ELENA'S POV

The clock struck 10 and the bells rang and the sound could be heard throughout the town. All the townspeople came out of their various homes and gathered around the fire that was lit at the community meeting grounds, that was where events and festivals took place. Today they would be celebrating their fearsome warriors that came back from battle, it just so happened that in two hours I would turn eighteen and get a mate.

Finally

I didn't know what it would feel like, my brother said it would be magical.

“You'd feel this strong sensation in your chest”. He said as he described it to me. “Your wolf would yearn for your mate and call out their name continuously”. His eyes glistened. He was probably thinking about his own mate that had died of an illness a year after he marked her.

The way he described it made it more intriguing to me. I paused and stared at him.

“What if my mate doesn't want me?”. I had heard some girls talking about the consequences of a mate rejecting you. I felt afraid. I was useless, no one would want me.

He caressed my cheek and hugged me. “You'll get your mate and they won't reject you.”

I felt at peace with his words.

I put on my best dress, it was my favourite. I got it from my mother before she died. She said it was for something special. Getting my mate was surely a special occasion. I twirled around in front of the mirror practically squealing.

My lucks gonna change today.

I said to myself continuously. My brother called me to come out so we wouldn't be late for the ceremony.

Immediately we got there we got nasty stares from some of the townspeople. I overlooked it. Some of the men from the army were already returning.

They looked fierce and rough, a result of the battlefield no doubt. Suddenly everywhere went dead silent, the chattering died down. I looked around to see the cause of it and there he was, standing proudly in the midst of the men. Draven Thorne, the strongest Alpha of the pack. He received praises from the townspeople. He was the one that vanquished the enemy on the battlefield and he was the one that would receive the greatest award that night.

I stared at him in both awe and fear. He had this intimidating aura that could bring even kings to their knees. He would eventually be king one day, no doubt about it. Imagine being mated to him. I'd be a luna. But regardless the chances of that happening was low and he was arrogant and proud as well.

Some of the army members approached my brother to make a mockery of him. My brother had trained to be a part of them, but when it was time to join them fully my mother died and he stayed behind to take care of me.

I always felt guilty regardless of the fact the assured me that it wasn't my fault

“Still taking care of that useless sister if yours I see”. They said and laughed out loud. I could hear everything they were saying and I felt even more bad.

“Don't you dare speak about my sister like that!.” He replied in anger

“Woah hey now. Don't get so worked up. Look at you and I both know that you're nothing like her. Yet you choose to stay here and rot.?”. They said with a sneer.

Micah looked at me and I hid myself in shame.

“I regret nothing”. He said proudly and walked over to me. I felt a tear trickle down my cheek. He was truly the best brother anyone could ask for.

“It's almost twelve. How do you feel?”. He said as he checked the time.

I didn't even have an answer to his question. How did I feel?

“I.. I guess I feel anxious and a bit afraid”. I said as my eyes wandered and landed on Draven. I don't know why my attention was on him. I had this hit wrenching feeling about him, he scared me.

My brother noticed me looking at him. “You like Draven?”. He asked with a frown.

W-what

The question completely caught me off guard.

“Of course not. I barely even know him. Besides, he's very arrogant.”

“Hm, your attention seems to be on him. But I'll go by whatever you say”. He checked his watch again and smiled.

“Five more minutes”. I felt my heart beat increase as those words came out of his mouth. I looked around while breathing heavily.

I felt my body vibrate like energy had been pumped into it.

“He's here….”. I heard a quiet voice from inside me.

Was that….my wolf?

“It's time”. My brother said and a scent hit my nose immediately.

“I can sense him…. Draven”. My wolf said and my eyes landed on Draven.

I couldn't believe it… he was my mate?

I stared at him and I guessed he sensed me as well because he turned around as if searching for someone, then our eyes met. It was him, Draven Thorne was my mate.

“It's you.”. I said and my brother's eyes widened.

Draven walked up to me staring at me intently. As he got closer I could feel this immense sensation. I couldn't even stand straight, I almost fell to my knees. It was like a burst of energy from nowhere.

There he was, standing two inches away from me. I felt time stop completely. It was just me and him.

What happens now, we kiss?

I expected him to smile, embrace me or even hold my hand. But no… he stared at me with disgust. I heard sneering from the others, they had figured out what was going on.

“Wait, Draven was mated to that mutt?”. One of the girls said.

“How sad”. Another concluded and they laughed.

He seemed to be annoyed by their side chats and by the stares we were getting. He looked at me and gritted his teeth.

“D-draven, y-you’re my…”. He caught me off before I could even get a word in.

“Don't you dare utter another word”. His voice was cold and emotionless. It felt like daggers were being pierced into my chest continuously.

“What?”. I asked in confusion.

He held my cheek and leaned in to whisper into my ear. “You're not worthy of being my mate”.

My heart shattered