Elara POV
On the day of the pairing ceremony, I’ve used strong purification salt to scrub away the scent of Mason’s wolf and the temporary mark he left on .
After that night, Mason first texted , asking to explain things, but after two calls, he never reached out again.
The nightly "goodnight" ssages that last for six years co to an abrupt halt that night.
Six years, and all he can give are two phone calls.
Maybe this is for the best.
Mindy cos over every day to comfort , telling that everything will pass and that soone better is waiting for .
"The mating ceremony isn’t as scary as you think," she pushes into the walk-in closet.
"The elders can pair you with soone amazing. The Alpha will be there, and maybe..."
"Joking! Those twins already have their chosen mate, Alice. I want a partner with whom we love each other."
"You see it, don’t you? Alice betrays them. Honestly, Alice hooks up with your boyfriend, and now you should snatch her mate! Then those two idiots will have to call you Luna!"
"Alphas are way out of my league, don’t tease . Just finding a normal mate would be enough!" I shrug, no longer believing in any fairy tales.
I pick a long, black silk off-shoulder dress that shows off my cleavage. Mindy styles my long, auburn hair into a wave of curls down my back, and I finish my outfit with heels and golden jewellery.
I look at myself in the mirror and congratulate myself for looking calm and collected. There are no signs of tears or the excruciating pain that pulses through . Nobody looks at and sees the pathetic girl with a broken heart.
"Oh, Goddess," Mindy gushes as she looks at . "You’re gorgeous."
"So are you," I say, and an it. Her pink dress not only complents her skin; it also reflects her compassionate and bubbly personality. Her blue eyes sparkle, and not a hair is out of place in her pixie-style haircut.
Together, we walk to the car for the short drive to the courtyard where the ceremony will be hosted.
It’s truly ironic. I always look forward to this day, imagining that Mason and I will make eternal vows to each other. Yet now, it has beco the worst day of my life.
I once approach the ceremony with confidence and dreams, but now, all I feel is anxiety and uncertainty.
The closer we get to the courtyard, the more nervous I get. We are going to be paraded in pretty dresses for n to drool over until we are handed out like candy.
And it could be anyone — from a neighbouring pack or guys I go to school with who have also just turned eighteen to old n who can only get it up with the help of a little blue pill.
No one knows how the elders decide who is mated with whom. You just show up, smile and suck it up when your na is called.
The only way out is death. But not for the n. Oh, no, the lucky bastards simply return to the next ceremony and receive a new mate. After all, the purpose is to rebuild the clans after the Great War. So, basically, we she-wolves beco nothing but incubators.
"Last Fall’s mating ceremony results in the birth of seven pups," Mindy whispers excitedly as we enter the courtyard. "And last Spring’s mating ceremony has three pregnancies so far."
"That’s nice," I reply absentmindedly as we join the other she-wolves at the stage. Babies are the last thing on my mind. All I feel is dread and an aching pain where my heart used to be.
That’s when I notice the Alpha twins have arrived. They share the sa striking blue eyes and the most alluring bodies, chosen as the sexiest in all of Constantine.
Kane’s hair is wilder, black curls gleaming under the light. Axel’s deanor is more reserved, his brown hair neatly styled. Their overwhelming Alpha presence has the entire courtyard holding its breath.
Mindy nudges my shoulder, her eyes flicking to their tight, controlled crotches. "Huge, huh?"
Better than Mason. I think to myself silently.
Just then, soone bumps into from behind.
I turn around to see Alice, dressed in a revealing low-cut top, strutting arrogantly past .
"Little mutt," I hear her mutter under her breath. "Tonight, I’ll let you bitch know who the best mate really is."
My fists clench, and I want to shout at her, but just then, the head elder, Anton, takes his place on the stage.
The crowd erupts into a murmur of excitent. That woman—who has been with my ex—walks proudly to join the twins.
Elder Anton lectures on honour, hope, and reproduction, but I am too caught up in my misery to care.
"Elara Montgory!"
My na echoes over the courtyard, and all the she-wolves look at .
"Pay attention," Mindy whispers urgently. "He called your na, get on stage."
Oh, shit. Why do I have to be first?
I take a deep breath and walk onto the stage with wobbly legs.
I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to do this.
The mantra repeats and pulses through as I stand next to elder Anton.
"Elara Montgory," his raspy voice reaches my ears. This is it, my mont of damnation. "It is my pleasure to announce that you have been mated to the Alpha Twins, Kane and Axel."
Wait, what?
I was angry and humiliated when Alice told she and I would be competing tonight, but I never anticipated this.
I ca here to get a mate, and now I have two?!
This is ludicrous. Besides, everyone knows they are both completely head over heels for Alice. Apparently, everyone but the elders who are in charge of the matches.
"You’re joking, right?" I whisper, leaning closer to elder Anton.
"I’m not known for my sense of humour," he hisses, grabbing my forearm roughly, and I grind my teeth to hide my disgust when his bony fingertips dig into my flesh.
"Go," he growls, shoving forward.
My first instinct is to argue, but I bite it back when I rember where I am. Everyone is watching. Defying an elder is not only a death wish; it would also bring sha to my family, and I have a little sister to think about. My actions could easily result in her getting a crappy match when it is her turn.
I swallow my pride and turn to face Alphas Kane and Axel, who are sitting on the other side of the stage.
I do my best to keep my head high as I take slow, steady steps toward them. They stare at with a mixture of pain and anger on their faces, their mouths contorted in snarls. Their wolves shine behind their eyes, glaring at .
Kane’s hand grips the armrest tightly, a flash of gold flickering in his eyes, as if he could snap the wood in half. They look terrifying, and all I want is to run as far away as possible.
I make it across the stage and stand in front of them, bowing my head slightly as I wait for them to speak, to tell what to do. Because... they own now.
Alphas Kane and Axel do not take their eyes off . And I wish I could tell what they are thinking.
Sure, I know they are not happy about this. They want Alice—damn Alice. But am I really that repulsive?
Their negative energy radiates off them toward the crowd, and I can feel more and more people looking at with disdain and disappointnt.
Wow, they surely know how to make a girl feel special and wanted.
"Elder Anton," Alpha Kane stands up, and I bet he is the tallest person I have ever seen. His wolf begins to erge, anger rolling off him in waves. "Clearly, you’ve made a mistake."
"I assure you, we have not, Alpha Kane." Anton lifts his chin, his pointy nose tilted like a pig sniffing for food.
Alpha Kane glares at Elder Anton with disgust, and I gasp in shock when he pushes aside and walks toward Anton. Kane towers over Anton, and he takes a cautious step backwards.
"Sir... Alpha...the choice has been decided," Anton clears his throat. "Once it has been written, it cannot be undone."
"Anything can be undone," Kane growls, clenching his fists.
Wait... undone? What does that an? Will I be tossed back into the pool of she-wolves and be assigned to a new mate?
This sucks. I cross my arms and bite my quivering bottom lip to stop the tears.
Abandoned twice in a week.
I have never felt so unloved and undesired as at this mont.
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