I wrapped my arms around myself as Abby finally came bouncing up to our group. I didn’t look at anyone in particular but spoke, “Um…can we go somewhere with less people to stare at us?” Had I known how my question would be answered, I wouldn’t have asked. Tobias scooped me up into his arms and smiled down at me, “We can certainly do that.” I squirmed in his arms both because of the intoxicating sensation radiating from everywhere his bare skin touched me and for the simple fact that he was carrying me again, “Hey!” Cain’s voice had an edge of irritation in it and I felt Tobias tense as he turned to face his Beta, “I want to carry her.” Seriously? That’s what he was upset about? Tobias shielded me from Cain, “No, you carried her the whole way here.” They were really arguing about this weren’t they? Is this going to be my future? 

“Please forgive me Alpha.” I was then snatched from Tobias by my uncle who proceeded to carry me inside. I did hear a growl come from Tobias as I was removed from his grasp but he seemed to exercise restraint since I was still in my uncle’s arms retreating inside the villa. My body relaxed in my uncle’s arms and I let my head rest against him. I had no idea where he was taking me or how many were actually following. It wasn’t even noon and I felt exhausted. 

I heard a door open and I lifted my head as I was carried into Uncle Anthony’s house. He headed for the couch and was about to set me down when he muttered ‘no’ to himself and then turned and set me in his recliner instead. I shifted myself in the chair to get comfortable and as I did the others filed into the living room. Aunt Lynelle, Tobias, Cain, and then Abby, who closed the door behind her. My uncle turned to face them, keeping himself between myself and Tobias and Cain. He held his hand up to them, “Neither of you are to touch Lily.” They both growled at him and he pointed to the couch, “You two can sit there.” He showed no fear before them. He was a human, putting the Alpha King and his Beta in their place. Abby joined Lynelle on the love seat. Lynelle got up as Tobias and Cain complied with my uncle and disappeared into the kitchen. She returned with water for everyone and a small bowl of berries and cheese for me. 

I drank the water but I was not up for eating just yet. My uncle paced the room in front of us. He eventually stopped and threw his hands up as if to give up on whatever was running around in his head. He crossed his arms and faced the Alpha and Beta, “I think you guys know I understand the mate bond. You also know human culture is a bit more delicate about such things. Especially so with young ladies.” He gestured to me, “She’s nineteen! The mate bond and all that comes with it is overwhelming. I can only imagine how overwhelming it might be having two of you.” He was filling the role of protective dad for me and Tobias and Cain looked more like teenage boys instead of the powerful Lycan men they were before my uncle’s lecture. They glanced over at me then looked back to my uncle and Cain nodded, “We understand and we have been doing our best to restrain ourselves for her sake Anthony.” They have? What would have happened if they had not been? Did I even want to know? 

It made me nervous to even consider it and my heart started racing. Cain, Tobias, and Lynelle’s eyes all shot to me. Abby noticed this and looked at me too, “What? What’s wrong with her?” Lynelle shook her head, “She’s fine Abby. Just…emotional.” My uncle glanced at Lynelle then looked back to Tobias and Cain, “I appreciate the consideration. Now, I know I’ve just about used up all the liberties my value here would allow but I have one last question for you both. How long can you restrain yourselves? I ask because we should base the timeframe for the ceremony off of that and what Lily can handle.” Ceremony? My hand tightened around my glass of water. 

It was happening again! I stood up from the chair and set the glass of water and bowl of fruit and cheese down on the little table next to the chair. All eyes on me since I was of course moving, “I am getting really tired of everyone talking about things to be done that directly involve me while not talking to me about any of it.” I headed for the door. I stopped and looked at them, all five of them were standing. My eyes moved to my uncle, “The whole council was talking about what the alpha and beta should do with or about me. Not one of them asked me or spoke to me until I yelled at them. And now it's happening here again!” I turned, opened the door and left. 

Surprisingly no one followed me. I made my way to the fountain with the lily pads and sat down on the far side from the villa so I could look out across the field to the forest. Was it really me who had loved visiting this place? Or was it this brewing lycan mate thing that kept drawing me back here until I was old enough? Even before knowing this place existed I had a love for all the things that I love about Royal Moon Fire Pack territory...but…was I conditioned by fate for that or was that truly me? And why did everyone concern themselves with what Cain and Tobias do? Why was it just assumed that I would do and go along with whatever everyone else decided? Was that just how it was or was it because I’m human? They obviously valued Uncle Anthony but did they respect him as an equal or was his value all they saw with him too? 

There were so many questions and frustrations. The biggest one I didn’t want to admit. There was a part of me that was okay with abandoning everything I had been working for to stay here and make Tobias and Cain happy. Even if I gave into that…how would I even do that? There’s just one of me and two of them. And they are both very powerful. I am so small and human so I am weak compared to them. I couldn’t even begin to compare on so many levels. They’re both strong, incredibly good looking, smart, and experienced. My cheeks started to burn. 

Experienced. Oh my god! I sat forward resting my elbows on my knees as I buried my face in my hands. I hadn’t even considered that! I had been so busy trying to get away from this supposed fate of mine that I hadn’t considered all of the extra things if I couldn’t get away from it. Two huge, beautiful, powerful lycan men…they were supposed to be all for me, according to the little bit I knew of the mate bond. An image of their bare, muscular, chiseled bodies holding me in a passionate embrace. My heart thrummed wildly in my chest as my core bloomed with longing warmth. 

I lifted my very red face from my hands, ‘What are you doing Lily!?!’ I mentally scolded myself, “What could you possibly be thinking about out here to make you smell so delicious?” I jumped at the sound of Cain’s smooth deep voice and quickly popped up to my feet, turning around to face him and Tobias who were both walking around either side of the fountain towards me, “We came here to apologize and try to talk through things with you.” Tobias looked over at Cain as the both closed in to my side of the fountain, “The last thing we expected was to be hit with the scent of your arousal.” Oh my god! I hated these heightened senses of theirs! If I could die right now that’d be great. 

Tobias chuckled, “I didn’t think someone could turn that red Lily.” I nodded, “YEah…” I cleared my throat, “Well, I think I am plenty embarrassed so it's justified.” My voice cracked and wavered all over the place as I spoke. They both now stood in front of where I had formerly been sitting on the edge of the fountain. I had backed away from them upon their approach, keeping at least five feet between us. I did everything to not look them in the eyes, “What did you have on your mind?” Cain inquired again. I shook my head, “Can we not talk about it?” They nodded, “We will do our best to restrain ourselves from satisfying that intoxicating aroma of yours.” I covered my face with my hand, “Oh my god! Stop!” I heard them both chuckle.

“Okay, in all seriousness. We will do our best for your sake.” Cain’s voice was gentle and genuine. I lowered my hand and they were both sitting where I had been sitting previously, “We know that you only have a general idea of the mate bond but tell us what you know and we can fill in the gaps for you.” Of course Tobias would take the lead. It was his role in life as the Alpha. I looked from him to Cain then to the ground so my eyes were on neither of them, “Well, I’ve been told there is something within the wolf or lycan that tells them, on sight, that someone is their mate. It's like an instinct that tells you the other is meant for you and there is only one fated mate for a wolf or lycan.” I looked back up to them, “I guess that’s about all I know.” They nodded and Cain was the first to say anything, “Well…that is the very basic of it but enough information for a visiting human.” I nodded, “Okay…so since it seems that no longer applies to me..?” They both shook their heads, “You’re right, that no longer applies to you. In fact you blew right past even what your uncle is, all the way into far unique territory. I explained it in a nutshell yesterday but not only are you my mate, the Alpha’s mate and the Luna of this pack but you are what is almost completely unheard of, Cain’s second chance mate.” I nodded taking in the familiar information.