6: MATE FINDER

ALPHA RYKER

The Crescent ball ritual began today, and it was responsible for my bad mood. I stood before the large mirror in my room, covered in sweat and herbs. A white towel hung low around my waist. The combined smell of Marjoram, dill seeds and some other  herbs swayed, circling the air around me, its juices dripping from my head down to my toes.

How long was I going to do this shit?

Eileen had said it was compulsory I did the mate finding ritual again this year, but she never said they intended to bathe me in some ‘herbal’ liquid. The burnt herbs and incense I could take, but being drenched in a mixture of herbs in hopes to attract a non-existent mate, was something I couldn't. 

“Then give them a Luna. Find your mate.”  Caden's voice rang in my head.

I hated the thought of this. Finding a mate when war was right at our doorsteps was nothing but misplaced priorities. I knew what was more important, and it was definitely not a mate. 

A rapt knock drew my attention to the door. I turned to it, just in time to see Caden slide in. He took one good look at me, then burst into a loud guffaw

I shot him a glare. 

“Not funny” I frowned at him, moving from the mirror. 

“Sorry” He chuckled. “When my mother said you were taking a herb bath, I never imagined you'd stink after it” He continued.

“Shut up” I chortled, joining him. 

“How long will this one go on for?” He asked, resting on the sofa. 

“A day, or two?” I shrugged. 

“Hmmm” he nodded. “What is the essence of this new ritual?” He asked again. I stared at him squarely, he raised his left brow quizzically. 

“What else?”

“To smell nicer?” He mocked. I gave him a serious look which only made him laugh more.“Seriously though,” he began after laughing. “ I think you should give them what they want.” 

“And, how am I supposed to do that?” I asked him. He shot me a look at this. Caden knew I didn't believe in mates or soulmates. Even though he had this crazy philosophy of me having something to do with my lack of a mate. Ironically, he wasn't even mated yet.

“It's not my fault.” I shrugged. 

“As if” he scoffed

“ It is not as if a mate is someone you can just pick. A Luna I can get, but a mate is over reaching”

“You intend to marry Lauren?” he queried, a little shocked.

“Have I toiled with the idea? Yes.”

“What?!” He exclaimed incredulously. 

 “She's not a bad choice,” I shrugged. Caden stared at me as though I had grown an extra head. He was one of the many people who didn't approve of Lauren, her father's position in the pack notwithstanding. 

“She's a wrong choice” he countered. 

“That's my girlfriend we are talking about” 

“I thought this was for the sugar? Why are you taking it seriously?” 

“Cause I know her, and trust her. And I plan to wife her.”

“Of all the gorgeous Crescent moon women of rank, why Aaron's granddaughter?” He asked in dismay. I shrugged, not that he would understand most of my choices, but Lauren was smart, calculative and tough. Her ruthless side helped her assert dominance in her own way. Honestly, I've never really seen a Crescent She-wolf that could measure up to her. “I still don't get it.” Caden shook his head. 

“I don't expect you to” I pushed myself off the table. “I'm going to take a wash” Caden got up. 

“Mother wants to see us though, she's downstairs. Something about the ball and final preparations” he informed, making for the door.

“I'll be down soon” I assured him. He held the door knob, then paused.

“Ryker, I understand you're under a lot of pressure to fulfill duty and take care of your pack, but don't do anything you'd regret. The Pack's Luna will have to be your wife first, before anything” and with that, he was out. Leaving me with the weight of his words and the smell of herbs. 

       ____________________

“Why the fuck should I put this in my wallet?” I stared at the bay leaves Eileen had pressed into my palm. 

“To attract your mate” she counseled, then handed me a little bottle of greenish liquid. 

“What's this for?” I asked, scrutinizing the bottle. 

“Perfume made with Lavender, patchouli, nutmeg and fennel” She replied.

“And why the hell should I wear this?”

“To attract love, and your soulmate”  

Oh boy! Bay leaves too?

Caden snickered, I shot him a glare. His mother turned to him “I made a bottle for you too” she said, handing him another bottle, same as the one she'd given me. Caden's smile dropped. It was my turn to laugh. He stared at the bottle suspiciously. 

“Book a herb bath for him while you're at it,”  I taunted.

“Hahaha, very funny” He rolled his eyes at me. 

“I already did” Eileen joined in the banter. I laughed hard as Caden's expression went from disappointment to horror

“Mother!” He called. She handed him the bottle in response.

“In your bath lotions, your oils, and in your cologne. Use the oil twice each day” she instructed him. I laughed at how specific his instructions were. Taking the bottle from her. I handed it to Gwen, the housekeeper, who stood beside her smiling at our exchange.

“Alpha, should I put in your lotions and oils?” She asked.

“No”

“Yes” 

I and Eileen answered simultaneously. I shot Eileen a glare. 

“Yes,” She said to Gwen.  Gwen's eyes found mine,a skeptic look on her face. Eileen gave me a challenging look. I sighed, it was just oil right? And it smelled good. I nodded affirmatively to Gwen. She smiled, took a bow and left the room.

“Mother wins again,”  Caden muttered underneath his breath. 

“I heard that” I said, making for the door. 

“Mother knows best”  Eileen remarked “Come home for dinner?”  

“We will,” Caden responded. 

“Ryker?” 

“Certainly” I replied to her. “Are you coming with?” I directed to Caden.

“Yes, Alpha,” He mockingly bowed. His mother hit him playfully. 

The moment we were outside, I pulled him in, knocking him off his feet. He landed on his back. 

“Dude!” He wheezed. 

I stood over him, stretching out my right hand to him. He eyed my hand suspiciously, then finally took it. I pulled him up, tapping on his back. “Now, we are even”  I brushed past him, heading for the car that was parked and waiting.  I noticed Caden wasn't following behind. He stood still at the spot where I'd left him. 

“Cade?” 

He didn't reply, just stood still watching me. 

What the fuck?

“Cade?” I called again

“Was just thinking what would happen when you step out with that thing in your wallet” He spoke in a serious tone.

“You mean this?” I showed him the bay leaves in my palm. 

His eyes twinkled mischievously “Mate?” He mocked, then burst out into taunting laughter at my irritated expression. 

God help me!

“God, I can't wait to see you hooked!” He remarked, heading towards the car. There was no winning with this dude. How he managed to switch from stoic, to playful and then ruthless was beyond me.  I shoved the bay leaves into my wallet. 

“They don't work” I dismissed.

“Best believe, they do” 

We'll see.