Chapter8

**ARIA**

“Then the thing with the Luna, is it also true ?” I ask her.

“Actually yes and no.” She swallows the mouthful of toast she had in her mouth. “She has a public function where she assists the Alpha during official ceremonies and when he is out of town or when members of other packs come here. She’s involved in community life, but many have careers on the side. More and more anyway.” She pauses. “But it’s not easy, especially when they become mothers afterward.”

“Okay,” I answer absently.

“I can’t even imagine what you’re going through right now. I was born into it so when I met David I felt everything and it was all clear to me. Finish your breakfast and I’ll introduce you to someone who can answer your questions.”

“I’m repeating myself but this is crazy. You know me, I’m a very careful person, physically and emotionally, and now two guys come into my life and tell me that I’m theirs and I should what? Choose between the two and live my whole life with one of them. On paper it’s great but I’m 21. I wish I had experienced more stuff.”

“You’re going to get to know Austin and you’re bound to develop feelings for him and everything will become natural. I’m sure it will.”

We continue to eat in silence. Don’t get me wrong I would have dreamed that a guy like Austin would be interested in me, I mean physically, he’s a knockout but I don’t know I find this situation strange. It’s probably because a naked guy told me I was his just before we met. I can’t wait to meet the mysterious person who is supposed to answer all my questions, because I have a lot of them.

Once we finish breakfast, we leave the pack house and walk towards the forest, after walking a few hundred yards, we come to a small house and Riley stops.

“I’ll let you in alone, she knows you’re here. I’m going to run while I wait.” She says to me with a wink and walks away.

Just as I am about to knock on the door, it opens. My hand hangs in the air and I am faced with a woman in her forties, with long blonde hair, and big blue eyes. I look her up and down and she is wearing jeans and a light blue blouse and pumps.

“Don’t tell me. You were expecting to see a witch with a black cape and a wart on her nose.” She tells me jokingly.

“Pretty much,” I reply embarrassed.

She opens the door wider and invites me in. It’s a cozy little house with rugs covering the floor, it has nice wooden furniture and lots of plants and flowers. It looks like a Pinterest photo.

“Come sit in the living room. Can I get you a coffee, tea, or lemonade? Or would you prefer a latte or a cappuccino? Or maybe ice coffee?”

“Wow, that’s a lot of choices.”

“I have fruit so I can make you a juice or a smoothie.”

“A latte would be great, thank you.”

I sit on the brown leather couch in her living room and take a moment to observe the decor and it’s pretty good. A few moments later, she returns with my latte and a smoothie.

“My name is Rosalie. I don’t know if Riley told you.”

“No, she hadn’t told me anything. Nice to meet you. I’m Aria.”

“I know. Everyone here knows.” She winks at me. “I was so looking forward to meeting you.” She takes a sip of her smoothie and follows up. “I’m a witch, I know you were wondering and I have the gift of being able to see the future but beware I don’t see everything and am not on command. As some people seem to think. Your little mate first.” She sighs. “You two make a perfect couple. Don’t spare it.”

“Uh... okay,” I answer slightly confused.

“Ask me your questions, that’s what you’re here for.” She tells me with a smile.

“So it’s true, Austin is my mate?”

“Did you doubt it? Yes, he is. Weren’t you attracted to him? Didn’t you feel a desire for him? Didn’t you see him in your dreams or feel tingling when he touched you?”

“Uh yes, but I wasn’t sure.”

“Because of Adam, right?”

“You know Adam?” I ask her, surprised.

“Not personally but I know your situation.” She pauses, looking at me pensively. “I think the moon goddess finally has a sense of humor.”

“How so?”

“Well we had to explain to you the difference between a true mate and a second chance mate, right?” I nod. “Well lucky girl, you are both their true mate. But werewolves don’t like to share so a choice will have to be made.”

I look at her incredulously and open my mouth before closing it again.

“I know that’s not what you wanted to hear. You wanted me to tell you that only one of them was your true mate and the choice would have been easier but no. And no, I don’t know which one is the right one. That was your next question right?”

I remained silent for a moment, stunned by what she just told me. I’m supposed to choose which one I’m going to spend my life with like this?

“Shifters feel the lack of their mate when they’ve found him or her and haven’t mated so they’ll both try to get closer to you. Each in their way.”

“But how? How should I know who to choose? Besides I’m in Austin territory so how could Adam seduce me?”

“He’s resourceful. I’m on team Austin. Having you with him would give us both a chance to bond and I know we’d get along great.”

“Do you see it?” I ask, frowning.

“Not in the sense that you mean.” She pauses to think. “I feel it.”

“Has anyone ever been in the same situation as me?”

“Not to my knowledge.” She responds with a curt reply.

I sink into the couch and she gets up to sit next to me.

“Don’t make that face. You know what I see, Aria? You’re going to have a long and happy life. Where and with whom, I don’t know.” She pauses. “Answer or he’ll worry.”
I’m about to ask her what she’s talking about when my phone rings. I look at the screen and it’s my dad.

“Dad.”

“Hi, Aria. Are you okay?”

“Yeah I’m fine and you?”

“Oh, you know the routine. I was calling to see when you were coming home.”

I didn’t think anything of it, we’re supposed to be leaving our apartment on Tuesday and with everything that just happened to me, it threw off my plans. Rosalie looks at me intently and I answer him.

“There’s been a change of plans. I’m going to be staying there with Riley, I don’t know how much longer yet but I’ll keep you posted don’t worry.”

“Ok, no problem. I’ll leave you to it, someone just walked in.” I tell him goodbye and he hangs up.

“Looks like we’ll have a chance to get to know each other.” She tells me with a mischievous look on her face.