Jared Draven glared out the window, finding himself in the car headed to another of the Alpha King's social gatherings. His father had actually shoved him in to the back seat and slammed the door shut behind him.
He felt like a prisoner, and refused to speak to either of his parents, despite their best efforts at small talk. He missed Della. He missed her smart ass remarks, and remembering all the times he had been entertained by her antics just made him sad. He wouldn't be able to watch as she sat like a Queen on one of the chairs surrounding the dance floor, her eyes daring anyone to ask her to dance.
"The Alpha King's sister is supposed to be there tonight," his mother said, "she is rumored to be the most beautiful she-wolf in the Kingdom, and the complete opposite of her brother."
Jared sighed. They weren't going to let him stay angry. He gave up the silent treatment, it wasn't doing him any good. He was still stuck in the car.
"That explains her reluctance to attend these events," Jared replied, "these are just awful. A bunch of elite werewolves kissing as much royal ass as they can, then walking around with their brown noses in the air."
His father stifled a laugh, until he saw Leah hiding a smirk behind her hand. He burst out laughing. "Damn, son, that was good."
"That sounded just like something Della would say," his mother added, and their laughter trailed off. "I didn't mean to spoil the moment."
"You didn't, Mom. It's true. But Della would have said it in to a microphone on stage in front of the crowd." Jared grinned at the thought.
"I don't know where she gets that rebellious streak," his mother mused, gazing lovingly at her mate.
"Me? Rebellious? When have I ever done anything to give you that idea?" John asked. "On second thought, maybe don't answer that." He vividly remembered some of his youthful shenanigans, and worried about giving his son any bad ideas.
"Oh, like the time you spiked the punch bowl at the former Alpha King's Birthday Gala?" Leah turned and winked at Jared, and his father looked around nervously, as though someone would hear them.
Jared was skeptical. "Really, Dad? You did that?"
"I did," he admitted, "and not with any of that sissy stuff. I spiked it with pure werewolf moonshine." Jared snorted, realizing the apple hadn't fallen as far from the tree as he thought.
"Like the stuff I have in my flask here?" He pulled his new flask out of his pocket. He had purchased a new one after his coat had gone missing at the previous event. "I always make sure I have one of these on hand for occasions like this."
"Son, where on earth did you get your hands on werewolf moonshine?" His father asked, not angry, but genuinely curious.
"I made it myself," he replied, a proud smile on his face. "Found the recipe buried in the archives at the library. It's how I have managed to get through being pawed at by crazy she-wolves all night without turning in to an asshole."
"I'll be damned," his father said, "Well next time, make some extra for me!"
"John! What would you need that stuff for?" His mother sounded appalled. "If anyone needs it, I do, having to listen to those gossipy bitches prattle on about their daughters being the Luna Queen. Not one of them could hold a candle to my Della."
"But thank Goddess Della wasn't mated to that arrogant asshole," Jared exclaimed, "can you imagine? He wouldn't have lasted a day."
They laughed the rest of the way to the mansion, and Jared's spirit lifted just a bit. His parents weren't so bad, after all. He might forgive them for this, if they were lucky.
Before they went in, he pulled out his flask. "Let's toast to Della, who is here in spirit, and probably prefers it that way," he said, taking a drink. He passed the flask to his mother, who took a big sip, and passed it to his father, who downed the rest of it!
"To new family traditions," he said, and got out of the car with an extra spring in his step. He opened the door for his Luna, who gracefully accepted his hand and stepped out, giggling like a teenager. Jared followed his parents towards the entrance, wishing Della was there to see this. Maybe the night wouldn't be as unbearable as he thought.
He stopped, suddenly, as he caught a scent so heavenly, it nearly stopped his heart. Could it be?
Then he saw her, standing on the porch, looking as though she would rather be anywhere other than where she was, dressed in blue silk that caressed every curve of her perfect body. Her white blonde hair cascaded down her back, like liquid silk, and he wanted to run his fingers through it, while he kissed her beautiful red lips.
There she was, his fated mate. His wolf, Louis, went berserk, doing zoomies around his head like a puppy.
She noticed him staring, and her eyes widened with surprise, and a smile formed on her lips. She bolted down the steps, running towards him, and he caught her as she leaped into his arms.
"Mate," she said, staring into his eyes, into his very soul. He grinned and nodded, lost in her eyes, forgetting that anything existed but the two of them. He knew her, he knew she was the one he had been waiting for. And she was far beyond worth the wait.
"Mate," he replied, and they both laughed as he spun her around, a moment of joy no one could ever take away from them.
His parents watched in astonishment as their son held a beautiful blonde in his arms, the looks on their young faces leaving no question as to what had transpired. Leah held her mate's arm tightly to steady herself, her joy for her son immeasurable. They watched the newly mated couple walk off in to the nearby forest, chatting and laughing like long lost friends. Jared had finally found his fated mate!
"It's about time, now we can take a vacation," John said, and they hugged each other. "We can go see Della."
Their reverie was broken by an obnoxiously polite voice, one that seemed absurdly out of place in the moment. The Alpha King approached them, sporting the fake smile that was forever plastered on his face. "Alpha John, Luna Leah! What a pleasure! You two seem happier than usual, what's the cause for celebration?" He stopped in front of them, and they greeted him in the customary way. "Your highness," John said, and the two men shook hands. Leah simply nodded, too distracted to bother with formalities.
"Our pup found his fated mate," Leah told him, pointing at the couple. "We are so happy for him."
"Della couldn't be here tonight but sends her regards," John added. "She has gone to study at a human university."
The Alpha King was speechless. He struggled to maintain his composure. He had expected to see Della, but she wasn't here. A nagging worry picked at his mind. Why would Della suddenly decide to leave her pack and go to a human university?
He had found it exhilarating to take her prized innocence, and he couldn't stop thinking about her. He wanted her to come to him willingly.
He was sure she remembered nothing, but had been certain she would sense somehow that she belonged to him now, that he was choosing her. He had covered his tracks, leaving nothing behind. Still, his plan was not unfolding as he expected, Della should be here.
He kept smiling, but his heart was dark, wrapped in shadows of anger. Apparently she believed she could brush him aside. He would enjoy making her pay for this. Next time she would feel the pain he inflicted, even if she didn't know what had caused it. She had to learn, he had to teach her. There was no escape.
"That's a shame she couldn't attend," he told her parents, keeping his voice friendly, "I am glad to hear the news about Jared. Who is the lucky she-wolf who will be Snow Moon's next Luna?"
Leah beamed, waving at someone in the distance. The Alpha King turned to see who had captured her attention, and his heart sank. Della's brother, her fiercely protective brother, was approaching them, hand in hand with none other than his younger sister, Eva.
Things had just gotten a bit more complicated for the Alpha King.