Betrayed By My Fated Mate

13 The Ceremony (Part 1)

Caspian POV

I could hardly sleep last night. Today is the Alpha ceremony for the Diamond Moon Pack. True to his word, George never told me the name of the pack, but it's the only event we've been invited to since he mentioned it to me. I pray to the goddess that today is the day I finally get to see Seraphina for the first time in over a month. Goddess Titus and I are on edge.

When we first received the invitation, my father fought me about attending until I told him about my conversation with George. I should have been pissed when he called George to his office to verify I was telling the truth, but after everything that happened, I just swallowed the anger and sadness I felt.

I know I screwed up, but I wouldn't lie to him. I throw the covers off of me and make my way into my bathroom. I debate about shaving but decide to just trim the beard that I've grown since she has been gone. I know it sounds stupid, but I'm hoping that looking a little different will make her see me differently. That she will see me as a man that won't hurt her again when I get the chance to talk to her. "Do you really think it's going to be that easy to get our mate back," Titus asks. "I'm not naive enough to think it will be that easy, Titus."

"Good, because I don't care if you have grovel and beg you had better do whatever it takes," Titus says. I roll my eyes and quickly jump into the shower. I throw on comfortable sweats and a T-shirt before I head to breakfast. Today will be the first day I don't start and end my day with training. I make my way through the pack house and to the large dining room. I groan when I step into the room and Marcus starts to stalk toward me.

I still can't bring myself to let go of my anger with him. Especially knowing he made sure that Seraphina heard our conversation so she would leave me. "Caspian, can we talk," he asks when he finally reaches me. "No, I've made it clear that we are no longer friends, Marcus which means we have nothing to talk about." "I know you angry Caspian but can't you just try to see my point of view. I never meant to hurt Fina," he says. I growl and take a step closer to him.

"That's a f**king lie. You knew exactly what you were doing by talking about Abby. You knew that Seraphina was coming to my office. You hurt your sister because you are pathetic. Your point of view is that you are a selfish pr*ck who wanted something that was never meant to be his. Then, when you were going to end up getting it anyway, you decided that you didn't want to share training the warriors like a two-year-old."

"You know what the real issue was, Marcus is, you know that everyone in the pack knows who is the better warrior. Even if you were born first, it wouldn't change that Seraphina was a better Beta than you could ever be. Now, for the last time, leave me alone. A title was more important to you than your sister, and she will always be more important to me than you."

It's not until I say the last word that I realize the entire dining room has gone quiet. Every set of eyes is on us. I turn and walk toward the table where my parents and Marcus's, are already seated. I don't look back to see if he follows me. When my eyes meet George's he nods.

I take my seat and, a few minutes later dig into my breakfast. "I know that was difficult, son, but I'm proud of you for standing up for your mate," my father says. "It's nothing that you should be proud of dad. It's the bare minimum. Had I done right by my mate from the beginning, she would be here with us and seated by my side. I wouldn't feel like my heart is missing."

For the first time since I blew up my life, my mother reaches for my hand and offers me a reassuring smile. "Caspian, before we leave for the Diamond Moon pack I would like to speak with you," Jenna says. My heart starts to race. Up until now, she had completely refused to speak with me. I know that she wasn't just angry. She was sad. She had essentially lost both of her pups and I had my part in it. "Of course," I say, noticing the lift to the corner of George's mouth. He is enjoying this.

Once I'm dressed in black dress pants and a royal blue button-down shirt, I head to George's office. I knock twice before the door opens. Jenna waves for me to come in and I step inside. I'm a little shocked to see that George isn't joining us. "Take a seat, Caspian," she says. I do as she says and take a seat in front of the desk. I expect her to take a seat behind it, but instead she stands a foot in front of me.

She is definitely showing me who is in charge. I expect Titus to bristle at the slight, but instead he whimpers. "Caspian, I believe that the Goddess doesn't make mistakes but people do. You hurt my daughter. You lied to her, and before you say it wasn't a lie, it wasn't the truth. You kept something vital from her because you knew she might not accept you as her mate. You let your stupid actions and fear cause my pup unimaginable pain," she says. I nod, not really sure if I should speak.

"Do you love my daughter, Caspian," she asks. "More than my own life. I made mistakes, but I promise you, Jenna, it was never that I didn't love her. She is my heart and the other half of my soul. You are absolutely right that I panicked when I realized what I had done. You're right; not telling her is the same as lying. I should never have thought having s*x with someone that wasn't my mate wasn't a big deal. I hate myself for hurting her, but I can't let her go."

"After talking to George about how you've been handling yourself with the she-wolves and listening to what you said to my son today, I believe you. If Seraphina forgives you, George and I will support your mateship, but know if you ever hurt my daughter again, it is not my mate you need to worry about. Alpha or not, I will make you wish you never met me," she says.

"You have my word. I know that doesn't mean much after the way I screwed up, but I promise I will earn your trust. I will do whatever it takes to prove to Seraphina that she is the only one in my heart. That she is the only one that I have wanted since the moment I realized she was meant to be mine."

The entire ride to the pack my brain is on overdrive. What if she doesn't show up at the ceremony? What if she refuses to talk to me? What if she has decided to move on? Every time that thought pops into my mind, Titus growls. Otherwise, he was uncharacteristically quiet. He is as nervous as I am about what will happen when we reach the pack. The minute the gate opens my heart starts to race again.

The warrior driving parks our SUV and my father gets out first. He offers his hand to my mother. When I finally step out, my eyes move around us hoping to catch a glimpse of my beautiful mate. "I know you are excited and worried about Seraphina son, but remember we are a guest in this pack. No matter what happens, you are to be respectful," my father says. I nod, and we make our way toward the pack house.

Guards usher people toward what I assume is the training field that has been set up for the ceremony. "Alpha Damion and Luna Anabel," a woman with a strong aura says to my parents. "Luna Isabelle, you look lovely. How are you feeling," my mother asks. "Like I'm ready to pop." Her eyes move to me and I can see a mix of sadness and anger. "This must be your son Caspian" she says. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Luna Isabelle." Guilt and shame well up inside me knowing how I have not only hurt my mate, but I have brought shame to my parents.

"Well, I must go join my husband. He wanted to make sure that you had arrived safely. I will see you all after the ceremony," she says before turning to leave. I follow my parents to the third row of chairs. It doesn't take long before there isn't an empty chair among us. I scan the crowd, but I still haven't gotten even a glimpse of my gorgeous mate. The crowd quiets and a man that is as big as a tank steps out of the doors with Luna Isabelle on his arm. "That is Alpha Rogers" my father whispers, not that he needed to.

A few seconds later a woman that I assume is the Beta steps out. That isn't what has me on the verge of losing my sh*t. No, that happens when a man that is clearly the next Alpha steps through the doors with my mate on his arm. My father grips my arm, but I'm losing my fight with Titus. "Titus, back down now," my father says using his Alpha command. Titus does as ordered but not before a growl escapes my lips. All eyes are on me, including a pair of green ones that are making it hard for me to breathe.