Finding Destiny

The Invitation

Destiny’s POV

Laia found her mate three days ago. He is a little younger than her in his mid twenties, but he has been searching for her ever since he came of age. They make a beautiful couple and have already claimed and mated each other, which they should. Both of them have waited for years and years to finally meet one another - both having been pressured by their families to take a chosen mate - but both stayed true and waited to find their true mate.

Desi, please come see me at the pack house this morning. Luna Kiara mind links me as soon as I finish getting ready. I swear she has a tracker on me - she somehow always times her summons at the exact right time. Grabbing a thermos and filling it with some hot tea, I hurry to the door pulling on my jacket and scarf before heading towards the pack house.

Here at Green River Pack, it’s like Fall here every day. Our pack is located in a valley just below Green River Mountain - even when it’s Summer months, we still only reach the low 80s. It’s absolutely sublime. Today is not one of those sublime days though - today is chilly and calls for a scarf to keep my neck and ears warm.

After a 10 minute walk to the pack house, I let myself in and head to the kitchen. Luna Kiara is always in the kitchen in the mornings. She loves to cook and spends a lot of her time experimenting with new flavors and recipes. She’s quite the chef if you ask me (or really anyone in the pack) - the actual chefs in the pack use most of her recipes for pack meals THAT’S how delicious her food is. I smell the warm pastries before I even step foot in the kitchen - she’s made my favorite - cherry turnovers. She must want something from me - she knows turnovers are the key to getting me to do just about anything.

Kiara is standing with her back to me, spooning cherry filling into the dough before folding the dough over the filling. Her long black hair falls past her waist and as she swivels to see me enter, she brushes it over her caramel shoulder giving me a kind smile. Her big doe-like brown eyes sparkle with mischief and I know, I just know she’s up to something. Kiara and I have been friends since we were little - I was the odd child when I was younger - the one always speaking odd phrases and appearing too wise for my age - Kiara was one of the few that always stuck by my side. I think somehow we both knew we would always have each other’s backs, even as little girls, because now as grown women we still lean on one another during difficult situations. Even her mate Alpha Leo has learned to not come between the two of us - man was put in his place by little Kiara last time he tried to use his alpha command on me. He’s never tried it again since!

“Hey Desi! I heard about Laia! That’s wonderful! I’m so glad she listened to you all these years - we all kept telling her to listen to you. You’re the only one who has any idea what the Goddess is thinking. Heck, you’re moon blessed!” She starts out the conversation with some serious ass kissing and then she turns and walks towards the oven, pulling out a tray of warm cherry turnovers. Yum.

“Yeah, I’m glad it worked out for her. She definitely waited long enough - I would’ve felt terrible if she had to wait any longer. To be honest, I was starting to worry I was losing my touch,” I joke as Kiara starts drizzling the ooey-gooey icing over the turnovers. I’m seriously drooling at this point. “So what did you need, Luna?“

“Ugh, don’t call me that! You’re practically family. Buuuut, I do have a favor..or request, however you want to view it. We uh..we received an invitation from that pack I was telling you about..or technically it’s two packs kind of combined but not really. Packs Blood Moon and Crescent Moon. Their Luna, Reese, is hosting a ball. A masquerade ball, Desi! They are inviting all of the packs on this side of the country - I know it’s a ways away, but will you go?? Please, please, please! Oracles are so rare and I want to show you off. Most packs haven’t even met an oracle!” She says all this while placing the biggest turnover in the pile on a plate and sliding it in front of me. Smart girl. Bribing me to get her way.

“I don’t see why not! I’ve always loved a good ball,” I tell her and it’s mostly true. I do love dressing up every now and then, playing fancy with my girlfriends. Yet part of me knows I only want to go to this ball because I want to forget about him. My mate who haunts my dreams - the man who the Goddess taunts me with. The one whom I belong with, but can never have - not if I want to keep my moon blessed gifts.

“Yayyyyy!!!!! Ohmygoddess I am so excited you said yes! I thought I’d have to literally drag you there! Leo is going to be so happy - you know alphas love to show off! And those snooty covens will be so jealous of your power!”

I freeze. Did she just say-? Oh s**t. Selene, why do this to me? I thought I was chosen..handpicked by the Moon Goddess herself. Why put me through this hell. This has to be a test..a test to see my true loyalties.

“Kiara..did you say covens? As in..witch covens?” I ask, trying not to give away any of my internal panic. She takes a bite of her pastry and winks - she actually winks as if she knows I’m panicking.

“I did. And you know what? This is your time to shine. I want you to show all those uppity witches who has the real power. I want you to put them in their place and finally show the world who you truly are. Freaking moon blessed by Selene herself. No one stands a chance against you.”

Kiara is on a full out mission to show all covens how packs don’t need them or their magic. You see..around our neck of the woods, witches and wolves don’t really mingle. At all. It’s always a pissing match when we cross one another.

Her words sink in and I finally come to terms with how this is going to go. I have to go to this ball. I have to be presented to the other packs and show my powers. And I will have to face my mate. My beautiful fire-haired greek god of a mate.

Goddess help me.