I could see crystal-clear waters beyond the horizon. The trees swayed in the cool ocean breeze. Mark held my hand, and we turned towards the right, where we walked through an archway of roses.
Upon crossing the archway, I came upon the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.
A white gazebo!
It was surrounded by my favourite flowers. I smiled at it because this scene was so beautiful.
“What is all this, Mark?” I asked.
“Come on,” he said, taking my hand, and we walked inside the gazebo.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“Who wouldn’t? But why?” I asked, puzzled.
“Oh!! Look over there!” He suddenly blurted it out.
I turned but saw nothing. “I don’t see anything.”
“Then turn around, and you will see something shining.”
Confused, I turned back to Mark. He was now on one knee and holding the most gorgeous ring I had ever seen. I was shocked is an understatement. My wolf shook her head in disapproval. Mark was just a distraction and a bedwarmer for her. She only wanted her mate. Ignoring my wolf, I covered my mouth in surprise. He took my shaking hand and looked deep into my hazel eyes, which were filled with confusion rather than joyful tears.
“Alice, from the first moment I saw you, I thought you were the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I thought to myself. I must get to know her more. I am so glad I did. You complete me in so many ways. You inspire me more than you ever know. I love you so much. I am incomplete without you. You are my queen. And so, here I am on one knee, asking for my girl’s hand in marriage. Honey, will you do me the honour and be my wife? Let me be your husband.”
“Damm!” I thought.
I loved Mark, but there was so much to tell him. He did not know who or what I was.
“Mark… I… this is so sudden… I stammered, looking for the words.
His face fell, and I could not continue.
“You don’t love me?”
“I do. I love you, Mark, but there is so much you don’t know about me… I….” I was suddenly tongue-tied.
“Don’t you think we should wait for some more time?” I was panicking now.
“I want you just the way you are, Alice; we can spend our whole lives getting to know each other.”
Mark stood up, and from the way he looked at me, I felt my heart melt. He looked miserable. His words touched my heart in more ways than one. I was not looking for a mate anyway, and Mark was simply perfect.
“Yes, I will marry you, Mark,” I said.
Mark smiled with joy. He slipped the sparkling ring onto my finger. He then cupped my face and kissed me so passionately that I forgot my worries at that moment. I wrapped my arms around his masculine body. He pulled me down on the blanket, and we made out underneath the gazebo for a long time.
*******
“You got engaged!” Emma shouted loud enough to force me to mute the laptop.
“Does he know what you are?” She asked.
“I was about to tell him but… I bit my lips nervously. I was so screwed.
“Alice, you know there is a wolf or someone out there who is your mate.”
“There she goes again,” I thought.
“Emma, I am 24 years old. If I had a mate, I would have found him by now. I love Mark. He is the person I want to be with. I prefer not to be forced into loving someone just because fate decided it. Besides, I hate those possessive alphas. I don’t think I can live like that!”
“I was not forced into loving Bobby; I love him with all my heart,” Emma grumbled.
“I am sure you do. I am not talking about you, Emma. I know what I want. I think I will be happy with Mark.” I said it stubbornly.
“What if you come across your mate?” Emma was still persistent.
“Then I will reject him.”
“It’s not that simple, Alice; your wolf will force you to accept him. And the sex… well, you do not know what sex with your mate feels like., “She grinned.
I smirked. “How do you know? You have only slept with Bobby since you turned 18.”
I was not too experienced myself; apart from Mark, I had just one boyfriend in high school. I found out he was cheating on me just the next day after we did it for the first time. He would never cheat on anyone again. I made sure of that. Being a werewolf has its perks.
“I know how mate bond works; you don’t.” Emma snapped back at me.
I rolled my eyes. “Fine, you win, but can we end this conversation now?”
I knew better than to argue with a mated wolf. They were fanatically protective of their mates. I prayed I would never find my mate.
Aunt Flora is what one would refer to as eccentric. Most keepers are eccentric. It is difficult being different. The ability to see and deal with the supernatural comes with some drawbacks. One of them being loneliness. Aunt Flora has a phantom lover, that is what she claims. I have never seen him, though. Werewolves do not have the power to see ghosts, but she is very sweet, so I humoured her.
Currently, she was shaking her head when I told her about Mark’s proposal.
“Your mate won’t like it,” she replied, shaking her head.
Aunt Flora was 50, though she looked around 35. She was pretty with her short red hair and elegant dressing sense. She reminded me of Jack Kennedy. Though I think an aunt is prettier.
“But, aunt, I don’t want a mate,” I tried to reason.
“Nonsense, all wolves want their mate. It is known. Poor Mark, he will be so broken-hearted,” she said with a gloomy face.
“Why would Mark be heartbroken?” I asked, surprised.
“He is not your mate. Once you find your mate, you will no longer be with Mark.” She said matter-of-factly.
I rolled my eyes. “can I go for a run? Lana is getting snarky.” I said, referring to my wolf.
“Yeah, go ahead, just stay away from a neighbouring property,” she waved her hand dismissively as she was having a conversation with her boyfriend!
I wondered how she explained a wolf on her estate. Probably, she claimed to own a giant dog.
I stripped off my clothes and shifted into a brown wolf as I ran into the frosty night. The first snow of the year was falling, and the field was covered with a dusting of white powder. I did not feel cold, though. My thick fur protected me from the English winter.
*******
The flight announced its landing, and I squirmed sleepily in my seat. I was finally home. One good thing about Florida is that it enjoys the mildest winters in the United States. The days are typically sunny and warm, while the nights are a little cooler. I collected my luggage and, as expected, my entire family was there to greet me.
“Alice!” Emma ran towards me as Martha, Thomas, and Linda followed.
After a round of hugs and kisses, I was bundled into one of the several waiting cars, and we started for home.
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