Chapter 5: Mate!

//Emily//

Max!

Where is he?

My wolf and I became alert and I stretched my neck scanning behind the Warner’s for their son.

“He is not here,” his mother said with a soft smile on her pink lips.

“Huh!”

Did she know about my feelings for his son???

“ Maxwell is not here. He has some work to do in the next town.”

“Ooh!” My face fell at her remarks and my mood instantly changed, turning sour.

“ But he will join us soon.“ Valentina added when she saw my facial expression.

My mood elevated as my face brightened up.

His mom gave me a knowing look which made me flush.

She knew about my feelings for his son. Was I being obvious?

My dad poked his head to the side and raised his questioning brow. At that moment, I knew I had to escape from him.

“ Hmm” I cleared my throat. ” Dad, I have to meet Carl, see you later”.

“ Okay Dear”. He squeezed my hand gently.

“ You have some explaining to do young lady. Don’t for a second think you’re off the hook”, he muttered into the mind link.

I smiled nervously.

“ Thanks for coming and for the gift. “ I managed to utter. Mentally kicking myself for getting all red and flushed in the presence of my in-laws.

The Alpha and Luna of Spring breakers pack gave me a polite smile and carried on with their conversation with my dad.

Instead of looking for Carl, I sprinted towards the buffet table. I knew Carl must be sucking the air out of some bitch in a dark corner and I didn’t want my poor eyes to see the unseeable or my sleep to be filled with horrifying nightmares.

I ambled my way through the crowd. From the corners of my eyes, I could see unmated male wolves staring and ogling at me with lustful eyes. Others said a lot of disturbing things. I had to hold back my shiver of disgust and urge to puke.

I ignored the hormonal male wolves in the room and briefly spoke with some of the members from other packs in attendance.

As I moved through the people, I saw Alphas from other packs in the area introducing their unmated daughters to Darren hoping my brother would turn out to be their mate.

Darren’s eyes were cold as he exchanged few to nothing words with them. I mentally rolled my eyes and approached the buffet.

The table was filled with continental and foreign dishes. They all looked appealing and delicious but due to my nervousness, I didn’t have the stomach to all those foods.

I opted for something sweet and light like a cupcake cake or other pastries.

“ You look sexy my lady.” A deep growl drew my attention.

I gently swirled around to see a blonde headed, middle aged guy with a cocky smile. The guy was neither younger nor older than my father.

“ Thank you, sir”. I huffed as calmly as I could. With venom clearly visible on my face.

“Sir?? I’m not that old, you know.” He chuckled. “ Do you mind if we get out of here and get to know each other? In a scenery environment?”

I quirked my brows.

“Scenery environment??really??” Leah queried and giggled.

“ Sorry sir, I’m underage. I doubt you want to be labeled as my sugar daddy or a pedophile.” I spat flatly and carried my plate away.

I could hear his disappointed growls behind me but I didn’t bother to look back. And I honestly didn’t care.

I stopped at the corner of the room and settled my plate on a cocktail table. I began eating from my plate.

From where I stood, I could see the entire ballroom. Alpha Eli and his Luna had forced smiles plastered on their faces as they moved through the room talking to other Alphas.

There were about four packs here excluding my pack. They are; Blue moon pack, String breakers pack, Shadow walkers pack, and last but not least, Crescent moon pack.

Werewolves who had found their mates tonight were on the dance floor dancing to a slow song. I could see joy and happiness written boldly all over their faces.

I could see a few lycans in the room. This would be the first time seeing some of the Lycans at an event like this.

They have been invited over the years by my father but they never showed up so seeing them here was kind of surprising.

Is that why my father met with the Lycan Alpha?

Maybe he wanted them in attendance this year. That would probably be the best explanation for their meeting.

“There you are. I have been looking everywhere for you”. Carl appeared beside me.

“ Don’t you look handsome!! “ I said sarcastically. “ Are you sure you weren’t whoring around?” I squinted my eyes.

“ Aaahaha” he held his chest: ” you’ve wounded me. I am everything but a player. It’s not my fault that the ladies love me,” he said with a cocky grin.

I rolled my eyes at him and allowed my eyes to take him in from his feet to his head. He was in a dark blue tuxedo. Looking more handsome than ever.

“ Are you checking me out?” He smirked.

“ Dream on mister!” I laughed. “Have you found your mate?”

“ Not yet Red. You will be the first to know when I do.” His expression turned sour.

Carl is twenty years old and was yet to find his mate. I knew he was sad about it but hid his emotion every time the word mate was mentioned.

“Have you seen Max?” He drew me back into the conversation and carried on. “ I saw his parents not too long ago”

“ No, I haven’t. His mom said he will be late”, my heart twisted a bit.

Carl nodded and exhaled.

“ Hey Carl, can I grab my sister really quick,” Darren asks out of nowhere.

“ Yeah sure... later red”, he stated.

“ Thanks, man”, Darren grabbed my wrist, dragging me away.

“ I will find you later”, I called to Carl over Darren’s shoulder.

“ Where are you taking me, Dar?”

“ You will see when we get there”. He replied pulling me towards the other end of the room.

“ Is a she-wolf involved?” I inquired, popping my eyes out.

Darren’s emerald green eyes opened widely as his lips twitched in a smile.

“ I knew it!” I squealed in joy.

He had found his mate. My brother had found his mate!!!

I splinted in excitement.

How did I know of this?

Well, his smile gave him away. On our arrival, he let go of my hand and twirls a brunette she-wolf about my age in his arm.

“ Red, I want you to meet Maya.....my mate.” A gleaming smile crept on his face. “ Maya meet my little sister Emily.”

A loud squeak left my lips and I began jumping in bliss. I was happy for them both, most especially my brother. He is twenty-one years and has been to the ball three consecutive times with no luck.

Now the moon goddess has brought him his soul mate.

“ Welcome to the family Maya.” I drew her into a hug. Squeezing the life out of her.

“ Thank you Emily.” She laughed shyly.

“ You can call me Ems or Red since you’re part of the family.” I gave her a goofy smile.

“ Congratulations brother. You’ve got a gorgeous mate. Guard her with your life if you don’t some dude will steal her away.”

“ I sure will”, Darren replied proudly.

We all burst out laughing.

Maya was a brunette with hazel eyes that twinkled in the dim room. She has cute nose and lips and a heart shaped face.

She was about 5’5. An inch shorter than me and I could tell she was an omega by scent.

“ So Maya, which pack are you from?” I quizzed.

“ Crescent moon pack”, she whispered.

“ That’s a few miles away. I heard your Alpha is a peaceful and good leader.” I stated.

“ Yeah, Alpha Brooke is very good to us. He cares for some wolves like us, irrespective of our low rank “, she murmured and lowered her gaze.

Darren whispered something to her and kissed her temple.

“ You know, you’re pretty hot for an omega.” I grumbled truthfully.

Her cheeks beamed with red.

“Awww so cute!” Leah rumbles as she lay down quietly in my mind.

“ Anyways welcome Maya. My mom will be ecstatic to meet you”.

The night was going well than I had thought and I realized there was no need to be alarmed or alert. Even though the eerie feeling was still twisting in my gut.

I indulged Maya and Darren in a lengthy conversation, we laughed and talked about everything under the sun.

I didn’t realize it was almost midnight when a mouthwatering scent hit me with intensity.

My wolf Leah started to stir and prance in my mind.

“ Who’s perfume is that?” I asked, sniffing all over.

“ What perfume are you referring to?” Darren stares at me weirdly.

“ Can’t you smell that mouthwatering scent?” I quirked my brow in confusion.

Maya and Darren gazed at me as if I have grown another head ...

Another wave of cinnamon and wood scent hit me making Leah growl like crazy in my mind...

“Mate! “ She roared.

What???