Kraig was heading to the packhouse, but he saw Nora's car driving away from the main road, so he followed her. He had never gone this way and was curious. When the car parked, he stopped his own vehicle a few meters distant and saw Nora and Delina getting out of the car. He envied Delina for a long time, when a kid, because she used to spend more time with his mother than he did. But his mother said, one day, she loved them both and none was replacing the other. And that he should be more charitable with the ones who had less, especially a family.
Since she became fourteen, he thought she was a beauty. He was a year older than her. He had observed her from a distance, because he didn't want to get too near a human, no matter how charming she was. When his wolf, Zyon, smelled Delina this morning, he knew the truth. It was interesting, because the girl was not a wolf and, yet, his wolf sensed her on the day of her birthday. A coincidence, that's it.
Go get her! Say you regret rejecting her at once! Zyon was pissed off. He has been waiting for the moment he would find his mate, and for what? For the brat he is linked to simply rejecting her!
"I can't. As the Alpha, I must choose what is best for the pack. She is weak and could never be a good Luna." He replied to his wolf.
Ah, cut the crap! You're just scared with what others will think. This is your life, OUR life, and their opinion means nothing! She is the mate the Moon Goddess chose for you and you know she wouldn't do that if the girl was not fit to it. Now, stop the nonsense and go-get-our-mate!
"No can do, buddy. She is delicious and I am dying here, but a human can't be a Luna, not from this pack. Let's go home."
Zyon was trying to take over, but Kraig controlled it, got back inside the car and drove away. He wouldn't be a hypocrite and pretend he had no feeling for her, that her smell wasn't tempting and that all his body wanted was to hold her and never let go. But he was doing the best, for the pack and for her. Being a Luna was too much responsibility and dangerous, and she, being a fragile being, would be more susceptible to attacks. He was protecting what was dear to him, that is all.
"I won't force you, but I would like to know who is the pesky who dared to reject you." Nora said between cake bites.
"I will tell you, later. Now, I'm trying to forget a bit about it." Delina said.
"I am just curious about something. How did you know it was him? I mean, you don't have a wolf..."
"It was more intuition. You know the feeling of sensing something is about to happen? I didn't know it was him, until he came and rejected me." Delina explained.
"You were crying like you could feel the mating bond."
"I don't know how to explain this. Maybe it is because you know how much I waited for this day. I didn't even know it was possible, but I hoped it would happen and I would finally have a partner for life. Someone I could create a family with, on our own. I love you and your mommy, Nora, but it is not the same, so don't give me that look."
"I'm not looking at you differently." Nora pouted. "Well, maybe. But I understand you. I want to find my mate, too. In two days It'll be my birthday and I can only be anxious 'bout it." Nora's eyes were shining.
"I am praying to the Moon Goddess he will be from out pack and that he will be great to you, because you deserve it, Nora." They hugged and decided it was time to return home, so they packed everything and left.
At the pack house, Keira was still fuming. Kraig had been rejecting her for almost three years, now. Maybe he is gay? No, he went out with other girls, but never her. Probably because her father's position. He was afraid he would be obligated to compromise with her, and he would, for she would never, in a thousand years, let him go after that.
Today he was different, a bit absent minded. She was already eighteen and she knew they were not mates, to her father's sadness. She was keeping an eye to find out who his mate was, that way, she would do whatever she could to keep them apart and be the Luna.
She was by the window when she saw his car arriving. Time to make a move. She took a look at the mirror and rushed down the stairs.
"Kraig! I was worried. You skipped lunch." Keira said in a sweet tone. Kraig just wanted to be in peace and alone. Why did Keira had to be waiting for him?
"Sorry, Keira, but we already have plans. Next time, okay? This is a man's talking we are going to have. See ya!" Kendric came out of nowhere and saved Kraig.
"Yeah, totally. Talk to you later. Bye!" Kraig passed an arm around Kendric's shoulder and they both left.
When they were far enough, Kraig left a sight of relieved and patted Kendric's back.
"That was close, huh?" Kendric asked in a funny tone.
"Thanks a lot, man. Don't know what can I do for her to stop pestering me." Kraig said while scratching his head, as if thinking.
"She won't, until you have a mate and is married. Or if she finds her mate. She is already eighteen and has not found him yet, which means he is probably not from our pack." Kendric stated.
"True. Too bad for me." Kraig wasn't ready to tell Kendric that he already found his mate, and rejected her. He knew Kendric very well and the man wouldn't cope with that.
"Now, wanna tell me what happened at school? You just got out of the class like a mad man and I saw you dismissing Keira earlier, in a very bad mood." Kendric was looking at him with a serious frown. "did you find your mate?"
"I..." Kraig was thinking of a lie, but Kendric understood it.
"I can only assume she isn't someone of your liking. You don't have to tell me who she is, but an advise from your best friend: no matter what, she is the right one. The Moon Goddess wouldn't pair you up with anyone who isn't worth of this pack and of you. If the world is against you, I'm with you buddy. Remember that."
That is why I love this boy. Listen to him! Zyon was more than satisfied to hear Kendric's words.
I agree. A mate is precious and should never be abandoned." Rage was Kendric's wolf and used the mind link to the other wolf.
"I can't. Not yet. Maybe I'll change my mind later, but right now, I don't have a choice." Kraig had his head down when he was speaking. Zyon was furious and Rage tried to comfort him.
"I can understand. We all need time to adjust to some situations. But don't take too long, ok? And don't reject her. If she accepts, you know that it is rare, but a second chance mate exists and I believe you wouldn't want to go through this."
Thinking of another male touching her made Kraig's blood boil, and Zyon almost took over. Kraig turned around, leaving the pack house and shifting. He had to run and dissipate this energy.
Kendric could only shake his head and pray his friend would come to his senses. Sometimes, Kraig could be an idiot. He turned around and went to his own room. Tomorrow was Saturday and the training would take place by morning. He had a bunch of homework to do and he intended on going to sleep early. He only asked Rage to keep an eye on Zyon's connection.