Mysterious Mates

"See you in the next world."

Pain. Misery. Anguish.

Was all I felt as I watched my mate– my Luna, slowly closed her eyes as she gave up the ghost. Heavy rain poured down the roof of the hut and the thunder strikes rang loud, piercing the darkness with its light. My brows itched together and my fists clenched tighter as pain pierced through my heart and broke it into million pieces

Tears blurred my vision as my body shook violently at the breaking of the bond between us. I fell to my knees and held unto my chest as it squeezed with hurt. It was painful. I reached out for her hands and held it in mine with my teeth gnashing. We are going to go through this together. Just like we have always promised ourselves.

"Annabella." I choked out as the tears began to roll out of my eyes in drops.

"You fucking promised to be here forever. Till we grow the fuck old. Tell me why you are leaving me alone in this world?" I growled angrily at her even though I knew deeply she could not hear or even reply me. That she was gone. And that too forever. The rain echoed through the walls of the small hut as thunder struck noisily as if escorting my Luna to the great beyond. Back to the souls and stars alignment.

I closed my eyes and relaxed against the bed as a ridiculous smile played on my lips.

I could feel the pack's bitterness coupled with mine. We had just lost our beloved Luna to death. They should be bitter and sad. Even the entire earth should be!!!

The door creaked open and Ryan, my Beta, stepped in. He did not move any further. He knew all too well not to.

"Let us go for run in memory of her." He barely spoke the words. I rose up to my feet and exhaled. Anna has been on this sick bed for months and yet we could not find the cause or even the cure of her disease. She just died. Just like that. Am I even a worth of being her mate?

I closed my eyes as I remember her last words - "Connor, you are not allowed to be sad. You are the Alpha. Alphas don't get sad. Alpha's don't cry. They are strong."

I scoffed as the end part. Strong? Even Alphas themselves know that they can't do without their Lunas. They were their supporting shoulders and now mine is gone. I don't even know when I will get to see her again. Moon goddess, you must definitely be kidding with me. I don't even have an heir yet!

I passed by him and stepped out of the small hut. We had moved her in after her condition exacerbated. The rain did not stop pouring. It must be Anna's way of pacifying us. And guess what? Before me, knelt my pack. My entire pack. They were all soaked in the rain with their heads bowed.

Tell me what loyalty is and I will show you my pack.

I smiled sadly and tore off my shirt as the rain soaked poured on me. I looked up to the sky and saw just how bright the moon was shining. Selene must be really happy that another soul joins her shining palace tonight. Fuck you!

Tenor, my wolf, did not even wait for me to do anything, instead he clawed at me and morphed into our black wolf. He took instant control and I let him. He need to mourn his mate. He really need. He shook aggressively as the rain poured down on his fur. Bones cracked and reformed behind me and Tenor stood all high and mighty. They all looked at their Alpha who was in great despair.

Tenor bent his head and slowly howled so loud that it felt like the heavens opened up and accepted his howl of pain. Of grief.

He turned around and sprinted across the field and the pack followed after him. The earth shook to its core at every paws hitting the ground as if they wanted it to feel the pain that it had cost them. Their grief, their sorrow, their despair. Everything. Completely.

Connor's POV

"Tenor, you don't need to be somber. The mate who you think is your mate was mistakenly matched to you." Her melodious voice explained and what did I do in return, I stared at her blankly.

"Tenor–"

"I have been with her for the past five years and all you do is take her away from me. Selene, this is unfair." I said blatantly with no emotion and she sighed. How could I feel anything when I felt empty?

"The one who is meant for you will come and that is when your fate will be fulfilled." She said with a tone of finality, no more discussion.

"I–"

**

Ding! Ding! Ding!

"Alpha, Are you sleeping the day away?" I grunted as My Beta, Ryan, said in a singsong voice into my ears as he rang the alarm continuously. Rubbing my ear to get rid of the tinkling effect, I looked up to him with a death glare.

"What?" I snapped and he jerked back with a gasp, touching his chest dramatically as if he was scared.

"Easy on me, Alpha Man. You don't want to lose a treasure like me to your Canines." He said and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I exhaled deeply and scrambled down the bed, not bothering to cover myself.

"What do you want?" I asked him with a more soft tone, at least to me it was.

"Have you forgotten what today is?" He asked and I raised my eyebrows.

He scoffed and hit his forehead in dismay. "It is the festival of lanterns, Connor. You are the fucking Alpha of this pack and for the last months, you have been sulking up in this room, unwilling to do nothing other than go through paper works then come back here and sleep!" He said in frustration and I raked my hand through my hair as I gripped it tight, trying to fight the impulse to throw him across the room and pounce on him for the way he was calling me out on my issue.

"You should stop this. The pack needs you. I have been doing all the works for you. Not that I am complaining but we need the boost in our morale and you are the only one who can do just that." He said.

He does not understand at all. Not even one bit. For an Alpha that lost his mate, I should be dead. In fact, I should have died along Annalisa but yet, I am still here trying to numb the pain.

"You cannot understand since you are not the one who lost his mate." I replied and his demeanor changed. Guess she still affects him that much.

"I–" I raised my hand to him.

"It is alright. I get it. I think you are right." I said, giving him a polite smile. He got the hint and did not bother to push further.

"Anyway, how is the preparation going?" I asked.

"Done. Just that we need you to bless it this evening before we start." He explained and I nodded my head. That is why he was my Beta. Trustworthy and understanding.

"Okay, I will be downstairs in few minutes." I said and he took that and left not without patting me on the shoulders and taking a look at his 'ugly' self in my mirror, winking at himself and struck a pose. I snorted and fell back on the bed, reminiscing what the Moon goddess said.

She was mistakenly bonded to me? How is that even possible?

Time to take a shower I guess.

*

*

*

I cast a last look at myself and exhaled before exiting my room. I was dressed in just casual clothes since I was just going to be hanging around the pack.

I went through the corridors and climbed down the stairs. The pack house was huge. I mean, why not?

"It's the Alpha." Someone yelled and everyone turned their heads towards me. I guess that what happens when you are rarely seen by your own pack. Don't blame me. I am more hit about my mate's death than them losing their beloved Luna.

I managed to smile and moved towards them.

"Oh, Alpha. We thought we were going to be celebrating this festival today alone." One of the older women said as a happy smile graced her face. This made my heart swell as I realized that I was the reason behind that smile. Ryan was right. I am the only one who can boost the morale of this pack.

"Never. I will always celebrate it with you." I said with a smile that could and they all cheered.

"Seems like you managed to get the pack to smile." Ryan's voice sounded from behind me and I turned to look at him.

"Yeah, after all I am still their Alpha." I replied with a casual smile and we moved to the kitchen. The maids on duty greeted us courteously and I nodded my head in acknowledgement.

"What do you have?" Ryan asked them and I nudged him. He shrugged.

"Did you invite other packs?" I asked, pulling at my lips.

"Nope. They must also want to celebrate it with their pack. Not to add that we received an invitation to Sky Lunar Pack but I rejected it. We can't leave the pack unprotected." He replied and I nodded my head. The maids passed a plate of fruits before us and we headed out to check out the decorations.

As I walked through, I saw the way Ryan arranged everything and I must say that I was proud of him.

"Ryan." I called out and he looked at me.

"Err... Wait... Don't." He said even before I could not talk. As if he knew what I was about to say.

"Don't go all appreciative on me." He added dramatically and I could not help but roll my eyes.

"Wasn't going to do that." I lied between gritted teeth and he scoffed in reply.

I checked the place we will be using to start the ceremony and it was already in perfect design. What can I do without a Beta as hardworking as Ryan?

"What time are we starting exactly?" I asked.

"5 PM."

Can't wait. But why do I feel like this night was going to be a different one?

"It is." A voice said so loud that only I could hear and I looked around in abrupt shock.

Who was that?

Lyra's POV

"Lyra Collins! If you don't get down here in a second, I will be leaving you!" My mother yelled at me and I groaned out, mumbling incoherent words as I forced the jacket up to my arm.

"Few minutes." I yelled over and I heard her complaining mostly about me.

I don't blame her.

I quickly slipped into my pair of sandals before rushing out of the room. I ran down the stairs and saw my mother and father dressed in the usual white gown with some embroidery which was a uniform considering that my father and her were elders in the pack. It was always worn for this ceremony.

I was just dressed in a pair of blue jeans and white shirt matched with a blue jacket, not to forget my face cap.

My mother eyed me from head to toe as she snickered. "So you spent the entire time to wear just this?" She questioned with a her usual demeaning look and I shook my head timidly.

"Edna, leave her alone. Let us go. It is almost time for the Alpha's blessing." My father interrupted us and I thanked the moon goddess silently or else we would have involved into a verbal fight today.

My father led the way with our lanterns in his hands while I follow behind my mother as we walked towards the pack ground. This was the only place that can accommodate the whole of Shining Moon Pack. I mean the festival of lanterns was really celebrated among the wolves both young and old.

Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Well, I am Lyra Collins. A twenty years old lady with no wolf. You know I find it surprising that we don't give a fuck about it here in Shining Moon Pack while in other packs, they even banish those who are wolfless or late bloomers. That was said by one of my many friends, Tania, who had visited some pack months ago and as teenagers that were not allowed to leave the pack, we were really eager to listen to the story. Well, I ain't teenager anymore.

"Where are your elder siblings?" My mother asked as I followed her towards her honored seat.

"They must have been summoned by the Beta to help with the preparation." I replied nonchalantly as I looked around, searching for people my age. Father had gone to meet the other elders for pleasantries exchange.

"Mother, I want to meet my other friends. See ya." I said and hurried away before she could say anything to stop me.

"Make sure you don't wander towards the borders." Her voice said through the mind link and I nodded my head as if she could see me.

I looked around and saw most of my pack friends already in groups as they chatted and giggled about the festival.

"Hey, Lyra." One of them yelled and a grin broke across my face as I ran towards them.

"Hey." I said and they all smiled at me.

"How are you feeling?" Tiana slurred as she tried to firm her stance.

"Tiana, don't tell me you already gotten drunk before the festival even started?" I asked and the rest snorted. Tiana is known for her drinking. Always drinking. Even in class, she sneaks some bottle.

"Hey." She said in caution as I scoffed.

"Hey, girls. Tell me how is this going to go? Because the lanterns will be lit in..." I was still talking when suddenly everywhere got bright and everyone cheered. The lanterns has been lit already.

"Oh, I can't imagine the fact that I will be finding my mate today." Chloe squealed in excitement as her face and ears were crimson red already.

"Oh, please. You are not the only one. I am a nervous wreck right now." Tania said and we all laughed.

"All pack members please gather around. The Alpha is about to give his blessings." A voice said through the mind link and we all moved further to the place I had left my parents. Looking up, I saw our Alpha, Alpha Connor Meyers, dressed in the same uniform as my parents just that his had some more designs to distinguish him. My eyes zeroed on him and I don't know why we locked gaze but it was so brief like it did not happen. I blinked my eyes. What just happened?

"I am really glad that the festival of lanterns, one of the most awaiting festivals is here and we are alive to celebrate it. As I give my blessings, may everything come to pass." He said and I exhaled deeply. We all hummed an answer.

"Shining Moon Pack, listen to the words of your leader and the true bloodline of your Alpha Lineage." He roared as he said this and everywhere turned dark, the full moon shining so brightly that it illuminated everywhere perfectly. The trees waved their branches and their leaves roared as if welcoming the moon goddess into our midst. Everyone looked up and I could feel their wolves were at the surface already.

I don't feel bad though. I mean in as much as I long to have the feeling of what having a wolf means, I am happy that I don't feel neglected.

"You are blessed. You shall bring more offsprings, warriors, leaders, Alphas, Elders, Lunas, guards and much more. You shall be written in history and your name shall be pronounced in every part of the world." He said and we all nodded in agreement.

Luna's? Did I mention we just lost our Luna? And it was quite surprising that he did not step down. He must be strong. Really strong to do that. Don't ask me how I know, stories, you know.

He turned to us, the pack members.

"All ye pack members of shining moon pack, hear the words of your Alpha, Connor Tenor Meyers. Straighten your ears and listen carefully."

And we all fell on our knees with our head bowed.

"Bonds shall be renewed. Mates shall be found. Connections shall be restored. Bonds shall be made." He said and suddenly a huge breeze blew by, I had no choice than to hold unto my father who was standing before me. He held my hands tightly as if he knew the breeze could carry me away.

Sometimes it could be rain that will fall as a sign or even thunder strike on top of the hill. But each of them carry ominous sign.

Suddenly, everywhere felt new. And cool. I can feel it in my bones. I sniffed in the air and relaxed my body.

Wow, this is just so cool.

"And it has been done. Happy festival of lanterns." He said and stepped down from the podium. The Beta, Ryan Colton, stepped up and a grin spread across his face. Everyone laughed because we know that whatever he was going to say was going to make us laugh. From what I know, he has always been the funny type. And Connor? I don't know. I don't bother with them. They are clearly older than I am anyway.

"Okay, okay. Alpha Connor told me to be serious tonight." He said and some members groaned in annoyance.

"But anyway, I hope you find your mate. Let the ceremony begin." He said and we all carried our lanterns towards the river. The Alpha placed his first and we followed suite. We slowly put them there and they floated. Suddenly I heard a gasp from behind me, I turned around and saw Tiana with a male.

Oh my gosh, she found her mate already.

"Gosh, I–" she was clearly short of words. But the guy grinned and took her away. I looked around and saw just how happy everyone was getting their mates. Am I going to get a mate too? Well, I am not that bothered about the mate thing but... I also wish to have.

"Hey, babe." My friends rushed to my side.

"Seen your mates yet?" I asked them giddily and they all blushed. Guess I am the only one who was not mated.

"Shouldn't you be with them?" I asked, confused and they chuckled.

Huh.

"Okay, I can't be oppressed by you all. I'm leaving." I said with a scoff and they all laughed at me.

I was about to move when suddenly a wave of emotions hit me hard in the pit of my belly. I fell unto my knees and held unto my stomach. The emotions was so unbearable. Too much.

What is happening to me? Whose feelings are these? Why? Why...

"See! Whose lantern is that?!"

I let out a sharp scream. So loud that it could pierce a curtain. The last image I saw was my mother calling out to me as she shook me before I was engulfed by the dark.