27.2: Fated Mate

I go to my room after helping clear the table, Zay offering to do the dishes. I thanked her before going upstairs. Erin and David had said they wanted to walk the pack grounds before it got dark out, giving me the perfect getaway.I grab a book from my nightstand before settling myself in bed and turning on the TV for some background noise. Hours go by before a knock comes to my door, Xavier's scent on the other side. "Come in," I call out gently while bookmarking my page. Xavier's face is grim. "What's wrong?" My blanket falls from around my shoulders as I go to him, grabbing his hand in mine."They lost the trail, Christopher is officially lost." My shoulders slump."So what do we do now?""We make some more calls, keep doing what we've been doing in trying to track the rogues back to Malum." I nod, knowing that that trail has been leading us nowhere."I'm sorry, Xavier." He sighs and pulls me to him, our chests colliding softly as I burrowed my head into his shirt."Don't be. There's nothing we could do." We stay like that for a minute, just holding onto each other."Are we ready for the barbeque?""Yea," he says in a hum. "I'm sorry about my Dad, earlier. He's not the most kind hearted of men and his words are often unfiltered thoughts.""Don't apologize for actions that aren't your own."His chest rumbles in a deep chuckle, "Who taught you that?""Lycer."He growls ever so slightly before coughing. I laugh a little, knowing his wolf definitely broke through there. Xavier tries so hard to be understanding of mine and Lycer's relationship. His wolf, on the other hand, probably finds nothing more than a challenge in Lycer's existence. "Sorry," he grumbles."You know I only care that way for you, right?""Until you bear my mark, my wolf won't be truly settled.""I'm sorry," I apologize. He scoffs."Don't be. My wolf is an impatient asshole. We do things in your time, little one.""Thank you," I pull my head up and catch his eyes, a blush decorating my nose. He leans down, pressing his lips to my red nose. "I appreciate you more than you'll ever know." I push myself up and gently press my lips to his. It's no surprise when his arms tighten around me, his lips pressing firmer against mine. It is a surprise when he picks me up, wrapping my legs around his waist and carrying me towards the bed. He sits himself down, me on top of him, our lips still desperately moving against each other. He breaks the kiss, tilting my head to the side and kissing his way down my neck. I gasp as his teeth take in a chunk of my skin, biting harshly. It was painful, shocking, but then his tongue came out and soothed the ache and I found a harsh noise coming from my mouth. His hands on my hips tightened and pulled me even closer to him. "X-Xavier," I harshly whispered. He growled and bit at my neck again, kissing his way up and down furiously. "Everyone is waiting for us." This is too much, my head is spinning. A strange ache finds its way to my stomach and I whimper as his teeth come out again to play. He kisses my neck again and makes his way back to my lips."I find this a far better use of my time," he informs me between kisses. I push at his shoulders but I'm surprised when I find Ancillary taking partial control and pulling him back closer."X-Xavier," I plead but it sounds far more needy than anything I've ever heard leave my mouth. "I-I can't-""I know, little one." He gives a harsh kiss to my lips and pulls away, putting our foreheads together as he breathes. His hands stroke at my waist and I curse myself for wearing this dress. "I know." He lets out a harsh breath and kisses my nose. I continue to catch my breath. We stay like that for maybe three minutes before I gently push myself out of his lap. I blush as I realize that my dress rode up a decent amount, yanking it down as Ancillary snickers. With a blush still covering my face, I offer my hand to Xavier and pull him out of the room.The pack grounds are loud, full of chatter and laughter as everyone gathers outside the pack house where a giant fire has been built. Several smokers and grills were set up this morning and the cooking had been going on just as long, the scent of barbeque wafting over the entire pack and making my stomach growl from early afternoon.There were multiple tables of varying sizes set up surrounding the fire with a long U shaped table set between the fire and the pack house. I spotted faces such as Josh and Zay amongst the U shaped table but dead at the center was the former Alpha and Luna, Erin and David Vedette. I smoothed down my dress as Xavier led me over to them."Mom, Dad!" They looked up at our approaching selves. "How was town today?" He pulled out a chair for me, one seat away from Erin, and sat down between us."Beautiful as always," Erin gushed. "I just love the new shops that have opened up.""I thought you might, I'm glad you went." She leaned over and patted his cheek lovingly, he smiled. A small ache came to my chest as I thought of my own Mom. I miss her. . Xavier's hand found mine under the table. I looked at him and gave him a small smile. He returned it with a gentle squeeze of his hand. A pack member came over and got Erin's attention, pulling her into a conversation of her travels and how great it was to see each other again."Are you okay?" Xavier's knee nudges mine."Ye-" I catch his eyes. He gives me a pout. "Just thinking about my mom," I say quietly. I know any of these wolves around us could hear but I'd hope they'd give us some privacy with our proximity. "I miss her.""Do you think she'd like me?" I furrow my brows at his question."Maybe. . She always wanted me to find my mate but it wasn't something we discussed in great detail. I think she'd be happy that you make me happy," I look down as he smiles and a blush dances across my skin. "But I think she'd be upset about losing me in her life as much as I may have previously been there." He nods in understanding."Do you ever talk to her?" I furrow my brows. Talk to her? "Like talking aloud, hoping that somewhere out there, she's listening to you?" I shake my head."That sounds silly, Xavier.""Maybe it's a little silly but I hear it can feel really nice. Or you can try journaling? Writing letters to her or to yourself?" That sounds a little better I guess. . ."Okay, I can give it a try." I look back at him."Only if you want to." I nod, smiling at him."Celeste!" My eyes widen as I hear a voice loudly calling for me. I look around and spot Josh near the fire. "Come dance with us!" Around him is Lesa, Zay, and a few pack members I can kind of recall the names of. They sway in time to the beat of music coming from a speaker not far from them. I wave my hand at him, declining his offer."Come on, Celeste," I'm surprised to hear a voice coming not too far from my right. "Every Luna must dance with her pack." Erin holds a hand out to me. Xavier nudges me. The music pulses in the background as I look around to my new pack, all celebrating the return of their former Alpha and Luna. And tomorrow they'll celebrate the welcoming of me. . Everyone looks so happy. . . I look back to Erin who looks at me expectantly, brow raised. David behind her has a small smile of adoration on his face as his gaze is focused on her. I bite my lip and place my hand in hers