Is She My Mate?

Several people had gathered in a meeting room at Alpha Carl's house. Everyone was silent, lost in their own thoughts. No one spoke or exchanged words.

A door opened, and Alpha Carl entered and sat in an empty chair.

“Tell me.”

“He didn't turn.” Beta Ron began the meeting. Lyall's mother, Beta Dal, and Zaiden were also present.

"Lyall can control it?” Alpha Carl asked.

“No, Alpha. You can explain it, Zai.”

“Okay, Beta. Lyall said it was because of that girl.”

“A girl?” Alpha Carl frowned.

“There was a girl with him just now, when he was about to turn,” Zaiden explained.

“So that girl is his mate?” Alpha asked again.

“Lyall said no, Alpha.”

“Are you sure, Zai?” This time it was Lyall's mother who asked hopefully.

“Lyall said that, Luna.”

“Could he be lying?”

“I’m sure not, Luna. He’s not lying.”

“That’s weird. So why would he turn? Just because he turned into a wolf and fought some Rogues? Is that what triggered it?”

“I don’t think so, Alpha.” Zaiden fell silent.

“So?”

“Just tell the Alpha everything, son,” Dal requested. Zaiden looked at his father and nodded.

“There’s one Rogue who looks different.”

“Different? What does that mean?”

“That Rogue has silver fur and orange eyes. Lyall fought that Rogue, and afterward, he suddenly… turned.”

“Suddenly?” Carl repeated, making sure.

“Yes, because I’m sure Lyall wasn’t in a state of high emotion. I’ve known Lyall since he was a child. He’s still young, but his fighting skills are excellent. Especially his Lycan powers, which allow him to heal faster than us. But after fighting that Rogue, he lost control of his body.”

The Alpha looked at his betas and gammas. “Are you tracking them?”

“Yes, Alpha. But they disappeared without a trace. We even tracked them outside RaClaw territory. Nothing,” Beta replied.

“This is strange. (Looking at Lyall’s mother.) I’m sorry, Stella. This happened while I was out of town.”

“It’s not your fault, Carl. Besides, Lyall is safe. No one was hurt. That’s the most important thing.”

Alpha Carl nodded. “That’s right (looking at Beta Ron). Tighten the border immediately. We’re already overwhelmed by Rogues attacking normal humans. We can’t be careless this time.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“And who is that girl?” Alpha Carl looked at Zaiden. Zaiden looked at Theon, who was also in the room.

“Lurvine. Eira Lurvine,” Theon replied.

“Oh shit.”

***

Lyall hurriedly put on his shirt, grabbed his bag, and headed downstairs. Yes, he was going to be late. He hadn't been able to sleep for three nights since the incident in the forest. He was still thinking about what had happened three days ago. He was sure he would turn. But strangely, when he looked into Eira's eyes, everything changed. But why?

His father had said that if he met his mate, he would know for sure. He would experience a change, from the erratic beating of his heart when he was near her, her natural scent that only he could smell, and one thing for sure: he would be madly in love with our mate. Lyall tried to remember if he felt any of that. No, he couldn't find any memory of it. Instead, he wanted to get as far away from Eira as possible, and of course, to him, she was a weird girl.

Lyall headed to the dining room.

“Good morning, Lyall,” greeted his uncle, also the alpha of the RaClaws, Carl. Carl had come to Lyall's house early that morning with his beta, Ron. For some reason, Lyall didn't ask, and he didn't care. Carl sat down in one of the chairs.

"Morning, uncle." Lyall drank his milk and then left.

"Lyall, have your breakfast, and where are you going so early?" his mother scolded him. Lyall stopped and looked at his plate. There was a delicious-looking sandwich waiting for him. Lyall looked at his mother.

"To school, and I'm not hungry."

"To school? You just got better and are still recovering. No, stay home." His mother's prohibition made Lyall sigh.

"I'm fine, Mom. The wounds are almost all gone. My body hasn't hurt since yesterday," Lyall explained gently. Normally, he would have been irritated by his mother's unreasonable prohibition. But he knew she was worried and scared because of the day's events. He didn't want to make it worse.

"No, until you're completely healed."

Lyall approached his mother. “Look at me Mom, I’m fine. Isn’t it Mom who wants Lyall to go to school? Besides, Zaiden and the gammas will be there too. Don’t forget Diane.”

Carl patted Stella on the shoulder. “Lyall’s right, Stella. I’m sorry, but I agree with Lyall. Let him go to school. He needs to be with kids his own age. There will be plenty to look after him.”

Stella took a deep breath. “Okay. But be home on time.”

Lyall nodded. “I will be home after training.”

Lyall walked back out of the house, followed by Zaiden. Carl chuckled.

“Tough kid,” Carl commented.

“Don’t start, Carl.” Stella stopped him. Carl laughed.

“That’s true, and that’s good. He won’t be easily influenced by others. He’ll be a great alpha and king.”

“Yes, if he makes it past his eighteenth birthday. I’m worried, Carl. What if he doesn’t make it? I’m scared.” The fear was clear on Stella’s face. “I’ve already lost Lycaon and my husband. I don’t want to lose any more of my children. I can’t bear it.”

Carl patted Stella’s back gently. “We’ll find a way.”

“But how?! You know the only person who can save him. I know I’m cruel and crazy, hoping that Lyall’s mate will come and save him. Because we all know only his mate can save him, but his mate has to die, Carl. Am… Am I cruel to think that? I just want my son to be safe!” Stella began to shed tears. She felt guilty for hoping that Lyall’s mate would come and die to save him. Just like she had hoped Eira was his mate.

“No, that’s normal, Stella. You’re a mother. It’s natural for you to want to save Lyall. So let’s find a solution to this.”

“But how?” Stella looked desperate.

“The witches,” Carl replied curtly. Stella frowned.

“You want… Involve them?”

“I have to.”

“No.” Stella stood up from her seat. “I don’t want to involve witches. Not again.” Stella refused vehemently.

“But Stella…”

“No, Carl. I killed my best friend last time! I killed Ben!!”

“You didn’t kill him!” Carl insisted.

“I had him killed.” Stella sat back down in her chair, crying. “I can’t…”

“Listen to me.” Carl moved his chair closer to his only brother and held his hand. “We have to ask for their help. If Lyall can’t control him or we don’t find his mate, Lyall will kill everyone here. And that will be a problem. Ordinary humans will find out about us and they will kill Lyall. We don’t want that to happen.”

Stella wiped away her tears. “Then what?”

“We’ll meet with the witches and find a solution. Maybe they have a spell to help Lyall find his mate faster.”

Stella shook her head. “No, not that poor girl.”

“If the first mate dies, there’s always a second, Stella. Just like your father-in-law, Alexius. He killed his first mate and married the second. That’s how your husband and his brother, and his sister, were born.”

“But you know all too well what it’s like to lose a mate. Lyall won’t be able to stand it. He’s just a child!”

“He’ll be fine. You have to trust your son.”

Stella sighed. “I don’t know, Carl. I really don’t.”

They both fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.

***

“I’m disappointed with the grades some of you have. Have you never retaken your classes? Or perhaps you don’t understand what your teachers are teaching? Very disappointing.” Mrs. Borden shook her head. She adjusted her slipping glasses. Her eyes were still fixed on the sheet of paper in her hand. “Ahh! But there are two people who seem to be competing against each other. Lyall and Eira. Looks like you have quite the competition this time, Eira.”

Mrs. Borden stood up and handed out the exam papers one by one.

“Okay, we have the second tryout tomorrow. Please, study. You'll be seniors soon!”

Eira stared at her exam paper silently. She seemed unfocused.

FLASHBACK

Eira finished making breakfast, but Scott hadn't come down to eat. Usually, Scott always came down to eat. Not this time. Charlie had left early for work. Eira decided to check on her brother before going to school. She knocked repeatedly on his door, but there was no answer. Eira turned the doorknob and opened Scott's door halfway. No one was there. The room was a mess. Clothes were scattered around, and books were no less.

Eira sighed, then entered the room and cleared away the scattered items. Her eyes fell on an open book on the bed. Eira sat down and flipped through the pages of the book. She frowned. There were many pictures and information about supernatural creatures. Since when had her brother been interested in such absurd things? Scott was interested in science. He majored in medicine in college. But after their parents died, he dropped out and started doing strange things. Now this? Eira looked at the front cover of the book. Beastiary and the supernatural. Eira picked up another, thinner book. It said on the cover, "A family of supernatural guardians." Eira opened the book and read several names until she reached her family name, Lurvine. The book contained her family history. Eira seemed so absorbed in reading it that she even forgot she had to go to school. Eira wondered if her family name was the same, until she found her parents' names, even her two older siblings' names, and her own! Eira's body froze. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, as if she had been electrocuted for a moment. Eira took the book, put it in her bag, and quickly left.

FLASHBACK END

Mrs. Borden patted Eira on the shoulder, breaking her reverie. “You’ve got a tough opponent this time, Eira. Don’t be discouraged, okay?” Mrs. Borden smiled and walked over to her desk. Eira remained silent. “Okay, let’s open your books. Let’s start the lesson.”

“You know, Lyall, instead of just staring at her, wouldn’t it be better if you talked to her?” Miro whispered. His voice was barely audible, but Lyall heard it clearly. Lyall ignored it. Miro caught Lyall stealing glances at Eira. “I’m sure she’s your mate. You haven’t changed. Isn’t that obvious? I’m sure you’re hiding it.”

“Shut up,” Lyall whispered.

“Oh, come on, Lyall. Everyone in the pack knows about it. How smitten Lyall is with Eira. She’s your mate, right? Don’t hide it.”

“Shut up.”

“No, I won’t. Plus, I saw you staring at her earlier. Are you curious about her? I’m sure you are (chuckles). I’m sure you’ve fallen in love—”

“SHUT UP!!” Lyall's scream startled the class. Even Lyall was shocked because he'd let it slip.

"Excuse me? You told me to shut up, Lyall?" The annoyance was clearly visible on Mrs. Borden's face.

"I—I... I didn't..." He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Borden," Lyall finally said. He growled softly at Miro.

"If you don't like my subject, you can leave this class." Mrs. Borden shook her head. "Read page 275, Lyall."

"Me, ma'am?"

"Isn't your name Lyall?"

Lyall growled softly. Miro chuckled, and it was clearly audible to Lyall. That kid!

***

Tadariez