ChasHall
Soulmates for animals worked a bit differently than with humans. Whereas humans are able to have many, different kinds of soulmates, some species of animals were only allowed to have to one and typically, that soulmate was the one you spend your life with. They could also find their soulmates a bit easier than humans by tracing their scent or a certain noise their soulmates make. One species in particular were dogs.
Maybe that wasn't at all surprising considering how breeding comes into play, but yes, dogs are one of the few species that couldn't have soulmate outside of romantically. It had been a bummer to learn that, but Marshall could understand it; inbreeding was a thing, after all.
The idea of a soulmate fascinated the Dalmatian. Considering how dogs are only allowed to have one soulmates, he had been genuinely curious about the vary of soulmates Ryder had talked about: about how some soulmates could have been considered family-like, or maybe you just don't see a certain person in a romantic light, so you were fine with being friends. Sometimes, soulmates could be very one-sided, due to the negligence of another person. The result of a one-sided soulmate could either make or break the relationship: they'll either give it a try, or they just won't return their feelings. It is possible that a rejected soulmate could die, or just never fall in love again.
The idea made Marshall shiver.
He may not have many options when it came to soulmates, but he understood what it was like not having your feelings returned - at least not for a while. Since they were pups, Marshall had always known his soulmate was his best friend, the police pup, Chase. He had known the moment he smelt his scent, and he had hoped, for a while, that the German Shepherd hadn't mind that his soulmate, his mate in general, was another male pup. Chase had been pretty cute and single at the time the two had met - they could've made it work.
Then the team had gotten bigger, and Marshall saw hearts in Chase's eyes when he saw Skye.
Immediately, the feelings of jealousy, disbelief, confusion, and sadness washed over him. He had been so sure that he and Chase were meant to be, that if dogs are only allowed to have one mate, then that must've meant Chase was his. Either Chase didn't know that Marshall was his mate, or Chase does know, but chooses to ignore it...for reasons.
It broke the Dally's heart.
He hadn't said anything about it, even when the others had caught on and Rocky - who had his own mate, Zuma - encouraged him to tell. He knew nothing good would come out of it if he told Chase the truth, and just settle with a broken heart. He refused to believe Chase would give up Skye, just for him - a clumsy pup who got in people's way often, and made lame jokes they were forced to laugh at. No, Marshall was not going down that road.
It had pained him to see Chase continue to have eyes on Skye, hearing his concern for her in his voice. Each time he did felt like a jab to his heart, of knowing he'll never have Chase like Skye has him.
All that changed when one day, Everest came onto the team.
She had been very pretty, and very excitable. Even if she wasn't his soulmate, she was a very good friend to hang out with and listen to his woes. She had been patient, understanding, and comforted him when he needed it. Often, he had wondered why she wasn't his soulmate.
He had gotten the answer when Chase, caught up in his jealousy, had started arguing him about him spending so much time with her and how he should just date her if he really loved her. Marshall was in shock when he felt Chase's fury, combined with a small amount of insecurity and fear, and simply smiled at him.
"Chase," He said. "My mate has always been you. I love you, not her. You're my soulmate."
That, of course, got Chase to stop speaking, face red as embarrassment shone in his eyes. A couple of seconds later had Chase confessed too, saying he had always known Marshall was his soulmate, he just wasn't ready to admit it to himself. Marshall just smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek.
Years went by after that, and their bond continued to get stronger. Most of the team were paired off with their destined soulmates; Zuma and Rocky, Skye and Rubble, Everest and Bruno (a once upon a time movie star Border Collie who is now living with her and Jake and his soulmate, Carla), Tracker and CiCi (a female Chihuahua whom Ace - soulmate of Carlos, friend of the PAW patrol - adopted when she had found her lost during her air shows), and then Ryder and Katie, their name truly recognized worldwide, and the pups have gotten older. They were old enough to start their own family if they wanted, and Chase and Marshall had mated for the first time since becoming of age. From there, they had soul-bonded.
"Chase? Have you seen Grace anywhere?" Marshall had asked. He felt his mate shrugged his shoulders.
"I believe she and Shadow are out down by Adventure Bay." He said. Marshall smiled, and astral-physically moved his body closer to the shepherd, nuzzling.
"Oh that's good. Didn't anyone around right now." Chase raised an eyebrow.
"Why so?" Marshall giggled and pressed his nose against him.
"Because I'm bored and want to be entertained," He looked at Chase with pleading blue eyes. "Entertain me?"
Marshall shivered when he felt Chase's primal lust wash over him, his soul aching with need.
"Your pup house?"
"Yep."
"Be right there."
Marshall beamed, kissing Chase again.
"Happy anniversary, Chase." He couldn't but smile when he felt Chase's love surrounding him, feeling a warm coat. Chase placed a kiss on his forehead.
"Happy anniversary to you too, sweetheart." Marshall couldn't stop smiling.
Yes he was glad they were only able to get one soulmate. That meant he had Chase all to himself, and quite frankly, Marshall didn't want to share.