Chapter three
1395 Words
Selena’s POV
I picked myself up and went into my room, with tears rolling down from my eyes every second.
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The next morning was the 'Mating Festival,' a ceremony where young unmarried maidens would gather to be blessed with a mate. I wore a gown given to me by my mother on my Nineteenth birthday.
Everyone was busy preparing for the day, and I was hopeful that the moon goddess would show me mercy and provide me with a mate so that I could leave Aidan's house.
The Mating Festival was always a grand event held annually.
All the young maidens were smiling and showing off their dresses.
At one point, I felt disappointed, thinking that no one would want to mate with me because they saw me as a weak werewolf among the pack.
Suddenly, I spotted Freya, my childhood friend. I was always happy to see her because she was my only friend, which brought me joy. She was also dressed up for the occasion.
"Freya, you look beautiful!"
"Thank you, but I know I can't compare myself to you. You're much so beautiful!"
"You too. Do you think we will find a mate?"
"It's okay, Freya. You'll find one soon."
"I hope so!"
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but the ceremony will start now. Please take your places," said an elder.
Freya and I went our separate ways to our respective areas.
"May the moon goddess bless this mating festival!" said the pack elder.
We all knelt before the statue of the moon goddess and prayed.
"Oh, mighty moon goddess, bless the young maidens, make them strong and wise, help them find the right partner, and protect our pack from harm."
"Now, please line up to receive the mark."
Every maiden stood in a single line and patiently waited to receive the mark.
Once a maiden received the mark, she would be guided to where the potential suitors stood and waited for her.
"May the moon goddess bless this mating festival!" said the pack elder.
We all knelt before the statue of the moon goddess and prayed.
"Oh, mighty moon goddess, bless the young maidens, make them strong and wise, help them find the right partner, and protect our pack from harm."
"Now, please line up to receive the mark."
Every maiden stood in a single line and patiently waited to receive the mark.
Once a maiden received the mark, she would be guided to where the potential suitors stood and waited for her.
Some of them got excited, others were scared, and I was in the middle.
When it was my turn, I kneeled. The elder gave me a tattoo gun and injected a needle into my right hand.
My right hand turned red as blood gushed out. The elder placed his hands over the tattoo and chanted the words:
"Maiden, Be strong and wise,
Let the moon goddess lead you to your destiny,
Let the mark show you the way."
I could feel a burning sensation on my skin as he continued to chant.
When he removed his hands, the tattoo looked beautiful on my right hand. It was a small red crescent moon with the words 'Let the moon goddess lead you to your destiny'.
I stood up and went to the area where the potential suitors stood and waited.
The other maidens were also waiting in that area.
Suddenly, I heard screams and roars. The ground was shaking, causing me to fall.
I saw a shadow running towards me The shadow became clearer as it approached. It was a werewolf with glowing red eyes, growling.
"What the heck?!" I screamed.
He came towards me and grabbed my arm.
"Who are you?"
"Shut up!"
The next thing I knew, I found myself face-to-face with a werewolf. We recognized each other.
It was Fenrir, the Alpha of our Pack, who also did not have a mate and with whom I had a one-night stand.
I was confused, and he looked confused too.
"It's not possible. How can the moon goddess pair me with a weak werewolf?"
“Our pack has not had a weak Luna before, never”
"I am rejecting you. I can't be with you. Get out." He said
I felt embarrassed and ashamed when he said those words to me. At the same time, I was relieved because he didn't announce to everyone that we had s*x yesterday.
I left his presence in sober.
I didn’t see Freya, maybe she has seen his mate and they both like each other.
I went home from the venue, and Aidan and Nadia had already heard what happened to me. They started insulting me, calling me a w***e. They were talking as if I intentionally went to meet Fenrir to become his mate.
I went to bed that night, hoping to hear from Freya. She came to our house the following day, and we started talking about what happened at the 'Mating Festival'. She said she heard what happened - that Alpha Fenrir, who is my fated mate, rejected me. She tried to console me.
"So, did your destined mate accept you? I know you will find a mate," I asked her.
Freya’s POV
“I found a partner yesterday. However, he is not my type. He appeared unattractive and overweight". I replied to Selene
"I have to go now because I have something to do," I added.
She didn't want me to leave yet, but I was feeling uncomfortable.
I was wondering why the moon goddess chose that kind of person for me and chose Alpha Fenrir for Selena. I am happy that he rejects her because she thinks she alone deserves the best.
I had always imagined my mate to have a very handsome, tall, charming face just like Fenrir but I was given the opposite.
As I was heading home from Selene's place, I stopped under a tree to contemplate my options. Tears streamed down my face. I burped and sniffed, trying to stop my nose from running as I wiped my face with the back of my hand.
I didn't realize when I fell asleep under the tree and later woke up to find someone beside me. Upon looking at his face, I recognized Fenrir, and I noticed his guards nearby.
Initially, I felt afraid, but he spoke to me calmly, reassuring me not to be scared. "Hello, it's okay. I won't harm you. Are you alright?" he said.
His smile was incredibly beautiful, and at that moment, I desired him to be mine, my mate, and his Luna.
"You look so beautiful. I would like to make you my Luna," he added.
"What? No, no," I replied. I don't want him to think I'm interested in him. That's when he grabbed my hands and looked into my eyes, saying, "I'm serious. Let's get to know each other."
"Okay, I will," I answered, and I felt excited about the possibility.
He told me, "You should be my wife and my partner, not anyone else."
I was speechless, and all I could do was nod in agreement.
After some time, he invited me to his house, which was the largest in our village.
As we entered, his guards left. I was amazed by his palace. I had never seen such a magnificent building.
The living room was spacious, with sofas adorned with velvet cushions. I love it. Thank you," I said.
"You're welcome, please make yourself comfortable, and I'll bring some food," he replied.
While he was away, I had time to think and consider his proposal.
He returned with the food and served me by himself. I was curious about his humble attitude.
“Are you at the mating festival yesterday?”. He asked me.
“Yes I was” I replied.
He asked if I had found a destined mate myself. However, I lied and said that I hadn't found a partner, as I didn't want him to know about the mate I turned down.
I also inquired about him, knowing that he had met Selena as his fated mate. I pretended not to know.
“Do you by any chance know Selena? She is my fated mate but I rejected her because she is weak, and I don’t want a weak werewolf as my Luna. He asked me.
“Erm” I uttered.
- Writer
