04. Alpha's Mate

"I'm in love with a moment we've never had"

~ Unknown

"You look absolutely breathtaking" Carina, my best friend gushes at me. I blush at her words.

"I bet Theo won't be able to keep his eyes off of you, oh! and his hands too." She wiggles her brows weirdly with a stupid lop sided smirk.

I give her a stern look in response, shaking my head. "What? I'm not lying. You better have shaved everything, because you and I both know there's no stopping the beast tonight" she grins widely, clapping her hands like a little girl.

"Carina!" I gasp in horror, "you better give all the details tomorrow or.." "shut up!" I shout, shutting my eyes, my face heats up till the tips of my ears.

"My virgin baby" she mumbles followed by her giggles, "I'm heading out, I need to get ready myself. You, ma'am are going to run off with that hunk of yours, leaving me behind with nothing to do, I must also find someone to keep me entertained all night" she pouts while deep in thought, her hands fold my dresses that are scattered around the room.

"We never forget you Carina" I walk up to her, helping her with the task. "Don't get me started now" she says with a hand on her hip, like a angry mama bear.

Well, this may or may not be true. Theo and I, we do tend to find ourselves lost in each other and poor Carina is always left behind. But she's a good friend, she rarely complains.

I could do nothing more than give her a guilty smile, "the rooms all cleaned up" she says proudly looking at the last dress being folded by me.

"Will meet you at the ceremony" she gives me a side kiss on the cheek, I nod in agreement, I watch her walk out of the room off to her house.

Theo is turning 18 tonight, he will officially start working with the Alpha from tomorrow onwards to get the ropes of how a pack works and what would be expected of him as a future Alpha.

He has been training for years for his position, but now he'll be working under the scrunity of all the elders and the council members. They will test him to deem it, if he's worthy to be the next Alpha.

He will also find his mate tonight, which means the pack getting their next Luna, a gift for them. Today's ceremony is held for a brighter and prosperous future.

To mark new beginnings.

I Stack back all the clothes in my wardrobe, I move towards my vanity, my hands quickly arranging my scattered makeup products, that Carina forcefully applied on me.

I glance at the time, 11:35 p.m. I start to panic, I need to reach the training grounds before the clock strikes 12.

The training ground is where the celebration is being held, it's our packs largest ground which easily fits every member of the pack, another reason being it's open sky.

The ground is surrounded by thick trees, but once you enter the field, it's an open sky which gives us the direct light of the sun and the moon.

Today is a full moon, Theo will stand under it's light. All the pack members will witness the transformation of his wolf. He will be gifted with new powers and strength.

Once his transformation ceremony is completed, Theo will sniff for his mates scent and the rest is known by all.

My cheeks flush as Carina's words play in my mind, Theo has promised me about this night for sometime. I know I won't be able to stop him from claiming me as his. 

He's been respectful and patient of my choices, but tonight it just won't be him that I'll be facing but his beast as well.

I don't want to stop him either, I want to be his and him to be mine.

I haven't let a single negative thought ruin my day today, I'm hopeful just as Theo has told me to be.

I keep arranging my cosmetics absentmindedly, my eyes suddenly land on the mirror that shows my reflection.

I halt all my movements to take a good look at myself.

I was wearing a soft pink lace short dress that reached above my knees, it was a spaghetti strap with off shoulder sheer sleeves. 

It had a decent neck line with a small dip at the center, The dress had beautiful lacy patterns of flowers and leaves on it, it hugged my figure mid waist then flowed down freely.

The dress accentuated my curves, I was gifted with a height of 5'7. Which worked greatly in my favour when I wore dresses.

Carina chose this dress for me, she said it screamed innocence and breathtaking at the same time. I couldn't agree more as I take in my form.

I had let Carina do my makeup but made sure to let her know to keep it minimum, she took to my advice and did a good job. She didn't go for heavy eye makeup since she wanted my grey irises to talk for themselves.

My dark hairs were loosely curled and left behind to sway with my hips. They reached my mid back. I opted out any perfume, I wanted Theo to find me by my natural scent.

My trance was broken by the howling of the wolves, I quickly glance at the time, 11:50 p.m. 

Panic settles in me at the thought of not reaching there in time, it was the final call for all the pack members to reach the ground since the ceremony was about to start. 

I run out of my room, not bothering with the last minute touch ups. I need to be there on time.

In no time I was out of the house and running towards the jungle, after a few turns I finally see the clearing. All the wolves were already gathered, the excitement was buzzing in the air.

Children were running, the elders were thanking the moon goddess for gifting them with another leader. Mates were holding each other, enjoying their embraces and looking around the celebrations. Some wolves were running around to double check all the arrangements.

The field was decorated with fairy lights, beautiful light lanterns were hanging around the place above everyone with thread, white flowers were coiled over the threads to hide them.

No corner was left in the dark. Bunches of red roses were decorated all around the place as they were Theo's favourite flower.

Well they were mine, the day Theo found that out they officially became his favourite too.

I don't come out of the trees yet, I stay behind them as an idea pops out in my mind. I stealthily move around the heavy trees to get near the stage that was built for the ceremony.

My desperate eyes search around for him, we haven't seen each other since our talk in the field.

My eyes finally find him, my breath hitching at the very moment. I grip a nearby tree branch tightly to support myself as my hungry eyes rake over my man.

All mine!

There he was standing in all his 6'4 tall glory, shirtless, yes shirtless! He would be transforming into his wolf tonight, so why waste good clothes. 

His brown tresses were neatly combed, his beard seemed trimmed as well. Who must have done it, as far as I know Theo doesn't let anyone touch his beard except for me and his mother.

I'm the one who's been maintaining his beard since he started growing it. Whoever did it, did a good job as it gave more shape to his face.

His bronze skin was shining, did he apply some oil to make it gleam or was it his natural shine? my eyes further travel all over his hard muscles trailing down to the beautifully carved V. His trainings had finally paid off. 

He was talking to one of the pack members. His hands were moving animatedly, making the muscles on his arms flex.

He wore simple shorts that made me gulp dryly, at the display of his strong legs.

I move around a bit more to get a clear view, I than notice something. Theo seemed tense, his back was strained, and his eyes were constantly scanning around the ground.

He's looking for me!

The realization made me giddy, I move behind a few more trees to conceal myself from his searching eyes. From the outside he seemed all relaxed but I knew better. He was bothered, as the time for his transformation was nearing, he seemed more aggitated than ever.

Soon the pack gathered by the stage, Theo searched around the crowd, his fists clenching in anger, he was barely controlling himself.

I just giggled, I've always teased him since we were children. Theo had a temper and I made sure to provoke him every now and then. I know now is not the best time but old habits die hard, and by the end of the night I'll be in his arms.

Alpha and Luna were already standing on the stage, across them stood my parents. Alpha gave a nod to Theo, silently commanding him to join them.

Theo quietly walked up to the stage, as soon as he stood in the middle, the pack started to howl in happiness. Some even turned in their wolf forms to show their happiness.

The Alpha raised his hand to quiet down the commotion and every sound died down instantly. 

Everyone including me stood still holding our breathes as we witnessed history in the making.

Dark clouds parted away, giving the moon light it's way to the land of the living. Theo took in a deep breathe, he fisted his hands and closed his eyes, his head raised up to the sky. 

As soon as the first light of the moon touched his body, he shuddered. His whole body was consumed by the light in mere seconds.

I took a step forward in anticipation, my eyes wide open, breathe still stuck in my wind pipe. 

Then it happened, a beam of white light spread through out Theo's body, the intensity of the energy had him fall down on his knees. I came out of my hiding spot, I wanted to run upto him but the next thing stopped me.

A beastly howl reverberated through the silenece followed by the release of immense energy which forced us all to fall down on our knees except for the Alpha and Luna.

We all watched in amazement as Theos cheat sucked up all the white light, his mouth was open emitting the growl.

Theo fell down on all his fours, his bones started to break, each crack vibrated a sickening sound in the air.

Hairs sprouted out of his body, his nail elongated, his shorts ripped in shreds, soon a giant grey wolf stood in front of us in all his strengthened glory instead of Theo.

The wolf let out a deep howl, calling it's people. Letting them know that he was finally here, our saviour, our protector.

All the wolves howled with him, I couldn't help but join them. Tears streamed down my face, I felt proud of him.

The Alpha has been born.

His wolf was strong, bigger, and braver. He oozed power and authority. The fur of his wolf were a dark grey, which could be mistaken for black from afar.

The Luna couldn't hold back anymore, she ran towards her son's wolf and embraced him in a motherly hug. The wolf nuzzled himself closer in his mother's arms.

Slowly the pack members stood on shaky legs, the power of Theo''s wolf was something we have never witnessed before, not even by our current Alpha.

Everyone hugged each other, congratulations could be heard in the air for the transformation that took place.

I was still sitting on the ground, my hands held together in a praying manner.

I gazed up at the moon with a small smile and teary cheeks, "Thank you goddess" I whisper in the night air.

This was Theo's dream since we were children, he talked about this night almost everyday. He was so passionate about his pack, he wanted to be our leader, for us to look upto him and for his loved ones to be proud of him.

"It's time to reveal our future Luna" someone from the pack voiced out and others followed his lead. Everyone gazed at Theo's wolf expectantly.

Silence prevailed the ground once again, Theo's wolf stood up from Luna Iris's embrace.

I felt a strong tug on my right hand, I quickly look down to find a small child not any older than 7 years old pulling me towards the stage.

"I found our Luna" he exclaims excitedly, I was too shocked to say anything. Everyone parted a path for us, the pack members were nodding there head at the sight of me.

"Here Alpha, I found your Luna" the boy giggled, stopping right in front of the stage. He ran away leaving me behind in the middle.

I could feel the penetrating gaze of every pack member making my skin prickle, I nervously play with my fingers, I feel a sudden burning stare.

I gulp and raise my head, only to directly make eye contact with the dark eyes of Theo's wolf. His wolf was still, he was staring deep in my soul.

Everyone was dead silent, waiting for his wolf to react, but all he did was stare at me in silence.

I felt a nagging feeling inside me. It's been more than a minute since I came in his view, I haven't sensed any tingles or change in myself.

He should've had known by now if I had not, actually he could've caught on my scent behind those trees as well if... If I was to be h-his mate...

My heart starts to thump as the realization dawns on me, soon the pack members also catch up the observations and the murmurs begin.

A silent tear falls down my cheek, another and then the stream of tears start. I can hear the breaking of my heart loud and clear in my soul.

I take a shuddering step back, Theo's wolf is quick to stand straight. I take another step back, his wolf moving forward.

"No!" I raise my hand in the air to stop him. I look around him, my mother was crying with her head burried in dad's chest, dad had a pained expression etched on his face. He knew what I was growing through.

The Alpha looked too stunned to move and the Luna looked equally shocked and heart broken.

The murmurs around me have now shifted to full blown gossips. 

"She's not his mate!"

"What a shame, the poor girl has been expecting to be his mate since they were kids"

"How humiliating"

"Then who is our Luna?"

The words were piercing my soul. I couldn't hold it anymore.

Theo wasn't mine.

I... I cant.

With a one last teary glance towards him I run off.

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What do you guys think will happen now?