When we got to the Elaine pack's house, she was outside waiting for us. Her children ran to her, hugging her excitedly, telling her what we had learned today.
"Well, kids, go wash your hands so you can eat."
"Can Miss Azula stay for dinner with us?"
She looked at me with that longing look she always gave me. "I don't know, maybe."
"I don't know if I can, kids. The Alpha has requested my presence. Maybe next time."
Elaine's face contorted, as if those words had taken her to a painful memory, as if they had also happened to me. The kids ran to hug me, and I hugged them back.
"Thank you for bringing us, Miss Azula."
"It was a pleasure. Now go eat it all so you can grow big and strong."
"As strong as you?"
"Much bigger than me."
The two of them ran excitedly into the house, and Elaine looked at me with a smile.
"Thanks, Azula."
"It was a pleasure, Luna."
She gave me one last look and went into the house. I connected mentally with Jace.
"I'm here, Alpha."
"Come to my office."
I entered the house and walked to his office. I could smell Aron and Elliot's scent inside. I knocked on the door and entered. I nodded in greeting.
"Alpha, Beta, Gamma."
"Hello, little one." Aron ruffled my hair, and I smiled. We turned to look at them, and they were looking at us, yes, with that strange and uncomfortable look they always had when I was around. Jace cleared his throat and spoke.
"Well, we're all here now. Tomorrow, the Alpha King and his sisters are coming to visit for the new moon. Apparently, they're looking for their destined mates." His eyes shifted to mine for a moment, as if those silly words reminded him that I was his true mate, or rather, that I was. I wasn't anymore, and I never would be.
"I want you to greet them at the entrance of the pack, Aron. Elliot, oversee that everything is well arranged. I want a banquet to be held in their honor. Azula, I want you to be here with me and Elaine to greet them."
My brow furrowed in annoyance. Why did they always want to include me in shit like this, like the time the Alphas from the neighboring packs came to visit, and he wanted me to greet them with him and Elaine, or the time Eliam was born and everyone came to celebrate the birth of the future Alpha, and he wanted me to be there to greet everyone with him because Elaine was busy with Eliam. What an awkward moment, because I had to be there. I hated having to be with the two of them and watch them look at me and treat me as if I was going to break down and burst into tears at any moment. For God's sake, we were adults.
"You will escort the Alpha's sisters while they are in the pack, so tomorrow morning, everyone must be at their posts to receive the Alpha King."
"Yes, Alpha," we all said at the same time.
"God, imagine if one of them is your destined mate, Elliot."
"And if she's yours, Aron."
Aron laughed, and I laughed with him. His laughter was contagious and gave me so much peace and tranquility.
"I don't think that's going to happen. I'm too much for them, aren't I, little sister?"
I just laughed and looked at him with a smile. "You're too much for anyone, Aron. I think you're going to end up alone. We'll live together, and we'll have a lot of cats, or maybe we'll adopt a homeless child. You'll be his dad, and I'll be the cool aunt."
He laughed and hugged me. "Well, as depressing as it sounds, I'd be happy to spend all my days with you, my little one."
I hugged him, not wanting to let go. I knew that one day Aron would find a mate and we wouldn't be so close anymore. He would move out, and that room we had shared for 24 years would feel as big and empty as my heart. I didn't want to think about it so much, but I couldn't help but let it slip into my mind. I pulled myself together and pulled away from his embrace. I turned to Jace, and he was looking at me with pain. His eyes changed to those of his wolf, and he quickly took control.
"I'll take my leave, Alpha."
"All right. Goodbye, Azula."
I turned and walked out of there. That night, I went for a walk on patrol and went to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
When I got to the pack house that morning, it was chaos. Everyone was running around, and Elaine looked like she was going to faint from worry. The kids saw me and ran towards me.
"Miss Azula."
I bent down and hugged them. "Good morning. How are my favorite pupils?"
"Very good."
"Miss Azula, my mom told us that the Alpha King is coming to visit us today, and we have to be very good."
"Of course, and so it shall be. You are good, well-behaved children. The Alpha King and his sisters will love you."
"Do you think so?"
"Of course, my children. You are easy to love."
They ran off happily. The smile I had plastered on my face faded when I looked ahead, and there were Jace and Elaine looking at me.
"Good morning, Alpha, Luna."
"Good morning, Azula. Have you eaten yet? We're just about to have breakfast. Would you like to join us?"
"Thank you for the invitation, Luna, but I must decline. I ate with Aron before he left for the border. You two go ahead and eat. I'll help out around here."
"Thank you so much. You'd be doing me a huge favor. I'm going crazy with all the arrangements." She laughed, and I forced a smile on my face.
"I'll go now then. With your permission, Alpha, Luna."
I turned and got out of there. I would never be comfortable with them in the same room. I got to where the maids were and started helping them out. I gave some orders, and in less than an hour, everything was ready to welcome the Alpha King.
I was looking out the window at the entrance when I heard the children running towards me.
"Miss Azula."
"Well, aren't you handsome."
"My mommy said this suit made me look like my daddy."
And it was true. Eliam and Azuma were the spitting image of the little Jace who used to run around the pack with me and Aron, the little Jace who used to tell me secrets behind everyone's back, the little Jace who had been my best friend.
"Yes, little one. You look just like your father. You both do."
They jumped up and down excitedly. Elaine appeared beside them. She was wearing a blue dress and a silver tiara. She looked beautiful. She smiled at me and came closer.
"The kids love you very much. They always talk about Miss Azula."
"I love them very much too, Luna. They're very smart children."
She gave a half-smile. She always tried to strike up conversations with me, but they would quickly be cut short. I had never stopped loving Elaine. She had been my friend, but I didn't want to resume a friendship that would only hurt me. We stood in silence, waiting, when Jace appeared.
"They've arrived."
Just then, the wheels of a car sounded, doors opened, and footsteps walked towards us. My heart leaped in my chest, Light stirring inside me, that delicious smell filtering into my nostrils, strawberries and chocolate, my favorite. The door opened, and Aron entered first, his face pale. Behind him entered a girl with golden curls and a happy smile. Then Elliot entered, his face astonished, as if he had seen a ghost. Behind him entered two other girls, exactly alike, twins, I suppose, black hair and blue eyes, skin as pale white as the snow in winter. Both smiled and stood aside, as the owner of that delicious scent made his presence known. His jet-black hair was perfectly combed, small rebellious strands falling to the sides of his chiseled face. His dark eyes settled on me, and the same words came out of my lips as his.
"Mate."
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