Alpha's Winter Promise

I sighed as I looked out the window of the black SUV. The scenery was clipping by at a rapid pace bringing me closer to my worst case scenario: Running into Simon Kendrick face to face. It has been years since he rejected me as his fated mate but I can still remember the scent of cinnamon and jasmine that lingered in the air as my wolf, Orla, whispered 'mate' in my head. The word was tinged with sadness, like she knew what was about to happen. The physical pain of the rejection has dwindled down to the feeling of sandpaper on raw skin, bearable as long as I ignore it. 'Livie, darling, are you feeling okay?' my father inquired. 'I know you would have rathered stay home but your mother over-ruled it. If there is anything I can do to help make sure you enjoy the trip I would be more than happy to.' I plastered a smile on my face. 'I'm just happy to be spending time with you. Maybe you could make sure the omegas bring me breakfast in bed every morning? Surely they should be able to provide at least that much.' 'If not, then I'll send for one of our own to come down and attend...' he was cut off by a voice from beside me, like sugar laced with arsenic. 'Olivia, you have put in weight recently. A proper Luna should give more care to her appearance'. And there it was. Another cutting life lesson on how to be a perfect proper Luna. Never a hair out of place, never a wrinkle in your clothes or a pound too much on the scale. Perfectly in control of your presence at all times. Perfect, Perfect, Perfect. Not the kind of person who gets rejected by their fated mate. I felt the hot coal of anger settle in my chest. I didn't want to be here. I didn't want any of this. By rights, I should have been marked and mated by now to Simon, the Alpha of Golden Twilight Pack. His pack was as close to being royalty as you could get without marrying into the royal family itself. I deserved it. Instead I was stuck in a car with my parents, who thought I was still un-mated at the ripe old age of 25, heading towards the Azure Moon Festival being hosted by Golden Twilight. The festival is held every ten years as it lines up with a blue super moon and is a mix of political summit meets shifter Olympic games meets giant match-making event as packs from all over the country, sometimes the world, gather together. I turned inward, reaching out to Orla but was met with silence. She's been silent since the rejection and while she and I often butted heads, her silence is just one more gaping hole that I've tried to fill with Daddy's credit card. The driver speaks up from the front. 'Alpha Grimsleigh, we should be there shortly' I turn back to the scenery outside my window and catch my own reflection in the glass and frown. My deep red hair is pulled back in a tasteful ponytail, my skin is clear and smooth, porcelain with a pink tone that points to a healthy lifestyle. My eyes are the kind of faded green seen on old dollar bills that is only accentuated by the very best make up products. I frown slightly. It is utterly absurd that Simon did not want me, I am perfect. I look past my reflection as we go around the bend. I can see the lake glittering off in the distance. I'm thinking of ways to avoid Simon when my father speaks up. 'Oh, Livie, did you hear that Simon has chosen a mate? I thought the boy would hold out until he found his fated mate.' '25 is too old to hold on to the hope of a fated mate' says Mother with a pointed look in my direction. Before I could snap back at her, we've reached the guard station. The driver rolls down the window and hands over our paperwork to the sentry stationed here. He looks it over and peers into the vehicle to match names to faces. 'Welcome Alpha and Luna Grimsleigh' His face brightened when he made eye contact with me. 'Livie! I'm happy to see you, it's been ages' Try as I might, I can not remember who the guard is but then why would someone of my status know the name of a mere pack warrior. We were entire stratospheres apart. 'Olivia' I crisply correct him. How dare he use a nickname that I barely tolerate my own father using. The guard has the self awareness to see that he has overstepped. 'Right....Olivia....my apologies Miss Grimsleigh'. That's better. He knows his place now. Packs have hierarchy for a reason. The guard shook his head and smiled. 'Alpha, it looks like your invitation includes your son, Xander. Will he be joining you as well?'. Father gestured to the matching black SUV behind us. 'Yes, he is in the next vehicle.' My brother, Xander. Too good to ride with the rest of us, not that there would have been a lot of spare room with two bulky Alphas taking up space. No, his car could have driven off the side of a cliff and I doubt I would have shed a tear. Always Mother's favorite who can do no wrong, Xander makes a hobby out of being my tormentor. Never ever in front of others though, he wouldn't want to tarnish his image by having someone see how he treats me. I roll my eyes and turn to face out the window again. I can only hope they have the younger men housed separately. He would become even more insufferable if he found his fated mate while here. Daddy won't consider handing the pack over to him until he has one so here's to hoping that she died in some tragic accident before they had a chance to meet and the Moon Goddess doesn't bless him with a second chance mate. 'Great. I'll get him checked in and call ahead to let them know you have arrived. It looks like your family is staying in the main house so just follow this road around, take the right when you get to the fork and that leads up to the estate grounds' The driver nods and we move forward again. It's still a bit of a drive and I have to admit that the grounds are lovely, especially this time of year. There's a tension to the air as spring moves into summer, a build up of pressure before a storm and I can only hope that it's not a sign of things to come. 'Olivia, stop fiddling with your hair, you will give yourself split ends ' Mother warned. I hadn't realized I was twisting it around my finger. Horrible habit really and one that shows how stressful I find this whole situation. I'm shocked when I feel boney cold fingers wrap around my wrist. Mother snatches my hand towards her, the disdain clear in her eyes. 'Why do you insist on wearing that thing? I have told you countless times that it is not suited to you.' That thing is a bracelet. A hand woven with cheap plastic beads and a tiny charm in the shape of a snowflake. the colors of the thread are faded now and I've repaired it several times over the years. I usually can keep it from sight by wearing a larger bracelet over it or long sleeves, but in my distraction I've forgotten this time. I hold my breath waiting for her to tear it from my wrist as she has in the past. I'd just have to find all the beads and string it back together. Wouldn't be the first time and probably not the last either.