Unmarked Desires

Preparation time

Sleep that evening was easy. I wish Axel had stayed with me, but we were still unofficial. I knew the rest of the family would be thrilled about our pairing, but if we were caught before we were bonded, Ellie would worry that shame would be upon her home. Her faith in the gods was sometimes over the top, but we respected her beliefs, we just didn’t quite follow as religiously as she would have liked us to.

‘There will be three of you at this evening's ceremony!’ Ava burst through the door and whipping the curtain from my window with such enthusiasm to one side it nearly removed it completely! The sun beamed through the large sash window reflecting off my mirrored dressing table. She graced a perfect white smile in my direction ready to throw some gossip my way. ‘You know the Mason twins, Nina and Darcy??’ It’s them!’ She blurted it out so quickly, like word vomit she continued at an extraordinary pace! ‘ I wonder if they will share a mate or get one each? They are identical so it makes sense if they share, but then again, if it were me, I wouldn’t be able to share my mate!’ She held her hand over the mark Silas had made on her neck. ‘It’s the only thing I’m selfish about Stella, don’t judge, you’ll understand soon enough!’.

I had to take a breath for her. She was so excited about me finding my mate. Since the Beta family took me in, they have only wanted the best for me and if only I could tell Ava that I was to be Mrs Axel Dawson, her official sister through bond. I was combusting not to blurt it out, but it had to wait though. This time tomorrow the world will know, and I, for one, can not wait for it!

‘Can you do my make-up again? Like you did for the party?’ Ava squealed in acceptance. ‘I felt sexy and confident, that’s how I want my mate to see me tonight’ I flicked my hair over my shoulder and got out of bed for the first time in days, not counting bathroom breaks. I looked into the full-length mirror in the corner of the room and bit my lip. I needed to prep for tonight’s ceremony and had to make a mental note as to what I needed to do.

‘I can not wait for Rafe to claim me this night’ Amara whispered.

‘Amara I’m going to make this perfect for you, I promise.’

‘Axel will be blown away tonight too, those lucky lucky boys!’ Her voice lowered to a more suggestive tone.

‘Damn Amara, you dirty dog!’

I hadn’t realised I let a naughty giggle leave my lips and Ava looked at me confused. She was raiding my closet looking for the dress I’d borrowed from her last week. Her beau Silas, was taking her to lunch and her pale blue wrap around was ‘the perfect’ outfit! ‘Meet you here at 6pm for hair and make up darling!’ She blew a kiss and a wave my way as she skipped out the door. It was now my time to pamper myself, but first, food.

Grabbing a robe and slippers, I descended the stairs towards the kitchen. Passing the study, a smile crossed my face remembering my birthday kiss from Axel. I noticed my gorgeous shoes were still in there. I must remember to pick those up! That was going to be a core memory for me. That kiss was heavenly.

Barron was in the kitchen washing up the pans from his own breakfast. ‘Hey you, ya hungry? I made your favourite.’

On the counter was a stack of pancakes with blueberries and chopped bananas, a pot of chocolate sauce and some marshmallows. What can I say, I definitely have a sweet tooth and this was perfection on the plate. ‘Thank you so much, this looks absolutely delicious!’. Barron looked at me endearingly. ‘Anytime Stella, you just make sure this new mate of yours treats you right and makes you breakfast at least twice a week!’ He was talking from under his brows like it was a statement rather than advice. ‘He’s not going to be just your world, you need to be his and never let him forget it.’

‘GREAT ADVICE HONEY!’ Ellie shouted throughout the house.

Barron and I exchanged a giggle and I got to work on those pancakes.

After breakfast, I filled my en-suite tub with bubbles that were scented with vanilla and roses. Taking a scrunchy from the cabinet, I gathered my thick long wavy golden hair and wrapped it in a messy bun on top of my head. Removing my robe and nightwear, I stepped into the steaming bath and lowered myself into the hot water. My muscles needed soaking and the warmth radiated any residual soreness away. I still had my necklace on but the bubbles were all over it. Holding the chain up, I let the moonstone dangle before my eyes and blew the bubbles away. It was so beautiful and I finally had the chance to really look at it closely. The gold setting around the peachy toned stone shone. As I looked closer I noticed there was a tiny scratch in the setting, almost like writing. But I didn’t care. This small imperfection made no difference to its beauty. Placing it back down on the top of my chest, I couldn’t help but admire myself. The bubbles covered parts of me, but I was proud of my body.

Finishing my soaking in the tub, I hopped in the shower to wash my hair, massaged my head and let the water run over my skin.

Pampers aren’t always this relaxing. Next job, my nails had to be done. Urgh, I’m over it now. Tonight, needed to hurry up!

Ava returned at 6pm on the dot, with a full case of cosmetics. She curled my hair and fixed it into enormous Velcro rollers before applying my make-up. Ava blended my Smokey eyeliner with the antique gold eye shadow she had picked. It complimented my eyes and made the green seem almost mystical.

I stepped into an off-white strappy dress that had a perfect v-shaped neck. I didn’t need a bra for this dress, just a tiny g string that wouldn’t ruin the silhouette. It’s length ended half way down my thigh. I was thinking of the practicality of having s*x in the clearing. You can’t exactly rip off a jump suit sexily. Ava called them fine for work but passion killers for date night. I’ve always remembered her little nuggets of worldly advice, no matter how trivial.

The last step was removing the rollers from my hair and shaking out the bouncy curls over my shoulders.

‘Errr, Stella? Your shoes!’ Tutting dramatically, Ava handed me a box. ‘My gift to you. These are the shoes you will be stepping into your new life with and they need to be perfect!’

Opening the black box, I was met with a stunning pair of Antique gold pointed stilettos with a gold metal heel. What blew my mind was the red sole. I screamed and my feet ran on the spot. ‘They’re…’

‘Sure are sister! Now you go show those twins that you're the most wanted she-wolf in those woods!’ She was the only girl on her observance and she was so nervous, but the fact she was mated to the future Alpha made so much sense.

I tried not to let my tears of mixed emotions ruin all of Ava’s hard work, but it was tough. We hugged and headed to the car. Just half an hour later, Ava pulled up to the clearing. ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if you were mated to Axel? We would truly be sisters!’ How she hadn’t realised the possibility before now was sweet. She’d guessed every eligible bachelor but him.

Stepping out of the car, I looked at her, winked and said ‘if only you knew…’ shutting the door on her dropped jaw.

As I walked towards the woods, the twins Nina and Darcy came into view. They looked gorgeous, red ringlets washed down their backs. Nina wore a blue bandage dress that stopped just below her pert backside and Darcy matched her outfit, but in black. One thing was certain, Axel and the twin's mate or mates were going to be extremely lucky guys. We made pleasantries in the clearing and waited for all the single wolves to arrive.

Footsteps interrupted our small talk and a young woman approached in a dark red dress and sleek black hair that looked like she could sit on it.

‘Good evening ladies, my name is Erin.’ Her sultry voice sent shivers up my spine. ‘Looks like the beauties have arrived before the beasts.’

She looked us up and down like she was checking out the competition. I’m not sure she understands that this decision is fated, but she just gave off strange vibes. I didn’t like it and neither did the twins. Her deep golden eyes narrowed as she fixated on my necklace. Reaching out her hand, she placed her thumb and forefinger around the stone and muttered something under her breath. I pulled it away and my heart started to beat erratically. Why did she touch me and make me feel on edge?

‘Amara, I hope she pairs in a different pack!!’

Amara didn’t answer. ‘Amara??’ She still didn’t answer.

Almost silently, around fifty pairs of eyes lined the edges of the clearing…they were here.

‘Amara??’