Magnus’ p.o.v. I watch Milcah as she walks around the ballroom, lending a hand to whomever needs it. A smile has been plastered on her face ever since she defeated Makay and she has every right to be proud of herself. Lennox hated not being here to see for himself, but the recording I sent him made up for a lot. After lunch, Dad asked the Squad members to take over border patrol for a while. He wanted to inform our Pack-members of the basic information regarding Milcah and Zaphara. He didn’t give them the details, just that they had been confined to the Pack-house. Everyone understands why they won’t join us for the Full Moon party and why we want them to enjoy their freedom a little longer before a Mate-bond might tie them down again. I managed to convince Mom to cut me some slack and we came to a compromise. I stay in the ballroom near an exit at midnight and am free to disappear to the Alpha floor, if my Mate isn’t here. It was the most I could get out of Mom and Elder Major has promised her to keep an eye on me. “It means I get to disappear as well and it might be useful to have a chaperone.” Elder Major whispers as Mom disappears from sight. I hadn’t thought of it that way and Elder Major is probably right; he can act as a shield for pushy, power-hungry women. Dinner is spent on the Alpha floor, as we always do on the day of the Full Moon. Some Alphas had questioned Mom’s tradition of not inviting other Packs before dinner in the past, but Dad always shoots them down quickly. After dinner, we head downstairs to wait for our guests to arrive. Milcah and Zaphara wish us luck on finding our Mates before retreating to the living room. The first guests arrive a few minutes after we have gathered on the front porch. Mom and Dad do the greetings with their leadership and only briefly draw attention to us. Five Packs were invited to the party and the first four made me feel as if tonight would be a piece of cake. Guess, I was wrong on that part. The moment the first woman steps out of the SUV, an unsettling feeling takes hold of me. The moment Dad mentions my name, her eyes are on me. “It is nice to meet you, Magnus. My name is Cynthia.” She says as she leans toward me, but Elder Major is quickly stepping next to me. “Young Alpha, we need to make our rounds through the ballroom. Your Mother invited many guests who would like to meet you.” He says as he steps between me and Cynthia. He guides me into the Pack-house and we can hear Cynthia mumble under her breath. Apparently, she isn’t too fond of my chaperone. Every time she tries to get close to me, Elder Major pops up next to me and Gilliam likes having a chaperone. “If we don’t find our Mate tonight, I am going to demand a chaperone for any future Full Moon party.” He softly grumbles in the back of my head. I will let him do the negotiations with Mom on that issue; it will be fun to listen to that conversation. “Magnus, can you show me around the territory?” I hear Cynthia ask beside me and I slightly panic when I don’t see Elder Major around. “I believe it is time for everyone to gather around their Alpha; it is almost midnight.” I hear Meadow say and suddenly, we are surrounded by all three of my Betas. Cynthia looks at Meadow as if she is disgusted by the sight of her and Gilliam pushes forward faster than I can respond. “That is my Beta female you’re looking at. Show some respect or I will toss you out the front door.” He growls loud enough for everyone to hear. I don’t try to calm him down, because she has been working on our nerves all evening and we are both done. “Young Alpha, I apologize for my Daughter’s behavior. She has wanted to meet you ever since the invitation came in and she is hoping that you will take her as your Mate.” A woman, who has to be her Mother, says. Gilliam growls even louder at the disrespect that both of them are showcasing. They are smart enough to take a step back, but neither has any intention of leaving us alone. “Luna, our future Alpha will never take a chosen Mate. Our Pack-laws are clear on it and he isn’t willing to forfeit the title for a chosen Mate.” Meadow says to make it clear that I will never take a chosen Mate. It also causes Cynthia to lose interest in me and through the mind-link, I thank Meadow for her interference. I breathe a lot easier with Cynthia and her Mother on the other side of the ballroom and I immediately understand why Elder Major didn’t come to my rescue. I watch the clock as our Pack-members start counting down and I wait a few more seconds before I grab Elder Major's arm and escape through the nearest exit. We use the Omega stairwell to get back to the Alpha floor. Elder Major will keep me company for an hour or so and then he will return to the Beta floor and his room. “You might find your fated Mate during the next Full Moon and you might have to wait a few more before she comes along.” Elder Major says as we climb the stairs. “Just know that she is out there and your paths will cross eventually.” “The same goes for you, Elder Major.” I respond. “We will find them when the Goddess feels it is our time to settle down and not a moment before that.” We both know that the other is right and there is no rushing our Goddess. She does everything in her own timeframe, not caring whether we are longing to settle down or not. “The next Full Moon party that we have to attend is at Black Valley territory, isn’t it?” Elder Major asks as we are nearing the Alpha floor. “Yep. Mom feels she has been away too long already, even though she visits Madden and Mylah once a month.” I respond. “I was hoping to be able to stay behind, but Mom won’t budge on it. Especially not after tonight.”We both stop dead in our tracks when I open the door and we look at one another with a knowing look in our eyes.