Chapter 4

Lucien’s POV

She froze in place, glancing back at us once before storming off.

A thin layer of sweat coated my skin as my wolf, Grey, pushed me. 'Go after her. Go after our mate. It's not safe for her to be alone at night, you moron. Go apologize!'

But my feet remained rooted in place, staring at the door after it slammed shut behind her.

As soon as she was gone, the attention of the pack members shifted to me.

The girl who had been continuously insulting my mate, Vivian, stepped forward.

She acted nothing like the venomous snake that had been taunting Vivian before. Now her appearance was sweet and delicate as she spoke.

"Alpha Lucien! I'm Chloe. I had no idea you would be here. Sorry about my sister, she's always trying to ruin things for me."

"For you?" My eyebrows shot up. Ten seconds into this conversation, and I was and I knew this girl was insufferable.

'Mate, mate, mate!' Grey chanted, urging me to go out and find her.

But he knew the reason why taking a mate wasn't possible for me. Regardless of what my father wanted, or what the moon goddess did.

I was done letting others lord over me. Never again.

"Yes. Now that she's gone, I'll be your mate." She winked at me. "Don't worry, I'll never let myself go to that point. I'll be a great luna too."

From the crowd of pack members, someone cheered.

My gaze shifted to two people in the crowd, watching us while cheering loudly.

They were probably their parents. Here to cheer for Chloe though they'd been completely silent when Vivian was here.

I turned, ignoring her and walking away, only for the girl to step back into my path, her smile heavy and forced.

"Wait, where are you going?" she asked, her eyes widened in panic.

"Away from here," I replied, walking around her without turning back.

Her voice grew panicked, hand lashing out to grip mine. "You can't just leave without a mate. Let me be your mate, I'm not bonded, just give me a chance."

I pulled away from her, glaring. "I've left this exact ceremony without a mate more times than you can comprehend, girl. Don't piss me off any more than you already have."

I stormed off before she could say another word.

She didn't follow this time, though I could still feel her sharp gaze pressing into my back.

my jaw clenched as a distant pain bloomed from my chest.

'You see. You like her,' Grey pointed out as I walked out of the hall, ignoring the shocked pack members.

"What I like is the least of our problems now. My father will hear about this soon, he won't be lenient if he learns that I found my mate and rejected her."

'Maybe you should have thoguuth about that before making such a stupid decision.' Grey urged, before his voice dropped into a sympathetic whisper. 'Don't let the your fear for your past ruin this.'

My throat felt tight. There was no way to do that.

Vivian's shy smile when I'd approached her flashed in my mind. And then her family’s mocking words as I ruined what should have been the best day of her life.

The bond had urged me to protect her, but the only form of protection I could give her was staying away. Nothing good could come out of mating with me, I'd learnt that the hard way.

I hadn't expected to find my mate here. For the past few years, I'd avoided coming here, not ready to face the possibility of finding a second chance.

Tonight, my father had insisted, even threatening my place on his throne until I gave in.

Word would reach him soon that I'd rejected my mate, but that was a problem to be dealt with later.

I felt too tired to care.

The cool night air grazed my skin. I sucked in a breath, trying to get the sweet scent of Vivian out of my head.

'You know your bond isn't fully broken, right? Not unless you accept the rejection. You're the one who wanted it, so why haven't you accepted it yet?' Grey pushed.

I kept walking, unsure of where my feet were taking me through the silent night.

The voice of the celebrations soon faded, and the only sounds that remained were the distinct howls of wolves and the crickets.

'You're all alone. Why do you insist on torturing yourself like this?'

I ignored him, still walking towards my unknown destination.

'Even now... you're going to her.'

His words made me pause. I sniffed the air slightly, and sure enough Vivian's soft scent still lingered.

I cursed under my breath, turning around without walking off.

'You have to decide now. This is your chance.'

"What makes you think we deserve a mate again?" I growled, trying to block out the voice I should have know better than to give into.

'Why does anyone deserve a mate?' he replied, voice calm.

I rolled my eyes at the vague response before continuing forward, trying to push away her scent.

My head was clogged with the image of her in that beautiful dress that highlighted her curves and full body. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't shake it away.

Then a loud, ear piercing scream reached me, the voice familiar and taunting.

Grey and I growled at the same time. 'Mate.'