Alpha Lucius ( No choice)

After hearing about all the responsibilities the boy has I realize Riker is right. The only choice I have is to leave my fourteen year old daughter here with her soulmate. And believe me that is the last thing I want to do. I hate to say it but Andie holds a very special place in my heart, more so then her sister and brother.

" I'll arrange for a chaperone as soon as I get home. I'll need to do some interviews,it may take a couple of weeks." I informed them shifting my gaze away from Riker to the boy who was holding my daughter protectively in his lap.

" Thank you" the boy murmured, his light gray eyes shining with gratitude.

I take a deep breath and shift uncontrollably in my seat before addressing the issue that's bothering me the most " Zack" I called the boys name to get his full attention and waited until he looked me in the eyes " I need to know how you plan to handle this situation. She won't be able to feel the bond for four more years. Exactly what do you plan to do about your need to have your soulmate by your side at night in the meantime."

The boys eyes widened at my question but then he kissed the top of my daughter's head while lovingly stroking her back. A good sign that he will be a good mate,taking care of her needs first .Then he calmly answered my question.

" I'm not really sure, but please believe me the last thing I want to do is hurt her in anyway.

And just to make it clear Alpha Lucius I'm not a pervert. I totally understand and accept the fact that she's not ready to have any type of sexual relationship with me." Zack reassured me, actually making me wonder if he was feeling the bond differently then what is considered normal.

The mate bond between werewolves at first usually feels a bit animalistic. The primal instinct to mate is almost overwhelming.It insures the survival of our species.

Sure the need to protect your mate is there also. Along with the need for possession which I'm certain Zack is feeling right now. It's obvious from the way he's holding Andie so close to him with his arms shielding her. I'm positive if someone tried to take her out of his embrace right now he would probably shift and take their throat. The mate bond is just that powerful.

" I'm certainly glad to hear that, but I'm also curious to know if you feel any primal attraction towards Andie?"

"To be honest with you, I think my soulmate is beautiful, the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. And her scent is the most alluring and exotic smell I have ever encountered.However if she wasn't my soulmate I would have never in a million years approached her today in any unacceptable manner." Zack murmured , which I found to be on par with how the bond affects a werewolf.

It's totally normal for a werewolf to think their mate is the most beautiful person in the world. And his description of how he perceives Andie's scent is spot on for mates. The bond seems true in every way possible. Making me curious to exactly how strong it is ,since Andie can't feel it. At least, I don't think she can.

"Zack can you tell me what you're feeling through the bond right now?"

"What I'm feeling the most right now is a need to comfort her. To reassure her that everything is going to be okay. I know you and my father both know that I can feel every emotion she is going through right now. And I can tell you she's scared, scared of the bond, scared of leaving her family and honestly maybe a little scared of me. And that all scares the hell out of me. But I know in my heart that everything happens for a reason. I don't know how we are going to get through the next four years but I do believe that everything will be okay. I also believe that there is some very important reason why I met my soulmate before she became of age. She's my other half the one person that was made to complete me and if we're not together our souls will suffer greatly. But I have all the faith in the world in my soulmate even as young as she is. I'm positive she understand there's nothing that we can't get through together."

The boys response surprised the hell out of me and actually made me feel better about leaving my teenage daughter here.

"Andie" I called my daughters name to get her take on what's happening here.The boys right sometimes I don't give her enough credit to make a decision for herself. " I want to know what you think, do you agree with Zack? It seems he puts a lot of faith in you, go ahead and speak your mind. Tell us if you can feel anything at all through the bond." I ask hopping for some insight on this because I have never encountered a situation like this in my life.

It's rare for werewolves to find their soulmate at eighteen unless they already know the person and have been around them all their life and they just happen to be soulmates. Hell I was almost forty before I met mine. And from what I have gathered Zack just turned eighteen a couple of months ago.

I'm positive he wasn't expecting to find his soulmate tonight. And I'm absolutely sure he wasn't expecting his soulmate to be underage. In some ways I feel sorry for the boy. I well remember the day I found my soulmate and let me tell you. I damn sure wouldn't have wanted to be talking to her father about chaperones.

" Well, I guess Zack is right. I believe in the moon goddess and I don't think he's telling me a lie about being my soulmate. There's no reason for him to do that when every single girl in that other room who is over seventeen was hoping to be his soulmate. Beautiful mature girls with curves I don't have." my little girl pouted and I had to stifle my laughter but I was glad to see the boy interrupted.

" I think you're beautiful and I'm a lucky man to have such a beautiful mate." The boy tightened his arms around my daughter kissed the top of her head and said this sincerely with out missing a beat.

Seeing her pout when she spoke about other girls wanting the boy made me think she might be feeling something from the bond.But I didn't ask any question about that at the moment. Zack was already grinning perhaps he felt a ting of jealousy coming from her through the bond. So I let her continue talking.

"So as I was saying there has got to be some reason why our paths crossed before I became of age. And I'm willing to try even though I'm scared and I don't know what to do."

I couldn't hold back my curiosity any longer, so I went ahead and ask the question I'm sure everyone else in the room was curious about.

" Sweetheart, do you feel anything at all from the bond." She stared at me blankly so I coaxed her a bit for an answer. "Andie, do you feel awkward or uncomfortable or relaxed and safe setting there in Zack's lap like that." I pointed out the obvious intimate potion the boy was holding her in.

She bit her lip and blushed slightly " Uh, I really hadn't thought about it much.I guess I feel safe and I'm not sure if it has anything to do with me actually feeling anything from the bond. Or if it's just because I know how the bond works. From what I understand about being soulmates Zack can't hurt me without hurting himself and his instincts are to protect me."

" That's insightful." I had no idea my daughter knew so much about the mate bond. I guess her mother has done a wonderful job educating her on the subject. "So now that we've established that you have agreed to stay here with Zack we need to tell your mother." After saying that I groaned internally.The last thing I wanted to do tonight is hold a sobbing woman while she has a total meltdown.

" We'll also need to tell your mother. She will need to get your sisters old bedroom ready for Andie. " Riker stated nodding towards Zack. "And by the way Andie after your regular school classes you will be working with my wife learning about the pack . I'm sure you're way ahead on the responsibilities of being a Luna of a large pack."

" Yes Alpha Riker, I've watched my mom so I know how much work is involved in being Luna of a large pack." Andie responded to Riker and let me tell you I was totally impressed by how mature my daughter sounds.

" By the way Andie, you might as well call me dad too." Riker grinned putting me more at ease then ever ,because him accepting my daughter as his own means absolute safety. I can feel the boys aura and he's strong but I'm not really sure how strong. You can't get a good read on it until he unleashes it. A full blown attack on someone.

—————-

Andie

When we all stepped out of Alpha Riker's office I was feeling okay and a bit confident. However the closer we get to the banquet hall the more I feel like I'm going to faint.

It helped when Zack tighten his grip on my hand and pulled me into his side. I felt like he was shielding me from the people inside that room. And at this moment I was glad he could feel my emotions. It seemed like he knew exactly what I needed from him and his instincts responded instantly.

When Alpha Riker pulled the door open everyone stared at us for a moment before breaking out into a big round of applause. And as silly as people may think we look together Zack never let go of my hand. Not even when Alpha Riker called us up on the stage in front of the whole crowd.

I wasn't really ready for this but I kept my back straight and head up as Zack walked us up to the stage to stand beside his father.

Then I heard Alpha Riker say "Ladies and gentlemen you were originally invited here for my sons Alpha ceremony. That is still on the agenda for this event . However we have another monumental announcement to make tonight that is also cause to celebrate.

My son has found his soulmate let me be the first to have the honor to introduce my son's soulmate to you. Miss.Miranda Rose Hunt daughter of Alpha Lucius and Luna Caroline of the Silver Moon Pack.

Zack clasped my hand and we stepped forward together so that everyone could see us.The whole room broke out in a big round of applause cheering and mumbling quietly among themselves.

Then Alpha Riker raised his hand and the room fell silent again giving Alpha Riker the opportunity to speak to the crowd.

" Thank you, ladies and gentlemen please continue to enjoy your evening."

Then suddenly a man shouted from a couple of tables away " Alpha Riker is there any plans in the making yet on Miss Hunts Luna ceremony."

Alpha Riker seemed taken off guard for a moment but quickly gathered his composure handling the question with finesse. " Mr. Anderson as you and everyone here is aware that my son just met his soulmate a few minutes ago we certainly haven't had the time to make any plans for such a elaborate celebration."

" Thank you Alpha Riker, and please forgive me for getting ahead of myself." The man said. Not been able to hold my curiosity I tug on Zack's sleeve to have him learn closer.

" Who is that man?" I whispered low in his ear.

" He's a reporter from Paws Gazette here to cover my Alpha ceremony." Zack informed me, And at this moment I just realized what a big deal this truly is. 'Oh moon goddess help me I'm going to be sick.' I screamed in my head. Zack just grinned down on me and tightened his grip on my sweaty hand. I guess he felt my panic through the bond and once again I was grateful for his strong instincts.

After Alpha Riker's brief closing Zack dragged me over to his family's table where I met his mother again for the second time today.

" Mom, I would like you to meet my mate Andie." Zack pulled me to stand in front of him.

Luna Melinda just gave me a warm smile and pulled me in for a big hug. "Zack I've already met Andie today. But I'm so happy for the two of you." She beamed and pulled away a bit to speak to me. "Now go get your mother so that there's no need to repeat the same thing over . Then y'all come back and tell me what solution you have come up with." She gently pushed me in the direction of my mother adding " now hurry and come right back."

A second later Zack was pulling me towards my family's table ignoring all the stares and mumbling amongst the crowd. It was like he wasn't even aware that people were staring at us like the freak show at the carnival. I know the age difference between us isn't that much not even four whole years. Zack just turned eighteen a couple of months ago and I will be fifteen in three months.

The only problem is I'm not even old enough to go on a date yet. At least that's what my father said.But here I am mated to an Alpha who will be leading a pack in two days. He's big and muscular and at least a foot taller than me. But I guess I shouldn't let that bother me. My dad is about a foot taller than my mom. And I guess it could be worse I could be a foot taller than him. On that thought I straightened my shoulder and stood in front of my mother introducing her to Zack with confidence.

" Mom, this is Zack and I guess you know by now he's my mate and his mother would like you to come over to her table." Saying this I glanced towards his mother,then back over my mothers shoulder were I catch a glimpse of my sister glaring at me and I wonder what that's about. But I don't have time to think about what she's pissed about right now .I didn't break anything that belongs to her lately not since last week at least. Oh well I'll ask her pissy ass later.

Mom stood up and extended her hand to Zack but she didn't look excited for the two of us. However that didn't seem to bother Zack he grabs my mom's hand shacking it vigorously.

" Nice to meet you Luna Caroline"Zack said with a big dazzling smile. Clasping my moms hand between both of his.

Mom glanced behind her for a brief moment I suppose looking for my Dad because when she spotted him across the room talking to Alpha Herald she left the table with us. We were about half way across the room when a man made an announced that dinner would be served in ten minutes and apologized for the delay.