CHAPTER THREE...

Running under the morning light my heavy grey paws kissed the earth with a light thud. The gentle morning breeze tickled my fur relaxing me.

This was one of the reasons why I always started my day with a run, I loved the feeling of the gentle breeze on my fur it helped me think clearly and with no interruptions and I needed to think this morning. I hadn't been able to sleep last night because I worried about what today would bring if I would meet my mate.

Even though I wanted this day to come so badly I was also scared because I knew that this was my last effort to find my mate if I didn't find him today then I'll wait for him to come for me. I was tired of searching and getting my hopes up only to have it shattered at each ceremony I attended and still didn't find him.

Maybe he was even dead before I had the chance of meeting him.

My wolf growled at just the thought of the possibility of that. That was usually the case if at this age one hasn't found their mate late bloomer or not. I knew deep down that he wasn't dead but that didn't stop my mind from going there.

My wolf has been antsy since I woke up this morning, I guess she was also worried. My ears perked at the sound of a rabbit moving through the trees my eyes immediately found the rabbit but I was in no mood to hunt today so I ran back to the tree where I had left my clothes and shifted back putting my clothes on. I hurried inside the pack house and was going up to my room when I bumped into Carlos who was munching an apple aggressively and I laughed loudly. Couldn't help myself.

"Take it easy Car, the apple isn't running" I teased.

"Hey stop teasing. Today is my special day so I'll eat my apple anyhow I want to". He said pouting, sometimes with the way he behaves you would never believe that he is twenty-six.

"Whatever now if you'll excuse me, I'll go get ready for your special day". I said laughing as I walked to my room.

I immediately went into my closet and removed the baby blue dress I had chosen for the ceremony and laid it out on my bed placing my black stilettoes beside my bed. After doing that I entered my bathroom to shower taking my time to shave my legs, after which I relaxed in the tub and only came out when the water turned cold. Drying myself quickly I started getting dressed.

I was so happy for Carlos he was finally having his mating ceremony even though he had met Lily when he was seventeen during the annual Alpha's Summit he attended with my dad. They had decided to take things slowly getting to know each other and dating like humans did before he finally marked her a year later and although they had completed the bond a long time ago, they just decided to have their mating ceremony now. One could see the mating ceremony as getting married so it was a pretty big deal for our wolves.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts and before I could give whoever it was permission to come in, the door had shut close. I knew then that it was Liv. She's the only one who doesn't wait for me to answer the door before she came in but I didn't mind seeing as we are practically sisters.

"Gigi aren't you ready yet " she threw herself on the bed and rested on her elbows to get a really good look at me.

, "I feel like I always ask you this same question every single day ". She mumbled.

"Don't just stare come help me zip this up, the stupid zipper is stuck" I groaned struggling with the zip before Liv stood up to help me smacking my hands away.

"Hey, that hurt" I whined.

"Oh, shut it" we both laughed looking at ourselves in the mirror.

I turned around slowly admiring my dress in the mirror. The color was what struck me at first when I saw it at the shop. I have always loved the color blue because it always complimented my eyes no matter the shade.

I ran my hands down the silk material of my dress straightening wrinkles that weren't there.

I felt beautiful.

We stared at the mirror for some time with Liv standing at my back before she turned me around to face her.

"You look gorgeous Gigi " I smiled and mouthed thanks she looked breathtaking as well her makeup was perfect as usual and the green gown she wore made her green eyes pop and complimented her brown skin although it wasn't a good choice for her to have just jumped on my bed seeing as her shoulder length hair which was styled in a chignon had gotten a little bit rough.

"What's wrong Gigi". Liv asked looking into my eyes.

"Nothing why do you ask". I replied.

"Because I know you. You look worried" she said placing her hands on my shoulders and guiding me to sit on my bed sitting along with me.

"Why would you think I'm worried when I'm happy Liv". I didn't want to disturb anyone with my worries when today was a happy occasion. She looked at me as if I was dumb before answering me.

"Because your eyes aren't as bright as they should be when you are happy. I know you have control over your eyes now so it's not that obvious when you are not happy but I still know when you are feigning happiness". She said taking my hands in hers.

Curse my weird eyes.

Right from when I was a baby my eye color changed as my mood changed when I'm sad or worried they turned brown, happy they remain blue but a brighter shade of blue than my original blue eyes, angry they turned red and when I'm in pain they turned black making it difficult for me to hide my emotions. It was a part of me I disliked because when I was much younger, I couldn't hide anything from my family they knew whatever I was feeling when I felt it, but that changed when I learned to control it. Now they couldn't easily tell how I was feeling but it didn't deter my mum and Liv from knowing how I felt especially when I wasn't happy.

My parents had found it strange since I was the only wolf to have those features as far as they knew. So, no one except for my close-knit family which included my dad's beta, gamma, and nuclear family knew about it. It was to remain a secret till we knew why I had it.

"You can talk to me, Gigi". Liv nudged me. I sighed before telling her what was bugging me since I woke up this morning.

"It's nothing Liv. It's just that I'm worried because I might not find him and I'm tired of this wild goose chase, and then stupid thoughts of him being dead keep creeping in making my wolf restless. I have no idea why I'm having these thoughts but you should know that I'm happy for Car, I just don't want my worries to spoil today for him. You know how he gets when one of us is not happy and today should be all about him, not me and my stupid fears". I said feeling slightly better at having shared my worries with my bestie.

"Your fears aren't stupid Gigi; I understand why you feel that way but I don't want you to worry. I want you to relax and enjoy today I have a feeling you would find your mate today I'm sure of it okay, I feel it". I hoped so too. I smiled before hugging her very tightly. Apart from my mum, she's the only one who understands me so well.

"Now that you're finally ready let's go join Lily, I need to add some final touches to my hair and makeup" I laughed and followed her out the door.

*****

The ceremony had ended and it was time for the reception. I looked around the large garden of the pack house where we held the ceremony and now the reception. The crowd had already formed little groups chatting. This was an opportunity for Alpha's to talk to each other about Pack business and also form allies. So, I wasn't surprised by the number of Alphas present you could feel their presence in the air.

I looked around the garden for Liv but I didn't see her. I was pretty sure she was with Jacob. I sighed, tucked a piece of my platinum blonde hair that had fallen from my slick bun behind my ear, and took a glass of champagne from the waiter beside me.

Even though I had promised Liv that I would try to relax and enjoy myself I couldn't. I was worried. my wolf grew restless by the minute and I didn't know why.

It was at times like this that I wished my wolf could talk to me to tell me what was wrong but that wasn't possible. Our wolves couldn't speak they were just like our minds a voice inside our heads. The only word they could say was 'mate' and that was when we found our mate apart from that we could only feel their emotions, and movements and they made sounds but talking was a big NO.

My mind kept going to the fact that the main ceremony had ended and I still haven't found my mate. Some people had left already not bothering to wait for the reception and I hoped he wasn't one of them. I tried to take my mind off it and enjoy the party but I just couldn't.

Taking a sip from the champagne in my hands, I tried to distract myself by looking around the large garden taking in everyone and admiring the beautifully decorated garden which Lily had personally supervised. She was going to be in charge of my ceremony too, goodness knows I sucked at decorating and planning.

I soon started a conversation with a young girl around my age successfully forgetting all my worries till all of a sudden, my wolf started pacing around in my head her restlessness increasing as the seconds passed by, soon she started clawing and struggling to take control it was as if she was trying to get to someone I didn't understand what was happening. I could feel a headache coming on so I excused myself.

I tried to ignore her and continued looking around trying to keep myself busy and distract myself from the clawing when all of a sudden, she stopped. I was confused she had been restlessly moving around since I got up this morning and now, she was silent. I would never understand her. I took a sip of my champagne and all of a sudden, I heard a soft voice.

I looked around me trying to figure out where the voice came from but as I heard it one more time, I knew it was coming from inside me. I was shocked this could only mean one thing Oh, my goodness yeesh. I was excited it was finally happening.

Immediately my eyes shifted towards a particular tree at a distance.

There were other trees scattered around in the packed garden but I didn't know why my eyes were drawn to look in that direction and at that particular tree which had two men who were engaged in a conversation under it and less than a second, I knew why. Ding Ding.

When his eyes met mine from across the garden, I knew that I'd found what I'd been looking for, my wolf was turning eagerly inside of me saying the word "mate" repeatedly.

From where I was, I couldn't exactly see his face all I knew was that his deep green eyes which shined brightly even with the distance between us were very captivating. I dropped the champagne that I had barely drunk on a table and moved to cross the distance between my mate and me. I couldn't express how happy I was at the moment.

It was finally happening; I was finally meeting my mate. Goodness knows I've waited for this moment for a very long time but then nervousness crept in.

What was he like?

what if I wasn't what he was expecting?

would he like me, I knew that was a ridiculous question it was rare to find mates who didn't like each other, and besides, I was an angel who wouldn't like me right? At least that's what mum tells me, but she's biased she's my mother so she has to tell me all the good things.

Oh my gosh was my makeup all right? I had never felt this nervous and happy all at the same time.

I moved across the large garden and mass of people to get closer to him with a bounce in my step and as I got closer eliminating the distance between us, I immediately recognized him and shock kept me rooted to the ground my smile immediately fell leaving my lips, at this point, I was glad that I had decided to drop the glass of champagne at the table.

No. It couldn't be.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I had last seen his face when I was fifteen and that was five years ago when I had attended his mating ceremony. Who could forget him he was unforgettable.

How could fate be this cruel why was he chosen to be my mate of all people why him? My heart was already breaking inside I knew the bitter truth that my mate was never going to love me. I couldn't move despite the urge to go toward him. I couldn't grasp what was happening maybe it was a silly joke fate was playing on me but deep down I knew it was no joke.

I just couldn't seem to understand, second chance mates were rare, people even considered them practically impossible because the last pair to have been heard of had been centuries ago.

I was still trying to get myself together when Carlos walked up to me with Lily beside him.

"Gigi I'm sure you remember Alpha Vladimir. We had gone for his ceremony five years ago. He is a very important ally. Come I'll introduce you two ". Carlos said.

I didn't even notice we were moving until we were in front of him and everyone was looking at me expectantly it was then I realized that I had zoned out.

"Sorry" I turned to him and stretched out my hands for a handshake.

I needed to be sure I wanted to feel the tingles to be sure.