Mated, But Not Marked

Chapter Four: Titles

I couldn’t believe it.

I couldn’t stop staring. He turned to give Leah his full attention. I watched her wrap her arms around him and I immediately felt the urge to growl at her. MINE! My wolf thought possessively, encouraging me to stake my claim. Arayla was fighting to take over and bring me closer to my mate. To mark him as ours.

I tried to think logically even though I was starting to shake. Arayla, he already has a mate. He is not ours. He cannot be. We have Evan. She ignored me and angrily started pacing.

I gripped my hands around the seat of my chair to brace myself, trying to keep her at bay.

I heard her whimper as I put a block in my mind. I’m sorry Arayla. I needed to think clearly.

I quickly scanned the room to see if anyone was becoming aware of our situation, but luckily no one was. Once I was satisfied, I spared Kaden another glance.

I waited to see if he would look at me again, but he was actively choosing to ignore me.

I suddenly felt dizzy, like my world was crashing down. Kaden and Leah went to take their respective places in the room. They moved in my direction and I could see his body stiffen as he walked past me. I saw him take an intake of breath and hold it. He kept his eyes forward and moved more urgently, eyes quickly flashing from brown to black to brown again.

My mate didn’t want me.

In the entire five minutes that we were aware of our bond, he showed me no interest, no sign that he would pick me. He loved his chosen mate.

I felt the feel of the impending rejection and my heart felt like it was breaking. I needed to get out of this room.

I went to stand up and leave as Kaden’s eyes went to me in what looked like concern, but immediately turned away.

“Thank you all for coming. Please be seated as we will commence with introductions and get on to business matters.” Elder Stefano Kingston stated as he glided across the room and into his seat.

I realized my window for escaping had closed and I sat down again just as quickly as Clara raised her eyebrow, saying nothing. I put a block up with her as well, certain that she would mindlink me any second with an interrogation.

I ignored her questioning glare and kept my eyes solely focused on the Elder in charge in order to keep some of my dignity. He briefly introduced himself and went around the room having everyone introduce themselves and their titles.

Starting with the existing Alphas & Lunas, we all politely greeted each other and bowed respectfully.

“Jonathan Drew Collins – Alpha of the Blood Eclipse Pack”

“Elizabeth Marie Collins – Luna of the Blood Eclipse Pack”

The introductions and names blurred as I tried to pay attention and ignore my mate’s incredible scent. I gripped the edge of the conference table, solely focused on not looking up at Kaden again and launching myself across the table to him.

“Kaden James DeSantos – Alpha of the Black Obsidian Pack”

“Luna Leah Amelia DeSantos – Luna of the Black Obsidian Pack and…our future Alpha little Elias DeSantos” She gestured to the boy in her arms.

My grip on the table tightened. That was his child. Their pack’s future alpha. How could I possibly interfere with a family? Guilt flooded my mind and I accidentally opened our pack link.

“Myla, squeeze the table any tighter and it’s going to break. What’s wrong? Get it together. Pull your aura back too, it won’t look good on us if you sit here trying to intimidate and show dominance over some of the strongest Alphas and Lunas in the world.” – Clara warned me.

Sure enough, I looked around the table and some of the weaker Alphas and Lunas started baring their necks in submission, not understanding what was going on and who was making them do it.

I pulled back my aura immediately. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m fine, really.” She didn’t believe me, but it was our turn for introductions and it started with her first.

“Clara Lynn Bailey- future Beta to the future Luna of the Sea Moon Pack”

My turn.

“Myla Amaris Moore – future Luna of the Sea Moon Pack” I announced as clearly and confidently as possible, even though I was practically a bundle of nerves on the inside. Some of the pack Alphas that I tracked for nodded their heads in acknowledgement and respect.

Elder Stefano raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “Myla, it’s a pleasure to meet you although I’ve yet to hear about you before this day. Your name does sound familiar though. Is Sea Moon your original pack? May I ask, who are you the mate and future Luna to?” – Elder Stefano inquired.

My eyes darted to Kaden, but quickly returned to the Elder. “I will be the Luna to the future Alpha Evan Adams of the Sea Moon Pack.”

“Interesting. My congratulations Ms. Moore. When will that be official?”

“Thank you, sir. Our marking ceremony is set for later this ---“

I was cut off by a possessive growl coming from the other end of the room. Alpha Kaden emitted a low guttural sound, but immediately stopped when he returned to his senses.

The whole room was quiet as Alphas and Lunas looked at him in confusion.

“Forgive my manners, Elder Stefano, my mind and thoughts were elsewhere. If you’ll excuse me.” Kaden stated as he stood up and briskly walked out of the room, his aura permeating the room with authority.

There were nervous glances and hushed voices around the room as no one wanted to be the one to piss off such a powerful Alpha, but the Elder quickly tried to contain the situation and moved onto pack education and business without continuing any further introductions. Luna Leah remained in the room and stayed calm, but her eyes looked to the door that Kaden left from with confusion.

“What do you think offended Alpha Kaden so much? He’s not someone you want as an enemy. His territory and pack are one of the strongest in the world. I hope he’s not offended by anything we said.” – Clara linked nervously

“No Clara, I’m certain it wasn’t us. He clearly had other things on his mind” – I linked reassuringly.

This conference was about to get a lot more interesting.