Everyone gathered in the small meeting room. Aria had Jerry watch Ivy and make sure she was not stolen away. The Alpha King sat at the head of the table, for the first time since Aria met him, he didn't have his mistress clinging to his arms. Alpha Kain sat at his right hand, and the strange man and woman sat at the left. Garsam sat beside Alpha Kain, but Aria stood alone at the end of the table glaring at the pair.
The Alpha King asked, "I let these two in to take who they wanted so why is there still a problem?"
Aria turned her glare to him. "They can't simply waltz in and take my unconscious friend!"
"He's a mate," the Alpha King seemed bored.
"I don't care!"
"Little girl, you might have contributed to the defeat of Virgo, but I am still the supreme authority here; what I say is final."
Aria scoffed, a bellyful of anger roiled up inside my stomach. "You seem to forget that she's a witch and not under your command to do as you please."
The man interjected, "I have the permission of her coven."
Aria shut him down. "You seem to forget that her coven treated her like a slave trash and have no right to make such decisions for her!"
The Alpha King bellowed in anger. "And on what grounds can you make such a decision for her!"
"Me?" Aria looked at Garsam. "We are bound by a bond greater than matehood or coven allegiance."
Garsam sneered. "We are Acabi, chosen by the goddess herself to fight against evil; we will not be trampled upon!"
There was the sound of tinkling laughter. "I was right, darling," the white-haired woman leaned into the man. His face was unreadable.
"Darling?" Aria scoffed. "You were lying?"
The man shook the woman off him. "She is my chosen mate; Ivy is my destined mate."
The woman who was pushed away smiled with a small nod. Aria could tell her eyes became colder.
"I only just found Ivy recently," he added.
"Gosh, I'm even more against you taking her! How can you already have a chosen mate? Then why don't you be happy with her and leave Ivy alone!"
"Ivy is my mate and my responsibility."
"I didn't complain that she ate too much," Aria shot back.
The man's jaws twitched; he was losing his patience.
"You cannot stop me; she is mine."
"Don't say that it's old and disgusting," Aria sneered.
Garsam finally spoke, and her words shocked Aria. "You can take her, only sign a blood contract, by Selena, you both will die if you so much as think evil against her...even if she is mistreated without your knowledge, you both will suffer for it."
Aria wanted to protest, but Garsam signaled her to keep quiet.
The man agreed without hesitation; his chosen mate had a cold smile that betrayed her ire.
With Garsam's input, Alpha Kain prepared the blood contract. After it was signed, Aria and Garsam watched them take Ivy away. When they were gone, Aria questioned Garsam.
"Ivy will be gone and forgotten soon, till then, let her enjoy being taken care of by her mate... even though he's a scumbag that couldn't even wait before getting a chosen mate," Garsam said with a frown.
A month passed, and Garsam informed Aria of her departure. She had to return to Royal pack and prepare for her death. Aria was sad to see her go. Now she was the only Acabi left in Clearwater.
When Garsam arrived, a convoy consisting of her mother and her gamma welcomed her.
The Luna queen had a wide smile on her face as she welcomed Garsam.
"Mom," Garsam called, hugging her. It's been over three months since she left home.
"How are you, dear," she squeezed Garsam's arms. "You've grown stronger; I can feel it."
Garsam nodded with a small smile.
"It's been a long journey; come along, let me put something in you. I made your favorite, beef Wellington and chicken pot pie."
Garsam's stomach rumbled in appreciation; her mother laughed as they headed for their home. Garsam mind-linked the gamma carrying her bags behind them.
'How is he?'
The gamma replied, 'who, your highness?'
'The prisoner, the one with the reindeers.'
'...he's fine.'
Garsam sensed her hesitation. She gave the girl a look. She would talk to her later.
They entered a small building a little distance from the pack center where her father stayed. They lived apart. Garsam couldn't even tell the difference between her parents' relationship and that of a divorced couple. And that wasn't even the worst part.
The Luna pulled Garsam to the living room. She sat her down on a soft cushion while grinning. "Well, what do you think? I redecorated; Miss James helped me."
Garsam nodded while looking around. "It's nice, better than the last one."
Her mom gasped. "You said you loved the last one!"
Garsam chuckled. "You would have killed me if I said anything negative."
They both laughed. Then there was silence. The Luna spoke again. Her voice was tentative, and she squeezed Garsam's hand. "About your mating ceremony, have you sensed anything?"
Garsam nodded. Her mom swallowed. "Is he from our pack?"
Garsam shook her head. Her mom let out a breath in relief.
"That's good."
"He's not a werewolf."
Her eyes shone. "That's even better! All you have to do is ignore him."
"I have a plan that will tide us through your mating ceremony..."
"Mom..."
"Remember Miss James? She lost her mate in that unfortunate accident..."
"Mom..."
"Well, she agreed to act as your second chance mate, so all you have to do is..."
"Mom!"
"What?"
"I can't do this anymore..." Garsam looked at her mom. Her mom still looked young; her eyes looked sadder though.
"What do you mean?" Her voice quivered, and she slowly let go of Garsam's hand.
"Mom, I..."
"You can't do this!" Her mom hushed her; her eyes were wide, and she looked ready to cry. She grabbed Garsam's face and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You can't do this," she hugged her tightly. "You're my son."