Cory’s POV:
The entire pack is filled with excitement and joy as they prepare for the upcoming celebration of the soon-to-be Alpha's 18th birthday. On this momentous occasion, Alpha Henry will officially pass on the title and finally meet his long-awaited mate. The anticipation surrounding this special day is palpable, and it is imperative that everything runs smoothly to ensure a flawless celebration.
What else? Hmm. Did I forget anything? The cake. Good. Foods. Good. Decors. Good. Wines. Good. It appears that everything is in order. That's great! I must ensure that I don't make any mistakes, or else there's a possibility of being confined to my room without any food or water. I rechecked everything, and just in time, the guests arrived. Austin's closest friends - Roma, the Beta, and Don, the Gamma were the first to arrive. Accompanying them was Chloe, Austin's girlfriend, who they regarded as the next Luna and the queen bee of the group. She looked stunning in her mid-thigh pink dress, which had thin straps and ruffles from the chest to the back, and those lovely pink heels. It's no surprise that she's the queen bee with her striking model-like appearance, great physique, and fantastic fashion sense.
“Ew! Stop staring at me, you creep!” Chloe exclaimed. I didn't realize I had been staring at her for so long.
“I-I’m sorry!” I said as I lowered my head.
“Tss. Whatever. If I didn’t know any better, you are jealous. You like my dress, right?” I didn't look up or say anything.
“Too bad, it wouldn’t look good on you. Just continue wearing that piece of whatever-that-is you are wearing.” As I walked in, I felt her gaze scanning me from head to toe. After a brief chuckle, everyone headed towards the garden where the party was being held.
The pack house was bustling with guests arriving for the party. When the festivities began, a huge pile of gifts awaited Austin. Many of them were top-of-the-line items from luxury brands, such as designer clothes, trendy gadgets, and the latest games. One particularly extravagant gift was a sleek, red Ferrari parked in the driveway, courtesy of Alpha Henry and Luna Josephine. Everyone who caught sight of the car was left in awe. Clearly, only the finest gifts were deemed suitable for the future Alpha.
I hear loud music coming from the garden, permeating the walls of the pack house. People are singing and dancing, creating a lively atmosphere. While waiting in line, Austin arrives just as a new song begins.
I perceived a subtle fragrance lingering in the atmosphere, which piqued my curiosity. Intrigued, I inhaled deeply and discerned a complex medley of woody and clean scents. Alas, my attention was abruptly diverted when Lola jostled me aside.
“Hey, I have been calling out your name. What’s wrong with you? Anyway, more guests are coming. Be ready.” That pulled me out of my stance.
As he confidently strode towards the stage, the guests offered their heartfelt congratulations and eagerly shook his hand in admiration. Upon reaching the front, his closest friends warmly patted him on the back, and he lovingly embraced Chloe with a passionate kiss - one that brimmed with intense affection and threatened to escalate into a steamy make-out session at any moment. While Lola and I were taken aback by the public display of affection, the rest of the crowd erupted in a chorus of cheers, claps, whistles, and approving shouts, expressing their unreserved enthusiasm and support.
Lola and I had the pleasure of remaining in the bustling kitchen to lend a hand to the skilled cooks and staff. The dishes they expertly crafted were nothing short of impressive! Alpha Henry and Luna Josephine provided meticulous instructions for the most delectable and opulent ingredients to be utilized for this evening's grand feast. The spread consisted of a vast array of seafood, ranging from succulent shrimp to plump mussels and decadent lobsters, as well as succulent steaks, an assortment of mouth-watering kinds of pasta, heavenly French pastries, and the finest, most expensive wine. It was a truly lavish display of culinary prowess! It was rather amusing to think about the sheer quantity of food that had been prepared, especially considering that the Lycan King would not be in attendance. I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at the thought. It was only natural that the Lycan King would not grace an event hosted by a pack as humble as Midnight Moon.
The festivities continued with guests delighting in the food and drinks. When we believe that there is still an abundance of food available, we take a brief pause to rest.
I stepped outside to take a break and catch my breath. In a few days, I'll be turning 18, and while it won't be a big celebration, that's okay. The only thing I wish for is that my parents were here. The thought made me sad, but I tried to shake it off and get back to work. Suddenly, I caught a whiff of a familiar scent, and my curiosity was piqued. I couldn't resist following it to see where it was coming from.
As I arrived at the lake, I caught sight of a shadowy figure. My heart rate quickened at the sight of this man, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that he was somehow familiar. It was as though we had known each other for years. As I approached him, his enticing scent grew increasingly stronger. Despite not knowing this man, I found myself longing to be held in his arms and breathe in his captivating fragrance.
At that precise moment, the moon illuminated the man, causing me to pause as I recognized him. Upon turning around, I was faced by Austin Miller. Was it he whom I detected earlier? The scent of his cologne was overpowering, even from several feet away. I wondered if he had switched to a different fragrance.
A sudden realization hit me, but I couldn't believe it was true. As I was processing my thoughts, he locked eyes with me, confirming my suspicion. Before I could respond, he spoke up.
“I thought it was just some sick joke or the moon goddess playing some mind games!” he chuckled while shaking his head. We both couldn’t believe that this was happening.
“Seriously?! This is what I get from the moon goddess?” he said in disbelief. “I am an Alpha, for goddess’ sake, and you! You are my...” he couldn’t finish his sentence.
“Mate.” I continued to him.
“I am looking for a reliable and powerful Luna, someone who can safeguard the pack and serve as a role model. I don't want an Omega without a wolf!" It hurts. As I struggled to focus, my vision became blurry and the music from the party faded into the background. I attempted to make sense of the situation. He spoke:
“No! This is unacceptable! I, Austin Miller...” No, no, no! H-he’s going to reject me!
“I, Austin Miller, Alpha of the Midnight Moon Pack, reject Cory Hemmings as my mate and the Luna of this pack!”