Page 3 of Amaris Rejected (Stone Mountain Shifters #2)

Amaris

The annual All Packs Mating Meet-and-Greet is a highly anticipated event for the shifters in the Northern Territories. Each year, the packs take turns hosting the weekend gathering. Hundreds of singles are introduced to one another in hopes of finding their mates. Each Alpha pair and a small contingent also attend to keep the peace and strengthen relations among the packs.

Lyra, my wolf, appears to be excited. I am currently driving one of the new cars from our pack to the Meet-and-Greet; my heart is pounding with anticipation. As the small, economical car hums beneath me, the thought spins through my head that I could actually find my mate this weekend. If I do, this car will be mine. Since successful matchups are greater than 75%, I was told to pack all my belongings in it. They have my bank information, so I’m all set. Let's just hope I find my mate.

The event spans two days. Participants arrive on Saturday morning and are assigned to rooms for the night. Various activities are scheduled for Saturday, including a midnight run, hiking, kayaking, dinner, dancing, bonfires, and more. Participants are encouraged to meet up and engage in activities throughout the day.

If I meet my mate, we’ll be assigned to rooms where we can get to know each other and complete the paperwork. If we are compatible, we can choose to mate. There’s no formal ceremony on the grounds; the mates sign the legal marriage bonds with their respective Alphas and later hold the ceremony at their chosen home pack. By Saturday night, most individuals destined to find their mate will have done so.

I arrive on-site around 10:00 a.m. Hundreds of wolves are here, excitedly talking and laughing. Event organizers, wearing matching yellow T-shirts, direct us to a table where we receive information about the activities, our room cards, and meal tickets. We also receive stick-on name tags. Throughout the day, I keep hearing people shout, "Mate."

I enjoy many of the activities throughout the day. Just after dinner, I sit by one of the bonfires. I’m quietly staring into the embers when a group of young males approach the fire. While most of them chat with the females around me, I notice one guy who stands silently, staring at me. I look up into his chocolate-brown eyes. That's when Lyra jumps up and says, " Mate. "

"Mate," he mouths. He walks over to me and asks, "Can I sit next to you?"

"Yes," I whisper, smiling.

"I'm Devon." His voice is deep and husky. "I'm the future Alpha of the Still Waters Pack."

He reaches for my hand and sparks race up my arm. "My name is Amaris, from the Silver Creek Pack," I reply.

We talk for the next couple of hours. Lyra and I are enamored with Devon and his wolf, Rue. Nervously, he sweeps his light blonde hair out of his eyes. He must be at least a foot taller than my 5’5” with a strong jaw and broad, muscular shoulders.

"You’re beautiful, Amaris. Your eyes are the color of moss, and your hair is like black silk," he sighs, brushing his fingers through my tresses, the tendrils sliding across his skin. I blush at his sweet words, and a soft smile spreads across my face as I shyly peek at him through my lashes.

My hair is one of my best features; it’s glossy, black, and falls to my waist. "Why don't we talk to our Alphas, my lovely mate?" His voice is a mere whisper in my ear.

My Alpha and Luna, Black, meet with the three Little Silver Creek Pack females who found their mates, including me.

Since it was decided that we would go to our mates' respective packs, the cars are signed over to each of us, and the bank account deposits have been authorized with the first stipend payments.

"Ladies, congratulations on finding your mates. Luna Black and I will release you from the pack tomorrow as we leave. A formal ceremony is not needed; I’ll simply say the words. Then, your new Alpha will have you swear allegiance to your new pack at his convenience."

Devon and I were given the keycard to our new suite. Here, we will meet with our Alphas and Lunas one final time for the marriage bond execution. Carrying our bags into the room, Devon drops them by the bed and reaches for me.

"Can I kiss you before the Alphas arrive?" he breathes, his mouth so close that I can already feel his breath.

I timidly tilt my head up to him in permission. He touches his lips to mine; his tongue presses for entrance. Taking advantage of my gasp, he plunders my mouth as desire and heat invade. Our breaths quicken as I clutch his biceps as if my life depended upon it.

I’m giddy. I’ve never been this happy to have found my mate. He is incredibly gorgeous and kisses like an angel.

He gently pushes me against the wall as we tangle, no longer struggling to keep our hands to ourselves. But then, a knock at the door jolts us back to the present. We quickly pull away from each other, both slightly breathless.

Alpha and Luna Black enter, followed by Devon's Alpha and Luna Wright, who are also his parents. Luna Wright smiles warmly at me, and I return her smile.

After the introductions, we all sit at the dining table. Devon keeps touching me, running his hands sneakily down my knees and thighs. It’s incredibly distracting.

Alpha Black is explaining the marriage bond paperwork we are to sign. "Alpha, Luna, Devon," he begins. "As part of Amaris's participation in this event, we were told we need to disclose a slight medical anomaly."

Alpha Wright's expression clouds. "Medical anomaly?" The discussion doesn’t faze Devon, though. His attention is fixed on me, just as mine is on him. Luna Wright simply looks at Alpha Black with mild concern.

"Yes. Amaris has an issue with her wolf. She was approved to attend the Meet-and-Greet because her wolf is present. Lyra communicates with Amaris and appears to her, advising and helping her heal quickly. The only concern is that she hasn't shifted yet. The medical team has cleared her and found that she is both physically and mentally healthy, but we still don't know why she hasn't shifted. Alpha Black concludes, "In full disclosure, she was a foundling, so we don't know her family history. She is an advanced trainee healer with certificates and licenses; she has a clean record, and I highly recommend her in every respect."

"I'm not sure we want a latent wolf for a future Luna, Alpha Black." Alpha Wright glares. "Why weren’t we informed of this sooner?"

"I'm not sure why you’re reacting this way, Alpha. This is our first meeting on this matter, and we made things clear right away," Alpha Black reiterates calmly. "There’s nothing wrong with Amaris. She has great potential and will be an exceptional Luna for your pack."

Devon looks at his father. "Dad, with all due respect, I'd like to move forward with the paperwork and get to know my beautiful mate." He turns back to me and smiles.

All parties involved sign the paperwork to legally bind Devon and me in marriage. The bonding ceremony, which includes the mate marking, will take place when we return to his pack—the pack that will soon be mine, too.

The next morning, as I wake with my head resting on my new husband's gorgeous chest, I stretch languidly and smile. I feel a rumbling beneath my cheek as Devon says, "What have I done?" Blinking my sleep-hazed eyes, I try to make sense of the words he just uttered. Everything had happened so fast, but that's usually how it goes in the wolf-shifter community with your fated mate. Eternity presents itself, and you know that nothing is stronger.

Sitting up, I pull the bedsheet over my bare breasts and lean away from him. In astonishment, I whisper, "Excuse me? Wh-what did you say?"

Devon rubs his face and groans. He turns to the side of the bed and grabs his trousers. Standing up and pulling them on, he repeats, "I can't. I can't do this. I thought I could, but I can't."

I fall back onto the bed and retort indignantly, "Don't you think it's a bit too late for that? I mean... we... you..."

"Look," Devon bolts for the door, putting on his shoes while stuffing socks and underwear into his pockets. Without another glance, he grabs his shirt, jacket, and bag. "I... I’m sorry!" He whips through the door.

"I don't understand!" The words are an anguished cry for help. Tears begin running down my cheeks as I curl into a fetal position, shattered by his cold abandonment.

Lyra howls in my head. "Mateeee!"

He never came back. What am I supposed to do now? I hadn't thought beyond this point. Everything in my life leads to this. I have only one heart's desire: to find my mate and finally have a family and the happiness I’ve longed for so desperately.