Chapter 5: The Mating Festival

Nivia POV.

I felt nervous wearing these clothes.

Even though I was clothed from head to toe, due to the lightness of the fabric, I felt exposed.

I had just arrived at the festival ground, which was our school's sports ground.

The place was filled with people. Students of all ages were present.

All the Teachers, as well as non-academic staff, were present. Even parents from outside the school, who could make the occasion were also present. As much as this was a school event, it was also a very important ceremony for our pack.

I knew my mother would not be here. What time did she have to spare from working two jobs and taking care of my half-siblings?

I stood at the edge of the entrance, too shy to go in.

"Nivia?"

I turned around to see Mateo standing behind me with a shocked expression on his face.

"My goodness, what are you wearing?" He asked his eyes traveling up and down my body.

Feeling awkward, I pulled at the hem of my dress. "Is it bad?"

I saw him shake his head, regaining his composure. "No, it doesn't look bad. You look amazing."

Really? I actually looked amazing?

That was the first compliment on my looks that I have received in ages.

I was wearing a sweetheart pink short dress, with white long-hand gloves covering my hands up to my elbows. Beneath the dress, I wore black pop socks secured neatly into white loafers.

My platinum blond hair was brushed and styled nicely in a ponytail with peach ribbons.

Overall, I looked like a Barbie doll.

"You don't look bad yourself," I complimented him back.

He was dressed in a nice polo shirt, a black leather jacket, and faded jeans. His jet-black hair was parted in the middle and allowed to fall to his face. As usual, he wore his signature glasses, completing his look.

"Are you okay dressed like this?" Mateo asked with concern.

"I have my armor with me, just in case," I said, showing him the jacket I had in my hand.

We heard the orator speak over the microphone, and Mateo took my hand, "Let's go in, the event is about to start."

Feeling more confident since Matty was here with me, I follow him and we make our way into the crowd. Finding the seats at the back to sit down.

The seats are made of stone steps, just like a stadium, in an ascending angle. We are on the last row, on the last step, making it easy to see everyone around.

As usual, we go unnoticed, and everybody is among their clicks and friends.

Unconsciously, I looked around, taking in the faces of those present, and suddenly, I locked eyes with Justin.

I felt my breath catch in my throat.

He was looking so handsome, dressed in a nice outfit of blue blazers and a black turtleneck shirt with matching pants. I could see the muscled outline of his chest, bulging through the fabric. His chestnut brown hair was sleek and perfectly parted to the side.

Smoky grey eyes were fixed on me as he stared at me from the other side of the field.

My face heated and I immediately looked away.

Why was he staring at me?

After what happened two days ago, I felt embarrassed just looking at him.

The occasion was starting to pick up and after all the introductions and formal greetings, the main event of the night started.

A small make-shift closet made of curtains was put on stage and all the girls of age were asked to come behind the stage.

"Wish me luck," I held onto Matty's hand and squeezed.

"Don't worry, you'll be pleasantly surprised," he smiled back at me.

I stood up and started to make my way down the steps.

I saw all the students around turn their heads and gaze at me, noticing me for the first time since I came in.

"Is that Nivia?" I heard someone ask in a hushed whisper.

"Oh my gosh, it's her," another gasped.

Clearly, Rachel had outdone herself with this makeover.

I kept my head low and made my way to the backstage, where the other girls were already gathering.

I saw Claire and her friends glare at me with disgust before ignoring me.

I stood alone, all by myself while the other girls whispered among themselves with unbridled excitement.

"This is the moment we have all been waiting for," the orator said loudly. "All the girls have been randomly numbered and will be called according to their numbers. Once they are called, they will enter this curtain closet and their mate will find them using the divine instinct of the wolf."

I looked down at the paper that Felicia had given us once we arrived. I opened my paper and saw I was number 29.

I raised my head up and counted the girls present, we were a total of 29.

So I was the last?

Well, I was not surprised. Nothing ever worked in my favor anyway.

"Number One!" The orator announced, and I saw Rachel, my roommate, climb up the steps into the curtain.

After a few minutes passed by, I heard sounds of screaming and clapping from the crowd.

"Congratulations to Rachel Bowen and David Lukeman for becoming fated mates," the orator announced.

There was a lot of cheering and joyful noise from the crowd.

Soon it quieted down and the orator announced, "Number Two!"

Time went by and the numbers kept moving.

Many found thier mates, whereas those who stood there for long with no one coming to the curtain, cried their eyes out when they were asked to leave the stage.

I looked around and noticed it was just Claire and I left standing.

"Number 28!" The orator said and I saw Claire quickly run up the stairs with happiness.

She was so eager to be mated with Justin.

I waited to hear the crowd erupt in a cheer, but after thirty minutes of waiting, there was silence.

Then I saw Claire descend down the steps backstage with tears in her eyes.

I blinked confused.

What was going on? The beautiful Claire Garrett did not find her mate?

What of Justin? Had he been taken by someone else?

I was still wondering to myself when I heard the orator say, "Now for the last number on the list, let us welcome number 29!"

My heart was in my mouth as I started towards the steps to the stage.

I clutched my jacket tightly and my body trembled with each step I took.

Stepping into the curtain, my heart rose and fell, as I waited for the inevitable.

The shameful rejection that was about to happen.

I waited for five minutes.

Nothing.

Ten minutes.

Nothing.

Relief sipped into my body when I started to realize I had not been mated.

Then I heard shocked gasps and hisses erupt in the crowd.

Everywhere grew eerily quiet.

"What the..." I heard the orator trail off in shock at something.

But I couldn't see what or who was on the other side.

There was a ruffling on the curtain blinds and the make-shift closet came crashing down around me.

My jaw slackened at what I saw.

Justin Reynolds stood in front of me.

But there was someone else here too.

My best friend, Mateo.

"She's mine," Matty said taking hold of my hand on the left.

"No, she is mine!" Justin grabbed my other hand.

I raised my eyes to the full moon shining bright in the sky.

Two mates?

What the hell was the moon goddess thinking?