04• The mating ceremony

THREE YEARS LATER.

"So you're saying there's a coven of vampires in the south?" I asked James over the phone.

"Yeah, we'll look like an abandoned house , but I'm sure they live here." He said "I followed their scent."

"Okay, come back, you shouldn't go there unprotected." I said and hung up the phone.

The door to my room clicked open, I looked at the clock ,4am. I knew who it was, without turning I said "Go back to sleep Aubrey, it's a special day for you tomorrow."

"Well, will you come?" She asked.

"No. Now go back to sleep." I said, finally turning around and looking at her.

"Please Zoe, what if you won't see me after tomorrow?" She asked.

I sighed. "Fine." and with that she went back to her room.

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I woke up with a start, the nightmare still haunting me. It was around 8 am, I quickly brushed my teeth and had a bath. I quickly wore jeans and a sweater with some sneakers.

I went down to see Aubrey cooking breakfast.She sat down next to me, she was usually the loud sibling and the one who troubles a lot, but today she was quiet. I finished my food quickly and waited for her to finish.

"Nervous?" I asked her.

"Yeah, kind of." she said.

"Don't worry, you'll find the best mate." I said

"What if I don't like him?" She asked.

"You will. Trust me." I said, at least that's what I had heard from my friends who had mates, and from what my mom used to tell me.

Both of us started to leave, Aubrey to her best friend Lucy's house and me to my office. I quickly drove and reached the building. For 3 years we've been trying to find that vampire who killed my parents. We sent our people all around to wherever we knew these supernatural creatures existed. After 3 years finally they've found some coven.

"Any progress?" I asked as I saw James. My beta.

"No. We sent some people in the morning. The house was empty, I don't think it's a coven. It must be some lone sick murderer."

"Are there any vampires or any other creatures in alliance? Maybe we can contact them?" I asked.

"Probably, but you know how difficult it is to spot them." He said.

"Well try other packs, they might have some connections." I said.

The whole day we went from place to place looking for people and asking people, finally ending up at a small wooden shop. It smelled like cinnamon and mint.

We walked in and saw a lady behind the counter. A very old lady, she was wearing a beige dress and a pendant was hanging on her neck. It had some inscriptions written on it.

"Bienvenue, comment puis-je vous aider Alpha?" She said looking at me.

I looked at James.

"And et la bêta" she said, continuing.

"She means, welcome, how can I help you Alpha?" James said.

"And the beta. She's Marie, she's a healer, she was a very good friend of your mother's." James said.

"Does she know how to speak English?" I asked.

"A little bit." Marie said, smiling.

We talked about the incident and of vampires.

"Quite a few vampires come to me to heal." She explained.

" Well, how can they be injured?" I asked.

"You mean ways to kill them. There are many. Ripping the head off, cutting the neck with a silver dagger, zombie blood-" she started.

"Zombie blood?" I asked her.

"Yes. It's a poison to them. Like wolfsbane is to you." She said,

"Well, do you have any zombie blood?" I asked.

"I am a healer, not a hunter." She said in a stern voice.

"Are there any hunters you know?" James asked.

"But why would a hunter help us?" I asked.

"If the motive is pure, hunters do not resist." Marie said, looking at me. "And no, I'm not aware of any hunters although there are some packs who might know."

With that we left off, in the car I got a text from Aubrey.

I need to go shopping. Will you please come?

I replied back.

What about Lucy?

My phone vibrated the next second.

She already got her dress, and she started to get ready already.

I checked the time. 5:30 pm. I could go with my sister. What if I don't see her again? I'm pretty sure she'll find a mate tonight.

Fine, I'll be there in half an hour.

I texted back and we reached the office. I called all the betas , gammas and deltas of my pack.

They all gathered around.

"Okay, we need a vampire hunter, and we need to find the vampires, so. Jace , Emily and Mark find the vampire hunter.

Alice, James and Liam the vampires. Keep me updated. I won't be able to join either of you tonight, I have to attend the mating ceremony with my sister."

They all nodded and left to work. I drove back home and saw an impatient Aubrey. She almost jumped when she saw me.

"Let's go." I said.

We drove to a shop called 'gold outfits.' Aubrey quickly got out and started to pick dresses, after an hour of trials we picked out a blue shimmering dress that matched her blue eyes ,with a criss cross pattern on the back. She had started to look like mom. Blue eyes, long brown hair. She then picked up blue shoes.

We made our way back to the house and I wore a simple black dress that reached a little above my knees. I dabbed a little makeup to cover up my tired face. An hour later Aubrey came out of her room looking fabulous.

"Ready to go?" I asked.

"Yes." She smiled.

It was 9 by the time we reached the venue. The hall looked beautiful with lights all around and fancy people getting in and out of the cars. It was a proper formal ceremony, which had been conducted since, about more than 200 years ago. Our driver, Johnson who served three generations of our family wished Aubrey luck and we made our way into the hall.

The interiors were decorated beautifully, different foods and beverages were all lined up in a corner, a podium was placed for the announcement, there was a dance floor and a special area for all the Alpha's specially males so they can catch a scent of their mate.

Aubrey hugged me tight after spotting Lucy, I made my way to the food stands, I grabbed a drink and went to the area of Alphas. It was empty, thankfully. The ceremony soon started.

The old folk who've been conducting the ceremony for the last 60 years came up to the podium.

"Welcome to the annual mating ceremony. Hope you all find your mates tonight! Enjoy!"

Soon, I finished my drink and made my way to see what food was available, cause I didn't have anything to do with the ceremony. In three years I had lost my ability to sense a mate and I was completely fine with that. I ate cupcakes and cookies. A hand gently tapped on my shoulder as I finished the last cookie. Aubrey, was standing with a tall young man, with blonde hair and green eyes. Her mate looked good. I was happy she found one.

"This-this is Christopher." She said blushing.

I smiled. "Hello Christopher." I shook hands with him.

"It's nice to meet you Alpha." He bowed.

"Just Zoe would be fine." I said.

He smiled. "I'm from the sun rising pack."

"Great. I trust you, that you'll keep my sister safe and happy." I said.

"Yes. Absolutely." He looked into Aubrey's eyes and they held hands.

"Okay then." I tightly hugged Aubrey.

"I'll miss you." She whispered.

"Me too. Take care. Love you." I said parting away from her. She smiled and they both went to the dance floor hand in hand. I was very happy for her. I sighed as my little sister was all grown up. At 18 she found her mate.

 I ate my cupcake and started to walk back happily, on the way out I collided into somebody. I looked up to see who it was. A beautiful face met my eyes. His dark brown eyes matched his hair. He had a perfect bearded jawline. I was just lost in his face before I realized I was staring at him.

"Sorry." I mumbled and started to walk out, but he grabbed my arm, and walked out with me.

"Um, excuse me?" I said as he continued walking to the parking lot where no one was there.

He left my arm and looked at me. He took a step towards me and took a deep breath. He looked deep into my eyes. His tall figure towering over me, he came closer and whispered "Mate."