I chuckled as I ran alongside Solomon, my speed far greater than his as I passed him up as we ran through the trees.

We've known each other since we were kids, we grew up knowing we'd both be Alpha's to our packs one day, and that one thing we had in common gave us a connection that not many people understood. He was my best friend.

I slowed as we reached my parents house, my father Kieran and Solomon's father, Solomon stood outside, grinning as they saw me approach far ahead of Solomon.

"Too slow SJ!" I yelled at him as he came up.

"You'll both be great Alpha's soon enough. And maybe mates soon enough." Solomon suggested.

"Dad." SJ growled at his father.

"Come on, you can cook me something for lunch since you lost. Again." I said trying my best to ignore my fathers stare.

Solomon sighed, thanking me as we walked, my brother James running up to us so we could all take a much needed break at my house. My house was a little ways from the rest of the pack houses and I preferred it that way. I liked being alone for the most part.

"When are you going to tell him?" I asked Solomon as soon as we got inside.

"I can't just tell my Dad I'm gay, it would crush him. Do you know how often he talks about you? He swears we like each other." Solomon said.

I smiled at the sight of my cousin Lily on the couch.

"How did you get in here?" I asked, chuckling when she pointed to the window.

I watched silently as James walked with Solomon to the kitchen, hand in hand as they discussed what to make for lunch.

James told me he was gay when he was fourteen and our family has always supported him, but when I walked in on Solomon and James enjoying each other's company on my couch, I couldn't believe I hadn't realized they were together sooner. The way they looked at each other. I hadn't even known Solomon was gay the entire time. I felt horrible for not being there for him or for him to feel comfortable enough to tell me, but now we were a family.

I growled when Lily threw a pillow at my head.

"You're always zoning out and shit." She said.

I picked the pillow up and she squealed, darting into the kitchen.

"You literally have no food? What do you eat?" James asked me.

"Takeout or pizza." I said with a grin.

"We're going to the store. If I'm going to beat you it's going to be you in perfect health." Solomon said grabbing the keys to my jeep and heading out the door.

I chuckled as I got in the backseat, listening to blasting music the whole hour drive it took us to get to town.

I got out the car, a gust of wind coming my way, familiar scents hitting my nose and I spun around.

I grinned at Giselle and Pierre, my family's long time friends who stared back at me, the smell of animal blood faint on them so I knew they had been hunting. Being vampires, it was against their laws to feed on innocent humans, so their diets primarily consisted of animals.

"Willow. It's been too long." Giselle said as she pulled me into a hug.

"Congratulations on your mating." Pierre said, his white teeth flashing.

I stared at him confused.

"What?" I asked quietly.

"Your father told us you and Solomon would be joining packs because the Council changed the laws. That's why we're in town. To be witness the mating. They need representative of each species." Pierre said.

I felt betray hit me first, anger second. I didn't know how to feel.

"Oh darling, they didn't tell her." Giselle whispered.

I practically ran into the store, swinging the door open, not seeing the tall body that stood in the doorway and I crashed into them, the man steadying me with his hand.

I looked up, staring into a pair of velvet red eyes.

I growled at the unfamiliar vampire who stood in front of me.

"Willow. He's with us. He will be leading the coven after I step down." Pierre said as he zoomed forward, distancing me from the stranger who'd yet to say a word, his eyes taking over me without shame.

"Who is he?" I asked as I stared at the strange man who stared right back.

The chiming of the stores entry bell caught my attention and a fuming Solomon is what caught me next, him ripping his shirt off as he ran into the dense trees.

James came out, tears evident in his eyes and he looked at me, he looked hurt.

"James. What happened?" I asked.

He growled and took off after Solomon.

Lily stared at me.

"They told him. For you both to get your titles tonight, you have to take a mate who is a successor or you won't receive them at all." He said.

I stared at her stunned and the next thing I knew I was in the car and back in our pack lands.

I growled as I stormed in my parents house, seeing Alexander, the head councilman as he stared back at me.

"I take it you know what's happening." He asked.

He accepted the slap I gave him, clenching his jaw before looking back up at me.

"Willow." My mother said, her stern voice breaking the silence as I struggled for words.

"How could you let this happen. You know I don't want a mate. Especially Solomon. He is my best friend!" I yelled.

"Then you should have no problem mating." My father said as he entered, Katrina and Solomon Sr, following him in.

I stared at my mother, her eyes reading mine.

"Please don't make me do this mom." I whispered.

"They changed the law. Alexander tried, but there's so much danger with hunters and our population isn't secure as it once was. Packs are stronger when under an Alpha and Luna's rule. It's mate or they strip you of your title and put the pack under rule of an already mated couple." She whispered.

I stared at Solomon who walked through the door, Pierre and Giselle following, their guest with them, his piercing eyes staring at me.

"SJ-

"It's fine. Let's do this. Get it over with." He growled out.

"No. One of us should get a shot at happiness." I said quietly as I gripped his hand.

"I'll mate tonight if I have too, but not Solomon. His heart belongs to someone else." I said to Alexander.

He looked at me in confusion, everyone turning to me in shock.

"The only qualifications is that my mate must be a successor right?" I whispered as I asked quietly.

Alexander nodded and I stared past him, those velvet red eyes staring back as it clicked.

"Then him. I'll mate with him." I said as I stared at the man on the far side of the room.