Chapter 5: Denial

Eliza’s P.O.V

The sparks! It can’t be! I knew those sparks all too well, he couldn’t be my mate, I’ve had two already which is really rare but a third? It’s unheard of, it’s impossible!

My mind raced as I headed away with my father for whatever he wanted to talk about, not that I couldn’t guess.

We finally stopped by the refreshments table and my father gave a cough “I’m sorry little lavender, are you alright? Did Austin hurt you?” I let out a soft sigh and smiled at my father, “No, I’m fine daddy, I promise.”

My father smiled back at me and drew me into a big hug, we stood like that for a moment before he released me from his hold and looked into my eyes, “You did the right thing little lavender but in future, do your best to stay away from him.” I looked at my father in confusion, did he think I knew Austin was here? “I’ll try daddy, trust me, I have no desire to be around that flea bag, his wet dog smell makes me gag.” My father and I laughed together and my father said “Yeah, I know what you mean, that’s all I smell every time a male sniffs around you.”

We laughed again and once we’d finally stopped, my father spoke again, “Listen Liza, you can go and have some fun now but please ensure you are on the stage in an hour for my speech, I need you and your mother with me to formally introduce Alpha Kaiden to the pack.” I rolled my eyes, an action my father clearly caught because he gave me his trademark warning stare, I smiled and replied “Of course daddy.” Happy with my response, my father allowed me to leave and he took off in the direction of the council members. I took a drink from the table and went over to my mother and her friends.

My mother smiled at me as did her friends and I joined their conversation, however, I couldn’t concentrate on it though, my eyes drifted over to Alpha Kaiden and Beta Luke, she-wolves from the elite families were crowded around them like they were pray in and throwing themselves at them. “Urgh, typical,” I didn’t realise I’d said it out loud until my mother snapped me out of my daze, “What was that princess?” Oops I thought. “Nothing mother, just thinking out loud, I just remembered something i wanted to show the soldiers at training this morning, I’ll address tomorrow,” I said with a smile.

My mother smiled back with a hint of suspicion on her face but she clearly decided not to push me on the matter.

I rejoined the conversation, my mother and her friends were discussing what had unfolded between Austin and I, I filled them in from start to finish and slowly backed out.

I turned to Kaiden again and saw that Chloe had made her way to him, my blood boiled and Amber growled in my mind, she was trying to fight her way to the surface but I held her back. If Amber got out, there would surely be a blood bath and I just couldn’t let that happen.

I hated Chloe with a passion, she was your typical, textbook mean girl, always picking on the weak and vulnerable.

Chloe always tried to make me feel insecure and inferior about because of my small frame and build, that was until I kicked her ass in front of all of her friends. She would constantly taunt me about how such a tiny she-wolf could never run a pack, well, I showed her exactly what this small she-wolf was made of.

Amber kept saying he’s our mate over and over in my mind and I could feel jealousy radiating through me but I refused to accept the reason Amber gave me. There’s no such thing as a third chance mate, if there was, surely I wouldn’t be the first and I surely would have read something about it in our history books.

No, I had eyes, I wasn’t blind, Alpha Kaiden was a very handsome wolf so I just put my jealousy and the sparks I felt earlier down to a normal attraction, and besides, he’s an Alpha, I’m sure his arrogance will surface and put an end to this stupid, shallow attraction.

Just as I was about to turn and head for the bathroom so I wouldn’t have to watch this shit show, the Alpha turned and looked at me, he smirked and turned his attention back to Chloe, rage was bubbling away inside me until he said something to Chloe that made her face turn crimson and just like the true brat she is, she stomped her feet, turned on her heels and left with all her friends in tow. Alpha Kaiden turned back to look at me again while giggling with his Beta who patted him on the back, he shot me a crazy, sexy smirk and winked. My cheeks felt warm so I instantly diverted my eyes to the floor and turned on my own heels and practically ran for the bathroom.

Once inside, I took a deep breath, “What the hell is wrong with you Liza?” I scolded myself in the mirror out loud. “He’s just another full of himself Alpha!”

I wafted some cool air at my face, trying to cool the warmth it held without ruining the delicate makeup Cara had applied. I’d quickly gathered myself just as Amber decided to speak. “You know damn well he’s our mate meat bag!” I rolled my eyes, “Really Amber? This again? You know as well as I do third chance mates don’t exist and have never existed!” Amber huffed in my mind and remained silent for a moment before she replied “You do realise that wolves recognise their mates for a reason? Selene makes their scent stronger and the sparks when we touch are confirmation! You felt the sparks and you smelt his scent Liza, you’ve been through this twice so you already know how it goes, yet you still deny the goddess’s will!” I stood for a moment, searching my mind for a response but I couldn’t think of anything to say other than, “He’s not our mate mutt! Now unless you have something other than that ass of an Alpha, can you go to sleep and leave me in peace.” Amber growled at me and retracted back into my mind, that’s what I thought, I thought to myself.

I came out of the bathroom and looked at the clock on the wall, I realised there was only twenty minutes left before father needed me so I took myself back into the hall and decided to mind-link Cara, maybe she could take my mind off the craziness going on tonight. “Cara, where are you? I haven’t seen you yet,” I waited a moment and finally got a response “I’m in the kitchen helping the chef, I’ll be out for the speech, is everything ok?” No, everything was not ok but I couldn’t tell Cara that, she was working and I didn’t want to take her away from it, my mother and Cara had worked too hard to make sure this event would happen without a problem so I said the only thing I could, “Yeah, everything’s fine, just wanted to check on you.”

I know it was a lie but if I told her the true turmoil I was in, I knew she would drop everything and I wasn’t about to ruin all of her hard work over some stupid, non existent mate bond.

“Are you sure? You only mind-link me at work when there’s something wrong.” Damn her observations! “I promise, I’m fine, I just know how much tonight means to you.” It wasn’t a complete lie, Helena the head maid is retiring and if Cara pulled this off, it would secure her position as the new head maid so Cara needed tonight to prove she was up to the task, “If you say so,” Cara replied and closed the link.

I looked across to the stage and saw my mother, Father, Alpha Kaiden and the Betas heading up the steps so I rushed over and joined them on the stage. Beta Gregory, my mother and I stood to my father’s right while Alpha Kaiden, and Beta Luke stood on his left. “Can I have your attention everyone?” My father called out over the microphone, the room fell silent and all eyes turned towards us, my father cleared his throat and began his speech. “Welcome everyone, I’m glad you could all make it for this wonderful occasion,” my father began, “tonight, we celebrate the arrival of our new friends, Alpha Kaiden and his Beta Luke.” My father paused while the crowd clapped and cheered, he then gestured for silence, he then continued.

“Sadly, tonight isn’t just a social occasion, as you all know, the rogue attacks have been coming a lot more frequently lately and a lot more harshly as evidenced by the absence of our dear friend and late Gamma Alexander.”

The crowds smiles all fell from their faces as it did from our own. Alex was well liked member of the pack, no one had a bad word to say about him and his tragic death had impacted everyone. “Tonight, we will remember our fallen and prey that this gathering will bring us the strength, courage and friendship we so desperately need at this time, we are all family here and I’m hopeful that our family will extend out to our brother Alpha Kaiden and the Crescent Moon pack.” My father again paused while the crowd clapped and then he spoke again, “I would now like to ask you all to raise your glasses and toast with me, to friendship, to family and of course to our brother Alpha Kaiden. Cheers!”

We all raised our glasses and I glanced at the Alpha, he smiled at everyone and bowed his head, he glanced back at me and winked again and I felt my cheeks burn again, damn, why is he so sexy when he does that? I caught myself thinking, I shook it off and Kaiden stepped forward, “I have something I would like to say if you wouldn’t mind waiting just a little longer,” he said with a smile, everyone stood still and turned their attention to him. “I would just like to thank you all for your warm welcome, I too run my pack like a family, it’s something very rare and special, yes I’m here for the next week and I intended to wait to make my decision until the end of it but after what I have witnessed from Alpha George and Luna Annabelle today, I’m more than sure my decision is right, therefore Half Moon, I would like to extend the hand of friendship to your Alpha and Luna and I formally accept the alliance.” The crowd erupted into cheers, clapping and whistling, my father shook Kaiden’s hand and my mother hugged him, he kissed the back of my hand and I again felt sparks, his eyes flickered between his colour and what I could only assume was his wolf’s, my father thanked him profusely and Kaiden then uttered a sentence I didn’t expect, “What sort of a mate would I be to leave my mates pack out in the cold?”

Everyone stood still, the mic was still on. My father looked at Kaiden confused, as did my mother and the rest of the pack, shock painted my face and my father spoke “What do you mean?” Kaiden looked at me and the penny had dropped for my mother, she knew exactly what he was saying, “Eliza is his mate darling,” mother stated and smiled. “Impossible!” My father said, not out of anger but from disbelief, “She’s already had a second chance mate! No one has ever had a third!”

At this point Kaiden’s wolf took over as did Amber, they were too quick for either one of us to stop them, they came together and uttered mate to one another, my father stood still in shock and the rest of the room cheered along with my mother and Beta Gregory.

“Amber, what the hell do you think you’re doing, he is NOT our mate!” Amber just ignored me and looked at my father, “It’s true Alpha, Selene has gifted us a third chance,” she told him. My father looked at Amber and and responded with “Ah, Amber, lovely to see you,” Amber bowed her head at my father and smiled he then continued “How many times do I have to tell you, don’t call me Alpha, you are part of my daughter and therefore, you are also my daughter.” Amber smiled again. “Did Eliza know?” My mother asked, Amber nodded her head and answered “Yes but you know what she’s like, she’s stubborn and is denying the mate bond.” My mother studied the situation for a moment and then sighed, she then asked “Amber darling and ……” she looked at Kaiden who responded “So sorry Luna, my name is Jax.” My mother nodded and smiled, she then continued on with “Amber, Jax my darlings, may I please speak with Eliza and Kaiden, not that it isn’t lovely to see you Amber but I really must have a word with her.” Amber nodded at my mother in understanding and both Amber and Jax retracted themselves.

When I was finally back on the surface, I noticed Kaiden had is arm around my lower abdomen and I quickly jumped away, he looked hurt but there was no way in hell I was going to go with this fake mate bond, this had to be a mistake didn’t it? What ever it was, I wouldn’t allow it to continue.

“Eliza Silver! Is what Amber said true?” My mother asked, I looked her and thought of my next sentence, what could I say? I couldn’t lie to her because my mother knows me well enough to know exactly when I’m lying, I took a deep breath and parted my lips to speak, “It is mother, but surely you can’t believe this! No one has ever had a third chance mate! This has to be some sort of mistake!” My mother cut me off, it was clear she didn’t like my answer, I stared at her in disbelief and noticed her eyes switching between her own colour and the of Sky’s, shit was about to get real heavy, real fast.

Sky surfaced and glared at me with eyes full of anger “How dare you deny the moon goddess’s gift you ungrateful child!” She spat “There are wolves all over the realm dying to meet their first mate never mind a third! Who are you to question Selene?” Oh yeah, she was pissed, my mother and Sky took their faith and belief’s very seriously. Me, not so much, she gifted my mate bond with Alex which ended mutually but still hurt and then bonded me to that ass hole Austin, that was more like a punishment rather than a gift and now, apparently the Alpha is my mate and chances are, he too will reject me for some jumped up princess just as Austin did.

“Eliza, the mate bond is a gift from the moon goddess herself, each one designed and crafted individually for each and everyone of us, Selene must have seen something in you to make you deserving of a third mate.”

I took in what Sky said and played over her words, maybe she was right, maybe this wasn’t a mistake, I shook my head at the thought, no, they’re wrong, this is impossible “How can you be so sure Sky, she’s given me 2 mates already and they both rejected me, why would she give me a third?” I could see Sky was pondering over my words and just as she was about to answer, Kaiden jumped in. “Eliza, I don’t know what you’ve been through or how you’re really feeling about this but if it’s rejection you’re afraid of then please throw that thought out of your mind, I have no desire to reject you, I’ve been searching for you since I got Jax.”

Kaiden’s words were sweet and reassuring but I was still finding so hard to accept that I had another mate. I should be happy and a part of me is but part of me feels like this is a sick joke the goddess is playing, like my feelings and life were nothing more than a game for her.

I looked up at Kaiden, his eyes were full of confusion and something else but I couldn’t tell what it was.

“Eliza, I think we should go into the meeting room before we discuss this any further,” my father suggested, “Actually George, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to talk privately with Eliza.” My father looked at my mother, Sky had retracted herself by this time and my mother smiled, “I think that is a good idea darling.” My father turned toward Kaiden and gave a small smile and nod, “Is that ok with you little lavender?” He asked, I simply nodded and turned to escort Kaiden to the meeting room while father instructed everyone else to get back to the party.

We entered the meeting room and stood staring at each other for a moment, neither one of us knowing who or how to start the conversation, I pondered for a minute and finally broke the silence, “You wanted to talk so talk,” I internally slapped myself, I know I’m a hard ass but he’s still an Alpha and technically hasn’t done anything to deserve the way I spoke to him at that moment.

Kaiden giggled and I stood there confused, my head’s tilted to the side like a puppy trying to understand what was so funny. He took a breath and said “I’m sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you, I just love how sassy you are, straight to the point, it’s a good quality to have.” Though it was clearly a compliment, I found it hard to accept, I’ve always been told my mouth was going to get me in to trouble and that I should reign in my attitude. “Eliza, look, I meant what I said, I have no plans to reject you, you are my mate and I promise you, I will love and respect you exactly as you are but I will also call you out on your bullshit!” He stated very matter of fact, I caught myself smirking a little and straightened my face, I had to admit, his words were sweet and……kind of hot. “If we’re mates, who exactly said that I won’t reject you?” I asked, a little tinge of flirtation lining my tone.

Once I replayed what I’d said, I couldn’t help but scold myself again “Goddess damn it Eliza, stop that! He is NOT YOUR MATE!” I told myself internally, I found myself hoping he hadn’t caught my little faux pas, sadly, I hoped for nothing because he stepped closer and brought his hand up to my chin so my head was tilted towards him, usually this kind of interaction would cause me to knee a wolf in the nads but alas, I couldn’t do it this time, I just gazed into his eyes as his voice grew husky and said “Because, my little spitfire, if you truly wanted to, you’d have done it out there.” Damn, he had a point, why didn’t I call the goddess’s bluff and reject him there and then? Rather than blame myself, my smart ass just had to argue “I would have if you were actually my mate.”

At that moment, the playfulness he was emanating melted and all I could see in his eyes was pain, my words had hurt him, he didn’t have to say the words for me to know what I’d done.

Kaiden turned away from me and took a deep breath, I couldn’t have sworn I’d heard a sniffle but I couldn’t be sure, after a minute or so he turned back to me and stepped close again, this time taking my hands in his, he sighed and then said “Why is it so hard for you to believe that I’m your mate? What are you afraid of Eliza?” I averted my gaze, why is it so hard for me to believe? What was I afraid of? They were certainly valid questions but as I picked my brain, I couldn’t find a single answer so I simply replied with the only thing that came to my mind “I don’t know, I wish I could give you an answer.”

Truth be told, nothing scared me, not physically anyway, not even death itself scared me.

Kaiden held firm in front of me for what felt like forever and finally he spoke, “Eliza, what will it take for you to accept our bond? What can I do to help you accept it? Accept me? I will move mountains if I have to if that will prove to you that our bond is real. I’ll do anything to show you my love, just name it!” He pleaded, I appreciated what he said but I found myself questioning myself, what would it take? How could someone prove their love? Again, I couldn’t find answers for him so all I could say was “I don’t know Kaiden.” At this point, I knew I’d broken him, his eyes welled and a stray tear fell down his cheek, he quickly wiped it away and stood tall, then said “I will spend the rest of my life showing you that our bond is real and showing you my love is real.”

I stood there looking up at him, there was passion in his eyes and voice, he meant what he said, I took a moment to mull over what he said, while I did truly believe him, I still couldn’t accept that he was my mate, I didn’t want to hurt him any further so I replied, “We should head back to the party Kaiden, everyone will be wondering where we are.” He looked confused at first but then reluctantly agreed.

I turned towards the door to leave but before I could take a step, Kaiden took a hold of my wrist and spun me around so I was facing him, he bent down and kissed me and the sparks hit me hard.

I was going to push him away but the sparks were going off like fireworks and it felt so damn good, he deepened our kiss once he realised I was kissing him back.

After a few minutes, the smell of our arousal filled the air and I snapped back to reality, I had to stop this before it was too late, I pushed Kaiden with all the strength I had and glared at him. “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?” I yelled, Kaiden looked back at me apologetically, “I’m so sorry,” he said, I stood there for a second, I couldn’t reply so I did the only thing I could, I turned on my heels and got the hell out of there with my tail between my legs, leaving Kaiden stood in the meeting room probably feeling like a total idiot.

I re-entered the hall and went straight for the refreshments table. I grabbed a drink and downed it in one. “Wow, slow down little one,” a voice sounded from behind me, I turned around to see who it was that spoke to me and I was met with Kaiden’s Beta, Luke.

I looked at him and stared through him, I then asked “Is there something you need Beta?” I kept my tone in neutral.

He looked at me for a moment and spoke “Miss Silver, I just wondered if we could talk?” I stared at him for a moment, there was clearly something he wanted to ask.

“Yes, go ahead,” I braced myself for the conversation we were about to have, I assume he’s here to plead Kaiden’s case but instead he sighed, “Who else lives at the mansion?” Wow, that’s a little intrusive, what did he want to know that for? I wondered suspiciously. “My family obviously, The head maid Helena and my best friend and personal maid Cara. Why do you ask Beta?” He stood staring at me, I couldn’t tell there was something on his mind so I asked “Is something the matter?” With a smile, he nodded his head but stared at me without a word. We both stood like that for a little while until finally, “Miss Silver, I think one of them is my mate.” I stood and thought for a moment, Helena already has a mate, as does my mother and given the circumstances tonight, I’m pretty sure I’m not his mate so……

Suddenly I gasped, “Cara!, oh my goddess it’s Cara, she’s going to be so happy!” Admittedly, I myself was excited too but I couldn’t allow them to meet tonight, tonight is really important to Cara so, I looked like dead in the eyes, “Look, tonight is important to her so I can’t let you meet her tonight, but tomorrow is her day off, I’ll have the maids prepare a picnic and I’ll meet you by the lavender field to set up, I’ll mind-link Cara when we’re done.”

Luke’s eyes lit up with excitement, “Thank you so much Luna!” I spat my drink out in shock, “What did you just say?”

Luke’s excitement quickly dropped when he realised what he had said, “I’m so sorry miss Silver, slip of the tongue in my excitement.” Though I knew it was a lie, I let it go.

“Why don’t you tell me about yourself Beta,” I stated with a smile. Luke smiled back and replied “It’s just Luke.” I paused for a second and responded “Ok just Luke, I’m just Eliza or Liza, being honest though, I prefer Liza.” We giggled for a moment and got into our conversation, only stopping for refreshments.

The way Luke and I talked and laughed was like we were old friends, I liked it. I had just finished telling Luke how I’d handed Chloe’s ass to her when he must have realised Kaiden hadn’t returned since our moment in the meeting room.

“I think I’d better go and find Alpha Kaiden, he’s still not back!” “I’ll help you” I said. After all, I’m probably the reason he’s not back.

We walked around the entire pack house apart from the bathrooms, so I went to check the women’s room while Luke checked the men’s and what I saw shot pain straight through my heart. Luke entered the bathroom and came to me, I pointed in the direction of Kaiden who was apparently pissed at me enough to be balls deep in Chloe.

Luke pulled me into a tight hug and covered my face as my eyes welled and spilt over. “DUDE! REALLY! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?”

I heard Chloe gasp in surprise and the rustling of clothes, the next thing I heard was Kaiden’s voice, he sounded both shocked and angry. “GET LOST!” He yelled as what I assume was the sound of Chloe’s footsteps past by us followed by “What the hell is she doing here Luke?!” Luke pulled back a little and poked down at me, “Can you go outside please Liza? I’d like to talk to my Alpha alone.”

Still in shock, I just looked up at him and nodded, not daring to look back at Kaiden and left in complete silence with tears streaming down my face.

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