Amelia Lovecraft

The next morning after the rejection, I woke up with puffy eyes lids and a parched throat. No cell in my body had the strength to begin the day. As for my heart. It felt like it wasn't beating at all. Amaya, Tania and Lily tried reaching out to me, but I was in no mood to talk to anyone. Apart from having some food and water, I laid on my bed, just staring out the window.

The following day, the elders had called upon the pack for an announcement. Something that had to do with our rejection.

It was to let the pack know, that their Alpha no longer had a mate. This gives a chance to any male wolf to challenge Lincoln for the position of an Alpha, in their wolf form. If anyone defeats Kai, we would have a new Alpha. That would be the first time it ever happened in the Blood Hunters Pack history.

They say it's the best time to defeat an Alpha, after the loss or rejection of a mate. The process makes your wolf vulnerable, making it easier to be conquered. Or it makes the wolf more aggressive, it meant the opponent wouldn't make it out alive. Goddess knew how Kai was feeling right now.

Waking up this morning, I felt like all my energy was drained out. Heera has been completely shut off. Though I had my parents with me, a feeling of loneliness lingered around me. Dad thought I'd stay home for a couple of days and Alex was willing to give it to me.

Finishing my morning business in the washroom, I climbed back into the comfort of my bed and laid inside my blanket. My chest felt tightened and even the slightest breeze, pricked my skin.

"When all this is over, promise me you'll give me a chance."

I nibbled on my bottom lip, thinking over his words.

~~~~~

Everyone was gathered at the pack's training grounds. All the pack members. I walked through the crowds with my parents, feeling each one's eye on me. They knew what had happened. I was the reason the gathering today happened. Even though dad had asked me to stay back, something in me couldn't come to do it. I wanted to see Lincoln, I prayed no one fights him today. Amongst the murmurs we stood. There was a vast amount of bare land, where the announcement would take place.

Tyler and Matt walked up to the centre, looking rather cold and completely unapproachable. I looked at them just as everyone did. Tyler made contact with me, his eyes still looking withdrawn. With a curt nod he looked away. He probably hates me for what I did to his Alpha, more over his good friend.

The crowds made way as Lincoln walked up with the elders and a few other men in suits I haven't seen around the pack. Confusion struck me. "They're from the werewolf council." Dad whispered as I looked completely clueless.

Nodding my head at his words I looked back at the men who now made an appearance. Unlike them, Lincoln only wore, sweatpants and a T-shirt. His face completely void of any emotion. As my eyes kept following his every move, he never noticed me in the crowds.

He crossed his hands over his chest, and stood tall amongst all the men there. The men from the werewolf council said something to him, and he gave them a nod to proceed.

"A good afternoon to the werewolves of The Blood Hunters pack. We're here today to inform you that your Alpha Lincoln Hunters, has no longer has a mate." One of the men spoke up, the murmurs kept growing, most of them directed to me.

"Therefore there's a possibility that the pack would be led without a Luna. A few packs under my watch have been led by an Alpha alone indeed, but a large and still expanding pack as yours may need an Alpha and his Luna to rule together. In my personal opinion." He looked again at Lincoln, who nodded in agreement. "So if anyone thinks that Alpha Lincoln isn't worthy of being the pack's leader alone or if you think you have what it takes to beat this man. Step forward, because this is your chance." He tapped Lincoln's shoulder before stepping behind with the elders. Tyler and Matt walked up and stood beside him, waiting for anyone to challenge Lincoln. Lincoln stood there, accessing the whole crowd. His eyes looking cold and predatory.

I laced my fingers together feeling them beginning to shiver due to the nervousness building in me.

"Can you have a little faith in him. Kai must be ready to lunge at anyone." Heera sounded anxious.

Matt glanced at his watch, Tyler looked impatient tapping his foot. Lincoln sighed placing his hand into his pockets. No one wants to fight him, why can't they just wrap it up?

"I would like to fight you Alpha Lincoln." Oh goddess no! Heads snapped to where the voice came from. A boy came into the cleared space, he was tall, well built. He looked like a trained warrior. Which meant he had the skill to fight. A sense of worry began to surge through my body.

Tyler wore the most unexpected expression out of the three men. His eyebrows raised, and his lips played a grin. He sucked in his bottom lip to hold back his humour. What is wrong with him? Matt gestured Lincoln to look at his Beta. Lincoln shook his head in disbelief, definitely the wrong time to crack a joke. The situation here was anything but funny. Slipping his T-shirt off, he threw it to Tyler before walking up to the boy. He shook hands with him before they began to shift behind the trees.

First appeared the big grey wolf, it's eyes instantly focusing on his sobbing mate. "Arthur come back. Don't do this." She cried. The wolf simply licked her face before heading into the circle where the fight would take place.

The murmurs quietened down when Kai appeared through the trees, his eyes glancing my way for a second before looking at his opponent Arthur. In general Arthur's wolf might have been big and strong but in comparison to Kai, he looked smaller in size. Kai's demeanour remained the same as Lincoln before, assessing and cold. You couldn't decipher if he was feeling down or aggressive.

My heart began beating faster as both the wolves started prancing around the grounds, ready to attack. Low growls and piercing eye contact, waiting for their opponent's move. Kai stood as the grey wolf approached him. They crouched before lunging at each other. Claws out and barred teeth. Gasps and howls were heard from the crowds. The grey wolf began clawing at Kai, but with experience you would tell he was being completely agile. After minutes of fighting, trying their best to grab a hold of each other's necks. Dodging a few attacks, Kai made a swift turn aiming for Arthur's neck. The wail of his mate was heard, he was going to kill him. Before his jaw could bite into his neck, Kai pushed down the grey wolf to the ground. He let out a roaring growl as the grey wolf submitted to him in one piece. A few seconds passed as Arthur laid on the ground panting for air and Kai stood above him unfazed.

"Shift!" Matt yelled as the grey wolf got up and stepped away. The crowd screamed and howled in favour of Kai, who still hadn't shifted. Probably waiting for another opponent.

Two other wolves stepped up after sensing that Kai wasn't looking to kill any wolves. And just like that, they submitted to their Alpha, acknowledging their losses. He was definitely worthy of Alpha position. He was untouchable, barely even hurt by a claw.

Lincoln returned after a while, his sweatpants hung low, sweat dripping off his body. A few giggles could be heard from the young female wolves, as they ogled at him. Why can't we leave since it's all over?

Am I jealous?

Of course not!

Right now, the sun began to set. "Well done to the young wolves for trying. Any other wolf here, who has an objection that your Alpha may run your pack alone. Please come forward and give me your reasons." The man from the werewolf council stood for a couples seconds. "Anyone?" He asked again and no one seemed to step forward. He chuckled, "alright then, your Alpha, Lincoln Hunters." The crowd went crazy again, their howls and laughter echoed.

Lincoln stepped forward, looking a bit weary after the brawl. Once the crowd became silent, he spoke up. "Very well done to the young warriors for stepping up." He said sincerely. "As we all know, a pack isn't complete without it's Luna. Just like how I feel incomplete without my mate. I'm thankful to you all for accepting me to run the pack by myself. But I'd like to promise something, to each and everyone of you here. The Blood Hunters Pack needs its Luna." He looked at me now, making me completely flabbergasted. "I need my mate. And I won't stop trying until I'm forgiven and accepted by her." I could feel all eyes on me, but I was completely caught up in those greyish green eyes.

The crowds began to disperse as the assembly ended well. My parents stood beside me at the moment that Lincoln walked up to me. Chanting my gratitude to the goddess, I watched as he approached me.

Alpha Elijah and Luna Catherine watching us very carefully from a distance. Even the ones surrounding us, observed his every move like hawks. None of it mattered, but the man who stood in front of me.

"Let me take you home?" He asked me, holding out his hand. I replied with a yes, after looking at my parents who had stepped back to let me decide what I needed. Placing my hand into his, I felt no sparks, but the warmth his palm gave me. Lincoln pulled the back of my hand to his mouth, kissing it and walking me through crowd that looked at us, some with delight, most with confusion.