- Everest -

'Rejection?' I worried.

There was no way in hell that I could ever reject Caleb, he's my mate.

Even though he basically said he didn't want to be with us, then moved on to another girl quite quickly to emphasize how much he didn't want to be with me.

My anger had resurfaced.

'Mate' my wolf cried

'!' I argued with her internally yes Caleb had been my mate but I couldn't deny he was an asshole.

'No...Mate.' she sounded as she had me look over at Titus...he was watching me closely.

I turned away from him and she growled but I ignored her. Whether my wolf or I liked the idea of rejection we both knew deep down that Titus was right. In order to move forward I would have to leave Caleb in my past...and the only way that could ever happen is if I rejected him.

"H-how would I even do that, I mean, it's not like he's here."

Titus looked at me, his dark eyes (framed by his thick lashes) had a sadness to them.

"You don't physically have to be near him, you just reject him, but you have to mean it."

I wasn't completely sure, but this guy seemed sort of genuine in his care for such a sensitive subject. Both Briar and my father had urged me to give him a chance, and I wasn't stupid either. I knew if I played nice I would get treated nice...but there was something about Titus Graystone that read sincere.

I nodded.

"I'm not just tell you this to be cruel or harsh." He continued. "Everest, do you realize what will happen if I so much as tried to touch you while your you are still bonded to your mate?"

"He didn't mark me nor I him."

"But you had sex." He pointed out. "The bond begins forming with acts of intimacy. Don't you know this?"

Once more I had no clue what he was talking about, and I felt like an idiot for knowing so little about mates or union ceremonies. I was under the impression that the bond begins to form just from the minute you meet your mate.

But these weren't exactly things our father spoke to us about, and our nannies and cooks only spoke about the 'happily ever afters' not the complicated beginnings.

"No." I confessed.

This time he stood up from his chair and he motioned with his hand to me. I understood that he wanted me to rise with him, I did so and he stepped in close to me.

He placed both hands on my upper arms.

It wasn't too bad, but his closeness had me on edge and my wolf was more than antsy now, she was actually howling for goddess know what reason.

Then be carefully lifted one hand and he cupped my face.

His bare palm was rough and as it delicately cradled my head, I could feel every nerve inside of me tightening and releasing rapidly. This heat stared to fill me as I couldn't help lean into his palm momentarily. But then the heat got too hot and I recoil as the direct skin to skin touch burned and soon bile began to rise in my throat.

"My apologies." He said in a low voice, "I just..." He shook his head and cleared his throat, "now you know what I meant before, now imagine that happening as we are ordered to mate later tonight, the decision is your Everest. But if it were me, I'd rather have a clear conscience and try and enjoy it as much as one can possibly enjoy a mating ceremony."

And just like that he went to exit the room.

"Alpha Graystone." I sounded.

He turned and smiled, "Everest, when we are alone you may call me what ever you wish, including my first name."

I nodded, "and what about in public?"

"In public it is customary for us to refer to each other as husband and wife, Alpha and Luna, or even any term of endearment...if the time for that ever comes."

I understood completely. "Well Titus...I just wanted to say thank you for setting up this meeting, I can't imagine it was easy."

He chuckled deeply, "well it definitely isn't customary for arranged Weres to meet before their union, but I suppose it's all in who you know." He smiled. "See you later Everest."

After he had left I took a seat on the sofa and looked around the room a little.

It was a typical study, shelves lined with books, leather and wood interiors a large desk that even I didn't dare go near, and two sets of doors on either wall. I knew deep down that one lead to his bedroom and I wondered if it would be the room where the mating would take place?

I shook my head and decided to duck out of the room, instead of going back to my room I decided to go outside.

"And just where do you think you're off to?"

I didn't have to turn to see that it was Phyllis who spoke to me.

"I need a run."

She shook her head violently, "there is no time for such things today child...now up to your room and straight into your bath, you should've been close to finished already."

"I had a sit down with Ti-...my husband to be."

She nodded once as she held her mouth in a tight line. "We all know about the uncanny meeting, but as I said, we don't have any time to lose on anything else now go upstairs and start getting ready."

I knew she didn't like me, she hardly made an effort to hide it. But I knew I needed to stand my ground, by the end of the day I would become the Luna of this pack, and Phyllis better learn that Luna's only take orders from their Alpha

lghand the council.

But for now I simply smiled and invoked my good ol' southern manners; "yes ma'am" I sounded as I gently turned and made my way back in the direction of my room.

Once inside Heidi awaited me and quickly ushered me into the restroom where I stripped completely and didn't protest getting into the sticky and thick liquid.

"This is so bizarre." I commented.

"So I've been told." She sighed in a loving fashion, "alright my lady, head back...and try to relax."

I closed my eyes and let my head slowly fall back until the icy water got close to my scalp and I ripped my head forward.

Eyes now open I stared at Heidi, "what the he-"

"It's tradition." She simply stated.

I groaned as I knew I had to do it, this time I stiffly placed my head back, and with an ultra tense neck I finally let the water engulf my entire head of hair.

I had to admit it wasn't so bad once I adjusted to the water but I still didn't see it's true purpose except for silly superstitions.

After about an hour sitting in a tub of milk and honey Heidi finally announced it was time to get out.

"No rinsing." She stated as she noticed me reaching for the faucet handles.

"What?"

"Trust me." She said as she handed me an oversized fluffy towel, "now, pat dry."

I complied as she pulled out the gowns she had chosen.

"Alright" she smiled. "Which one do you want?"

All three were the same form fitted style with slight differences.

The first was all navy and was more casual of the three as it came just under the knee and had quarter sleeves. The other was a long floor length cream colored gown that had a more loose bottom as it's pleated style gave it a small bell effect, the only splash of color was a charcoal colored ribbon that cinched the waist in and tied in the back. The last dress was a full mermaid style dress that was all black and lace

"All of them represent our pack colors: Black, Gray, and Navy...I picked the off white gown as it looks most like a wedding gown, but I figured you would be more drawn to the black gown...and well, I thought the navy would suite your personality best."

She was spot on.

But if I was gonna do this right I knew which one I had to choose, "I'll go with the cream and gray one."

She nodded.

"Also, can I have a moment alone...I'm sure I can get the dress on, I'll call you back in to finish zipping me up and cinching me in." I smiled.

She returned my smile with her own as she left.

As I had said I slipped the dress on and zipped it as much as I could.

I looked at my reflection for the third time today, the gown was beautiful and as my hair was already beginning to dry I decided I would tie it up for the union and bring it down for the mating.

But as I looked in the mirror I knew I had something to do.

All of those emotions I had been pushing down and trying not to think about, I let them all come forward.

I watched my pained face as the memory of Caleb using us set in, I watched as the tears fell freely down my cheeks as I recalled the way he happily held onto another girl...then his gorgeous face filled my head: "I reject you." I whispered.

I closed my eyes and kept his face in the front of my mind, "never again will I give myself to you, I can not love someone who can not love me, I Everest Kirkshaw speaking on behalf of myself and my wolf do hereby reject my Caleb as a mate."

And with that my wolf howled in pain before she went silent.

I opened my eyes and saw myself once more, I cleared my face of any remaining tears before I called Heidi back in.

"Everything alright my lady?" She asked.

"Just had to get something done."

She looked at me suspiciously but didn't question me further.