Chapter 4

Julia POV

‘I am sorry. I should not have done that. It was unforgivable. We cannot do this. I am with Evangeline; I love her and have already chosen her to be my mate. My parents are already prepping for the wedding ceremony. It is to be held next week. That is why we came to dinner tonight. To announce it to your mother. I am sorry about this. But there is only one thing I can do now.’

He cleared his throat and Onyx’s words came back to me. I only come to you now to help you through the situation. I suddenly knew what Jackson was about to do. And although my heart was heavy, I told him to just get on with it.

Jackson nodded, then said the words that every wolf dreads they will hear; ‘I, Jackson Forester. The next Alpha of the Moons Wane pack, hereby reject you, Julia Mason, as my mate and Luna.’

Jackson was breathing hard by the end of the vow, as was I. But I must accept.

‘I, Jul..Julia M..Mason of the Moons Wane pack, hereby accept the rejection of Jackson Forester, the next alpha of the Moons Wane pack.’

My knees buckled under me as a pain I had never felt before seemed to pierce my heart.

‘Julia…’ Jackson started to say. I just held my hand up. Silencing him. There was nothing he could do or say that would help this pain go away. He knew it too. So much so that instead of returning to the house, Jackson ran toward the forest. Not even bothering to strip as his magnificent black wolf burst from him, landed on all fours, and disappeared into the darkness beyond the tree line.

Jackson’s POV

I knew Evangeline was excited. We were going to inform them what my family already knew. I am sure, after hearing all about her family, they would not mind in the slightest that I had told my family weeks ago about my decision to choose Evangeline to be my chosen mate. Even though, as Alpha to be, I should wait for a fated mate, I had grown to love the woman sitting next to me.

As I drove toward the small village to the south of our pack-lands I assured myself that I was making the right decision for the pack. I knew that Evangeline had no real standing within the pack, I also knew that Evangeline’s beloved father had been one of our best warriors. Leading the warriors who patrolled our borders.

Yes, I was sure I was making the right choice. Evangeline was beautiful, graceful, and elegant. In other words, she was the perfect Luna. Or at least she would be. The ceremony was planned for next week. Hence the dinner tonight with her family. I just hoped they would not be disgruntled by them knowing last minute.

‘They are not the only ones that have the right to be pissed off, you know, boy.’

I shook my head slightly, ‘come on Sid, I do not need this from you tonight, Okay? it has got to go well’

‘Fine. I will leave you too it then.’ And I felt Obsidian, my wolf, retreat into the back of my mind.

‘Childish!’ I quipped. And heard the large beast growl in response. I grinned at that. Sensing that Evangeline had seen me grin I picked up the hand that was resting besides her and kissed the delicate knuckles.

We chatted for a while. Until we pulled into the turning that led to the southern village, where Evangeline’s family lived. For some reason Obsidian became restless. Like he wanted to be in control. It felt strange. Obsidian and I were usually in complete sync with each other.

I felt him start to pace, the closer we got to Evangeline’s home. It was only when I pulled up outside the modest house that I realised why obsidian was so wound up. The smell that hit me as I exited the car was the most alluring scent I have ever smelt. I felt my stomach plummet to the floor as I grasped the severity of the situation.

No. No. No. this cannot be happening now. Not now. Not after all the years alone.

Evangeline ran ahead and flung the door open. She started to squeal, and I laughed lightly at her delight. The next thing I knew I was hit with the most intense feeling I have ever felt. My whole body tingled with it. My father had explained to me once that as Alpha’s. The fated mate bond is ten times more powerful than that of an ordinary wolf. I now understood what he meant. But surely this cannot happen. I genuinely thought; having made a choice to mate with a specific she-wolf I gave up my chance at a fated mate. So how the fuck was this happening. Because all I was aware of right now was that my fated mate was inside the house.

The potency of the scent coming from inside made me groan out-loud. To cover myself I turned it into a cough. Having been heard by those inside I entered the house as if I were walking into an active volcano.

Evangeline had her arms around an older version of herself. A delicate looking woman, pretty. But with the distinct aroma of alcohol coming from her.

When I allowed my eyes to follow the scent, I found myself drowning in the clearest green eyes I had ever seen. Beautiful did not do her justice. Goddess like was more appropriate; with long blond hair and curves you could bury yourself in for days. She was spectacular. I could feel obsidian push me forward. As he did, Evangeline let go of her mother and grabbed the goddess standing besides the older woman.

When her eyes snapped to Evangeline, I felt bereft. Cold, almost. Like the sun had gone behind a cloud. I must have zoned out for a moment because when I focused, I noticed that my mate had left the room entirely.

‘May I use your restroom. I need to freshen up before the meal.’ I asked. Trying to sound polite and not like a lunatic.

I was ushered into the kitchen and told I could find the restroom on the other side of the room. I went straight toward the back door. When I got outside, I allowed my eyes to adjust, finding my mate with ease. The yearning to hold her, to never let go of her was almost overwhelming. As I got around a foot away from her, I stopped myself getting any closer. I could see her glance at my lips as she unconsciously licked hers. As she looked into my eyes she touched my arm. I swear; I felt like I had just burst into flames. Every part of my body felt like I had been plugged in. I looked down at the place her fingers touch me, then looked back into her eyes. Seeing my own desire flare in hers.

‘Julia, Jackson. Are you both out here?’ The voice of my chosen mate doused me with cold water. Snapping me out of my frenzy. Spinning on my heel I rushed back to the house, full of explanations why I was outside. ‘Thing was on fire when I entered the kitchen, I had to pick it up and rush it out of the house before the whole place went up.’

I looked on guiltily as my mate; no. Julia, had a scolding off her mother for something she had not done. I was not proud of myself. But it help to distract me. When it became time to make our announcement, I could barely get the words out. Leaving Evangeline to finish what I was saying.

I watched as Julia stood up and excused herself under the pretence of clearing the dishes. Evangeline and her mother were in a world of their own. Talking fast about the plan for next week.

I grabbed whatever was near and followed Julia into the kitchen. She was not there of course. I knew she would be outside. So once again I followed her. Then I did the unforgivable. I kissed her. No, I devoured her. The feel of her lips. The taste of her as she matched my tongue stroke for stroke.

When I felt Julia falling deeper into the kiss I felt a mental kick in my mind. It was Obsidian. He was horny and he wanted to claim his mate.

But I could not allow that. I could not. I loved Evangeline. I did. We had been dating for over a year now. I knew she was not my fated mate but I genuinely believed she would be a good luna for my pack.

So, I did the hardest thing I have ever had to do. And I said the words of a coward. ‘I, Jackson Forester, the next Alpha of the Moons wane pack, hereby reject you, Julia Mason. As my mate and Luna.’

Pain radiated from my heart. I listen to her accept my rejection. The pain intensified. I watched as she fell to her knees. I wanted to help. But the hand she raised to stop me, enraged Obsidian. To the point where I was barely hanging onto control over him. I had to get him away from here. Away from her. He was a wild animal, and he was in pain. So, I did the only thing I could. We shifted and disappeared into the dark forest.

Julia POV

I slowly got to my feet. I could hear my mom and sister, celebrating. But what was there to celebrate. I have just had my heart and soul crushed by my mate. The one person in this life and the next who was said to love you: unconditionally.

I could not go back in the house. Not yet anyway. I needed to clear my head. Having never changed from work; I still had my running shoes on. I took myself off for a jog. The problem I had was that I went into auto pilot and headed for the hospital. All the while, thoughts invaded my mind. Unwelcome and unwanted.

Even your fated mate did not love you enough.

No one has ever loved you enough.

You will always be overlooked ad over worked.

That was when inspiration hit. Billy. Billy loved me enough.

Billy would never overlook me.

I could feel the tears I had kept at bay, finally fall. I sobbed so hard I did not see the car coming out of the car park. I felt the snap of my bone, heard the crunch of metal. Listened to the frantic voice of my best friend as he spoke hurriedly; trying to establish if I was ok. Just as I sensed the blackness of pain coming for me, I grabbed hold of the only thing I could. Billy’s hand. Billy. He was always there when I needed him. Billy loved me. I knew it. He knew it.

I managed to look into his pretty blue eyes and asked him a question. ‘Billy. Dr Porter, Of the Moons Wane pack. Will you be my chosen mate?’ I managed to keep looking at him long enough to hear his response.

Upon the words, ‘I accept. My mate. My love,’ the blackness stole me away, holding me within its safe embrace.