-Augustine's POV-

For as much game as I pretended to have in front of my cousin only a moment ago, I watched as Grace and her friends made their way over to the bar. Gio talked them up easily, then I noticed him pointing to the back of the club.

I turned to see what he'd be point at...the restrooms.

I gave my mate my full attention once again and watched her separate from her friends as she moved toward the restrooms alone.

'She's Brave.'

"Or Stubborn." I countered, "Maybe even reckless."

'Headstrong...Fearless.'

I couldn't help but smirk.

I took longer strides and caught up to her easily.

I noticed the way her body reacted to my sudden closeness.

She tensed and then relaxed all at once, and I mindlessly reached out and took her hand into my own.

Small, delicate, soft...

I kept a light hold of her hand in my fingertips. But even that barely there touch was enough to ignite all of my feelings instantly for my mate, as a fire began to burn inside of me...she was all I'd ever want for the rest of my life.

"Look at me...please." I sounded...I just had to see her up close.

No...the fact of the matter was, I was desperate for her to see me...I needed her to see us.

But I was nervous as I didn't want to come off as demanding, I would never want to order anyone around more so her.

And as she turned to face us, she completely took my breath away and any and all preconceived notions about chasing her or getting her where completely gone now.

Her captivating eyes pulled me in and I knew from that point on I wouldn't chase her, but rather...I would follow her for as long as she allowed me to.

I somehow remembered I had a voice, and had just been staring at her like a creepy dude...I figured I may as well introduce myself, I mean it's a good enough starting point, right?

"I'm Aug...-"

But my words were cut off by her removing her hand from mine.

I looked down at our hands and then back up at her.

"...And I have to pee." She sounded desperate to be away from me.

As hurt as I was I also noticed...There was something in her eyes that now read uncertainty.

It wasn't a look of hatred or disgust, so there was a small hope in that...but because it was uncertainty I knew We'd caught her off guard, and felt like she would need to figure everything out.

Again I wouldn't rush her.

As much as I kinda wanted to just follow her right now (not giving a damn that it's the ladies restroom), I knew that would more than likely only scare her or put her off.

I sighed before making my way into the office.

My wolf could still feel hers so I knew she was still here in the club somewhere...but as the feeling of her faded away I knew she'd gone.

I finally exited the office and went immediately down to the bartender.

"Gio." I sounded as casually as I could muster, "Those girls..."

"Which one's Boss?" He asked.

"A trio, Two brunettes, one blonde"

He nodded, "I'm so Sorry Ace..." He sounded apologetic now. "I knew I should've asked if they could come first but Kelly's my cousin and I knew her and her friends would really dig this place."

I nodded, "No That's fine, I just noticed that they took off?"

"Yeah." He sounded just as Vinny made his way over to us, "Grace was ready to go and she basically calls the shots for them."

"Of course she does, Her dad's the Alpha." Vinny put in.

Gio shook his head, "Nah it was nothing like that... my cousin said Grace suddenly started feeling sick."

"Guess you'll have to chase her next time Cuz." Vinny said with a smirk.

Gio looked between us.

"No chasing, I don't want to scare her by being too much too quick..." I said before I sighed and turned my back to them, "Grace Wylde is my mate."

Neither of them said anything, and if they made any faces or anything I couldn't see them.

"...I know what they say... that she goes against traditions, it's probably why they left when they did, because I approached her...but I won't chase her if that's what she wants." I said out loud as well as to my wolf who was all but ready to run over to Harmond right now. "I'm sure we'll see each other again sooner or later, until then I'll give her some time to figure everything out."

"But you're both mates." Gio sounded.

"We are...and please keep that to yourselves...who she tells or doesn't tell is her business."

"...but you're an Alpha's son, she's an Alpha's Daugher...your pull is stronger than most."

I nodded, " I know." I said turning back to face them both once again. "And I'm hoping that our strong pull will at the very least make her curious about me and my wolf...but I'll give her, her space."

"Well don't forget we have our opening this weekend." Vinny said. "I'm sure they'll be here for that."

"Yeah...Kels mentioned the girls wanted to come for that."

I nodded, "Well put them on the list, VIP, anything they want is on me, but... something tells me I'm not going to be seeing Grace Wylde here again unless I personally bring her here."

The looked at each other, neither knew what to say.

"I'm gonna head out...Unfortunately I need to talk to my Father and Junior."

I take off after that and get into my car. The engine roared to life and for added emphasis on my mood I rev the engine even more before taking off.

I was Sad.

Scared.

Worried.

Pissed.

This isn't what I've been taught, what I've been told from everyone around me.

When you meet your mate for the first time it's suppose to be the best thing in the world.

Yeah you're surprised, but it's generally suppose to be a happy event...not like this, all this uncertainty lingering in the air.

Then again, maybe it's for the best?

Maybe the fates gave me a mate that didn't want to be with me (or anyone from what I hear) because my destiny isn't suppose to be with her.

'Fuck that Destiny.'

I shook my head. "Trust me...I couldn't agree more." I agreed with my wolf and raced down the street to the pack house.

I let myself in, nodded my acknowledgment of my sister in law (the Luna) and she smiled at me before I let myself into the office.

"Ace...come in." Junior sounded annoyed, our Father still there with him, "How can I help you?"

"I actually came to talk to Dad." I admitted.

He looked at our Father and my Dad stepped forward, "What is it Augustine?"

"Dad, please...please don't force this marriage onto me and that poor girl, I can't do it...I have a mate...I met my Mate, tonight."

My father looked over at Junior and then back at me, he wore a saddened expression. "Augustine my son...I am sorry, I truly am...but I can not do anything."

"Wh-What?!" I asked angrily. "How could a man, more less a father just do this to their own son?"

"Ace...that's enough." Junior said, standing up from behind his desk. "Dad can't do anything because he didn't make up the contract and present it to the council...I did."

I didn't know what to say.

Junior sighed, "Look...we all want to see you happy Ace, it's far past time you settled down and start a family, I went to Dad and asked him to get in touch with some of his old friends, all of which are well respected Alpha's..."

"You did this?" I finally asked my brother as if I was hearing something incorrectly.

Junior nodded, "I did...and as much as you want to be pissed off and refuse to marry her...that is impossible."

"But I have a mate." I sounded on a again. "The council will take that into account surely."

He shook his head, "They won't...I really wish things could be different Ace, I do...but you are the son of an Alpha and sometimes that means having to do shit not for ourselves but for the good of the family as well as the good of the pack."

"If this is a matter of me being married off to someone of Alpha blood, then I can tell you my Mate is an Alpha's daughter...Grace Wylde, Daughter of Alpha Dylan Wylde of the Harmond Pack."

Junior shook his head and sighed, "Grace Wylde...I'm sure she is a lovely girl...but, it's just as well that we've contracted out your marriage."

"What in the hell is that suppose to me?" I growled in defensive of our newly found mate.

He held his hands up in a sign of peace, "No offense, but everyone knows all about Alpha Wylde's 'Wylde Child'...she would not make for a respectable wife or a good addition to this family."

I was on edge and ready to shift right now and if it had been anyone else I would have probably killed them right then and there.

But my wolf held still as he recknoized Junior as our Alpha.

"That being said...we understand that this is a lot to process and adjust to...for all of you involved...And because we want to assure you that everything is good on your betrothed's side will be having a family dinner Next Sunday so the two of you can officially meet..."

'Betrothed.' My wolf sounded disgusted. 'We want Mate.'

"...That will give you all of this week and next week to do what you have to do to...free yourself."

"Free myself?!" I asked baffled.

"Do you refuse to reject her then?" He asked irritated now.

"Of course I refuse." I held my ground.

"Then you leave me no choice...Agustine Andolini, as the Alpha of Lakeside Pack I order you to refrain from seeking out your mate, keep your mate's pull if you must but know you will only bring you and her heartache...furthermore as Alpha of Lakeside Pack I Order you to NEVER mark or mate with Grace Wylde."

I didn't know what to say or do...all I could think of right now was the doe eyed Grace...the Mate I'd never get to be with.

"I know you don't believe me now baby brother, but you'll see, it's for your own good...and to show you that i'm not trying to ruin your life, I've also decided to let you take the professor job... it may even help take your mind off of Miss Wylde."

After that I left with more to think about than anything else.

I didn't know how I was going to do it, but unless the fates themselves intervined and kept Gace and I away from each other then I don't think anything in this world ever could...my family included.

I drove to my house in complete silence, even my wolf seemed oddly dormant.

But as I killed the ignition I stayed in my car. Both hands holding onto the top of the steering wheel now, I rested my forehead on my clinched hands.

"Devine Moon Goddess...what am I suppose to do?" I asked into the night. I was completely at a loss of what to do.

Of course I've always wanted to do good by my family, I love and respect them...but Grace is my mate. And even if she hadn't acknowledged me as her mate I refuse to ever turn her away. I couldn't begin to imagine a life without her now...I know that's crazy being I just met her, but it's true.

"Give me a sign...please."

After a while I got out of the car and let myself into the house.

I walked right up to my room, I really didn't know what I was going to do now?