The Rejected Link

I looked at myself in the reflection of my mirror. My chest swelled with excitement, and I couldn't help but smoothen down my dress as a wave of nervousness washed over me.

"Okay, you got this!" I assured myself. One hour left until my twentieth birthday, the day I get to know my mate.

"Little shine, it's almost time" Mother called from the living room in a calm voice.

I walked out of my room and headed to the living room where she was, each step I took heavy on the floorboards.

"Hi, Mother," I say once I get to her. She stood with her back to me at the dinner table, and she turned to face me with a smile on her face.

"It will all work out!" She assured, sounding almost like it was for her, not me.

"What if it doesn't, w-what if it turns out like last time?" I asked, looking down at my feet with apprehension.

"Little shine, I have told you many times that you will feel your wolf. The moon goddess has a reason for everything," she says, a small smile playing on her lips. Her eyes were soft but I could see the worry far beyond that.

"What reason does she have for keeping my wolf dormant? I am the only person mom, the only one in this pack without a wolf!" I say, feeling my heart break.

Everyone makes fun of me for that, they whisper, behind my back. Some were bold enough to spill their vile words to my face. I got used to hearing them but that doesn't stop the pain.

That changes today, because I will get my mate. The perfect person that was designed by the moon goddess for me.

My person.

"I need to go, Mother. Will you be joining me?" I say to her silently praying she would. I don't want to do this alone.

"No little shine, today is very special. It is something you need to do alone" She said as she held my hands in hers. She squeezed it lovingly. "I will await you here for the good news".

I kiss her on her cheek and walk out the door. I felt nervous and scared but carried myself along.

Walking the lonely path that led to my house, I am met halfway with Clarisse.

"Ruthni!" She screams running towards me, excitement emitting from her.

"You might be more excited than I am," I tell her as she wraps her hands around me.

I'm grateful for a lot of things and one of them is Clarisse, she has been a good friend to me. My only friend. She was there with me while I wallowed in self-pity about not feeling my wolf. And here she is again, being there for me on this special day.

We arrive at the moonstone just in the center of the pack. The spot where the moon goddess blesses you with the scent of your fated person.

I situate myself right in front of it and wait patiently. My heart beats loudly in my chest threatening to break free. My nervousness spikes up, and my hands begin to sweat. My senses are heightened, and I can feel every movement around me, including Clarisse, who stays far away but close enough.

The time arrives, and the skies above clear up to announce its presence. The atmosphere changes and a chilly feeling fills me. There wasn't a sound heard; everything was standing still.

I sniff the air. Nothing!

I wait a while and try again, harder this time inhaling the night's air and holding my breath before releasing.

Still nothing.

My body tenses and quivers as I feel waves of pain surge through me. I can feel the burn at the back of my eyes as tears swell up and threaten to spill.

"I can't smell him," I say, barely above a whisper.

The realization hit like a punch to the chest, stealing my breath. I feel the constraints of my heart tightening, it physically aches, and I fall to my knees, clutching my chest with my hands.

It hurts.

I let out a loud cry, and I'm sobbing; the tears spill out in multitudes, and I do not attempt to stop them. Clarisse rushes to me and holds my back trying to comfort me.

I don't need to tell her what just happened; she says words to me, but I can't register them as the last few minutes replay over and over in my head.

No scent.

I can't smell my mate.

******

I jolt up suddenly, and I'm staring at my reflection; it takes a minute to realize where I am.

My eyes feel heavy and dry.

Slowly, I get down from the bed and make my way out of the room; I hear voices coming from the kitchen. I see Clarisse first and as if on cue, she turns in my direction.

How did she always do that?

"Hey Ruthni, how do you feel now?" She asks as I get closer.

I don't answer. I should have but I don't.

I watched her silently; her eyes held so many emotions. Sadness, pity, and something else I couldn't place my mind on.

I knew she brought me home, but did I want to be here?

Why me?

The moon goddess decided to expunge me completely. First, I don't feel my wolf, and now I can't smell my mate.

The pain of the memory courses through me, and the tears threaten to build, but I hold them back.

I refuse to accept this.

I need to do something. Anything.

I turned around, paying no mind to my mother, who calmly watched me; she always knew when something was wrong.

Explaining how I felt was never of concern because she always knew. I twist the handle of the door and step out.

My feet carry me along the deserted path. I'm stuck with the wind and my wandering thoughts.

Why can't I just be like everyone else?

Why would the moon goddess do this to me?

Only me!

They occupy my mind in multiples and only when I'm face to face with an alpha do they disperse.

"What do you need?" He asks, using his body as a shield between me and the door.

An alpha is easy to spot; their heavy bodies, the confidence they exude, their ever-brooding aura, and their authoritative voice are always easy to pick up on.

"I need to speak with Alpha Hert!" I respond looking him squarely in the eye.

I had come all this way and I wasn't going to leave without some answers.

I have never been to the packhouse before. The home of the head Alpha.

The Alpha is supposed to be the wisest man in the pack, one of the qualities he needs to possess before becoming Alpha.

If anyone was going to have some answers for me, it was him.

The Alpha at the door watches with a stern face, his features contorting to appear tough. I stand my ground, matching his stance, but the sweatdrop rolling down my face becomes an indication of my inner turmoil.

He quietly steps aside for me to enter. I release a breath I don't know I was holding.

The moment my feet cross the threshold of the packhouse, I feel my pulse quicken.

The hair on the back of my neck stands and the air shifts. I hear a muffled voice, but as I scan the room, I realize I'm the only one standing in the main room. The guard alpha had long gone to fetch the head Alpha.

And then I hear it as clear as day, the voice sharp but calm.

"Mate".