The Rebuffed Luna

I was at the backyard looking at the stars. It was midnight and I couldn't sleep. Tomorrow is my eighteen birthday and I was so excited. By tomorrow I will know who my mate is and we will do the mating ritual.

Although, I already know who my mate is, I am sure it is the Crane. We have been friends for a long time and we fell in love. It was a dream come true. I have had a crush on Crane since I was 12 but I never had the courage to tell him about it.

It was just recently he told me about his love for me and we started courting. I am an orphan so there were no parents to stop us and his parents didn't mind. We were the talk of the whole pack.

Crane was the brother of the alpha and were considered as royalty. I will be treated as a luna. It didn't really matter to me if I was the luna or not, all that mattered was that Crane loves me and I love him deeply.

I am certain he is my mate. I went to bed with his picture in my arms. I just knew that tomorrow will be a good day; or so I thought.

I woke up quite happy in the morning, knowing it was finally my birthday.

Being an orphan and probably pack less, my birthday will not be celebrated by anyone. That has been my shame all my life. I didn't know who my parents are or if they were alive or dead. That is why all the she-wolves bullied me and did awful things to me.

But Crane always came to my rescue. We always had this bound, I couldn't explain it. I didn't know if it was the mate bound or not but we were clearly drawn to each other. I didn't know how they mating thing work but I will know today.

"Amelia, get down here and clean!!" I heard from downstairs. Since I was pack less, I has to work for the Alpha's family. They found me so I work for them. I went down stairs ready to clean and do any chore necessary. From what I read from books, at midnight of your 18th birthday, when you stand under the moon, the moon goddess will tell you who your mate is. I just couldn't wait for midnight.

The day didn't really fly like I expected. I worked like I had to and waited till midnight. When midnight came, I went out to the woods like every other newly turned 18-year-old. I was so nervous. What if it is not Crane? What will I do? If it is not Crane, he will surely reject and I will never be able to transform. Different pack comes with different traditions. For this pack, you will not be able to transform as a she-wolf without a mate.

It got to my turn and I stepped forward, under the moon light. I could hear them whispering and chuckling; mostly laughing at me because I will be foolish to look for a mate. "a maid of the crescent moon pack wants to find a mate? Hilarious!

I stepped under the moon light and I saw the bound tied to someone. The beta stepped forward and thankfully, it was Crane. I smiled. I was so happy. I was worried that I will be paired with someone who will not want me but thankfully it was my first love.

"I, Amelia is chosen by the moon goddess to by beta Crane's mate." I said with an eager voice. Finally, everything will be okay. I will no longer be treated like dirt and I will be protected by my love, I thought. but everything took an unexpected turn.

"I Crane Crescent, reject you as my mate." Crane said looking me in the eye. The bound immediately broke.

I was speechless and confused. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't hear anything but those eight words. He looked at me. He didn't move. I didn't know if it was pity or concern in his eyes.

I saw him leave. I didn't know if I should chase after him. I tried stopping him but I couldn't move. When I finally got myself, I saw them laughing at me. I covered my eyes.

I didn't want to hear it. I was use to their laughter but this one was different. It was like they were telling me I made a fool of myself, like why will I think the alpha's brother will accept me.

I ran as fast as I could away from the ground.

I didn't know exactly what I felt. Was it anger? Because he rejected me, or was it pain? Because I loved him so much, or maybe it is the bound, giving that I was rejected and I haven't accepted his rejection. All I knew was that my chest hurt really bad.

I went back to the house and went to look for Crane. I wanted an explanation. I didn't believe all those she-wolves when they said that Crane was just using me. I knew there was an explanation for what he did. I knew that he loved me. Maybe he was just sacred of the mating ritual.

I searched round the house and I couldn't find him. I even went to his room even though I am not allowed to and looked for him but he was not there. I figured that he wanted to be alone and think. There was still time to renew our bound because I haven't rejected him and I will never do that. I love him, and I know he loves me too.

I went back to my room in the servants' quarters and there he was, standing with his back towards me. He was looking out the window. I ran and hugged him from behind. He turned around and pushed me away.

"Don't touch me!" he said in a harsh voice. I was shocked but I held myself together.

"What happened out there?" I asked with tears in my eyes

"What do you think happened?" he threw the question back at me.

"I am confused. I don't understand." I spoke. "We were paired by the moon goddess. We are supposed to be mates. Is that not what you wanted?" I asked. Was it not what he wanted?

"Well, the moon goddess made I mistake. I can never be a mate to a pack less girl." He said to me.

I was shocked. "I thought you loved me? You said it didn't matter!" I raised my voice.

"Well, it does!" he yelled at me. He held the bridge of his nose and exhaled. "Do you think this is about love Amelia? Let us say I love you; do you think we will be able to mate? What will I gain from you in the mating ritual?" he asked me.

I was right. What will he gain from a pack less orphan like me. I was a fool to think our love was enough; to think my love was enough. I wiped my tears and inhaled deeply.

"I Amelia, accept your rejection beta Crane." A drop od tear ran down my eye. The pain in my chest left instantly. I guess it was the bound after all. I felt he wanted to say something but he held back. He just stormed out and shut the door.

And with that, the dam was broken. I cried my heart out. I didn't even know what to think or what to do. I didn't even know how I would face the world. This was my fate now.

It has been three months now since all this happened and Crane and I have barely met eyes talk more of speaking. I didn't want to speak to him. There was nothing to say. He never loved me I was a very big fool.

A party was held and all wolves around the states were coming. Alphas. Beta and she-wolves. The alpha of our pack was having his mating ritual with his mate Lydia so it was a big thing. I was cleaning the floor of the hall when someone poured water on the floor.

I looked up and it was Lydia. I didn't even know what the alpha saw in her. She is so rude and cruel.

"You were dreaming of becoming a luna but you ended up back where you belong. You will always be the maid." She laughed and left. I wasn't really bothered. That is how she is.

Always trying to get on my nerves. Then I used to get angry but now I don't feel anything.

I finished cleaning the hall alone and was going through the hall way when I heard some people quarrelling in the room.

The door was a little open so I couldn't help but eavesdrop. I heard Crane's voice in inside.

"I don't understand what you are doing brother. You do understand that it is important for you to do this ritual." Crane said. It looks like he was arguing with the alpha.

"I know it is but it is also important that we take over that pack. We will be the most feared pack in the whole country." The alpha said.

"Eliot, if you do this Lydia will never forgive you. She will be your luna for Christ's sake." I heard Crane from inside.

"It doesn't matter. She will not be able to leave me as far as we are married." He said without concern.

"This is the same thing you wanted to do to Amelia. You took her away from her pack and wanted me to mate with her so that you can go back and take over her pack." He blurted out. I could hear anger in his voice.

I grasped. What did he just say? What did he mean by that?

"Who is there?" I heard alpha say. I covered my mouth and hid immediately. Someone opened the door and after sometime the got shut.

I ran as fast as I could to my room. What did he say? That they stole me. So, I am not an orphan? I didn't know how I was supposed to take this news. The thought of having a family out there made me happy and angry at the same time happy that I will finally have a family and I have people who will support me and not treat me like shit but I was angry at the fact that they were not here.

Didn't they care to look for me? Or do they think I am dead. I was also angry at Crane and his brother. Why did they take me? Am I special? All I knew was that I wanted to know and I will do everything in my power to know that truth and put these people where they deserve. That I promised myself.

Karla walked into the room. she was my roommate. She looked at me concerned. I didn't allow her ask any question.

"Karla, I need your help." I told her.

"What do you need?" she asked

"I need a dress and a mask. I will attend the party."

It evening and the engagement party starts in three hours. Most people go into the mating ritual immediately but this alpha wanted a big engagement party to show that he is wealthy or they want to hide the fact that they want to take over the future Luna's pack. Honestly speaking, Lydia deserved it.

It is meant to be a three-day event. It starts with an introductory dinner. Only alphas and their Lunas will attend the dinner. It is very private and only specific maid can serve. Thankfully, I wasn't chosen to serve at the dinner. Then the ball where everyone will be in attendance.

They even gave us uniforms for the first time. From what I heard from other maids that have stayed longer, it is a very beautiful and big party and they will be a lot of beautiful and handsome she-wolves and betas there. The alpha wanted a masquerade party for his engagement he says he wants to create some kind of suspense.

Then the wedding and the next day is the mating ritual. The mating ritual binds wolves together and makes them stronger. That is why the mating ritual is the most important and why she-wolves go for strong and gifted wolves.

My plan is to find my real pack, at any cost and that is why I am attending the party. I waited for Karla. I knew she will find a way. The dinner was almost over and I have not heard or seen Karla. I told her exactly what I wanted and I know she will get it for me at any cost necessary.

I was pacing round the room waiting for her. It was almost time for the party and I was already losing hope. Just when I was about to leave the room and go look for her, she entered the room with something wrapped in a black cloth and shoes.

I was honestly relived

"What took you so long?" I asked her.

"I had to serve at the dinner and you know that." She answered and shut the door. "Crane asked of you." She informed me.

"And what did you tell him?"

"That you were sick in bed and couldn't heal." She told me. Wolves that can't transform take more time to heal.

"Did you get the dress?"

"Yes." She spoke. She unwrapped the black cloth and brought out a black lace dress with a black mask.

"This will be enough to do the job. I went through great lengths to get it." She said and raised the dress to my eye view.

The dress was really nice. It didn't show much but at the same time it gave a kind of seductive vibe to it. It had a little V-neck line which I am sure will expose a little bit of clearage and a deep high slit. I was sure it was going to steal the show.

"Thank you, Karla." I told her sincerely.

"It is nothing. Here is an invitation." She said and gave me the invitation card to the party, "stole it room one of the rooms. Since I told Crane you are sick, I will be taking your place. Good luck." She said and left the room.

I put the dress close to my chest and looked at my self through the broken mirror in our room. I knew I had to do this. It was the only way I could get answers and stop Crane and his brother from getting more power.

I made sure to take a good sure and I stole Lydia's makeup beforehand. I didn't do the type of makeup that Lydia always does, I did something mild that only enhanced my features. I finally wore the dress and Karla really out did herself.

She really knew what fit me and what didn't. the dress looked amazing on me. I wore the mask. it was showtime!