Chapter 8: Chapter 8

“There’s the girl of honour!” A loud voice exclaims as I am pulled into a bear hug by Blue. Many pack members greet me, wishing me a happy birthday but those who were under Mia’s command stand as far away from the crowd as possible. No one from my generation wants anything to do with me as their disdain and scornful looks bear down on me. Even on my birthday I am still an outcast.

Turning away from the group of young adults I come face to face with many pups who run around the field, chasing each other between tables and wolves who mingle about. Many pups come up to tug at my hand to wish me a happy birthday and give me hugs as other pups beg me to join them in either tag or soccer. I always loved their innocent views in life with only wanting to play with the older wolves as many of us have shifted. Their parents being members of the packs, grew up with my own and knew of my unfortunate circumstance. They gave me a chance as a baby sitter for their pups leading to the little ones being close with me as I would take the children off of the older wolves hands to play in the field and give their parents break.

“Now Miss Amberle, you aren’t going to run off before seeing your little sister.” Serena says as she pulls me away from the children and hands me a smiling little girl. I cuddle Claira for a moment as I pass the elders stopping to greet them with the one year old in my arms. I may be an adult now but disrespecting an elder of the pack would lead to a punishment and I was not willing to face one from them.

“How does it feel to be a fully-grown wolf?” Elder Sylvia asks, taking Claira from my arms to cuddle the pup.

“It’s strange but a good strange.” I answer honestly, accepting a cookie from her mate Elder James.

“Have you sensed you mate yet?” Elder James asks, getting a warning look from his mate.

“Actually I’ve sensed him since this morning. I am positive my mate is in our pack, but I haven’t been able to find him yet.” I sigh at the end, taking an angry bite out of the cookie. Knowing that my mate was so close yet always out of reach all day has started to irritate me. It is bad enough knowing that my generation hated me but what if he were one of those that used to push me down the stairs or use illegal moves during training that would lead me into the pack hospital for weeks on end. What if my mate hated me?

A hand reaches out and grasps mine and I am met with Elder Sylvia’s gaze as her eyes hold sincerity and hope in them. I could feel her worry for me and couldn’t help but send a reassuring smile her way.

“Remember that everything happens for a reason Amberle. Whatever happens means that it is meant to happen. The Moon Goddess has set your path on one that will make you stronger.” Her voice is soothing as she squeezes my hand in reassurance before turning her attention back to Claira. I know that Elder Sylvia is right and that by the end of the night my destiny will be revealed to me in some form.

“How about you go and get some food from Axel. He is manning the barbeque with a few of the Warriors and Hunters.” Serena intervenes, giving me a chance to escape and look for my friends. I say my farewells to the elders, receiving a bag from Elder Sylvia from the five of them with gratitude before heading in the direction where the smell of food was obvious. A few Omegas run around as they constantly replace the food on the table. Salads being refilled and treats being swapped as a new tray takes the place of an empty tray. I was grateful for their diligence and smile at them in greeting before walking over to Axel who is surrounded by a bunch of wolves his age.

“If it isn’t the birthday girl!” Axel exclaims, the Beta wrapping me into a bear hug of his own as my nose scrunches up at the smell of beer on his breath.

“Does Serena know you’ve been drinking?” I ask as I am set back on my feet, arms crossed across my chest.

“As a matter of fact yes she does. I have only had one so far so don’t worry. I am on baby duty tonight since she’s been busy with her duties as the Beta Female and acting Luna. She really needs a break and some T.L.C.” He reassures with a smile. If there was one thing I have learned since having Axel and Serena in my life as the fun Aunt and Uncle it’s that they were one-hundred percent committed to each other.

“I’ll be happy to take Claira off your hands for the weekend if you two want to get away for a bit.” I offer as I grab a plate and allow Axel to place a few kabobs and sausages onto it. All the guys around the barbeque comments at how caring I am to help the Beta’s out, and I explain that they helped raise me. That Claira was like a baby sister to me.

"Thanks I may take you up on that offer." Axel chuckles out giving me another hug. He hands the tongs to one of the men before walking to a table and grabbing something that was hidden under the table cloth, a large smile on his face as he hands me a black bag that I Take.

“I know Serena plans to take you shopping but this is from me. I know you’re eying the Head Tracker position and hopefully these will help.” Excitement courses through me as I place the plate on a table and hand the bag from the elders to Axel to hold as I open his gift, a smile forming when I find a few throwing knives and braces for my ankles inside.

“Thank you so much.” I couldn’t help the shock while my hands caress the blades of a throwing knife, the craftsmanship beautiful and light. These would be perfect in dealing with a soulless.

“You’re welcome. Now your friends from school are probably wondering where the hell you are. Go enjoy your birthday party Am.” I take back the gift bag from Axel and wave to the other wolves before grabbing my plate, filling up the remaining room with salad and heading back into the crowd. Many wolves from different packs greet me and wish me a happy birthday before I finally spot my friends at a picnic table underneath a large oak tree.

“There’s our fiery redhead!” Dawn exclaims when she spots me, rushing towards me and taking the bags from my hand to place the gifts into a large box.

Any news on the mystery scent yet?” Ivory asks as I take a seat beside her, Kent passing me a bottle of water. A large sigh escapes my lips as I shove a large fork full of potato salad into my mouth and angrily chew it.

“Nope. I’m starting to believe the scent is something my imagination came up with just to play tricks on me.” I grumble out with a scowl. The music was starting to get louder and my eyes wander over the crowd of were wolves. I could not help but smile as pack members mingle with each other as well as the guest. But no one caught my eyes. I knew my mate is here in this crowd and eventually I’ll meet him.

“How about we go and party the night away Miss Amber before you ruin your mood worrying about some mate.” I feel myself being lifted off of the seat as I am carried by Kevin into the crowd and sets me on my feet onto the makeshift dance floor. He was right though. Today is my birthday – my day. I should not be worrying about some stupid guy who may or may not be here right now. With a promise to my friends to shelf the whole mate situation aside till later I focus on dancing with my friends and spending time with the pack members that care about me.

Time flew by and the box Dawn had set up for me to receive gifts slowly filled up until no room was left. The sun had set hours ago as the full moon slowly raised high into the indigo sky. I always loved the night sky especially here where the pack was. Far away from the cities where all you can see are the natural sparkling lights above.

“It’s time to blow out the candle and cut the cake birthday girl!” Blue greets as he comes up to the picnic table with Axel trailing behind him. It was close to midnight, when the moon would be at its highest peak and a time to thank the Moon Goddess for the future that awaits the newly adult wolf. Excitement bubbles through me before I feel myself being lifted and hoisted onto someone’s shoulders.

“Axel don’t drop me you idiot.” I cry out in shock, my arms instantly wrapping around his head as he walks towards the dance floor.

"I won't." He laughs out, his body shaking and causing me to cling tighter to his head. I hated being carried onto someone’s shoulders. I was not afraid of heights but being carried this way always made me scared for some reason. As we reached the middle of the dance floor a purple cake could be seen, and I could see why I was placed on Axel's shoulder. The cake was about ten tiers high with the typical happy birthday and my name scrawled on it in red icing. Roses made of red, orange, and yellow flowers of different shades cascaded down the cake in a way that resembled my fur in wolf form, and I couldn’t help but let a chuckle escape my lips. Leave it to Serena to make a statement with my cake. At the top of the cake sat a crystal wolf figurine howling at the moon – its fur reflecting the moonlight in a dazzling prismatic effect beside a large eighteen candle. It made the cake stand out even more in the night. Everyone started singing happy birthday - even the jock crowd joined in which surprised me. They even did the usual how old are you now song and at the eighteen I blew out my candle, the clearing erupting in cheers. A knife was handed to me by Serena her blue eyes shining with pride as I took the crystal figurine down and handing it to her before cutting a slice of cake for myself. Blue takes the knife from me as Axel catches me off guard to set me back onto my feet causing me to stumble into some one. Shocks run through my body as a euphoric scent wraps around me, causing small shivers of pleasure to run along my skin where strong arms catch me.

MATE

The word runs through my head and my eyes widen as I turn to look at who I was destined to be with- who’s scent has been causing me to go stir crazy all day- only to be met with the shocked face of Leo.

"You're my-"

"Mate? Now why would I want to be mates with a snivelling idiot like you?” Leo cuts me off, a sneer on his lips as his eyes glare down with disgust at me. I could feel my heart break – more like shatters- as the man who is supposed to be my everything looks at me as if I were nothing but garbage in his eyes.

"Give me a good reason why would I want to be your mate? You're nothing more than a stupid bitch that got her parents killed!" The music was shut off and the crowd silent as his hurtful words carry over the crowd. I could see Ivory and Dawn holding back Kevin and Kent as they look on at me with worried eyes and contempt for the wolf in front of me.

“My parent died because of hunters not because of me!” I scream out, shoving my slice of cake into his face as rage courses through me.

“They died coming to protect us – to protect you because Goddess forgive us if his royal fucking highness gets captured or killed. It was your stupid idea to head into the cave. It was your stupid idea to be sitting ducks when we could have kept running.” I continue. The years of being suppressed by him and my siblings surface in my mind as hate and contempt for the man who is supposed to be my mate grows. I see the crowd slowly start to whisper as mocking eyes stare at the so-called future Alpha of Forest Paw. I watch as his muscles clench while Leo wipes away the cake and frosting off of his face, the purple from the frosting leaving a stain on his skin. Suddenly he grabs the collar of my dress and pulls me off of my feet.

"I Leo Bloodsbain reject you as my mate forever!" He sneers at me, his face inches from mine as rage fills his eyes. Something inside me snaps as the pain of his rejection spreads to my vein like a raging inferno. I knew I was on the verge of breaking down, but I would not give Leo the pleasure of relishing in it. With strength I never knew I had, my hands clutch at his wrists and an unmistakable snap resounds in the air. Leo screams as I am released and find my footing long enough for me to send a round house kick to his face and send him crashing into the cake.

[Your gifts are in your car Amberle. The trailer is hooked up.] Serena’s voice enters the mind link meant for her, Axel, and I as I catch Axel slowly stand beside his mate with a wink.

[Do what you feel is right Amby Bamby. We will always support you.] Axel adds, his eyes showing pride as he stares at me. I smile at the two as I turn to look at Leo, his face contorted with pain as Blue tries to help him up. Leo never understood how lucky he is to still have his father there to help him out of the shit he gets himself into.

"Get this straight Leo.” I began as I stoop low to pick up the knife used earlier till its firmly in my grasps and make my way forward until I stood above him and Blue.

“Amberle you don’t have to do this.” Blue pleads and I hold my hand up, stopping the Alpha from continuing. Blue knew me well and knew that once my mind is made up there is no turning back. Leo had gone too far tonight.

“I, Amberle Crest, reject you as my mate and make a blood oath to the Moon Goddess vowing to become a strong wolf and an ally to her in exchange that you never find your second chance mate until you repent for treating me, your true mate, as nothing but worthless trash for all these years leading to tonight.” I hold my hand open and slowly cut a long slice into my palm. Blood begins flowing up into the air out of it and evaporating under the moonlight into the night. The knife drops from my hand onto the wooden dance floor with a loud thud followed by an agonizing scream from Leo as I turn on my heals and begin to make my way out of the meadow; the crowd parting like I was Moses, and they were the Red Sea. All I wanted was to leave now. To put this pack behind me and start fresh at a new life I could hear Blue yelling at his son for rejecting me before yelling for help from the pack doctor present. His voice fades away the farther I walk. I knew where I stood in Blue’s eyes.

No one stopped me or came after me as I walk past the spot my childhood home use to stand on. Everyone is either back at the meadow probably talking about what just happened or on patrol. The moon shines brightly down on me. Its brightness intensifying as if to compensate for the fact I was rejected- rejecting on my birthday and rejected on the night of the full moon.

I make it to the shed and pull back the doors wide open seeing the top down on the convertible and the gifts from tonight situated in the back seat. I knew what I had to do the moment I climb into the driver’s seat and start the ignition. I shift the gear into drive.

I drive away from the only place I knew.

I drive away from the life I have lived for the last eighteen years of my life from my friends and enemies. From the people who loved the and the many who despised me.

The fresh air fills my lungs as the pain of rejection finally settles in once the rage simmers down. Tears slowly fill my eyes as the pack border comes into view and a weight falls from my shoulders.

[Goodbye everyone.] I send through the pack link for the last time before renouncing my place in this pack and crossing the border into neutral territory.

I was a rogue now with no obligations to anyone but myself. It is time I start caring about myself and doing what is right for me for once.