*Easton's POV*

The reception follows the ceremony, with a three-course dinner provided to the guests. Everyone is chattering happily, talking and laughing between bites of food.

My nerves have settled as I sit with my family, who have been gushing about how proud they are of me. The voice in my head has been overpowered by the supportive words from my family, and I feel on top of the world.

Now that the stress has worn down, I begin to notice that pull again. I quickly lift the mental barrier between me and Elias.

'Prick,' Elias growls.

'Sorry! You were distracting me.'

'I was trying to tell you that I think our mate is here,' Elias points out in annoyance.

My heart skips a beat. 'Our mate?'

'Yes!' Elias's tone switches from annoyed to excited. 'I feel the pull to them! You can feel it too, right?'

Curiously, I look around the room to try and figure out where the pull is directing me. Excusing myself from the table, I stand and attempt to follow the pull, like an invisible candy trail leading towards my mate.

My heart pounds as the pull gets stronger and stronger, indicating they're close by. I find myself approaching a table with the Grey family; a family I've encountered a few times but I don't know too well. My eyes lock on a boy with bright blue eyes and golden hair, and my heart rate accelerates.

'Mate! Mate!' Elias cheers, prancing around in circles in my mind.

My mate.

My Luna.

He's beautiful. Soft blonde hair that flops lazily across his forehead, big blue eyes that pull me in and capture my complete devotion without needing to say a single word. My entire mind screams with the desire to scoop him up and hold him.

Until he starts squirming uncomfortably, and I realize I've been awkwardly staring at him for over a minute without saying anything.

"Alpha Easton!" His mother — Isabel, I believe — greets me cheerily. "To what do we owe this visit?"

"I, uh..." I mumble dumbly, unable to tear my eyes away from the captivating blonde. "I wanted to personally thank you all for attending the ceremony."

Isabel beams at me. "How polite! It was our honor to attend."

"You're going to make a fine Alpha," the man at her right, Victor Grey, speaks up. "I'm proud to be in your pack."

I smile at them; their support warming my chest. "Thank you very much. I hope I can meet all your expectations."

Looking around the table, I notice three others besides the blonde and his parents. In fact, all four of their children are blonde. Three boys and one girl. One of the boys looks significantly younger than the rest, appearing rather small in his chair as he fidgets with his fingers.

"Ah, let me introduce you to our children!" Isabel offers, much to my relief. "This is my oldest son, Enzo. His mate, Lilian, couldn't make it tonight, but she sends her best wishes. Landon and Ophelia are twins; fraternal, obviously. And Xander is our youngest pup."

"It's very nice to meet you all," I smile at them, mainly focusing my attention on the blonde. Landon. 

Landon gives me a small, polite smile. I tilt my head curiously. He doesn't seem too affected by the mate connection. Can he not feel it?

"How old are you?" I blurt out, making Landon blink in surprise.

"Sixteen," he answers hesitantly.

Shit. He's only sixteen? That means he won't feel our connection for two years.

I notice Enzo giving me an odd look, and I clear my throat.

"Well, it was very nice to meet you all. If you'll excuse me," I bid them goodbye before quickly turning and walking away.

'No!' Elias whines. 'Go back to our mate!'

'I can't. Not yet. I need... I need to think.'

'Think about what? You are not rejecting him for being a male,' Elias warns with a growl.

'I wasn't planning on rejecting him! But he's only sixteen. It'll be two years before he'll sense our bond. What am I supposed to do until then?'

'Get to know him?' Elias suggests, as if he's talking to a child. 'Not all relationships have to be rushed. Take your time and get to know him.'

I hum, actually liking that idea. Two years. Two years to develop our relationship and fall in love before we mate.

I can do this.