Chapter 2: Mate

RIVER

The hall became so silent that the shuffle of feet could be heard. 

Then the Luna Queen suddenly appeared beside her son, regaled in a black chiffon dress that pooled around her feet and accentuated her figure. With a neck clad in diamonds, Ruby Rutherford was a fierce type of beauty - a dark feminine who instilled fear with a look just like her son. 

“Your Majesty.” I immediately lowered myself in a bow.

“What are you doing here?!” I heard her snarl and before I could raise my head, she grabbed my hair so hard, my scalp screamed in pain. People laughed but suddenly, a snarl rippled through the hall, silencing everyone and causing the Luna to still.

I raised my head and to my surprise, I found Densmore baring his teeth at his mother. 

Her brows furrowed in confusion.

“What's going on, Denny?” She asked softly and whatever she must heard via mindlink was enough to make her release me from her death grip. I rubbed my scalp, biting down my wince, then Paloma came forward to help me to my feet. 

“Your Majesty!” She bowed her head once. “I was the one who brought her in. If you’re going to punish anyone, punish me.”

The Queen blinked like she was in a daze. Then her demeanor softened. “How could I punish you when you’re the sweetest soul?” She cooed, before throwing a disdainful glance my way. “I just wish you’d find better people worthy of your kindness!"

Tears burned my eyes as I stood up to leave but then, something stopped me. 

Instantly, a sweet warmth enveloped my hand, sending this innate feeling of desire running through my veins. I turned to find Densmore’s hand wrapped around my wrist. His eyes were still pitch black but his face was as calm as a still sea. 

My heart raced a million miles a minute as I realized how up close I was to my long-standing crush and how he smelt so richly of earth and rain. It was a scent I wanted to bury myself in. A scent that would forever keep me grounded in a world where it seems like I’m free-falling. 

The warmth emanating from Densmore’s touch reached my neck as well as my chest area and a little gasp escaped my lips as I felt my nipples shoot inside my bra. I stood paralyzed, lost in his eyes while a strange feeling of affection and desire enveloped me.

It was all-consuming, reaching into the corners of my cold, dark lonely heart and setting it on fire. 

‘Mine.” My wolf purred and just as Densmore’s other hand was about to reach for my face, someone broke the touch between us, tearing our hands apart. 

I staggered back, blinking into reality and that’s when I noticed the Queen’s livid face. 

“It cannot be!” She screamed, her lips twisted in disgust.  “My son cannot be mated to the likes of yew!”

I looked to Densmore who now had honey brown eyes instead of dark pits and from the way, the warmth in his eyes died, I felt a stab through my heart. 

“My darling, are you okay?” The queen rushed to her son, running her hand through his curls. 

He nodded before moving his hands in sign language. I didn’t need a translator to know what he said. I had spent all my life learning sign language ever since Densmore went mute as a child. 

“You don’t know what happened?’ The Queen asked. “Well,” She scowled at me. “It seems the Moon Goddess made a mistake and mated you to that…thing.”

"What?" Paloma blinked.

The crowd who had formed a tight circle around us gasped and I could literally feel my face run hot with shame and embarrassment as they made a mockery of me.

“Here’s what you’re going to do.” The Queen faced me, her brows arched tight with seriousness. “You will reject my son so he can get married to his betrothed, Paloma.”

I looked at my best friend who stared back with a dazed expression. I couldn’t tell if she pitied me or if she was mad that I was her boyfriend’s mate. Still, she had been my only friend when no one gave a shit about me. It would be unfair to think I have a chance with Densmore when I practically look like a freak and his family hates mine.

“I’ll do it.” I said, surprised that my voice came out strong and steady. 

The Queen nodded in satisfaction and stepped aside, revealing a Prince who never ceases to take my breath away. 

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stand erect with my chin raised proudly, then I looked into his honeysuckle eyes, and swallowed. “I, River Scarrow, reject you, Densmore Rutherford, as my mate.”

Immediately I stated that I felt a different type of heat. One that felt destructive and surgical. “Do you accept?” I muttered.

The entire hall went silent again as all eyes turned to Densmore. 

His deep sunken eyes seemed to hold conflict as his lips pressed together. I held my breath, a sliver of me wishing he’d say no but then he nodded his approval. 

I waited for the pain to come, but I felt nothing, and as the crowd cheered as if Densmore did something heroic, I turned and ran out of the building.