02 - The Treasure Hunt

*** Naomi's POV ***

My mate is here! Somewhere behind these doors is my one and only. I can't stop to wonder what type of person he may be or if he will like us. What if he rejects us? I felt my heart rate spike at the thought of rejection. There is an undeniable magnetic pull towards the mansion and a hint of coffee and cinnamon in the air.

- "Does anyone else smell coffee?"- I ask out loud.

Lee looks at me and pokes my nose, saying:

- "I can't smell anything, but knowing your addiction to coffee, I wouldn't be surprised if you can smell it all the way out here from the mansion's kitchen." Lee and everyone else laugh at his comment.

- "Hey!" I gently slap Lee's shoulder, causing him to lift both his hands up in surrender. "Without coffee, I can't function. Coffee for life!" I giggled. "But jokes aside, no one else smells it? It has a hint of cinnamon too." I add.

No one seems to pay attention to me, except my brother Gabriel, or Gabe for short.

- "Mom, how many times did you drop her on her head again?"

- "Oh Hun, it wasn't me. It was your father." They both laugh.

- "I can only smell apple crumble, and it's making me hungry."- Gabe says while placing a hand on my head and messing up my hair. -"Midget."

- "Hey, my hair! And what did you call me?"

- "Midget." Gabe makes sure I hear it this time.

-"I am 5"4', not a midget!"

Gabe sticks his tongue out at me. I go after him trying to kick his butt. Well, I won't be able to since he is six feet tall. No one calls me a midget and lives to tell the story, though. Gabe uses Lee as a shield and sticks his tongue out every time I come into his field of vision. Poor Lee put his hands up as a sign of surrender but is of no use. We continue to circle him.

- "Can you two please behave? Remember, you represent our pack. We might be here for a birthday party, but we are also here to show respect and reinforce our alliance with the Crescent Moon Pack. You know, with all the rogue attacks, we can't afford to break alliances. So please act like the two adults I know you are. Or your father will put you to train morning and night for a month!" My mother closes the mind link and stands next to my father, who checks our invites by the two Crescent Moon warriors.

Rogues are wolves who have been banished or rejected from their packs. The majority of rogues are criminals; they have no rules or morals.  They attack at the slightest sign of weakness, raping women and killing anyone in their path. In other words, they cause chaos and destruction.

I quickly exchange looks with Gabriel, who somehow has become pale and sweaty. He loosens his red tie slightly as if he is struggling to breathe. I guess dad must have told him off too through the mind link. Since he is the pack's future Alpha, there is a lot of weight on his shoulders. I reach out, giving him a light pat on his back. I want him to know he is not alone. Lee and I are here for him.

As we enter the mansion, a butler leads us to the main room. Just like the outside, the interior follows a Victorian style. It felt like being in a castle, to be honest. The room was spacious but with beautiful paintings, vases, and sculptures adorning the walls and corners. Entering the ballroom, I spin around, taking in all the beautiful designs and colors that decorate the room, the flowers and candles that enhance its charm, and the food wonderfully arranged at the table. Everything is so breathtakingly beautiful. 

Opposite the room's entrance, coming from the second floor, are two staircases starting across from each other and merging halfway into a single and broader staircase, which then descends into the big ballroom. Just like in the movie Beauty and the Beast, where Belle descends from the left and the Beast descends from the right to meet in the middle and make their way together to the end of the staircase – that kind of staircase. 

The wall on the right side of the room was made of glass from top to bottom and incorporated two sets of French doors, allowing us access to the garden.

- "Naomi, focus. Please. Our mate is here! Go look for him." Artemis sounds desperate.

I quickly scan the ballroom one more time, doing another 360 turn, paying attention to the people around us. There are a lot of people talking to each other in small groups here and there. Mom, Dad, Kim, Martin, and Gabriel are talking to another couple and their daughter. By the looks of it, with how they introduced Gabriel and the girl, my father is thinking of marrying my brother to the Alpha's daughter of Woodlands Pack, Nina White.  Gabriel doesn't talk much,  but I know he feels unsettled about the whole thing. 

My eyes travel further around the room. I can't see my mate, and the smell of coffee and cinnamon is faint but everywhere.

- "The coffee and cinnamon is our mate's scent. If you let me have control, I can track it". Artemis begs me. Giving her control meant my eyes would switch from a brownish hazel into black entirely, which could be interpreted as aggressiveness. A werewolf's eyes will change to black when they feel a strong emotion, but most of the time, anger is the most common cause. I have already been warned twice today and can't afford a third warning.

-"What are you looking for, Naomi?" Lee questions me.

I don't want to hurt Lee's feelings in any way, shape, or form. I ponder for a moment if I should tell him, or not, about my mate being somewhere in this mansion and that I am looking for him. He is my best friend; lying won't help. I inhale deeply, enjoying my mate's lingering scent.

- "Lee, I know we are engaged and all... and I don't want to hurt your feelings... but..." I pause to gather up the courage for what I'm about to spill to him.

- "Naomi, you know you can trust me, don't you? Before your dad proposed to me the idea of us marrying, we were best friends. And we still are, right?"

- "Goddess, yes! Of course, I know I can trust you. You have been my best friend since I can remember." I reassure him.

- "Okay, then, spill the beans? What's got into you that you look like someone stole your coffee?"

No one stole my coffee, but the coffee

himself is playing hide and seek with me. He places one hand on my arm and looks me in the eyes. Lee was 5"8', not as tall as Gabe, but taller than me for sure.

-"My mate is here at this party. Artemis can feel him. Coffee and cinnamon are his distinctive scent for us, but I can't pinpoint where it's coming from because it's faint yet everywhere."

-"Really? Oh, My Moon Goddess! I am so happy for you, Naomi!" He says, giving me a tight hug. "Come, let's look for him. Maybe he is in the garden; the entrance is this way."

He grabs my hand and guides me through the crowd towards the right side of the room where the French doors are. We go through them, down a couple of steps, and WOW! The garden was astounding, just like Kim said. I notice the same French style of boxwood hedges here and there, creating sections along the way.  Some areas had fountains to admire, while others had benches for people to sit and relax.  A massive greenhouse stands on the far left corner, and to its right is a beautiful pond with a fountain in the middle.  A weeping willow tree stands over to the right side of the pond, making that particular area appear mystical and enchanted, perfect for a romantic rendezvous.

We scour every inch of the garden but find nothing – my mate. It's like a treasure hunt.  Every time we get closer, the scent moves to a different location.  7:45 pm hits, and a servant enters the garden announcing that the hosts, King Alpha and Queen Luna, will be giving a toast at 8:00 pm and requests the guests to start gathering in the ballroom. 

The sun has set completely, and the garden is illuminated by spotlights showing beautiful landmarks and Victorian post lamps set along the pathways. Somehow, this garden became even more magical.

Lee and I cross paths with Gabriel on our way back from the pond.  He looks distressed, as though his whole world is crumbling down. His red tie sits around his neck undone, his white shirt unbuttoned halfway, and his black hair completely a mess.  Before I can ask what happened to him, Lee beats me to it.

-"What's up, man? It seems like you saw a ghost. Is that Nina chick awful? Does she have bad breath? Lee jokes around.

- "Dude, stop the d**k jokes. I am not in a mood for sassy comments!"

Gabriel growls, drawing attention from the guests. He then pulls us aside to a nearby bench and sits down. Placing his elbows on his knees and covering his face with his hand, we stand in front of him. He lets out a deep sigh and looks us in the eyes.

- "I found my mate."

Lee and I congratulate him, only to realize his expression wasn't one of happiness. He goes back to hide his face in his hands. I sit next to him and rub his back. Lee is still standing in front of us.

- "Gabriel, isn't finding your mate a happy thing? If you are worried about the Woodland Pack's alliance, I can talk to dad about it, you know? I am sure he will understand." I reassured him.

- "I am thrilled that I found my mate, but you don't understand. My mate is a werewolf!"

- "Dude, of course, she is a werewolf. We are at a werewolf party, and you are a werewolf yourself. I don't see the problem here. You wanted your mate to be a human?" Lee's face is puzzled.

- "No, man. My mate is a MALE WEREWOLF, not a she-wolf! He is the Alpha of Grayfang Pack! Not to mention, we growled "Mate" while hugging each other in front of my dad. You should have seen the look of disappointment on his face."

I didn't know what to say or how to comfort Gabe. We live in the 21st century. I never thought someone's sexual orientation would be considered a problem. I have gay friends, and I love them. My parents, on the other hand, not so much. The idea of my brother being gay doesn't bother me, he is the same Gabe to me, but I know by looking at my brother's broken heart, my parents didn't take it too well.

-"Did you know... uh...," I tried to be as gentle as I could be without sounding judgmental, "you know... that you were..."

- "Gay?" Gabriel completes my sentence. "Yes, I just never told you guys. I was afraid our family wouldn't take it too well. I was scared of our father's reaction in particular, and I was damn right to be. If looks could kill, I would be dead right now. I am afraid he will banish me from the pack. "

- "Well, do you like your mate? I mean, Moon Goddess wouldn't give you someone not meant for you. The Goddess knows you can handle this". Lee tries to cheer up Gabriel. "Who cares what others think. What matters is that you are happy." Wow, Lee made me proud. He is so mature with his words. He will be a great mate, I thought to myself.

-"Snap out of it, Naomi. You already have a mate, and he is here. You have to go find him!" Artemis urges and fights me for control. It's getting harder to manage her. I know I must find my mate but seeing Gabriel like this was breaking my heart. Not knowing what to say, I hug him tight.

-"Naomi, I barely met him, yet I already love him." He whispers to me. -"He smells like apple crumble. It's extremely intoxicating, in a good way". He giggles, and I remember our quarrel at the mansion's entrance. He smelled his mate, and I smelled mine; it all made sense.

-"Then, get up." Standing up, I signal for him to do the same. "We are Alphas of the Silverfalls Pack, and we DO NOT go down without a fight. We are not quitters. So stand up because I stand with you, and so does Lee!" Lee gives him an affirmative nod, and I continue, "Gabe, you are going back with your head held high, and you are going to stand next to your mate. You will grab your piece of happiness, and you will never let go. Am I clear? It's the 21st century people are free to be with who they want."

Gabriel gives me a big smile and stands up. I redo his tie, button up his shirt, fix his hair and readjust his blazer.

-"Damn, Lee! Midgets are scary, man."

- "Stop that!" I playfully slap Gabe's arm, and the three of us let out a laugh.

We make our way back towards the mansion. My parents were standing with Lee's parents at the bottom of the stairs of the French door, where Lee and I exited earlier. My dad has an intimidating look across his face while my mom looks worried. I attempt to exchange a look with Gabe, but he's looking down to avoid eye contact with my dad. I pull on his blazer, causing him to look at me. I close the mind-link to where only he could hear me.

-"Don't let him get to you! He might be pissed right now, but I am sure together, we can make him warm up to the idea. Being gay is not a crime; he won't banish you from the pack."

-"He will refuse my mate, deny me of the Alpha position, and banish me from the pack. You have no idea how cruel our dad can be. The things I have seen."

- "Gabe, I stand with you and your mate no matter what you choose to do. But my mate is also here at this party. He smells like coffee and cinnamon, so please forgive me if, for a moment, I leave your side and go look for him." I give him an apologetic look. My heart is divided, I want to support him, but I also want to find my mate. Gabe gives me an approval look, and I make my way close to the French doors.

As we approach the French doors, the nearby church bell strikes; it is 8 o'clock. The ballroom is fully packed, and I have to stand on my tiptoes to see inside.

Two silhouettes emerge from the top of the left staircase, descending towards the middle. A beautiful female wearing an ombré navy blue ball gown is carrying a baby in her arms. The baby is dressed in a small navy seal uniform attire, minus the hat. They exchange giggles and cuddles, making them so adorable to watch. While I witness the mother and baby's display of affection, the male figure, dressed in some military navy-blue tunic, embellished with various golden emblems and medals, starts his speech. He addresses the guests with a joyous and confident tone.

-"Respectful guests and family. I, Alpha King Matthew Stevens, and my Queen Luna Susie Stevens are happy to share our son and future Alpha of Crescent Moon Packs' first birthday with you. We..."

A load of coffee and cinnamon scent floods my lungs, and my legs go a bit unsteady. If it weren't for Lee standing behind me and steadying me up, I probably would have fallen. Focusing my vision on the man giving the speech, I possessively growl, "mate."