Leave her!

CHAPTER 3

"LEAVE HER!" I heard a familiar voice yell, cutting through the tension like a blade. Turning back, I saw it was Dave's, his usually calm demeanor replaced by a fierce determination.

I was shocked. After I had annoyed him by refusing to give him my innocence, I never expected him to step in like this. I turned to see him standing there, his brow furrowed in confusion as he confronted Natasha and her friends.

"What's happening?" Dave's tone sounded casual as he looked from Natasha to me. Natasha flashed him a sweet smile, her demeanor innocent and inviting.

"We were just talking, Dave," Natasha said, her voice dripping with false sincerity. "Isn't that right, Emma?"

My heart sank as Natasha's words hit me like a slap in the face. Dave looked torn, unsure of what to believe.

"Right," he muttered, his disappointment palpable. "Let's return to trainings."

I stood there, frozen in my own tracks, as Dave and Natasha walked away, their figures fading into the distance. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I turned to make my way back home. The weight of disappointment settled in my chest, a dull ache that seemed to grow with each step.

But as I trudged along the familiar path back to the pack house, my thoughts turned to the evening ahead. Tonight was the mating event, a night filled with celebration and tradition. I knew I had to pull myself together, to put on a brave face and pretend like everything was fine. It wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to make it up to Dave, to show him that despite everything, I still cared.

And this night would also confirm my fate whether I'll be redeemed as my father's daughter or rather get disowned by him and sold off to a sinister Alpha who was almost the age of my father. The thought of that made my skin crawl, a wry expression masking my face almost immediately.

As I reached home, I hurried inside, the familiar warmth of the hallways in the pack house enveloping me like a comforting embrace. I made my way to my room, the events of the day flashing in my mind like a movie. But this wasn't any movie, it was real life— my real life. But I pushed the thoughts in my head aside, focusing instead on the task at hand.

Getting Dave to mate with me at tonight's mating event.

I needed to get ready for tonight, to find the perfect dress and do my hair just right. And as I stood in front of the mirror, preparing for the evening ahead, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stirring within me.

Maybe this full moon would finally be the one, the one I've waited 3 years for. The one where I'd finally get a mate (Dave), get announced as mate, receive all the fatherly attention I can get from my dad and live a fulfilled fairytale life.

But that only happened in movies. And sadly, my life isn't.

***

Night soon came, the sun running off into god knows where and the full moon hanging over the clouds glowing brightly. The ethereal moonlight poured from the open heavens, seeping into my room through my windows.

Everything was perfect. I was fully dressed, my hair was let out in messy curls. Inspecting myself in the mirror infront of me, I smiled brightly fiddling in my knee length purple gown.

"You've got this Emma," A sudden sensation ran through me, a shiver escorting it almost immediately. I heard weird voice as I felt an oddly satisfying feeling in my veins. I turned immediately to check back at my surroundings to make sure someone wasn't in my room.

"Don't be shocked Emma, I'm your spirit wolf," I heard the voice again. It was that of a female's, soft and satisfying. "Hello," I said out loud to no one other than myself.

"You don't have to talk out, we can connect via mind link," I heard her voice and a smile plastered on my face. Maybe, just maybe, I would find my mate at this year's mating event.

"Yes, I hope we do." I heard my wolf howl in assurance. "By the way, I'm Aurora."

My smile deepened at the sound of her name. "And oh my, you are a 10 minutes away from witnessing the full moon."

I ran to my heels, rushing through the hallways like a loose madman, my heels clip-clopping all over the halls. Rushing off past the staircase, I remembered father's words, my smile disappearing almost immediately.

The full moon's ethereal glow lit my way as I hurried eagerly towards the festival clearing, my heart pounding in anticipation. This is another chance for me to finally find my fated mate.

"You can do this, Ava" my wolf, Aurora whispered to me.

I stepped into the raucous crowd, I drank in the sights and sounds - music, laughter, wolves dancing and mingling under the moon's intoxicating spell. Making Aurora stirred restlessly beneath my skin, longing to join them.

I inhaled deeply, wishing to smell that special scent which would awaken my mate. But as the night wore on, no mate bond formed. My shoulders slumped in disappointment.

I plastered a smile on my face, pretending not to mind as, one by one, my pack-mates found their matches, their joyful howls ringing out across the night. Why hadn't I found my mate yet? What was wrong with me?

Aurora whined mournfully. "It's not fair! I just want to find our mate so we can be happy like the others!" She mourn defeated once more.

I soothed her gently through our mental link. "Don't worry, Aurora. This is not the end Rora, Our destined mate is out there somewhere, I'm can feel it. Now we all have to be patient."

"But everyone else has found their mate already! We're the only ones left..." Aurora's despair echoed my own. But I have to be strong and keep having faith.

"Next moon we'll find them," I reassured her firmly, ignoring the doubts creeping in. "The Goddess has a plan for us. We can't lose ho-" I continue but was cut but Natasha scornful voice.

"Well, if it isn't little Ava, all alone again," she interrupted making me face her, Cassia was standing tall in front of me with her signature smirk plastered on her face and flanked by her usual posse of spiteful girls. "Still no mate at almost 18? What a disgrace!" She spat.

The girls tittered and laughed cruelly as Aurora growled within me.

"Maybe if you weren't so pathetic, someone might actually want you," one of Cassia's friends, Kira, sneered.

"Of course, who would want a mate as scrawny and worthless as Ava?" Another, Rhea, mocked.

Aurora raged, snarling and snapping within my mind. "Let me at them! I'll tear those insolent fools to shreds!"

I struggled to restrain my fury, taking a deep breath. "No, Aurora. They're not worth it." But on the outside I remained silent, face burning.

"Nothing to say?" Cassia taunted. "Not so confident without a big strong mate here to protect you, are you?" She mocked, laughing.

The girls cackled as tears pricked my eyes. Aurora whined, feeling our pain.

"It's okay Rora," I uttered. "Let them laughed. Someday they all bow at us. Then they would know what they did wrong." I comforted her the our mind link.

"Leave her alone!" A masculine voice thundered as the Natasha's cruel chuckles subsided immediately. I felt his scent— Dave, my boyfriend was here. I turned feeling his gentle pull as his pitch black eyes met with mine.

"Thanks." I said turning at him with high hopes. Dave was my only hope, even though he wasn't my fated mate, I would do anything for him to mate me.

"Ava, I have something to tell you." He said, anxiety ringing in his tone. His tone sounded skeptical whipping me into a tug of anxiety.

"What is that?" I felt drawn back by his words. I could already imagine a scene of him breeding me in front of the entire pack. I could feel the anxiety pumping endlessly in my veins.

"I... I have found my mate." He finally broke out, his voice tainted in pity. "I hope you find your mate by next moon."

My heart started beating erratically, as I watched it all crumble before me. "Who is she?" I managed to question, my lips quivering as the word skittered out.

Immediately, I heard footsteps. Tilting my heard slowly, I rose my gaze only to see Natasha standing beside Dave.

I heaved, anger striking wagers in me. My three years relationship, like a mist, is vanishing right before my eyes like thin smoke. I couldn't help but hold back the tears, I wouldn't cry— no I wouldn't.

Not here.

Not now.

"Beat it, sl*t," Natasha taunted, hanging shamelessly against Dave.

With my wolf comforted, I turned and walked away head high.

I retreated to a quiet corner of the clearing, trying to ignore their whispered insults. "The Moon Goddess had a plan for us too" I repeated. "We just had to be patient. Our mate was out there, and I knew it." I forced a smile, taming my heart.

Time passed, and as the clearing emptied and darkness crept across the sky, my hope dwindled. The festival was ended, and I departed just as alone as I arrived. Perhaps the Goddess had abandoned me.... Abandoned us. My heart was shattered again.

"No!" I slapped both hands on my cheeks and I shook off those traitorous thoughts as I slipped home quietly, not wanting any more insults. I couldn't lose faith. Next full moon, surely my mate would come.

I sneaked inside the house not wanting to wake my family, my fragile optimism shattered at the look on my father's face as I entered the living room. "Back already?" My father growled, his expression thunderous. "No mate again, I assumed..."

"Well I guess, I have no choice but to sell you off to Alpha cauldron." I heard him say at the thought of being sold to a sinister Alpha made my skin crawl. "No Father, please!"

"GUARDS, SEIZE HER!"