13

Nervously, I smoothed my dress for the hundredth time. The color was a deep crimson, almost the color of blood. Zoe had picked it out for me. It was the second dress she’d chosen. The first had been a bright white dress with lots of tulle and satin. I’d gaped at it in horror. It took nearly an hour to explain to her that white dresses were only worn at human and fae weddings. Shifters—wolves at least—never wore white for weddings. There was no reason behind it; it was simply tradition. Red, violet, and other dark colors were used for these ceremonies. I’d never seen Zoe as confused as when I’d explained that to her.

Honestly, I understood where she was coming from. The entire thing was confusing even to me. Official mating ceremonies weren’t necessary per se. It was a show, a public display of what was supposed to have already taken place in the heart. Fated mates were so intrinsic and sacred that the Moon Goddess Heline herself sanctioned them. The only thing Jayson and I had to do to seal the bond was recognize that our souls were bound together and claim each other in a way that attached our souls forever.

That had set Zoe into a fit of laughter, and she’d had a hard time catching her breath. Once she’d gotten herself under control, she’d told me she couldn’t imagine Jayson ever feeling anything as sappy as that. My mother had frowned darkly at that, and Zoe had gone ahead and painted the symbols on my face. My friend disliked Jayson, but that was fine. She wasn’t the one who needed to prove herself. I was.

I took a tentative step forward; it wasn’t time yet, but I couldn’t help wanting to catch a glimpse of the mating circle. I’d attended dozens of ceremonies here, but it looked so different when you were the one who would be stepping out there. The Ninth Pack had joined my pack, and together, they surrounded the clearing. The mating circle was an ancient and sacred area that had been used for mating ceremonies for centuries. I’d known I’d be stepping out into this place five years ago when the blood test had confirmed our pairing. All I wished was that this had happened sooner. Five long years of Jayson and I going back and forth on when to do it had caused my parents intense stress.

I gave a little sigh as, finally, the alliance would now be forged in blood. Both packs could rest easy knowing they were stronger with the specter of a coming wolf-shifter war.

A camera crew stood at the very far radius of the clearing. The ceremony would be broadcast to the world since the general population found wolf-shifter fated mates spell-binding for some reason. It was part of why The Reject Project was so popular. I couldn’t fathom why any other creature or species would care how another chose their mates. A blood test had replaced the ancient battles waged for mates—battles that had caused all the wars in our history. At this point, choosing your mate had become as simple and boring as a dentist visit.

Mom was excited, though, which was nice. I wanted her to enjoy this. It was pure duty for me. Jayson would probably be a good father, a strong alpha, and would take care of my people. The match was suitable and exactly what my pack needed. But other than that, I was bereft of any exultation. Even my inner wolf was quiet, which was strange. All my life, I’d heard how excited my wolf would be to bind herself to her fated mate.

Perhaps things would get more exciting when my heat came in. My real heat, not whatever that lion had done to me. If it was anything like that experience, Jayson and I would be much more emotionally attached. If the way I’d felt toward Wyatt, someone I despised, was any indication, things would be even better with my actual mate. Or so I hoped.

In the distance, I watched Jayson walk out of the crowd into the center of the circle. That was my cue. A massive flutter of butterflies swarmed in my stomach, but I took a steadying breath and took my first step out of the forest. At the very edge of the circle of wolves stood Zoe, hands clasped beneath her chin and a huge smile on her face. She wasn’t a wolf, but she had been granted access to watch on the condition that she stay well back, like the camera crew.

All I could concentrate on was not tripping over my dress. The last thing I wanted was face-plant in front of everyone. As I moved closer to the crowd, I saw my parents. Mom swiped at her tears, crying from happiness. Dad stood tall, doing his best to look as regal as possible.

The Eleventh Pack were all watching with excitement and happiness, but the Ninth Pack seemed much more stoic. Their alpha, Jayson’s father, watched me walk toward the circle with an expression that bordered on disinterest. Jayson’s younger brother Gavin looked like he’d rather be anywhere but here. I held my head high, trying to ignore the dark looks. It seemed some of Jayson’s family had the same opinions of me that Kolton and Wyatt had of Jayson. That was their prerogative. No matter what our families and friends thought, Jayson and I were fated to each other.

Wyatt was standing next to Kolton, and a flicker of anger flashed through me when I saw him. He wasn’t officially part of the Eleventh Pack and shouldn’t have been there, which meant my father must have made an exception for him.

The sudden flash of anger vanished when I noticed a small group of Tranquility operatives at the outer edge of the circle. Douglas and Carter were there with several high-ranking council members. Wyatt had been right about my superiors being unhappy with me. The lion shifter had gotten away, and part of that blame was placed on me. They thought it had been careless of me to ingest whatever drug he’d slipped me. It had all happened so fast, and, in my defense, that asshole had been really smooth about it.