Chapter 4 Mate!

In a moment of sheer delight, a magnificent rainbow cake adorned with two flickering candles made its grand entrance onto the stage, carried by Karen's mother, Helena.

The cake was a work of art, with Karen's name elegantly scripted on top and a miniature edible image of herself smiling back at her. Karen's eyes widened in amazement, a delighted laugh bubbling from her lips at the sight before her.

"Wow, this is both creative and hilarious! Is that me on the cake, standing right there?" Karen chuckled in disbelief, her heart brimming with joy at the thoughtfulness and imagination put into the surprise.

As the crowd of friends and family members gathered around her, a collective countdown began, building up to an exhilarating moment of unity. With each beat of her heart, Karen felt the love and camaraderie in the room, knowing she was surrounded by those who cherished her dearly.

On the count of "three," Karen gripped the ribboned knife in her hand, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she plunged it gracefully into the cake, slicing through the layers with precision and delight.

Amidst the flurry of presents and well-wishes, Karen found herself lavished with attention, yet a nagging worry lingered: she hadn't caught a scent of her mate throughout the party.

As Karen watched the swirling couples on the dance floor, a twinge of jealousy clawed its way into her heart. She felt a palpable sense of isolation at her own party, lacking a partner for the dance. When a waiter approached with a drink, she accepted it reluctantly before finding solace in the company of a group of girls nearby. Their chatter piqued Karen's interest, particularly when they mentioned a famous individual.

"Have you heard? He just purchased a villa worth two hundred million dollars," one of the girls hyped.

"Wow, that's a whole lot of money! Whoever snags this guy as a mate is incredibly lucky," another remarked, her eyes sparkling with romantic fervor.

"I wonder, has he found a mate?" the first girl pondered, attempting to cut her chicken.

Before they could delve further into the topic, their conversation halted as they noticed Karen, who had been quietly eavesdropping.

"You're the birthday girl, right?" a blonde girl asked, her face alight with excitement.

"Yes, I'm Karen," she replied politely.

"Oh my gosh! You're the strongest she-wolf everyone's been buzzing about," the blonde girl exclaimed, turning to her companions who were now equally intrigued.

"Do you mind if I ask, who's this famous guy you're discussing?" Karen inquired, her interest unwavering.

"You mean you haven't heard of Damion Creek? He's the alpha of the Golden Paw Pack, the sole heir of the Creek family which is the wealthiest family in these parts," the blonde spilled out, her tone filled with admiration.

Karen's heart swelled with joy at the possibility of meeting the man Charlotte had described as her mate. Suddenly, a pleasant scent drifted into her nostrils and she couldn't resist the urge to follow it. Her wolf, Aria, nudged her forward, urging her to seek out the source of the alluring fragrance. Could this be the fated mate she had long been yearning for?

Without further hesitation, Karen rose from her seat, her mind made up.

"I'll be right back," she announced to the bewildered girls before turning to flash them a grateful smile.

With a quick adjustment of her flowing red gown, she set off purposefully, her steps steady and purposeful. Breaking through the crowd, Karen continued to follow her instincts until she arrived at the grand hallway. There, a burly figure stood separately in a distance, his back turned away from her as he engaged in a conversation on a mind-link.

'Stand in my stead. I'll be back before sunrise'

He severed the connection to his mind-link as a prickling sensation hinted at a presence behind him. Slowly turning, his luscious golden curls danced in the night's chilly air, framing his striking features like a model on a pin-up.

Dressed in a sleek black suit against a crisp white shirt and impeccably shiny leather shoes, he exuded an air of elegance that was hard to ignore. Karen couldn't help but notice the chisel shape of his face and the strength in his broad shoulders, yet it was his eyes that captivated her the most. Twin pools of shimmering gold that held a magnetic pull which drew her in like a moth to a flame.

"Hello," Karen managed to squeak out, her voice betraying her awe at the sight before her.

"Yes, how can I help you?" His words cut through the air, tinged with a hint of impatience that caught Karen off guard.

She had expected a warmer reception, a hint of curiosity perhaps, but instead, she was met with a cold indifference.

Undeterred, Karen gathered her composure and pressed on, determined to make her point.

"I'm Karen Adams Van Brunt, the birthday celebrant and you are?" Karen said, her eyes sparkling with delight as she extended her hand towards the man standing before her.

"Damion Creek Alejandro," he replied in an unfriendly tone, his expression guarded as he declined the handshake.

Karen couldn't help but feel a twinge of embarrassment at the cold reception from her supposed mate. However, a flicker of excitement brightened her face upon hearing the name Damion Creek – the very same name the girls had been raving about back in the party hall. Her heart fluttered with happiness, grateful to have such a prominent figure as her life companion.

With a renewed sense of warmth, Karen wasted no time in expressing her feelings to Damion.

"I'm Karen, the birthday celebrant, and your mate! I find it rather surprising that you don't feel the same way," she pouted, moving closer to his side.

"Karen, I don't mean to be harsh," Damion began, his tone cold and distant as he kept his distance from her, leaving Karen looking utterly perplexed.

"I've already marked someone else as my Luna."

Confusion clouded Karen's face as she tried to make sense of his words.

"Hold on a minute. What do you mean by that? Listen, I'm not trying to make up stories..." she trailed off, frustration evident as she ran a hand through her hair, struggling to find the right words.

"The truth is that my wolf scented you. What else could that mean if not that you are my mate, yet you still deny it?" Her words hung in the air, filled with a mix of emotions.

Just as Damion prepared to deliver another dismissive response, his eyes caught sight of someone in the distance, a small smile tugging at the corners of his otherwise stoic face.

"There she is," he remarked, raising an eyebrow and tilting his head slightly, indicating for Karen to turn around.

"Charlotte! Over here, I've been waiting for you, sweetie," he called out, his voice suddenly grew warmer and more inviting.

Karen's heart dipped into the pit of her stomach at the sound of that familiar name. She desperately wished it wasn't true and that her instincts were wrong. As she turned around, her breath caught in her throat, her eyes widened in disbelief at the figure standing before her.

A gasp escaped her lips, and tears welled up, streaming down her cheeks as her body froze in shock.

"No...no...this can't be real." She murmured, staggering backwards as her purse slipped from her trembling hands, crashing to the ground unnoticed.