Prologue
The day was as merry as it could be, even considering that the couple meant to be officially mated today has been chosen to strengthen the relationship between both packs.
The River Flatlands and Foggy Mountain were more than just allies. With the deep friendship connecting their Lunas, it only seemed right to build another bridge between them. After weeks of planning, comparing and matching, both women came up with what they thought would be a perfect pairing.
Duke did not mind. He turned thirty just a few weeks ago, and the hope he once had for finding a fated mate has kind of... Dissolved in time, as he'd describe it himself. He wasn't too much of a traveler, and the River Flatlands didn't get too many visitors, so when Luna Elizabeth approached him, saying she not only found him a seemingly perfect match, but also one he could support the pack with, he agreed to check it out. Goddess bless the human technology, for nobody had to run back and forth between the packs just to talk.
The choices were a proof of how well the Lunas knew their wolves. Angela and Duke quickly found a common ground, chatting for hours and getting to know each other better, until they officially agreed to the mating.
The main hall of the Foggy Mountain Pack house was slowly filling in. Since neither Duke nor Angie had an important role in their packs and cross-mating has happened before as well, but they were to officially unify them, there was a ceremony planned. Not as flashy and obligatory as when it came to alphas, but serious enough to match the weight of the border between the packs being opened. It still brought up several dozens of attendants.
Duke stood by the bar with Ethan, his older brother who somehow was trusted enough to become the pack beta. Absolutely ridiculous, according to Duke; he wouldn't trust him to take care of a plastic plant.
That's what he's been always saying, at least. No, he was aware of how competent Ethan was, but he wasn't going to feed his pride.
"How long d'you think she'll need to get ready? She didn't strike me like the type to put on a whole mask of makeup," Ethan asked, leaning over the bar, not bothering to call for anyone and just refilling his cup. "And I still don't get why Alpha agreed to holding the ceremony here. It's so... Gloomy here."
"Probably Luna's doing." Duke pulled slightly at his tie. He kept telling himself not to fret, but he couldn't help it. "You know Angie can't come out until the ceremony has started, and it won't start until everybody's settled in. You forgot already that Sandra let you wait for almost an hour? Good thing we don't get drunk easily or you'd have blacked out before she finally decided to join you," he snorted, happy to get his mind off his stress, and judging by his brother's smirk, that's exactly what the Beta was planning to do. He chugged down the rest of his beer, then proceeded to pretend to be offended.
"But it's Sandra we're talking about! She'd rip some eyes out before letting anyone see her not dressed to the nines. She has a reputation to uphold, you know?" jabbing his elbow into Duke's arm, he laughed. "And look at yourself, dude. You're starting to sweat. Did you end up falling for this girl after all?"
Duke shook his head.
"Nah. I mean, I do like her, but it's nothing of that sort. We just... Get along really good. Surprisingly so."
"Like she's a bro with tits?" Ethan grinned, catching his brother raise his brow with something between amusement and cringe.
"... Yeah. I, I guess you could say that."
Before they could say anything else, the crowd shifted, moving through the wide side entrance, getting settled around the tables set up in the garden, all facing the half-open terrace where the ceremony was to be held. The main table, sitting directly on the terrace floor and slightly higher than the rest, was prepared for the fresh mates, Alphas and Betas of both packs; the latter, except for Ethan, were already seated with their Lunas. Sandra gave Ethan a look, quietly urging him to hurry. Alphas Jonathan and Kane stood with the official by the rostrum, talking quietly.
Duke eyed Alpha Kane. For someone leading a pack in a territory as hostile as the dark, steep woods surrounding Foggy Mountain, he seemed rather soft... Though looks could be misleading, after all.
Ethan gave his brother a hearty pat on the shoulder before jogging up to the table. He greeted the Lunas with a theatrical bow, quickly placed a kiss on his mate's cheek and slipped into his seat. Duke watched him with slight annoyance as Ethan sent him a wide grin and a thumb up before slowly approaching the smaller group.
"Alpha Jonathan. Alpha Kane. Sir," he greeted the three, bowing his head low to them one by one. "I suppose we're about to start?"
"Don't look so nervous, boy." Alpha Kane gave him a small smile. "Angela should be ready any moment. I'm sure she'll be a good mate, and I've heard you've already found common ground as well. I don't think it could go any better." His tone turned warm, almost fatherly.
After confirming his words and sheepishly thanking him for the reassurance, Duke straightened his back and took his place by the rostrum, trying to look at ease. Was his nervousness really this noticeable?
Barely a moment later, Alpha Kane gave them a short nod, then stepped back with Alpha Jonathan, both men joining their mates by the table. Thick silence fell, interrupted only by the sound of wind and occasional birds from the trees.
The official cleared his throat, then shortly announced the she-wolf to be mated. The double door connecting the terrace to the house opened, and Angela stepped out, heading towards Duke with confident, quick steps that made her ginger hair bounce, accompanied by an applause. Dressed in a flowy, blue dress matching her eyes, she was a pretty little thing, smiling cheekily as she stopped in front of him, giving him a wink.
"Hey cutie pie. You here often?" she asked, her voice light and teasing, causing him to roll his eyes with a light smile and pulling a snort from some guests. It was definitely a way to reduce some stress.
"You looking like a girl for once. Even pretty, I'd say." he threw back quietly as the official mentioned for silence.
The packs decided to retain the formal rites, to underline the weight of the mateship. One after another, the official monotonically recited vows, awaiting their confirmations before continuing.
Somewhen in that time, a figure slipped into the garden through the house's side entrance, quietly and somehow stiffly moving by the wall, followed by some eyes that soon returned back to the couple at the front. The woman, dressed in rather tactical clothes not fitting the crowd, approached Alpha Kane, getting down on one knee and partially hiding behind the table. The Alpha leaned toward her as she whispered something into his ear.
For some reason, Duke lost focus. He couldn't tell what the official was saying, his animalistic part of mind almost begging him to turn around. He could feel the dozens of eyes on him and forced himself to focus again, noticing the silence. Was it his turn to speak?
He opened his mouth, but before he could utter a word his mind mind redirected that energy into movement, making his head turn. He glanced over his shoulder, meeting a pair of brown eyes he's never seen before.
His breathing stuttered as he could feel something akin to getting electrocuted passing through his body, strangely painless but intense enough to make him mentally shudder. Or maybe even physically, he might've just failed to notice it. His pupils dilated, as a soft whine escaped his throat.
"...Mate?" His voice was filled with surprise and something he couldn't even name, but at the sound of it murmurs started to roll through the crowd, quickly turning into voices getting louder.
The kneeling woman visibly paled, her eyes and lungs reacting the same way his did. She jumped to her feet, then dashed towards the woods before anyone could even react.
Duke acted instinctively. Forgetting about everything else, heart thumping in his throat, he jumped after her, just to ran into someone. As he tried to swerve strong hands grabbed him, forcing him to a halt. He protested loudly, still thrashing, craving to follow the scent that filled his lungs as soon he came closer to where she has just been. He didn't even realize it was Alpha Kane stopping him, his face now grim.
Kane forced Duke to sit down, nodding to his mate. Luna Mara quickly stood up, trying to keep the confusion down and urging the attendants inside. She was soon joined by Luna Elizabeth and the both beta couples, and the garden emptied within minutes.
Silence fell again, filled only with Duke's agitated breaths and involuntary whimpers, as he came back to his mind. His hands were shaking as he looked at the alpha in front of him, biting back the need to snap at him for not letting him follow - but he understood there was something more going on.
