Ravens of the Mist: Rejection to Salvation
Chapter 3: Kindness
I’m in the kitchen, helping my mom with dinner. Adalind and I are both trying to put on brave faces, but I know we’re both hurting inside.
“Mom,” I say, “how can anyone even think about rejecting their true mate?”
We’re both grappling with the reality of rejection. It’s not easy. Tonight, Jacob is going to officially mate with someone else.
My mom pauses in her cooking to look at me. “Why do you ask, sweetheart?”
I shrug. “I heard some stories while I was away. Just got me thinking.”
I just lied to my mom.
I haven’t told my family the truth about Jacob. Adalind and I are trying to stay strong, but deep down, we’re scared about tonight and what’s to come.
Adalind is having an even harder time dealing with it. All she ever wanted was to find her mate.
My mom studies me, as if she knows I’m not telling the truth. Am I that transparent? Can she read me like a book?
“No, you’re not. You were careful.” Adalind reassures me.
I breathe a sigh of relief when my mom turns her attention back to the stove.
“According to legend,” she says, “the Moon Goddess had a brother who tricked werewolves into rejecting their mates. He wanted his sister to feel the same pain he felt when she left him for the moon.”
I’ve heard this story before. It’s a tale parents tell to scare their kids. More superstition than fairytale.
“Why are we talking about the boogeyman? Isn’t she a bit old for fairytales?” my dad asks, walking into the kitchen. He goes over to my mom and kisses her forehead.
“A kind of affection we’ll never get from our mates.” Adalind’s voice is filled with pain.
I hand my mom the carrots I’ve just chopped. “I was just asking Mom why anyone would reject their true mate.”
My dad looks at me, his eyes narrowing. “Why? Do you know someone who’s been rejected?” There’s a hint of anger in his voice.
“No! I was just curious. I heard some stories while I was away.” I repeat the same lie I told my mom. I don’t want them to get suspicious.
“Anyone who does that should be ashamed. The Moon Goddess pairs us for a reason. No one should go against her decision!” my dad says, his voice filled with anger.
My mom gently rubs my dad’s arm, calming him down. He sighs, and the tension leaves his body. He pulls her into his arms, pressing his nose into the crook of her neck.
Pulling away from my mom, he says, “Let’s drop that subject. We’re going to eat, and then we’re going to the mating ceremony. Our future Alpha will introduce us to the future Luna of the pack.”
“I wonder who she is?” I say.
“Who the fuck cares who that bitch is!”
My dad looks at me. “You’re growing up, Aurora. You should be focusing on finding your mate, not asking questions like that.”
That hurts!
I sigh, trying to change the subject. “I’m not feeling well. I think I’m going to skip it.”
My dad turns to me so quickly I almost lose my balance. “You are the Beta’s daughter. Don’t you dare embarrass me. End of discussion.”
I look to my mom for support, but as always, she sides with my dad.
“I don’t know if I can handle this,” Adalind says, her voice filled with desperation.
“I know, babe, but I don’t think we have a choice,” I reply.
***
As I follow my parents to the ceremony, Jona falls into step beside me. “Hey, Aurora. How was it seeing your parents?”
I smile at him. “Good evening, Jona. How have you been?”
“I should be asking you that. Especially after how my brother treated you.”
I grab his arm to stop him from saying anything else. “You know?” I glance around nervously. “Did you tell anyone?”
Jona takes my hand in his. “Of course not. I thought you would.”
I shake my head quickly. “I can’t. I’m not…”
My stomach flips as I feel him move closer to me.
“Get your fucking hands off her!” Jacob’s voice cuts through the air as he appears out of nowhere.
I quickly let go of Jona’s hand, looking around to make sure no one saw us.
“Be careful,” Adalind warns me.
I turn just in time to see Jacob reaching out to touch me. I step back before he can.
“Brother, shouldn’t you be getting ready for your mating ceremony?” Jona asks, glancing between me and Jacob. “I’m sure you’re eager to make it official.”
“Whatever!” Jacob snaps, storming off.
This is the second time he’s done this to us. Once Jacob is out of sight, I reach out to Jona for support. He lets me lean on him.
“Why couldn’t he have been our mate? He’s so kind.” Adalind’s voice is filled with longing.
“Come on, Aurora. We need to go too. Don’t worry, I won’t leave your side.”
I nod, following Jona. The pack is already gathered around the stage. I scan the crowd for my parents.
My dad looks at me, disappointment in his eyes. “Took you long enough.”
If only he knew the truth.
Alpha Dwayne steps onto the stage. “My son, your future Alpha, has an announcement to make. Jacob Patch, future Alpha of the Moon River Pack, please step forward.”
Jacob turns to face the pack. “Tonight, we gather to introduce your future Luna.” His gaze flickers in my direction. “I present to you Ashley Mitchell.”
A girl I’ve never seen before steps onto the stage, clad in a white dress.
“You’re far more beautiful,” Jona whispers to me, coaxing a small smile onto my face.
Jacob moves behind Ashley, gently lifting her hair to bare her neck to him.
“Do you accept your duties as the future Luna?” Alpha Dwayne asks her.
“Yes!” Her response is immediate, confident.
I draw in a deep breath, bracing myself for what’s about to happen. Jona surprises me by taking my hand in his.
I wish I could look away, but I can’t risk disappointing my father. Adalind is itching to tear Ashley apart, but I keep her in check.
My breathing grows heavier. Jacob tilts his head, sinking his teeth into Ashley’s neck just enough to mark her as his, as the Luna.
He takes her hand and they dash into the forest. The real mating ritual will take place there, in private. After that, they’ll be bonded for life.
I need to get away, to be somewhere else until tomorrow. I don’t know how Adalind will react when Jacob and Ashley consummate their bond. When our connection to Jacob and his wolf is severed.
Witnessing this will shatter my world all over again.
Continue to the next chapter of Ravens of the Mist: Rejection to Salvation