Page 9 of Amaris Rejected (Stone Mountain Shifters #2)

Devon-Day of Meet-and-Greet

"All right, guys," Alpha Wright begins. "We need to get everyone sorted for the weekend." He holds up a stack of papers. "We have fifteen attending this year from our pack. Luna and I will be going as chaperones, and we also have a contingent of six warriors."

"Our neighboring sister pack, the Moonbeam Pack, will be carpooling with us. They have seven attendees, four warriors, and Alpha and Luna Quinn."

"If there are no questions," he continues, "please come forward to get your information packets. They have everything you need, including details of who you’ll ride with."

We all collect our packets and make our way to the SUVs. I am driving one, with Jeni riding shotgun. There are three other attendees from my pack and a warrior with us, while everyone else is spread out among the other SUVs.

Jeni has been my best friend since childhood. She’s Alpha Quinn's daughter. Her father and mine have been trying to push us into a mating, but I don't feel that way about her. Things have been getting more tense between us lately.

About halfway through the trip, I glance in the rearview mirror and notice that everyone, except Jeni and me, is asleep. Jeni looks around the cab, then gives me the side-eye.

"Devon," she hesitates, clearing her throat. "I know we’re going to this Meet-and-Greet," she says, making air quotes with her fingers, "to find our mates. But our parents want us to get together for the good of our packs. Dad says your mom is pushing us to find our fated mates. That’s why we’re on our way to this thing."

I look over at her, fully aware that most of our parents want us to mate and merge our packs. Jeni has also been trying to get closer to me. She's a beautiful female, and I genuinely love her as a friend. I tried to have a relationship with her, but it just felt too awkward. A few weeks ago, somehow, I got intoxicated, and Jeni says we had sex. She makes these fantastic tea blends that I love, but I had an allergic reaction. One minute, I’m drinking tea, and the next, I wake up in a compromising position with Jeni, sans clothes. I don’t remember anything. I’ve been haunted by guilt ever since, and it makes me uneasy when she gets too touchy-feely.

I wanted to please Dad by making Jeni my Luna because he says I have a responsibility to the pack, but I don’t want that. I really hope I find my mate this weekend.

"Yeah, I know..." I begin, but she interrupts me.

"So, I think we just need to avoid running into our potential mates at all costs. Hopefully, we’ll get through this weekend, mate-less," she says, rushing on. "If we meet our mates, we reject them immediately. Okay?

"Jeni, I don't know. Let's give this an honest chance because it makes me uncomfortable to think of you as anything but a friend."

She looks at me, frustration in her eyes. "Devon, we’ve already been together, and it was beautiful. I was never as happy as when we... when we made love."

I blush furiously. "Jeni, I’m sorry. I don’t even remember that. All I feel is guilt and embarrassment when I think about what happened. I can’t go there with you. If you find your mate, you should claim him. I will be."

She drops her head. I can tell she’s hurt, but I’ve been trying to let her down gently since it happened. I don’t remember it at all, and it doesn’t feel consensual because I wasn’t aware. I won’t blame her for that, though. I know she wouldn’t have taken advantage if she’d known. But she still isn't picking up on the hints, so blunt it is.

"Jeni, I care about you," I reassure her, smiling. "You’ll always be my best friend."

She nods but grows silent, crossing her arms and turning to stare out the window petulantly.

“Whatever,” I think to myself, sighing inwardly. “She’ll get over it, I hope.”

We arrive at the Meet-and-Greet at around 9:00 a.m. There are hundreds of wolves here, all excitedly talking and laughing. Event organizers, wearing matching yellow t-shirts, direct us to a table to get our name badges, schedules, activity lists, room cards, and meal tickets. Throughout the day, we repeatedly hear the shout of "mate."

Our group from the two packs stays close, eating meals and doing various activities together. Jeni stays annoyingly close to my side. Finally, the females gather and head to the bathrooms. A few of the males and I approach one of the many bonfires. There , sitting and staring into the flames, is the most beautiful she-wolf I’ve ever seen. Her gorgeous, straight black hair hangs down her back, and she’s curvy in all the right places. Looking up at me with her moss-green eyes, I’m mesmerized.

"Mate," I mouth as I walk up to her. "Can I sit next to you?"

"Yes," she whispers, smiling.

"I’m Devon," I tell her. "I'm the future Alpha of the Still Waters Pack."

I reach for her hand, and her touch feels like electricity coursing through my veins. My blood sings. "My name is Amaris, from the Silver Creek Pack." She replies.

We sit together and talk for the next couple of hours. I’m so nervous I keep running my fingers through my hair. "You’re beautiful, Amaris. Your eyes are the color of moss, and your hair is like black silk." I brush my hand through it. "Why don't we talk to our Alphas, my lovely mate?" I whisper in her ear, my mouth so close that I have an urge to kiss her. Her scent is intoxicating, like vanilla and cinnamon.

After she meets with her Alphas, Amaris and I are given the keycard to our new suite, where we’ll meet with everyone for the marriage bond execution. I carry our bags into the room and immediately drop them by the bed. I can't resist being so close to Amaris any longer, so I clasp her by the hips.

"Can I kiss you before the Alphas arrive?" I sigh as she lifts her head to me in consent. It is exhilarating as I press my lips to hers, sliding my tongue over them. When she gasps, I slip in, and I taste her sweetness. Our breathing quickens. My mate is gorgeous. Just kissing her feels like everything. Groaning, I push her gently against the wall. We can't keep our hands to ourselves.

There’s a knock on the door, so we quickly pull apart. Alpha and Luna Black and my parents, Alpha and Luna Wright, enter without waiting for an invitation. My mother beams with joy that I’ve found my mate. She smiles sweetly at Amaris.

After introductions, we all sit down at the dining table. I still can’t keep my hands from my mate. I’m spellbound.

Alpha Black is discussing the marriage bond paperwork we will 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."

Dad’s expression clouds. "Medical anomaly?"

I vaguely hear what they are talking about until I hear the words, medical anomaly. Then, my ears perk up. I don’t want my mate to be sick. I’ll take care of her and get her the best medical help.

"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 glared. "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."

Hearing my dad's voice spike, I stop and look at him. "Dad, with all due respect, I'd like to move forward with the paperwork and get to know my beautiful mate." I turn back to Amaris and smile.

The paperwork is signed by all parties. Amaris and I are legally bound in marriage. The bonding ceremony, which includes the mate marking, will be held when we return to our pack.

Amaris is the most beautiful person I have ever met. Not only physically, but I can feel her kindness coming through the mate bond. Rue is so in love with her and Lyra, too.

"Mate special," Rue says. We spend the night loving and getting to know our sweet mates.

But Dad began screaming at me through the mind link when Alpha Black tells us she has an issue with her wolf. He continues to scream without stopping.

"You need to reconsider this! The pack comes before our personallives.She’s a latent wolf! How can she lead this pack alongside you as our future Luna?”

He finally stops yelling around 5:00 a.m., and I drift off to sleep.

However, a couple hours later, his mindless shouting inside my head begins again.

"Have you started thinking with your head yet? You’re 25 years old! This isn’t about sex! It's the future of our pack!"

My head is throbbing. I feel like I’ve been through a brainwashing session. I can't think straight.

As I lay there looking at this beautiful woman who is lying across my chest, I should be filled with happiness and lust, but instead, all I hear is Dad roaring at me through the mind link. I’m about half crazy.

Next, Dad roars, "Alpha Quinn has been here with me this morning and tells me that Jeni is pregnant with your pup! When did this happen? And why did you come to this Meet-and-Greet if you and Jeni are intimate now?"

"What have I done?"I say aloud. Did I get Jeni pregnant that one time that I can’t even remember?

Amaris jerks up off my chest, pulling the sheet up over her luscious body. "Excuse me? Wh. .. what did you say?"

I want to reach for her, but nausea hits me. Dad keeps screaming in my head. "You need to get here now." I rub my face and groan. I am mated. Legally bound. What am I going to do? I turn toward the side of the bed and pull on my pants. "I can't. I can't do this. I thought I could, but I can't."

At this point, I’m speaking to Dad, not Amaris, but my brain isn’t functioning correctly, so I say it out loud.

Amaris pales, collapses back on the bed, and shouts indignantly. "Don't you think that it's a little too late for that? I mean...we...you..."

"Look," I bolt for the door, slipping on my shoes while stuffing socks and underwear into my pockets. Without another glance, I panic, grabbing my shirt, jacket, and bag. "I... I’m sorry!" I say, whipping through the door.

As the door closes, I hear her cry, "I don't understand!"

My wolf howls. "Mateeee!"