Chapter One: Ellie

I spent years watching family and friends go through this. Some were lucky and found a mate for the first time. Others went through these multiple times. This year, it’s my turn. It’s my first year going through the mating season and the festivities. We expect every male and female eighteen through thirty to take part. If you are over thirty, you can take part, but it’s not expected of you. Most people usually stop going once they hit thirty, but many find a mate before then.

Unfortunately, I turned eighteen last month, just in time mating season, and my mother is beyond excited. I’m the only girl and the youngest out of five. My two oldest brothers are mated and living with their families, so it’s just me, Henry, and Finn. Henry and Finn are twins and they hate mating season. This is their third time and they always waste this time turning away girls.

“Are you almost done, Ellie?” My mother yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

“Yes, I just need help with the zipper.”

It sounded like my mother ran up the stairs to help me and was knocking on my door in seconds.

“My baby looks so beautiful in her gown.”

“Please don’t make this out to be a big deal.”

“My baby is growing up. This is a big deal. I hope you find a mate tonight. I feel like this time is always more stressful for us girls. We are expected to be prim and proper to get a male’s attention.”

Mates are not chosen for us and romance books have it all wrong, even though they are fun to read. We get to choose our mate and the bond comes later after the marking. Mating season is a time to help us find someone we can see being our mate. Sometimes they don’t work out, but we have to take chances, right?

“Let’s get you downstairs. Bennet will be here soon.”

Bennett is my best friend, and it’s his first season as well. We agreed to walk with each other to make it easier for me. Bennett doesn’t need help. He knows how to make girls swoon and has plenty of experience dating, unlike me. I’m awkward and I don’t know how to handle a guy’s interest. It’s probably because I’ve had no one interested in me.

By the time I got downstairs, Ben was waiting for me, talking to Henry and Finn.

“I thought you two had left already.”

“We don’t want to go, so we are procrastinating,” Finn stated.

“Henry and Finn are the spitting image of our father and are every bit of good looking. Girls in school ask me to pass their I formation on to them, but I say no and move on.”

“We thought we would walk with you and Ben,” Henry added.

“More the merrier.”

Ben briefly frowned, but flashed a smile just as quickly. I have to ask him about that, but now we have to go before we’re late.

***

The dance hall was already packed, and it seemed like everyone was already inside.

“If you need anything, mind link us,” Finn said.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll be a good wallflower tonight.”

“You are far too pretty to be decorating a wall.”

“And you’re getting too old to turn females away.”

Finn shot me a glaring look before turning around and leaving Ben and me alone.

“What are we supposed to do?” I asked.

Ben shrugged his shoulders. “We can dance if you’re up for it.”

“Dancing might be fun and if I dance with you first, maybe I won’t be so nervous.”

I’ll still be nervous, but I don’t want to say no to Bennett because we promised we would make tonight easier for the both of us and if he wants to dance, then I’ll dance with him. It was almost like the universe had heard us because the DJ switched to a slow song. Ben grabbed my hand and led me to the middle of the floor. He placed one arm around my waist while the other one held my hand.

“I didn’t know you were a dancer.”

“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me, El.”

“I doubt it. We’ve known each other since we were three.”

Ben chuckled. “Doesn’t mean you know everything about me.”

“Tell me one thing I don’t know about you.”

“I’ve been crushing on a girl.”

I let out a gasp.

“Who is it? Do I know her?”

“You know her, but I’m not ready to admit to who it is.”

“No fair. You’re an information tease.”

Ben had a way of making me feel at ease. He didn’t care what people thought, and when he talked to me; I had his undivided attention.

Once the song was over, we walked towards the refreshment table for drinks. We were there only for a few seconds before Amira approached Ben.

“Would you like to dance with me?” She asked.

Ben looked at me and then looked at Amira.

“Don’t worry about me. Remember my plan of being a wallflower. Well, I can only be a wallflower if you leave me alone.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded at him and took his drink out of his hands and sat it down.

“Go have fun.”

Amira has liked Ben for the past four years and he has been ignoring it, but honestly, I think they would make a cute couple. I stood there watching Ben and Amira dance in beat to the song playing. Amira is so happy and Ben looks like he is actually having fun.

“Eleanor James, is that really you?”

I turned around and was surprised by who was talking to me. I bowed my head and before I could greet him; he lifted my head.

“I’m not the Alpha yet, so don’t treat me like one.”

“I’m sorry.”

Atlas Foster was standing in front of me, casually talking to me.

“Your father and mother didn’t announce you were coming home.”

“I graduated early and surprised them.”

He spent the last three and half years studying out of the country and, as far as I know, this was his first mating season at home.

“You came home in enough time to enjoy the mating season.”

“Unfortunately. I didn’t think that through. I wanted some time before girls were thrown at me. Some times it sucks being responsible for the pack.”

“I have thought of that. All we see are the perks.”

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to ruin your night. You’re probably here with someone, and I’m stealing your time away from them.”

“I’m actually alone, and my plan was to stand off to the side and ignore everyone. I don’t really want to be here, anyway. It’s out of my comfort zone and I doubt I’ll find anyone.”

“Why? You look beautiful, and I noticed guys glancing at you all night.”

My face got hot, and I knew I was blushing.

“Thank you for being nice, but you don’t have to tell me lies.”

“I’m just stating the facts. Anyway, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you and your brothers. Henry and Finn stayed local for their training.”

“And what about you?”

“I actually just graduated early from high school and I’m trying to figure out what I want to do.”

“So I’m assuming you’re eighteen since you’re here?”

“Yup. My first season and I’m going to dread every year after this if I don’t find someone, but part of me actually doesn’t want to find someone because I don’t think I’m ready to be a stay-at-home parent.”

Atlas let out a laugh. “Not all females are stay at home mothers, some of them work.”

“I know, but having children is not on the agenda right now. Maybe in five years.”

Atlas nodded.

“Sorry for rambling. I don’t know why I brought up having children. I didn’t mean to make you feel awkward.”

“Nonsense. It’s refreshing. I have to go. I hope to see you around later. It was nice talking to you.”

Before I could say bye, he leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Have a good not Eleanor.”

Was the future Alpha flirting with me? Wait, that can’t be possible, I’m not his type or the type to be a Luna. He must flirt like this with all the ladies, and that’s why everyone likes him.