29.
**Emma**
Waking up the following morning in Michael's arms I had a silly grin on my face. I looked at the ring on my hand as the sun shone on it, it created a beautiful display on the ceiling as I moved it against the sunlight.
At 17, I've found my mate who loves me unconditionally and willing to commit to me in the most sacred way. Wonder what will happen when I turn 18.
'Beauty. Are you up?' Noah asked cautiously. 'Yeah. How's Mase?' I asked hurriedly.
'He's up. We are in the kitchen with everyone.' He replied.
He's alright. Thank you moon spirits. I eased out of Michael's hold and made my way to the bathroom. A sharp pain coursed through the lower part of my body for a millisecond then left. Strange, probably mother nature coming soon.
'I don't think so. Your heat is coming soon' Alia said. I stopped midway of brushing my teeth. I've heard of she-wolves going into heat, it's painful when their mates are not near. Their arousal grows stronger that it attracts any un-mated males, their mates get more possessive, and only they can ease the heat of their she-wolf. Heat is also when the female is very fertile. I was definitely not ready for a pup.
'Michael is always by our side. A simple touch can ease the pain. The full mating part can wait. If you two want to, Alia said. I rolled my eyes at her teasing.
I can always count on Alia to ease my worries and calm my fears as I do for her.
'Because we are one' she said happily. Once Alia is happy, I'm happy.
After a quick shower I went out in the room to get dressed, Michael was still asleep. Poor thing probably tired from yesterday. He did put a lot of thought into our date, well our proposal date. I'm engaged. That feeling would always amaze me.
I made my way down to the kitchen. The whole family was there talking among themselves and fixing their own breakfast. Family. I smiled at the people who took the boys and me in, who would have thought I would be their son's mate. The moon goddess and her coincidences.
I spotted Mason eating by the island and I quickly ran to him, he sensed me coming and turn just in time to wrap me in his arms. "Heard you were worrying like a doting grandma" he teased kissing my temple.
"I'm allowed. You're all I have now from the pack plus you happen to be my 'brother'" I said grinning up at him.
"Only you Emmy," he said hugging me again.
I was about to sit when I heard the most excitement-filled screams in my life. I literally fell to the floor while the guys covered their ears.
My heart was beating faster than the energizer bunny.
"WHAT IS IT? WHERE'S EMMA?" came the shouts of Michael by the door. How in the world did he get down here so fast? Looking up I saw he was still in his sweatpants which hung low, his hair was in a sleepy mess with wild eyes searching the room.
"Down here" I called out getting up.
"You proposed. She said yes" Anna yelled excitedly. She was bouncing up and down clapping her hands like a trained seal waiting for his prize. Madison and Maxwell wore super-sized grins as they looked at Michael and I. Angelo's expression was the most heartwarming one. His eyes held pride and warmth as he looked my way.
Michael's arm came around my shoulder and pulled me closer to him, he was very tense as I felt it all melt away. Anna and Madison came over to see the ring. "Awwww its the ring you bought when you were sixteen" Anna cooed.
"What?" Mason and the twins asked confused.
"On his sixteenth birthday, we asked Michael what he wanted as a gift. He didn't say what he wanted, he simply asked us to come along with him to a jewelry store, talked to the salesgirl then she brought out the ring. He said his gift would be that ring for his mate because she will be the greatest gift ever." Angelo said lost in memories. Michael's arms tighten around my shoulders as the love radiate through our link.
I turned to my brothers smiling but it instantly fell as I saw the look on Mason's face. The twins wore an approving smile but it was Mason's hurt look made my heart sank.
"Happy for you Emmy," he said with a tight smile and left the room.
Why wasn't my best friend happy for me? Did I do something wrong?
I hid my sad look as I focus back into the conversation before I excused myself.
I found Mason in his room blankly staring at the wall. Sitting next to him, he flinched as our hands touched. My heart actually pained me at the little act of rejection.
"How could you?" He asked finally.
"What?" I asked confused.
"How can you move on from Aiden so quickly. You've only been mates with Michael for what 2... 4...days? You've been with Aiden for more than two years Emma. Did you ever love him?" Mason spat angrily at me.
I wasn't heartless to forget about Aiden but Michael... Michael is my forever the love I had for him was different from the one I have for Aiden.
Tears filled my eyes as I came to the conclusion that Mason assumes I was using his best friend.
"How could you think like that? I've loved Aiden since we were kids. He is still my first love but we knew this day would come, Mason. Everyone warned us about it. Michael is my mate, he's the one I will spend my life with. Don't you dare think I never loved Aiden because I still do. He's one of my best friends. Since we left Moon Dust you two were all I ever thought about. I may not show my worry and fear for my two best friends that's because I had to be strong and calm. Damn it, Mason, it hurts like a bitch knowing they have Aiden just to get to me. He's hurting because of me," I shouted at him tears blurring my vision.
No response. He kept staring at wall jaw clenched tight, tears rolling down his cheek.
"My love for Aiden was and still is real but not in the same capacity you think. My love for Michael is entirely different. I'm not talking about the typical love between mates but a love that has me wanting to make sure he's happy, protected. A love that makes me feel wanted and safe. I've never had that with Aiden because of what we had to go through with everyone. I wasn't truly happy, Mase and I am now. Please understand. This was bound to happen sooner or later. Aiden was my first love but Michael will be my last and only love." I said softly.
"Would he? Would he understand that the girl he was willing to reject his mate for is happier with her own mate?" He asked coldly. My eyes widen at the possibility of Aiden doing something so cruel and disrespectful to Mother.
"Aiden will never do that. "
"You are so naive, Em. The whole pack saw how much love he had for you it was bigger than what you have for him. Did you know he and his wolf wanted to claim you as theirs when he came back home?"
"No. He said he understood that's why I was easily pulling away. I was ready for my mate," I said trying to make sense of what he was saying.
He shook his head and looked at me. "Emma, he wanted you as his mate, his love, his Luna but you know why he couldn't do it?" He asked tears running down his cheek.
I shook my head 'no' as my body racked with sobs.
"He was in love with the princess. Claiming you as his, would not only make your true mate turn from you but you won't be able to take the throne. He was thinking about you foremost. A royal can only have their true mate with them on the throne. It is forbidden for any non-chosen wolf to be mated with a royal. It will end the bloodline." He said softly.
Why haven't I seen this? Was I so ready to meet Michael that I failed to actually pay attention to Aiden? Why would he lie to me about being ready to call it quits once we find our mates?
"I'm sorry Emma. I didn't mean to ruin your morning but seeing you happy with Michael hurt me just as I know it will hurt Aiden. I'm so used to you and him. Not you and Michael." He apologized after a moment of my cries and his silent tears.
I didn't say anything in return, drying my tears I kissed his cheek and left the room.
For the rest of the day, I spent it alone in my room, not even wanting Michael nor my brothers near. Our links were blocked so they resorted to speaking through the door. Aiden was my focus. I do love him but I was irrevocably in love with Michael. Am I making any sense? We both knew we will find our mates and accepted that fact. Why didn't he tell me he would reject his for me?
'To us, it's understandable but not to Mason' Alia said whimpering. I sighed and snuggled deeper into the blankets.
"I'm sorry Aiden," I whispered wishing he was near so we can talk it out. First I would have to get him back.
"Emma, love. You have to eat please" The sound of my mate's voice brought me back to reality. His voice sounded hollow and tired. I looked at the clock. 6 pm. I was hungry but didn't want to face everyone. I needed to be alone and sort my thoughts, search my heart to where it belongs.
I went to open the door and there stood the place where it belongs. Lips met mine desperately with passion. With love. Weakly I held my mate, crying into his shoulder as he positioned me on his waist and carried me to bed.
My heart will never be the same, it belonged to Michael but was broken for hurting my first love.
I didn't know how long I was in Michael's arms until I fell asleep. The night was filled with memories of Aiden and me before the attack. Would he forgive me?
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