One and the Other

“What do you mean by you’ve had your mate?” Tori inquires, shifting forward in her chair, curious. Was this the same in his future too? How did she not know about that?

Her mind momentarily flashes back to that time, the same day she died, she had severed some relationship between them…

He had known then but he did not tell her, tried to warn her of something he had either heard or seen but she had been so stubborn and blinded by her supposed love to see the truth right in front of her and she had died… He had, because of her joy, kept the secret of her being his second chance mate from her so it wouldn’t have been like he’s was selfish.

She had been the selfish one and it takes the past and the present pain to see it, her hands unconsciously goes to her belly and rests on it without her own conscious knowledge.

“Well, I am older than you all, I found my mate when I was eighteen as it ought to be, the moon goddess gives, and the moon goddess takes too, and her taking was very painful for me. Who am I to complain? I’ve been alone since, I just had the urge to come over the previous day… Wade is not your mate, I know that much.”

He is not about to scare her with the story of her dying in the future along with the child that had been growing in her stomach… She’ll have to make the right choices now while he only helps her, that must be his part in her story now… and he’s not complaining. He can’t afford to cause the death of another woman…

One is enough.

“I’m sorry.” Tori mutters.

I’m sorry for taking you and everything for granted back then.

“It’s fine, you did not know anything about her loss. I wish you find your mate and with you joy forever.”

Tori smiles, it not reaching her eyes as she rises from the couch. “I should head back now. I know the party is meant only for very few people but if you don’t mind, would you be at my mating ceremony this Friday night?”

Wayne goes silent for a few seconds before nodding. “I’ll be there.”

Tori suddenly throws her hands around him in a soft hug, burying her face in his chest. “Thank you.”

Wayne pats her back, struggling immensely to ignore the sweet scent she carries around with her, one that makes him want to bite into her neck and do unspeakable things to her…

“You should go.” He pushes her back softly, nodding towards the door before his wolf loses all of his self control.

As soon as the door shuts, Wayne lets out a soft howl, a painful one, holding his chest as he falls to his knees, his eyes a swirl of gold and pain.

*

The rest of the week goes by pretty fast with no incidents if to not count the few times that Wade has tried to win her over, or the times her own father has questioned her decision.

And around the corner comes Friday afternoon, about three hours to the start of the mating ceremony to be held at the Alpha’s house, Tori’s family house…

“I can’t afford to have this happen tonight.” Wade mutters as he paces around the empty outhouse, not speaking loudly so no werewolf passing will easily listen in on his conversation.

“I still think you are overthinking it. It is very easy to take care of. We probably did not even need to resort to underhanded tricks like kissing Wayne…”

“That was your idea though…?” Wade says, giving her a side eye.

Elena tuts and casts his snide remark aside. “Look Wade, it has always been simple. You want her to be your mate and she will be, or have you been lying about it?”

“Elena, don’t annoy me tonight. Go right to the point.”

“What I am trying to tell you is that we just need to separate them. As soon as Wayne shows up, and who knows? He might not, but if he does, maybe two minutes to the time, we can send him off to the toilet… Or distract him, or have him sent out of the party altogether as a stranger.”

Wade seems to ponder over it just a little bit before his face lights up with a smile. “You are quite the master schemer Elena, and that’s why I want you instead of that snobby witch. What will we do about Tori then? They absolutely can’t meet before the party starts so she won’t get to scent him in her surroundings.”

“Leave that me, I’ll keep her so preoccupied that she’ll come down two minutes to mating time.” Elena smirks evilly, her eyes wandering off, thinking of just how she plans to achieve that.

“We should head back in before they notice our absence…” Wade starts as he rises to his feet. “Whatever happens in there this evening, whether Tori recognizes me as her mate or not…” He takes Elena’s hands in his and squeezes them affectionately, even going all the way as to peck each of her fingers one by one. “…always know that I am yours and the goal is as soon as I become the Alpha, I’ll make you my Luna, I promise you that baby.”

Elena blushes softly before pouting coquettishly. “I am a patient person, and I don’t like her anyway so it’ll be fun to watch as she thinks she is in love. Don’t worry, she’s just acting yup now so she would surprise you when she rushes to you and kisses you in front of everybody. I won’t even be angry or jealous, she’s going for her own downfall.”

“My evil genius.” He whispers as he kisses her on the lips for a few seconds and then pulls away. “I’ll leave first then you can come out two minutes later, okay?”

“Hm.” Elena nods, throwing him a flying kiss as he walks away, not sparing one glance backwards at her.