Rejection on the Full Moon

Chapter 8 - The Full Moon Rejection Part 2

As I drive back to the pack, I bypass the pack house and head straight for the shed that housed the trailer with things from both my bedroom and what I had packed away after my parents’ death. I packed away the gifts I received so far today in the trailer and sigh. I will be leaving soon, sometime this week, either before or after school ends.

I’ll probably buy a house for myself or go off to a college or university to get away from the pack for a bit. I spend some time wandering the pack on foot, leaving my car in the shed, ready to be hooked up to the trailer. I know that Blue is letting me decide where to move. He would understand if I left the pack for a bit to figure myself out and make my life more fulfilling. My mind wanders as I start to think about my future. The fact I would most likely meet my mate today also plays into what I would do. Would he understand my need to leave for a few years to follow my desires, or would he force me to stay? Would my mate be kind and understanding or clingy and demanding? All these questions swirl in my mind, causing my mood to dampen. My future is unknown, but I just hoped that the Goddess would bring some light to me tonight.

Soon, I find myself in a familiar setting as I walk past the old mailbox that was battered and filled with weeds. The driveway showed the ageing of the place as cracks are filled with dandelions, milkweed, and ragweed. Nature has taken over, as most places held new plants and bushes as well as relatively new saplings. But the scent of charred wood still lingered in some places, even if it is minuscule. My legs carry me to the stone bench that stood in the front where a garden used to be. The roses and wildflowers my mother used to love were overgrown and taking over the yard. Nothing remained other than a hole in the ground where the basement used to be. Everything is overrun by plants, moss, and trees. Even the shed where my father would butcher our kills was gone. The stench of blood no longer lingered near there as a fluffy little bunny hops across the front. Mia and Zack had done an excellent job of burning this place to the ground.

Music drifted in on the wind as a signal that the party is starting, and as the guest of honour, it’s time to make my way towards the field and make an entrance. I stand from the bench and slowly look around at my childhood home, a sad smile playing on my lips before I start walking in the direction of the music. A sense of excitement courses through my veins as the music grows louder the closer I get to the meadow. A hum of energy has me moving faster until a crowd greets me. The scent that’s been haunting me all day grows stronger and much more powerful. My mate is here.

“There’s the girl of honour!” A loud voice exclaims as I am pulled into a bear hug by Blue. Many pack members greet me, wishing me a happy birthday, but those who were under Mia’s command stand as far away from the crowd as possible. No one from my generation wants anything to do with me as their disdain and scornful looks bear down on me. Even on my birthday, I am still an outcast.

Turning away from the group of young adults, I come face to face with many pups who run around the field, chasing each other between tables and wolves who mingle about. Many pups come up to tug at my hand to wish me a happy birthday and give me hugs, while other pups beg me to join them in either tag or soccer. I have always loved their innocent views in life, only wanting to play with the older wolves as many of us have shifted. Being members of the packs, their parents grew up with my own parents and knew of my unfortunate circumstances. They gave me a chance as a babysitter for their pups, leading to the little ones being close with me. I used to take the children off the hands of the older wolves to play in the field and give their parents a break.

“Now, Miss Amberle, you aren’t going to run off before seeing your little sister.” Serena says as she pulls me away from the children and hands me a smiling little girl. I cuddle Claira for a moment while I pass the elders, stopping to greet them with the one-year-old in my arms. I may be an adult now, but disrespecting an elder of the pack would lead to a punishment, and I am not willing to face one from them.

“How does it feel to be a fully-grown wolf?” Elder Sylvia asks, taking Claira from my arms to cuddle the pup. “

It’s strange, but a good strange.” I answer honestly, accepting a cookie from her mate Elder James.

“Have you sensed you mate yet?” Elder James asks, getting a warning look from his mate.

​“Actually, I’ve sensed him since this morning. I am positive my mate is in our pack, but I haven’t been able to find him yet.” I sigh at the end, taking an angry bite out of the cookie. Knowing that my mate is so close yet out of reach all day has started to irritate me. It’s bad enough knowing that my generation hates me, but what if he were one of those that used to push me down the stairs or use illegal moves during training that would lead me into the pack hospital for weeks on end? What if my mate hates me?

A hand reaches out and grasps mine, and I am met with Elder Sylvia’s gaze as her eyes hold sincerity and hope in them. I can feel her worry for me and I send a reassuring smile her way.

“Remember that everything happens for a reason, Amberle. Whatever happens, means that it is meant to happen. The Moon Goddess has set your path on one that will make you stronger.” Her voice is soothing as she squeezes my hand in reassurance before turning her attention back to Claira. I know that Elder Sylvia is right, and that by the end of the night, my destiny will be revealed to me in some form.

“How about you go and get some food from Axel? He is manning the barbecue with a few of the Warriors and Hunters.” Serena intervenes, giving me a chance to escape and look for my friends. I say my farewells to the elders, receiving a bag from Elder Sylvia from the five of them with gratitude before heading in the direction where the smell of food is obvious.

A few Omegas run around as they constantly replace the food on the table. Salads are refilled, and treats were swapped as a new tray takes the place of an empty tray. I am grateful for their diligence and smile at them in greeting before walking over to Axel, who is surrounded by a bunch of wolves his age.

“If it isn’t the birthday girl!” Axel exclaims, the Beta wrapping me into a bear hug of his own as my nose scrunches up at the smell of beer on his breath.

“Does Serena know you’ve been drinking?” I ask as I am set back on my feet, arms crossed across my chest.

“As a matter of fact, yes, she does. I have only had one so far, so don’t worry. I am on baby duty tonight since she’s been busy with her duties as the Beta Female and acting Luna. She really needs a break and some T.L.C.” He reassures with a smile. If there is one thing I have learned since having Axel and Serena in my life as the fun Aunt and Uncle is that they are 100% committed to each other.

“I’ll be happy to take Claira off your hands for the weekend if you two want to get away for a bit.” I offer as I grab a plate and allow Axel to place a few kabobs and sausages onto it. All the guys around the barbecue comment on how caring I am to help the Betas out, and I explain that they helped raise me. That Claira is like a baby sister to me.

"Thanks, I may take you up on that offer." Axel chuckles, giving me another hug. He hands the tongs to one of the men before walking to a table and grabbing something hidden under the tablecloth. He has a large smile on his face as he hands me a black bag.

“I know Serena plans to take you shopping, but this is from me. I know you’re eyeing the Head Tracker position, so hopefully, these will help.” Excitement courses through me as I set my plate on a table and hand the bag from the elders to Axel to hold as I open his gift, a smile forming when I find a few throwing knives and braces for my ankles inside.

“Thank you so much!” I couldn’t help the shock while my hands caress the blades of a throwing knife, the craftsmanship beautiful and light. These will be perfect in dealing with a soulless.

“You’re welcome. Now, your friends from school are probably wondering where the hell you are. Go enjoy your birthday party, Ams.” I take back the gift bag from Axel and wave to the other wolves before grabbing my plate, filling up the remaining room with a salad, and heading back into the crowd. Many wolves from different packs greet me and wish me a happy birthday before I finally spot my friends at a picnic table underneath a large oak tree.

“There’s our fiery redhead!” Dawn exclaims when she spots me, rushing towards me and taking the bags from my hand to place the gifts into a large box.

“Any news on the mystery scent yet?” Ivory asks as I take a seat beside her, Kent passing me a bottle of water. A large sigh escapes my lips as I shove a large fork full of potato salad into my mouth and angrily chew it.

“Nope. I’m starting to believe the scent is something my imagination came up with just to play tricks on me.” I grumble with a scowl on my face. The music is starting to get louder, and my eyes wander over the crowd of werewolves. I smile as pack members mingle with each other as well as the guests. But no one caught my eye. I know my mate is here in this crowd, and eventually, I’ll meet him.

“How about we go and party the night away, Miss Amber before you ruin your mood worrying about some mate.” I feel myself being lifted off of the seat as I’m carried by Kevin into the crowd, who sets me on my feet onto the makeshift dance floor. He is right, though. Today is my birthday—my day. I shouldn’t be worrying about some stupid guy who may or may not be here right now. With a promise to my friends to shelf the whole mate situation aside until later, I focus on dancing with my friends and spending time with the pack members who care about me.

Time flies by, and the box Dawn had set up for me to receive gifts slowly fills up until no room is left. The sun had set hours ago as the full moon slowly rises high into the indigo sky. I always loved the night sky, especially here where the pack is located, far away from the cities where all you can see are the natural sparkling lights above.