A feast lay on tables outside the meeting hall. Alpha had told everyone to eat as much as they liked and enjoy the night.
Back in the room, Arya lay on the bed, feeling tired. After having dinner, she came into her room, took a long, warm bath, and then wore a cotton dress before falling on the bed.
As she closed her eyes, the familiar scent of first rain and wildflowers hit her. Her senses were now stronger, and she knew when he came close.
"Long night, huh," Alfa said.
Without flinching, she replied, "Yeah. I'm feeling exhausted."
"You didn't jump!" Alfa observed.
"I can smell you now," Arya said, her eyes still closed.
"You did good out there today. Everyone loved you," Alfa said, sitting on his side of the bed.
"Thanks," Arya said, her voice sleepy.
'Arya, with our mate so close, I don't know how long I can hold in my feelings.' Bella said.
'Bella, just go to sleep.' Arya said.
"You awake?" Alfa asked, even when he knew the answer.
Ever since they had marked each other, Alfa had wanted to complete the mating process, but something always came up. He didn't bring it up because he didn't want Arya to feel pressured.
Braxen could feel Bella's raising heat. He didn't know if Arya knew it, but she would be going into heat soon. He just wanted to make sure Arya wants all this before they get near each other.
"No, I'm deep asleep," Arya replied with a groan.
"I needed to talk to you about something."
"Is it important?"
"Yes!"
Taking a deep breath, Arya turned to face him and watched his face closely. "What is it?"
He had already complimented her on her dress and speech. What could be the matter that he wouldn't let her sleep?
Her only hope was that this was life and death important, or she was going to show him what happens to people who don't let her sleep.
"Have you heard about heat?" Alfa asked.
"What?" Arya was now supporting her head over the pillow with her hand.
"Heat... you know... heat?"
"Is that some new brand or something?" Arya asked with her eyes narrowed.
"Uh... no. Animals go into heat heat! Get it?" Alfa also lay down, his hand supporting his had above the pillow, facing Arya.
Arya looked at the time. "Alfa, it's one thirty am. What do animals and them going nuts to f each other have to do with... Wait! What exactly do you mean?" Arya was now fully awake.
Heat. This was also known as the mating season. This wasn't common in humans, as homo sapiens had sex mostly for pleasure and not to multiple their species.
But in animals, it was necessary. The females would release a hormone that made the male know she's fertile and ready to have babies.
They were half wolves... so does that mean she'd go into some sort of heat thing?
"Arya, mating season starts soon. You, as a luna, are ... giving off really strong -"
"What? But... I don't know anything about sex. I haven't even kissed a guy, let alone have sex... and I'm still a virgin... I can't just... just..."
"Arya, you will know what to do when the time is right. I just want this to be special for both of us," Alfa's blue eyes stared at her, and something about them made Arya relax.
"Al, I don't know what to do. I'm scared," Arya said slowly.
"Don't worry, everything will work out in the end," he said.
What Arya didn't know is that her mate was also inexperienced when it came to romance.
Being the Alpha of a huge pack meant he could have any she wolf he wanted, but he also preferred to save himself for his mate; his blue-eyed angel.
Being betrothed meant that his father had set destiny to unite them together, bound by an unbreakable promise of unity. It also meant that any fated mate chosen by the moon Goddess for Alfa at his birth would now be fated to someone else, probably to the fated mate of Arya.
"Maybe..." Alfa looked towards Arya. Her chest rose slightly, peacefully, and breath steady. She was asleep.
Alfa smiled and lay down, eyes closed, finally surrendering to sleep.
Arya awoke up to the sun shining on her face. She stired before opening her eyes.
She found the room empty and quiet. The clock showed eight am. She sat on the bed and rubbed her eyes.
Vivien's scent drifted to her nose before the soft knock on the door.
"Come in, Viv," she said.
"Luna. I didn't wake you, did I?" Vivien asked when she saw Arya sitting on the bed half asleep.
Arya was never actually a morning person. The only exception was when she had to study for exams, of course.
"Oh, no, no... I just woke up seconds before you came," Arya said, waving at her.
"Luna... " "Viv, I told you to call me Arya when it's just us. You can address me as Luna when someone's with us," Arya said.
Vivien visibly stiffened. Raised as an omega, she was taught never to raise even an eye to any wolf, let alone call them by name. Their Alpha and Luna were on top of the hierarchy and saying their names meant getting beheaded.
"You know what, you can call me whatever you are comfortable with. I don't mind being called Arya or Luna," Arya said quickly. She saw Vivien relax.
She smiled and said, " Luna, Alpha is waiting for you in the training arena. He said you have to begin your training as soon as possible.
"Really? But I didn't know about the training!" Arya said, more to herself than Vivien.
'Alfa, why do I need to start training from today? Can't I begin tomorrow?' She mindlinked her mate.
'I knew you were too afraid to duel. Coward!'
'Did you just call me a coward?'
Arya was fuming. How dare he call her a coward?
'Well, why don't you prove me wrong?'
Alfa smiled inwardly. He knew he had pulled a plug, and now Arya would give it her best during training.
Sure enough, a very angry Luna showed up at the training arena, wearing a training shorts and vest over her sports bra.
Alfa stood there shocked, as he didn't remember buying all that.
"I borrowed it," Arya said, sensing his curiosity.
"From who?" Alfa asked, unable to get a scent.
"Natalie. She always carries her training suit, as she calls it, everywhere. Now, what did you call me again?"