A MATE'S BETRAYAL

Nyx was not a morning person yet, here she was roaming out in the dewy grasslands with her friend. She rolled her eyes as her friend skipped and danced around. “Ah, just look at this view! It's soooo cool, and it isn't even up yet!” Her friend was somewhat happier, no - chirpier than the birds - said prancing around. “Did we really have to be up this early??” Nyx asked, trying to make sense of why they were out this early. “Today will be the best day of our lives Nyx, smile a bit, today's the big day, right?” Her friend's excitement was palpable as they threaded through the woods toward the opening that would soon be filled with her pack mates. “Believe me, I can't wait, but we are a whole 12 hours early. Nyx replied, some excitement thawing out her bad morning attitude. It was the eve of Nyx's 18th full moon as well as a few others.This day was anticipated by the whole pack, with a mix of excitement and nerves thrown in just to make it extra...well just extra. It isn't everyday that a young wolf would meet her forever mate. “For someone so romantic, you are such a sour-” her friend started to talk but she interrupted her. “Fine, fine. Jeez, let's have this picnic. Who knows where we'll end up after tomorrow ,Betsy boo ” Nyx replied , smiling at her best friend Betsy. “Ugh! Don't call me that.” Betsy replied, still smiling. She was right, once they got their mates, they would be off to wherever their mate wanted to build a pack. Nyx had spent her entire life immersed in stories of true mates and the promise of a happy ever after. Her parents would often tell her tales of their own love, a bond so unbreakable it could withstand anything the world threw at them. Those stories had been the lullabies of her childhood, filling her dreams with visions of a love so deep and unwavering that nothing could ruin it. As evening approached, Packs began gathering around a pile of wood and logs that would soon be a bonfire.This was a gathering of the local Packs around, a chance to find mates and just mingle with others. Nyx could almost imagine how the night would uncover,the warm glow would illuminate the faces of her fellow wolves, most of whom were already mated, creating a cozy scene under the radiant full moon. Soon, the sun set and with it, Luna's melodious voice breaking into a beautiful wolf song, a call that echoed through the Pack and far enough to whoever was around the perimeter. As the song swelled, wolves around began to shift into their majestic forms. Nyx’s heart beat with excitement as the night went on, any minute from now she would be meeting her wolf and mate as well. Someone in this gathering was going to choose her. She searched around, hoping to meet her mate’s gaze in that romantic setting when their eyes would meet and their wolves would reach out to each other - yeah that was the kind of fairy tale Nyx wanted. Eventually, Nyx’s eyes landed on the one male wolf that remained across the bonfire that was currently dying down. She held onto the hope that he might be her destined mate seeing as they were the only ones remaining.Her heart practically danced in anticipation, even when she couldn't feel any pull.A creeping sense of unease settled within her, as if the anticipated magic of this night might not unfold as she'd imagined. She watched the handsome young man as he gracefully transformed, revealing a stunning gray wolf. All eyes turned to the transforming Alpha, hopeful and waiting to see when he would make his choice- Nyx grappled with mounting pressure. She felt nothing as their eyes met, hers still in human form and his, amber and- Panic welled up within her replacing any excitement of finding her wolf, and her mate, breaths growing shallow. His amber eyes were angry, and as he growled, she knew, this night was going to be the worst night of her life. At this point in the night, the Pack's whispers grew louder, sympathy evident in their glances.Questions poured from Nyx's lips as She looked at the angry wolf who she still couldn't feel anything for. “ Why is this happening to me?” Her pleas echoed into the fading night, unanswered. She fell to her knees, perhaps if she was on all fours then maybe… just maybe….Her parents remained silent, a gesture that filled her with an unspoken dread.Her father all but looked at her with disappointment. He did not need to be in his human form for her to read his face. Her mother, in her wolf form, slowly approached Nyx and nudged her with her snout urging her. Whether it was to make her give up on shifting or get up and go on… Nyx refused to move. Desperation surged within Nyx as she reached out to her wolf, whispering words of reassurance into the night. “Don't be afraid, I'll love you no matter what.” But the pit in her stomach got deeper and anxiety lingered. Why would her wolf be scared? Was she even there? She was there right? The unanswered questions hung heavy in the air, painting the night with uncertainty. “Great mother… please.” Nyx prayed, hope rising in her chest, she had to remain hopeful, her wolf was just asleep, she had to wake her up. Her mate was waiting. She had to wake up… “Wake up! Wake up!” Nyx started to call for her wolf, her balled up fists pounding on her chest, desperate to wake her sleeping wolf. By now most of the wolves had moved away, some still lingered and watched with pitiful eyes, no one moving close enough to see the poor girl with no wolf. “Nyx! Enough. Get up, let's go for now. ” Her mother had shifted and crouched down to meet her. “No mom. I have to wake her up. I have to. ” Nyx begged her mother, her voice beginning to shake as reality set in by the passing minute, the longer she looked at him and felt... Nothing. “People are staring, come on, you know what this means.” “No- No- The moon is still up, let me wake her. Wake up! Wake up! Pleaseeee! Just wake up!” Nyx was now frantic, alternatively changing between beating her chest and praying to the Great Mother. “Enough of this! Get up Now! ” Her father’s booming voice practically shook her to the core, ending her display of despair. “I- it can't be. Wake her up. ” She turned her tear-streaked face towards her father. “Dad please.” She continued to beg even as she was practically dragged by her father’s strong grip. It was only for a second but her parents shared a single look before they dragged their wailing daughter away. To say Nyx's dream was shattered that night, would be an understatement. She had been standing with her Pack, eyes scanning the crowd for that one wolf who would complete her, but there was no one . Her vision blurred with tears as the fact of the night settled in her heart. No wolf. No mate.