**Sigurd's POV**
I’m standing at the front of the house waiting for the arrival of the pearl moon, I am so nervous to see Cynthia again my wolf can hardly contain himself he is going crazy we haven’t stopped thinking about her since we left. I’m linked by one of the border guard's he let me know he has spotted the cars on the way towards us.
"Alpha, the cars are on their way " instantly after I let him know he has linked the entire pack and they begin to make their way to the front of the house; everyone is wearing their best clothes and you wouldn't think less than 45 minutes ago we were all covered in sweat after the most intense training session Calder has ever made us do.
I’m looking around the crowd and then I see a young group of females all of whom have just gone stiff and have been pushing out the breasts playing with the hair and looking my way, I get a little hot in the face until I feel a hand on my shoulder. Ahh Calder has arrived.
"Hey Sigi, how is it going? Is everything ready?"
"We are ready, the cars will line up while the guests get out, Freya will welcome them to the garden area for drinks and that's when you make your speech “I’m trying to say this with the upmost confidence but the reality of it is I don’t care about any of this.
Calder turns to me, "Sigi, you need to calm down I can feel smell how nervous you are from here, everything is going to be fine but the end of tonight you'll know”.
I know he’s right, so I shake off this feeling and stand tall, Calder instructs everyone to put on the masquerade masks as Alpha Eric’s car approaches.
30 or so cars have lined the driveway and members of the Pearl Moon are getting out of the car and making their way towards the steps, in the car with Eric and his Beta Ryan with their Mates, all four of whom make their way up the stairs towards myself and Calder. Luckily, Freya as come from know where and taken over the pleasantries. I’m mildly paying attention my eyes are till focused on the cars and then I see her.
She looks stunning and I don’t know if it’s just my eyes, but she has this yellow warming glow around her snow-white hair is in loose curls and it perfectly of setting the white and gold dress she is wearing. For a second it feels like I can’t breath and with that I’m snapped out of it by someone invading my brain with my link.
"Sigi, if you keep your mouth open any longer, you’re going star drooling " With those words I hear a small chuckle and see Calder and Eric staring at me.
"Sorry I was distracted for a second " Not wanting to make a fool of myself I politely excuse myself with some excuse about one last check on the border before we go inside. The reality of it is I want to be near her, my wolf Thir is pulling me towards her and without knowing how I got here or what I’m going to say but now she’s looking at me confused.
"Sigi. Say something, we look stupid " Thir is yelling at me.
Shit Sigurd say something the words escape me and then Cynthia speaks first.
"Hello Beta Sigurd, how are you? are you okay? " There is a hint of concern in her voice and then she reaches out to take my hand because I haven’t said a word in 2 minutes.
It’s like and explosion when her skin meets mine Thir is screaming mate in my head and I know that she is, I’m staring in her eyes and for a second, I swear they lit up yellow only for a second.
Without thinking I can only muster one word. "Mate " I take a step towards her, but she drops her hands and steps back, the confusion in her face is painful it’s like she doesn't want us.
"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you I just ...I think my mate well actually I’m sure of it but well ..." Before I can finish, she speaks.
"Sigurd, I felt that too, but I don’t think that we are mates “see her eyes fill up with tears "You see I already have a mate. well, I had a mate he passed away some time ago now. So, you see I’ve already found and lost my mate " She is still holding back tears and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do Thir is so sure that we are mates.
"Cynthia, I’m sorry for your loss but I’m sure of this my wolf and I are sure of this, I don’t want to push you, but we are mates”.
She’s staring at me and I know she is just confused as we are.
"Sigurd, it looks like Luna Freya is about to speak we should go, would you mind accompanying me as is seems as though everyone else has left ".
Looking around I see the cars are all empty and it just the two of us stood here, I nod and hold my arm out for her to take.
"I think it would be best if we don’t touch Sigurd, but please lead the way”.
In her one sentence I felt rejection and love in one go she does not want me to touch her, but she said my name and internally I’m filled with Joy.
"Sigi, you can call me Sigi and its this way."
Cynthia's POV
I’m following Sigi but what the hell just happened and why didn’t I feel that when I met him before why was t only when we touched and moreover how can he be our mate, we have a mate Kari, he was our mate and I know enough about being a wolf to know you don’t get two! I’m so confused.
"Cyrus, why did you call him mate”.
"He is our mate Cynthia, I can’t explain it but when he touched us, I knew it I felt his wolf Thir I don’t know how this has happened, but I can feel the mate bond although it’s like its stuck”.
"You mean like it won’t connect fully, I felt that too”.
"yes Cynth, I know we had Kari, but I think he might be our second chance at happiness”.
"Cyrus. the last time we gave ourselves to someone completely we lost them, and it almost tore us apart”.
I do not want to hear what else she has to say I’m already so confused, so I cut her off.
we reach the stone steps, and my dress is so long I am fumbling for a way to walk up them without tripping when I see a hand reached out.
"I know you would prefer we don’t touch but its only for a second”.
A second is all I think it will take to convince me of what I already know deep down but am not ready to accept , I see the pain in his eyes knowing I don’t want to touch him , he goes to pull away but I take his hand at the last second .As I do I feel the sparks and I can’t help but look into his eyes for a second I get lost in them but with that feeling comes the reminder of Kari , the feeling when we touched was more intense than this . I do not know what’s happening.
Without another word we reach the top of the stairs feeling super awkward with this whole situation I scan the crowd I just need to find Arti or Sel. I can see Selene she is with Dot, but I think Arti would be best here she is with Ryan, Eric and Calder.
"Thank you, Sigurd, I mean Sigi I should go and find my Arti I’m sure she will be wondering where I’ve gotten too”.
"I hope we have a chance to speak again Cynthia " And he turns to walk away, I take a step towards Arti then I realise we are still walking side by side myself heading for Arti and Sigi heading for Calder ...Ah yes, he is the Beta of this pack after all.
When we reach the small crowd, the usual pleasantries are explained, Calder asks after Selene this is all lovely, but I need to speak to Arti without making it obvious, I grab her hand I know she can feel my nervousness, my anxieties and my sadness almost instantly She has excused us both to go to the bathroom.
We enter the house and rush to a small corner with a few seats she ushers me to sit.
"Cynth, what’s going on are you okay? "I hear so much worry in her voice.
I don’t know what to say so I just sit and tell her everything, about the weird encounter in my office the other week, about how when we touched, I felt the mate tingles and he’s convinced we are mates. I even told her that Cyrus is convinced of this also, so I’ve blocked her out. When I finish, she looks completely perplexed, she takes a few deep breaths.
"Cynth, I’m not sure what I’m going to say you’re going to like but. I think he is right I think you’ve been gifted another chance. I think this is a deciding point for you the moon goddess is offering you another choice”.
I look in her eyes deep down I know she is right I knew that I could not block out all my pain forever but I’m not sure I’m ready for it to be now.
"Cynthia, you have a choice you can reject Sigi and keep your deal with the moon goddess. Or you can give it up and find another chance at happiness only you can make that choice but whatever you decide to do me and Sel will be here for you”.
I nod at her “I know your right Arti, I will have so much to think about, but tonight is about Selene”.
"Your right Cynth, but I just ask you to remember something there is another person involved this time and although it may not seem like it now getting a second mate is a rare gift you wouldn’t have got it without a reason."
With that she squeezes my hand kisses me on the forehead and walkway. After a few minutes I get up shake off all these feelings and head back outside after all it is a party.