He's My Mate?

Maya’s pov

“I heard the alphas and lunas of all the packs would arrive tonight. Some of them are spending the night here, and the alpha wants us to be at our best behaviour throughout their stay.”

“Yeah. It is a big night. Surely this will be one of the most prestigious events in recent history.”

“Do you think the Elders will come? After the royals, they are the most important beings of our kingdom, to be honest.”

I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the omegas. I had heard about the stories of the prestigious werewolf kingdom. All I knew was that they were stabbed in the back by a someone they trusted. The king and queen died, and the kingdom ceased to exist since then. The wolf packs had been surviving on their own, fighting off our common enemies—the vampires—without the leadership of a royal since that day.

“I don’t know. They have been living in seclusion for so long… almost eighteen years. Ever since the werewolf kingdom fell, no one has seen them.”

My lips pursed as various thoughts ran across my mind. 

Eighteen years… that was how old the Alpha’s son was turning. I also would be turning eighteen in a couple of months. I guess we were born in an unfortunate year. 

“Well, what do you expect? I also would have gone into seclusion if I had found the pregnant queen’s belly ripped open and the royal pup gone.”

I cringed. Even the thought of that was appalling. I couldn’t help but think about the pain and fear she must have felt. Was her stomach ripped open so they could snatch her unborn pup? How could anyone be so cruel? I tried to sneak a peek at the two omegas who were indulged in their conversation. I had so many questions. Who killed them? Where was the pup? Did they find it? I bet they didn’t because if they did, the heir would have been crowned by now. Why didn’t another member of the royal family ascend to the throne? Did everyone die in that attack?

“Hey, have you been listening to us?”

I almost dropped the ladle into the pot. Startled, I glanced over my shoulder and shook my head. 

“No… I wasn’t.”

Them making a face of disapproval wasn’t new to me. Although I wished at least one person showed me a teeny bit of kindness, I had grown to accept it as normal.

“Well, you better focus on what you are doing. Otherwise the Luna isn’t going to be happy with you.”

With a sigh, I nodded my head. They were right. If I wanted peace, I had to make sure every dish was perfect. 

***

I was rather proud of myself for reaching my target. I managed to cook every dish, including the salads and the desserts, on time and return to my nook after taking a quick plunge in the lake. The cold water wasn’t soothing, but at least it washed away the sweat and all the dirty smells off of me. All I desired to do was dry myself, wear a clean set of clothes, pick up my favourite book—Tell Me Your Dreams by Sidney Sheldon—and sit on my ‘bed.’ 

Ever since I found that book in the trash a couple of years ago, it had entertained me whenever I got bored. What intrigued me at first was the title, as I also had a few dreams. When I started to read it, I was hooked. I used to finish my chores as fast as I could, just so I could pick it up once again. I liked to imagine myself talking to its characters as though they were my friends. Yes, I had read that numerous times, yet I would read it over and over again because that was the only book I ‘owned.’ Perhaps someday, I would come across another brilliant masterpiece by this genius. A smile crept onto my lips as I reached out for the book. I wished Nathan’s end would be similar to the perpetrators in the book if he ever tried to put his filthy hands on me again.

I sat down and took my time to read, feeling contented with what I had. It was the happiest I could ever be in Moonshine. I thought it was going to be a silent night. 

Boy, was I wrong. The sound of heavy footsteps interrupted my reading. I knew who was coming. It was the Alpha’s son.

I quickly hid the book under my pillow. With my heart pounding in my chest, I tried to think of anything that I might have done wrong. I couldn’t think of any. Nonetheless, I knew he wouldn’t approach the pantry while the party was about to start if it wasn’t serious. I must have done something wrong. 

I flinched when the door flung open. Upon seeing his agitated demeanour, my heart sank. I could tell that he was beyond pissed. I quickly scrambled to my feet and lowered my gaze as I dared not look into his eyes. However, he had another idea. He stormed over to me and grabbed my cheeks, forcing me to look up. Strange sparks tingled my skin, but I was too scared to think about that. Just as our eyes made contact, his pupils dilated, and the most bizarre words escaped through his gritted teeth. 

“Mate.”

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. Mate? We were mates?

I froze, not knowing what to think or what to expect. How could I be mated to the Alpha’s son? Me? The pack’s slave? I hadn’t even had my first shift yet; hence I didn’t have my wolf to confirm what he was saying. What if he was lying? Maybe it was one of their sick jokes.

I tried to gulp down the lump in my throat and speak up, but all I could do was stare at him. Was he really my soulmate? It was then I realised that my skin tingled whenever he touched me. A tiny smile quivered on my lips, but it quickly vanished as soon as it appeared. His countenance spoke volumes. He wasn’t happy about being mated to me. 

“Disgusting. I wouldn’t mind being mated to an omega, but you? I can’t believe that I am mated to the traitor’s daughter!”

The words he spat into my face confused me. My forehead creased. Traitor’s daughter? What was he talking about? I knew I had to find my voice to clear things out.

“Traitor’s daughter?”

My voice was barely above a whisper, but I knew he heard me. 

He sneered at me. “Yes! You are a traitor’s daughter. What do you think happened to your parents? Your parents didn’t leave the pack. They were executed because they were the masterminds behind the attack on our royal leaders. They managed to hide for five years, but we found them eventually. And guess what else we found with them? You! Why else do you think everyone hates you so much, huh? Why else do you think you don’t have any rights in Moonshine? Your existence is a disgrace to this pack, and I am ashamed that fate paired me with you. You are not worthy of becoming my luna. I reject you, Maya Osborne, as my mate. You better accept it and leave me the fuck alone!”

A sharp pain jolted through my chest. Gasping for breath, I grabbed my shirt. Tears streamed down my face as I awaited the next few seconds for the excruciating pain to recede. 

So it was true. Rejection felt like shit.