(Author's POV)

"That's good to hear, Myra. Now you won't be having any problem trying on the dresses" Sara pronounced at the breakfast table.

"About that Sara, Noah. I appreciate the kind gesture and thought behind it but I can't accept it" Myra looked at both of them and firmly stated her stance.

"But-" Nora was about to say something when she was interrupted by that rude junk piece of a person. "Just take it when it's given to you, don't pretend otherwise" the last two words were not audible to Myra, but others could hear it, thanks to their werewolf senses.

"Alaric, is this how we have taught you, being rude to our guest" Noah roared thumping his hand on the table.

Alaric growled slightly and then shrugged, "Did I say something wrong, father?"

Sara came in between there confrontation and apologized, "Myra, Alaric didn't mean it like that. What he wanted to say was that, you and your parents' have taken such good care of our daughter for so many years, being with her through thick and thin. We are truly grateful for that. You are like my second daughter, no, infact I consider you my goddess daughter."

Nora added, "I didn't inform you beforehand about the party as it was suddenly planned, so you must not have packed a dress and there's a specific dress code for the party. Just accept it, hmmm, for me, pleaseeeeee."

No one was having their breakfast, rather all the eyes were on Myra, anticipating her answer, even Alaric's.

Feeling defeated by their words of gratitude and kindness and curious gazes, Myra reluctantly agreed. 'This is getting burdensome. But this will be the last time I accept anything.'

"Now, that the issue is settled, what are you all waiting for, don't make the food wait any longer, dig in" Sara approached Myra with a bowl of fresh tomato soup, feeling delighted.

The breakfast went on quite smoothly. Dion, Elio, Myra and Nora had some light hearted friendly talks in between.

Where as, Noah, Sara, Alaric and Brave discussed business matters while eating, displaying their graceful table etiquette. Brave rarely took part in the discussion though, only speaking when he was asked something.

Myra noticed his responses were extremely short and curt. She thought, 'he must be the introvert type, didn't expect one of the Everests' to have a reserved personality. All the others are on the outspoken side. A rare one indeed.'

Brave and Alaric both were identical twins but they had entirely different personalities. Both of them were groomed as the next Alpha King since an early age.

Brave was a shy and kind soul from the very start, treating everyone nicely and respectfully. On the other hand, Alaric has been the one who was bold and sort of barbaric in nature. It was not like he wasn't kind and all from within; he just lacked the sense to show it to others.

Brave as an elder of all the Everest siblings, was just and righteous, fairly analyzing every situation to come to a conclusion. Alaric also abided by the werewolf laws but whenever there was an affair regarding humans, he would get temperamental.

That's why, when the heir apparent was chosen amongst the brothers', Brave unanimously became one.

\\Alaric was happy for his brother as well as for his own self. He was so proud of his brother Brave and as for him; he didn't want to deal with humans and only wanted to focus on business related stuff.

Later, when Brave found his mate, which was a rare feature in this century, he was officially declared as the next Alpha King. But somethings happened, due to which Brave lost his mate and fell into deep depression, causing his wolf RAW to shut himself off completely. For Raw his other half, ANNA (Hannah's wolf) was gone. He couldn't handle the despair and plunged into abyss.

The state of Brave was also in jeopardy after what has conspired with his mate, Hannah.

Day by day, Brave's condition changed from bad to worst and he drowned himself in potent dosage of wolfsbane. The Everests' tried every possible means to get Brave out of this shitty mess, but his heart was just not there.

One day, he decided to end this painful ordeal and overwhelming sadness by cutting himself with a sword made up of silver. That day it was raining torrentially, Brave sprinted to the mountain top of Moon Shine Pack and was about to succeed in his plan, when Alaric stopped him.

In order to save his brother, Alaric scampered through the place and when he reached to the top most sight, he saw Brave holding a silver sword pointed towards his chest. As Brave pulled the sword in a semicircular motion and pushed it towards his body, Alaric intercepted him, holding the sword by his bare hand. Alaric's blood flowed like a waterfall mixed with rain painting the scene red, brought back Brave to his senses. This even left a ghastly scar on Alaric's right palm.

But that incident, made the Everests' realize that Brave needed help and time to overcome and couldn't continue with his Alpha duties. Later on, Alaric took over Brave's place reluctantly and asked Brave to be his Beta instead. He didn't want to see his elder brother who was strong as a bull, all weak and disconnected from this world over a pathetic mate bond.

In fact, Alaric despised the terms, mate and mate bond now. He couldn't understand the fact that how can someone lose their reasoning over a mere person whom they just met. Alaric hated having a weakness and he saw his brother succumb into a pit of darkness right before his own eyes because of the partner, the moon goddess chose for him. He swore in his mind, 'If one day I find my mate, I am going to reject her on the spot, not giving her any chance.'

It was a rare occasion for someone to find a true mate bond in today's day and age; even Noah has taken Sara as his chosen mate, just like the previous few predecessors.

It's been almost a year and a half after that incident and things are getting back on track, but the jolly and carefree Brave was not there anymore. He talked less and less and only devoted himself in training.

Brave's past-self disappeared a long time ago, with Hannah.

To Be Continued . . . . . . . .