One

“I Michael Elias Owen, Son of the Alpha of Crescent Moon pack, reject you Elana Melody White, daughter of Edward Felony White the Gamma of Crescent Moon pack as my mate. You’re a whore and you disgust me.”

That statement kept playing over and over in my head as I lay on the soft green grass with my new lover, Maxwell—the son of the beta of my pack.

I couldn’t stop thinking of the incident that had shattered me to my bones.

It was my wedding day. I was supposed to be getting married to Michael Owen, the son of the Alpha of my pack.

As the daughter of the Gamma, Michael and I were meant to be. Although my wolf is weak I won’t be of much help when Michael becomes the Alpha and I become Luna of the Crescent Moon pack.

But the moon goddess had written us to be. Or so I thought.

Michael rejected me as his mate on the day we were to get married. Everything was going well even till my coming-of-age party, where he proposed to me.

Till rumors began to spread, that I had affairs with members of other packs. Which was false to the root, I may be useless because of my weak wolf, but I am nothing close to being a cheat.

I was framed. But I guess Michael was so blinded by the words and deceit of other pack members that he rejected me as his mate the day we were to get married.

His father, the Alpha, had arranged a wife for him almost immediately. And of course, it had to be the one girl who had bad blood with me, Kristen Brownwood, daughter of the Beta, and my new lover's twin sister.

She never liked me, since when we were younger. She used to bully me too. Why she hated or still hates me, I don’t know, and couldn’t care less.

But it’s been months since that incident occurred. And though it hurt my wolf and me tally deeply, we’ve gotten over him now.

And it was quite easy to get over him quickly because Maxwell, son of the Beta of my pack, had come up to me a week after the incident to declare his interest in me.

At first, I only agreed to go out with him because I was desperate and in need of a distraction, but it’s been 3 months now. And over time, I have developed strong feelings for Maxwell.

Even deeper than I had for Michael.

Now, Maxwell and I lay on the soft green grass of the packed public garden where we just finished our picnic meal—soaking in the warm sun and enjoying our time together.

I was lost in my thoughts when a voice startled me back to reality. “Elana.”

I jerked my head in the direction from which the voice came. It was Maxwell, he was staring at me.

“Yes, my love?” I answered, with a weary smile.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked, a concerning look on his face.

I sat up on the grass, turning my body so I could face him. “Nothing, just spaced out is all,” I said.

“Didn’t seem like nothing, but okay if you say so,” he replied with a shrug. I nodded in response while putting away the plate that was beside him so I could lie on his chest.

His heartbeat was fast and sounded funny. I giggled at the sound.

Maxwell let out a light chuckle. “What’s got you all giggly my princess?” He asked, stroking my silky hair with his long fingers.

“Mmm, nothing. Just the sound of your heartbeat makes me smile,” I said. I love it when he calls me cute nicknames like my princess, my sweet girl, and so on. It made me extremely happy because Michael never did that.

“Anything could make you happy, and that’s what I love about you my love,” he said, kissing the top of my head.

I had been contemplating asking, but I think now is the right time to. “Maxwell?” I called him.

“Yes, kitten?” He answered. I sat up so I could see his face clearly, because what I was about to ask, was of huge importance.

I took a deep breath and spoke. “When are we going to make our relationship public?” I asked, the expression on his face slowly transitioning to discomfort.

“I mean yes Salma knows, but that’s not enough. She’s my best friend so of course she’d know. But I want the whole pack to know about us,” I said, reaching out for his palm. He drew his hand away from my reach.

“It’s happening again Elana, he’s going to reject us,” Tally, my wolf said in my head. She was always negative.

But Maxwell’s body movement only showed signs of coming rejection. “Oh. Okay, it’s alright, I see where this is going. Making a fool of myself twice,” I said, gathering my stuff so I could leave.

I was about to stand up when Maxwell reached for my hand and pulled me down to his level, leaning into me and locking my lips with his.

I wanted to push him away, but I was too caught in that moment. After a few seconds, he pulled away, looking into my eyes.

“I love you Elana, and would never do anything to hurt you. It’s just, that I don’t want to make our relationship public just yet. I don’t want anyone interfering or feeding me false information that’ll jeopardize our relationship.” He said stroking my cheek.

He was right, it was the same thing that happened with Michael. False info.

“Babe I promise you when the time is right, I’ll make it known to everyone including other packs, that you are the one I love,” He said, giving me a kiss on my forehead.

“He’s lying to us Elana, he does not love us. Didn’t you see the look on his face when you brought up the topic?” Tally said.

“Tally shut up. Why are you here all of a sudden, don’t you have a thing for disappearing when I need you?” I said, getting no response from her.

I looked into Maxwell's eyes for a bit, then I nodded in agreement to what he had said. “Okay Baby, I trust you.”

“How’s Salma doing?” He asked, putting us back in our previous position with my head on his chest, in an attempt to change the conversation.

“She’s doing okay. Since when did you and her become so close, I’ve been seeing you both together a lot recently,” I mentioned my observation to him.

He shifted slightly beneath me and then spoke. “Oh well, I’ve been hanging around her so much only because of you. Soon enough you’ll know why.”

What does he mean by that? Does he want to propose to me? Is he planning a big surprise? A wide smile grew on my face as I thought of all the possibilities.

I was finally going to get married.

******

“It’s today!!!” Salma chimed, barging into my room with a flyer in her hand.

The flyer which read the most exciting announcement.

The flyers were distributed a week after Maxwell and I’s picnic date. It was distributed to the whole pack.

Indicating that Maxwell Brownwood son of the Beta of Crescent Moon pack, would be announcing his mate and wife to be at the pack’s event hall during the Thanksgiving party tonight.

I knew he was the right one. I knew he planned to propose. And on a big day like this. The moon goddess sure does know how to do her job.

Maxwell is perfect for me.

“Yes Salma, IT’S TODAY!! I’m so excited!” I said, we both squealed.

Salma has been my best friend since kindergarten. At some point, rumors were spreading that Salma was only friends with me because of my wealth.

But I didn’t believe any of it, she’s always been there for me. So I still love her.

“Is this the dress you want to wear?” She asked, examining the green-fairy-themed dress that hugged the mannequin in my room.

“Yes it is, isn’t it beautiful?” I asked with a gleaming smile on my face.

I noticed that she was lost in her thoughts, and for some reason, it looked like there was a hint of jealousy on her face.

“Yeahhhh it’s gorgeous. But don’t you think it’s too much? Save it for the wedding instead. This is TOO beautiful,” Salma said, squeezing my shoulders lightly.

I could’ve sworn there was a hint of jealousy in her tone. “She’s jealous of you,” Tally said.

No she’s not!! I’m only overthinking, she’s probably right. It’s a bit too much.

“Yeah you’re right,” I said, Salma’s face glowed with satisfaction.

“Good. Let’s find something else for you to wear then, you have only a few hours to get ready,” she said, walking over to my closet to pick something else.

“Tally something is off about Salma,” I told my wolf. But didn’t get a response, she must’ve left.

Salma came back into the room with a pink floral sundress. It was pretty, but it wasn’t giving “newly engaged”.

“Salma isn’t this a little bit too plain?” I asked, staring blankly at the dress she held.

“No no it’s perfect!” Salma exclaimed. Without further reluctance, I went ahead with the dress and she did my makeup.

I was done getting ready, and after taking a final look at my appearance, I left for the party.

Salma said she would be running a little late. Made me remember how my dad’s best friend who was supposed to be a huge guest at my wedding couldn’t make it due to business issues.

I’ve never met him before, but Dad talks about him a lot. Honestly very happy he couldn’t make it. It would’ve been an embarrassing first time meeting.

****

The party was going well. I had a special dance with Maxwell. Michael watched us with his fists clenched and jaw tensed.

To be honest, I was happy with the reactions our dance got.

Now it was finally time for Maxwell’s announcement. He was standing in the middle of the hall, with a glass in his hand.

He was given a spoon which he used to call everyone’s attention.

“Good evening my fellow pack members,” he started. Everywhere was quiet and I felt overly giddy.

“I believe you all know why, I’m at the center of the hall seeking your attention,” he said, “Today, I will be announcing and making public my mate and wife-to-be.”

I know Salma said she will be running late. But this is too late, she’s going to miss my special moment.

“Without further delay,” he said, walking towards me. Words can not explain the excitement bubbling in me. I watched as he approached me, with a wide smile on my face.

But my smile faded when Maxwell walked right past me like I was invisible. I turned my head to follow his movements behind me.

That’s when I saw her, Salma. My heart immediately sank into my stomach. Not only was he approaching her, but she was wearing my dress.

Salma was wearing the green dress she had prevented me from putting on. Everything was going too fast, my heart beating at the speed of light.

I watched in horror as Maxwell got on one knee in front of Salma. “This can not happen, not under my watch Elana. What is going on?” Tally asked. But I was too speechless to respond.

I knew my life was over, when the question I dreaded the most, escaped Maxwell's lips. “Salma Grey, Omega of Crescent Moon pack. Will you be my mate?”