The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 42

Rowan

POV

on her again.

As the Alpha of my pack, it was my duty to attend the wedding of Sophie Henderson. Part of me didn't want to, but another, much bigger part did. Because I knew instinctively that her sister Amber, my mate, would be attending and I desperately wanted to clap eyes "Have a good time" chuckled my Beta as I glared at him.

He knows how much I despise weddings. Most people thought they were cute, but I tended to view it like one would view a hanging noose. With repulsion and fear. Marriage meant you were tied to each other for life, but so did marking your mate. I didn't understand the need for a female to have a dream wedding. Why not just mark each other and be done with it? Marriage was just a piece of paper, after all, wasn't it?

"You could always come as well" I growl at my Beta Laurence, who holds his hands up in surrender and shakes his head adamantly.

"No way, you're on your own for this one" he laughed, "there'll be plenty of single desperate females to fawn all over you" he teased as I shuddered at the thought of it.

He passes me the gift. I have no idea what it is, nor do I care. It was polite to give a gift to the wedding couple and Laurence had organized it, so whatever it was would be perfectly respectable. I had no doubts about that.

"You'll ensure that the pack is taken care of?" I checked." Don't forget there have been a few sightings of rogues near the territory."

He nods, looking grim. "Of course. You have nothing to worry about, other than getting to the wedding. I know what to do, don't stress."

I sigh and hold the present carefully in my hands, walking out of the study and out the front door, where my baby, a red Ferrari, is waiting. It wasn't exactly something that blended in, but I loved this car and I wanted to drive it.

I hopped in and started the engine, drumming my fingertips on the steering wheel as the stereo came on loudly.

"I'll see you when you get back" yells Laurence over the music.

I gave him a small wave and then pulled out, going along the back paths until I finally reached the main road, heading towards the next pack and to my mate.

I didn't know how to feel about seeing my mate again. I knew the mate bond would pull me in, make me drawn to her and no other women at the ceremony. Would she recognize me? We had only ever seen each other at the bookstore and for a few minutes. I suspected she still hadn't realized we were mates. But would she feel the pull as strongly as I did, when she had no wolf? Others would despise her for being undesirable, but not I. No, my hesitance was because of something else. The idea of hurting her, because I was afraid of commitment, or being too possessive of her, was always in the forefront of my mind. I didn't want her to hate me, and for some reason I was afraid she inevitably would. Not to mention I was older than she was.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and focus on the drive, pulling in between other cars there for the same reason. Ignoring everyone around me, I hop out and make my way towards the pack house, where a woman and the man beside her are directing guests to their seats. This must be Luna Marian and Alpha John then, I thought to myself, shaking the man's hand. His grip is surprisingly strong and firm. "I'm Alpha John. Welcome to our pack" he says to me, his eyes twinkling. I know he can tell that I'm an Alpha. We can sense each other's aura.

His wife is small and petite, with a large smile on her heavily made-up face. "Welcome, I'm Luna Marian" she says, also shaking my hand politely. She looks like a doll, with a dress on so tight, that she's having trouble actually moving in it. I pretended not to notice. Inwardly though, I rolled my eyes. Why would you not choose comfort over being uncomfortable like this? I didn't get it.

"I'm Alpha Rowan" I grunted out and watched them gasp in shock. Yes, I have quite a reputation. I'm known for being a coldhearted Alpha amongst the other packs. I guess it didn't help that what I did to Stacey had been spread around like gossip. "Alpha Rowan", Luna Marian, says faintly, "how lovely of you to come to this happy occasion. It's my daughter Sophie who is getting married" she adds unnecessarily.

"Congratulations" I said gruffly. I hand her the gift and watched her place it on a table that is piled high with other presents from different packs.

"Thank you" she tells me, beaming. "if you go this way, the wedding will take place shortly."

She points to her right where there are chairs set up on the grass, an archway of roses at the end of them. I can see the minister standing there, muttering to himself, bible in hand. God, I hope this ceremony doesn't take long.

"Thanks" I murmur and leave them, replaceing myself a seat in the back, where I hope I won't be seen. Around me, the crowd of people begin to chatter amongst themselves, the Luna's looking around in interest and awe at all the decorations.

I cross my legs and fold my arms, the seats beside me are empty. Other pack members come past, glancing my way and then p aling, moving further up in order to replace a seat. Laurence would be highly amused by this, I thought to myself smugly. Shame the bastard had refused to come. I would have liked his company, annoying as it was. We could have talked about pack business to pass the time. Oh well. Never mind. I would have to deal with this on my own. It doesn't help though, that every other Alpha that I glance at seems to have a Luna on his arm, and I'm here, sitting without one, looking lonely.

It's a beautiful day outside. The sky is a stunning blue, with the sun shining down warmly on the crowd. There are white clouds lazily floating in the sky and the grass is a vivid and plush green, my shoes sinking into the ground. It was a perfect day for being outdoors and it made sense to me why they had put the ceremony outside. I was also impressed by the largeness of the pack house, which was slightly smaller than my own, but extremely luxurious looking, almost like a mansion. The garden beds outside were carefully tended to, with bright flowers as far as the eye could see. The Luna clearly took pride in taking care of the house and the outside grounds. It was nice to see that they maintained the house and garden, as not all packs did, and would often leave their pack members in poverty without helping them. This clearly, was not such a pack.

I heard the gentle sounds of music beginning. Instantly, the voices chattering stopped, people adjusting themselves in their chairs, everyone's gaze going towards the sound. The groom is standing there, fidgeting with his tie, his eyes widening in disbelief, staring at someone with a wistful expression on his face. I smelled her, before I saw her, the scent so intoxicating it overwhelmed my senses. I took a deep breath and felt the pull, my face turning sideways as she approached. I held back a gasp. She was gorgeous, like a goddess, her beautiful vibrant red hair cascading loosely down her shoulders, a bouquet clutched in her trembling hands. She wore a bright green dress that gathered on one shoulder and then gathered underneath her generous bosom and then flowed down to her ankles. She wore plain white heels underneath the dress and no jewelry of any kind. Not that she needed any. She was stunning, like something out of a fairytale. A princess. No wonder the groom was staring hard at her. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she walked in time to the music, between the pews of chairs, towards the archway of roses.

I wish she would look at me, but her concentration is on the archway and the groom, who gives her a small smile as she finishes her descent, Amber steps to the side, her face going towards where no doubt her sister will appear. For a moment, I see her eyes widen as she sees me in the crowd, before going back to her sister who is now approaching down the aisle. Everyone's eyes are on Sophie and the beautiful dress she is wearing, except for mine. My wolf is close to the surface, wanting to close the gap, wanting me to kiss her in front of the whole crowd and declare her as Luna while I wrestle with him. Now is not the time or place for it, but he doesn't care, pouting that I'm ignoring his wishes.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union between Sophie and Darius" began the minister in a monotone. I barely hear a word he's saying. Instead, I'm entranced by the sunlight on Amber's hair which makes it gleam in the light, the way her head moves as she listens to the ceremony, the smoothness and creaminess of her pale skin. The greenness of her eyes as they sparkle with humor and love. Even the way she moved her feet slightly in discomfort was a marvel to watch. It was like I couldn't tear my eyes away from my mate. She was pure, innocent, and I was a cold-hearted bastard, I thought to myself, forcing myself to stay in my seat as the ceremony seemed to drag on and on.

The ceremony was finally over and I blinked in shock, as the crowd began to cheer and people filed past the bride and groom offering their congratulations. My eyes flit to Amber who is laughing and crying, hugging her sister and the groom, I. note with jealousy. The crowd begins to move towards the marquee set up on the grounds, where the reception is no doubt being held. I take a deep breath, glad to be in back and force myself to stand upright, filing past along with the rest of the crowd. I mumble "congratulations" to the bride and groom. Amber is busy speaking with her parents now. Then I see her parents and Amber take off towards the marquee, some strange man tailing my mate. I frown. Is he a guard of some sort? Why did she need a guard? Was she in some sort of danger? Then I remember the burning feeling I felt in my back that time and stiffened. She had been hurt and I had failed to realize it! Was this the reason for her being guarded?

My wolf is going berserk, needing to be close to Amber. He wants to tear the guard from limb to limb and it's a struggle to force him down into the depths of my mind, before he takes control. I walk to the marquee somewhat dazed, walking past Amber's parents who are apparently arguing about something.

"I don't understand why you can't be more compassionate about Amber" her mother is saying, twisting some pearls in her hands.

"Woman, do not push me on this day of all days" snarls the man, Amber's father and the Beta of the pack.

I hesitate. Should I interrupt them? Where was Amber? My desire to replace Amber overruns any other decision and before I know it, I'm ducking into the marquee and locating my table. I sit down, glad to see that I'm sitting with another Alpha who looks bored and is busy drinking. He doesn't look like he wants to socialize, which is fine by me. Then I spot her and my heart skips a beat. Amber. She's sitting at a table with the guard, looking uncomfortable, a tear trailing down her cheek. I prepared myself to stand up and go to her, when her parents slipped in and sat down next to her, still arguing loudly. Great. Then the bride and groom come inside and the crowd begins to roar as I sigh. I would have to wait for my chance to talk to my mate and, I thought grimly, to her parents as well. It was time to take my mate home with me.