Chapter 2

Jason's POV:

I can't believe the moon goddess mated me with a mere human and just to make matters worse, my mate is not just a human but the fragile and spoilt Veronica Brook. The slightest thought of that irks me.

I'm going to be the Alpha after my dad and if there's a Luna that this pack needs, it is definitely a strong Luna just like my mom.

"Everyone will be here soon, and I want you to be of your best attitude. Even if you're going to reject your mate, at least show some respect to her parents and the members of the pack who'd be coming to the event tonight" mom said, looking slightly annoyed.

I paced around the large living room nervously. I could hear Veronica's heartbeat loud and clear. By her rasped breath, I could tell that she was scared and probably about to cry. I could feel it. The mate bond was too strong coupled with my heightened sense of hearing.

Urghh! How much I hated the thought or sight of weakness. Why would the moon goddess mate me with a weak human?

I could hear her receding footsteps. She was broken and I am the cause. She overheard everything I told my mom. For a slight moment, I felt bad for her but my principle stands anyway— Strength and courage were all I needed in a mate and I won't settle for anything less.

"It's almost time. Jason, get ready. The pack members are already here" Alpha Phillip, my dad's voice roared loudly. His voice never fails to instill fear in me whenever I hear him speak. My dad's intimidating height complimented his authoritative voice. His face was always void of expression which made it difficult for anyone to detect his mood, especially anger.

Tonight marks my coronation as the alpha of the Crescent Pack and I felt nervous. Looking out through the window sill, I could see Veronica standing in between her two friends, Aurora and Jenna. She laughed nervously, trying to hide the pain in her eyes.

It was time for the coronation and after my dad conferred unto me the authority of leadership in the presence of the pack members, he asked my mate to come up to the stage. I could see the fragile figure making her way through the crowd. I could feel her fear as she walked up to the stage while friends clapped and cheered loudly.

If only they knew…

*****

"I refuse to be joined in matrimony with my supposed mate. I hope you all understand. Thank you" I dropped the bombshell and walked down the stage. I could hear the murmur from the pack members. It has never been heard in the history of Crescent Pack that an Alpha rejected his Luna.

I could see the disapproving look on my mom's face. My dad's face remained expressionless as usual. Silence fell over the place as my dad took the microphone to speak.

"Dear esteemed members of Crescent Pack. It is with regret—" I heard my dad's voice fade as I ran into the house. I ascended the flight of stairs in milliseconds as I made my way to my room. I was feeling a lot of things at the moment but remorse wasn't among what I felt.

Walking into my room, I trudged slowly to the little fridge that sat at the corner of my king-sized bed and took out a bottle of Old Overholt, 1810 whiskey. It was my favorite drink. I poured out a portion into the glass cup that sat carelessly on the table. 

Maybe I could drink myself into oblivion. 

Just maybe.

******

"Please, I'll kindly advise us to remain calm as we have sent out a search team to look for your daughter. We'll definitely find her and bring her back home to us" I could hear my mom's voice downstairs.

"A search team for what? Who's missing?" These questions rang in my head as I walked down the stairs leading to the living room. I could feel a throbbing in my head, reminding me of how much alcohol I took last night.

On getting to the sitting room, a pair of twelve eyes were staring at me as though I was a wanted criminal. Veronica's parents were present alongside her older brother, Henry. The rest of the faces were familiar— they were the council head of the pack and with the way they stared at me like a prodigal son, I knew there was a problem.

"Good morning mom, what's happening?" I questioned curiously, avoiding eye contact with my dad and anyone else in the room.

"Well, Veronica has been nowhere to be found since last night," my mom said, eyeing me suspiciously.

It felt strange. Why would she suddenly disappear? Did she run away from the pack because I rejected her?

"What a lame excuse" I muttered to myself as I walked to the kitchen to get coffee. I had the biggest hangover from last night's drinking and all I needed right now is to clear my head. 

"She'll probably come back home when she's done sulking," I thought. Oops my bad, I didn't realize that I had said it to everyone's hearing. I could feel my dad's glare, boring a hole into my head.

"She's your mate. You really don't care if anything happens to her?" Mrs. Brook spoke for the first time. I noticed the fear and pain laced in her tone and instantly, I felt a tinge of guilt wash over me for the first time since last night's incident.

"Mrs. Brook, I assure you that your daughter will be found and reunited with you. It has never been heard before that a member of this pack went missing. She is the alpha's mate and we'll definitely find her", my dad retorted authoritatively as silence descended the living room.

Everyone sat in silence as we waited for the search team to come back with good news or the opposite. My dad's roaring voice cleared my hangover.

After what seemed like an eternity, six well-built men entered the living room, disappointment clearly written on their faces. They were Beta werewolves and the warriors who trained the pack's pups who are yet to shift into their wolf form.

"Where's my daughter!" Mrs. Brook shrieked as she sprang up from her sitting position impulsively. Tears were beginning to cloud her vision.

"We searched everywhere but we couldn't find her. All we could find was this gray scarf which I believe belonged to your daughter" Simone, the leader of the warriors said as he held out his hand. The gray-colored scarf which nestled on his hand belonged to Veronica. I could remember how she fiddled with the piece of cloth that hung from her neck last night.

My dad heaved loudly as he walked up to the warriors, shook each of them, and prompted them to leave. Turning around to address Veronica's parents, he said, "Well, at this point, this is beyond my control. We have searched high and low but your daughter is yet to be found. I strongly believe that she'll return by herself in due time" he looked at my mom as though she had a script on what he should say next.

"With that being said, I urge everyone to go back to their various homes as we continue to search for Veronica", He added with a note of finality.

As Veronica's parents and the council head of the pack took their leave, I stood up and headed to the staircase. The air was so tense and I wanted to stay out of my dad's sight. 

I could feel my dad staring lasers at me. Furious, yet calm. My dad wasn't a man of many words which made me fear him even more.

******

As the sun began to set over the pack, the streets filled with the sounds of honking cars and bustling pedestrians rushing to get home from work. The sky was painted in a beautiful array of colors, ranging from vibrant shades of pink and orange to deep hues of purple and blue. As the sun continued to sink lower on the horizon, the city lights began to twinkle to life, casting a warm glow across the streets and buildings.

Amid all the activity, Veronica was yet to be found. The warriors have combed every wood in Crescent Pack but still no sight of her. I began to get worried. How can she survive in the woods? She was a mere human and has no survival training.

"She wouldn't have been in this mess if I didn't reject her as my mate" I muttered to myself as I tossed in my bed for the one-millionth time. I have to find her and reconcile her with her parents, not necessarily because I felt pity for her but because I wanted to clear my conscience.

Call me narcissistic if you want to, but I really don't care about her.

I stood in front of the mirror, taking a deep breath and trying to steel myself for what was to come. I pulled on my jacket, the leather creaking softly as I buttoned it up. I adjusted my collar and ran a hand through my hair, trying to look presentable despite the fear and anxiety churning in my gut.

As I made my way out the door, I felt a sense of purpose wash over me. I would find Veronica, I told myself, no matter how difficult. I picked up my car keys from the table and headed to my Bugatti La Voiture Noire. 

The streets outside were empty, save for a few stray dogs scavenging for scraps in the gutters. I scanned the shadows, my eyes darting back and forth as I tried to stay alert for any signs of danger.

As I walked towards my car, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I wondered what might have happened to Veronica, and what she might be facing out there alone.

"I really hope this mate bond helps me to find her" I whispered under my breath as I drove speedily to the dense forest where Veronica's scarf was supposedly found.

The tyres squealed as I stepped on the car brakes. I stepped out of my car and slowly began to make my way through the woods. The forest was tranquil except for the rustle of dry leaves and the chirping of birds.

I felt strangely nervous because, despite my heightened sense of hearing and smell, I still couldn't sniff out Veronica's scent. I walked through the dense forest, my eyes darting back and forth as I searched for any sign of my missing mate, Veronica. I had been walking for hours, my feet were aching and my mind was filled with worry.

As I pushed through a thicket of brush, I suddenly saw a figure standing on the edge of a cliff, overlooking a deep ravine. The figure was too far away to make out any details, but I had a sinking feeling in my gut that it was someone familiar.

Without a second thought, I broke into a run, pushing through the underbrush and leaping over fallen trees as I raced towards the cliff. My heart was pounding in my chest, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps as I ran.

On getting to the cliff, I could clearly make out the features of the person standing on the cliff. It was a 5 '11 male with chestnut-colored hair. It was Henry, a beta werewolf and Veronica's older brother. I slowed my pace, trying to catch my breath as I approached him.

"Henry, what are you doing here?" I called out, my voice rough with emotion. He turned around and grinned widely as though he was enjoying the sight of me panting heavily.

"Well, I'm just enjoying nature and probably checking up on my sister." He smiled broadly, showing off his incisors.

"Henry, do you have any clue about what happened to Veronica!" I roared as anger began to build up within me.

Seeing a glint of scorn in his eyes, I lunged forward and grabbed him by the collar. I was fuming in anger and he seemed to be enjoying the scene.

"Where is your sister!" I growled louder, my eyes were beginning to glow red. Controlling my anger was one skill I lacked despite being an alpha.

"Down, down… Here" Henry said, pointing down at the rocky valley beyond the cliff. 

He smirked ominously and instantly, I knew Henry was up to something bad.