[Gale's POV]
Heat presses against my skin and sweat drips down my brow. Above, the blood moon shines brightly, and soft music mingles with the sounds of cicadas and crickets.
Tonight is the night that I have dreaded since turning 21. It is the night that we wolves who are unmated could possibly find our mates.
I never wanted to attend this function; I never wanted a mate. Something like that was never in the cards for me, and I didn't hold false expectations about it either. I was nothing more than an orphan that never knew what kindness or love were, and I had no intention of craving it now.
Lifting a hand, I swipe at sweat that is threatening to drip into my eyes and scan the crowd of hopeful party goers.
Everyone is dressed sharply in hopes of impressing their mate when they meet. Despite myself, I look down at the simple blue dress that I am wearing. Compared to the others, I truly do look plain.
"Ridiculous." I huffed, grabbing a glass of wine from the table I was currently standing beside.
Taking a sip, I continue to take in the scene in front of me, and that's when I see him... He stands alone at the edge of the dance floor, looking bored. From his stiff demeanor, I can tell that he doesn't want to be here about as much as me.
His dark hooded eyes scan the area while his full lips turn down in a frown. His thick dark brown furrows together and his messy sandy hair dances in the breeze.
I don't know who he is, but I can't help but get lost in him. This feeling is different from anything I've ever felt, and my heart begins to thud rapidly, sending energy racing through my veins.
'Mate.' Anya whimpers, startling me. 'He is ours.'
'Mate?' I repeat in confusion.
'Mmm.' Anya purs while chomping at the bit to get to him.
Unable to resist the pull, I begin to move, weaving in and out of the crowd. It is like I'm possessed by something. I can't stop myself, and with each step I take, the pull becomes stronger and stronger.
By this point, he has noticed my approach and watches me with a curious expression. However, nowhere on his face does he show that he feels what I do, and that terrifies me, but I keep moving.
When I'm finally mere inches from him, I try to think of something to say. Now that I'm close, I can't help but feel intimidated by his size. With his six-foot something height and massive build, I feel like nothing more than a child compared to him.
"Well?" He snaps, drawing me out of my daze. "What do you want?"
My eyes widened due to the harshness of his tone. What have I even done to him to elicit such hostility?
"I..." I stammered, but stopped. I what? Even I don't know what the hell has gotten into me!
"You?" He pushes as a menacing aura begins to trickle from him.
I can't help but remain frozen in place, unable to speak.
"Are you just going to stare?" He growls, causing me to jump.
"I'm… I'm sorry."
I know I sound weak and pathetic, but I can't stop the effect he has had on me.
A low, rumbling growl escapes him as his eyes narrow and his arms cross, causing his already protruding muscles to flex dangerously.
"Stop wasting my time, woman."
"Woman..." That word in itself is enough to snap me out of it.
"I have a name." I hiss, beginning to regain my composure.
"Does it look like I care?" He asks, boredom dripping from each word.
"Not really, no." I responded. "Nor do I care for yours."
Now that whatever had possessed me was gone, all I could feel was anger towards how rudely this man was treating me. Even if I was just an omega, that didn't mean that I could be stepped all over.
"Then why are you wasting my time?" He demanded, letting his aura flare enough to draw the attention of those who were close by.
"She's talking to Chance."
"Another admirer."
"Poor thing."
I feel my irritation flare more and more with each whispered comment.
"SHUT UP!" I growl, shooting a glare towards the gossips.
'Why is our mate acting like this?' Anya whimpers as I turn my attention back to Chance.
'Doesn't matter.'
Even if he was my mate, I wouldn't accept someone as egotistical and vicious as the man that stood in front of me.
As my resolve solidified, I locked my gaze on his.
"I only have one thing to say to you, and then I will leave." I began, readying myself for the pain I knew would follow my next words.
"Go ahead, so you can stop wasting my time." He sighs.
"I reject you."
"What did you just say?" He growls, grabbing my wrist. "Repeat that."
"I said," I hissed, yanking my arm free. "I, Gale Renaldo, reject you as my mate."
As the words leave my lips, a loud laugh escapes Chance, and anger flares in his dark eyes.
"Who are you to even think you need to reject me?" He snaps.
Who was I? No one, that's who. However, I couldn't respond due to the pain that was beginning to burn within my chest.
"If anyone is to be rejected, it is you."
With that, what could only be described as fire raced through my veins, burning me from the inside out.
I bit back the scream of agony that wanted to escape, and I kept my gaze firmly fixed on him.
"Since we both agree," I rasp. "Let us never cross paths again."
Turning, I make my way through the crowd that has now gathered, ignoring the snickers as I pass. The only thing on my mind was getting away before the tears began to fall. I would be damned if he saw even one.
Once I'm alone, the waterworks begin. Fuck, it hurt to be rejected. And what was worse, I didn't even anticipate ever finding a mate and it ended up happening.
Letting out a sob, I collapse on the ground and curl in on myself. Time ceases to exist as I drown in pain and sorrow. However, before long, the sound of footsteps begin to make their way towards me.
Lifting my blurry gaze, I find Griffin, my best friend, making his way towards me with a look of relief that quickly turns to rage.
"What happened?" He demands, kneeling down in front of me. "Why are you crying?"
Shit, of all the people to see me like this, it just had to be him.
"It doesn't matter." I try, beginning to sit up. "Just pretend you didn't see this."
"How am I supposed to forget?" Griffin asks, helping me up.
Rolling my eyes, I quickly wipe away the tears that still stain my face.
"I said to forget it." I say more firmly and stand. "It doesn't concern you anyway."
I immediately regret my words as a pained look flashes across Griffin's face. It wasn't him who hurt me, and I shouldn't be taking my anger out on him.
"I'm sorry." I sigh, forcing a small smile. "I just don't want to think about it right now."
Immediately, Griffin's expression softened as he gave me a gentle look.
"How about I take you back to the barracks?"
"I'd like that."
I didn't fight as Griffin wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders and began to lead me away. But as we left, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched by something dark and possessive.
