Tyler was excited that Alpha Talia came back, this time with Alpha Damon and a few more people, and he was upset that he was stuck on a guard duty next to the portal and due to that, he couldn't greet the newcomers when they arrived. They didn't have guests often.
He was looking forward to the upcoming feast which indicated that Alpha Talia will stick around for a while. Or did she come here to stay forever?
Like any other member of the Midnight Guardians pack, Tyler was excited to witness the changes Talia's presence brought. The most important change Talia brought was the wind of hope that everyone could feel. No one knew exactly what they were hoping for, but it was there, nearly tangible, and it filled them with tingling anticipation.
Ever since the announcement of the upcoming feast that Alpha Talia will attend with her mate and a few other guests, Tyler could feel the excitement crackling in the air. It was fantastic.
Yasmin couldn't stop mind-linking him about the feast, and she wanted Axel, Kai, and Meg to keep Damon and Talia busy so that Tyler and Yasmin can sneakily prepare something special for the guests (Damon and Talia in particular).
Luna Yasmin always went above and beyond to make others happy. She was like a fresh breeze sweeping through the Midnight Guards pack, an additional confirmation (after Meg), that mates are out there. The news of Yasmin's pregnancy was like a tide of positivity everyone wanted to soak in. And it's twins!
The whole Midnight Guardians pack was happy for Axel and Kai, two high-ranking members who found their mates, and Axel was even starting his own family, but the unmated pack members also stirred with longing to find their mates, and Tyler was not an exception.
Tyler is the Gamma of the Midnight Guardians pack, with access to confidential information, so he knew that Talia's next destination was the realm of witches, and Tyler hoped he can tag along. Who knows, maybe his mate was there?
Tyler dressed up for the dinner. Black trousers and a crisp light gray shirt that matched the color of his eyes. He polished his black formal shoes until he could see his reflection in them. He wanted to leave a good impression on Talia, and increase his chances of going.
Tyler was sick of listening to Axel and Kai boasting how good it is to sleep with a woman. Tyler was the only high-ranking member in the Midnight Guardians pack who was spending his nights alone, indulging in pleasures his right hand can provide.
Every day Tyler met with Axel and Kai, often in the company of Yasmin and Meg, and Tyler was sticking out like the last bachelor in the world.
He wanted a woman to feed also, damnit!
Were powers so important? He can be the Gamma without those. Tyler dreamed about going to the red district in a human city (based on movies he watched, every human city has one) and he would ravish women until he gets his fill or runs out of money. Of course, Tyler never went through it; not because he cared about his non-awakened powers, but because he didn't want to appear weak.
Axel waited, Kai waited, so many others waited for their mates and if Tyler crumbled under the pressure of his loneliness, he wouldn't be fit to serve his Alpha or to lead their people as a Gamma. As one of the few high-ranking members, it was Tyler's duty to lead by example, no matter how hard it was.
Back to the present…
Tyler was coming down the stairs with Meg and Kai chattering behind him, and his whole world collapsed into nothing, leaving only one female with short blonde hair in a red miniskirt standing there… shining brightly… her beauty left him spellbound.
Their stares collided and locked them both in a trance. Tyler was confident that he had never seen her before, yet she looked familiar, like he knew her well, like she was an important piece of him… And then he heard in his head, "Mate!"
Tyler was not aware at what point he moved, or when did she, but they stood at the bottom of the staircases, half a step between them, bathing in each other's presence and he was enveloped in her scent that was zesty with a hint of grass, reminding him of lemonade he would sip on a sunny meadow. She was bright and beautiful like the sun. It was magical.
People around them erupted into clamor, and he was sure that Kai and Axel patted his shoulder, but Tyler couldn't feel a thing.
Her blue-green eyes smiled at him, and he knew that she recognized him as her mate.
Axel and Kai found their mates, and Tyler wondered when his turn will come, a painful knot forming in his chest whenever he thought of the possibility that he won't find her (and he would stay a virgin forever!), and here she was. Gorgeous.
Sandy couldn't believe that this hunk was hiding in the Midnight Guardians pack, and something told her he was hers even before she heard that word 'mate' in her head. He was her other half. She found him. Finally.
Her eyes moved over his short dark brown hair, gray eyes, a smile that could stop the traffic, and those broad shoulders she couldn't wait to hold onto. He was perfect.
Sandy wondered if his taste will match his scent; freshly made pancakes drenched in maple syrup. As far as her memories go, Sandy loved pancakes, and she loved maple syrup, and she was head over heels for the guy who was standing in front of her, even though she had no idea what his name was.
Sandy's eyes darted to Tyler's lips, and she noticed that he did the same, confirming that he wanted to kiss her, just as much as she wanted to taste him, and her stomach flipped at the thought that she will get to kiss her mate for the first time. It should be good.
Like someone pushed them toward each other, Tyler leaned lower, and Sandy lifted her head.
"I'm Tyler", his maple-infused breath splashed on her lips.
Sandy's heart was in her throat, and it took her a moment to realize that Tyler was waiting for her name.
"Sa-sa…", she stuttered.
"Nice to meet you, Sasa", Tyler said and then he closed that last fraction of distance between them.
He finally found his mate and he had no intention of delaying his first kiss. That initial contact jolted his insides and he forgot about insecurities if he will know what to do.
Sandy wanted to correct him that her name was not Sasa, but then colors exploded everywhere when his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer, and sparks of their bond made this the best kiss ever. She didn't care what he called her. Sasa it is!
Sandy's hands moved behind Tyler's neck, and she let him feel her teeth, sucking and nibbling, showing him all the wonderful ways they can play with their lips.
He released a small whimper when she deepened the kiss and she loved it!
His flavors invaded Sandy's system and she hummed in pleasure. Maple syrup and pancakes everywhere. She leaned into him knowing that she won't go without a dessert ever again!
