Ava Blake is the daughter of the Beta of her pack and she thought her life would change when she found her mate. But when Alpha

Ava's Pov I twirled in front of the mirror in my room as I tried on my new gown and shoes. That evening was the long-awaited annual moon festival where mates are often revealed. I was the beta's daughter so I had the luxury of having my gown custom made months before the festival. "This is going to be my night Aria." I smiled as I talked to my maid who was in charge of taking care of my personal needs. "Yes lady Ava, and I'm sure it's going to be Alpha Kane," Aria replied as she started arranging the gown. "Stop it Aria!" I playfully swatted her hand even though I was blushing profusely. Aria and my father knew I had a huge crush on Alpha Kane since forever. While Kane was still just the son of the Alpha, we usually spent some time together because my father was his father's Beta. When his father Alpha Cedric died two years ago, Kane took over as the Alpha and he also retained my father as Beta because he said he liked the way my father worked with his father. This act of trust alone had tremendously increased my feelings for him but because he was now the Alpha, we barely see not to talk of spending time together. I missed the times we used to spend together but I also understood that since he was now the Alpha, he had a huge responsibility of taking care of our pack, the Moonlight pack. "My lady, we all know you have a crush on Alpha Kane, and I have seen you two together so I'm sure you are going to be his destined mate," Aria said. I could not stop the blush that covered my face but then, I smiled until a thought crossed my mind and the smile disappeared. "What is wrong my lady? Did I say anything wrong?" Aria asked Sacred. I turned to face her and smiled to ease her mind. "No Aria, you didn't say anything wrong but it's just that I'm scared." I opened up to her. "Scared of what my lady?" She asked me surprised. I sighed and pouted my mouth. "What if I'm not good enough for Alpha Kane? What if I'm not strong enough?" I asked in despair. I was the Beta's daughter and though I had shifted into my wolf at sixteen I was still weak. Now I'm eighteen and I have been training since then because I had always wanted to be the Luna of our pack and married to Kane but I knew that he would not want a weak mate. For the past two years, I have been training but despite all my efforts, I was still weak. It was as if I had no inner strength at all. Like as if there was something, an invisible force stopping me from reaching my full potential. I had complained to my father many times but he did not seem fazed by it. Instead, he would encourage me and tell me that I don't need this training to be strong. "And who said you are not good enough or strong enough to be the mate of Alpha Kane?" I heard my father's baritone voice behind me. I had been so engrossed in my thoughts that I did not notice when he came in. "Dad!" I screamed happily as I rushed to hug him. He had not slept at home the previous night because he had to help Alpha Kane and the organizers in charge of the annual moon festival to make sure everything was in place so I had missed him. "I didn't notice when you came in," I said as I rested my head on his chest. My mother had died while giving birth to me so my father was the only parent I knew and despite his busy schedule as the beta of the pack, he always tried to make out time for me. "Of course, you would not notice because you were busy thinking low of yourself... Again!" My father slightly chided me. "Dad, you know it's not that..." I tried explaining but my father subtly cut me off. "Then it's what?" He asked me but I could not answer. "I have told you, Ava, you are the strongest and most special person in the world, so do not ever look down on yourself." He added. "Yes Daddy," I said and smiled. "That's my girl, now go get yourself prepared for the festival." He said and left. Aria and I put the finishing touches to my dress and then I took it off to bath and prepare myself for what I had themed the most eventful night of my life. ~~~ The palace was agog with people and the smell of delicious food. Aria followed me closely as we walked to the main hall where the festival was to be held. Our pack was a semi-modern pack so we had modern equipments that can be found in the human world including cars but we were also hidden away from the human world by thick, dark, and dense forests. There were other packs in other Forests apart from our pack but I have never set foot outside of our pack. The festival started with music and dancing and a lot of food. Then it was time for the mating ceremony which a lot of people had been waiting for. "Wish me well Aria!" I said as I started walking towards the center of the room where those who were yet to find their mate were standing. Suddenly I froze. I started feeling a strange sensation that was both ticklish and sweet and then I turned to see Alpha Kane. Our eyes met and in that instant, we both said the same words at the same time. "Mate!" My excitement could not be contained. The people also heard it and some were happy while some were surprised. I looked at Alpha Kane hoping to see the same warm smile on his face but I was shocked. He had a huge scowl on his face. The one he always wore when he was displeased with someone or something. He stood at the podium staring at me with eyes blazing with anger but nothing prepared me for what he said next. “I cannot accept you Ava as my mate because you are too weak to rule beside me so therefore I Alpha Kane of the Moonlight pack reject you Ava as my mate.” ***