He’s My Mate

Aria

I looked around. By now, the crowd had gathered, and speculations began to fly.

"That's Kael, the hockey star. He came!"

"Then does that mean the lady in the ball gown is his mate? But who is she?"

I held the side of my gown in a tight grip, suddenly aware of the attention on us, but it wasn't over.

"I can't smell her! Serena, a strong wolf, is the one for Kael."

My eyes moved back to stare at the lady who didn't seem to exert any force to attract admiration. She effortlessly fit in Kael's arms.

"Hey there." Serena's emerald eyes brightened as she spoke, taking her attention off Kael.

My lips couldn't open as I stared at her, knowing she's the person Kael loves. I struggled to move my hands to wave at her.

"I'm Serena Hayes. Though you seem new here," she said.

I tried to ignore the burning heat under my skin and my uncontrolled urge to be in Kael's space as I replied, "My name is Aria Ravenwood."

"Ravenwood? There's only one person with such. Wait… Aria!" she said, moving a bit from Kael's hand wrapped around her waist to touch my hand. "It's so good to see Ryder's little sister."

"Wait… The hockey captain and future Alpha's sister. No wonder she looked beautiful."

"He's also Kael's best friend! No wonder they acted familiar with each other."

Whispers began again.

At this stage, my ears were filled. But I couldn't help but notice the way Serena said "little sister!" She's the same age as Kael and Ryder, by the way.

The only person I want to talk to is standing stiff by Serena, his jaw clenched, gazing at me.

He looks completely displeased, and it's shown in his tone. "Aria, I will have to apologize for what I'm about to say."

My heartbeat slammed in my breastbone, and the butterflies scrambled. My lips felt dry for no reason. The gleam in my eyes faded, knowing he isn't just about to say his mind, but he called me Aria.

Gone was the earlier welcoming Kael. The one I'm staring back at now portrays the Beta's son, handling a case that seems to disturb his peace.

Serena looks confused. At this point, the crowd has quieted. I didn't dare to breathe at this point, fearing I could pass out at any moment.

"I've said it earlier today. I hope you won't bring this up again." His voice lowered and his hands firmly moved to caress Serena's side, showing his answer.

But I didn't want assumptions. I didn't want the ceremony to kick off without clearing the air. "What do you mean? You can't even say the word 'mate' in your clarification!"

"You're wolfless and fragile. Don't do this!" he panted.

"What's going on?" Serena's eyes moved from mine to Kael's.

My eyes welled up with tears. I was indeed wolfless, even when we had collided and the mate bond ignited. I only felt whole all over, but no sensation to shift or my wolf talking. Knowing he's not going to acknowledge the bond, I dug a finger into my palm to reel in the tears. No. I won't let myself look pathetic. I lowered my body a bit, feeling drained.

Then, after a minute, I couldn't help but remember my mother's words. Kael can't love me, care for me, nor cherish this bond. But what happens to surviving? I can't deny he made the headache, sour taste, fatigue, and dizziness go away. The bliss and calmness I felt can't compare to anything I felt my whole life. I have to hold on to that!

"Please…" My voice broke at this point. "Just let work something around it, okay?"

"Kael…" Serena tugged his hand.

"Lena, she's just being emotional, but it's fine," came his response with his eyes on her all through.

"Emotional about what?" Serena persisted.

Kael's eyes softened even with her probing, unlike when he's speaking to me.

A voice cut in. "Attention! This is the Director. Call me Master. Welcome to the Full Moon Ceremony, both the Elites and New Members."

The projector in the room lightened, and a voice through the speaker came through. "By now, we've all met our mate and must have been looking forward to marking each other."

My eyes went to Serena holding Kael while beaming. They both haven't marked each other yet, it seems.

His eyes mirrored hers affectionately, as if assuring her.

I didn't have the right reaction, but then, if the marking takes place between them, what would happen to me? My eyes scanned the crowd if I could see Ryder now, but he still wasn't in sight. Why? But I didn't fail to see everyone in pairs of two, looking so happy unlike my sad self.

I didn't think I would have my long-time crush as a mate and be placed in between a choice he also has to make, and I didn't even stand a chance.

Master continued, "We've to connect in wolf form to let the mate bond and pack bond come alive."

Everyone began to shift, wolves in different colors and sizes. Kael's sky-blue wolf stood gigantic while rounding around Serena's medium, faint ashen wolf. He lowered to the floor around her in a protective stance, rubbing his nose affectionately. The next thing that dominated the hall were howls. I felt nostalgia.

A deep-rooted longing to belong awoke in me, but I couldn't even shift. I didn't belong here. I was wolfless. It dawned on me crystal clear, and the tears let loose on their own. I didn't try to clean them. It was like the Moon Goddess was against me belonging and surviving.

What was worse than finding your mate, but he doesn't share the same excitement of accepting the bond?

I cleaned my tears, feeling like sitting on the floor to save energy. Standing was exhausting…

Then I felt pairs of eyes on me, the lazy eyes of Kael's wolf, the calm eyes of Serena, who stood up, nudging at Kael's fur until he uncurled and rose with her.

The other wolves stared. I felt so much humiliation that it began to feel hard to breathe. I broke into sweats. It was from inside until I felt it trickle inside my now suffocating gown. The hall feels cool, but I was feeling hot and uncomfortable.

Master ordered, "It's time!"

Everyone shifted swiftly. They bent their heads slightly, wondering who this misfit, me, was. I felt so exposed as their voices disrupted the silence being maintained.

"She didn't shift? What is she? Why is she standing alone?"

Serena walked with the elegance of a proper lady, even in her shorts and mock-neck top, and took a pause at my front. "Why is nothing happening to you?"

"I… don't… know," I stammered. My feet tucked in my flats, not able to hold her gaze. My mate moved to stand by her side. I felt small and ashamed.

"But Ryder is very strong. Why is she the weak one? There goes the rumour already spread about him being my brother."

"She's Aria Ravenwood. That's enough!" Ryder's voice dominated the hall next.

I looked frantically for him in the crowd as he made his entrance with a petite, honey-blonde-haired woman beside him. Selena stepped back a bit into Kael's hands.

"Brother!" I cried.

He drew close, patting my shoulder while hugging me close. "It's okay, I'm here now."

"Hey, Mallory, my brother's mate," I smiled, holding her hands as I disentangled from the hug.

"We're not trying to bully you. Don't sound so wronged."

The crowd murmured.

Mallory's smile disappeared as she turned to face them. "Pathetic! You all don't come close to even her fingertips."

Gasps followed, but no response came again. This wasn't their future Alpha's mate after all. She might be an Omega, but she commands attention wherever she goes. I admire that.

"What the hell made you people decide to disrupt the ceremony before it comes to an end?" Ryder questioned. His eyes scanned the crowd, who cowered before he settled on the two standing before me.

"He didn't do anything." That was my first defense, holding my brother's fisted hand.

"He shouldn't have stood and watched them talk to you in such a manner," he fired.

He's reacting like this because Kael is supposed to look out for me as his best friend. Then what would happen if he finds out he's now my mate?

Kael's expression loosened a bit. "Why should she care about these losers?"

The crowd recoiled a bit in fear when they heard him.

"I want you to hear it from me, not anyone, though." Kael's expression turned serious.

"What's that?" Ryder said, looking more clearheaded now.

Kael's eyes looked conflicted, struggling for a minute. "I'm Aria's mate, buddy."

Ryder stood still, his hands dropped by his side. He turned to look at my puffy eyes, finally putting the pieces together.

"What!" Serena exclaimed.

Mallory turned back to me. She opened her mouth, and it's shut back with no words.

Everybody stood still as silence took over the hall, so quiet that if someone coughed, we would know the source.