Chapter 2 : Sisterly Love

*Mae* Mae reached the edge of her town before she even broke a sweat. She slowed down as she reached the pathways of the sleepy borough. The normal night guards were still stalking about, but everything else was quiet, still. Mae walked carefully and noiselessly through the streets, knowing the best path to take to her home. She had done this so many times, she had practically memorized the schedules and paths of the guards. Not that any of them would dare harm her or arrest her, but there was no need to waken her father unnecessarily. She almost giggled to herself at how easy this was and how often she had gotten away with it. When she reached the Alpha's mansion in the middle of the city, she moved around back to the large open window. She could see a small light on and the curtains blowing. April was still awake waiting for her. Mae smiled to herself as she started to climb the tree next to her bedroom window. Gracefully, she climbed before jumping in and through the window. When Mae straightened herself up, she saw her sister was sitting on her bed, reading some coverless book. April hadn't even looked up from the page she was currently on when Mae entered. Mae smiled and jumped onto the bed beside her sister. "What are you reading?" Mae asked, trying to get an idea from the few words she could make out before April closed the book. April kept the closed book in her lap and tried to make her best annoyed expression at her sister. "It's a book about the history of our pack and its creation. Mrs. Hallow let me borrow it. Do you know what time it is?" April demanded, trying to force as much frustration in her voice as possible. "I know I have the best little sister in the world to stay up and wait for me and make sure no one notices that I came home late," Mae answered playfully. She reached over and started to tickle April's side. April tried to pull away but ended up losing her pretend irritation and laughing out loud. "Okay, okay! Stop! I give up! But you better believe I'm the best sister in the world! Daddy came in here earlier looking for you. He started to get pissed, insisting you were out with Henry. I convinced him you were having 'lady troubles' and were just bathing outside." "That doesn't even make sense," Mae answered laughing. April joined her in giggling. "I know! I really thought I'd have to explain more, but he was so weirded out by 'lady troubles' he disappeared without asking anymore questions," April answered. The two sisters continued to giggle and laugh together, making little jokes about their father. When their laughter faded, the two of them sat there quietly together for a moment before Mae leaned in and hugged her sister tightly. "Thank you for covering for me for so long. Thank you for always supporting me being with Henry," Mae whispered. April held onto her sister and pulled her close. "Of course, that's what sisters are for. Once the ritual happens, and Daddy has no more excuses, it'll all be good. You two can get married, and we can finally start to heal our packs." "I hope so! Henry always sounds so confident. He's so convinced that we wouldn't feel this way if it wasn't meant to be. He tells me the Moon Goddess has to support our love, and we will be mates. I mean, most of the time, I believe that too. I guess I'm just a little fearful still." Mae pulled away from her sister and sat up, turning her face away from her. She started to pick lightly at the dirt in her fingernails. Rationally, she knew they were most likely mates. Everything Henry always said made so much more sense, but every time she thought about it, she couldn't help feeling just a little bit of fear that it wouldn't be the case. April scooched over and reached out a hand to rub Mae's back. "That's totally understandable, Mae. This is a tricky situation. It's completely normal that you'd feel this way. But I can't imagine that you two wouldn't be mated. That seems almost like it would go against nature." April let out a small laugh, but when Mae peered over her shoulder, still somber, April let her laugh go. "I know you're totally right. I should just be excited. I should be thinking about all the possibilities that could happen once we are together. It's all going to be so wonderful once we are mated and married!" Mae stood up and started kind of pacing around, letting her mind go wild with ideas. "There you go! Let's just focus on that! What do you think it'll be like?" April asked, bouncing on the bed a little bit. She smiled at her sister, egging her into imagining the future with her. Mae turned and smiled at her. "Well, I have this beautiful idea of us mating together, out in the forest in our secret place. I imagine Henry scattering rose petals and lighting some candles. It'll be such a magical night," Mae explained. She twirled the edges of her hair in her fingers, getting lost in the day dream. "That sounds beautiful. How do you think it'll feel?" April asked, getting more excited for her sister. "I don't know. I mean it's a branding mark. Normally, I'd think it'd be painful, but I've heard it's supposed to actually be really… pleasurable." Mae's cheeks started to flame, and she imagined they were turning a dark shade of pink. "You know it's interesting, I love Henry more than anything, I want this so bad, but I'm still a little nervous to mate with him and be… together for the first time. You think that's normal?" "Of course! That's totally normal! I think it'll be better and easier in the moment because you do love Henry so much, but it's a new experience for you. I think it's totally natural to be a little nervous." "You think it'll be easier in the moment?" "I think once you're there, you know he's your mate, and you see that magical scene you've been dreaming about, it'll all just come easily. You know Henry will make you feel comfortable," April offered. Mae nodded and took a seat back on the bed next to her sister. The two of them sat quietly for a long moment, letting their minds wander to the uncertain future. "You think Daddy is going to be okay?" Mae asked in a low voice. April sighed and kept her eyes on the ground. "I know he gives you a hard time with Henry and this whole situation has been difficult, but you know he doesn't really want a war. No one does- " "Henry's father might really want a war. He seems worse about this than anyone," Mae interrupted. "Okay, you may be right about that. But you know Daddy doesn't want a war. He's just hesitant because he wants to protect you and keep you safe. But once it works out, and you two are married, he'll be okay. It'll all be okay. Then you two can start really working on healing our packs!" April seemed to be trying to sound as enthusiastic as she could. Mae turned to her and smiled, patting April's leg. "Thank you for saying that, I really appreciate that. I don't know what worries me more, not matching with Henry or our fathers losing it over us being together." Mae let out a fearful laugh. "Hey no, no, don't think about that! Just think about how good it's going to be! It's going to go well." "Ugh, yeah, I know. I know you're right." Mae stood up again and started her worried pace around the room. "I'm trying to just think positive and think about only the good stuff, but for some reason, I can't seem to let go of these little fears." April stood up and went to hug her sister. "Mae, it's all going to be alright! I know these fears are still there and won't just go away but you can't keep dwelling on them. Everything is going to be great, you'll see. Soon you'll be mated and everything will be okay." "Yeah, you're right." "Come on, tell me about all your fun wedding ideas," April offered, hopping back on the bed. Mae turned and smiled at her before nodding and joining her on the bed. "I was thinking we could be showered with lily flowers and pearls. Doesn't that sound pretty?" "Yes, it really does! Where do you want to have it?" "I'm not sure, but I was certainly thinking about having it outside. Just wild in nature with the sunset and then the moonlight. I want to have lots of dancing, maybe a band." "Oh, that would be so great! Little twinkling lights and dancing in the moonlight. Aww that sounds so perfect for you guys!" "Doesn't it? Do you think Henry would be okay with that?" April chuckled. "I think Henry would completely agree to anything and everything you might want for your wedding. He'll just be so happy he gets to marry you!" "He is wonderful, isn't he?" "I just can't believe my big sister is getting married!" April exclaimed. Mae quickly tried to quiet her down, worried that she was a bit too loud. "Well, I'm not getting married yet! Nothing has happened yet!" "But you know it will," April replied with a wink. "Yeah, maybe we should get some sleep," Mae said with a yawn. She laid down on the bed and stretched. "Aww alright, we'll get some sleep. We'll talk more about this tomorrow," April stated with a wink. She patted her sister's knee before tiptoeing to the door and walking out to her own room. Mae stretched again before getting up and changing into her pajamas. She let her mind wander again to dreams of Henry, their mating ritual, and their wedding. She couldn't think of anything that would make her happier. She tried to convince herself that her fears were just little irrational ideas and that everything would be great. She moved to the window and looked up at the moon, while the wind blew gently across her face. Mae took a deep breath and tried to listen to the Moon Goddess. She made a silent prayer that the Moon Goddess might grant and approve of her relationship with Henry. Mae suddenly felt a rush of wind and positive energy flow from the breeze through her. Mae felt her fears disappear, and she was filled with a new feeling of peace and serenity. Comforted by the wind, she moved to her bed, and lay down to sleep with pleasant dreams of her future with Henry.