She smiled as she walked into Hatter's home. He had outdone himself and the whole house was glowing. Everyone seemed to be having fun dancing or bobbing for apples or taking part in one of the other activities on offer. She didn't bother looking for him, only unmated women or mated couples and family's attended Hatter's party. Hatter had said it was something to do with the maze and preparations. She had just over half an hour until she was required at the maze and after extracting herself from the dormouse and the hare she headed to the bathroom to steady her nerves. Once she had regained some confidence and done her business she headed back to the party. She picked up a candy apple and smiled as she bit into it filling her mouth with the sweet crisp flavour. The announcement bounced around the walls and Alice almost backed out of going to the maze. She might have got away with it if Hatter hadn't escorted her out himself. He had mentioned to her once that he did not take part in the hide and seek game. He would never tell her why but right now she was thankful for his steady arm and reassuring presence.

The maze was a lot bigger up close and as the Hatter guided her through the rules and got all her information. Entrance 6. Two rights and a left. That was where she was supposed to hide. Hatter shook her as she stood at the entrance bringing her out of her mind. Her whole body was shaking with nerves when he left her with a hug and reassuring words. The buzzer went and she entered the maze. Darkness surrounded her as the leafy hedges loomed over her. Two rights and a left. She'd taken the first two rights and it seemed to take her deeper into the maze. She scanned around looking for her left turn as the countdown for the males began. A sigh of relief left her lips as she saw the turning taking it just in time. There was a dead end and a blanket. Apparently it could take a while out here. She sat in the right corner snuggling up against the hedge bringing the blanket up to cover her. Nerves jittered through her body again as she thought of what this all meant. She was terrified. What if it wasn't him ? Oh god what if it was and he didn't want her ? That would crush her. She felt tears well in her eyes as she heard cheers and screams from the party. There were noises from the maze too, shuffling and grunting, some small laughter probably when mates were united.

She snuggled deeper into her blanket trying desperately to be warm and feel safe. It felt like it when silent for a while and she wondered if it was over. No-one had announced the maze closed. Maybe she didn't have a mate after all. Tears welled in her eyes as a loud voice broke through her thoughts.

'The ten most eligible bachelors will now be released into the maze.'

Alice jumped. She thought they were already in the maze. Her mind flashed back to when Hatter was talking to her, she'd been so nervous she didn't really pay much attention to his babbling. She wished she had now. Even as she worried a smile spread on her face there was still a chance she was his. There was a rumbling from above. Startled she looked up just as the rain started to come down. It was heavy and Alice was quite wet by the time the maze shifted producing roofs of dense hedge above her. She still had occasional drops land on her but nothing compared to what was coming down.

Alice turned her head leaning it against the hedge. She was starting to get tired and hoped this would be over soon whether she had a mate or not. She wanted to be warm and dry and snuggled up in bed. It would of course be a lot nicer if she did have a mate to snuggle with but she knew it was a long shot he was her mate. There were a lot of unmated women in Wonderland and she was just one of them. She closed her eyes deciding it would be nice to have a little relax until the maze either closed or her mate found her. She was drifting happily in and out of dreams and reality when she heard the noise. A loud snap as a twig was crunched underfoot. It sounded close, opening her eyes Alice stared at the person who had created it. A rush of warmth fled through her to pool lower down. She couldn't speak as he came closer. He was handsome and as the sky burst again he quickly hurried to meet her under the roof.

It was him. She didn't know what to say but she knew by the way he was looking at her that he wouldn't reject her.

'I knew it would be you Chess.'

He leant forward as if he was going to kiss her before whispering to her.

'We should leave Alice.'

Disappointment flooded through her. He hadn't acknowledged her not properly. No kiss, no contact. She bit back tears as she followed him out of the maze. Not in his arms as she's imagined. The tears almost slipped out as she saw all the happy couples stood around the maze. Chess left her stood there saying something about signing papers. Alice felt destroyed. A glimpse of red hair had her running away from the maze and into Hatter's arms. As he wrapped them around her the tears flowed out of her. Hatter soothed her as she cried in his arms.

'My dear Alice what happened ?'

'He's my mate Hatter.'

'Well isn't that wonderful news ? So why all the tears ?'

'He doesn't want me Hatter.'

Hatter stood there shocked for a moment. There was no way Chess would reject his Alice especially because he knew how Chess felt about her. He watched Chess come closer to them signalling not to interrupt but to listen. Chess should know how Alice felt.

'Why do you think he doesn't want you Alice ? Did he reject you?'

Hatter saw Chess's face shine with shock as he realised Alice was sad because she thought he didn't want her.

'He didn't even hug me or kiss me. All the other girls had fairytale meetings being swirled and touched by the one they loved. Some even got carried out. He didn't even touch me Hatter. The only thing he said was we should leave.'

Hatter stepped back as Chess stepped towards Alice. Alice looked confused as she watched the Hatter walking away until she felt something solid behind her. She gulped. Chess had heard everything and she wanted to look strong but even now she knew more tears were pooled in her eyes. She turned round gathering her courage. She expected him to say something but all he did was touch her with his hand. She was about to say something when he transported them back to Cheshire Manor.

As they landed Alice felt a bit wobbly and she leant against the nearest wall for support. She looked up at Chess who seemed unmoved by the teleportation and felt a pang in her heart.

'Alice please don't look at me like that.'

'Like what ?'

Chess shook his head and she saw tears glittering in his eyes.

'Like I've broken your heart.'

'Why don't you love me ?'

Her words were strong and she watched as Chess's face filled with shock.

'You think I don't love you?'

He began moving closer as he said it until he was stood right in front of her. He leant down as if he was going to kiss her before surprising Alice pulling her into his arms as he carried her through the winding halls. She was so shocked she didn't say anything for a while just taking in the scenery. As she was about to ask where they were going he stopped. He placed her back on her feet before opening the doors in front of them. Gesturing at her she entered through them and he followed behind locking them in place.

'Is this...'

'My bedroom ? Yes it is.'

He motioned for Alice to sit down on the bed. She opened her mouth to speak but he put his finger up. Signalling for her to stop.

'No. Let me talk now Alice. I heard what you said to the Hatter.'

'I'm sorry Chess but I was..I am hurt. I've been in love with you for so long and then I find out your my soulmate and nothing. No kiss, no contact. What was I supposed to think ?'

'Well that would explain the costume Alice, you look stunning. I can barely keep my hands off you. I am in love with you Alice but as a Cheshire there is a ritual.'

'A ritual ?'

She was confused. A ritual ? Hatter had never mentioned anything like this and by the looks of it none of the other couples had this.

'Yes Alice, let me explain. First you will go through something we call 'heat'. This will cause um...'

'Chess'

Her voice was hard as she said it. She had heard Hatter mention it before. Apparently it meant she would become very aroused and need sexual gratification frequently over a period of time. It took her a minute for it to click. Chess was worried she wouldn't want him like that.

'Alice you don't have to...'

'Chess I'm going to tell you something and I need you not to laugh.'

'Alice'

'Promise right now Chess.'

'I promise Alice but please tell me it's related to this conversation.'

'It is.'

She steeled herself and closed her eyes as she spoke.

'I fantasize about you Chess. Not just in the normal crush way but sexually. I imagine you touching me and I'm ready to have that with you Chess. I am already yours.'

She opened her eyes and gasped as she saw how close Chess was to her.

'Show me.'

She was confused.

'What do you mean ?'

He smirked at her. He loved her. He'd been so worried about telling Alice about the heat that he hadn't even been able to do what all the other men had done with their mates. Now here she was telling him that she already felt passion for him and that she touched herself thinking of him. He found her so cute now as she became shy not understanding what he wanted her to do. He placed his hand under hers.

'How do you usually touch yourself ? Use me princess.'

She let out a breathy sigh at his words as arousal flowed through her.

'Chess.'

He smirked at her speechlessness. She stood up moving away from him. Chess became nervous maybe he'd pushed her too far.

'Alice I didn't mean to...'

'Chess shush I'm trying to stay confident.'

'Alice you know your my soulmate you couldn't ever disappoint me.'

She smiled at him as her hands went to her costume pulling the cat ears off before pulling the dress off. Chess stared at her his hands going to his suit jacket pulling it off before unbuttoning his shirt tossing them both on the floor.

'Will you help me with my boots Chess ?'

He smiled leaning down and pulling them off as Alice pushed him back on the bed. He felt a wave of disappointment as she rolled off him to lie by his side. It soon faded though as she put her hand over his before moving it to her breast.

'I usually start here.'

She moaned as his hand played with her nipples making them hard. Her hand fell away letting him play with her body alone. She closed her eyes and gasped as Chess brought a hard nipple into his mouth teasing and nipping and sucking on it. He did this to the other nipple before stopping.

'So what happens next Alice?'

She took hold of his hand again trying to steady herself with all the wonderful feelings he was giving her. She sighed as his hand skimmed along her body before moaning as she placed his hand over her entrance. She was wet already and Chess could smell her. This time he didn't ask for instruction. He wiggled his fingers against her entrance teasing her slowly. She began moaning again and Chess smiled his heart racing at his soulmate writhing on the bed. She began bucking her hips trying to get him to slide the slick fingers into her. He slid one in gently feeling her walls grasp it and he groaned. She would feel so good when his cock went in. For now he slid another finger in and began picking up the pace. He could feel her getting close and increased the speed again.

'Open your eyes Alice I want you to watch as I make you cum.'

His words did it and as his fingers continued to work in her she exploded around him. She was beautiful and he felt a rush at knowing he was the one who gave her such pleasure. He pulled his fingers out as she came down moving them to his mouth to taste the sweetness on them. Alice lay on the bed eyes fixed on him as he did this. She whimpered as he moved away and Chess realised the heat would be starting soon. He stripped himself completely before coming back to the bed. He loomed over Alice his body caging her in below him and she loved it.

'Are you ready Alice?'

'Yes'

That was all he needed. He lined his cock up with her before thrusting in. He started gently giving her a bit of time to adjust before getting harder. She began moaning again and they sounded heavenly. As he got harder the moans become more frequent.

'Oh...oh...uh...Chess.'

He got faster as she cried out his name. He wouldn't be able to hold out for too much longer and he wanted her to cum with him. Her eyes opened again and his lips slammed against hers as he saw the lust in them. He felt her tighten as she moaned his name against his lips climaxing again before pulling him over the edge with her. As Chess softened inside her he pulled out rolling to lie next to her. He held out his arms and Alice snuggled into them. Alice was being awfully quiet and as Chess looked down he realised she had fallen asleep. She was beautiful. He was so lucky to have her. Chess felt Alice's aura change puzzled for a second he realised it was the heat. She had just gone into heat. He closed his eyes, he would need to rest and in a few hours, she would need him again.