The Right Fit

The next day, my mother brought me into a crown room, where I could choose my crown for the event tonight. It was a small room with lots of mirrors and white flooring with a white case that held 5 different crowns. One of which I remember seeing in a photo. It was small with just a few stones in the middle of tiny golden flowers and leaves that wrapped around it, but only in front

"Mother, is that your crown from your first ball as Father's mate?" I ask. She said yes. This was the first crown given to her from my father. I knew right away. That was the one I wanted to wear tonight. As we sat on this blue velvet loveseat, she turned to me and said, "Sweetie, we know about Amelia and Cayden. How are you feeling about this?"

"I'm fine Mom. I love that Amelia will be my sister and that she will be the next Queen Luna. She's going to make Cayden very happy." I told her. 

" Sweetie, I'm going to tell you the same thing we told Cayden when he came of age. As a royal, you have three human years to find your true mate.If in that time you do not find your true mate, your father and I will choose one for you." She said as she grabbed my hand.

"You can't do that!" I exclaimed! "That rule only applies if you're next in line. I'm not next. Cayden is and he found Amelia." I quickly pulled my hand away.

"Please don't be upset Mari. It's your Birthday! There's just a small little catch that I need to mention to you." She said in a soft tone.

"What catch?" I ask.

"Well, you see, if Amelia does not turn and Cayden chooses to stay with her, he will need to step down. You will be the next in line. I know this is sudden, but none of us could have predicted his mate to be a witch." She says as tears fill her eyes. 

I felt so bad. There was nothing my mother could do to fix this and make it OK. Tradition was tradition. She knew Cayden would be heartbroken. I quickly hugged my mother. 

"I understand. I will do my best to shake the hands of every male at the ball tonight." I give her a small smile to reassure her it's OK.

" Also, your father has his eye on the Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack as a good mate for you. He's just a bit older than you. His father was a good man, and raised him to be good as well. He's really been showing leadership qualities and stepping up to be a good Alpha." she tells me. 

"OH HELL NO, MOM!" I tell her. "I met that rude boy at a club in the men's washroom, and he's a total jerk.I would never ever give him the time of day."

I can hear my mothers sweet laugh fill the air, and her bright smile turns to me " Give him a chance, and don't tell your father you were in the men's washroom" she says. 

We both start laughing. I love my mother to the moon. She is the most loving, generous, and thoughtful woman you could ever meet. I didn't want to let her down, but I also was not going to marry anyone my father chose for me. Dear Moon Goddess, please let me find my mate on my own. 

"Mom, I want to tell you about a guy named Drake." She tilts her head and I begin to tell her the whole story and how the Alpha Rudeboy fits into the story. 

"I wish I could meet him sweetie. I'll ask my elders about this and see if there's anything we can do. That poor soul, on his own. Please be careful around him. Until I can verify the story, you need to be on alert." My mom said seriously. I never thought that Drake could be anything, but honest. I was more afraid of him finding out who I was. 

All of me wished I was with Amelia right now. I could use a spa day. I met up with my dad in an office, and he told me about Alpha Rudeboy coming into town and how I should meet him for lunch. I agreed, only if father came with us. He laughed and told me he'd meet me in the car.

Around the time we were leaving to go meet Alpha Rudeness, guest started to arrive by yachts and planes and planes on yacht. It was true a sight to watch from my window. All of this was happening just for me. I couldn't wait. I already started shaking hands with any male staff that was not yet mated. Some of them were super eager while others looked like I was about to rip their heart out and eat it. The face of relief after made me giggle. I wonder if my brother had this much fun when it was his birthday and well the few years after.

I got out of the car and headed into the restaurant with my father. Everyone lined up to shake my hand, and of course I was excited too. There he was the Alpha of my nightmares. I could smell him the moment we walked in. Oh Moon Goddess, please don't let him mention the men's washroom to my father. Not that I'm ashamed, just don't need to explain myself to him. We cross the room and head to a small table in the middle.

Two male wolves stand and bow their heads as my Father approached.

"Alpha Eric, and Beta Rain, I'm so glad you two could make it. This is my daughter Princess Mari." my father said.

I reached our my hand to shake Beta Rain's, and... nothing... relief washed over both of our faces. I reached out the Alpha Eric, and he instantly placed his hand in his pocket and sat down. This MF. I thought to myself. Really Rudeboy infront of the Alpha King? Before I could comment, he quickly said, "I believe we've already met on Tuesday night."

My father not noticing anything continued with, "That's right. Did you catch those rogues?"

"Not yet, your majesty. We appreciate your help. We just can't see how they are able to get past all our guards. We believe they are having inside help." Alpha Eric said.

My father quickly replied, "Traitors in my territory? I will have their heads as well as those that have harmed your pack." Father turns to me and says, "My dear, I don't believe it will be safe for you to return until they're caught."

"Father, I mean Alpha King, I am quite capable of handling many dangerous situations. Also, I've got Amelia and Rivers with me." I say back.

"Mari, you may be the next Alpha and I will not place you in any unnecessary danger. You will be coming home after this weekend." My Father said in his Alpha tone, but he knows that tone does not work on me since I was a pup.

"How about, I stay here. With Mother's family until the danger is over? No one would ever guess, I stayed behind. " I ask in a cute, but I'm your daughter and it's my birthday tone.

He laughs and looks at Alpaha Eric and says, "Never have girls, they will always hold your heart and know how to change your mind."

Eric looked confused. "Your majesty, may I ask what you meant about you might be Alpha? Isn't your son next in line?"

My father replied with his famous line "Wolf's out of the bag. I was going to announce this at the ball, but my son has found his mate. Unfortunately, it's a witch. Only the Moon Goddess knows what will come next."

"That's horrible news. I could never imagine being mated to anything but a wolf." Beta Eric replies.

I stop the conversation. This is MY best friend they're talking about.

"No, you both are wrong. This isn't unfortunate or horrible. Amelia is a wonderful kind person, and the only one to keep my brother in line, when he gets upset. She would make a wonderful Luna and I know she will bring peace, love, and happiness to all the packs in the kingdom. "

Alpha Eric chimes in "I agree, it's not horrible or unfortunate yet. It's just Different. "

My father says with a great big smile on his face, "You two make a great team. I can see it already. A perfect fit."

I can see the disgust in Alpha Eric's eyes as he does a fake laugh. I literally give my dad a look that says no thanks, not in this lifetime.