Jane's POV
We left after welcoming the Blood Moon and the Bluemoon. Its been almost 3 hours but my heart is still in its trance pacing at a very high speed. I still can't believe that I have a fated mate and that too the Alpha of the Blood Moon.
My curiosity as usual gets the better of me and I start googling them just to find out who that woman was. Even the thought of it is making me angry. How dare she was standing that near to him and even holding his arm.
He is not on any social media platform, so I don't get to see much of him but that woman is everywhere literally everywhere. Her name is Penelope and she works in his company.
But they seem very close. The way she came and hold his arm was like showing your possession of something. She is definitely more than an employee but if there is something between them than why is he here to participate in the ceremony.
I still thinking about him when my phone rings and its Jo. She is calling me after weeks. I hope everything is fine.
"Hello, is everything okay Jo".
"Yes, do you think I will only call you when I'm in trouble?"
"No, no I didn't mean that. Actually you were avoiding me for a while, that's why I asked".
"Let's meet for a dinner, all of us I want to say something".
"Great, why not".
Crap! I should have said no I really don't want to see Amelia.
* * * * *
"Mom, I'll be going out for dinner with my friends", I inform my mother while pouring a cup of coffee for me.
"Anything special" asks Mom.
"Not really, we haven't hang out since we finished school".
"Okay, have a lot of fun".
"How's Dad, still busy with the Packs?"
"Yes, he is quite busy these days. Its not every day that the Blood Moon's Alpha arrives at your Territory with his pack members and other important Packs too. There so much work everyone is very busy".
"You know what Mom, I find this Ceremony very stupid and even offensive. I mean have we got no choices, don't we have feelings. Its. very disrespectful the way males choose their mates by chasing them like a prey".
"It is what it is and it has been like this for thousand of years, you better forget about it and focus on your self. By the way what about Gabriel did you like him?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Maybe if there is someone with whom you're future is safe no matter what happens".
"That means I need someone more powerful than Gabriel. What if I actually get someone more powerful than him then what? I mean can I have that option".
"Oh Moon Goddess", Mom gets into fits of laughter "its not that easy love, we are talking about a Pack alliance but if you get someone better, you'll have my full support. But you know Jane, that there are only two people more powerful than him.
"Yes I do, anyway if I got late don't be mad at me."
"You do remember you are still 17, right".
"Not for long, I'll be 18 in 5 days".
"Fine but don't be too late and take care of yourself, remember that we have too many unmated wolves in our territory, our safety should be our priority".
"Okay Mom, I got it".
* * * * *
I wear a black high necked crop top with high waisted tight jeans and high heels. I tie my hair in a high ponytail and curl the ends into perfect waves. As usual I wear minimum make up.
As I'm leaving my home I come across my Dad, who is also going for a dinner.
"Where is your dinner?" Dad asks.
"At The Heights restaurant".
"I'm going there too. Let's go together".
"Okay".
We get in the backseat of the car. "Hope you liked Gabriel" Dad says. "He is a good boy and you will be safe with him, you know right".
I wish I could shift so no one would need to be that concern with my safety but some things are not in our hands.
"I know Dad. Actually Dad I was thinking if we could postpone my engagement. I mean if that's okay and no one have a problem with it. I would like to get engaged after the Claiming Ceremony. We have got our hands full already I dont want the Pack to have other problems".
"I also thought about it and I will talk to the Bluemoon about this but as I have not said yes yet to their proposal, it's not happening anytime soon any way".
"You haven't said yes yet! I mean like really or you're just saying it to make me happy?"
"Really I haven't I want you to enjoy the Ceremony like any single she-wolf and if you find someone, I'll be more than happy for you."
"Oh Moon Goddess! thank you so much Dad! I love you " I literally suffocated my Dad with that hug but I'm so happy to hear this I think of telling him about the Blood Moon's Alpha but as he seemed very cold to me I don't wanna talk about him now.
"So I'm super single, right".
"Yep as single as some one can be".
"I love you so much Dad".
"I love you too, my life".
We reach the restaurant and the vallet opens the doors for us. "Okay, here my love don't get too late and have lots of fun but in a limit okay, don't get too swept away with night. I will left a car for you to get home, got it".
"Definitely got it".
Dad leaves for the second floor where has reservations are and start walking towards my friend. As I'm walking towards them I bump into a hard chest because as usual I was bot looking in front of me. When I turn to look at the jerk I just bumped into. Its him my mate. Who is looking at me with a complete surprise.
As I keep staring at him, he clears his throat and gets my attention. "Hi", f**k his voice is just amazing. I keep staring at him, he is just attracting me I can't help it. "How are you", "Fine um Good, Actually great and you".
That was a stupid response. "Very well, thanks for asking. Are you here with your father?"
"No, I'm here with my friends and you?"
"I'm here for a business meeting".
"Oh, best of luck".
"Thank you".
"Actually I was thinking if we could meet for a lunch". I would love too. Am I not suppose to be the one inviting him as its my territory. I think before answering him.
"Why not, when?"
"Tomorrow"
"Fine with me".
"See you tomorrow then" he takes a step forward and lean towards me then whispers in my ear "by the way you're looking very beautiful" and thats it my heart starts throbbing again and he leaves.
Crap! this man is definitely driving me carzy.
All of my friends are there we chat and eat. Amelia and I doesn't talk much I still can't forget what she told me. Ray is super enthusiastic about shifting with her mate after the Ceremony and we find out that Jo is having the finding-my-mate symptoms. Another one seriously!
We had a lot of fun. The dinner was completely worth it.
* * * * *
"You came early last night, early than I expected" Mom says while bring a gown to my room.
"We had our dinner and chats and by the way what's with this gown" I get up to touch it the fabric is just amazing amd color too I love black and grey.
"It's for tonights dinner. A dinner organized by our Pack for all the guest and you will be wearing this".
"Okay, and I'm going out for the lunch".
"Fine but the dinner is a big affair so be on time okay".
"Fine".
I wear a white dress for the lunch and as I reach the restaurant. he is already there. The while place is full with people, he choose a quite spot in the corner thankfully.
"Hi".
"Hi", he gets up and kiss me on the cheek sending sparks all over my body. Goddess that was so unexpected.
As we sit down he ask me about my family the formality. "We are mates. I know you know it because like me you felt it too. I heard about your alliance woth the Bluemoon. I wanted to ask you if that's true or just a rumour. Actually I know that's true but what do you want to do now after finding out that we're mates".
Seriously! he just said that so directly. I was not prepared for this kind of conversation.
"The alliance is not made yet and as you already know I'm the part of the alliance. I'm not engaged or promise or whatever it is I'm single. My family wanted to wait for the end of the Ceremony before it there will be no alliances."
"But I heard something completely different. They will press on the engagement to be announced befor the Ceremony."
"Dad will never agree to it".
"You cannot shift right. That's the reason your parents agree to this alliance what if they say they'll walkout of it when you turn 18 and do not shift".
"I dont know" I say irritated why is he having this conversation with me anyway.
"You know the situation of our packs..." the waiter brings the lunch " I don't want to create problems for your pack but I'm not going to let someone marry my mate and if I tell them about our bond. Do you think they will trust me?"
Obviously not they wont trust him. "What do you want me to do"?
"Your pack has already decided the alliance and its completely in their favour. If I directly challenge your match it will create a war among the three packs. So I want you to stand with me in this matter. I will talk to your father and I want you to be present and testify about our bond. We will yry to deal with it peacefully bit I can't do it without your support".
"Why are you so sure that I want to be with you?"
He starts laughing "because we are fated to be with each other and I'm sure you can feel the bond, so why not?"
"Maybe because I can't shift and my bond attraction is not as strong as yours (which is a lie). And you didn't ask me what I want you just told me about what you want".
"okay, then what do you want. You want to be with me or with Bluemoon's Alpha".
"I want to be alone. I want to complete my studies and start my business and I don't want to become someone's Lyna who will need me for the satisfaction of his needs".
He is a little surprised by what I said and then starts smiling. "Okay complete your studies and start your business but I will claim you mine and if you want it to be done peacefully you'll support me. I have a meeting with your father tomorrow and I want you to attend it too."
"Fine, see you tomorrow then".
I leave. Why are all the men so self-obsessed that they don't think about others. He didn't gave a single thought to what I would want but told me what he wants.
As I'm about to leave the restaurant I meet Gabriel.
"Oh, hi beautiful" and he kiss me on the cheek which I hate.
"You're looking hot as usual" I'm 17 you i***t atleast stop sexualizing me for the sake of my age.
"What were you doing here? Anyway I can't believe its finally gonna happen. You and me, you know the moment I saw you in London I knew you're mine and..." he leans forward and start whispering "I can't stop my hands from exploring your body" and send me a wink "I have a meeting here, see you at tonight's dinner".
I'm standing there shocked what a p*****t he is. I'm definitely not gonna marry him the first one was far better than him. Oh! I wish I will be left alone and away from all these men.