I wasn't a big fan of weddings.

I had nothing against the occasion, but the overly large crowd triggered my claustrophobia. Everyone always wondered why I hardly ever attended the biggest parties and celebrations, regardless of it were hosted by members of the Caedmon Pack or not. I wasn't fond of tight spaces, the noise, and all the different emotions that came with it. I made an exception for this wedding. Dawson Caedmon was getting married. If I missed the union of my brother to his true mate, Alessia Van der Hoeff, he'd never forgive me.

Food and drinks of the alcoholic sort were plentiful. I would expect nothing less from Dawson. He always threw the most extravagant, biggest parties. He was known for it actually.

As I looked across the courtyard at the happy couple licking chocolate icing from each other's fingertips, I couldn't help but wonder how fate decided who it would grant with a happy ending and who would meet a swift, untimely demise. Were we all meant to find this much happiness or were some of us cursed from the beginning?

In Caedmon culture, finding a true mate was never guaranteed. The chances were about one in a hundred, probably even less than that. But over the decades, our people branched out from Pack life. They sought traditional lifestyles and normal careers within human society. Some of them even found their mates in unlikely places. Dawson was no exception. Had he let his hesitations about the unknown witch who showed up uninvited at his doorstep get to him, he might not have been standing there with her today. Although, I couldn't be too certain. Fate had a way of being persistent.

We were drawn to our mates for a reason—even across territory lines and continents. I knew this to be a fact. I had known for years who my true mate was, but we weren't bonded. More than one elder in our coven had reason to believe that our union would mark the beginning of something monumental. And I had enough reasons to believe them. The union would result in bloodshed. Things would get worse before they got better. I wasn't ready for that.

The band started playing a more upbeat number, jolting me from my private thoughts. Everyone around me had gotten up from the tables and were mingling about. I did what I did best. I sat back and observed, feeding off the emotions around me. Dawson's mate and new wife would understand. Alessia was an Empath and a natural born witch like me, but she looked so peaceful and carefree among the dozens of guests rushing up to congratulate her. When she was just discovering that she had magic in her blood, I was the one who helped her to understand how to control it, but I could learn a thing or two from her about filtering through the emotions in crowded places like this.

A server paused at my table with a tray filled with slices of cake. "Would you like cake?"

"No thank you," I told her and then got up from the table. I did accept a glass of wine from another server as he passed by. I slid past the guests in the food buffet line and waved to a few college students mingling around on the dance floor. I ignored the lingering stares and blunt requests to dance from lone men—human, shifter, or witch. Most of them knew who I was, but there was always that one innocent guy who had no idea what I was.

As soon as I made it out of the busy courtyard and over to one of the water fountains, I took a deep breath and sat on the stone edge. My solitude with the sound of the water pouring down in waves and the smell of blooming orchids didn't last long.

"Elisa."

I didn't have to turn around to know who it was. I could scent my half-brother and the Alpha of the Caedmon Pack from a mile away.

"Devin." I smiled when he sat down. "You're finally free?"

"How long have you been here? I didn't see you come in."

"I made it just in time. The bridal party was just lining up when I took my seat," I said.

"Better late than never," he replied. "Reminds me of someone else we know…"

"And who's that?" I took a sip of the chilled Chardonnay.

Devin's left eyebrow rose by a fraction. "You and I both know who I'm referring to."

"Where is he anyway?" I shrugged. "I didn't see him."

"Don't worry, sister. You know Tristan will come. Now that he knows you're here, he'd probably trample everyone down just to get here to see you," he said.

I glanced at my brother momentarily, saw the way he was studying me, and then cast my eyes downward.

"He says he ran into some issues this afternoon that caused him to miss the wedding. He texted me saying that he's on his way, but enough about Tristan, I'm here to talk about you. I haven't seen you since the last council meeting." He cleared his throat and gave me a disapproving glare. "I see that you're enjoying the wine. Is that the first glass?"

I rolled my eyes. "They lowered the drinking age years ago. Besides, I needed something to calm my nerves. Free food and alcohol. I'm not going to pass that up."

"I'm also surprised to see you in a dress. Last time you came to the meeting, your jeans were torn at the knees, everything was too tight, and you were wearing boots."

I grinned. "I was thinking of wearing boots to this wedding and then I had second thoughts. This was the dress that Tamara bought for me the last time I was here. Like?"

Devin chuckled. "It certainly does look like something Tamara would wear."

"How is she?"

Devin grinned and his entire face lit up. "Pregnant. Again."

"I know," I said, coyly.

"Of course you do. She's carrying twins this time. The doctor says one of the babies is a girl, but he wasn't sure about the second."

"See? Now you'll finally have a girl of your own and know that it wasn't just me trying to give you a heart attack when I was growing up."

"Right." He nodded. "You were just being a girl. A stubborn, emotional, rebellious…teenager. Who happens to be a witch who could give me a heart attack with just one look if she wanted to."

"I'd never do that," I said, giving him a playful nudge on the shoulder. "I saw the boys running around earlier too. I couldn't get them to sit long enough to ask them anything."

"I can't get them to sit long enough period. You were good with them, you know? You can come back and babysit anytime you like," he suggested.

"I love those boys. Don't worry. I'll be back. You call me as soon as Tamara has the twins and I'll help with whatever you need," I told him.

Devin's look turned serious. "I was only half-joking. I know you graduate next year and everything. I want you to return to the Caedmon Village more than anything else, but I know you have your own life now."

"I'm never too busy."

"How is it that you're graduating way ahead of schedule, but every time I call you, you're always halfway across the country or outside of our territories?" he asked in a lower voice.

I sighed. "If I told you…"

"I wouldn't believe you. You give me the same answer every time."

"Just know that I'm okay," I said.

"At this rate, you've beaten Dawson's record. You'll have dual degrees before your 21st birthday."

"I wasn't counting or anything."

"Besides the classes, what have you been up to? With your break, you must have loads of free time."

"Hardly. Girl's gotta work and make her own money, right?"

"Roman left you a fortune. Jayson says your net worth is far greater than mine since you practically have no debts or business ventures."

I cracked a smile. "Jealous, brother?"

Devin narrowed his gaze. "Of course not. I'm happy for you. We can't all go broke in the name of the Pack."

"Oh, don't act like you're broke. We all know you haven't closed up your construction business. I heard you were getting contracts left and right."

"I am. It's a lot of work. Wish I could triple my portfolio without actually working," he commented, teasingly.

"I work. It's just not traditional work."

He frowned. "Wait. Are you talking illegal work? Is Tristan—"

"Tristan has nothing to do with what I'm doing. I find my own jobs. I make my own money. Pay my own rent. And buy my own food and clothes."

"I had to ask," Devin said. "He's very convincing whenever he tries to persuade me to go into business with him, but I have more business than I can handle at the moment."

"At the moment…?"

He didn't answer my inquiry, but his face spoke volumes about what he meant by his last statement.

"When was the last time you spoke to Tristan?" he asked.

"He calls me from time to time asking me to hear him out, inviting me to dinner, sending me gifts…"

"Elisa, it's okay, you know?"

I swallowed. I was relieved and nervous at the same time.

When I didn't say anything, he continued, "I know the two of you are mates. There's no doubt in my mind. The tension is strong whenever you two are present together. I honor and cherish the bond with my own mate. Without Tamara, I'd be lost. A lone wolf. I wouldn't be here today. I wouldn't even be the man I am."

"I'm not lost," I whispered.

"I want what's best for you. I want you to be happy. I don't condone the things that Tristan does to earn his living. I don't even condone the things he does out of spite and greed, but I've witnessed the things he's done to make sure you're safe. I've heard the way he talks about you. I see the changes he's made in preparation of your union. If you're waiting for my approval, you have it. It's not my place to keep you away from your true mate. I wouldn't want anyone to do that to me."

"You don't know what you're condoning."

Devin frowned. "Have I misjudged Tristan? Has he been untruthful about something?"

"No," I said.

"Is he trying to destroy us? Is he—"

"No and no," I said, more firmly this time. "It's not that easy."

"What am I condoning then? If you think this union—a union via a mating between our Packs is so bad, tell me. What makes it wrong for you?"

"Not for me. He's not wrong for me."

His sigh came out as a breath of frustration. "Elisa, I…"

He looked confused, and rightfully so.

I placed my wine glass on the stone beside me. "It's complicated. I just need more time."

"Of course. It's your life, but just know that my approval has been given. You're my blood. You'll always be. I'm on your side. I know that I fought with Tristan for the longest. We still fight and have disagreements. Over chess, over dinner…in front of potential business partners. We've torn into each other like dogs, yet neither one of us can bear to deliver the killing bite. We won't."

"Kind of like brothers," I offered.

"Yeah, like brothers," he agreed.

"Both of you are strong, influential leaders with different styles of leadership and even opposing views. That was bound to happen despite the alliance between the Caedmon and Arnou Packs," I told him.

"Sometimes he's wrong and sometimes he's worthy of agreeing with. We're just trying to survive. We're trying to save our Pack and preserve our history. I fought this mating for the longest, but I misunderstood Tristan. A lot of us did. We misunderstood each other. It wasn't any of our faults." He looked down at his hands. "It's just how the cards were dealt to us."

"And even card dealers manipulate and cheat, big brother," I told him.

Devin's mouth twisted wryly as he gave me a questioning glare.

"What are you saying?" he asked.

"I…"

A third presence joined us some few feet away.

"Alpha?" one of the hosts stepped into our view.

"Patricia, what is it?" Devin asked, calmly.

"Dawson needs you as a witness for his marriage license," Patricia stated. "Also, Elder Stephan was looking for you only a moment ago."

I glanced at Devin. "Go. We can talk about this later."

He got up and straightened his tie. "How long will you be in town for?"

"Until I have to leave again," I said.

A knowing look crossed his face. "Then not long."

Devin kissed the top of my head and then said, "Let's talk before you disappear."

I nodded and then watched as my eldest brother walked away to be the caring and generous Alpha he was meant to be.

Not too long after, someone else approached me.

"Hey Elisa. I haven't seen you in a while."

I glanced up to see Michael, a guy that attended the same college as me. "Hi Michael. And yeah, I've been taking a much-needed break from classes."

"Finally. You deserve a break," he said, his eyes shifting from my face to my dress. "You're beautiful tonight. Don't think I've ever seen you made over like this."

I blushed. "Well…thank you. It is my brother's wedding."

"I was just getting ready to dip out when I saw you," he said, dangling his keys in front of him. "Seems peaceful and quiet here. Mind if I join you?"

"Sure."

He sat down. "Biological and physiological science major, right?"

"You remembered?"

"Yeah, I did."

A little over two years had passed since I told Michael what I was majoring in. Other than seeing him around the campus and in the market near the Caedmon Village, we had lunch once after bumping into each other at the academic office. I only remember that day because it was when I learned that if I didn't attend classes often, then I'd get kicked out despite the fact that my brother Devin owned and was still funding the university.

I didn't think anyone cared if I showed in class or not. I was passing everything with flying colors—no magic involved. But I guess the rules were the rules. A lot of the Caedmon Pack members entering college went there, so it was only fair enough that I was treated the same with no special privileges. It was even where Dawson had earned his law degree. Despite his reputation for being a devout party-thrower, he had graduated with damn near perfect attendance. But I wasn't my brother…

"So, um…what have you got going on for the rest of the summer?" Michael asked.

He seemed nervous for inquiring about my plans and I detected his attraction to me, which lingered around us like a cloud. I instantly remembered why I made it a point to cut our conversations short. Michael was a good guy, but the feeling could never be mutual.

"Continuing with my work. It never ends," I answered.

"I didn't know you worked." He looked surprised. "An intern?"

"Something like an intern," I stated, bluntly.

"Oh, if you happen to need a break, a couple of us are going down to the coast in a few weeks. We rented a beach house and the whole clubhouse for a week just to get away, you know." He lifted his gaze shyly to meet mine. "If you want to come…I mean, I'd like you to come."

My shoulders slumped on their own accord. "I can't. I have too much work."

"Oh, alright." He shrugged. "That's okay."

"I know I'm lame and all. I guess I just like to focus on my work," I said.

"I get it. But if you change your mind, the offer still stands."

His grinned faded when he glanced at something just over my shoulder. His face reddened and he rose from the stone bench quickly.

"What's wr—"

Before I could finish my sentence, I knew what Michael had seen. My eyesight was sharp, courtesy of my wolf genes. My vision was amplified even further because of the magic in my veins. I saw a man in the reflection of Michael's irises. And one glance at the shadow in the water to the right of me confirmed the outline of not just any man…

Tristan Arnou. My mate.

The scent of him wrapped around me like a blanket, even with Michael standing only a foot in front of me giving off strong pheromones of fear. Once Tristan's presence was confirmed and my wolf had identified him by his signature scent of maple and a woodsy spice, I knew the night had taken a turn in a very different direction.

I didn't turn around. I only watched Michael's reaction. He cast his gaze downward and took several steps backward, a move typical of wolves who came to be in the presence of an Alpha or a high-ranking wolf in the Pack who posed a direct threat.

When Michael was gone, I still hadn't turned around. It had been over a month since I'd last seen my mate in the flesh. I wanted to run to him. Badly. But something was holding me rooted to the spot. His footsteps were heavy as he closed the distance between us. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for what I knew would come next.

His touch.