ELAINE'S POV:
I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out my dress for what felt like the hundredth time. Tonight was the mating ball ceremony, and I was bursting with anticipation. At 20, I was finally old enough to attend, and I couldn't wait to find my mate.
Living with Dad, Stepmom, and Hailey, my step sister , hadn't been easy. They made it clear I was a burden, and I longed for a place of my own, with someone who truly cared for me.
As I descended the stairs, Dad's eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of pride. "You look beautiful, Elaine," he said, offering his arm.
My Stepmom and Stepsister, Hailey, exchanged a look, but I ignored them. Tonight was about finding my mate and starting a new chapter.
The ceremony was about to begin. The music started, and the room filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. I took a deep breath, my heart racing with excitement. This was it , my chance to find my mate and change my life forever.
As I tried to blend into the crowd, the whispers and scornful stares pierced through me like daggers. "What are you doing here, Elaine?" a girl sneered, her voice dripping with malice. Before I could respond, she continued, " Who would want a cursed girl for a mate?"
Her friends joined in, their mocking laughter drawing attention to me that as I tried moving, the crowd parted. I felt like shrinking away, hiding from the shame and ridicule.
My name is Elaine, and I'm a cursed girl. Imagine someone with no part of their body. That was what I am except all part of my body are intact. However, the problem was I have not shifted to my wolf. I'm a werewolf without a wolf. Everyone expected to shift by age six, or at the latest, fifteen. But I'm twenty, and I've never shifted. It's a curse, a constant reminder that I'm different, that I'm not like everyone else.
The pain and humiliation burned within me, but I stood tall, trying to hold my head high despite the cruel words. I knew I didn't belong here, but I had to try. Maybe the moon goddess will see what I have suffered and let me have my mate.
As the ceremony progressed, I tried to push aside the hurtful words and focus on finding my mate. The music and laughter swirled around me, but I felt like an outsider. I scanned the room, hoping to catch someone's eye, anyone who might see past my flaws.
But every time I thought I caught a glimpse of interest, they'd look away, their eyes filled with pity or disdain. I felt like a ghost, invisible and insignificant.
The air was electric with anticipation as the alpha's voice boomed through the room, announcing the start of the mate-bonding ritual. The music swelled, and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air, symbolizing the union of two souls. Couples began to pair up, their eyes locking in a deep connection that seemed to spark the very air around them.
I watched, my heart aching with longing, as couple after couple found their match. The way they looked at each other, the way their eyes seemed to shine with a newfound connection – it was like witnessing magic.
And then, I felt a presence behind me. I turned, and our eyes met. Lucas, the alpha's son, stood before me, his piercing gaze seeming to see right through me. For a moment, time stood still. The music, the laughter, the whispers – everything faded into the background as our eyes locked. The scent of apple cider wafted through the air and it immediately became my favorite scent.
But instead of the warmth and acceptance I'd dreamed of, Lucas's expression turned cold. "You?" he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're...my mate?"
The crowd seemed to hold its breath, waiting for my response. I nodded, my heart heavy with fear.
"Elaine, you're different," Lucas said, his voice laced with frustration. "You haven't shifted yet. What kind of wolf are you?"
I took a deep breath, trying to explain. "Lucas. I just need time......"
"Time?" Lucas's expression turned cold. "What a sick joke"
My heart sank as Lucas's eyes seemed to bore into my soul. I knew what was coming.
"I reject you, Elaine of the Moon Pack," Lucas declared, his voice booming through the gathering. "Let it be known to all, that the mate bond between us is broken."
The pack's murmurs turned to gasps and whispers. I felt my world shatter.Rejected. By my mate. In front of everyone.
I didn't care about my dignity as I sank down on my knees, tears streaming down my face as I shakily pleaded. " Please Lucas. Don't do this. I will do anything you ask. Just please".
It seems my pleading seemed to infuriates him more as he turned to me glaring at me, and as I said before, I didn't care about my dignity because even though his eyes were filled with hatred, I enjoyed that his stares were on me.
Maybe just maybe.......I could have a chance .
But that hope was dashed when Hailey, my step sister walked towards Lucas in her pretty blue ball gown and wrapped her arms around his waist. The audacity left me in shock. She smirked at me as she caught my stare and as if that was not enough for my broken heart, Lucas voice cut through the chaos building in my chest.
" This is my chosen mate". His arms wrapped around her body as he showcased Hailey to the pack.
That should have been me. I should have been the one by his side.
I brought down my head in shame trying to protect myself from the stares. This could not be happening to me. What wrong have I done to deserve this ? Probably because I wished for a mate. A cursed girl like me should not have hoped for that.
"That's enough". Lucas' dad chimed in. " Lucas, you should try showing some regards to your fated mate".
Lucas' words were a cold dismissal
"She's not my mate".