Hunter POV

I walked silently as we made our way to the pack house, because honestly speaking, I didn't even know what to say or if anything I said right now, would even matter. His words constantly played on my mind.

"I'll never love him like I love you"

After hearing him say all those things to Elliot, after hearing his true feelings, I had nothing to say. I didn't even know how to feel in this moment and deep down I knew I deserved it, but that didn't make it any less hurtful. I knew that what I had did to him wasn't something that could be forgiven over night, but I had at least hoped that we could have started somewhere, but how were we going to do that when he was still in love with someone else?

It hurt more than I could have ever imagined. Knowing that even as he stood next to me, he was so deeply in love with someone else.

He hated me, even after all these years, he still hated me. I couldn't blame him though, I had dug my own grave all those years ago through all my stupid and rash actions, and it was time for me to lay in it, but I couldn't help the slight hope within me that he would forgive me.

That we could put all that behind us and move on, finally letting go of the past. When I realized that he was my mate, there was no words to describe how happy I felt. I had always dreamt about him being in my arms, sleeping to the sound of his breathing and waking up to his face. My entire thoughts revolved around him and now that he was truly mine in body and soul, there could have been no words to describe how content and whole that made me feel.

"Why didn't you tell me" he said in a voice so full of pain directed at Jake.

I had initially thought he knew that Elliot was mated to someone else, well I suppose no one thought to tell him. It would have saved that awkward encounter between us. I mean everyone knew who he was mated to on the second of his arrival back.

"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" Jake said as he placed his hand on his shoulder, totally dismissing the fact that I was right there, walking next to them.

It hurt that he didn't want to be mated to me, but what hurt more was the fact that he didn't even want to try to make it work. That he still held onto the past and I was so sure that if there was a way to break the bond, he would most definitely have gone down that route. That he saw absolutely no hope for this bond between us.

We entered the pack house hall, where everyone was gathered. As soon as we entered , all eyes drifted towards us.

The Alpha and The Beta.

We ascended the steps and stood side by side, and although our shoulders were touching, I felt like we were miles apart. I couldn't miss the tingle I felt when our bodies touched, even if it was just an inch. I turned to my side and looked at him. He looked so different from the way I remembered him. His blond hair was gone, replaced by a rich brown colour, and looked so soft and so beautiful, I just wanted to run my fingers through it. That unnatural pale skin tone was replaced with a slight tan, making him look all the more appealing. He was way taller, as tall as me now, and he was muscular too. It was almost like he was a completely different person, and yet, still the same Drew I knew.

His father ascended the stage and began his speech, as we all waited for the moon to reach its peak. My gaze kept finding its way towards him. He looked utterly broken, just standing there almost as if death had to present itself to him right now, he would welcome it with open arms..

Did he really hate me that much?

I could feel the power of the moon drawing us in. I looked up and saw that it had reached it's peak. I watched as he removed his shirt and stood in front of me with his gaze lowered.

"Tonight, we not only celebrate the ascension of our Alpha and Beta, but also their union as mates" my father said, earning a gasp from everyone inside the hall. Everyone looked at each other with wide eyes, almost like they didn't believe it..

How the hell did he know?

I removed my shirt as well and held out my hand, he was reluctant to take it, and looked at his father who nodded, giving him the strength he needed and telling him it was going to be okay through his eyes. He took my hand in his and looked down, not meeting my eyes even once. My father tied our hands together as we recited the bonding oath, binding us for eternity and all that was left was the mating process that would truly making us one. My father drew the pack sign on both of our chests as the moon shone on us. The power fully charging my wolf as he scratched at my insides, desperately trying to get to his mate.

The entire time, I couldn't tear my eyes away from his body, it was like I was in a trance. I could only see him, and nothing else mattered anymore. I could've stared at him for hours, if it wasn't for the droplets on my hand that broke my thoughts. I looked down and furrowed my eyebrows and looked at him. I saw the tears spilling out of his eyes as he barley held my hand. I was basically the only one holding his hand the entire time. We turned around and faced the pack as they all dropped on one knee and swore the oath.

I followed his eyes as they met with Elliot's, his eyes was so full of pain as he looked at him.

"I'm sorry" he muttered softly looking at Elliot, but not soft enough. Just hearing his words sent me into a state of rage.

A state I thought I had long forgotten, or long overcome. Something I didn't want to become again, something I dreaded and something I couldn't control.

The monster I was.