Chapter 2 The thing. Our thing.

Everyone present rejoiced.

Except me.

"No... That can't be!" 

My voice was drowned out in the shouts of congratulations in the hall.

-"Brilliant! A perfect match!! Their union will definitely make the Blue Moon Pack and Blood Shadow Pack more powerful!"

-"Yes! Lionel and Jenna are destined to be together!"

The only other person not rejoicing was probably Lionel. His gaze was still fixed on me, puzzledly.

Jenna followed Lionel's gaze and turned her head. When she saw me, the graceful smile on her face disappeared and was replaced by panic.

Jenna bit her lower lip and wrapped Lionel's arm tightly.

When the applause died down, father continued speaking proudly, "My daughter will soon become the Luna of Blood Shadow Pack. The wedding will take place in a month..."

My mate was getting married to my sister. I couldn't breathe when I heard it.

I couldn't help but shout, "Wait! I have something to say!"

The hall instantly quieted down. Everyone turned to me stunned.

I shoved my way through the crowd and walked up to Jenna, asking her in a low voice, "Is Lionel really your mate?"

Jenna gave me a forced smile. "Of course, sister! Do you have a different opinion?"

"But I clearly smelled-"

"Rylee!"

Mom came sprinting from behind me, screaming my name sharply to keep me from speaking further.

"There you are! Didn't you have to change your clothes? Your clothes are ready now. Come with me."

Mom approached me and warned me in a very low voice that only I could hear, "Rylee, don't you ever say a word again! I know you’re a good girl. Come, leave with me."

The crowd was whispering, and my family took on a ghastly expression. I probably should have listened to mom as I usually did, but I wanted to know the truth badly.

Did I have the same mate as Jenna, or had she lied?

I broke away from my mother's grip and walked up to Lionel. The closer I got to him, the stronger the smell of pine filled. 

My heart beat faster.

Lionel stared at me.

Did he feel our mate bond?

"Do you feel it? The thing. Our thing," I asked.

Without waiting for Lionel to speak, Jenna snapped in a high, shrill voice, "Rylee, you're drunk! Let's talk about this when you're sober."

She tugged on Lionel’s arm. "Honey, let's go."

Father also came over. He smile and made a gesture of please, "Come, Alpha Lionel. There are still some wedding details I wish to discuss with you. Oh, yes, as well as the trade contract between our packs."

"Take me with you," I said, stepping forward to tug on Lionel's sleeve.

"No, Rylee. Go back to your room," Father growled at me. His face turned gloomy.

Lionel looked at father, mom, Jenna, one by one, and finally, me.

Looking me in the eyes he whispered, "Wait for me. I'll go to you."

His voice was low, magnetic, and carries a strong steely resolve that made me unconsciously convinced.

I couldn't help but nod.

Mom yanked me away from Lionel. I had left a dirty handprint on Lionel's sleeve that stood out on his fine clothes.

I watched Lionel and Jenna leave together in a daze. They were both well-dressed, a perfect couple without a doubt. 

Meanwhile, I was still in my work clothes and had dust all over my body.

Perhaps my presence was as inappropriate as that dirty handprint on Lionel's sleeve.

Mom said to the guests, "Ladies and gentlemen. My elder daughter was drunk so everything was a misunderstanding. Do enjoy the food and Champagne. Please excuse us now."

***

Mom locked me in my room. I spent the whole afternoon in anxiety and fear.

And hungry. They didn’t give me any food.

I waited in the room till dusk for all the guests to leave. Mom finally opened my bedroom door with an angry look on her face.

She dragged me to the small parlor, where Jenna was sobbing in father's arms.

As soon as she saw me come in, Jenna pointed at me with red, puffy eyes and accused, 

"Rylee, why are you trying to steal my mate?!"

"I didn't! Lionel is my mate! I felt the mate bond!" I retorted loudly.

"So, you're going to grab him away from me, aren't you? You’ve already stolen my scent, and now you want to steal my mate?!" Jenna screamed. She shook father's arms and turned to pout in a soft voice, "Dad, don't let Ryless take Lionel away from me, please... I love him so much!"

Father hesitated only a second before he turned to me and said with a straight face, "Rylee, give up on Lionel. You can wait for your second chance."

My eyes reddened instantly as tears welled up in my eyes.

They were always like this!

When we were young, if Jenna and I liked the same thing, I always had to give it up because I was the elder sister. Over time, I learned to hide my desires, I had to present to be generous, and I often said to them, "That's okay. Sure, Jenny needs them more than I do."

I expected my parents would smile at me and be happy with my good and understanding behavior.

But Lionel...

I clearly knew, I wanted this man! I wanted to hold his hand. I wanted to kiss him.

I should fight for my happiness and love, at least once. Shouldn't I?

I took a deep breath. For the first time in my life, I firmly defied my parents.

"I won't be listening to you this time! I wanted a fair chance to compete for Lionel! If Jenna and I had a mutual mate, then let Lionel choose!" 

Father's face cold down.

"Lionel is the future Alpha king. The future of Blue Moon Pack will definitely rely on Blood Shadow Pack! I had announced in front of everyone that Jenna was going to become Lionel's Luna! Then you disgraced me in front of everyone by causing havoc. Do you want to make our family a joke and even to screw up the trade agreements between the two packs?” Dad bellowed.

Mom tugged on my sleeves. "Rylee, listen to your father, and don’t get us in trouble."

"..." It felt like a thousand needles were prickling my heart when I saw my father looking out for Jenna in every way.

Just then, the parlor door opened.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have something very important to say."

I looked up and saw the handsome face in all my thoughts and dreams. And his authoritative voice had a majesty that could not be denied.

It was Lionel!

Jenna jumped up from the couch. She ran to Lionel and hugged him.

"Lionel! I found you first! Please no!" Jenna pleaded with Lionel, sobbing while giving him a pitiful look and hinting at him. 

It was as if she had a feeling about what Lionel was going to say.

Lionel gently pushed Jenna away and said, "Jenna. Indeed, I can smell my mate on you."

Jenna burst into tears and laughed.

While my heart sank at the words.

Is everything about me destined to be Jenna's...

Immediately after, Lionel continued,

"But..."

He turned to look at me with a deep gaze. "But only on Rylee, I can feel the mate bond."

"She's my mate."

That took my heart.