The Beginning of the End

My name is Raven Patterson Lowe, mate of Justice Lowe, Alpha of the Blue River Pack. We've been together since high school, and we are chosen mates. We had our mating ceremony when we were nineteen years old, it's been five years since we've committed to each other. As we were getting ready to go to an Alpha's Ceremony at a nearby pack, I watched my husband with an admiring eye, he's so tall standing at 6'5, broad shoulders with an athletic type muscular build. His black wavy hair is combed back, he has honey colored eyes, a long straight nose, full lips and a strong squared jaw. I turn my head slightly to take in my appearance, as I look at my reflection, I finish applying my makeup. I'm quite satisfied with the earth tones I decided on, they truly bring out my green eyes, my high cheekbones highlighted to make them more prominent. I let my golden blonde hair down showing off my natural spiral curls, my heart shaped face also looks better when my hair is down, I apply a light mocha colored lipstick to my pouty lips and smile at myself. I see Justice walking towards me.

" You are breathtaking Mrs. Lowe." Justice raises my hand to kiss it.

" Thank you Mr. Lowe, you look amazing as well." I give him a flirtatious smirk.

" We might as well go my love, we don't want to be late." Justice said while holding onto my hand.

" There's nothing wrong with being fashionably late." I giggled knowing punctuality is important to Justice. He shook his head knowing I was just trying to ruffle his feathers.

We get in the car and immediately we're on our way. The drive didn't take long maybe an hour and a half, we pull into the Blue Ridge Pack, everything is beautifully decorated for tonight's festivities. It's every Alpha's pride to pass his pack to his heir, so I'm sure Alpha Derrick is beaming tonight passing the torch to his son Colton. I think it's time for Justice and myself to start a family, we agreed to wait awhile after our mating, but I think we're ready. We ourselves need to secure an heir for our pack, I'll talk soon with Justice. We meet many and speak with other Alpha's and Luna's. I see one of my best friends Luna Miranda, her mate Alpha Gregory is good friends with Justice, so it was only natural for Miranda and I to get close. I see she's already drinking, they are having problems in their relationship and I feel horrible for Randa. Everyone takes their seat after Alpha Derrick and his Luna Sasha come into the dining area. It's time to eat, then we'll go outside to the arena they have set up to watch Colton's coronation. Derrick thanks everyone for coming to show support for his son, then he proceeds to tell stories about Colton growing up, while we wait for dinner. Suddenly I feel Justice stiffen, breathing erratically, I grab his arm to see if he's alright, I follow his intense gaze and I see her. " Mate" I hear him say under his breath, I close my eyes that's the one word I prayed I never would hear. I looked at her again standing there frozen staring at my mate, she's a little shorter than me maybe 5'7, with black hair, porcelain skin, pale blue eyes her red lips parted " Mate". I look down and think what a disaster, but I trust Justice we promised each other to reject our mate if we ever found them. The coronation is over and Colton is the new Alpha, now everyone is celebrating and dancing. It feels like tonight is dragging on, anxiety has gotten the better of me, and I just want to go home.

" A penny for your thoughts." I hear Randa say to me.

" I've been looking for you, I need a friend right now." I say hugging her.

"What's going on Raven? " she looks at me with concern.

" Oh Randa, Justice found his fated mate, she's here. I just feel frightened, I love him, I don't want to lose him." I say my voice is quivering.

" The two of you made a promise to each other dear, I'm sure he'll reject her." she said in a comforting voice. " Who is she, do you know?" she asked.

" I've never seen her before, she has the red and gold gown on, black hair and pale blue eyes." I answered looking around for her.

" That would be Beta Marcus's daughter, she's been abroad for years at a college in London." she replied.

" Really? Do you happen to know her name?" I inquired.

" I think her name's Rose, I've never personally met her though." she responded.

" Let's go find Justice, the quicker we're out of here the better I'll feel." I stated looking for my husband in the crowd.

" Of course, let's find him so the two of you can get home and talk about the current situation." she replied.

We walked through the guests trying to locate Justice, I have a gnawing feeling in my stomach, I can't see her either. The closer we get to the tree line I pick up his scent, but I smell an unfamiliar scent as well, he's not alone. I grab a hold of Miranda's hand not only for emotional support, but for stability, I feel my legs start to shake a little and feel weak. I'm petrified of what I might see when we find them. After a short distance I see him, he's standing in front of her, her back is against a tree. They're sharing a passionate kiss while his hands are exploring her body. I squeeze Miranda's hand like it's my lifeline, my breath hitches, I'm trying to hold back my tears, my heartbreak.

" Justice, I'd like to go home now." I say through gritted teeth.

He jumps like a child being caught with it's hand in the cookie jar. He slowly looked over at me while Rose feigned embarrassment and scurried off offering a weak sorry as she passed me.

" I'll call you tomorrow Rae." Miranda said kissing my cheek then walked away.

I turn to walk away myself, and Justice runs up beside me. " I'm so sorry my love, I got lost to the bond. I wasn't thinking straight." he blurted out his weak apology.

I laugh in bewilderment " You betray me, you mock our bond, you humiliated me Justice. I'm sure there were plenty of people that saw you two sneak off. No wonder there were pity filled gazes when I walked by people looking for you. Only a weak man, one who is not truly in love with their chosen mate would blame the mate bond."

He just followed me, eyes cast to the ground, I grabbed my purse and headed to the car. I don't know how to truly react, deep down I have a bad feeling this is the beginning of the end for us.