Betrayed Bonds

Being wolfless was a real tragedy, and attempting to conceal it in my world was utterly impossible. Snatching someone else's wolf might seem like an option, but trust me, it's only a one-way ticket to trouble. "Aurora Rays, you're going down," they declared, and I found myself pinned by guards, struggling to look up. Clarkson, the next to become alpha and my ex-mate, shot me a nasty look while tightly gripping my 'best' friend's hand. "Tell us, Aurora, did you steal her wolf? Your so-called trusted friend!" He barked angrily. The chains on my feet rattled, and in a cold tone, I responded, "Never." Three days ago, my eighteenth birthday bash was in full swing. The whole Pack Moonery, including the alpha Mr Rays and Luna, showed up – a surprise, considering they've known me forever. "Aurora, happy birthday!" Mr Rays said, grabbing my hands. I smiled, "Thanks, Mr. Rays," nodding in respect. "It's been a pleasure watching you grow. You're a close family friend," he said, kissing my hand. "I really appreciate that," I grinned in response. "Now, do you know where that son of mine is?" Alpha Rays asked, winking. Clarkson Rays, his son and my childhood friend, was missing in action. "I haven't seen him yet. If you find him first, remind him he hasn't given me my present," I teased. "I certainly will. Enjoy the party," Alpha Rays waved as he disappeared into the crowd. The whole pack members close to my age was there, dancing, enjoying the food, and a fantastic three-tier cake adorned with trees and sugar wolves. String lights hung in the event tent, where champagne flowed for the special occasion. Even though I was just eighteen, Alpha Rays allowed a bit of champagne at our gatherings. People called out, "Happy birthday, Aurora!" as I mingled through the crowd, thrilled the entire pack was celebrating together. Now officially eighteen, I could find my true mate and became a full pack member. Though an orphan raised by Alpha and Luna, growing up with Clarkson, it felt nice to be connected to the entire pack. In the back of my mind, I sensed Clara, my wolf's pleasure at the event. She'd been restless all day, eager for midnight to officially turn eighteen and find her mate. "Aurora!" my friend Esme said, rushing up to hug me. "Happy birthday!" "Hey, Esme," I hugged her back. "Excited to find your mate tonight?" she asked. "Yeah, if he's here," I replied, biting my lip. "Well, good luck. I'm rooting for you," Esme grinned, nudging my shoulder before disappearing into the crowd and I smiled after her. As Esme disappeared into the crowd, someone else caught my eye. My breath hitched, and the clock struck midnight as Clarkson emerged, walking toward me. My wolf howled in my head, then rolled onto her back, ready to reveal her stomach. Heat washed over me, and a shudder ran down my spine. Clarkson was my mate. As he approached, he stopped, the big smile on his face faltering slightly. I swallowed, wondering if he felt it too. Would he be happy? Would he be upset? We'd been friends for so long, and I didn't know how Clarkson would react. "Hey there, birthday girl," he said, closing the gap between us, grabbing both of my hands. Clara purred in my head, begging for more. Her response made my cheeks burn, and I looked down, smiling shyly. "Can you feel that?" I asked him. "I do," he said, his voice serious and husky. He rubbed his thumbs over the backs of my hands as I locked eyes with Clarkson's stunning blue eyes, like icy frost flakes clinging to a leaf. "Did you know?" I asked. Clarkson was already over eighteen; he could have felt the mate bond between us before. "No. My wolf could sense something with you, but it wasn't strong enough. Not until tonight," he explained. "Is this..." I sighed, trailing off. "Is this a good thing?" I asked. Clarkson smirked at me in response. "Why wouldn't it be?" he asked, squeezing my hands. "We've known each other so long, and this just feels right." "Yeah, it does," I replied, nodding. "If Xavier were still alive, he'd be happy for us too," he added. Xavier was Clarkson's best friend and would have been the Beta of our pack but he was lost in the last war. "Let's dance," Clarkson proposed, pulling me into the throng of party guests swaying to the music. Clarkson looked like a gentleman with his blond hair slicked back and his black, tailored suit. I was a bit clumsy in my floor-length satin gown. He slid one arm around my back, and I gasped, a shiver running down my spine. He grasped my hand with his free one, and I put my hand on his shoulder. We danced, our bodies hovering inches apart. My wolf howled again, urging me to move closer. I felt his breath on my face, smelling like pine and sandalwood. I closed my eyes halfway, enjoying the heat and scent. "You look beautiful tonight," Clarkson whispered. "Th-thanks," I whispered, leaning against him, resting my head on his shoulder. He led me in a sensual, graceful dance, knowing all the steps, and how to hold onto me in a way that felt close and made me feel special. Midway through the dance, I felt eyes on me. Looking over Clarkson's shoulder, I saw Esme watching us, a strange expression on her features. My heart grew heavy. I knew Esme had a crush on Clarkson. Before tonight, Clarkson and I had only been friends, and now, we were going to be far more than that. Undoubtedly, Esme would be mad at me because she had a crush on Clarkson. Although, I empathized with her, I couldn't help that because he was my mate, though. When our dance ended, Clarkson pulled me aside saying, "I got you something for your birthday." My body tingled with joy and excitement as I responded giggling. "I knew you'd have a present for me." Clarkson held out a small jewelry box, popping the lid open to reveal a charm bracelet inside with several holly leaf charms and more loops for other charms. "Wow," I said, gasping at the sight of the jewelry. "I thought the holly was appropriate. You're just as beautiful and unique as the strong colors of the holly bush, but you can be tough like the leaves. I find those all very endearing qualities. I know you can take care of and protect yourself, but I want to be there for you too," he explained. "That's so sweet," I smiled, looking between his bright eyes and the charms. Clarkson took the bracelet out of the box and clipped it around my wrist. I held it up to the light, letting the charms sparkle. "That's just half of the present. Now that I know you're my mate, I'm going to announce it at the pack convention next. I'll name you as my mate and the next Luna of Moonery," Clarkson told me. My cheeks burned again. I couldn't believe how much my life had changed in just a few minutes. In my heart, I knew that Clarkson and I were going to be so happy together. "Aurora, I think congratulations are in order," Esme said, stepping between me and Clarkson surprisingly. She glanced over her shoulder at him. "It looks like you found your mate." "Thanks," I said, smiling. Esme's smile was a little strained. I thought she'd be mad, but instead, she handed me a drinking glass and held one up for herself, clinking her glass against mine. "It is a family custom of mine to drink with your close friends when you've found your mate. A special drink that ensures prosperity and a long, happy relationship," she said, sipping from her own glass. I smelled the drink. It didn't smell or look familiar. "It's just made from mistletoe. Nothing bad. Come on, it's for good luck," Esme urged. I glanced at Clarkson, and he nodded encouragingly. I shrugged and took a sip of the drink. It tasted really sweet, sickly sweet. I coughed and then tried to drink the rest. It took some effort, but I didn't want to hurt Esme's feelings any more than I already had. "Well, I won't hog up any more of your time. Congratulations again," Esme said. She blew us a kiss and twirled away. I put the glass down on a table as quickly as possible. "I don't know what that is, but it was too sweet," I said, sticking my tongue out. Clarkson laughed, as he looped his arm around my shoulders. "Come on, let's enjoy your party. We've got the rest of our lives to plan the rest of our lives." I giggled and followed along with him. On the day of the pack convention, I stood at the edge of the stage. Clarkson and his parents were out there talking to the pack and giving updates about what was happening. They were currently updating the pack on the rogue situation. Clarkson had already told me everything, so I didn't have to listen. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, nervous about standing in front of the pack while Clarkson announced me as the next Luna and his mate. I had a feeling some people already suspected it. Clarkson and I had been inseparable since my birthday party. We'd always been friendly, so it was easy to play it off like we were just friends. It wasn't that we were hiding it, but Clarkson wanted to make as big a statement as possible. He really seemed to like big, extravagant gestures and I didn't mind. It made me feel special and wanted. I didn't have a big family, and his family had been like a surrogate family to me. While I stood there, trying to calm the butterflies that raged in my stomach, I absently reached out to my wolf. Usually, when I was agitated, she was too. She was strangely quiet in the back of my mind. I wondered why she was calm and settled while I was freaking out. I tried to connect with her, but I couldn't feel her. It was like she had just vanished from my mind. My hands started to shake. Something was really, really wrong! I shook my hands, trying to stop the tremors, but tears sprang to my eyes. I blinked them back, even as I started to hyperventilate. Tu-tump, tu-tump, tu-tump. All I could hear was my heart beating. There was something wrong. I couldn't feel her. I couldn't sense her. I couldn't find her. My wolf was gone.