Rejection

Mirabelle

In the span of seven days, I no longer saw Roman as often as I used to. For the most part, I did good to avoid his presence, after he claimed to have me, i didn't know what he was thinking but my instincts told me to stay away from him, and thankfully, Dad, excited to have him around didn't let him out of his sight for a second as he dragged him along for pack meetings, and anything related to pack matters just to get him familiar with the responsibilities he'd have to face in the future.

I couldn't believe tomorrow was the mating gala as i woke up on a Thursday morning with a strangely giddy feeling, the feeling was twisting my insides that I could barely get out of bed as I pulled up the sheets up to my nose staring at the ceiling the excitement creeping in as I remembered Antonio's face.

"Eeeeh!" I squealed as I flung my legs around on the bed unable to contain my excitement.

The image of Antonio Edwards had me jumping out of bed and running to my closet, for the first time in my life I was disappointed at the kind of clothes I had. I suddenly felt the strange urge to run to Mom bearing whatever harsh words she'd have for me that morning just to ask her for help on what to wear tomorrow for the mating gala.

When Antonio would finally look at me with sparks in his eyes recognizing me as his, I wanted him to see me as the most beautiful girl around.

Standing in front of the mirror in my room, I pulled my hair away from my face. I could see an oval shaped face with large almond shaped eyes staring back at me, a button nose and full round lips, though my skin looked unnaturally pale, for a moment I almost thought I looked pretty until...

"Ugh for heaven's sake put the hair back down, you look hideous!" I heard mom's familiar voice scowl at me from behind.

Releasing my hair I quickly whipped around to find her standing by my door with her arms crossed beneath her chest, she didn't look like she'd been drinking this morning, so her face looked radiantly beautiful. 

Embarrassment filled me and I remained quiet under her annoyed looking gaze.

Yesterday she dressed me up to look like a slut claiming my looks embarrassed her, today she thought I was hideous and didn't even want to see my face. 

"Penny, get in here." Mom suddenly called.

Behind her a pretty girl with short black hair and a cute face walked into my room, "Yes Luna."

"Take her shopping at the luxury stores, help her pick out something pretty for the gala tomorrow." Mom instructed the girl called Penny.

I'd seen her a few times before, the girl was Gama Harold's daughter, Penelope. There was a time we used to play together as kids, but when we started approaching our teens we began to grow apart and eventually became strangers.

Just as I was wondering why Mom was asking her to go shopping with me, Mom began to complain.

"To think the grand Luna actually ordered me to go help you shop for your dress as a mother daughter bonding activity, heck I wouldn't even want to spend five minutes around you, good thing Penny showed up." Saying this in a grumbling manner she smiled at Penelope and instructed once more, "You can take your time, don't bring her back in a hurry, you both go have lunch at some fancy restaurant or go to some park, do whatever it is geeky teenage girls do these days but dear goddess do not bring her back here before the sun sets, I could use a day without soring my eyes with her sight."

Mom was ruthless with her words and how she made it clear she was more than eager to get rid of me. 

I looked down unable to look into Penelope's eyes, I knew she'd probably think even lower of me now that she'd witnessed how much Mom disliked me, just like everyone else did in the pack.

"Yes Luna." Penelope agreed obediently. Mom whipped out her credit card and handed it to her telling her to spend as much as she liked as a reward and instructed her to keep it a secret and make sure the grand Luna didn't come to know about it before she walked out of the room leaving me standing awkwardly with Penelope who also looked to be having the same feeling.

"So..." Penelope began trying to brush off the awkward atmosphere mom had built up, "Where do we start first? I mean where would you like to go shopping?" She asked.

"Up to you." I replied quietly.

"Alright then, I know some really cool stores that brought in awesome dresses just in time for the mating gala, let's go check them out quickly before they sell out?"

I nodded and began to follow behind Penelope. "I'm Penny by the way." She said giving me her hand for a shake, "I mean, you do know that but...I guess it's been too long so we should be reintroduced. 

I took her hand and replied, "Mirabelle." 

She smiled, a pretty, wide looking smile. 

When we walked out of the alpha's mansion and got into the car mom prepared to take us wherever we planned to go for the day, Penny spoke up again.

"You know, I don't agree with the Luna." 

I looked over to her sitting beside me in askance.

"I think you're really pretty." She clarified.

"Oh, thank you. And you're even prettier." Thinking she was being really polite, I didn't take her words seriously. But she laughed as I complemented her back.

"You should try to get your hair away from blocking your face, you're pretty so show it off." Reaching into her bag, she grabbed something then moved closer to me, not used to having people so close I almost inched away but I held back, "Here, this will suit you." 

I felt her pull my hair away from my face, pinning it aside with a purple hair pin. She looked at me with an approved smile for a moment before reaching into her bag once more.

I just sat there as she brushed up my brows, patted some color to my cheeks and dabbed some lip gloss to my lips. When she looked at me with an approving smile, she seemed quite astonished. "I knew you were prettier than I thought." 

She handed me a small mirror and I was shocked to see my own refection. I looked alive, I looked like a teen girl, and most importantly I really looked pretty.

"You should never let what others say define you, even if that person is your own parent." Penny suddenly remarked, "Because most times, they are wrong about you." 

Though she didn't mention mom specifically, I knew exactly what she was talking about but she was risking being disrespectful to the Luna, so she put her words in a disguised way.

"Thank you." I whispered smiling at her, she was the first girl my age who'd actually been nice to me.

"Don't thank me, why don't you give me something else in return?"

I tilted my head, looking quite worried, even though I was the alpha's daughter, I didn't really have much. So I suddenly felt scared about what to give her in return.

Penny suddenly chuckled, "You don't have to look so worried, I'm not planning to ask for much." She brought her hand forward once more, this time asking, "Let's be friends?"

I felt ecstatic, and the same time scared, that was the first time I'd be making a female friend. I hesitated for some seconds before nodding and taking her outstretched hand, "I'd love to."

Penny and I clicked even faster than I thought, we roamed the stores hand in hand, while she showed me a lot of things.

"Quick, try this on!" Penny exclaimed when she pulled out a yellow dress.

I wrinkled my face immediately I see the color, "Yellow isn't really my color." I replied.

"What? Yellow is always in style, it's my favorite color." She says as she put the dress back then pulls out the same dress in black, "How about black?"

I nodded taking the dress from her and going towards the changing rooms, Penny grabbed a dress as well and came with me.

I felt a little shocked when she walked into the same changing room as mine. I knew a lot of girls often did this, but it was not something I'm used to.

I'd have to grow out of my shell someday, so I went with it. But Penny never made me feel uncomfortable. She was a fun and nice girl, so I felt glad to make friends with her.

"It looks so hot on you, but the sleeves look weird, let's try another dress." She said assessing my look while standing behind me looking in the mirrors over my shoulder.

When she'd put on her own dress she twirled as it's skirt flared out. "What do you think?"

She looked really beautiful in the halter style bright yellow dress, even though i didn't like the color, it looked really good on her but a little small.

"It's very pretty, but I think it's too short." I told her honestly.

"I agree, it's giving kindergarten vibes, let's go pick some more dresses."

For the rest of the day we looked through the stores. I usually was never picky about what I'd wear, but tomorrow was the big day.

My heart desired nothing else but to be with Antonio. And for such a special evening I'd do anything to look good enough to stand beside him.

Penny suddenly squealed hiding behind me, "Quick hide me."

I stood still while covering her behind me wondering what she was hiding from, after some time she peeked over my shoulder looking at the entrance of the store right ahead of us.

"Phew, that was close." She says.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, I just saw someone I'd like to avoid." I glimpsed a little blush on her cheeks, "Since we're girlfriends now, I'll tell you."

"You know how they say mates might begin to catch a scent of each other a few days before the mating gala? I think I know who my mate will be."

"Really, who?" I was intrigued and genuinely interested to know as we walked along the malls heading for another store.

She looked around as we entered the opulent looking store walking through the racks, "Eliot Phillips."

My eyes widened, "Really? But how can you be sure it's him?"

Eliot Phillips was the second hottest guy in school, and I didn't know if it was a coincidence or fate, but he happened to be Antonio's best friend.

Penny shrugged, "I can feel it, I told my mom about it and she told me it's likely the mate bond pulling me, she says it's likely he can't feel it now, and I do, that sort of thing happens sometimes. But I was hiding because I don't want him to feel the bond or find out I might be his mate just yet, I want it to be a surprise for tomorrow."

Hearing what Penny said, I also began thinking. What if what I felt for Antonio was also the same mate bond happening fast.

The mating gala was usually set on the red moon night, a single night that happens once every year where werewolves coming of age can find their mates.

What if I was sensing Antonio as my mate earlier than time just like Penny was. While lost in my thoughts I heard her ask.

"How about you? Do you have a strong feeling towards anyone yet?"

For some weird reason, my subconscious suddenly conjured the image of wild grey eyes and messy dark hair with a ruggedly handsome face and a cocky smile.

I frowned shaking my head replacing the image in my head to that of Antonio, but I looked hesitant to speak.

"Why don't you tell me? We're besties now, plus I told you mine." 

"Actually... I've been feeling a strong pull to..." I paused, I'd never thought I'd tell this to anyone before, "To Antonio Edwards." I finally admitted.

I saw the surprise in Penny's eyes, but before she could speak I heard mocking laughter coming from behind the racks in front of us, heels clanking as two girls appeared.

I felt something twist in my stomach. It was Alicia Donovan.

"Well, well, well, it seems someone's being delusional, do you actually think the moon goddess will pair you with a guy like Antonio?" 

Penny also looked quite shaken when she sighted Alicia, holding my hand she made to lead me away, "Come on Mira, let's go check out other stores."

But Alicia being her usual evil self blocked our way. "I'm not done talking you little creep." She snarled at Penny who backed away a little flinching from Alicia's harshness.

"Tell me, what makes you think that Antonio is actually your mate?" Alicia queried me, looking me in the eye with an imposingly intimidating gaze.

When I didn't reply she laughed, sharing the humor with her friend who laughed with her, "Let me tell you something, you are an omega by blood, while Antonio has the blood of betas, there's no way the moon goddess will pair a beta with a lowly omega like you, omegas get paired with omegas like themselves, so better quit your delusions and get your head out of the clouds, because tomorrow when Antonio will recognize his mate, it will be no one else... but me." She said in a smugly confident manner, "Come on Leslie." Stalking away from our presence, Alicia didn't fail to shove her shoulder against me as she walked off.

"Ugh why is she such a witch?!" Penny complained glaring at the spot Alicia disappeared in.

My mood dampened, Alicia's words sunk into me.

"Hey, don't worry about what she said. If Antonio wasn't your mate, I'm sure the moon goddess wouldn't let you feel such a pull to him, besides, no one knows for sure if you're biologically an omega, so cheer up and follow what your heart tells you."

"Thanks Penny, I really needed to hear that." I smiled at her once again as we resumed our shopping once more.

"When Antonio turns out to be your mate tomorrow, I can't wait to see the look on that witch's face!." We both laughed at that, I couldn't help but admit that I felt the same way too.

***

The alpha's mansion was full and buzzing, cars driving in one after another. I stood by the window in my room looking down hoping to glimpse a sight of Antonio.

"This is it." Penny said rubbing her palm together nervously, "What if he doesn't like me? What if he's disappointed I'm actually his mate?" Penny began to pace anxiously in my room.

"Stop worrying Penny, he's going to be your mate, and he'll love you. You're a beautiful awesome girl, who wouldn't want to be your mate?" I comforted her hiding the fact that I was actually nervous as well. "Just take a deep breath and let's go out there."

Penny did as I suggested breathing in deeply before opening her eyes smilingly, "You're right, let's do this."

I nodded determinedly and we both held hands heading for the entrance, I turned to look at Penny when I felt her eyes on me.

"What?" I asked self consciously, "It's the hair right? I never should have let them put it up like that, I'll go quickly change it."

Penny grabbed me before I rush back into my room, "You look gorgeous Mira, I swear by the goddess you're a thousand times prettier than that witch Alicia, I'm just surprised you've been hiding your beauty all this time." 

I blushed not knowing what to say. "You're not looking bad yourself Penny. Eliot is going to be mesmerized when he sees you."

When mom's stylists walked into my room to do my hair and make me up under mom's instructions, I never expected to see a stunning young woman looking back at me in the mirror by the time they were done.

My hair was put up in a beautiful yet elegant updo, my front strands falling in beautiful curls to frame my face. I'd ended up picking a long black dress with an off shoulder neckline and fitting style as it hugs my curves delicately.

Penny went with another yellow dress with girly ruffles and flares that made her look like a princess.

The gala had already begun about half an hour ago, and we were officially late due to the stylists who took a long time doing my hair, we both descended the stairs in the mansion into the huge ballroom, and for some reason, the music stops and all eyes began to turn towards us.

A bright light shone down on me and I squinted slightly trying to get my eyes used to the sudden brightness.

"Penny...I think everyone's staring at you." I said still trying to get my eyes used to the light.

"No, they're staring at you." I heard her reply, and to my surprise, when my eyes opened, I found the spotlight shining down on me leaving Penny aside.

"Me...? But..." My words were cut off when I felt an intense familiar gaze on myself, my heart skipped a beat and frowning slightly my eyes began to scan the crowd in the hall. The earthy scent of pine floated to my nose and I wondered how I was always aware of his presence even before my eyes saw him.

My gaze finally landed on the heart stopping hunk who was leaning against the wall at the corner, I felt my heart begin to thump even more when I finally saw him.

Bulky muscles carved into the perfect black suit he was wearing. Strangely he didn't have the laid back relaxed and casually cocky look he usually did, instead his eyes were searing, a seemingly mesmerized kinda lost. I looked away from him, slowly descending the stairs but I could still feel his gaze.

Had I changed so much that he had to stare so much?

The mating gala had already begun, mates had already begun sensing each other, my eyes snuck a glance towards the grey eyed Roman once more to find a knowing smirk on his face, I almost rolled my eyes shifting my gaze away from Roman searching the one person my eyes wanted to see as I looked around and my eyes finally landed on Antonio looking as handsome as ever as he stood among a group of his friends.

The red moon had risen, it was time for everyone to feel the presence of their mates.

"Come on Mira, this is the big moment." Penny excitedly held me as we both joined the line of ladies awaiting the guys who came forward one after another shaking our hands to see if they would feel the mate pull.

"Mate!" I heard Eliot Phillips address someone by my side, when I turned to look I saw him, smiling happily at Penny who couldn't control herself from wrapping her arms around him to hug him.

She was right!

I realized, my heart quickening when I saw Antonio almost reaching me after shaking hands with a few other girls.

When he finally reached me I saw him smile, "You look very pretty." He remarked, and I could die happily in this moment as my heart soared.

"Thank you. You look very handsome too."

He brought his hand forward, eagerly I reached my hand to him as well and sparks suddenly fluttered through my skin, my wolf surged forward eagerly declaring, "Mate!"

"You're my mate!" I didn't want to believe it, but the smile on my face slowly fell when I heard the disappointment in his tone.

The Antonio before me no longer looked like the easy going and nice guy who always made me feel warm anymore, instead before me was a guy who looked extremely annoyed, there was a hint of unacceptance in his lovely brown eyes.

"I'm sorry Mirabelle, but I can't accept you as my mate!" My heart stopped, disappointment poured down on me like chilling water.

He sighed looking decisive, I saw his eyes move away from me to a certain direction where Alicia Donovan stood with her arms folded under her chest with a smirk on her face. Premonition filled me as Antonio looked back at me.

"But...why?" I questioned, chocking through tears as I forced myself to hold my composure.

Everyone in the hall had stopped by now, staring in our direction as murmurs of gossip filled the air.

"I can't accept you as my mate, because I want someone else." Antonio declared and I felt my heart sink further into my guts just before he said the words that caused a heart wrenching pain that seemed to yank my very heart out of my chest,

"I Antonio Edwards, reject you Mirabelle Blackwood as my mate."

"Ah..." I cried softly, though the pain lasted only a moment, but I could still feel the lingering loss deep inside me.

Abandoned, lost, broken, and rejected, I watched my mate walk away from me after putting me through such pain, going inside the hall, I sight Alicia standing right in front of Antonio.

When they touched hands according to the mating gala customs, Antonio looked determined, and I glimpsed delight in his eyes when he uttered the words, "I Antonio Edwards, claim you Alicia Donovan as my mate!" 

I felt my heart suddenly shatter in my chest.

This couldn't be happening!

He was supposed to be mine!

I watched Antonio shift along with another guy I didn't recognize who was standing before Alicia, he had been her fated mate. The fight was short as a beta wolf, Antonio was undoubtedly stronger, the other wolf cowered away in submission, and Antonio was free to claim Alicia as his mate.

But the announcer's voice rang in my head echoing over and over when I heard them call.

"The winner of Crown of the goddess this year is... Alicia Donovan, and her king Antonio Edwards."

The announcement hit me as the realization dawned and hot tears trickled down my face.

Antonio Edwards, the only guy I'd ever hoped and wished to be mine, rejected me for someone else!