Are you sure about this? Theo asked as he looked at himself in the mirror.

Yunho stood behind him and ran a wet comb through his hair, trying to tame some of the flyaway hairs. Yes baby. Showing how much you care for someone is always a good thing to do.

But she already knows. All of you do. Theo pursed his lips and looked down. He had never felt so nervous before, and he didn't like it. It made him jumpy.

Just because we know, doesn't mean we don't like to see it occasionally. She will need to learn to do this for you too. It's part of being a couple.

Theo nodded and locked eyes with his mom in the mirror. They really were almost exact copies of each other. Both tall and lanky with bright smiles and floppy brown hair. Theo had just inherited his father's cheeks and eye color.

He sighed and adjusted his shirt one more time. Somehow, his parents had convinced him to take Avayla out one a private picnic by the lake a few miles away. They, and his Uncle Hwa, were making such a big deal out of it, which he didn't quite understand.

There were plenty of times that he and Avayla spent time alone together. Maybe it was because this one was planned out? And he had taken the time to cook some food while she was out hunting with her father?

A smile crept across his face as he thought about it. He had never cooked for her before, so this did make it a little more special.

Growing up, Avayla had always been his rock. Even more so than his parents sometimes.

Theo had always known he was different. It wasn't hard to pick up on. He could see his family doing things with each other that didn't make sense. He had also learned how to get their attention, although he didn't fully understand how. His throat vibrated and he could feel his tongue shaking, would roll from his eyes.

Avayla always seemed to know when he needed something before anyone else did, and he had always known he could rely on her.

It's wasn't until he was older and had developed the ability to talk to the pack with his mind that he learned what was wrong with him.

But he managed to get by.

And Avayla had never left his side.

Once they had started learning about ranks and controlling their wolves, Theo learned what it meant to be claimed by an alpha immediately. Even without marking him, she had always been possessive and would constantly be checking on him to make sure he was ok.

He loved the attention, except when his Uncle Mingi lost control of his wolf. Then things got a little tense.

Today everyone was going to make sure that Mingi was distracted so Theo and Avayla could get some good time to themselves. No hovering parents, no clingy kids, just him and Avayla.

Theo took a deep breath and went out the front door to take the long way to their meeting spot.

I'm on my way back. Avayla said in their personal link.

Ok, I'm waiting at our tree. Theo said, smiling at the sweet sound of her voice. He had no idea if it's actually what she sounded like, or if it's something his imagination made up to satisfy the mind link, but either way her voice was like a part of him that felt like it always belonged.

He could feel her excitement through their personal link as he walked up and traced the heart on their tree.

His mom told him they had drawn that for his uncles Youngie and San when they left to go try and find a cure when he and Avayla were still growing up so they had a place to go if for some reason the pack had had to move on.

Now it was a special place to the entire pack, although he and Avayla met her a little more often than the others.

After a few minutes, Avayla's citrusy scent filled the air and Theo's heart started to race. He turned around and saw her walking over to him, a proud smile on her face as her eyes drifted up and down.

Hi. He said, rubbing the back of his neck. It was still a little strange to have her be so forward with him now that their wolves were becoming more and more prominent. In a year they would both turn eighteen, and no matter what Mingi thought, they had already decided that they would mate once Theo's birthday passed.

Hi handsome. She smiled and took his hand.

It sent chills down his spine and he could feel his wolf churn.

He pulled the alpha into a hug. Avayla was just short enough that she could tuck in under his chin perfectly without either of them having to adjust to make it comfortable.

She rubbed her nose back and forth on his chest. So where are we going? You know I don't like surprises.

No, you just don't like it when you're not in charge. Theo pinched her side before picking up the basket and taking her hand again.

He could feel Avayla sigh and she dragged her feet a little as he pulled her along. He knew right then that he had already won, which didn't happen very often. You'll see soon enough.

This has Uncle Youngie written all over it. He's such a sap. Avayla laughed through the link. Although Momma would do something like this too.

He did, remember? When showing Uncle Mingi the photo of you. Theo looked over his shoulder and chuckled when he saw her cheeks turn red. You're cute when you blush.

Shut it. Avayla growled, her eyes flashing red for a second.

Theo couldn't stop smiling as he felt her trying to reign in her dominance. She always tried with him, but there were times she took after her father a little too much. Mostly when she was embarrassed because she hated that feeling.

They walked for several more minutes before the trees ended and they were walking onto the shore of the lake.

Close your eyes. Theo said, turning to look at Avayla. She gave him a crooked smile and placed her hands over her face.

The beta set the basket down and pulled out a blanket. He fanned it out and then placed rocks on the corners to keep it weighted down. When he was satisfied with that, he started setting out the food and drinks he had packed, then pulled out a small bouquet of wild flowers he had picked and held them up in front of his chest.

He ran his hand over the top of his head a couple of times, worried that his hair was messy again, before he took a deep breath.

Ok.

Avayla opened her eyes and slowly turned red again as she bit her lip and took a step forward. You did all this for me?

Theo nodded, suddenly feeling very shy. I cooked too. With Uncle Hwa and Uncle Youngie's help.

The alpha's eyes turned a soft pink color as she stepped forward and took the flowers in her hands. They are beautiful, thank you.

Then she set them down and wrapped her arms around Theo's chest. He felt her wolf purring as she vibrated against him.

The feeling made his own wolf churn as he kissed the top of her head.

I can't wait for next year. Avayla tilted her head up and smiled at him. I wish we could just do it now.

I know me too. I already consider you my mate though, so that will just be a formality. Theo pulled her so they were sitting down.

And you're mine. Avayla said, moving to straddle Theo's legs as she pushed him onto his back. They were set up on a slight slope, so he leaned back and propped himself up on his elbows to be slightly defiant to Avayla's wishes.

He felt her growl as she smirked at him and ran her hands up his sides. His wolf was already giving in to her dominance and he slowly tilted his neck back in response.

Avayla leaned forward and started kissing it immediately. Her nips sent chills down his spine as he whimpered and had to lay back all the way due to how much his arms were shaking.

Her hair fell around his head as she connected their lips and immediately took control by slipping her tongue into his mouth.

Theo groaned, placing his hands on her hips. He loved how she tasted of oranges, matching her scent perfectly. And she always comments how he tasted like a tree, teasing him for the fur tree scent he had inherited to go along with his parent's oak and pine scents.

As much as I love this. I did make you dinner. Theo said, loving that one of the advantages of their mind link was their lips could stay connected while he spoke to her.

Avayla chuckled and sat up to reach behind her. She grabbed the chicken wraps she had made and placed the plate on his chest so she could keep sitting on him. Open.

The beta obeyed immediately, unable to take his eyes off the beautiful alpha as she brought one of the wraps to his lips. He hummed as he bit down, then watched as she took a bit herself, licking some of the sauce that leaked out from her lips.

Are you enjoying yourself? He asked.

Yes. And I can tell you are too. She smirked and wiggled her hips a little against Theo's semi-hard length.

He blushed and covered his face with is hands.

Avayla just laughed and leaned over to kiss him again. So cute.

Now he knew he whined because Avayla pinched his cheek, which she always did when he made any sound like that. Avie...

What T? She said with a mocking tone while running her hands down his chest.

Stop teasing me.

But you make it so fun. Avayla purred as she leaned forward and kissed the tip of his nose.

Theo felt his cheeks heat up as he watched her and his heart started to pound.

Then she ran a hand through his hair before getting off him and sitting down on the blanket.

The beta sat up and wrapped an arm around her waist as they made their way through his meal and watched the sun set behind the trees in front of them.

At one point, Avayla leaned into his chest and Theo brought his arm up to wrap around her shoulders. I love you, T. Thank you for doing this for me. It was really special.

I love you too, Ava. I'm glad you enjoyed it, because I wanted to show you just how much you mean to me. Theo turned to kiss the top of her head. I know moments like these are few and far between.

So let's make the most of it. She said, cupping the back of his head and connecting their lips once more.

Theo lifted his hand up and tangled his long fingers in her beautiful, silky hair as his wolf churned within him.

They both laid back so they were on their sides.

Avayla managed to keep the kiss slow and sensual as she ran a hand down Theo's side while he place a hand on the small of her back and held her close.

When they both needed a breath, they connected their foreheads and closed their eyes.

As Avayla curled into him, wrapping and arm possessively around his waist, Theo smiled into her hair. He nuzzled his nose back and forth.

The night air became cool, but still they stayed connected. As they had been since infants.

Soulmates. Their wolves would tell them over and over, in time with their beating hearts.

They day that they officially mated would be one to remember.