The Alpha Who Rejected How Mate

Lena’s pov Am 23 years old and still counting yet I haven’t found a mate Lena balanced a try of drinks as she waved through the crowded hall. The annual mating celebration was always the busiest night of the year. Music filled the room. People started laughing from every corner. Mated couples danced beneath strings of silver lanterns,while elders shared stories about the moon Goddess. Everyone looked happy. I mean everyone except Lena. “Congratulations!” She handed a drink to a young woman who couldn’t stop smiling. The woman immediately threw her arms around the tall warrior beside her. My mate surprised me this morning, she squealed. The warrior kissed her forehead and the people around them cheered. Lena felt so angry but she maintained. Lena forced a smile,and told the couple's “Congratulations” The word tastes bitter. Before the couple had noticed her she disappeared into the crowd. Another reminder, another mate, another happy ending. Her wolf shifted restlessly iLena turned to see Clara approaching with two bottles of drinks in her hand not in the try this time. Clara frowned. "You could have gone home. "And miss watching everyone fall in love? Clara winced, That’s bad. Lena laughed softly. Was it that obvious? Her friend refused to answer. She didn't have to. Across the room,another couple was celebrating their mating bond. A few feet away,an elder was telling a group of teenagers what to expect when they met their destined partners. Everywhere Lena looked, she saw reminders. Mate. Mate. Mate. Mate. I am twenty three years old. And still nothing. No bond. No pull. No voice in her head whispering that she would find the one chosen by the moon Goddess. Nothing at all A familiar silence settled over her heart. Then she heard it. Not the music. Not the laughter. The whispers. ‘They say she’s still waiting” “Seriously?” “I heard she’s older than my sister.” " Maybe she doesn't have a mate.” Lena kept walking. She pretended not to hear. Years of practice had made that easy. But the words followed her anyway. Maybe she doesn't have a mate. The thought still lives in her after the voices disappeared. For the first time, she wondered if they were right. What if the Moon Goddess had forgotten her? The question stayed with her until the celebration ended. Until the hall emptied. Then she stepped outside beneath the silver glow of the moon. The cool night air brushes against her skin. Lena lifted her gaze to the sky. For a long moment, she simply stared. Waiting. Hoping. Just like she always did. Then a howl shattered the silence. One howl.Then another “A pack summons.” Lena’s heart skipped. Pack wide meetings were rare. Very rare. Lena quickened her pace as wolves came from every direction, all heading towards the pack house. Curious murmurs filled the evening air. “What's going on?" " No idea.” “Did rogues cross the border again?" “I heard warriors returned early from patrol." The crowd grew thicker the closer she got. By the time Lena entered the hall, nearly the entire pack had gathered. A strange tension hung in the air. Even Alpha Richard’s warrior stood unusually stiff near the platform. Something was wrong. Or important Lena moved quietly into an empty spot beside Clara. “Any idea what's happening?" she whispered. Clara shook her head. “None. But whatever it is, everyone seems nervous.” A few moments later, Alpha Richard stepped forward. The hall immediately felt silent. His gaze swept across the crowd. “We have received a message from the Blood Moon pack." A wave of whispers erupted. Lena frowned. Blood Moon Pack? Even she knew that name. Every wolf did. One of the largest and most powerful packs in the region. Alpha Richard raised a hand for silence. " Their Alpha will be arriving tomorrow.” Their whispers grew louder. Lena felt a strange flutter in her chest. Small and Unexpected. Her wolf stirred. The sensation vanished almost immediately. Still, it left her uneasy. Why did hearing that name affect her? Clara asked. And also why did her wolf suddenly seem so alert ? As if her wolf was waiting for something or someone. She placed her hand on her chest and took a slow breath. " Are you okay?" Clara asked. Lena forced a smile. Yeah just tired The meeting ended shortly afterwards, Groups of wolves remained behind, eagerly, discussing the news about Alpha Damon Blackwood. Who is from the Blood moon pack. The name seemed to be on everyone’s lips. Lena left secretly before people could interrupt or stop what she was saying The cool night air greeted her immediately. For a moment she simply stood there, looking at the moon that was high above the trees. Bright, Beautiful, A strange shiver ran down her spine. Her wolf stirred again, this time it was more strong. Lena froze, “What is it?" She asked. No answer came. Only a restless feeling couldn't explain. As she headed home,reaching halfway there, she noticed someone standing beneath an old oak tree. An elderly woman wrapped in a dark shawl. Grandmother Rose. The pack’s seer. Lena's steps slowed. The old woman rarely left her cottage after sunset. She stood over there staring at the moon. Almost as if she has been waiting. " Lena.” The old woman's voice was soft. Lena approached cautiously. Grandmother Rose." The seer’s pale eyes settled on her. For a long moment, she said nothing. She simply studied Lena's face. Then she smiled. A small smile. Immediately goosebumps rise on Lena's skin. “Something is coming," Rose said quietly. Lena's heart skipped. " What do you mean?” "The wind has changed.” Lena glanced around. Everything still looked normal. The trees, the sky, the village. Nothing had changed. " The Moon Goddess is rarely late, child. The seer spoke. Immediately a knot formed on Lena’s stomach. She asked " Late? The old woman chuckled, Before Lena could ask another question, she turned and walked away. Leaving Lena standing alone the moon light Confused, Uneasy and Hopeful. For the first time in years someone said what I wanted to hear.