SCENT OF REJECTION

CHAPTER 2

When the seer called her forward and demanded she stand in the middle of the circle of the pack, she was at loss at what was happening. It was when their scents began to combine, when the air became filled with the scent of their union that she understood.

She was the chosen mate of Alpha Jasper Ravenwood. Alpha Jasper Ravenwood! She had nearly jumped for joy and excitement. She had mixed feelings because unlike the other ladies in the pack, she hadn't dressed for the occasion, she didn't even count herself amongst the contenders. And that was why she was in a simple flower gown, and nothing else.

While the proceedings took place, she stared at Pearl in joy and happiness time and time again. She couldn't believe that she was going to be the alpha's chosen mate. All she had always wanted for life was to be successful in her business, and this part was one she wasn't ready for.

The stares and glances she received from the other women in the gathering of the circle’s pack was what shocked her the most. They were envious, it was in their eyes, the rage seemed to stem out of their nostrils, and Akira Moonstone didn't know if she should feel pity or happy that she was in the position that every young female wolf wanted to be.

However, she was in for the shock of her life when the Alpha shook his head, claiming that he didn't want to be her mate. Standing, her hands trembling in fear and embarrassment, she waited for the seer to confirm what he was saying.

Without hesitation, he said no, proceeding to go through the crowd and raise Nyx’s hand, the new strange woman that had made her way into the pack and was starting to be appreciated because of her good nature towards the natives.

It would've been better if she hadn't been called out than for her to be called out and be embarrassed like this. What had she done wrong? Why didn't he see her as a potential mate? Why had he rejected her?

She was starting to cry, unable to withstand the snares and taunts of mockery that was coming from the crowd. It was crazy, the way the crowd seemed to turn on her. It seemed everybody had been waiting for her failure, the ladies included. They had been waiting for her to be rejected, and now it had happened, their joy seemed to know no bounds.

She was still crying when she heard Pearl come up next to her, her hand rubbing her shoulders and comforting her.

“Come on, we should leave this place. And don't pay attention to them, they're retarded. Mad people, all of them.”

Normally, she would've laughed because there was no dull moment with Pearl. But the reverse was the case because she couldn't even pick out the joke in her words, the tears were flowing too fast, the sobbing was intensifying with each stare of disdain a lady in the crowd shot her way.

“Come on Akira, you don't want to do this here. Be strong, let's get home at least.”

She was starting to move when seer Seraphina approached her, staring at her and seeming to command her with her eyes to stop moving and listen to what she had to say.

Recognizing that the seer was trying to talk to them, she felt Pearl's hands loosen on her shoulders while she stood to listen to what the seer had to say.

“Akira Moonstone. Whatever has happened here today is a sign of what is to come. You are going to be laughed at and treated as scorn, but you'll still be the same one that will be worshiped. You are going to save the Ravenwood pack from itself, you are going to save it from the rot eating its way to the foundation of the kingdom. This is a sign of things to come, Akira Moonstone. Thus says the Moon goddess.”

And with those words, Akira watched her saunter off. The tears cascading down her cheeks had reduced its free flow, and for an instant Akira stared after the seer, her mind racing.

What did she mean by the same one that will be worshiped? What did she mean by a sign of things to come? It made her confused, the prophecy she had just heard. How could one who couldn't even succeed in being an Alpha female be the one to save the pack? It made her irritated and for an instant, she wanted to spew

insults at the seer.

Bringing her to her senses, Pearl caressed her shoulder, urging her to follow her.

“What did she mean by that?”

Akira asked Pearl, finding the strength to speak despite her creaking voice. She was shocked beyond words.

“I have no idea, Akira Moonstone. I suggest we return home this instant if not everything will keep on getting weirder and weirder. Come on now, let's go.”

Knowing that it was safer to take a taxi, Akira watched her friend call a taxi and slipped into it, enjoying the scent of citrus that hung around the car. The entire streets of the Ravenwood kingdom was buzzing, and the laughter that came from the sides of the road resonated in Akira's already tired mind.

They were all laughing at her, they were mocking her.

For the umpteenth time, the prophecy of the seer came back to her. What had she meant by her being the one to save the kingdom from the rot that was eating it? What was the seer trying to imply?

Covering her face in shame, Akira Moonstone began weeping once again.

“Come on, Akira, we're here.”

She stepped out of the car, Pearl next to her, only to pause in surprise when she saw the crowd that was next to her house.

Shouts of “rejected mate” filled the air, and Pearl, who was the first to react, dragged her across to the other side of the road, trying to make sure she was safe.

“You're coming to my house, Akira. Your house doesn't look safe to me.”

Trying her best to avoid crying, Akira Moonstone followed her friend, wondering what the future held for her in such a hostile kingdom.