THE HIDDEN LUNA

Aria's Pov I could hear my own heart pulsing in my ear. Tonight was the "mating ceremony", the night the moon goddess revealed our fated mates. The very night that decides our futures. Behind me, my stepsister penny stood close enough that I could feel her nails digging lightly into my back, as if she were already trying to push me aside. Ahead of me was my stepmother's sharp gaze that seems to follow my every movement, watching, judging and waiting for me to embrass myself. I forced myself to ignore them. Tonight might finally change everything. Maybe the day was today that the moon goddess would give me a mate. Then I could leave this place finally and live the life I had always dreamed of far away from the whispers and cold stares. A quiet life with my mate and our pubs somewhere peaceful. I wasn't anyone of high ranking even a servant would do, I knew my place in the pack. I wasn't anyone special, all i wanted was a chance at true happiness. Penny suddenly leaned closer, her breath brushing my ear. "You know this is a waste of your time right?" She whispered cruelly. "I doubt the moon goddess is stupid enough to bind anyone to you." Like I had done my entire life, I stayed silent, answering penny had never made things better. It only gave her another execuse to hurt me. So I kept my eyes forward and forcused on the ceremony, whispering a quiet prayer to the moon goddess in my heart. Just this once. Please let something good happen to me. The hall was in total choas, people mumering. The moment the Alpha stood on the podium the hall fell silent. "We are all gathered hear today, for one thing only, the chosing of our soul." "Aria!." The Alpha's voice cracked across the hall like thunder. I cleared my throat, moving as fast as my legs could carry me towards the front of the podium. This was my moment of truth. The pack all stood there quiet, as we all awaited the name. I shut my eyes, waiting for the name, but to my suprise it never came. Instead, the air thickned and a strange and powerful aura swept through the hall like fire hot and dominant. It was the kind of presence that made every wolf willingly bow their heads. My eyes snapped upward and I noticed the crowd parting, wolves stepping back out of will and then I saw him. The prestigious Jacob Locksmith. He walked with confidence of a man of with complete dominance that had never doubted his authourity. Tall, broad-shouldered and wickedly beautiful. His white hair caught the light, but it was his glowing golden eyes that had me captivated. They glowed with dominance that made my wolf whimper and bow inside my mind. "Is the ceremony just starting?" His voice was strong, deep and cold. Alpha caleb's head bow immdiately. "Alpha, we are just about to begin properly." "Very well carry on." Alpha jacob's gaze cut to me, sharp as a knife. Alpha jacob walked towards me slowly, his expression hardened just as he reached me, a light hope flared in my heart, and desperate. Maybe, finally someone could see me. He immdiately held my hand, and at that moment our skin touched, it felt like fire or electric. Every nerve in my body was immense with the feeling. The hall fell away and all I could feel was where his skin was touching mine, like electricity flowing. Heat pulsed between us, known, un-tamed and dangerously perfect. His eyes glowed even more like he was confirming his suspiction. His breath sharp, and his whole body went stiff. "Mate." The word left his mouth above a whisper, loud enough to get a gasp from the hall. My eyes glowed and my heart rate increased as my wolf surged forward pacing around in my mind with joy and acceptance. "Mate. We finally found mate." The most encharted word sang through every fiber of my being. This was the moment I had always dreamt about and it was here, right in front of me. My forever, my dream and second soul, more than what I could ever whished for was given to me all in one unreaplaceable moment. The moon goddess truly heard my prayers for happiness, and bestowed upon me a mate. And not just anybody but someone highly favoured the great Alpha jacob locksmith. My hands trembled, just as tears willed up in my eyes, and this time from pure, overwhelming joy. I wasn't worthless and unworthy after all. The bond we shared was real. Strong and breathing, wonderful and inseperable. But in an instant his expression hardned even more. Blood drained from his face as his jaw clenched. Those beautiful eyes turned red and ....hollow. "Never." He moved back, his hand making a tight fist at his side. "I Alpha jacob Locksmith, the high king and council chief of the oak pack, reject you as my mate." "Why? No please, don't... you can't... Why?" Tears willed up in my eyes as I stood in front of the hall rejected. I did the one thing I could do I ran away, far possible. I fell to my knees deep within the forest and screamed. The tears choked me, i didn't know this kind of pain was possible, that I could die while still alive. I was so destroyed, the pain within my soul won't go away. And in a single breath the bond split. I felt it tear apart inside of me, ripping what was left of my soul along. The pain tore through every bit of me, like I was been burnt alive from within. And my wolf the poor thing whimpering in complete anguish, so unfortunate she as me. Living became impossible my head felt dizzy as darkness slowly crept in. The last thing I saw before I was completely taken by the darkness, was penny and my stepmother laughing and dancing in circles around me. Their expression cruel. If this was how I was destined to live, than I think it best I don't live at all.