The Morning After

Lyla’s POV

I woke up to silence. On noticing the mate mark on my neck, I moved out of the room and went back home thinking about why the stranger had marked me, but when I ruled it out as something that was done in the heat of the moment out of lust, I was able to sleep. 

I had to pull myself out of bed and go to the bathroom, but the mate mark was glaring at me in the mirror. 

“Why is this one not gone?” I hissed under my breath. Rogue marks normally subsided after two hours. 

Unless, he was not a rogue then who was he?

I shook my head, to get the thought out of my mind, took a quick shower, and dressed up.

As I went to the kitchen, I understood that my sister was not at home.

“Elowen went to work?” I mumbled to myself as I rushedly made myself a breakfast. 

There was a feeling of relief and guilt in my stomach and I pushed the food down my throat.

Relief that I had time to salvage the dress situation, guilt that I knew how much she disliked me stripping, but I was going to bring her a present with stripping money. 

I hurriedly cleaned the dishes, and then returned to my room and collected the money I had earned the previous evening. It was a lot. I went to the market disregarding the mumbles and glaring eyes of the people on the street. 

There were those who smirked, those who made slight remarks, those who were bold enough to point fingers. I was used to the shading. I disregarded it, and concentrated on finding the best dress I could afford, which is the one I gave Elowen. When I discovered it, it was certainly more than I had supposed to pay, but I had a good deal of change left after I had paid the money, I experienced something of a thrill of satisfaction.

As I got home Elowen was just coming in back from work, somewhat heated by the afternoon sun. 

“Do not tell me you have just come back from work.” Elowen ssked.

“Nah, I came in last night but I went  out to get something. Come see.” I replied when I opened the door and stepped into the house.

“What’s that?” She asked, walking behind me. 

I swiveled about and offered her the dress and smiled despite my nerves. “Here. I got this for you.”

Her eyes opened and she said nothing awhile. Then a joyous laugh broke out her mouth. “Lyla! Oh my gods, it’s perfect! Thank you, really. I can not believe you--” she paused and her hand stood above the fabric, then she clasped it. “You--have you lost one of  your kidneys?” She joked.

I replied by a slight shrug, concealing the pride which was about to burst. “Nah, all two of em are still with mama. Let’s get you ready.”

The little room was filled with the excitement with which we moved. I combed her  hair to  the other side , straightened the dress, and assisted with the details. She was as radiant by evening but  I was ashamed and embarrassed at the same time to look at her. She deserved this. She deserved happiness. And I… I could not get rid of the feeling of discomfort which had begun in the early morning.

What if it all went wrong?

I went back to my room to dress. Although I was not the one who was taking part in the ceremony until next year, I had to look presentable during the pack gathering. I looked in the mirror, that l mark was there, vexed, I covered  it with my hair and followed Elowen to the ceremonial grounds.

The ritual space of the pack was bustling. Wolves of every rank trod about, and some were excited, some strained. I walked along with my sister, loosely holding to her arm.

The aged wolf who was in the charge came forward, and with his deep voice heard the crowd. “This evening we celebrate the mate relationship, “ he started. “All wolves are present not only to observe, but also to admire the destinies that decide us. A mate is not just a companion. Your partner is the one that is to be, The one that is known to you by your wolf before your own thought can comprehend. This, it is the dearest blessing of the pack, and it is sacred.”

There were mutters among the assembled wolves, and I was conscious of my own heart beating faster. Elowen patted my hand a few times, and I nodded at her. She required such support and I had to remain focused.

The elder hesitated, putting up a hand of silence. “This mating ceremony,” he said, “is  quite unique. The mate of the rogue alpha has been revealed to be in this pack through a prophecy. A wolf that is out of his element. This ritual will lead us to  them.

I froze slightly at that. Rogue alpha? How come a rogue wolf, one who is not a part of the pack, would be coupled with one of our pack? I was thinking a lot, yet maintained a cool expression. I could not allow my mind to show it, not here, not now.

The pairing began slowly. The old man summoned them, one at a time, each to his match. Whispers, gasps, and smiles went through the crowd as matches were announced. Every wolf which had discovered a mate came to the fore, and the connection shone dimly around them, an unmistakable affirmation of destiny.

With each pair called I saw Elowen tighten her face. She had made no movement in response to the names being called. She wasn’t paired. My heart sank, her name has not been called. I gave her a squeeze instinctively, and said, It is all right. Maybe it’s just the timing. Don’t lose hope.”

Her lips were drawn up into a thin line. “I… I only hoped...” she was going to say, but had to halt when the older called her name. 

“Elowen Moreau.”

I looked at my sister. Her head was raised involuntarily and her eyes were bright and hopeful.

“Kieran Vale.” The elder continued.

A man had stepped forward. My heart sunk and I could not breathe. He was very tall , very imposing, as commanding as I had found him the night before. His short hair fell about his chiseled face and his grey eyes looked out on the crowd with silent command. My heart beat was so severe that it would have been heard.

He walked to the Dias when  the older called him, and my eyes were upon him as he stood beside Elowen. 

My lips were parted, scarcely a murmur. 

My one night stand…is the rogue alpha?

My sister’s mate?!