Chapter Thirteen: Secret Mate (Pt. Two)

{ Vale }

"Hey Titus can I talk with you a moment?" I asked.

The wedding had gone smoothly and the reception had started long ago, I killed my best man speech and now everyone was just having a good time.

"Sure man what's up?"

"I wouldn't normally do this sort of thing...but Shelby Hawthorne, Nico was telling me a little about her life and what not, I'd really like her to transfer to my pack."

"Do you think that's something he'd want?" He asked.

I nodded, "I think so, I mean from what Claire and Nico told me she has no family, and with Claire moving south with Nico she's gonna be alone...Since Nico isn't Alpha yet he can't exactly invite her to join the Southern Stone pack, and given the fact that she's pregnant I'd really like her to come to my pack, she'd be close to Claire and Nico, we've got one of the best hospitals in the south...plus she seems like the kind of girl who would hate to impose on Nico and Claire and probably wouldn't go with them anyways...this way if she comes to my pack she'd still have her independence."

He nodded, "Talk with her and let her know what you're thinking...but I'll make a call to my Father and see if he can double down on the transfer given her condition."

I didn't like him calling her pregnancy a condition like it was an illness or something bad.

He placed his hands on my shoulders now, "I'm really glad you pulled me to the side, I've actually been meaning to talk to you as well brother in law...you need a Luna, no more procrastinating... I already know it's gonna be the first thing my father asks when I request this favor of him."

I sighed and thought about it. "I was talking with Ash not too long ago, I agree...My pack deserves a Luna to thrive further than where we're at, just give me six more months, if I can't find a Luna in six months you full permission to send out my bridal candidacy to which ever prospects you think would be best and I will choose a Luna to unite myself to."

"Six months?" He asked for clarification. "You shake and this becomes a binding contract."

I smiled and nodded as I didn't hesitate to shake his outstretched hand, "Six months." I said with confidence knowing fully well Shelby will have had the baby and two months to recover, therefore she shouldn't have any aversions to becoming my Luna by then.

"Can I tell your sister, she worries about you constantly.

I nodded, "Yeah, Evie's good at worrying...but you can tell her I agree and I'm sure she'll have some say in picking bridal candidates."

"Some say...more like majority say, I mean have you met your sister?"

I laughed, before I excused myself to go and have a dance with my mate.

"Titus is going to talk to his dad for us." I said as I held Shelby against my body and swayed to the music.

"Should we be dancing if we're suppose to be a secret?"

I shook my head, "I'm pretty sure I'm just the best man dancing with the maid of honor to be polite."

She smiled. "How chivalrous."

We danced on and that was the only dance we had for the rest of the evening so as not to give anyone anything to talk about. When the night came to a close we all went back to the Pruitt house or the Southern Stone pack house and called it a night.

As much as I wanted to sneak over and be with Shelby I knew she was probably exhausted from all of todays events plus we both had to travel pretty early together back to our lives. For me I wanted to get back as soon as possible to start getting everything ready for her arrival. For her she had mentioned wanting to get started on packing her stuff up.

As I was going up to my room Evie stopped me.

"What's up sis?"

She smiled at me, "My husband told me about your conversation earlier...I think it's really great what you're doing for Claire's friend...and I'm proud of you for doing what's best for the pack and finally considering a union, I know it isn't easy but you can have a happy marriage...just look at Brooke and Briar."

I knew she was right, our sisters hadn't been as Lucky as Ash and Evie in marrying their mates, but the twins were happy with their husbands and Brooke's even trying to have a baby now.

I smiled, but it was because I have my mate...and I knew when the time came for it he would join me by my side as the Luna of my pack.

"Well I still have six months to find a mate, and I agreed to letting you and Titus collect candidates just in case."

"You know I wish with my whole heart every single day that you would find your mate and know the happiness only a mate can bring, but just know if I doesn't happen despite the candidates you will of course have last say in who you unite yourself with."

I nodded, "Good to know." I smiled, "But I'm still not giving hope that she'll come around and join me sooner rather than later."

"I love your optimism Vale...now get some rest kiddo, you have a long drive home tomorrow." She said as she hugged me and then left me to go into the room.

I collected all of my things and had my bags ready to go for tomorrow as I didn't want to linger longer than I had to, and knowing Nico and Claire were going to be gone on their unnecessary honeymoon made me want to leave even more as I craved to be with my mate in the same way they were.

Of course I knew I'd have to give us some time to get to know each other first and also I for one thing didn't want to rush anything...we really had no reason to rush either since we're mates...we are a forever couple and we will have forever to do everything with one another.