The Alpha’s Regret

Ella’s POV  I stood in front of the mirror and smiled with satisfaction. I had really pulled out all the stops tonight for the annual mating ball. My 5,4 frame was draped in a pink tulle gown which hugged my torso then flowed freely from the waist downwards. My skin was still slightly tanned from my visit to the beach the day before and my deep chocolate brown eyes where framed with delicate sparkly eye shadow and black mascara. I kept my make up light, having never really experimented with it that much, I felt it was easier to play it safe. It was soft, pretty, innocent. Everything that I was and it suited me to a tee. My eyes flicked to my most notable physical feature my long platinum blonde hair which looked almost silver in the moonlight streaming from the bedroom window. It was pulled up in a messy but delicate updo. With tendrils of hair floating down to frame my small face. I truly felt like a princess.  Today was the day that all young girls my age had been waiting for. Every year our pack hosts a ball inviting all unmated males and females to attend. Many from other neighbouring packs come to join too since our destined mates where not always from the same pack. I had turned 18 two months ago and was yet to find my mate so the prospect of finding him tonight was really exciting. It is said that every werewolf is gifted a special soulmate by the moon goddess. Your mate will be the perfect fit for you and when you see each other your bond will begin to grow instantly. I often spent time day dreaming about what mine would be like. Would he be kind? Handsome? Clever? Strong? Would he love me and treat me well? I hoped that would be the case. I’m a sucker for a romantic cliche.  “Are you ready princess?” my father called from outside my bedroom door.  “Yes dad, come in!” I called back excitedly.  My dad stood in the door way with tears in his eyes as he looked over my appearance.  “You truly do look beautiful tonight Ella Bella” he stated while flashing me the biggest grin.  “Well thanks dad, but it’s safe to say you’re pretty biased” I chuckled back.  “Nonsense Ella, if you meet your mate tonight he’s going to be counting himself the luckiest man there.” My dad then enveloped me in the biggest hug. He really was a big softie despite being one of the most fierce warriors in our pack. My dad was well respected and he was also good friends with the current Alpha and Beta. Alpha Joseph and Beta Rick ran a tight ship. Our pack was well organised and was one of the biggest and most successful in the north. Both men were hands on and got to know their pack members well. However they would be stepping down from their positions this year to make way for the Alpha’s son and his own Beta.  My dad grasped my hand tightly and pulled me downstairs where I was greeted with the flash of a camera and the sound of my mom’s giddy squeals.  “Ahhh, my girl you look simply gorgeous! I have no doubt tonight is the night that I will get to meet my son in law” she states matter of factly waggling her eyebrows suggestively.  I roll my eyes at her confidence but have to admit that the butterflies in my tummy and the fact that my wolf, Ivy, has been pacing around in my head non stop are starting to lead me to believe that she could be right.  My older brother appears from behind the fridge dressed in his tux, stuffing his face with a sandwich. Jaxon is 2 years older than me and is still unmated. Not that he minds, he enjoys living the single life right now while attending college and training with the pack warriors. I know that when he meets his mate she will be a lucky girl. He is a great guy despite being my annoying and over protective big bro.  “Hey sis, looking cute tonight, like an over grown barbie doll” he joked playfully.  “Oh shut up Jax!” I retort while giggling.  I glanced down at myself for a moment having a mini internal panic. What if he is right? Do I look like some innocent doll? I’m not exactly the most sexy and powerful she- wolf. It’s not really my nature. I push the thoughts to the back of my mind and plaster my smile back on my face.  “Let’s go little one” Jaxon states, still laughing at his own joke.  Pulling up at the pack house, I can see a group of my friends from high school standing by the doors. “ “Hey Ella!” My best friend Mia shouts while shuffling towards me in her slinky silver dress. She really does look gorgeous with her dark brown hair pulled into a tight neat bun and her blue eyes sparkling. We both compliment each other on almost every aspect of our appearance and happily make our way over to our other friends. We graduated high school a month ago and it really is nice to see everyone together again.  Walking into the ballroom I notice the beautiful decor that is clearly the work of our amazing Luna, Grace. She really is an amazing woman. If ever I was a Luna, I would strive to be as classy and caring as her. Making our way to the buffet table I fill my plate with some dainty finger foods. As werewolves, we tend to have large appetites, however tonight my stomach appears to be doing somersaults so I take it easy on the snacks. Just as I am heading back to my table the most amazing scent hits my nose. It smells like chocolate and hazelnuts. My mind goes into overdrive and I freeze in place knowing exactly what this means.  He’s here.  I sit down still half dazed and gently tug Mia’s arm breaking her from her small talk with a handsome guy that I don’t recognise. He’s most likely is from another pack.  “Mia, he’s here! I can smell him! Oh Goddess, what do I do?”  “Calm down Ella, don’t panic!” she giggles lightly. “If he’s here, let him come to you. You are stunning inside and out. He’s going to love you so don’t sweat it”  Mia always had a cool and collected head and never seemed to worry about anything. I really wished I could have some of her self confidence and conviction.  I scan the room eagerly when my eyes lock with a pair of piercing blue orbs. As our eyes lock, my heart stills and I swear I hear it skips a beat. I smile lightly and examine my mates expression. To my horror his face appears neutral. Unbothered almost, even a little irritated maybe. It then hits me just whose face I’m staring into. The face of our future Alpha. Alpha Lucas. I know of him from high school, however, he was 2 years above me at school and we didn’t really hang around in the same circles. He has also been away for the past six months at Alpha training camp so I haven’t seen him around in a while. We have had a couple of casual conversations during pack training in the past and he always seemed pleasant enough, even complimenting my form and fighting ability on the odd occasion although he has always seemed somewhat arrogant and a little too self important for my taste. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has no idea who I am. Not to mention there is a constant stream of girls who annoyingly hang on his every word. Not really my cup of tea.  I’m still in complete shock when I realise he is gesturing towards the balcony and I watch in a daze as he saunters out through the glass doors. My feet carry me slowly towards the balcony but the once excited feeling in my stomach has turned to dread. Ivy is whimpering in my head and I can feel her uncertainty about what is about to happen.  “This is not good Ella” Ivy growls gently.  “I don’t think our mate wants us. Why did he not come to us?”  “I don’t know Ivy.” I try to reassure her but I know in my heart that this is not how newly mated couples tend to react. From what I have experienced watching others, once the mate bond is identified the wolves in question rush towards each other, as if pulled by some magnetic force. From then on its hard for them to keep their hands off each other. Many wolves even mark each other and mate within the first night of meeting. Werewolves are very s****l beings after all and it’s not at all frowned upon to move quickly with your fated mate. Making my way across the ballroom the sudden realisation creeps up on me that tonight is a full moon. On the night of the full moon mates can reject each other and break the bond that the Moon Goddess has gifted them with. Thus allowing them to move on with their lives as individuals. Sometimes it is said that the moon goddess grants second chance mates to those who are worthy. However, I’ve yet to meet a wolf who has been so lucky.  As I reach the balcony, I see his large muscular form looking out over the gardens. He is around 6,3 and dressed in an all black fitted suit that hugs the large muscles on his chest and arms effortlessly. His chocolate brown tousled hair is moving gently in the wind and his strong hands are clutching the railing in front of him. He looks tense and deep in thought. When he hears me approach he turns to meet my gaze and we take a moment to study each other. I feel his eyes examine my body and finally land on my lips. I swear I see a slight flicker of doubt in his icy demeanour before his mask of indifference is snapped back into place on his handsome face.  “Your name is Ella Benson, is that correct?” he asks me in a detached and cold voice.  “Yes” I answer softly still staring into his piercing blue eyes. “I’m really sorry to do this Ella, really I truly am. You seem like a really nice and sweet girl but this whole mates thing is really not for me. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to reject you. Okay? Trust me it will be better for you in the long run...” I stare at him in disbelieve as a few tears start to make their way down my cheeks and my body begins to feel numb. Noticing this, he takes a step towards me and softens his voice.  “I really am sorry, it’s nothing personal and I do hope you find a man who is right for you in the future.”  I take a deep breathe preparing myself for the pain that I know is sure to follow and I wrap my arms around my body as if trying to shield myself from the world.  “I Alpha Lucas Blackwood, reject you, Ella Benson as my mate and Luna”  Each word is like a tiny dagger slicing through my heart but I know what I have to do next. I have to sever the bond completely and accept his rejection. My pride is still at stake here and I won’t let him reduce me to begging for his love and acceptance.  I never thought I would have to say these words. Rejection was rare but it did happen. I’m living proof, in this moment.  “ I Ella Benson, accept your rejection Alpha Lucas Blackwood”.    As soon as the words leave my lips I crumple to the floor as a searing pain rips through my torso. I feel as though I have been torn in half and the feeling of emptiness engulfs my body and mind. I can feel a presence beside me uttering the word ‘sorry’ repeatedly and I vaguely recognise it to be Alpha Lucas. Why is he not feeling this searing pain? Perhaps it’s due to his Alpha blood. Maybe he has been preparing for this moment a for a long time. Maybe he just really doesn’t care.  I don’t know but I can’t bring myself to look at him or to answer him. I just know I need to get out of here and fast. Just then, I feel a pair of strong arms grab me from my crumpled heap. I curl myself into the familiar scent which I recognise to be that of my brother and I let the tears fall fast and fiercely as I let out my heartache and pain. Ivy howls and whimpers in my head and I can feel her retreat further into my consciousness. I can hear some heated words between my brother and Alpha Lucas being thrown but I don’t have the energy to listen or to care what is being said.  “Please, Jaxon, please, just take me home” I sob while clinging on to him for dear life.  “Shhh it’s okay Ella Bella, I’ll get you out of here” he whispers gently as he scoops me up to his arms bridal style. I hear his footsteps trudge down the stone steps into the darkness of the gardens below.  *** I feel myself being placed onto my soft mattress and I hear my mom cry for me and my situation. She softly pats my hair and tells me that it’s going to be okay but I can hear her distress behind her words. My eyes are raw and red from tears and there are no signs of them stopping anytime soon. My mom kisses me gently in the head and turns out my bedroom light. Leaving me to wallow in my sadness.  “He can’t just reject her!” My dad bellows furiously outside my bedroom door.  “She’s our future Luna for Christ’s sake! He puts the whole pack at risk by rejecting his future mate! Our Ella was chosen by the Moon Goddess for a reason.”  “ I agree dad, but it’s done now. I heard Ella accept his rejection.” My brother states sadly.  “Well Alpha Joseph will hear of this. He will be so disappointed in Lucas. He knows our daughter would make a fine Luna for this pack”  Suddenly my fathers words register in my brain and my eyes fly open in panic. I jump from my bed and sprint toward the door, opening it and staring into the startled faces of my family.  “Please no!! Dad please don’t! I don’t want to be known as the sad, pathetic rejected Luna of this pack. Please you can’t say anything to anyone. No one else can know!” My despair and desperation seep out of every word and my family can’t help but nod in silence at my sudden outburst.  Feeling drained and sore, I close the door tightly and flop down onto my bed without even removing my stupid pretty pink dress. It takes a while but eventually sleep consumes me. With my last thought, I vow to leave this nightmare of an evening far behind.