Black Forest Nymph

Dakota ~

I catch myself from tumbling down the stairs after Devon shoves past me. Shaking my head, I reach the dining hall to hear my darling sister say “I’m in a hurry. Marcus will be here any second.”

And my mom’s reply “Devon. You know how we feel about you dating that boy. You shouldn’t be involved with anyone now that you’re eighteen.”

Dad said “What if that boy finds his mate? You turned eighteen today. What if your sister were to turn out to be his mate? Then what will you do? You have dated him against our wishes for two years. You will be crushed.”

My darling sister waves her hand airily “Oh. We have decided. He’s going to reject her. Even if it is Dakota. He wants me to be his mate. And I will move to Moon Shadow and become the Beta female.”

I walked in the room “So. He’s going to reject his mate. Then, you, in turn, will reject yours. Causing two years of suffering for those same mates. You are going to fuck up four peoples’ lives. How does your wolf feel about that?”

She snapped “Shut up, Dakota! I control Sassy.. she has to listen. You don’t even have a wolf so I can’t expect you to understand.”

Linc slapped his hand on the table and went to stand. My hand on his shoulder kept him seated. I smiled “Devon.. I understand so much more than you know. For example, I know Sassy wants her Goddess given mate. And she will refuse to carry pups for any other.”

Devon screamed “Once we are marked, she will forget about that other mate. She’s gonna want pups one day!”

I sat down between Lincoln and Mav.. and smiled again. “I knew you wouldn’t listen. Just know I worry about her.”

She stomped out, without finishing her breakfast. I apologized to my parents. They can’t understand why we aren’t closer. I tried explaining it to them once. When I was eight.. and their response was making us hold hands every day for a month to find our twin bond.

Even Lincoln tried telling them if we didn’t have a bond in the womb, we wouldn’t find it out here.

I finished eating and picked up my sketchbook to head out to my tree. Daddy said “Have you bought a gown for your brother’s ceremony tomorrow night?” I smiled “Well.. I made one. I’m pretty pleased with it, actually. And wearing my own design will make me more comfortable.”

Momma smiled “You are such a talent, Kota! I’m very proud of you.” Maverick laughed “You’re gonna be really proud when she’s designer of the year, or whatever the highest honor is they give designers.”

I felt myself blushing. That wasn’t something my parents were aware of. I had sent a portfolio of my designs to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.. for appraisal and hopefully, approval.

I sputtered “Yeah. Well. My clothes are mostly for my personal enjoyment.” And I walked out the door.

The next night, had me nervous. For no apparent reason other than maybe my excitement for my brother and Maverick. But I was almost nauseous with it.

I slipped into my dress. I am in love with it.. I had layered seven pastel colors of the finest sheer silk.. that flowed and swayed down to a hankerchief hem. The top had a sweetheart neckline with long belled sleeves.

I braided both sides of my hair down to the back, finishing it in a single fishtail braid. It hung to my waist and I laced silk ribbons in the same colors as my skirt through the twists on the sides, tying a bow at the back to let the ribbons fall down my back, which was bare almost to my hips.

I didn’t wear shoes. No one will. After my brother is pronounced Alpha, they will all shift and run.

I was wasting time. And I knew it would only be moments before my dad ordered me downstairs. I headed down before he could, because it’s Lincoln’s day and I love my family, so I don’t want to cause even a ripple in tonight’s celebration.

I bounced downstairs.. trying to catch the happiness I felt radiating through our pack. When I joined my family, my dad wrapped his arm around me and said “And this is my oldest daughter.. as you can see they are identical twins. Dakota, say hello to Alpha-to-be Granger Hennesey from Moon Shadow Pack.”

I smiled my best smile and said “Hello, Alpha. Your pack adheres to tradition? You will ascend at twenty five, like Lincoln?”

He smiles “MmHmm. Next year.” I nodded and told him he must be looking forward to it. He shrugged “I’m already doing the Alpha’s job.. just without the title.. or the mantle.. or the fancy office.”

I laughed “I hear ya! Please, excuse me. My father just signaled for me to get onstage.”

I stood behind Maverick, Devon behind Linc.. my mom behind my dad. I wasn’t really listening to the speech.. I was actually listening to a pine tree off to my left, scolding a woodpecker.

I heard the crowd clapping, and as I looked up, I saw the Alpha mantle settling on Lincoln’s shoulders, watching him increase in body mass. That never gets old!

After Maverick was sworn in.. it was Billy’s turn. The power shift was felt across the packlands. Lincoln’s wolf roared, the howled. Letting the pack know it was time to run.

I watched them all take off, then I walked off the stage. I walked over and slammed one glass of champagne, while taking another to sip. A deep voice behind me made me jump about ten feet “You don’t run with the pack.”

I turned to see Granger “No. I can run as fast as them.. but I’m usually in shoes, when I do.” He smiled “Ah. You’re a null. Got it.” I snapped “No. I have no wolf. Be honest. Do you smell one?”

He shook his head “I smell pack.. I do smell wolf, but there’s something blocking the scent.” I laughed “In the womb, the hybrid gene split. My identical twin got the wolf. I got the Nymph.”

He was shaking his head again “You aren’t identical. I mean, you look alike, sure. But there are subtle differences that are easily seen. Your hair is lighter.. brighter, more vibrant. Your eyes are the same shade of green, but yours have gold flecks in them that flash in certain light.”

I laughed “You are actually the only person besides my family who’s noticed. That’s amazing.” He grinned and said “That’s just the physical differences that I can see. The differences in your personalities is unmeasurable.”

Just as I was about to respond, I was hit with an enticing smell of wintergreen.. and I snapped my head around, searching.. Feeling my heart racing.. I do have a mate!

Our eyes met across the open yard and my sister whined “Marcusss.. pay attention to me.” Realizing who my mate was, I dropped my eyes and muttered “Fuck My Life!”

I didn’t run away. I didn’t cry. I walked over to the pair and said “Follow me.” And walked away from all the returning wolves.

My nose was twitching and my eyes were watering.. anyone could smell what they had opted to do, instead of joining the pack run.

I stopped and leaned against the pine tree from earlier “Let’s have it.” Devon whined “Have what?” Marcus hadn’t spoken.

I snarled “Say the fucking words, Marcus! I have a life to get on with.” He coughed.. then cleared his throat “I, Marcus Chatham, reject you Dakota Kingston, as my mate.” Devon gasped “Oh no. Oh No! Dakota! You can’t tell Mom. Please don’t tell.”

I looked at her “Psssh! Like I want to be embroiled in your drama! I, Dakota Kingston, accept your rejection, Marcus Chatham. And I, Dakota Kingston, reject You, Marcus Chatham!”

He doubled over in pain and I walked further into the forest before giving into the pain.

It took about a half hour before my thought processes realigned. Before I could take a deep breath without a stabbing pain piercing my heart.

I wandered around a little longer before I made my way back. This is my brother’s big night and I would be present. I grabbed another glass of champagne, and went back to talk to the pine.

Paulie asked me if that was my mate, pointing a branch in Marcus’s direction. I grimaced “Was my mate.” And laughed when I saw a pine cone bounce off Marcus’s head.

That’s where Lincoln found me.. he walked up with Granger.. his excitement and happiness infused me with strength. I held him tight and whispered “Congratulations, Big Bro! I am so proud of you.” He squeezed me tighter, responded “That means a lot”

He tried introducing Granger again and I said “We’ve met.” Lincoln had a big smile on his face “We have news! We thought we would have to negotiate a new alliance. But now it’s just easier. His beta.. Marcus.. right? Well, it turns out he is Devon’s mate! That makes our packs family.”

I gritted my teeth.. and muttered “She’s not.” He looked confused “Not what?” I groaned “She’s not his mate. He didn’t want his Goddess given mate, remember? They’re going to reject their true mates, remember?”

Lincoln sputtered “Kota, what are you sa…” while Granger said “Fuck.” Lincoln practically yelled “What?” I yanked him to the side and said “She is not his mate. But she stood right beside him, after she had fucked him at Your ceremony.. Right beside him as he rejected his true mate.”

Lincoln gasped “You mean..?” I nodded “Yeah, Linc. I am his true mate. He rejected me. I accepted it and rejected him back. Stupid fucker didn’t accept it though. I have half a mind to find some poor shmuck to take my virginity, so he can be in agony.”

Granger said “Damn! Wish I had thought of that when I was rejected.” And we both stared at him. I don’t know why.. but I hugged him. “I am sorry you suffered that.”

Lincoln turned to storm off and I grabbed his arm “You will not tell Momma and Daddy. She is their baby girl. I disappointed them enough.. let them have this. They believe in mates. They leave for Europe tomorrow. Give them tonight.”

He held me close and said “I’m sorry you are going through this.” I patted his back and infused my warmth into him “Don’t be. I will take the next two years to heal and recenter myself. And who knows? I was given one mate.. I might get a second chance!”

He whispered “Where will you go to heal?” I laughed “Oh don’t be so serious! The Black Forest, of course. I will leave after the ‘rents are gone.”