Drew POV

Everyone flocked around me the moment my presence was made known. I suppose they too were shocked to see how I had drastically changed. I was grateful that so many people came to my party but the only person I wanted to see right now was Elliot.

I looked everywhere for him but it all seemed futile since he was no where to be seen. I didn't get to see him this afternoon, since my Uncle went on about preparing for tonight. And when I asked Jake about him, all I got were vague answers before he ran off to occupy himself with something.

Honestly I didn't see the reason I needed to prepare. All I had to do was stand next to that jackass and wait till the moon was at it's peak while my Dad recited some couplets and oaths, passing on his power to me.

As the night went on, I grew more restless. I just wanted to see him, feel him. It had been so long since I felt his touch and it was all I looked forward to each day.

So where was he?

In the midst of my conversation with Jake, well he was mostly talking, I was just pretending to listen while my thoughts drifted all over the place, I smelt something. It smelt like the woods, fresh and raw, like the soil on a rainy day with with a bit of a muscular touch to it, like the early morning forest. I felt myself being drawn towards that scent. I knew what it was. I recognized it instantly and I excused myself and went out to the porch, so I could trace it to it's source.

My wolf jumped around inside, begging to be connected with his mate. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, taking in that unique and beautiful scent. It was like nothing I had ever smelt before. The smell got stronger as I felt a presence behind me. I just knew it was him. I could feel it inside me.

"I knew it was you.. all along" I said as I smiled excitedly.

I was finally going to see him.. after so long.

I slowly turned around only to freeze in my spot as my blood ran cold. I got the worst shock of my life, as in front of me stood the bastard himself in all his glory.

He looked a bit different, a little older and taller. More muscular than he was as a boy. He still had the same face and the same features.

My smile immediately fell, replaced with my wide eyes. There had to be a mistake, something had be wrong. No matter how much I tried to convince myself it wasn't real. The tugging my wolf made towards him proved me wrong as each second passed by.

That this was real, and this bastard was my mate.

"No..please no" I muttered as I turned around and jumped over the balcony making a run for it, towards the woods.

I ran as fast as I could which was pretty fast, since the distance which would have normally took me five to ten minutes to run, now took barely two minutes as I reached the river.

I turned around when I heard a twig snap, only to find Elliot standing there his eyes as red as blood, an obvious indication that he had been crying. He walked towards me and reached across to my face wiping away my tears. I wrapped my arms around his waist and cried. I didn't care if it made me weak, I just wanted to scream and cry. He held me tightly as I buried my face in his neck and sobbed. He ran his hand down my back, trying to soothe me.

"Please.. I don't love him.. I don't want this" I said as I cried in his chest.

"I know.. I know.. but there's nothing we can do now.. it's what the goddess decided" he said as his voice cracked a bit, trying so hard to hold back his tears.

"But I love you.. we were supposed to be mated.. it wasn't suppose to happen like this.. why? Why him?"

"I don't know.. but everything happens for a reason. You'll grow to love him.. just -"

"No! I'll never love him.. I'll never love him like I love you" I said as I attempted to wipe away my tears only for them to be replaced by dozens more.

"Drew.. you have to go back, people are going go be looking for you" He answered, it was obvious he was trying to be strong for me but all I wanted was to hold him and cry.

"Just a little more. I've been wanting this for years, just a little more" I said as I held onto him, refusing to let him go.

We must have stayed there for hours, when I heard heartbeats. I lifted my head from his shoulders and saw Jake and Henry coming our way, slightly behind them was Hunter looking so emotionless, unlike I had seen him hours before.

"Thank goddess , everyone's been looking for you. The ceremony is about to begin." Jake said, avoiding my eyes.

He knew..

I nodded and felt Elliot let go off me, and I knew in that moment that it was the last time I would ever feel the warmth of his arms around me. I could feel my eyes begin to burn as new tears formed but I wiped them away before they even fell.

I had to be strong now.

I walked quietly behind Jake and Henry, who held hands as they silently led the way.

"Why didn't you tell me" I asked in a quivering manner.

"It wasn't my place to say anything. You had to find out on your own. I'm not going to say it's better this way, but I will say that it will get easier if you just accept it and not fight. The Goddess does everything for a reason." he said as he placed his hand on my shoulder and smiled.

I looked to my side and saw Hunter walking with his eyes glued to the ground. He hadn't said a single word since I ran away from him.

He must hate this just as much as I do, if not more.

I walked into the pack house and followed Jake and Henry to the hall, where every single pack member was gathered.

This was it.. this was going to be my life now.. I was going to be tied to someone whom I didn't love.. and neither did he love me..