That finally made Alina move as she laughed at her mother. The thought of any male salivating over her, especially one such as Vasile, was indeed ludicrous. She was no great beauty, she knew that, and usually that did not bother her. “You must not have seen him clearly, Mother. Had you seen his expression from a more direct position, you would have seen the scowl plastered on his handsome face as he glared down at me.”

“He is quite lovely, is he not?” Her mother beamed at her.

Alina crossed her arms in front of her and narrowed her eyes. “I hardly think your mate would appreciate you saying so.”

“Did you notice how tall he was? And that hair was so dark and thick,” her mother continued completely ignoring her. “His lips were definitely worth a second glance.”

Alina stomped her foot, childish, but unavoidable. “Enough! How can you carry on so?”

“Feeling a bit possessive, dear?” Her mother’s knowing eyes sparkled at her.

Alina turned and walked towards the house needing to sit down in the shade for a few minutes while she gathered her thoughts.

Her mother took the chair while she sat on the edge of her bed. She looked around their tiny home, so simple, but it met their needs. So why was she embarrassed? “He lives in a castle. His wardrobe is probably the size of our entire house. I just . . . I do not,” she stumbled over her words as she ran her hands over her thighs repeatedly.

“Well,” her mother breathed out. “I never thought I would see the day that a pretty face and full purse made my daughter tuck her tail and run.”

Alina’s eyes snapped up. She could not believe her mother had just said that to her, but even in her wounded state she knew she was right. “I do not feel like myself,” she admitted. “Ever since I saw him standing there―confident, beautiful, and not appearing as if he needed anything from anyone―I have just felt inadequate. What could I possibly have to offer him?”

“Perhaps you need to get to know him before you pass judgment on either of you. I know you are sixteen in less than a month, but you are still young in many ways. Give him time to show you the man he is before you decide who he is not.”

A knock at the door had both of them turning, and before Alina could see who it was, her stomach dropped in anticipation but quickly righted itself when Sisily, her best friend, walked in.

“When you did not show up I was worried about you,” she said biting her lip in her usual manner when she was unsure of herself.

“I am so sorry, Sis.” Alina stood quickly and went to her friend. “I did not forget; I just got held up.”

“But what she really wanted was to be held down,” her mother muttered as she walked past the two girls into the kitchen.

“Mother!” Alina’s face flushed as she glowered at Georgeta.

Sisily was grinning from ear to ear as she looked back and forth between mother and daughter.

Georgeta shrugged. “I, unlike you, see no reason not to celebrate and enjoy the beginning of true matesjoining, bringing hope to those still waiting.” She looked at Sisily pointedly.

Sisily was bouncing on the balls of her feet, too focused on Alina to notice the look. “You have met your true mate? Who is he? Is he from another pack? Is he handsome? Did he….”

“Sisily, stop,” Alina interrupted her exuberant friend. She glanced at her mother who now wore a smug smile. “How about we go to our usual meeting spot and talk,” she suggested.

Sisily happily waved to Georgeta as she rushed after Alina. “Are you in a hurry?”

Alina slowed immediately, realizing that she was letting her emotions get the best of her and taking it out on the closest thing she had ever had to a sister.

They sat by the edge of the river, picking at the grass and tossing sticks into the water. Alina knew that Sisily would not begin speaking until she started first. She had gotten her initial shock out of the way and was now willing to be patient. She was a good listener.

“Vasile, the new Alpha is here,” she finally said. Sisily nodded but did not comment. “He came by our house earlier this morning and had two warriors with him.” She paused drawing in a shaky breath. “I felt him in my mind. The pull to go to him was…was…strong, as though I had not felt or drunk a drop of liquid in ages and he was the rain. I wanted to run to him, to be covered by him, and to be drenched in his scent as he washed away everything that came before him.”

“Which one?” Sisily exhaled as she fanned herself.

Alina nearly laughed at the sight of her friend flustered and breathless. The smile faded as she looked away back to the slow running water. “Vasile.”

There was silence for several minutes; only the chirping of birds and the rippling noise of the river pierced the quiet.

“He is very, very handsome,” Sisily crooned finally.

Alina chucked the stick she had been playing with. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”

Sisily heard the irritation in Alina’s voice and frowned. “Wait, are you not happy that you have finally met him? I mean, Alina, you have a true mate, and you have only waited sixteen years before he found you. Any other female in this village would be dancing like a fool and singing at the top of her lungs.”

“Deep, deep down, I am. I truly am happy. My wolf is preening like the fool you just described, and if I phased she would probably shake her tail shamelessly at him.” This brought a giggle from her friend. “But I am not of age yet. My father has already told me that he will not release me into my true mate’s care until I am twenty. That is a long time for him to wait. And, I realize how very shallow this is of me, but I do not feel adequate for him. I do not feel I am his equal. I know nothing of leading a pack. I have not been raised with fine things, and my skin is not soft and delicate as the females that surely live in the castle. I am no beauty on a good day, but standing next to him I am as dull as an unpolished gem left in the ground where it formed.”