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"Altus has a sister?"

"Yes. They got closer after their parents' passing. She's been away with some family of theirs for a couple weeks now."

"Do you think she could help us?"

He seems surprised by my suggestion but considers it. "Actually, yes, she might be able to. I'll talk to her; she's always liked me. She could help us convince Altus that no one is going to judge him for having two mates or having a male mate."

I open my mouth to reply but quickly shut it when my keen hearing picks up the sound of Mare arriving. Asper presses his finger to his lips and we both tune into the conversation between Satura and Mare in the room next door.

Satura thanks Mare for coming and offers for her to take a seat. She doesn't mention Asper or me, but she explains to her how serious it is to mate with someone who is not intended for you. Mare stays quiet the entire time.

"All I'm asking is for you to consider it. Have you really thought this through? You made this decision five years ago just after your parents' passing. You told me that you didn't want to be alone. Your mate is out there, Mare. He is not going to reject you. Rejections are unheard of nowadays; we know our blessings when we have them."

Overhearing her conversation makes me wonder just how many parents have died in this pack. I need to ask Asper about why so many of them are orphans. This is disturbing.

"You and Altus rushed into this agreement. I don't want you doing something you regret. Make sure you are doing this for the right reasons and not just because you are scared of being alone. You're not alone, Mare."

It is quiet for a moment until the silence is broken by a sniffle and then a sob. I realise that Mare is crying, and I suddenly feel terrible for dragging her over here to be lectured by Satura.

"Please, don't get upset, Mare. I'm only trying to look out for you."

"I know," she wails. "I'm just so scared, Alpha. What if I don't meet him?"

"Darling, the whole point of fate is that you do meet. Take Felicity, for example. She was a human all her life, but fate decided that, when her aunt passed, she would come to Arcis. What are the chances of a human coming here of their own free will? If a human can find their mate, you certainly can."

"But what do I tell Altus? He will be devasted," Mare says emotionally.

"You let me worry about Altus. He has his own soulmate to worry about."

"Is it the new human, Felicity? She's not a human anymore." She sniffs loudly. "She's his mate, isn't she? I saw it on his face when she came to the house."

"I can't say, Mare, but yes, she's a shifter now."

"Do you promise me that I will meet my mate?" She asks hopefully.

"I promise, Mare. You just need to get yourself out there. You've never left Arcis. If you get out into the world, fate will ensure you find him."

"But how can I leave Arcis? I am supposed to be taking over the alpha role, what will I do? I won't have a job. I'd have to get an awful human job..."

A stroke of genius comes to Satura, and she answers, "Asper has renounced his role as scout. The job is open to any who want it. Perhaps, you could be the new scout."

All I can hear is mine and Asper's shallow breathing as we wait impatiently for her response.

"I don't know anything about being a scout."

"Well, it's a good thing you have an ex-scout on the territory then, isn't it? You can ask Asper all about it, I'm sure he would verse you on it."

"Asper doesn't like me."

He rolls his eyes next to me, making me smile.

"Asper is a good man, Mare. He will help you."

"I don't know...I'd need to think about it," she mumbles. "If I do break it off with Altus, will you be with me? I'm scared to tell him alone; he gets so angry, and I hate it when he shouts."

"Of course, I will," Satura says soothingly. "He is still treating you well, though? I never thought I would have to worry about him being a bad partner."

"Oh, yes, he's good to me, but so full of anger. It has been worse since Asper returned; his temper is so short all of the time. It's like walking on egg shells."

"I'll be with you if and when you speak to him, I promise you. Look at me. Everything is going to be okay. You have to make the decision that is right for you and Altus knows that."

"I'm so scared, Alpha."

"I know you are. But think of what you are missing out on if you pick this path."

"I just want to meet him."

"And you will."

She finishes reassuring Mare and escorts her out of the house. She comes back to the office to find us and gives us both a hard look.

"I hope you're satisfied. I'm not pushing her any more than that, I will wait for her to come back to me with her answer."

"That's only fair," Asper agrees next to me. "Thank you, Alpha."

"Yes, thank you," I add.

"Both of you can go now, I suggest you visit Mel tomorrow."

Asper slips his hand around mine. "We will. Good day, Alpha."

We're both silent in the car. Asper pulls onto the drive, and I don't make any move to get out of the car. I want to stay with him.

"Do you want to come in?" I ask him.

He gives me a lop-sided smile. "Are you not ready to say 'bye' yet, either?"

I grin back. "Nope."

"Then, yes, I'd love to come in. Thank you."

I let us into the house and offer for him to take a seat while I put the kettle on. When I come back out with two cups of decaf coffee, he is looking at one of my mother's diaries. He is only inspecting the cover; he hasn't opened it.

"Sorry, I was being nosy," he says, and I put the drinks down in front of us. "I promise I didn't read anything."

"It's okay, I'm fine with you reading them. I've read all of them, now."

"Really? And how do you feel?"

I shrug and take a sip of the comforting liquid. "Better. It's given me the explanation I didn't realise I've needed my whole life. They have told me why my mother was so secretive, they've answered all of the questions that I had, and, most importantly, they've brought me closer to her. I feel like a have a piece of her with me now, that's cringy, isn't it?"

He smiles warmly at me. "No, it's not cringy, it's completely understandable. I'm glad you got the closure you needed."

"What is Mel like?" I ask randomly. "Is she broody and blunt like her brother?"

Asper laughs at my question. He throws his head back and I get to admire the thick column of his neck as he laughs openly.

"No, not at all," he replies when he has recovered. "She is so chilled and laidback. I've not seen her in a long time, obviously, but she was always so fun and bubbly when we were younger. How Altus used to be before he got so serious with his sexuality."

"She won't be cold to me, then?"

He gently takes my coffee so that he doesn't spill it and pulls me in for a cuddle. He kisses the top of my head.

"No, rosa mea, she won't."

I close my eyes and rest my head on his chest. In my mind's eye, I can picture us in this exact position, but with Altus on my other side, cocooning me between them both.

Although I never thought I would identify as someone who is polyamorous or polysexual, it isn't making me go through the same sexuality crisis that Altus is. I was lucky to grow up with people around me who supported me no matter what, no matter who I grew up to love. I can't imagine how horrible it must be to have parents like that.

In my heart, hope blossoms. I suddenly get a strong feeling of faith. I know that we will be able to bring Altus round. As cliché as it is, love conquers all. Our love and support can allow him to accept himself and accept us, I just know it.

I wouldn't be having those dreams if it were not possible. I have never believed in a moon goddess before, but apparently she is the main deity for my kind. She brought us together, she ensured I came here, she made all this happen and I know she will help me be successful in my mission to fix them.

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I don't know when I got so corny, but it's happening!