A/N: Sugar plum boo bears! Please note I will never, and I mean never, be one of the authors who write on a schedule. I would burn out slowly. But! I will not be one of the authors who do three updates a year. Now y’all should know I’m currently sick as a dog with a nasty stomach bug I got from being forced on a trip/ not trip I had to go in the fam. I can’t keep anything down; water is scary to look at right now. But my author besties were making me jelly with how fast there were updating. Like, damn, wait for me, please! Anyways, please enjoy while I try and dead on the toilet.

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~Ayan Pov~

I've always wondered what other people's dreams look like. Ever since I was a child, dreams have always fascinated me. But they were always different and often had no correlation or plot.

They were constantly shifting with no end until you opened your eyes, often on the best part or the most interesting.

Lately, my dream started tormenting me, repeatedly recurring with the same theme. 

I see a girl sitting on her knees, looking at the moon. I couldn't see her face, but I could tell from her posture that she was lost, wistful even. 

She would freeze and whisper when I would get closer for a better look at her. “Shame is my name, for it paints my skin like a brush to a canvas.” and vanish. 

The dream kept recurring for months at a time. Then weeks, then days, until it was every night for two months straight. 

Seeing a girl looking at the moon, seeming lost, never being able to reach her in time. I  couldn’t understand why I kept having the same dream over again, tormenting me. Who was the girl? Who was she to me, and why did I keep seeing her? It made no sense. It drove me crazy.

Until it didn't. 

“...an….yan….ayan..ayan can you hear me? Sweet boy, can you hear?”

“Mmm”

“Oh, Ayan, come back to me, sweet boy. That's it. Nice and easy.”

I smacked my lips. My mouth felt like cotton balls. “Water.” I croak. My throat was as dry as the Sahara desert.

Hands brought water to my lips, and I tried to open my eyes only after my throat felt better.

“Thank you.” I felt way better. With my eyes adjusted to the natural lighting in the room, I finally saw where I was. 

I was back in my room with my pa sitting next to me, and a look of affection and happiness shone on his face.

“What happened?” 

He cocked to the side. “You don't remember?”

Everything was still fuzzy. I rubbed my temple as a slight headache started to form as I tried to focus and remember what had happened.

“No, everything is fuzzy right now. Could you tell me what happened?” 

My papa beamed at me, showing all his teeth. His lips stretched into a wide smile. “You, my sweet boy, are not mateless as you once thought.” 

I froze. A foreign feeling of hope bloomed in my chest. “I did? I found them?” 

“You did, baby. You did.” 

My breath sped up, and tears rushed to my eyes. I let them flow as relief crashed heavily into my chest. 

I found them. My mate. They were here. 

A frown appeared on my face.” why can't I remember?”

“Don't panic.” my papa gently placed his hand on mine. “It can happen when omegas meet their mate, especially if their mate is an alpha.”

My breath caught. “An Alpha?” I looked up to meet his eyes. “I've mated an  Alpha?” 

His eyes held nothing but pride and admiration. “Yes, an Alpha female. The third member of the alpha triad. ” 

I look at a slow breath. I always feared that my mate would be male. It may be common for most male omegas to be attracted to other men, but I have always been drawn to the opposite sex.

It was another thing that may be different from the others. I was more than okay with that.

I knew my mate would be powerful before I started to lose hope. I don't know how I knew, but just that I did. An alpha. 

I'm mated to an Alpha. “Everything does happen how it's meant to,” I said, remembering my papa's early words. 

“When can I see her?” I sat up a bit straighter. “Is she here?”

“Yes, she's here. Aithne is downstairs talking with your father. Waiting for you to wake.”

My cheeks burn. “Oh.”

“Don't be embarrassed, my love.” he placed a hand on my thigh. “Why didn't you freshen up and meet us downstairs so you could do a proper introduction with your mate?” 

“Wait, Aithne? Her name is Aithne?”

He smiled, and his eyes softened. “Yes, my sweet boy, her name is Aithne.” Then, with one last smile, Papa left the room.

A smile played upon my lips. “Aithne.”

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“Ahhh, sleeping beauty has finally arrived.” my father jokes from his place on the couch. 

A woman sat across from him. “Yes, I am well-rested now.”

“I'm glad.” Said the woman spoke. 

My cheeks burned. “Hi.”

“Hi.” her voice was smooth yet gentle as she told. “I'm Aithne. You are Ayan.” it wasn’t a question but a statement. 

For the first time since I came downstairs, I looked at her. Her beauty was unmatched. 

Long, beautiful hair that complemented her diamond-shaped jaw and fawn-colored skin. 

She had a soft-shaped nose and beautiful, seafoam green eyes. Her lips were plumped and covered in a gloss, most likely to protect against the season. 

But most of all, she was tall, towering over most people in the room, including me. 

“Yes, I'm Ayan.” I regarded it after a while. Confirming her previous statement. 

“Your really tall.” 

Her smile widens. “Ha, thank you. I wish I could say the same about you, but considering I’m cranking my neck down to meet your eyes.”

The whole room laughs a the comment. It was cheeky, but I loved it.   

My mate had a sense of humor. I can work with that. 

“How tall are you exactly? 6’2? 6’3? “ papa asked, looking up to aithne like everyone else in the room.  

Aithne. God, her name was perfect. 

“Close, but I’m 6’4.” 

“Wow, you’re almost a foot taller than me,” I was in awe. “I’ve always wanted a tall mate.” 

If possible, I’m sure I would have heart eyes right now.  

“Aww, baby boy, you practically have heart eyes.” my papa confirmed. 

Yeah saw that one coming. “Papa, you don’t have anything to be today. Weren’t you going to go grocery shopping for the winter’s class party on Tuesday?” I tilt my head to the side. But, proclaiming my innocence, not caring, I wasn’t all that subtle. 

He laughed. “I see being subtle no longer your forte. Yes, I will get ready for my grocery trip.”

“Did you need help or company?” Aithne injected. “I would be happy to join you and help. It cums in handy having a tall person reach the forbidden shelves.”

“The forbidden shelves?” my papa laughs, clapping his hands. “Oh god, that’s new, but it’s okay. I’m sure ayan wants all your attention for himself.”

Rude. I mean, it’s true, but still. 

“I’m sure ayan can handle a few hours sharing me with his family. He’ll be okay. As I said, if I need the help, I’m willing to offer it.”

I challenge. I didn’t want to share. She was my mate, and I had just found her. I wanted to enjoy some time with her and me. Way too soon. 

Aithne raises an eyebrow at my challenge.  Uh oh, Without saying a word, she stepped forward. Then I took another step. Then another until she was right in front of me. Staring. 

I gulped. “I.. I.. I can wait. No problem.”  

She beamed a wide smile at me. “I knew you would understand.” 

I ignored her slightly condescending tone, mainly because she stood so close. I went fuzzy at her smell. She smelt like warmth and peaches. It was intoxicating. 

“I..I..” I couldn’t make out words. I was overwhelmed by her simple being.  

Aithne took a couple of steps back, and everything cleared. I could breathe again. 

“That is why I want to be around others for a while.” 

I blush. “Omega, pre-heat.’’

“Oh wow, I completely forgot about that. I’m so sorry.” My papa said. “It has been so long since I met John that I didn’t think about how it could affect ayan.” 

Evan raised a brow. “What is omega pre-heat exactly?” I forgot he was here for a second. 

“Long story short, when an omega meets their mate, the bond is fresh and intense. So something called a preheat can happen their sense are pretty taken over, and everything can be a blur." Daddy finished. Speaking up after a while of just watching. 

“So Ayan goes into heat every time Aithne gets close?” Evan questioned. 

“Ahem– can we not finish this conversation right now.” I could feel my blush spreading to my neck. I look to my daddy, desperate to change the subject.  “Daddy, we better head out if we wanna beat the morning afternoon-ish rush.” 

“Right. Okay, headcount, who's riding me?” 

“Me.”

“Me.”

“Me.” 

“Me.” 

“So everyone.” daddy dryly said. “Okay, let's go.” 

“Wait, what about seating arrangements?” Aithne chimed in before everyone could walk out. 

“Oooooo ok ummmmmm John!” Daddy snapped his fingers, pointing at dad. “You take your car and bring Aithne and Evan with you, and I'll take winter and Ayan with me.”

“Then I won't get to ride with Aithne.” I could feel a pout forming on my lips. 

Papa sent me a semi-sympathetic smile. “Bunny, it's for the best. You can't handle being too close to Aithne right now.” 

I really wanted to be logical. I really did, but I didn't, and when I fixed my lips to argue my case after, my sweet mate chimed in again. 

“Bunny, listen to your papa. He’s what's best. Plus, we can talk at the store from a safe distance.” 

“Okay,” I said with a dopey smile. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. She called me bunny. 

“Ahhh young love. John, I miss the old days.” 

“I'm starving. Can we leave already?” it wouldn't be Evan unless he started complaining. 

Papa headed towards the door. “Let’s head out! Please. John, where are my keys?” 

“Where they always are, sweet pea, the travel mug!” 

“Are you sure? I don’t rem- I got them, thanks, my love!”

Aithne had an amused smile on her face. “They cute together. How long have they been together? She asked  

I sigh. “They may be cute but unfortunately loud as well. They have been twentyyyyyyyy-seven years now. I think however long Evan been alive plus two years on top.”

“Wow, that’s a long time.’’ 

“Well, they are a fated couple. They’re meant to last a lifetime. Hopeful like us.” I said, adding that last part in shyly. 

But the look that flashes on Aithne had my heart sinking. Was that too close? Did I overstep? 

“Hey.’’ she said, whispering softly. “Don’t panic, okay? I wanted to say something, but it wasn’t the right time. 

“Please tell me. I can take it. I’ll worry the whole trip if I don’t.”

“I’m sorry if I’m not what you wanted.” huh.

“How could you say that? You're everything I could possibly want.”

It broke my heart to see the doubtful look on her face. “You don’t even know? How could I  be everything you wanted.”

“Because you were made for me the same way I was made for you. You were my gift, and I was yours.”

“Only time will tell.” 

“Yeah, only time will tell,” I whispered.  I was a little sad by my alpha’s little confession. Did she not want to be with me? I could– no, I couldn’t understand. I was enough, and I simply had to show her that.  

I’ve waited my whole life for my mate. So I wasn’t about to let her doubts, for whatever reason, stop us from being great. 

I started to head towards the door, but Aithne grabbed my hand. “Hey, this doesn’t mean we’re doomed.  Please don’t think that.” 

“Oh, trust me, I’m not.”

She smiled. “Determined little thing, huh?”

“Only for you, my alpha, oh alpha,” I said before walking away. I meant what I said. I would show her. Then would be like every other fated couple. 

Happy and so in love. 

It would be perfect. 

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