After about an hour of hiking around, taking pictures, and taking in the views we headed back to the horses. We untied them and encouraged them to get one last drink of water before we climbed up onto the saddles and started the journey back to the pack stables. We took a couple of detours along the way back, so the casual hour-long journey took nearly two hours for us to get back to the stables. Once there we removed all the gear from our horses and fed them some oats as we brushed them. We then treated them to a couple of apples and sugar cubes. It was nearly 4:30 PM by the time we left the stables and said goodbye to Deacon.

We were planning on heading back to our rooms to clean up and relax before dinner with Uncle Anthony and Aunt Lynelle when we were passing by one of the general meeting halls with its massive doors open. These halls are usually used for various events held for the pack as a whole. Curiosity naturally had us staring inside as we walked by to see if we could tell what the event was for. A high pitched yip pulled our attention to a very excited blonde bounding towards us. She came running at full speed until she crashed into Abby, swinging her around in a big hug before she turned her sights on me and did the same, did I mention how tall lycans tend to be? “Oh my gosh! It feels like it's been a lifetime since I last saw you guys! How are you?” Abby and I nod with a giggle, “It does feel like that doesn’t it? It's so good to see you Ally. We’re good.” Abby held her hand out to Ally to show off her wedding ring like she did with Deacon. Ally excitedly took her hand, “Oh my gosh! That’s right! Lynelle said you’d gotten married! It's so pretty!” She glanced back at the group of people she had abandoned when she’d noticed us and then looked back at us with a big smile, “I found my mate a few days ago. We’re getting ready for the mating ceremony tonight.” So that was what the hall was open for, “That’s wonderful! Is the mate bond everything you were expecting?” The whole concept of mates fascinated me. In a nutshell, it was your fated soulmate.

If only it were so easy for humans to find the person truly meant for them. It might take the lycans years to find their mate, if at all, but once they do they know for sure not questions asked. We have to date over and over, each time hoping that person was the one and take so much time trying to find out if that person is right for you. If not then you have to spend time healing before finding the next possible person, “Oh it's even more than I was expecting. The moment I saw him it was instant we both locked eyes and knew. I felt it down to the core of my being.” She ran her hands over her arms as she said this but then Ally’s expression saddened, “I wish you guys could come.” I nodded, “It’s okay we understand.” I waved a dismissive hand, “We’ve been told Mating Ceremonies are not for outsiders or as some have put it ‘fainthearted humans’” I did air quotes as I said this and Ally. She turned a little sheepish, “I could see that as a possibility.” It would seem that the mating ceremony would remain a mystery to Abby and myself. We were the visitors after all, the lycans didn’t need to involve us in everything or tell us everything about themselves. It's called a “Mating Ceremony” It sounds…odd, but different cultures have their traditions. 

As we were talking, three tall men were walking by, a clean cut blonde with hazel eyes, a shaggy haired brunette with warm honey brown eyes, and a black haired clean cut man with shocking blue eyes. The three of them stopped near us as one looked at Ally. The brunette came over to us but my eyes lingered on the blue eyed one for a moment. He was Beta Cain. My attention pulled from him only when Ally set to introducing us to her mate, Kai. After introductions Kai told Ally something having to do with the ceremony before he kissed her forehead and bid us a goodbye and then rejoined Beta Cian and the other lycan with him. They walked away but I noticed Beta Cain looking back at us a couple of times while we finished talking to Ally, “Kai works with Beta Cain much like Lynelle does. Beta Cain keeps him pretty busy.” I nodded as my eyes jumped to him again, I could feel his eyes on us. He was standing deep inside the hall talking to someone while looking our way. This wasn’t my first time seeing him but he really seemed to have a staring problem now. It's not like the two of us were new humans to the pack, while few were close to us, most knew of our presence, so of course the beta would know of us.

We gave Ally hugs and congratulations and she flitted off back into the event hall. Abby and I started back on our journey to our rooms, “Did you notice Beta Cain staring at us?” Abby shook her head, “No, but I felt so bad when I remembered Lynelle telling us he lost his mate. And now here he is attending a mating ceremony for one of his subordinates.” I nodded, “Yeah, at least he’s able to support his men like that. I imagine that speaks volumes to them to have him attend after what happened.” A couple of lycans walked past us and I leaned in towards Abby, “Maybe we shouldn’t be talking about such things out here. While we’re not saying anything bad…it’s none of our business and sensitive ears hear far more than we know.” Abby nodded in agreement. 

Once at our rooms we each went and showered and changed into some fresh clothes. There was still time before dinner so I went to Abby’s room and we played cards like we used to as kids until we got the text about dinner. We cleaned up our game and headed to our aunt and uncle’s house suite. Once settled at the table for dinner we told them about our day and how pretty the hike was, “Oh! Deacon wants us all to have dinner one night so Abby and I can meet Phlora.” Lynelle made an excited ‘Mmm’ sound as she was mid bite. My uncle spoke up for her, “That sounds like a great idea. How ‘bout two nights from now? I think Lynelle and I will have the free time for that then.” He looked to Lynelle, “What if we went to Jesse’s new restaurant?” Aunt Lynelle finished her sip of water and nodded, “That would be a lot of fun! He had his grand opening a few weeks ago. It would be nice to pay him a visit.” They proceeded to tell us about Jesse’s restaurant and how good the food was.

After dinner we said our good nights and returned to our rooms for the night. I got into my pajamas and sat down in the chair by the window again. The half moon was a little bit fuller tonight and just as pretty in the clear summer night sky, its reflection danced between the lily pads of the fountain. There were a couple people walking about but not many. I pulled out a book and started reading it. Looking out at the night scenery outside from time to time. This time when I finally went to bed I made sure to pull the drapes shut so the sun wouldn’t wake me up so early.

The next morning I woke to the chime of a text message. I rolled over and looked at my phone. It was our uncle letting us know breakfast would be ready soon. I got up and pulled open the drapes to let the morning light in while I got ready, washing my face, brushing my teeth, doing my makeup, and braiding my hair into a french braid again. Then I got dressed in a pair of dark skinny jeans, white and green tennis shoes, and a loose fitting olive green tank top with an art deco gold stars pattern. Again, Abby was out before me and knocking on my door to hurry up. We went and had breakfast before we all set out for our day of various activities. 

Abby and I went to the stables and told Deacon of the plan for dinner in two nights and he got very excited. Apparently he’s been meaning to go to Jesse’s restaurant too. We then went horseback riding. We didn’t go as far as yesterday. Today was just for horseback riding so we just rode around the main property. When we were almost done I let Abby know that I felt like painting and since she had no interest in the activity she declared that she would be at the pool tanning and doing a bit of swimming. 

After returning the horses to the stables and giving them our treats of gratitude, we headed back to our rooms. Abby to get her swimsuit and towel and me to get my collapsible easel, canvases, and my paint tote. I then went and found myself a nice shaded spot under a big magnolia tree with a nice view of the west lawn and the lily fountain. I thought since I enjoyed the view so much from my window I might as well take it in unobstructed while I paint. I didn’t paint anything specific to start with. Just some random colors here and there as I felt like and eventually refined them into something once the colors told me what they wanted to be. After a couple of hours I had painted a stained glass window with the sun shining through, the colors casting playfully on the white windowsill. I packed up my paints and easel and carried my painting carefully since it was still drying, and headed back to my room.