The Wrong Mate

Sixteen years later.

Colin

Having a vampire and a werewolf as parents in this world is nothing strange. My dads might have been the first of their kind but that doesn't mean anything because there have been more of their type over the years. Being a hybrid. Being one of the first of my kind, there is a lot of pressure for me and my brother Colm.

You have to find your mate. You have to find that person that will make life worth it for you. Those are the words that my father Beau, engraved into me. I knew it was something I would have to look out for and it has been something that has given me so much pressure. I want it to. When I look at my parents and see the kind of relationship they have. I want the same thing. I don't care if it is a boy or a girl. I don't mind any of that. I just want a partner that would bring a smile to my face. Someone like my Papa. I want the kind of joy that you get from finding your eternal partner.

I am twenty-two years old.

Old enough now to start searching but it seems like I am the only one that is actually eager for it. My brother Colm, could care less.

The last time I asked him, he said when it happens, it would happen. He is not eager about it. Unlike me.

"Hey dip shit, wake up,'' Colm throws a pillow at me as he enters my room. I sit up on the bed because I was already awake and he could see that. "You should have been ready a while ago. Dad is going to be so pissed at you,'' he grins.

Over the years, I felt like there was always competition between me and my brother. Even now, I sometimes want to be as confident as he is. I want to be as outspoken and brave as he is. Maybe that is why I am so eager to find that person that would be mine. Find my mate, then I could maybe one-up him. I know it is stupid but I have felt this way for a while.

"I packed my bags last night. I think I am more ready than you,'' I mutter as I get up from the bed. Colm is taller than me. He is more good-looking, more muscular, he is more of a man than I am and that makes me jealous. Even dad wants him to be the next leader of the pack. Not like that is what I want.

I don't even know what I want.

"You know, packing a bunch of clothes doesn't make you ready. I am dressed and ready to hit the road. Can't say the same about you,'' he looks at me and I see his brow raised.

"Get out of my room, tell dad I will be out in a couple of minutes,'' I push him out of the door and he doesn't object, he just laughs as he leaves my room. I walk into my bathroom and my reflection hits me instantly. My hair is black and curly on the ends, it is a mess right now but once I get out of the shower, it will fall back to its place. My eyes are my best features, they are bright green with tiny particles of brown. My dad says that I am special because of them. even when I turn, my eyes remain the same. It is the only thing that Colm is jealous of. The only thing that is beautiful about me. I know that is not the way to think, my dads, tell me every day that I am perfect just the way I am. This is an insecurity that I have felt for a long time. Unlike Colm, I am about five feet seven inches. He is six-four, taller, and better looking. We are twins but we don't look anything alike. There was a time when we were identical but now, I look like the ugly twin. The one that no one wants to be.

You know you are not.

My wolf. I call him wolfy, the better part of me. I feel stronger, happier, and perfect when I am in my wolf form. He is the only one that makes me feel good. In everything I do, I am thankful that he is part of my life. Thankful that I at least have this beautiful part of me, that belongs to me and me alone.

After my shower, I get dressed in a pair of jeans and a plain black short-sleeved shirt. My shoes are old converses. I have had them for a while and the color is all faded and dull. I know Papa is going to complain about them but they are my favorite shoes and they bring me luck. I feel like I need this luck.

We are going for a retreat to the Greenspring pack. I am being very optimistic about it because this just means, meeting new people. Connecting with people from different packs. I know that my mate is not in my pack. I have looked, searched like crazy and I want to believe that I could possibly meet him or her here. I don't know my preference. I have dated girls and guys. tried them all out because I needed to know if I was like my dad's but I still don't know.

I like both girls and guys.

I know I would appreciate either of the two. I am not going to be picky. As long as I have that person that would love me unconditionally. That person that would make me complete. This retreat is an adventure that I am looking forward to. Two weeks away from the pack. Two weeks to find that person.

The thing about searching for something is that you might just end up finding something else.

Well, here I go.