23

~Lou Wilson~

"He didn't even notice me. He could at least say hello to his sister," I scolded. It's all well and good that he just found his mate and I'm really happy for Lucian, but he seems to have completely forgotten me.

"Don't blame him, Lou. That's how we wolves are when we've found our mate. Everyone else becomes unimportant and only the mate counts." Alex said dreamily. His gaze was focused on Zara.

"Don't worry, I'll give you my undivided attention," Linus joked.

"Hey you really want to die don't you?" Alex said amused.

I just shook my head at it and then my gaze followed the door through which Arian disappeared with the others a few minutes ago. My brother and Felia had also gone in there, just like the other Lunas. Just me standing out here.

Does Arian even want me involved in something like this?

I quickly shook off the thought. Even though I'm his Luna, I'm not very keen on standing by his side right now. I'm surprised Lucian didn't kill him after he broke my heart.

"Want one too?" Zara slid into view and held out some chocolate muffins.

Exactly at that moment I got an incredible appetite, so I gratefully took two of the three pastries from her.

Immediately the first bite landed in my mouth.

"Mmm, that's delicious," I munched. Who baked these divine muffins? They really suit me right now.

Zara next to me laughed out loud.

"Actually, one was meant for Alex, but don't worry."

"Donke," I munched on and was almost done with the first one.

Where did this sudden appetite come from? But these things were also incredibly delicious.

After I ate the second one, I promptly made my way to the buffet. There really were a lot of smaller delicacies here, which the pack members used to satisfy their hunger pangs. I agree. Again and again I grabbed small things when I passed them. Cheese skewers, meatballs, sausage rolls and baguette slices with bruschetta.

I really liked the yummy smelling hot chocolate. I was just taking my first sip when a familiar scent appeared next to me.

"Lou!"

I turned and lowered the cup from my lips.

Next to me stood my brother and with him his new mate Felia, who smiled at me with red cheeks. How sweet...

"Hi Lucian." A smile formed on my lips despite what happened earlier. I've missed him far too much to be mad at him now, or for coming instead of my parents.

"Come here, little one." Lucian reached out his free arm to pull me into a half but tight hug. "I missed you. We didn't have enough time to say goodbye."

"I know..."

"Actually, I wanted to ask you how you're doing here in the new pack, but apparently you're well taken care of." He pointed to my warm cocoa in my hand, which I almost spilled when I hugged him.

"But no seriously, how are you? I mean after all the action that happened at home and the long time you haven't come home." This time his voice turned serious, as well as concerned.

"It's going ok. Arian and I still have our disagreements, but he's willing to put up with me." I explained a little sadly.

"Then why so sad?" Lucian raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"It's just that I feel like he only wants to be with me because of the mate band. Just because we can't live without each other. I don't feel like he loves me."

"That's coming. Yes, maybe it's the mate bond that draws you together at first, but I'm sure he'll fall madly in love with you before long if he's not already."

"How do you want to know that, please, Mr. Smart-ass?"

Lucian looked down at his mate who was staring back at him with wide eyes. "I know," he said, lowering his voice and putting a small smile on his lips that Felia returned.

Will Arian ever look at me like Lucian does at Felia?

I looked down at my now cold cup. Great, I can't even do that.

Since I wasn't particularly keen on cold cocoa anymore, I simply put the cup back on a free spot on the table. Somehow I just completely lost interest in this event.

Seeing Lucian so in love with Felia blew my mind. Besides, Lucian isn't a mum either.

Oh gods how much I miss her. She always had good advice and always stayed on task. Why couldn't she come here today?

I made my way to the exit, unable to hold back the few tears that now adorned my cheeks.

Why am I so emotional now?

Great, now I'm homesick too. But that's probably normal when you live on another continent overnight.

My steps quickened once I was out of the ballroom. As soon as I was in the forest, I gave a shit about my clothes and transformed.

My head has been just too full lately. This whole mate thing was killing me. Why can't it just be normal and as uncomplicated as others? Why do I have to be this fucking protagonist of this story? Life is not fair.

I picked up the pace as I sped through the forest.

All you could see between the dark wood of the trees was my snow-white fur, which just shone in the sun that shone through between the treetops.

A feeling of freedom welcomed me and so I became faster and faster without paying attention to where I was going. I just didn't care. I just wanted to be liberated from my complicated life for once, even if it is short-lived.

When I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking, I was stopped abruptly.

Everything went so fast. My whole body was being spun around until I was suddenly caught in a net looking down at the ground a few meters below me.

Shit, where did I get myself into this time?