Goddess of the Moon: The Challenging

VIOLET POV I fix my eyes to the ground, forcing a smile as I clap my hands together. I feel sick to my stomach. He’s smiling lovingly into her eyes… the same way he used to look at me. My heart aches and tears threaten to spill over. My best friends. I can feel the betrayal like a knife to my back. They didn’t choose this, the more rational part of my brain reasons with me—the jealous, heartbroken part of my brain is devastated and angry. I search for an exit, unable to pretend to be happy for them any longer. I find my escape in a busboy, making my break for it as I hide behind his cart, leaving behind my boyfriend of five years as he clings to the girl I’ve been best friends with my entire life. *****4 YEARS LATER***** I try to roll over in bed but something is holding me down. I fight for a moment before I realize it’s an arm. Zane’s arm. I cringe and carefully extract myself from him, sneaking quietly around his room to gather my clothes from the floor. I tip toe my way out and then quickly exit his pack apartment, making the oh so great walk of shame home at 2AM. He’ll find me in the morning and ask me where I went, per usual. I’ll tell him the same thing as I always do—I prefer to sleep in my own bed. It’s not a lie. It’s not the whole truth either, but at least it’s not a lie. Zane is great. But he’s not mine. My man, the man that I’ve loved my entire teenage years, is in bed with my best friend. It’s been four years since my boyfriend mated with my best friend on his 18th birthday, and here I am at 22 years old still hurt about it, avoiding them both, and sleeping with his best friend, and Beta. Jordan Ellis, Alpha of the Blue Stone pack. My one and only ex boyfriend. He’s everything I ever wanted, and since my dad was his father’s beta, we always knew that we would be mated to each other… and then that one single night turned everything upside down. The man I was so deeply in love with, and who loved me the same, suddenly forgot that I ever existed. It makes no sense why I sleep with Zane. Jordan doesn’t even think about me anymore, but part of me hopes that he’s at least annoyed that the girl he used to love is f*****g his best friend. I walk down the dark street, rubbing my arms in the autumn breeze. I should’ve worn a coat. But then no one would’ve seen the tight, slutty black dress I’m wearing. My phone buzzes in my bag and I pull it out and press it to my ear. I already know who it is. “Yeah?” I sigh. “Zane? Again? You need higher standards,” Monica tells me. Monica is the girl who replaced Fallon—my soon-to-be Luna and ex-best friend. I repress another sign. “I know,” I tell her honestly. “I’m not kidding, Vi. He’s a low-life. When you find your mate, he’s going to be pissed that you slept around so much.” Monica is a prude. She’s one of the only she-wolves left that believes in saving yourself for your mate. Every year fewer of us are finding our true mates, so why wait for something that may never happen? “I don’t think I have a mate, Monica. So there’s no one to disappoint.” “That’s not true, Violet Devereaux! After what happened to you, I know that the Moon Goddess has someone amazing in store for you.” I don’t respond to her, so she continues. “Come over to my parent’s house so you’re not alone. I’ll order a pizza and we can both wallow in the fact that we haven’t found our mates and drink until we pass out.” “I’m already on my way,” I tell her. When her front door swings open, I find a very frazzled Monica on the other side. “I just got off the phone with Layla Thomas! She said that Fallon just informed her that the Alpha King and mate are coming tomorrow!” I make a face—not the one she was expecting. “What for?” I ask dismissively. “What could he possibly expect from Blue Stone?” “There’s a war going on. He’s stopping here for a few days with some of his men looking for recruits.” “What war?” I demand, pushing past her into the house. “Do you not pay attention to current events at all?” She huffs. “There’s a huge group of rogues up North that are tired of the hierarchy—they want to take over and get rid of the King.” “Does he really do anything anyway?” I ask as I fall into her large comfy couch, already feeling the tiredness seep into my bones. “It’s really just a title at this point, right? So what does it matter? Just let him keep his fancy crown.” Monica gasps, clearly appalled. “It’s history, Vi! It’s more than a title, it’s power! Do you really think just anyone can be King?” “I don’t know,” I groan, throwing my arm over my eyes. “I didn’t come here for a history lesson, I thought we were pigging out and drinking until we crash?” She sighs and falls next to me. “You’re right. I know my beliefs are a little outdated. He really is more powerful than I normal wolf, though. That I will always believe. Too bad he has a mate. I bet he’s scrumptious.” I hum my response and she looks over at me, her wide eyes full of concern. “The Moon Goddess really did a number on you. She’s never wrong, though. I just know she has someone amazing set apart for you. I just know it.”