winding steps around the tree trunk were cut and crafted with care. There was a swing attached to the oak branch by the side of the house and they were lots of dangling crystal clear lockets. Inside them were little scrolls of paper with each of our little achievements. Top student at water element training, first black eye from a fight session, initiation into the element tribe and so many others.

Rae and I had built it during my teenage years and we had spent many a night here away from our parents. Our wolves, Ava and Xavier, had raced each other around the forest engaging in playful fights, jumping over Sunken creek and canon balling, in human form, from the top of the waterfall into the clear blue waters below. Once we were tired and worn out we would finally retire to the comfort of the tree house. Here I could indulge in wild, unrestricted adventure.

It was here that we had also shared our first kiss and first sexual encounter. He had always had a crush on me despite my mischievous attitude and me being an inquisitive little thing, I was none the happier to try out what I had overhead the mated wolves whispering about. I can't say about the day after though, in short it hurt.

After that day we had so many others unbeknownst to our parents. However, Rae eventually put a stop to it much to my surprise. He never really gave me a straight answer but from his ramblings it was clear that he felt he was taking advantage of me because of our seven year age gap.

To say it hurt, back then, would be an understatement, nevertheless, I respected his wishes and we agreed to remain best friends. However, despite our agreement the sexual tension between us still buzzed strongly. I also stopped coming here as often for it reminded me so much of what I had lost.

"Just wait, let me help you?" He said, as he moved to carry me up the stairs seeing as my heels could make climbing uncomfortable.

"No, it's okay," I replied hastily to which he frowned. He was hurt by my action but I needed to put as much space as I could between us because if he touched me once more, I couldn't guarantee that I'd stick to my end of the bargain.

I carefully placed one leg on the step before the other then I balanced for a second before I slowly climbed up with Rae behind me. The inside of the tree house was just as we had left it. Rae had decorated one side of the wall with ancient Nyrlian and Airan drawings and I had decorated the other side with a female warrior painting that changed when you were looking at it from the left side as opposed to the right side. A queen sized bed was positioned in the middle, a small drawer with a lamp atop beside it and a small library rack by the window.

"I haven't been here in ages," he mused.

"Me neither," I moved to the library rack and traced my finger along the books which had gathered dust. "We had so many memories here," I said, turning to wink at him.

"Stop that," he chuckled and moved to open the window.

"What?" I asked moving next to him. "We did have memories here including sleepover nights, incredible sad binge sessions when we slacked during practice and huge gossip fest," I said, counting them off my fingers and laughing. "So what do you think I meant?"

"You had that mischievous glint in your eyes," he said, looking into my eyes momentarily before he turned away. "I thought you were going to talk about our..."

"Sexual escapades?" I said, cutting him off. "My parents are going to kill you for that and my future mate as well," I mused. "Oh Rae, you've ruined me, maybe that's why I can't find my mate," I said with a hand to my forehead like in those melodramatic plays and started to giggle.

"Your parents killing me or worse your mate, is not funny," he turned to look at me and scowled, his beautiful deep dimples were highlighted by that action.

"It's my life, my choice," I shrugged. "And I wasn't passive in this whole exchange besides you've replaced me with Nara," I looked anywhere but at him, forcing an uneasy laugh. "Ruining another unmated female for her mate. You're going to have a lot of enemies the way you're going," I chastised.

Then I moved towards the bed, sat down and began the mission of untying the laced heel.

"Nara? She's just a friend," he turned from the window and rested against it studying me.

"That's what they all say, but why do I care?'' I mumbled, trying but failing to untie the heel laces. Zena definitely got me back for the bathroom incident.

"Are you jealous?" He asked as he moved towards the bed slowly. A growing smile on his face.

"Jealous? Me?" I scoffed, pointing to myself in mock disbelief. "Never," I denied with a shake of my head. "We ended things amicably years ago. That's if there was ever anything to end, I was more of your sex toy but I used you too. So fair game," I was getting pissed with these shoes.... and with him.

Suddenly, I felt warm fingers lift my chin up slowly to meet warm endless black eyes. I shivered at his touch and craved more. He felt it too because his eyes momentarily turned even darker than their usual colour.

When I was younger I always believed we were mates but as I grew older I came to realise that we just felt really strongly for each other. There was no electrifying bond. But with the way things were going I'd rather he was my mate, bond or not, but only if he'd have me.

"I was never intimate with Nara, heck I have never been intimate with anyone but you," he swore softly, looking into my eyes. "And you were never a sex toy to me you mean much more than that and you know it," he whispered, fiercely as his eyes held mine in a sincere gaze and emotions ranging from care, adoration and surprisingly, love filtered past.

"Then why did you end what we had?" I questioned softly.

He raked his fingers through his beautiful blonde hair and I had the strong urge to touch it. He then bent down to unfasten my heels and I gave into the urge. A groan of pleasure escaped from his mouth but he quickly stopped my hands from their pleasure assault and brought them to his lips where he kissed each finger.

"I had to end it because come what may we are still fated to mates whom we shall meet one day. I never should have kissed you that night," he said, sadly.

"So you regret it?"

I didn't think this would hurt, again, but I was starting to feel an uncomfortable pain in my chest because granted our wolves had eternal mates that we were fated to but our human side was also prone to developing feelings, maybe not as strong, but feelings nonetheless for individuals other than our mates.

"I don't Mi amour," he replied genuinely. "I would do it over again and again if I could relive that moment,"

"Then kiss me," I whispered. He was crouched down in front of me frozen in place at my sudden request. I had a mate, yes, somewhere in this pack or wherever but he wasn't here now and neither was Rae's mate so what was stopping us from indulging in the desires of our flesh. Nothing.

He continued to look at me debating on whether or not he should carry out my request. So I made it easier for him and closed the distance between us and kissed him.

It was slow and unsure at first as he still remained passive against me but soon his restraint couldn't hold out against my persistence and he ended up pushing me gently back on the bed and giving into his desires.

I reached for the buttons of his shirt and he held back my hands.

"No, let us desist from doing this," he said, breathlessly as he struggled for control against Xavier who was happy to fulfil my request.

Ava was acting up like she always did. Consistently chanting, I want mate no other but mate.

Well, she could keep waiting for mate, right now I only wanted Rae whether she approved of it or not.

"Why not?" I whined. "I want this as much as you so what's holding you back. We haven't even found our mates yet," I reasoned. I dragged his neck towards me and sucked gently on his nape earning a satisfied groan. "If you don't want this then go," I whispered against his neck as I continued my assault on his senses.

He took a few seconds to answer me and I was already dreading the embarrassment that I would feel if he rejected me. But he didn't answer in words, he didn't need to. His hand that moved under my dress and up my thighs towards my pleasure zone was enough.
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