One

" Tia, are you ready!" My mom's voice rang out from outside my door, and I looked at myself one more time in the mirror before walking out of my room in a long, red dress that clung to my curves and only loosened at my knees.

It wasn't my usual but today wasn't a usual day.

It was the moon ball, it happens once a year and wolves like me get to mingle with other wolves either from the neighboring packs or from here.

Chances of bumping into your fated mate were high but then I doubt I would find mine because I haven't shifted yet.

" You look gorgeous." My dad's deep excited voice came as I stepped down the stairs.

“ Of course, my girl is beautiful.” My mom stepped forward and kissed me on the cheek.” You have grown, Tia and I'm proud of who you have become.” she said in her loving motherly tone that made me almost blush.

It wasn't every day that you got to see this side of her.

All loving and soft. I mean she was known to be the toughest female in the pack.

“ I love you too, Mom.”

" I think you are missing something." My dad said from the side and my mom stepped back. I looked at him and then at my mom, confused.

“ Is something wrong with my dress, mom?”

He dipped his hand in his pocket and pulled out a golden necklace.

" This should complete your look even though you are better without it." He walked behind me to help me put the necklace around my neck.

“ Thank you, Dadd.” I turned and wrapped my hand around his waist.” I love you more.“ I whispered.

“ You are welcome.”

“ We are getting late, Tia.” My mom reminded me.

“ Your mate is waiting to find you “ she added and I frowned.

Like I said I wasn't expecting to meet my mate because I was wolfless. My mom didn't like it when I put it that way but I was without a wolf.

I was eighteen yet, no sign of her. It was frustrating but being the daughter of the most powerful gamma couple shaded me from every mockery that might have come to me.

Even though I was without a wolf, nobody dared to look down on me and I knew it was because of my parents.

Some people actually did but they didn't dare to make it obvious. My mom was someone no one wanted to cross.

I might not be expecting to find my mate but I couldn't stop wondering whether my mate would mind about me being wolfless.

My mom believed my wolf was just taking her time and then she would show.

I didn't know but to be frank, I wanted to believe her.

The thought of not finding my wolf ever makes my insides feel empty.

I was born to two strong gamma wolves. Was there a chance I wouldn't find my wolf?

" Are you nervous, Tia!" My mom asked as my dad started the car.

" I'm trying not to be," I said and she laughed.

" It's your birthday today, you must have fun. Don't let anything destroy that." My dad said, staring at me through the front mirror. I knew what he meant.

“ I promise I will.” I said in a nervous tone.” That is my girl.” He cheered.

The drive from our house to the pack hall was less than ten minutes and as my dad pulled over at the parking space.

I felt a little uneasy seeing all those cars in the parking space.

It shouldn't be surprising since the neighboring packs were also here to join the celebration but I couldn't help it.

It's your birthday, Tia.

I tried to calm myself as my mom stepped out of the car first.

" Be nervous but don't let yourself get lost. It's your day and your dad and I love you."

" I know mom," I said and they both hugged me.

" Your father has something to discuss with the alpha. Don't wander far." My mom warned.

" Do you have your phone with you?" She asked and I nodded." It's i,n my he purse." I didn't have a wolf so they wouldn't be able to mindlink so the phone was the only way to get to me.

I stood beside the car not sure where to go because the hall was obviously packed with wolves but I doubt it was full.

I looked around at the quiet space and began walking to the hall.

I didn't have friends or any close relations aside from my parents.

I was almost at the entrance when a low deep growl resounded from behind me, sending chills down my spine.

I turned my head and it was Cade, the alpha's son.

He wasn't alone, he was with his friends and there was a fierce look in his eyes.

" Mine!!" He growled and the next minute he was standing in front of me with his strong hands holding my shoulders.

" Mine!!" He growled again, his hands slid down to my waist and yanked me to himself.

My eyes widened.

Was Cade Adams my fated mate?

I didn't finish processing what was happening when he suddenly let go of me and stepped back like he didn't just grabbed my waist

The look in his eyes turned cold as he looked at me, his friends who were the future beta and gamma of the pack giggled to each other.

" I, Cade Adams, reject Tia as my fated mate and future Luna of the Down pack."

Did he regret touching me or something?

I still couldn't believe I was mated to Cade Adams the Alpha's son and the future alpha of our pack.

A painful scream left my mouth, and my hand clenched to my chest. Murmurs and whispers broke down around me but I was in so much pain to even hear what they were discussing." Accept his rejection, Tia and the pain will calm down." That was my mom's voice but before I could open my mouth or say anything I passed out from the excessive pain.

" Let's get her out of here, Vito." My mom's worried voice was the last thing I heard before surrounding myself with darkness.

When I woke up I did recognize my surroundings, I was in my room but how did I get here?

I sat up on the bed and everything came rushing back. Cade's cruel rejection.

Tears blurred my eyes, how could I be his mate when I haven't even shifted?

Why can't you? A voice in my head screamed at me.

I turned eighteen last night and I happened to find my mate who rejected me as if I didn't matter.

Why would Caden reject me in front of everyone?

A slight knock came on my door and I looked up as the door slightly opened." Can I come in?" My mother's soft voice echoed in the room before she stepped in. If she didn't know I was awake I would have pretended to be asleep.

I didn't know how to face her after what happened last night.

“ I want to check u on you “ she said and I couldn't help but throw myself in her arms

" Mom!" I started sobbing my eyes out.

Every pain I felt last night came crushing down on me. The humiliation, the weird stares, and the pathetic look the pack gave me.

How was I going to face everyone? " Everything will be okay." My mom said in a soft tone, I knew she was in pain too. Seeing me like this makes her feel no better and I feel it in her voice even though she has a strong expression on her face.

She was hurting just like I was.

" Mom, my chest still hurts." I told her and she held me tight to herself, kissing my forehead gently.

" You have to accept his rejection, Tia." My mom whispered.

" You will be fine after you accept his rejection. You are hurting because the bond is still there, partially broken and it needs to be completely broken." She explained.

And I fall silent.

" Did he reject me because I don't have a wolf?" I suddenly asked with tears still in my eyes.

" You have a wolf, Tia. Don't let anyone let you believe otherwise."

" I want to believe you mom." She pushed me back a little and looked me in the eyes." You should, trust me.”

“She is taking her time." She said what she has been saying over the past few months.

" Your father has gone to see Alpha Orion and once he returns we will take you to the Alpha mansion." She pushed my messy hair from my face.

I didn't nod immediately, not because I didn't want to accept Cade's rejection but because I was scared of what might happen to me.

What if my body couldn't take it and I pass out again. What if it affects my wolf and I never get to meet her?

" Don't worry about your wolf, she will be fine. She is a gamma." My mom assured me and I nodded even though I wasn't sure I had one.

She left me to rest, which I couldn't.

The pain from the partially broken bond sat heavily in my chest. I couldn't breathe properly, my inside felt hot as if I was being roasted alive but I was feeling cold and shivering.

My mom checked on me every minutes. When I told her I was feeling hot inside, she advised I endure it a little while.

When my dad returned in the evening, my mom came into my roo,m to get me.

We all sat in the car, this time my mom didn't sit in the front seat because she sat beside me.

I felt, something crawling on my skin when I realized we had reached the Alpha Mansion.

Was I really fated to Cade Adams, the future alpha of this pack? It was really funny how someone like me could be fated to an alpha.

I was wolfless, everyone believed I was except my parents.

But I would never forgive him for rejecting me in front of the entire pack and coursing me this much pain.

" Come on, Tia," my mom called out and I stepped down from the car.

My body was covered in an oversized ash hoodie.

My mom leaned me a hand as we walked step by step into the alpha's mansion. I noticed how the omegas were staring at me.

The murmurs, the whispers leaving their mouths and the pitiful look they were giving me.

I held my tears inside, I didn't want to cry anymore at least not because of Cade. I hated how he had ruined me, humiliated me in front of everyone but I also wanted to release myself from this pain.

" Tia, do it " my mom whispered as Cade walked down from the stairs.

The alpha was there, the Luna too plus my parents who were the gamma of the Down pack.

How embarrassing could this get? I swallowed my tears.

" If you want to free yourself from this pain you have to let him go." My mom tried to convince me which she already had.

Cade stood before me like he wasn't the one who rejected me last night.

He was fine and he didn't look like he was in any kind of pain.

Was I the only one going through this intense pai,n?

Tears blurred my eyes as I felt unfairly hurt.

" Come on, Tia," my father, Gamma Vito urged and I swallowed before parting my lips.

I looked around at the alpha's face, he wasn't bothered or disturbed in fact, he looked pleased.

Obviously, he wanted his son to be mated to someone like me.

A wolfless she wolf.

" I, Tia, daughter of the gamma of the Dawn pack accept your rejection to be your future Luna."

" And fated mate." My mom whispers and I let out a breath." And fated mate." I finally said the words and his eyes changed. His wolf pulled forward, letting out a low furious growl.

My body suddenly regained its normal temperature and I stepped back.

The coldness and the burning were gone. My heart was no longer torn apart and my breathing became even.

" Lets go Tia. This pack doesn't deserve you." My mom said, taking my hand.