Chapter 7

Jolene

By night fall I was already dressed for the rituals.

Everyone was expected to be in a white dress with pearls and our family name tattooed on our hands. Jasper did mine this afternoon after the the graduation and it's hurts like hell.

My white dress hugged softly at my waist while the skirt flowed around my legs. Ma had curled my hair earlier despite my complaints to have it as it was.

"You look beautiful,"she whispered while fixing a strand behind my ear.

"Thanks, Ma."

Dad drove us to the place the ceremony was being held. The sacred ground behind the pack house.

The sacred ground looked amazing tonight with all the beautiful ritual ornaments hanging at the corner.

The air smelled like earth, smoke and pine. And wolves with their distinct smell. Almost the entire pack was here to celebrate us.

My eyes drifted across the crowd automatically.

Searching for him.

Then I saw him. Seth. Looking like God among us.

And suddenly everything else seems to have disappeared.

He stood beside his parents,the Alpha and Luna, dressed entirely in black while speaking to them. He looked older now.Sharper, taller,more built muscles,broader shoulders and stronger even.

His once messy teenage features had  changed into something devastatingly handsome.

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him.

I watched as his parents talk to him, raising their hands and he was doing same.

I need to look away but I couldn't,Jess broke me out of my trance.

"Jo. Let's go. The priestess is about begin the ceremony" she said from beside me.

I don't remember the time she even got here.

I turned and looked at her,her eyes flickered to her parents and Seth,then they hardened. She looked worried and upset at the same time.

"Is everything okay?" I asked

"I don't know. But it will be soon" she said and gives me an apologitic look.

"Okay"

Soon we were all gathered in the sacred water and the ceremony began. It took two hours of incantation and dancing before it was completed. It was anything painful,the only part was pack's crest being created on their back.

But all the same,it was a successful ceremony.

Now everyone is at the after party, congratulations from strangers and families, people are finding their mates.

Warriors drank and laughed  around the bonfires.

I mingled for a while, greeting pack members and accepting congratulations until the place became overwhelming.

"I’ll be back. I need a breather" I told Jessica who was sipping her wine.

She looked distracted. “Okay.”

I slipped away from the crowd toward the quieter side of the pack house, needing a second to breathe.

I walked into the pack house,not knowing my destination and just kept walking.

Once I got to the hallway,a scent stopped me. It's something I've never smelled before.

Sweet. Coconut and Rainfall.

Completely intoxicating.

My entire body froze.

Kaita,my wolf, suddenly becomes agitated, howling and scratching to go look for the scent.

Mate.

The word echoed through my entire head and body and soul.

My breathing became uneven as need to find him  completely took over.

I followed the scent through the hallway into the big patio. I stopped in my tracks.

Then I saw him.

Seth stood several feet away near the small pond In front of the patio, completely still.

His gray eyes glowed faintly gold.

Shock covered his face.

No.

No fucking way!

I was fuckin right as always.

Seth freaking King is my fucking mate.

His chest rose heavily as he stared at me like the world had just shifted beneath his feet.

And then at the exact same time,we both whispered the words...

“Mate.”

We stared at each other for quite a while. No one said anything. Only staring at each other.

"You...you are my mate" I asked,it more of a question then a statement.

He only kept looking at me,his jaw clenched and his hands in a fist.

"Wow...I can't,I can't believe it. You are my mate,my best friend's brother. Th guy I have loved since my teenage years was my mate" I smiled, finally having the confidence to say everything.

He still doesn't move. This is not how I expected it to be like but I at least a hug will do.

I stepped closer, walking towards him.

He then finally raised his hands to stop me.

"Don't come any further. This was a mistake. The moon goddess might have made a mistake" he said

I stopped in my tracks,stunned at his words

"What..... are you talking about?" I asked

"I....I Seth King,future alpha of crove pack,reject you Jolene Fall as my mate and future Luna" he says.

It was as if the ground has been pulled off my feet and someone has shoot me straight into my heart.

I immediately fall on my knees, finding it difficult to breathe.

"What. ...no...no...you can't do this. You can't reject me. I won't accept your rejection" I cried, allowing the tears fall.

"You have to. I don't love you. I can't have someone weak and pathetic as you as my mate. Accept it Jolene" he said,his voice changing a bit.

"I refuse. You can't hurt me like this. Please..I'm begging you" I pleaded.

" Accept it little wolf"his voice had completely changed.

I knew it as his wolf, Vallum is the one speaking.

My heart hurt,my head is pounding,my mate doesn't want me anymore.

"I...I..I..I Jolene Falls, accept your rejection" I said and  I felt something break within me.

I know he felt it too because he winces.

After what seem like eternity,my wolf was howling and wailing, asking why he rejected us. I don't know why.

"Don't ever mention this to anyone" he says coldly and walked away.

Leaving me hurting and broken.

After while,I walked to the ceremony grounds, standing behind the trees,I can't let the others see my disgrace.

Everyone had gathered at one side,an then the Alpha and Luna were standing on the terrace,beside them was Jess,Seth and a woman I didn't recognize from around here.

"My people, today we have come here to celebrate the good news of this family. My son Seth,has finally found his mate in the human world,she is going to be intiated into the pack and she'll become your Luna. They are also  expecting the future heir of this pack. Cheers to future Alpha and Luna......."

I couldn't listen to it anymore. Everything had become a blur... I couldn't breathe.

He rejected me for someone else. She is expecting his baby.

I can't stay here anymore.

I immediately shifted into my wolf form and dashed into the bushes.

I ran until I got to th back boarder. I took one look at the pack before turning back and running forward with one word in my mind and hate.

I hate you Seth King.