Golden candlelight streamed down from a grand chandelier made of interlaced deer antlers and bronze spiraled vines of ivy, casting a warm glow throughout the village meeting lodge. The ornate light fixture elegantly dangled from the lofty center arch of the ceiling, with years of white candle wax mournfully dripping over its sides. A rambunctious crowd had been spilling in through the large wooden double doors, filling the log cabin's walls to the brim with a bunch of noisy mongrels. The lycan's seemed to have their own sort of style, as everyone was dressed in somewhat old-fashioned, almost gypsy-like attire. 

The pack council consisted of five mated pairs, all who sat at a long wooden table facing the howling horde. As the council spokesperson, Costache with the mustache and his mate, Crina, sat in the middle. I, however, was sitting in a chair beside the table, facing the crowd like a disgruntled curmudgeon. Haiden sat faithfully at my side. His grabby hand was latched onto my upper arm like a shackle, while one knee was angled out in front of my legs in a possessive manner.

Crina had stopped by earlier to let us know about the pack meeting, and also to thoughtfully lend me some of her spare clothing. She was very nice but extremely quirky. Out of boredom, I quickly glanced over to see her looking at an old record book. She immediately looked up and waved, with a big smile on her face and excitement twinkling in her bright silvery eyes. Her messy brunette top bun matched Costache's, making them truly look like two peas in a pod. I sighed and looked down, then smoothed my hand along the frilly skirt of the emerald green dress I had on. 

Haiden also fidgeted, catching my attention. I really, really, hated to admit it, but he did look mouth-wateringly handsome. He wore a navy blue jacket over a loose white shirt which was laced up along the deep V-neck, and black pants which hugged his muscular thighs and unremitting erection. His dark hair was pulled back in a half-up style, with its slightly wavy length falling just an inch or two past his shoulders. He noticed me accidentally eyeballing him up, then cockily smirked as I hastily looked away.

...Oh for fuck's sake, here we go... I thought to myself while he slowly leaned his face in next to my ear.

"No need to look away, dragostea mea. I already know that you like what you see. And I assure you, you'll be seeing a lot more once we return home." He purred.

"Unless you're planning to take your pants off so you can go fuck yourself, then please keep your goddamn clothing on." I gritted in agitation.

"Alright, alright, settle down everyone. Settle down." Costache's voice boomed over the unintelligible chatter and growls filling the room, while he clapped his hands to get the unruly pack's attention.

The crowd quieted down to a few hushed murmurs, while they all spun around once before taking their seats in the squeaky foldup chairs provided. A paper airplane swirled overhead, then crashed into the wall, as Costache cleared his throat, readying to speak.  

"Good evening everyone, and thank you all for coming." He formally greeted. "It seems like we've got quite the turnout tonight." 

"Most of us are here because we heard that there's some juicy gossip to be discussed." Some random lady hollered. Probably the village busybody. 

"Yes, yes, I am aware that that's what convinced most of you to crawl out of your homes and attend one of these humdrum meetings tonight." Costache held his hand up. "Now, let's just get right to it then. I know that most of you have been hearing a peculiar rumor spreading around the village today. And I'm here to say that, yes, it's completely true. Haiden does indeed have a human mate."

A clamor of shocked gasps and low murmurers filled the room as if that was the most unbelievable thing they'd ever heard. I rolled my eyes, wondering how shocking could it really be with the way the oversized bonehead had me imprisoned in his steely clutches. As if I honestly might try to idiotically sprint through a crowd of literal lycans, straight out the door, and into the unknown wilderness at any second... My eyes shifted to the door. 

"I know, I know. It's unusual. Highly, highly unusual." Costache shook his head while agreeing with the crowd, then held up a finger. "Now, according to lycan law, that makes her a part of our pack, regardless of her species. So let's all give a warm welcome to Haiden's mate, Isabelle Lupei!" He excitedly gestured towards me as if he were presenting some world-famous celebrity... Like Captain Crunch or someone.

Not a peep was heard... I peered out over the sea of confused golden and silver eyes which were all staring back at me dumbfoundedly, making me shift in my seat. Haiden's grip immediately tightened, then he abruptly snarled, followed by a chorus of awkward cheers and semi-welcoming hollers. I probably would have felt more put on the spot, had I not been shocked and outraged by the fact that I had just been introduced as Isabelle Lupei.

"Nope, nope, nope! Everyone please, may I have your attention!" I loudly projected my voice across the room, successfully quieting all the garbled uproar. "My name is not Isabelle Lupei. It's Isabelle Rosetti, and I have been kidnapped by this deranged-Hmph!"

Haiden swiftly slapped his gigantic hand over my mouth, silencing my cry for help. "Sorry, sorry, she's having a difficult time adjusting and doesn't understand mate customs just yet. I haven't gotten the chance to explain much to her." He explained to the crowd, then leaned closer to me. "Being my mate automatically makes your last name Lupei. It's very similar to being married in human culture." He softly spoke next to my ear. I thrashed and tried to bite his hand.

...Married!? Fucking married!?

"Are you sure that she's truly your mate?" A councilwoman with blonde braided hair curiously inquired, while I internally freaked out about my worst fear coming true. "It was my understanding that we couldn't be mated to humans?" A bunch of agreeing mutterings and nods came from the crowd right after she spoke.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life." Haiden replied, with his hand still smothering my voice. "I feel our bond stronger than anything I've ever felt before, and all the signs are there. The only trouble is that she doesn't seem to feel the bond like we do, but I'm hoping that will change with time." 

The blonde woman's mate cleared her throat, then tucked a lock of long auburn hair behind her ear. "Well Haiden, I'm sorry, but the fact that this poor girl isn't feeling the mate bond as you are brings doubts to my mind that she's actually your mate." Candlelight flickered in her alluring golden eyes as she spoke.

"If I may speak on his behalf." Sorin's voice suddenly stood out from the crowd, as he rose from his seat. His golden hair was now cascading down his back in a loose ponytail. "I think it should be noted and put on the official record, that he found her under a full moon." He looked around while nodding to the crowd. "It is recorded that even though the first lycan's mates were human, it was still impossible for them to hurt their mates while under the influence of the curse. If she was not his true mate, then he surely would have killed her."

"That is a very good point, Sorin." A dark-haired councilman agreed. "I'm personally of the belief that alone is enough to prove the mate bond. However, I do find it strange that she's isn't more affected by it? I mean, just look at the poor girl." He pointed to my discontented, muffled up, and restrained state." She should be swooning all over him, not needing to be restrained."

"I agree, it is odd. Very odd, indeed." Costache chimed in. "But think about it, do any of us here actually understand human behavior? We're completely unprepared for something like this. Yet, I think that it should also be noted and put on official record..." He held his finger up again, pausing for dramatic effect. "...that she proclaimed Haiden was, and I quote, the most handsome man she's ever seen in her entire life." 

A bunch of horny howls and congratulatory hollers aimed towards Haiden immediately erupted across the room. He egotistically drank it all in with a proud toothy grin... You've gotta be fucking kidding me...

"Well, that does indeed sound like something a mate would say and is thus record worthy." The dark-haired man said as they all nodded in agreement. 

"Write it down, love!" Costache excitedly instructed while tapping the old record book in front of Crina.

"Right-O!" She quirkily replied, then began happily scribbling it down.

"Does anyone else have any doubts about their bond?" Costache asked the pack once all the amused commotion settled down.

A man with long jet black hair and golden eyes slowly stood up. "I have no doubts about their bond, but I can't be the only one here who finds it a weird coincidence that Haiden, the only lycan ever known to be born with red eyes instead of gold or silver, is now the only known lycan of our time to be given a human mate?" He shook his head and lifted his palm up.

"Eye color has nothing to do with who the goddess pairs you with. It's just a coincidence." Haiden argued while pulling me a smidgen closer into his side.

"Well, Caliban, I have to agree with Haiden on this. It's just a coincidence. Eye color really doesn't have anything to do with who your mate is." Costache shook his head, causing his top bun to bob a bit. "Am I right?"

Just about everyone seemed to nod and mumble in agreement. "Alright fine, I can see that I'm outnumbered on this." The one apparently named Caliban grumpily said, while turning in a circle before sitting back down into his squeaky chair.

"Alright, it's settled then. Congratulations Isabelle, you're officially a member of the Acer Pseudoplatanus Pack of the Intuneric Highland Forest! Or the Acer P. Anus Pack, as I like to call it." Costache chuckled.

...The what pack!? What the fuck kind of ridiculous name is that? ...Shouldn't it be something along the lines of 'The Blood Moon Pack,' like in just about every werewolf book I've ever read? 

"So, now that Isabelle's been officially welcomed into the pack, we need to discuss the pressing issue at hand... We now have a human in our pack." Costache's tone turned oddly ominous, making me squirm in my squeaky seat. "We have until the next full moon to figure out how we're going keep her safe from the curse."

There they go talking about that mysterious and unsettling curse again...