Mason and Ariana

"So... How do you being a princess of your own kingdom and your mate being beta to the crown prince affect your relationship?" Maddison asked her new friend.

A few days after the packs' arrival everyone put all their time into training and war tactics. The Queen mothers set up safe routes for the helpers and themselves within the castle. Few guards were selected for this.

During the time of their meticulous planning, the girls have become closer and created a tight bond.

Maddie, Emma, and Ariana were standing on the sidelines of the training grounds watching over the mock-fights between vamps and wolves. Their training finished early and they decided to learn a few things from the warriors.

Ariana watched Mason in wolf form as he approached his vampire counterpart ready to mock fight. She hasn't thought of their living arrangements after the war, she was focused on proving to him that she wanted him. That she accepted him as her beloved. Her loyalty was now split in two for her kingdom and her beloved.

"I..I..... I don't know. We are... We just got things settled between us and... I don't know. I can't let him chose between his family and me. I know whom he would choose if it comes to that" she said solemnly and gave Emma a weak smile.

"Mason has been longing for this since he became of age he is as loyal to you as he is to me," Emma said squeezing her hand reassuringly. Ariana still had her doubts and it brought it an air of sadness over the three. "Sorry for bringing it up. It's just that your mating is rare. Two high positioned supernaturals being mates? It could be a blessing or a downfall" Maggie mused.

Ariana looked back at Mason and was awed by his fighting techniques as he shifted between wolf and human at his advantage to weaken the vampire. Being by her uncle's side she knew that took great discipline and connection with one's wolf. Her beloved was a strong and respected beta among the wolves around them even her father and uncle approved of him.

She smiled at him when he looked her way and sent a small wave.

'Do I choose my birthright? Or be with my beloved as his mate and beta female?' Ariana thought to herself.

"To us its a blessing. It binds our two kingdoms and strengthens us. Also, a bigger family" Emma said putting her arms around Ariana. Maddie giggled at the two as they toppled over on the grass.

A playful bark stopped their laughter as they saw Mason in wolf form sitting before them panting and looking at them expectantly. Ariana blushed as Mason licked her face in pure adoration, he then bowed his head to her waiting for her to touch him.

"His wolf is waiting for your acceptance of him," Maddie said smiling at the sight.

Ariana stroked his head loving the feel of his golden-brown fur, she didn't quite understand how man and wolf are two different personalities in one body but having a werewolf mate she was beginning to understand.

Mason nudged for her to get up in which she did, he gave her a short bark and gestured to the lake and began to walk to it. She followed him after he took a pair of basketball shorts and led the way.

When they made it to the lake, Mason went behind the wild bushes and shifted, walking out he went hesitantly to his mate. He was nervous in what he and his wolf wanted to ask of her, after seeing her with Emma and the way his pack adored her he knew it was right to ask.

"Hi," he said softly sitting next to her. She turned to him in a quick motion causing her brown locks to flip over her shoulder. A bright smile lit up her face causing Mason's heart to beat faster.

"Hey," she said reaching for his hand, he immediately took hers into his and held on tightly.

"Ana, I'm happy that you want to give this a chance. Well, we're both happy well more like ecstatic, having my mate is the one thing I longed for after my mother died. I wanted someone to love me and be there when I'm at my best and worst only my mate I wanted for that position" he said to her.

Ariana felt his words which touched her deeply, he needed her. He wanted her.

"I know we haven't been out on a date or Ummm....... Spent a great deal of time together but I ... Well, my wolf and I would like to claim you as ours?" He said to her.

Ariana gasped at what he was asking. She knew for a wolf to claim his mate by marking her was a sign of commitment; being his one and only. To start a life together.

To start a new life with him.

"Mason you marking me would please me so much but I ... I ... My mind is saying different....." She started to say.

Mason slowly got to his feet and kept his head low, "You don't want me, do you? I've given myself to you and now you're back at the doubting game in your head huh" he said quietly. Ariana quickly went to him but he stepped away from her awaiting her second rejection but it never came.

"Don't do this. Mason, I do want you. I want forever with you but... I don't know how all this is gonna work out." She said with pleading eyes. His brows furrowed in confusion for a second then he looked at her with understanding.

"Have you decided what you want to do?" He asked. She moved closer to him when he didn't move that time, it gave her confidence to wrap her arms around his waist. Mason and his wolf released a contented sigh and wrapped his arms around her. Holding her he felt completed, 'is this how Emma feels when she holds Michael' he thought to himself.

"It hasn't crossed my mind until a few minutes ago. I don't know what to do." She said taking in his scent. She was distracted by his warm scent that she didn't notice he moved them to a shaded cool area surrounded by flowers.

"Do you know how special you are to me in this short time I've found you?" He asked softly while lifting her head up so he can look into her eyes.

She blushed at how deeply he gazed into her eyes like he was memorizing every feature of her.

Ariana shook her head to answer his question, her body was yearning for his touch from being held so close to his muscular chest.

"Our start was rough but that won't affect what we could have in the future. I've loved my mate since I've been told of them so don't be surprised when I say you're special to me." He said kissing her cheek.

Ariana froze in his hold from his words. 'I'm his mate and he loved me before he even knew me' she thought to herself.

"You love me? " she squeaked out and came out of his hold.

Mason thought back to what he said and looked at his surprised little mate, 'Mate worth a thousand heartaches till she loves us too' his wolf said to him. He agreed with his wolf, Ariana may not love him as he loves her but he would wait until the day she says it. He would show her how much he is willing to care for her, protect her, love her.

"Yes, I do Ana. You're mine. You're my mate to love" he said with all the honesty in his words.

"But I hurt you so bad," she said confused. "Yes you did but that won't change the fact that I love you. Love is also pain. It makes those two people stronger." He said stroking her cheek with the back of his hand.

Ariana got lost in his eyes as she realized how true her beloved was; she was sure he won't hurt her the way she believed he would. What her friend Stephanie went through with her wolf mate shouldn't affect what she has now with Mason.

"I'm sorry for being so stupid. I shouldn't let my friends' bad experience with their mates get to me." She said leaning into his touch.

"It's alright let's just focus on our future. Just you and I" Mason said lowering his lips to hers.

She smiled against his lips and gave in to her beloved. His touch felt like heaven on her body, he was gentle with his touch but he showed his possessiveness and passion in his kisses. Pure ecstasy.

Her fingers ran through his hair tugging it gently, he got the message that she wanted more, it pleased him greatly. His wolf was on edge and tried to take over. He wanted to claim her now.

Mason lowered her to the ground, making sure she was comfortable, he hovered over her and started to place soft kisses all over her face, loving her breathy moans. He moved to behind her ears, gaining a soft moan from her lips. His hands wandered to her exposed stomach, with each touch across her soft skin she shuddered in delight and pleasure.

Her hands explored his muscled back, tracing every muscle that flexed when he moved over her. Mason itched to touch her everywhere but wish to respect her. Ariana gasped as she felt his arousal near her core it was prominent with only their clothes as a barrier.

She never felt like this before, so heated, grinding against his hardening shaft they both let out loud moans of want. "Ana. Please don't do that." He grounded out. Even if he wanted to take her there he couldn't, he wanted her first time with him to be special.

"But I want you, baby. Please" she begged. The pleasure what she got from their dry-humping only left her wanting more.

"Fuck" he hissed out as she placed her hand on his shaft. His wolf was close.

In one quick movement, he held her hands above her head and used his other hand to lower her yoga pants. Her panties were soaked with her arousal, the scent of it drove him wild. Gently he stroked the lips of her core which had her arching her body for more of his touch.

"I'm going to make you cum right here for me. Let me make you feel good, my beautiful princess" he whispered in her ear as he entered her core with his index finger.

Her juices coated his finger like a blanket, in and out he began his teasing she thrust her hips following him. His kisses were wilder, he released her hands and placed one on his shaft and guided her in a slow jerking motion.

"You feel so fucking good, my Ana" he growled in her ear. Her soft hands on his member had him in a frenzy just as she followed his hand he did the same with her.

They both were in synced in pleasing each other their release was near.

'Claim mate now' Mason's wolf ordered. He didn't hesitate to do so, finding the perfect spot at the curve of her neck, Mason marked his vampire mate just as she climaxed.

The euphoria of her release and being claimed took Ariana on a sexual high, she didn't want to come down from. Distantly she heard Mason's sweet words as he lazily stroked her, he sounded sated also then she noticed he, too released all over her hand. She blushed at their position in which he gave her a cheeky grin.

"You are now mine," he said licking his mark. "Yours" she groaned letting the pleasurable waves took over.

Mason knew that now he can never let her go, Ariana was now his world. Wherever she goes he would too.