Chapter 4: She’s MINE!

Aiden POV

Reid has worked on every damn nerve I have this week. He won’t shut up about the trip. Thank the Goddess, we leave in a couple of hours. Then I'm sure he will grate my patience about something else. All week, he has been asking me about things I’d like to do on the coast. What clothes am I bringing? What SPF do I need for the tropical climate? If he wasn’t my brother, I would have thrown him in a cell by now.

I just finished my day in the mines. I was busy making a clearing for some new security to get installed next week. When I took over the pack, I thought of a lot of different ways to bump up security around and in the pack. It costs the pack some money, but we are wealthy, so it’s not an issue. Plus, it gives everyone a better sense of security in the pack. I think it’s worth it and so does everyone else.

My father was proud of me for making changes, of course. He looked at the whole technology thing and told me back when he was younger; he wanted the latest and greatest available too. Then he told me to wait until I’m older. Technology will continue growing and our brains eventually don’t keep up. I laughed of course, but I know what he is saying will come to pass, just like everything else he has ever told me.

Now that I’m back in my room, I go to the bathroom to shower. Then I will pack a carry-on luggage, since we are only staying the weekend. I am not looking forward to this trip, but my brother is, and we haven’t spent time like this together in a long time. It’s probably been close to five years. I know one thing is for sure though, I will not get a moment’s rest once we land. Thank the Goddess for separate rooms.

After showering, I get dressed. I look at my closet, half-filled, and the other half empty. Another one of the things my dad used to tell me. Before he met mom, he always kept her half empty but cleaned. It was his way of acknowledging that he has a mate somewhere, and the Moon Goddess wasn’t ready for them to meet yet.

I adopted the same behavior, though, after fourteen long years, I should probably just give up on the idea. It’s something to think about. Meanwhile, I pulled out the linen pants and tropical shirt my brother told me I had to wear when we fly out. I think I look ridiculous. I much prefer a pair of jeans and a solid button-up shirt. Once again, my brother, being the loud one of us, I give in to his craziness.

I make my way downstairs with my carry-on and meet my brother at the bottom.

“Bout fucking time princess. Took you long enough.”

“Fuck you, bro. I worked all day and had to shower.”

“Big surprise there. You are working all day.” Reid rolled his eyes, “If a hitman ever needed to figure out your schedule, it wouldn’t be hard to figure out. You keep the same damn schedule.”

I flip him off and say, “Are we going, or are you going to continue to complain like a little bitch, dude?”

He chuckles, “Let’s get out of here. Palm trees and ocean air awaits!”

***

We finally landed in Coast City. It’s a human town and we have to keep a low profile. We can’t let our wolves out to run, so we are going to be in human form the entire trip. Leon isn’t happy about it, because he wants to feel the sand beneath his paws. This is our first time coming near the ocean and that part intrigues me.

I told Reid to allow a few hours during the day for me to rest. If this is a vacation, then I want to relax a little. Some time on the beach sounds like a great afternoon, even though I will probably only get three hours if I’m lucky, with Reid around.

“Come on Aiden. You are dragging your feet!” Reid calls out.

“Hey, this is a vacation for me, and I have never seen palm trees in person. Allow me a minute to soak up the scene, will you?”

“Minute is up, move your ass. We have dinner in an outdoor restaurant and its live music tonight.”

I sigh. I knew I wasn’t getting any rest. “Alright, let’s go.”

After we got to the hotel and got to our rooms, we both freshened up and then met in the lobby.

As we make our way two blocks to the restaurant, Leon perks up. He starts grunting and pacing back and forth in my head. He’s agitated. ‘Leon, are you sensing danger?’

‘In a human town, not likely. Something does feel off though, Aiden.’

‘Okay, let me know if I need to act fast.’

Reid seems oblivious to everything. “Hey is Chase sensing anything?”

“Nope. He’s quiet, why?”

“Leon is pacing back and forth. He says something feels off.”

“Well, isn’t that interesting?” My twin says with a raised eyebrow.

“What do you mean?”

“Chase did that when we found out Navy was our mate.”

I stopped. No fucking way. “Are you serious, right now?”

“I would never joke about this topic with you, bro. I know it’s sensitive for you. Yes, I’m very serious. How else do you explain that Leon is pacing like something is wrong, but Chase isn’t?”

Shit, I don’t even think I’m dressed to meet anyone, let alone my mate. If my brother is right, then my mate is close by, and we haven’t caught her scent yet. We walk into the restaurant and Reid is keeping a close eye on me.

Our wolves go crazy when we find our mate. The first thing we want to do is claim and mark our mates. It is instinctual. Reid being here is a good thing. He is going to have to keep me in check. I’m looking around and Leon is getting frustrated.

“Reid, how the hell do you control the agitation?”

“Bro, I don’t know. I’m in an unknown territory with you right now. I felt the bond with Navy and we were marked and mated by morning. I didn’t have to control any urges. You are going to have to reign in Leon.”

Suddenly, the host for the evening steps to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, Damas y Caballeros, welcome to “El Rincon”!

Everyone is clapping, and I see a band on the stage. All the tables have couples. Each table has a glass of water with plumerias floating and releasing a tropical floral scent. There is also a candle lit and giving an ambience to the room. It’s an outdoor restaurant, so there is a slight breeze, and you can hear the slight rustle of the palms. It’s a romantic setting to meet my mate. I suddenly have an urge to get up and go searching for her.

“Cool your jets, Aiden. You cannot start barging through the area. We are in a human town. You can’t give away our kind.”

“I’m sorry, Leon is making me anxious.” I whisper.

The host continues speaking and then announces the first singer, “Now tonight, we have a special treat. We haven’t had this singer grace us with her presence in over two months. She is here with her family tonight. Let’s give a warm welcome to, Thalia Moreno!”

As soon as she steps onto the stage, her scent hits me. She smells like lime, mint, and rum. She smells sweet, exotic, and strong.

I hit Reid on the arm. “Ow, bro.”

“MATE!” I whisper yelled at him.

“The singer?” He whispers.

“Yes.” I stared at her mesmerized. Her voice is beautiful, though I have no idea what she is saying. She is everything I dreamed of in a mate. Big curly hair, a curvy body, and singing on stage in front of everyone would be considered brave to many. She looks exotic with an olive complexion, dark hair, and dark eyes. She has a red hibiscus flower in her hair and a red dress that hugs every part of her tempting body.

‘She’s perfect!’ Leon said.

‘Yes, she is. She sings beautifully, too.’

As soon as she is done singing, another man gets on stage. “Isn’t my daughter a beautiful singer? Let’s give her another round of applause!”

After everyone quieted down, her father continued speaking, “I wanted to take this moment to invite Armando Reyes on stage for a very special announcement.”

I see another man get on stage and stand beside my mate. Leon is growling in my head, and my eyes are darkening with rage. She’s mine. What is that asshole doing on stage with my mate?

“I wanted to formally announce my daughter Thalia’s engagement to Armando Reyes. I hope you all will join us in celebrating this joyous occasion!”

The crowd erupts and starts cheering. I can’t take it anymore. I stand up and snarl, “MINE!”