CHAPTER 2: MATE. MEENA. REJECTED.

~~~ANYA~~~

I felt a twist in my stomach the moment I saw Meena smiling uncontrollably at the mention of the arrival of the Alpha.

My mate is here. The Alpha. My heart flung in my chest as blood rushed to my cheeks. I turned to smile at Talia closely as she held my hands tightly. She returned the gesture with an encouraging smile.

The voice that made the announcement a while ago rang again. “Let's welcome the king chosen by the moon goddess herself,” the voice continued, causing my focus to shift from Talia to the audience, as the arrival of the man I've been waiting for was being announced.

The drum rang once, then twice, then once again, then twice again. Everyone giggled in excitement at the mention of the goddess and was eager to see their Alpha. From the corner of my eye, I saw Meena let out a sneer. I shoved her away the moment our eyes met.

The Elder stood still facing the crowd as he continued his announcement, his voice filled with reverence. “Welcome, Alpha Kane, of the Ridgewood Pack.”

The crowd went rowdy, clapping and stomping on the floor, joyfully welcoming the Alpha onto the stage with cheers. My pulse quickened as I felt the sound traveling through the ground, and moving through my whole body.

This night is going to be all about me, deep down in me, I feel joyous, and at the same time nervous. My moment is now, yet, I feel knots twisting inside my belly and making me uneasy. I've never really been in pack events like this. The torture from other wolves, the accusations, made me never part of the community. I had been bullied, excluded, and mocked for a crime I never committed.

Tonight is going to change everything. Tonight is going to be the night I'll get marked and recognized by the pack as the Alpha’s mate.

Tonight is for me.

The cheerful crowd made way partially, making a perfectly formed circle for the Alpha to pass through. Alpha Kane made his way and stepped out of the center of the forest, looking all perfect in his dark brown coat, thick black boots, and black hat.

He looked all prepared, perfect for a ceremony like this. His perfectly structured body shimmered under the moonlight as he made his way to stand in front of the crowd, making my heart skip a bit at the sight of his magnificent figure.

I can't thank the mood goddess enough for blessing me with a man this perfect like this as a mate and a guardian.

Apart from the encounter with him earlier today in the forest, I never got the chance to see him all close again. This is my third time seeing him, and I must say, he looked like one of those billionaire mafia gods we read about in books.

The thought of finally being a free wolf in the common and the bullying that is going to stop from this day onwards, made me let out a silent chuckle.

I took a second glance at the beauty between the crowd. His hair was perfectly lifted under his massive hat. His beautiful eyes, thick black lashes, gosh, so perfect for a man like him. Definitely, many girls would kill to have him for a day to themselves.

His chiseled, sharp jaw broke into a dangerous smirk as he raised his hands, silencing the crowd. The moonlight did nothing but make him look like a god himself, I'd never been so proud.

The Elder continued the moment the crowd went silent. “Alpha Kane, indeed the moon goddess has blessed you as the Alpha of the Ridgewood pack,” he continued as he stood close to him but away from the moonlight and in the bare shadows. “The time is now. The time you've been blessed with a Luna selected by the moon goddess herself to make you gain power and stability during your reign. I hope you accept the goddess's will?”

Alpha Kane stood stoic, not sparing a second glance at the elder, as his gaze swept the crowd searching for mine. The moment his eyes lock onto mine, his lips curl into a smile as he responds. “Yes, I do.”

“You may now proceed,” the elder added, his voice suffused with authority.

“With the power of a leadership position bestowed on me, the people of Ridgewood pack bear witness alongside the moon goddess as I bind myself to another, with pure heart and power. I ask the moon goddess to bless this union between me and another, and may the moon goddess also give us the wisdom and strength to rule as one in bond.”

My breath quickened as Kane’s eyes fell on mine. The crowd fell silent, hushed voices settling into the clearing, as the wind thickened. Kane stepped forward at the front of the crowd, confidently. My heart thudded as if it might pull out of my chest. The intensity of his gaze felt like it might consume me.

He made his first step forward, towards the crowd which gave him a way to pass through. His every step made an echo in my ears, the weight of it swallowing everything in me.

My wolf went restless, pacing over and over in my head with excitement. This is it. This is the moment. And the moment is now. The moment is here.

I felt like I should freeze in my position. Closing my eyes, embracing myself for what is to come, every nerve in my body droned in uncertainty. The thought of Kane marking me and claiming me stuck in my skull.

The sudden tightness that gripped my hands at the touch of Talia snapped me back to reality. I heard a gasp from the opposite direction, it wasn't mine. The sizzling pain I was waiting for came from the other direction.

Talia held onto me tightly as I was losing my ground. Confusion flushed over me like rainwater, my eyes immediately snapped open. I froze at my spot instantly as I took in the sight before me.

Alpha Kane wasn't standing in my direction. He wasn't standing before me.

He was standing next to me, his teeth sunk into her neck. Meena.

She squeezed her bare hands on the back of his neck, her fingers digging deep into his skin as she gasps of pleasure. He bit down, the scent of blood. The flesh gave way—but the bond didn't hum enough. She smiled like it was everything she wanted. He had marked her barely. At least he has recognized her and bonded with her.

My knees couldn't hold it anymore. I fell on the ground so hard that Talia couldn't catch me up. My vision blurred as the world spun. Hot tears tripped out of my eyes as the betrayal banged into me like an international blow.

No way. No. No. This can't be happening to me. This had to be a mistake. My mate. My mate has recognized another instead of me.

As reality struck my face. The connection, the spark of the bond was now all a lie.

He had chosen Meena over me. He had rejected me.