Torn between mates

13. Dainty Flower

 Valentin 

I took her hand in mine and looked into her eyes. The eyes of the female who has been my partner, my lover, and one of my closest friends for the last 15 years. We didn’t have a classical relationship; it would have been even harder to break it if we had so. We haven’t ever been exclusive lovers, but it doesn’t imply that our relationship wasn’t meaningful and mattered a lot for both of us. It was only a way to make this fated farewell less painful.  Besides that, most of the unmated Fae people believe in and live free love.

“Daisy, I’ve found my mate. I can’t be with you anymore. I’m so sorry.” I told her. I wanted to have this talk with her as soon as possible, to make sure I was the one to tell her about the news. It would be terrible for her to learn about it through rumors. 

This talk was hard for her, but it was also hard for me; to let go of her.

“I understand.” She said with a sigh, gazing into space for a moment before her eyes met mine again. They were serene, no tears, no sobs.  

I’m glad she’s taking it so well. I would dread to make her suffer. We both knew that we weren’t mates and that eventually, our ways would part. Daisy was always a very reasonable person, so I knew she would deal with this separation as well as possible.  

“Could we... make love for one last time as to say goodbye? It’s all I need, to be able to move forward with my life. Having a proper farewell in your arms, ... be yours one last time.” She asked batting her long dark pink eyelashes.

“Daisy... it doesn’t feel right. It isn’t a good idea.” 

“Please, that’s all I ask. Don’t deny this last lover’s request. After it, I’ll see you only as my King and hopefully one day as a friend.” She said softly.

It isn’t right at any level. Not even in the physical one, my desire for Daisy had paled significantly after I met Lea. But it doesn’t mean I should deny her last request as my lover. I owe Daisy that much. 

~ * ~*~ * ~

Lea

It came the day for me to visit the Werewolf Realm. I was equally nervous and excited. I opened a portal and went there with Richard. We arrived at the place he pictured in his mind while I was opening the portal, a big hall. Sarah approached us right after we arrived, even before the portal’s light could vanish completely. 

“Oh, my sweet girl, I heard about what happened. How are you? You must have been so terrified, I’m so sorry.” Sarah wrapped me in a bear hug.

“I’m fine.... can’t breathe...” I muttered. She always does that. 

“Sorry, sweetie. I always forget.” She beamed a sheepish smile. “You remember Luke, right?”

“Yes, sure. The Beta, right?” I asked looking at the tall, dark-haired male. He is quite bulky, but nothing compared to Richard. I think wolves in general are strong and tall. 

I’ve met him just once, long ago, when Richard abducted me to his Realm when I was 9. 

“Yes, Luna.” He answered with a smile. He seems very nice. 

Sarah laced my arm with hers, and walked with me, leaving Richard and Luke behind, which earned her a low irritated growl from Richard.

“We have to show you around the Realm, sweetie. Everyone is so excited to see you; we are waiting for so long to have a queen.” Sarah said very excitedly. No pressure at all, right? Goddess, I was so nervous! 

“I don’t know if you remember anything about this place, you were so little last time you came here, and probably you were very confused.” She added and I nodded in response. “We are now in the pack castle, many wolves live here, especially unmated ones. Richard, Luke, and I have a room here as well. Although I prefer to go back to my own little cottage to sleep and Richard is mainly in his own castle. Fewer wolves around, less noise, less mess. Our Luke here.” She looked at Luke with a big smile. “Likes the mess a lot, so he is always around this place. He also enjoys the company of the unmated she-wolves, that is the main reason.” She muttered giggling. "I work in the pack clinic, which is in the left wing of this castle.” She added. 

“Sarah, don’t overload Lea with too much information.” Richard scolded.

“I’m just getting started.” Sarah smiled at him and he growled lowly. “Luke and I are the only ones in this Realm that actually don’t tremble when the big bad Alpha wolf gets in his growling mood.” She chuckled, making Richard growl again and Luke laugh. 

“As they say, the ones who bark, don’t bite,” Luke added, what earned him not only a growl but a very menacing look from Richard. 

“I do bite.” He rasped. In the next second, Richard was close to me and pulled me flush against his very hard chest, making my breath hitch in my throat slightly. “Stop monopolizing my mate, Sarah. I’ll show her around, you can come along or not.” He grumbled before we started to walk. 

“Of course, I’m coming along,” Sarah replied not affected by Richard’s demeanor. She followed us tugging Luke with her.   

The Pack Castle is quite big, it has four different floors and many bedrooms. The decoration is quite modern and unpretentious; especially in comparison to Avalon’s castle, which is something between baroque and classic; it screams royalty in all corners and walls. 

We went to a big dining hall, with many different tables; a couple of paintings of wolves running together were hanging on the walls. I really like the simplicity and functionality of this place. 

“Most of the times wolves have their meals together. At least the ones who live in the Pack Castle.” Luke explained. 

“It’s like a big happy family.” Sarah giggled.  “Soon you will be here with us, sweet girl.” She beamed a frisky smile. 

“The Omega wolves work in the castle as cleaning and cooking staff. They are low-ranked wolves, weaker and not fit to fight.” Richard explained as we saw a short she-wolf cleaning one of the tables. Maybe not all the wolves are as tall and athletic as the ones I’ve met so far. 

“Come to greet the future Luna Queen, Imogene,” Luke called the she-wolf. 

She came closer shyly and he laced his arms around her waist. They seemed quite close. She bowed down to me and looked down, her eyes never meeting mine. That made me feel quite uncomfortable. 

“Nice to meet you, Imogene. I’m Lea, Richard’s mate.” I introduced myself smiling and reached a hand for her to shake. She looked at me dumbfounded, her brown eyes widely opened. 

“Luna.” Imogene nodded and cast her eyes down again. “I’ve to go back to work.” She added, her voice not louder than a whisper, before eyeing Luke as if she was looking for help. Now I felt even worse. 

“Go ahead, pretty. See you later.” He winked at her and she left.

“Oh, Goddess, I didn’t want to make her feel bad.” I rubbed my face in aggravation. Richard engulfed me in his embrace.

“You didn’t, my Luna. It’s only that we have a rigid hierarchy in this Realm, nothing like in Avalon’s Realm. Omegas and high-ranked wolves like the 3 of us and yourself, don’t interact.” He explained, trying to reassure me; but not doing much for it actually, it didn’t feel right at all, it felt quite discriminatory. 

I think Sarah noticed my uneasiness because she started to explain, “Lea, Omegas aren’t like the other wolves. They are the only ones between us that are mortals, even though they have a long life-span, living around 200 years. The wolf spirit that inhabits them is quite weak, so some of them can’t even shift to their wolves. They are also very submissive by nature and need to have other wolves, more dominant ones, telling them what to do otherwise they feel lost.”

“That is somehow like it works in nature, the dominant wolves, the Alpha leads and protects the pack, in exchange the other wolves obey and serve him. That is how packs can survive.” Luke added. 

“I understand, but I don’t want the Omegas or anyone in the Pack to feel uncomfortable around me. As you said, you’ve waited for me, for a Luna, for a long time, and I want to be a good Luna for everyone, every wolf. Even though I don’t really know how to do it.”

“Sweet girl, you should follow your instincts, just like you are doing now. Being a Luna is actually about considering the whole pack, every single wolf just as you said. You will be a good one. That is basic wolf wisdom, follow your instincts, they are normally right.” Sarah said with a smile.

I was relieved that she thinks I’m on the right path, but I am still worried about the Omegas and wondering if they have a good life, if anyone listens to them and considers their needs. I hope I can do something for them one day. 

“Let’s continue our tour!” Sarah squealed excitedly. She is always so bubbly and happy and luckily, it’s contagious. 

We left the Pack Castle and walked around its surroundings. 

“How many wolves live in the Realm?” I asked curiously. I had so many questions, so much I want to learn about this Realm and the wolves.

“21.000 wolves and among them 11.000 are Omegas. Omegas are a bit more fertile than regular wolves. However, we don’t have many pups. There are 8.000 wolves living in the Royal Pack and the other ones are spread in the other 12 packs across the Realm.” Richard explained. 

That is much more than in Avalon’s Realm, there are only around 9.000 witches and wizards. In the Elf Realm, it’s even worse, there are only a bit more than 5.000 elves. 

“Besides the Pack Castle, the most important place for the wolves is the training parlor; where we can exercise and train in wolf or human form,” Richard explained. 

“How often do you guys shift to your wolves?” I asked. 

“Depends. Some not so often, I do it every day. I have to run, let my wolf free to keep him in check, otherwise, he gets too edgy.” He explained.

“I don’t have to do it so often, just once a week. My wolf is much more relaxed. We she-wolves are normally less intense and don’t have as much pent-up aggressiveness to burn.”  Sarah explained.

“Do your wolves have names? Do they communicate with you?” I asked, excited to know more. 

“Yes, mine is called Titan. Sarah’s is Asena and Luke’s is Jax.” Richard replied. 

“We can talk to them, mine talks a lot. She is the best!” Sarah added with a huge smile.

“She talks as much as you.” Luke chimed in chuckling, Sarah rolled her eyes but chuckled too. 

I was so distracted and over-excited with all the new things they were telling me, that just now I noticed we were walking through a beautiful meadow full of flowers, a small lake was in the middle. It was in the outskirt of what seemed like a large and dense forest. 

“We wolves really enjoy nature and need an ample space to run,” Luke said.

“And to hunt,” Richard added. 

“What do you hunt?” I asked curiously.

“Richard hunts some hare, prey in his wolf form. I prefer to hunt pretty she-wolves around the Pack Castle, if they are up for the game, of course. Sarah likes to hunt for trouble.” Luke added with a chuckle. 

“I don’t,” she said mocking being offended and laughing. “It’s not hunting for trouble to be in love.” She uttered coyly. How I want to know more about it! But for the first time, she didn’t seem very cheerful and extroverted about something, so it’s better to don’t ask; I don’t want to be insensitive. 

~ * ~

Richard

I am glad that Sarah and Luke like my Luna that much, but I’m tired of sharing her attention. I want her for my own.

“You both, find something else to do,” I told them straight-forward. I am not one to use more words than I have to. 

Sarah shook her head, “Okay, I see you want some lonely time with your Luna. I get it. See you soon, sweet girl.” She said hugging my Lea. 

“See you soon Lea.” Luke waved; he knew better than to hug her. 

He is my beta and I trust him, but neither my wolf nor I like when other males get too close to her, friends or not. Most of the dominant wolves are like me, quite possessive towards their females, just like in nature.

Lea looked up at me and smiled, I’m happy that my too straightforward way didn’t alarm her; she looks and is sometimes so delicate and sweet, that I’m apprehensive that my ways, the werewolf’s ways, will shock her. She is like one of the dainty flowers she grows.