Chapter 11: Mates

**Alice’s Point of view**


We all look at each other, without understanding. What the hell just happened?
"I don't understand." Says Melanie, keeping her eyes on the less muscular boy. He also doesn't leave her off the glance. His grey eyes under his frank of long brown hair hold a thousand emotions. I've seen this before when Elliot knew he was my mate and I was his enemy.  
Melanie also looks both happy and sad. "I thought you were a Silver."
"I thought that YOU were a Silver."
"No. I'm the future Gamma of the Blue Moon pack."
"And I'm the future Gamma of the Red Moon pack."
"Wait." I cut them off. "You two know each other?"
They exchange a look and Melanie starts to explain. "Yes, Simon and I worked together last year."
"Wait, you just got to college so you were still in high school then?" Simon interjects. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't ask. We didn't ask what pack we were from either. It seemed so obvious that they wouldn't put a Red and a Blue together."
"And can what the hell you’re talking about?" The muscular guy asks coldly.
"We were supposed to use things more respectful of the environment on the campus. We had to reduce the carbon footprint on campus by using electricity generated by solar panels, reducing food waste, and so on. It was a big job and there were four of us working on it." Says Simon.
"We worked together but separately. We called each other by video if we needed to, but we each had our tasks." Continues Melanie.  
"Let me guess." Says Elliot. "You guys liked each other, right? You became friends without knowing why, right?" He adds, looking me straight in the eye. 
They both nod before turning their attention to us. Suddenly, Melanie seems to understand, her eyes darting back and forth between Elliot and me. "No, it can't be. I can't believe he's your mate!"
Elliot raises an eyebrow. "You told them."
"Of course not! They're just imagining things, that's all."
"How's that: mate?" Growls the big guy. 
We look at each other awkwardly. Elliot speaks first. "Kinda like Melanie and Simon, we knew each other without knowing who we are for each other." 
"We found out later that we were mate." I continue. 
"And at that point ..."
"... We were already..."
"Friends." 
Silence falls. "This is a joke!" Yells Owen. "The Moon Goddess must be playing a trick on us! She can't bind us all."
"What do you mean she can't bind us all?" Simon asks. "Owen?"
He doesn't answer and glares at Sam, whom I see swallowing.
"Raptor?" He asks, looking at Owen.
We all look at each other without understanding. "I think we've been playing League of Legends together for years. Don't you recognize my voice?" Asks Sam.
"Of course I do! After all this time I'd know it anywhere. But you're not my mate."
"Owen..."
"No! I am not gay! Give me your full name."
Sam has tears in his eyes. "Please. Don't do this."
"I have to reject you. We all have to do it. We're supposed to be the futures Alphas, Betas, and Gammas of our packs that are enemies. We can never be together and you all know it."
"So you don't want me?" Sam asks in a small voice.
"I just explained to you that we don't even have to ask that question."
"That reminds me oddly of someone else's reasoning." Says Elliot.
I sigh. There he goes again. "I already explained to you that it's impossible."
"Well, we agree on one thing." Owen says, nodding his head at me. 
"Excuses, that's what it is!" Melanie says. "It's too late anyway. We already said 'mate' out loud."
"That doesn't mean we can't reject each other now." I declare darkly. Elliot, Simon, Sam and Melanie seem about to argue but I cut them off.
"Let's say we all mate and mark. Elliot will become the Alpha of our two packs, and I will become the Luna, which I refuse. Who will be the Beta? Owen or Sam? They both can. One of you is willing to give up his title? Melanie, you will not be Gamma. That role will go to Simon because he is the male. Like me, you've worked too hard to earn your title to just let it go like that. Right? 
Now let's say we find a magic solution that works for everyone. Do you really think our parents who have been at war with each other for years are just going to accept all this?" I shake my head. "Let's face it. It's never going to happen."  
"I disagree." Elliot snaps. "I trust the Moon Goddess. Already our wolves' complementarity was troubling, but that our Betas and Gammas are mates can't be a coincidence. I am convinced that our packs must come together."
"Why? And why now?" Asks Sam. 
"I think that's for us to figure out." Says Simon gently.
"No! My father will dismiss me if he finds out!" Shouts Owen, clenching his fists. "I'll lose my title and no one can take my place."
We look at him without understanding and it's Elliot who explains to us that they are all only children. Surprised, Sam, Melanie and I exchange a glance and explain to them that we also have no siblings. By discussing a little more, we realize that all our parents are also only children. So we have no cousin, uncle or aunt who can take over our role. 
"I agree that it's getting weirder and weirder. Do you think this is another Moon Goddess trick?" Owen asks.  
Elliot raises an eyebrow. "Finally you believe in my little theory?" He asks in a mocking tone. "But yes, I'm even more convinced. She's got a plan and the fact that we don't have a family pushes us even more to accept our bond."   
"It still doesn't tell us why." Sam resumes, but I have my own idea. 
"Maybe to protect us from an outside threat. The proof is that we've been attacked by rogues for weeks now." I say as I look at Elliot and see that he understands my message. 
"That makes sense." Simon adds. 
We see people walking by in the distance and we hide behind some trees. 
"We shouldn't be seen together." I say in a whisper. "It's best to split up and think about what we're going to do."
"It's all seen." Owen says, glaring at Sam with disgust. I can still see the tears welling up in his eyes. Although like Owen I don't believe we can be together, but that's no reason to make the other suffer by talking to him like garbage.
"Apologize." I growl.
"Sorry?"
"I said: Apologize."
He stands up and towers over me. "Or what?"