Chapter 6 - Hurt

Cole POV

                   I met up with Carson and Marly; expectant looks on their faces.  “Where is she?” Marly asked tentatively.   I shook my head, “She left before I could find her,” I admitted.  “She could not have known you were here,” Marly assured me, concern on her face.

                  “I do not think she knew either,” I admitted.  “I smelled her scent of jasmine, but I smelled fear more so,” I shared with both of them.  “Fear?” Carson asked, concern in his voice.  “Fear.  And it was rampant,” I confided in them.  “We have to find her,” Carson stated, Alpha mode ready to take over.

                  “I have no idea where to start looking,” I said, a wave of uneasiness rolling over me.  “Let’s go speak with the host Alpha.  He will know which packs had been invited.  You can start there,” Carson suggested.  Of course, the Alpha would know who had been present, and I would be able to track her down through that knowledge.

                  We went directly to the Alpha, requesting a meeting for first thing in the morning.  I knew it would not be appropriate to pull him away from the Gala.  He had responsibilities to his guests.  And Carson had responsibilities to the rest of our pack members.

                   As we re-entered the Gala, Carson was approached by five different couples.  Three of our males had found their female mates, and two of our females had found their mates.  It was exciting to see the excitement in our pack members faces, but it was also bittersweet.

                  I should have been with them, waiting for Carson to welcome my mate into the Full Moon Pack.  But that was not the case, and I had to hide my disappointment for the sake of our pack members.  They were bubbling with excitement, as Carson welcomed the three new members.

                  Both Carson and Marly hugged the two females who were leaving our pack.  Both females were going to strong packs, who treated their female she-wolfs with respect.  The packs also welcomed strong warriors, which both females were.  I knew they would be in good hands and enjoy happy lives.

                  As everyone turned and walked away to enjoy the rest of the evening, Marly noticed another of our female’s off to the side, tears in her eyes.  We immediately approached her, but I had a sense of what was wrong.  “He rejected me, Luna,” she whispered as Marly wrapped her arms around her.

                   The girl cried on Marly’s shoulder, as Carson looked pissed and ready to destroy whoever broke this female’s heart.  She was an Omega but was training to be a warrior.  “He said he could not be with an Omega,” she stuttered out as Marly stepped back from her.

                  “There was a time I was also an Omega and rejected by my mate.  I found Carson as my second chance mate, and I have never been so appreciative of that first male rejecting me,” Marly shared quietly with the Omega.  The Omega looked hopeful to Marly, “Do you think that could happen to me?” she asked.

                  “I think the Moon Goddess has something bigger planned for you,” Marly counselled the young female.  The female wiped her tears and smiled at Marly, “Thank you, Luna,” she said before standing awkwardly beside us.  “Would you like me to take you back to the hotel, or do you want to stay at the party?” I asked her.

                   I knew how I felt about the party at the moment, and I would not mind the distraction of taking her back to the hotel.  “I would like to leave.  He is with another, and I do not want to watch them for the rest of the evening,” she admitted.  I smiled at her, “Let me bring the vehicle over, and I will pick you up,” I told her.  She had a look of relief as she nodded and proceeded to go with me to the doors of the gala.

                  “Leaving so quickly, Beta?” the Alpha inquired.  “I will return.  I look forward to meeting with you tomorrow morning,” I replied, as the Alpha looked at me.  I am sure he remembered I had last been looking for my mate.  “Of course, I will see you at 10 am tomorrow morning,” he replied.

                    Nodding, I left the she-wolf at the doors while I went to retrieve the SUV.  As I returned, I noticed a male was standing in front of the female wolf, yelling at her with arms flailing.  She was trying to remain calm, but I could see tears in her eyes once again.

                  I quickly exited the car and raced over to stand between the couple.  “Who the hell are you?” the male asked.  “Who the hell are you?” I replied.  “You are going home with him?”  the male asked the female.  “So, what if I am.  You have a date, remember?” she responded.   Ahh this is the male who rejected her.  “What do you want?” I asked him, confused as to why he was here.

                  “She is my mate, and now she is leaving with you,” he responded.  “Last I heard you rejected her,” I reminded him.  His face went red, “I made a mistake,” he said, embarrassed.  “Well, that seems to be a you problem,” I stated as I looked to the female.

                  “Do you want to stay and talk to him?” I asked her, prepared to do whatever she wanted.  She looked to the male, and then looked to me, “Yes, I would,” she responded shyly.  “Okay, I will be around if you need me,” I assured her as she moved back with the male who took her hand and gently led her back into the Gala.

                   Looks like I am on my own after all, I considered with a chuckle.  I hoped they could work out their differences, and the female would find happiness.  Much like me, I had to hope I would find my mate and take her away from whatever was hurting her.

                   Now I just had the mystery of finding her.