Mom and dad
Relationships are complicated; it doesn't matter whether one is human or not. His parents were completely unknown to him but their love wasn't. His adopted parents took great care in protecting and loving him as their own. They are the keepers or link between humans and werewolves. Legend is that once there was a great friendship between a man and an alpha. So much respect was given to the guy that he was like a part of the family. But one day he was wrongfully accused as a hunter and was killed the Alpha grieved his death so much that his family was given the title of the keeper. So they are safe from both humans and werewolves. It is unforgivable for wolves to kill a keeper. Not very powerful but their speciality is that they live much more than an average human. But they don't have any other special ability or immortality. They will live long but are easily fragile like any human being.
His parents knew about his wolf nature; they did a huge favor for the Alpha by accepting the child who was a threat to himself and everyone around him. They home schooled him worrying that he would shift accidentally in front of the others. Lorraine and Tom were childless but the arrival of Aidan filled their life with joy and fulfillment. They raised him giving the best of both worlds. Aidan learned a rare quality among the wolves, especially Alphas that's to respect everyone whether human or wolf. Today is one of the days he missed them both since it was a day of family and togetherness. Even Though he thought of the pack as his family he missed his parents.
He had strictly instructed the guards not to follow him but his beta couldn't be dissuaded that easily. He was like his shadow. He had thought that it might change once he had his mate but he never had a mate. Liam too was without a mate he had a doubt both of them are remaining without a mate was somehow his fault. He felt cursed. Life without a mate may be hard but watching your mate die before his eyes again and again was more torture. He had blocked those memories a long time ago but sometimes it would crash on him when he was least suspecting like when he saw a pretty flower he thought about her. But it was getting less and less he was now waiting for it to disappear all together.
His beta was a little uncomfortable going outside the pack; he never felt this uneasy while going near the enemy tribes. The humans made him squeamish like rats to people. But he always went with him even when he decided to jump from the highest of the rock he was sure he would find his buddy right next to him. The distance was long since he didn't shift; it was a rule he followed. While visiting his parents he would behave like a human son. He gets to run around in wolf form every day other than today. He could hear the knocking and cracking all the way where he was standing even in his human form since it was very loud. Tony winced at the banging sound but he only smiled. The house was decorated which might appear odd to neighbors but they usually never paid them any attention. "Are you done with the steak or will you spare anything for our son "? Lorraine was scolding her husband but got a befitting reply in return. "If this burnt steak is the one you're feeding him it's hardly a surprise he visits only once a year". Tony doubled down with laughter but he didn't feel like laughing because it had hurt him little to hear his father's words.
He gently went up the stairs and knocked on the door. Suddenly inside went quiet and after a little shuffling the door opened with a creek. It was none other than his mum. He gently kissed her cheek and got a warm smile in return. Then she hugged him fiercely and when he pulled back his eyes became wet too. He knew that he was failing his duty as a son. If he was human then he could have done everything differently. He could have a normal family but instead he was entrusted with the safety of many lives. He didn't hate it but he didn't want it either.
Once he was inside the familiar warmth engulfed him. His life as a boy and teenager burst before his eyes. The craving for that life was exhausting. He turned to his beta and general and said," I think you should return to the celebration, guys. I'm at my house, there is no threat here." Their facial expression showed a little reluctance but being the Alpha he has ordered and they have to follow. "It's for the safety of our pack, it's your job to protect them as well ", he said to him.
His parents didn't allow it at first but gave in soon. They too wanted a little time with him. As their only son, not as the Alpha of the Northern tribe. " Son, so what's this celebration for? " Lorraine asked him curiously. '' It's a special day mother, the legend says that moon goddess shows you your mate today. " Her face was hopeful now, " So did you meet anyone son"? , she asked. He wanted to roll his eyes because she didn't know everything that had happened to him. He prayed every day not to meet his mate because it always ended badly for him and her. "No mother , but I'm thinking of getting engaged ", he said quietly. His mother's face couldn't hide her surprise at this.
He could anticipate her next question so he answered carefully." I have to mother the pack. A Luna is as necessary as Alpha." He said more to himself than her. " I thought you guys were imprinted but I'm glad you are settling down". "Not always father ", he said, not wanting to continue the subject. He knew about my sad fate and of course I have even brought her to meet them every time. They were incredibly happy but the same destiny waited for us every time. But she was always the optimistic one among us, always believing this lifetime would be different making me almost feel the same. But I knew each time I saw her this was not going to last. I'm not that lucky to have her and unfortunately I was always right. But for her it was always known that our previous life was only memorable like a dream in the morning and could hardly remember anything, only bits and pieces. The last lifetime was the worst; she made some bad life choices. I didn't know why she did it. Maybe she didn't feel as loyal to me as I was to her.
"Son, are you ok?", my mother asked. I nodded my head. "Tell me what's ailing you ", she demanded. "Stop prodding, he will tell you if he wants", my father warned her. "Nothing dad, I was deciding when to announce my engagement ", I said it was a lie though. Thus made her happy her eyes were shining. I knew I was successful in diverting her. In reality I didn't want to announce it any time soon. I wanted to delay it as much as possible. I was only doing this because the pack somehow feels as if I wasn't respecting the moon goddess and in turn she was punishing all with the low birth rates. If she is truly a caring goddess why would she punish all for the wrong actions of someone else. Isn't she more of a devil than a goddess then?
I wanted to be away from my pack but in reality even though I'm physically away it's still in my thoughts. I have come here to spend some time with mom and dad but here I was neglecting them as usual. I tried and failed to listen to my mother as she was chattering over her new reading group. But she didn't say what kind of books she was reading. I looked back to my father who understood my plight and silently held an expression son I feel you which made me smile. But I could see that he was genuinely paying attention to what she said and his eyes held so much love for her. It made me think about my mate the first time I had met her. I was truly shook from inside like she was the one person for whom I was waiting all these years. I was over the moon and couldn't stay away from her not even for a second but that naive boy had changed. His faith in love and Goddess had long left him.
After the dinner they invited me to stay the night but I declined. I know I should have said yes but it wasn't right. I had promised myself one night away from the pack and I got that. It's not right or fair to both of them to be in one place and thinking about the other. I thought of bringing them to my pack but it won't be right pulling them away from their home only to make myself feel better. Besides I didn't think that I could devote any more time than I could now. They are happy here, mom with her book club and dad with his hunting expedition.
I wanted to walk by myself and also didn't want to scare the neighbors by sporting my wolf look. It was dead of the night no one was on the road apart from a few hooligans playing with beer bottles. They ignored me but I could see their real attention was on a shady diner almost as if they were waiting for someone which wasn't unusual. They were upto no good. But it was not my problem. Whatever problems humans make or face are theirs. I want no part of it. My skills are reserved for my pack alone. I didn't want to be burdened by saving humanity. Suddenly a bell rang. The cheap diner couldn't afford a door man. That must be the reason for the bell.
It was unusually windy today but my wolf existence helped me to keep warm. That's when a scent hit my nose so hard it gave me a shock I haven't got in my whole life. The scent was something I was very familiar with. I raised my nose towards the shady diner. I saw a fragile girl coming outside but there was no mistaking her. She was my mate. Her face was not visible because of her bangs. she even wore the same perfume. The moon goddess had finally brought her worst revenge that too on moon day. She was smirking at me from somewhere. I know how she had planned our perfect meeting. I couldn't ignore her as I planned on doing if and when I met her.
If I didn't save her she might probably die or worse get gang raped maybe right before my eyes. I know there is no chance for me. Not the way things have been rolling out. If I had my beta or Li I could have ordered them to save her and stayed away from her. I could either save her or watch her die. She was standing in front of the diner as if deciding what to do. Something told me this was not her first. I saw her hands which held a small bottle of pepper spray. Her small hands shivered but she held on it as if her life depended on it.
She slowly walked to the road and I knew it was now or never I couldn't even prepare my defense. My fight was definitely going to be intense and it was going to be between me and my wolf. She hasn't seen me yet. Her eyes were still on them. That's when I saw a beer bottle rolling toward me giving me the perfect opening.
