Chapter 4

As the limo drove through the streets, the city lights flashed by, but my mind was a mess. I kept overthinking about every single thing .Ava sat next to me, talking about who might be at the ball and what she'd do if she found her mate. I tried to listen, but my mind kept wandering.

The mating ball wasn’t just any party; it was an old tradition. For some, it was an exciting night where they might meet the one person destined to be their mate. But for others, like me, it was full of expectations I wasn’t sure I was ready for.

When we arrived at the venue, I opened my mouth in surprise. The grand hall was beautiful,just staring at it made one feel like it was something of another world. People were already gathered outside, dressed in fancy gowns and suits, looking like something out of a dream. I could feel the mix of excitement and nerves in the air.

“You ready?” Ava asked, bringing me back to the moment.

I gave her a forced smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

She stepped out confidently, and I followed, trying to smooth out my dress. The hall was even more impressive inside. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Tables were set with elegant silverware and flowers, and a live band played quiet music. Everything was perfect, elegant, and rich.

But under all that, there was something else. Everyone knew why we were here—to find our mates. I could see it in the way people glanced around the room, some hopeful, others clearly nervous. It was like a big game where no one knew the rules, but everyone had to play.

Ava grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the refreshment table. “Let’s get something to drink before the ceremony starts,” she said, her eyes already scanning the room for familiar faces.

I followed her nervously. we filled our glasses and found a spot near the back where we could watch without being right in the middle of things. The whole event felt slow, like time was dragging as I watched couples and groups chatting, laughing, and sneaking looks at each other.

“The ceremony’s about to start,” Ava whispered excitedly.

I nodded. The mating ball ceremony was a big deal. The Alpha, Ava's dad, would give a speech about how mates were chosen by the Moon Goddess, and how finding a mate was something sacred. How It was supposed to be a night to celebrate finding the other half of your soul. So yeah basically it was over 30 minutes of a boring speech .

The music stopped, and the sound of a bell filled the room. Everyone quieted, turning to face the front where the Alpha stood. He was tall, strong, and everyone paid attention to him. He beared a strong resemblance to Ava.

“Welcome, everyone,” he began, his voice loud and clear. “Tonight is a night of great importance, a night where many of you will find the one person destined to be your other half. The bond of a mate is sacred, a gift from the Moon Goddess herself. It is unbreakable, undeniable. Tonight, we honor that bond.”

The room buzzed with energy, people whispering and shifting, clearly nervous. The Alpha kept talking, but I stopped listening. There was this weird feeling that kept bothering me. It was silly, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was going to happen tonight.

The Alpha finished his speech, and the music started again.

“Do you feel it?” Ava whispered. “It’s like the air’s buzzing. I swear, someone in here is going to find their mate tonight.”

I smiled weakly. I didn’t know if I wanted to feel anything. But the knot in my chest tightened and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I looked around again, and that’s when I saw him.

Jaxon was leaning against the far wall, staring out one of the big windows. His aura was strong pulling my attention even though I didn’t want to look. There was this attraction pulling me, it was impossible to resist.

“Maeve? Are you okay?” Ava asked, noticing I was distracted.

I shook my head, forcing a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

But I wasn’t. Something was wrong. Something was calling me and I didn’t understand it. I needed air, needed space. Without saying anything, I turned and walked out, ignoring Ava’s calls behind me.

I stepped outside, the cool night air hitting my skin like a slap. It was a relief, but it didn’t ease the strange tension in my chest. I wandered through the garden, the soft glow of the moon guiding my steps until I found a quiet spot. I took a deep breath trying to calm myself down.

Outside, the cool night air hit my skin, and I let out a deep breath. It felt better, but the strange feeling inside me didn’t go away. I walked through the garden, following the moonlight until I found a quiet spot. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.

That’s when I saw him.

Jaxon stood a few feet away, leaning against the railing, staring up at the stars. He hadn’t noticed me yet, and for a moment, I considered turning back before he did. But something stopped me. A feeling inside that I couldn’t explain. It felt like I couldn't breathe

And then, as if sensing my presence, he turned to face me.

The moment his eyes met mine, they started to glow. A chill ran down my spine, and my heart skipped a beat. There was something about the way he looked at me. Something deep that that I couldn't explain.

“Mate,” he growled.

Everything inside me froze.

Jaxon? My mate?

My heart sank. What the hell? Mate? Jaxon? No, this couldn’t be happening. The person who hated me the most in the world was my mate? My best friend's brother who was a playboy was my mate? Jesus fucking Christ.

But no matter how much I tried to lie to myself,I couldn't deny the connection i felt. It was like the other half of my soul was finally found .

While I was lost in my thoughts, Jaxon was freaking out,his face kept changing from shock to disgust.

"No. No, this can’t be,” he murmured, almost to himself. “My mate can’t be someone this… pathetic.”

His words made my stomach twist. The anger in me grew bigger. He had always said I wasn’t pathetic,I guess me being his mate didn't his opinion of me. It even worsened it. And why was he acting like I even the mate bond in the first place,like I forced it on him.

“It’s not like I wanted this,” I snapped back. “Trust me, you’re not my idea of a dream mate.”

We stared at each other for a moment, trying to show our anger and disgust towards each other. But the mate bond made us weak, the moment I looked at jaxon any form of reasoning i had disappeared. All I found myself doing was imagining myself in his arms even though I hated him.

“You don’t get it,” he said, stepping closer and gripping my arm tightly. Damn this mate bond, he was hurting me with his grip yet all I could feel was sparks from his touch.

“I can’t stand this abomination of a bond. Just… reject me.” He shouted

I pulled away, struggling against him. “Stop acting like I forced myself on you ! I didn’t want the bond either, Hell knows I didn't want a mate in the first place”

He let go of me, and I stumbled back, falling to the ground. He stood over me and I could see the anger in his eyes.

“Forget it,” he said with anger. “I’ll do it myself.”

Before I could react, he began the words that would end everything.

“I, Jaxon Thorn, reject you, Maeve Whitlock, as my mate.”