“Ben!” Lia was delighted out of her mind when the boy, no scratch that, the man stepped into view with a toddler in his arms. 

“Lia!” Ben smiled down at her, lowering his head to place a kiss on her cheeks since he was currently taller than her. 

“Gosh! How long has it been? You’ve grown so handsomely!” she scrutinized him, “And is that Cheryl?” 

“Hi aunty Lia,” the two-year-old kid waved at her cutely. 

“Oh my gosh she’s so adorable,” Lia gushed with pride, taking the little kid from his grip. She snuffed the girl, 

“Human?” 

“Hopefully,” Ben wished. He wasn’t sure his daughter would love to go through the ordeal he experiences every day, “We would know about that when she reaches puberty” 

“What about your wife?” she asked while teasing the kid. 

“She couldn’t make it,” 

“Well, your presence is all I could ask for anyway,” she handed Cheryl back to him, “Have a nice time at the reception and we’d speak after this is over,” 

“Alright,” Ben agreed, “Now, where are my triplets?” he went in search of them. It was time to ask for forgiveness after breaking his promises of visits. 

“So,” Someone came up from behind Lia and she didn’t need to turn to know it was Asher, “Care to dance my milady,” He bowed which was kind of romantic. 

“Of course,” Lia did her bow, ready to place her hand in his when someone snatched her. 

“I’m sorry but I’m dancing with her first,” Daniel insisted.

Asher pinched the space between his brows, this annoying werewolf was beginning to get on his nerve.

“Our mate said the vow to you first, aren’t you satisfied with that?”

“Satisfied my butt!” Daniel refused, 

“It’s my right as the first husband to have the first dance – that’s custom!” he claimed while Lia could feel a headache coming.

Was it a bad idea to marry both of them? In the weeks leading to this wedding, all they’ve done is to quibble with each other – with a few punches in between – and reconcile afterward after reaching a compromise, only to begin the cycle all over again. 

“Custom, my butt! Who wrote the custom? You?” Asher didn’t back down. To be honest, he had a few schemes in place.

He has made plans with Dan, the instant the reception was over, he would sneak out with Lia and Dan would teleport them to the country he has planned for their honeymoon – Daniel can search for them as long as he wants – and return after he’s spent enough time with Lia, hehe. 

Daniel scoffed at Asher, the vampire doesn’t know the plans he has set in motion. The moment the reception is over, Asher would be distracted and he would leave with their mate for the honeymoon he has organized for the both of them. Asher wouldn’t even see it coming, hehe. 

Lia felt guilty, but it had to be done. Once this reception was over, she’d escape for her life having known the kind of mates she has. She would return after they learn to behave and share. Sure, they’d be angry at first but she has her ways of coaxing them. 

“Rex!” Lia caught sight of him and waved. She said to her mates, “Have a good time dancing with each other,” and escaped to her brother. 

Asher and Daniel stared at each other and scoffed, crossing their arms. 

“Fifteen minutes of dancing and you can be the first while I’ll be the second and dance with her throughout the night” Asher bargained. 

“No way!” Daniel harrumphed

“You can’t have your cake and eat it again,” 

“Fine, you’d be the first,” Daniel gave in. The thought of dancing with their mates for the rest of the night exhilarated him. 

“Alright,” Asher had a smirk on his face, he couldn’t believe this werewolf was still as dumb as ever – he fell into his perfectly crafted trap.

Their mate Lia was the Council Head, hence a very important figure, why would she dance with only Daniel throughout the night when she had like a hundred other guests to dance with and make acquaintances. Well, he better go claim his chance before Daniel realizes he’s been fooled. 

“Guys, we have a problem,” Hailey approached Hazel who was standing awkwardly on the dance floor with no partner and staring at God knows what.

“Not now, Hailey,” Hazel told her, a bit of irritation on her face, “I have to stay here,” 

“Why?” She couldn’t understand, “You’re not even dancing with anybody,”

Hazel glared at her, “I’m not dancing with anybody because this is exactly the moment where my mate wanders in and finds me as I saw in my vision – though I made a few modifications,” she had a lovey-dovey look on her face,” I want this to be romantic and perfect as ever. I look so fabulous and innocent right now and when he stumbles in, our eyes would connect right away – ” 

Hailey pulled her arm, “I left my mate standing on the dance floor for this, so get your ass moving,” she added, “You can make more modifications later” and began to lead her out of the dance floor. 

“No!” Hazel shouted dramatically, she just missed the chance of meeting her mate today.

“You look beautiful tonight,” Ashton was on the dance floor with his mate, waltzing to the music. 

“You’re such a sweet talker,” Sophia blushed, hiding her face in his chest. 

“Sophia, there’s something I need to tell you,” Ashton’s expression was suddenly somber. 

“What is it?” Sophia had an inkling she wasn’t going to like what he was about to reveal. 

“It’s about my demon heritage,” He took a deep breath, “You do know my mother married two husbands,”

Sophia chuckled, “Yeah, we’re at their wedding, duh” she poked him on the forehead playfully.

“Well,” He breathed, “There’s a reason for that and it’s related to -” 

“Ashton!” 

He was distracted. 

Hailey stepped forward, “Sorry, Sophia, but we really need him right now,” already pulling him away from his astounded mate. 

“Seriously, Hailey!” he shoved her grasp away, smoothing the rumble edges of the suit when they reached a secluded corner of the garden. He glared at her and asked through gritted teeth, “What is so important that you had to drag me out of -” 

“Cynthia is here,”

“Oh boy,” there was a trace of shock in his gaze. 

“Exactly,” Hazel empathized with him. 

“How did you know? You can’t be too sure, Dan’s been searching for her for months now,” 

“Sabrina somehow found out she attended this wedding. She thinks there’s something Cynthia needs here,” Hailey briefed him. 

“Or who?” Hazel surmised, “She might be looking for someone, not something. God knows what she’s up to this time,” 

Well, Sabrina’s daughter, Cynthia, who is a vampire-witch hybrid is a pain in the ass. Everyone avoided her for that specific reason.

“So Sabrina wants us to find her,” Ashton saw where this all was going. 

“More like capture her, which is mission impossible, unless Cynthia wants to be found – which is more confusing- why?” Hailey groaned. Vampire witch hybrid was too much trouble, especially one who could wield powers from both sides perfectly. 

“Uncle Trevor is here, he’s the perfect person and hunter for this job, why don’t Sabrina ask him,” Ashton pointed to the man in the crowd with Electra, his mate by his side. 

“Or even Devon, she’s a fellow witch hybrid,” 

“Sabrina thinks we’d be able to communicate better with Cynthia since we’re in the same age group,” 

Hazel scoffed, “You mean the kid who accelerated her growth,”

“And if you’re not careful that kid would roast your asses,” someone said from behind causing them all to turn. 

“Oh great,” Hailey snorted upon seeing the dark-haired beautiful witch hybrid in front of her. 

“And she found us first,” Hazel breathed. 

But the same couldn’t be said for Ashton whose heartbeat picked up speed the moment Cynthia stared into his eyes. Uh no, this couldn’t be the reason he was restless all day. Cynthia was his…. 

“Mate!” Davi, his wolf growled. 

The End.