CHAPTER 4

Shey's POV

Tonight was the moment of truth. 

Some said a female werewolf can only achieve great things through her man. I was born to a society where a woman was only expected to be a wife and a mother. That they were nothing but a homemaker, a supporter and an unrecognized shadow behind every wolf.

This evening, I would prove them wrong. 

I looked at myself at the mirror. For the succession ceremony, I chose to wear something bold. Something that would echo strength and independence. A color that would shout prominence and wit. 

In the sea of black and white, I chose to wear red. 

Red as dawn, my floor-length gown had an asymmetric neckline. The high-slit design revealed the nakedness of my right leg yet the flowy, silken garment put an elegant contrast to it. I finished my looks with a pair of black, platform shoes  and a golden threader earrings. As for my crowning glory, I decided to curl it a little for some accent while letting it flow through the air as I walked. 

"You look regal today, my dear Shey."

I paused a little after hearing his voice. I quickly turned around to confirm my suspision. I was right. It was my dad sitting in his wheelchair, his new throne after retiring. 

"Thanks, Dad. I am happy I did not disappoint you tonight."

"Silly girl!" He complained. "You know I had always been proud of the woman you had become."

His words had once again, touched my heart. What did I do in my past life to deserve a father like him? 

I walked towards him and grabbed his wrinkling right hand. As I gently rubbed it, I saw him teared up a little. Without any words, I was able to understand what he is trying to say. For some weird reasons, we were able to communicate using nothing but our hearts. Between the love we have for each other, words are not a necessity. 

I gestured him outside my hotel room going to the function hall. After a while, Uncle Stan with a couple of  helpers accompanied us. They all took care of some admin works I still needed to do in order for me to focus on what was in store for  tonight.

And dare did I say I am ready. Ready to take on a role that nobody, except my father and Uncle, had believed I could do.

Instead of entering to the main entrance of the hall, we used the another door to get in. With my head held up high, I entered the hall with all my strength and might. Few moments later, notable members of the crowd began to notice me. Dad and Uncle Stan entertained some, if not, all of them. I guess the color I chose to wear tonight was not helping me stay under the radar until the formal announcement. What do I expect? Around 95% of the people around here are males. 

Moments later an earthy aroma filled the air. The spicy, aromatic wood-like smell has a warm, exotic profile to it. It was Sandalwood, the most intoxicating I had ever smelled!

The scent created a warm feeling inside. It increased the awareness of my well-being bursting with inner desires. It was until my wolf Kaya emerged from my thoughts jumping up and down that I finally understood what was going on. "Mate!" She shouted at the back of my head. 

"You must be mistaken, Kaya. You know very well that what you're saying  is highly unlikely," I uttered, trying to make a logical explanation about the mysterious scent that had overtaken us.

"I cannot be mistaken. Our mates are here! Let's go and find them quick!" She exclaimed. 

I still cannot comprehend what was happening. Here I was waiting for the crowning moment of my life while my wolf had gone ballistic over the idea of finding her mate. 

Yes, just her mate. Because I refused to believe this so-called mate thing. This was just a werewolf fairy tail aiming to brainwash a child into thinking that they should submit and be manipulated by the very person they were destined to be with.

Like who in the right mind would yield to the authority of another person, especially to a man, just because the moon goddess said you were fated? Certainly not me! This is just so lame!

No offense to the moon goddess, but I am my own person. I am free to love and cherish the man I would want to choose for myself. No mate bond would stop me from choosing my own destiny. All my life, the society had dictated me of what I should do. On how I should react, what I should feel and what I should like and dislike. My father and Uncle Stan do not raised me to bow my head just because I am a woman. And certainly, no superstition could ever change that. 

Gone are the days when a she wolf was acting like a Disney princess, a damsel in distress waiting for their princes to save them from their ordeal. Tonight was the start of a new era where strong and independent female wolves are slowly making their names in the society. Tonight, I would rewrite history. 

"And now, the moment we have all waiting for. It is my greatest honor to introduce you to the new leader of the Scarlet Union, Miss Shey Collins!"

The function hall echoed with round of applauses from the crowd. That was my signal to get up on stage. The spotlight was following me as I slowly inched myself at the front. 

"I am sorry to break it to you, Kaya," I told my wolf inside my head.  "Mates are not real. So please, stop this nonsense at once. Whatever you're sensing, this might just be a product of your imagination and longing."

Kaya did not say anything. She always knew my stand regarding the matter so she did not push for it. I saw the devastated look at my wolf's face before retreating at the back of my mind. It broke my heart to see her like this but this is for her own good. I am sparing her from the pain and heartache that she might experience in the future. It is better for Kaya to accept this reality as early as now before things could get out of hand.

The concept of a werewolf soulmate was nothing but a hoax. And nobody could ever convince me, not even my beloved wolf Kaya, that it was otherwise.