Five

ALDER’S POV.

I stared at the lake in my wolf form and listened to the sound of the crickets. This garden always made me very relaxed

I strode out of the forest after receiving the mindlink that my father was searching for me in the pack.

Immediately I got to the pack, I changed and out on a short before going to see my dad

"Hi Dad" I greeted as I walked into his study

He stared at me through the rim of his glasses before looking back at the documents on the table

" I wanted to inform you that the Alpha title Ritual will commence on the full moon"

" Oh okay" That's three day from now

" I would have loved it if you had found your mate, it's the perfect time to complete the mating ritual as well" I winced " But the moon goddess probably has other plans"

" Yes, she does. I'll take my leave now"

I ran out of the pack house with one thought in my mind, I need to find myself a mate before Dad finds out what I did

Three days later

I stared at myself in the mirror, I was dressed in a white thick suit, decorated with gold ornaments. My silky hair was gelled backwards, making my green eyes more profound. I was ready for the ritual and very ready to lead my pack to many years in abundance and success.

" We're ready" A guard spoke through the door of my room and I nodded.

With one glance at the mirror, I walked out of the room, surrounded by guards as they led me to the field where the ceremony was been held.

The moon was out in all her glory, shining brightly for all to see. The female omegas, sang a soft song to increase the serenity of the atmosphere, the little kids howled softly to the bright moon as fire blazed from two pillars.

All the pack members were dressed in white, hands folded backwards and head slightly bent forward in gesture of respect

The field was designed with rows and rows of white flower, at the end of the trail, was my dad, his chest puffing out as my mom stood beside him with her face beaming with smiles

I stood in front of my dad, face devoid of all emotion

" Wolves of Sky Prowlers Pack, today is the day we have all been waiting for. The day when the Moon goddess dwells among us as another one of her children becomes a leader."

The field was silent as my dad's voice echoed for miles and miles away

" I am happy to tell you that our son, your soon to be Alpha, has now come of age both in wisdom, understanding and also physically to lead us into a better tomorrow"

The pack cheered, hoots and howls echoed in the atmosphere

When they finally calmed down, my mom gestured for me to go on my kneels as my dad commenced with the ritual

"Alder Lewiston, Son of Alpha Brantley Lewiston and Camille Lewiston........... Do you, under the full moon, in the presence of the goddess with the people is Sky Prowlers Pack as your witness, take this oath to always be a truthful and just leader to your people?"

" Yes, I do"

" Do you cow to lead your people right and do all you can to make your pack a home for all?"

" Yes I do"

" Do you promise to protect and care for the people the moon goddess put in your care?"

" Yes, I do"

Dad smiled " Now, with the power bestowed upon me by the-"

A chuckle reverberated through the atmosphere

And everyone attention went to the direction the chuckle came from

It was Jack Bellevue, Cassie's brother and he was dressed in black and striped blue. His lips were stretched into a smile but his eyes were blazing, there was someone with him, a lady, he didn't know her but he had a feeling he was about to

" Jack! What is the meaning of this insolence? How dare you try to disrupt the ceremony?" Dad growled

" Apologies Alpha, but I'm not trying to disrupt the ceremony. I actually want to ruin it" He smirked

I stood up on my knees in anger " What rubbish are you saying? Do you know how important this ritual is"

" Of course I do, that's why I want to stop it so that everyone can know the kind of man they want to make their leader"

Murmurs and whispers rose amidst the crowd

"What is he talking about?"

"Did the future Alpha commit a crime?"

Dad stared at me " Do you have any idea what is going on here, Alder?"

" No dad, I'm just as clueless as you"

" Jack, if you have something to say, then say it before I lose my patience and your head" My mom said calmly but her eyes were saying something else

"As you wish, my dear luna" he glared at me " Future Alpha, I have just two questions to ask from you, can I go on?"

The bastard was planning something and I had no idea what " Go on"

He smirked " Can you tell us, in all honesty, have you or haven't you found your mate?"

There was pin drop silence in the field before my dad growled "What sort of question is that? The whole pack knows that Alder hasn't found his mate yet"

"Of course Alpha. We all know that, but I still need the future Alpha to answer the question"

I was shocked to the deepest core of my bones, why now?

"Answer the question, Alder and let us end this once and for all" My mom said softly

There was no way out anymore, I can't lie to cover up my lie because it was obvious that Jack had enough evidence against me

I sighed, my eyes glued to Jack's " Yes" everyone gasped " Yes, I found my mate"

"What!" My dad exclaimed "Alder, what are you talking about?"

My mom came to my side immediately and held my shoulder "What is he talking about, son? No.....what are you saying? What mate did you find?"

" Hold on for a bit, Luna. This is where it gets interesting. For the last question, future Alpha. Can you please tell us what you did after you found her?"

I clenched my fist and glared at him " I rejected her"

The gasps was definitely louder this time

"What!" My mom shrieked

"Is that all you did, future Alpha?"

" You said two questions!" I gritted through my teeth

"Well, curiosity killed the cat. Do t you think so?" He smirked

"Answer the question Alder" My dad growled

" I forced her into accepting the rejection.........by hitting her" A slap sounded through the air

Everyone was shocked! The Luna slapped Alder.

I slowly looked at my mom, " Mom, you slapped-" She cut me short with another one on the other cheek

"And you deserve much more worse" For the first time, since I can remember, my mom was shaking with so much fury and anger

"How could you Alder? She was your mate for heaven's sake. Your better Half!!" She screamed "How fucking dare you!!"

"But mom-"

"Don't you dare call me that! It's Luna to you!"

I was speechless

" Tell me! Why did you reject her?"

" It's because I didn't want her!" I screamed back

They were all so clueless, they had no idea. Who would have wanted her for a mate anyway?

" What do you mean?" My dad finally spoke and I knew he didn't take kindly to the way I spoke to mom

"She's not what I wanted"

"She's not suppose to be what you want. She's what you need and then you'll finally realize that she's all you've ever wanted your whole life" My dad growled..

" No. I refuse to accept that she's what I need or what I ever wanted. I've been living without her just fine and I'll continue doing so"

"What happened to her then?" My mom asked

"I have no idea, mom. I didn't bother to follow up on her...........and the next time I heard of her......' silence engulfed the air " ..........she was dead"

"No!" My mom whispered softly and collapsed but my father's was quick to catch her

"Why did you do it, Alder? She's your lifeline." She cried into my dad's arms " He has ruined himself, Brantley. What did I do wrong? Did I fail to raise him well"

My heart broke as I heard my mom blame herself for what I did

" It's not your fault my love. Whatever decisions he made were his fault entirely. You had nothing to do with it"

I couldn't look my parents in the eye, it felt wrong. Even Crown wasn't with me at the moment. I was all alone facing the repercussions for my actions.

"Can you at least tell us her name?" My dad asked

" It's Cassandra Bellevue" I responded.