Chapter One

What happens when you get tired waiting for destiny?

***

ELMA.✿

"Are you happy for Tessa," Shera's voice cut through the music, attracting a few gazes in our direction. The neon lights giving the entire place a bubbly feel but at the same time, making it impossible for me to make out anyone's faces.

"Yeah she seems very happy," I trailed off, letting the glass linger on my lips as I strain my eyes in the direction of the happy couple. 

They seem so happy, holding each other tightly and swaying in the direction of the music

The groom bends over and whispers something in the bride's ear that gets her giggling.

I couldn't help the tear that escaped my eyelid at the sight of the sweet couple.

"Who wouldn't be, her mate is Nelang the commander of the pack soldier," she chimed, flashing me her new set of teeth jewelry. 

"I guess I am even luckier because they are both my best friends," I shrugged indifferently, my lips curving into a smile, downing whatever was left of my glass of whiskey. Savoring as the hot drink burned every part of my insides it reached.

"Yeah you are," Shera fawned, her attention returning to the stage as the couple continued their lovely dance, "So tell me, have you finally found your mate?" She added, turning sharply in my direction, a nerve in my head cutting loose at her question.

"You think I would tell you if I have?" I smile, trying hard not to show the annoyance that had built inside of me at her question.

"Come on, Elma," she pressed, her eyes glistening with curiosity as she looked at me.

"Nah, I'm keeping my stuff secret," my mind racing back to the day Tessa had discovered that Nelang was her mate. I was the first person to find out.. more like she informed me first. We were both happy because her mate was Nelang, the third member of our trio squad.  Now I just feel like the odd one out.

"What about Jones though?" Shera pops up again, maybe if she was not my younger sister, I would have done something to shut her up.

"He found his mate, so I don't really know.my fate with him" my voice unfaltering as I struggled to act unaffected by the ordeal. Jones and I have been in a relationship for three years now and now he suddenly had to leave me because he found his mate? Tch! 

"Tough," she trails off, seemingly unsure of the appropriate response. 

"Yeah," I nod, signaling to one of the ushers. I would need another drink if I intend to sit through the entire event.

My mind had already begun stiring in the direction of her words when her voice cut through the air, jolting me back to reality, “Maybe you will finally get the answers you need,” she murmurs, shoving me gently in the sides.

I bat my eyes, completely oblivious of whatever it was she was referring to, “Huh?”

“Jones coming here,” she explains and my Heart begun to beat rapidly against my chest at the mention of his name. I was barely able to recollect myself, when I saw a pair of pointed suede shoes stand in front of me. 

Dragging my eyes from the floor, I locked eyes with the pair of green eyes I had always hoped to spend my forever with.

I tried to remain calm— to not give off the fear I had… the fear and doubts that lingered since I got wave of the news.

“Hii Elma,” his voice as dreamy as I remember.

I swallowed, struggling to remain my posture, “Um hi…Jones..you look good,” I stuttered, He was putting on the green tuxedo I had gotten him on our anniversary last month. The tuxedo I got because it matched his eyes,  my palms sweaty as I managed to maintain the eye contact, trying not to give off any emotions.

“Thanks,”

I let my eyes wander and stretch behind him, “You are here alone?” I inquired, my curiosity getting the best of me.

“No, I'm here with Freya,” his voice cold and detached.. “she is my—

“Mate,” I completed, swallowing the lump that had formed in my throat, “ I have heard the news Jones,”

“See Elma we need to talk about something,”

“You really want to reject me, Jones?” I snapped, “You had picked me as your chosen mate and now you were going to throw it all away?”

“Don't say it that way Elma. You and I know what we shared was strong,”

“Save it Jones,” I interject, not wanting to hear anymore of it. It was already getting really difficult to hold the tears in, “ go on ahead with what brought you here,”

He stepped back and I couldn't help but stare at him one last time— one last time before he stopped being mine. He straightened up, adjusting his tie, his eyes the coldest I've seen them, 

“ I, Elma Raleigh of the Nexton pack, reject you, Jones Akilar, as my chosen mate,” I watched as his eyes widened at my words. I was enjoying this— taking him by surprise as I spoke first. My ears were attentive to the murmurs that rippled from the guests close to us. But I was determined, determined to not be at the receiving end. 

 chosen mate,”

He ran his free hand through his hair and I was certain that I had put him in a tight spot, “and I, Jones Akilar, of Nexton Pack, accepts your rejection,”

“Excuse me,” I declared, making my way through the crowd, they did not deserve to see me break down— not now, not ever.

***

"How are you doing Ray, congratulations on your mating ceremony," I scream into the phone, trying my best to conceal my emotions with a hearty laughter.

"Ouuuuuu," she squeals, causing my eardrums to bleed from pain, " thank you thank you. Where are you? I could not spot you at the ceremony,"

"I had errands to run," I lie, my heart stinging with guilt, "But don't worry I will be at your house first thing tomorrow morning,"

"Promise?" 

"Pinky promise," I chime, thankful for the fact that she did not press for the actual reason why I had left so early, I thought she must have gotten wave of the news by now.

"Alright I have to--

"Hang up because Nelang can't wait to consummate the marriage," I said with a smile, stopping myself from imagining the entire scene

"You know too much," she shrieks, her voice still hoarse from all the drinking.

"I can't help it," I giggled before the line goes dead.

Standing in the middle of the forest, the cool wind slapping against my face, the rustle of the tree leaves filling my ears as the birds chirped in the distance.

The quietness bringing a sense of peace to my soul as I stood there, gazing into the moon, clips from my life flashing before me.

"Why have I not being given a mate yet?" I sigh into the air, a tear escaping my eyelid as I recounted my life.

At twenty three, a lot of my mates have been gifted with mates and now have a family of theirs, but in my case, the moon goddess seems to be playing games.

I have had relationships with people who ofcourse had tough luck finding their mates, but unlike me, they all found their mates a few months after being in a relationship with me, with the exclusion of Jones, who found his' three years after. 

I really thought he was my compensation from the moon goddess, I thought he would be mine to keep, but as always fate can be cruel.

"If I would have a chance to talk to the moon goddess, maybe she can tell me what I did wrong," I scream into the air, the birds flying away at the sound of my voice.

There was silence and then the sound of the wind whipping through the trees, creaking and groaning like an old rocking chair.

"I heard you want to see me," a chill voice came from behind me, and from the rib chilling cold and drowsiness that I felt, I knew in my guts who exactly it was.

"Yes---- yes I did, but i--- didn't think," I stuttered, swallowing the rest of my words, not daring to turn back to face her. The force that radiated from her leg was crippling. 

"That I would come?” There was a slight edge to her voice, and then a sigh, “Elma dear you are being worked up for nothing," she sighed, her voice sending chills down my spine, "and I am not being biased,"

"You say you're not biased, or maybe I am under a curse of some sort," I snort, scared of the courage that surged through me.

"Since you are in such a hurry, what type of mate do you want?" 

My mind was thrown into a frenzy at her question.

What type of mate do I want? I couldn't help but ask myself. Reflecting on the relationships I have had, I finally arrived at my answer.

But I guess there is a reason why they say be careful what you wish for.