2. Her ex-mate

Four days ago

Observing them drive into the pack territory in their luxurious latest model Audi, Rosalie was perched atop a mountainside. Her fated mate and her sister. Alternatively, it may be said that she let go of her fated mate to ensure her sister's happiness. Everyone was meant to meet their fated mates at eighteen and when Rosalie turned eighteen, her mate turned out to be Tristan, the Alpha of the Blue River Pack and her sister's childhood boyfriend.

It was only out of respect for the Alpha that they went to the Silver Moon Pack.

About three years had passed since Tristan departed from that place, bringing her sister along to become the Luna of his pack. After that day, the pair never went to see her parents again. That was undoubtedly Kristine's choice; she was willing to go to tremendous measures to keep her mate and Rosalie apart. Nevertheless, the two were at a loss for an excuse when the pack resolved to make their Alpha's birthday the most unforgettable occasion ever. Kristine's only option was to confront her sister once more—her younger sister, whom she views as her most dangerous adversary.

Rosalie waited patiently for a peek at him for approximately an hour. Seeing them together still caused her pain since it brought back memories of her past losses. It was difficult for regular lycans to be rejected, much less elite ones. Because Rosalie and Tristan were both descended from Alphas, breaking the predetermined tie between the Alpha and Luna affected them profoundly. It hurt more and took longer to recover from the pain.

The anguish she endured during the mating ritual was unbearable, especially when Tristan gave her a quick glimpse before sinking his canines into her sister's neck. There was no going back after that. Ho now completely belonged to her. Tristan didn't even fight for her or show her any love. He was an Alpha and the effect was supposed to be stronger.

Now, her gaze followed the vehicle as it headed toward the pack house on the gravel road.

To her utter amazement, when she turned on her enhanced sense of hearing, she heard them arguing inside the car. Kristine's piercing voice was so loud, that she wondered how Tristan could withstand it. Though she couldn't quite make out what was being argued about, she heard her name spoken multiple times. Thus, she was the focus of their argument once more. It didn't surprise her at all.

She felt a tinge of the mate bond even though she and Tristan rejected each other. Sometimes she could tell what was in his mind about her. He no longer felt the same level of sex drive with his mate, her sister, and occasionally, during the night, she could hear him calling out to her. In their mate bond, her sister must have also sensed his mood. The result was clear-cut: Tristan was not entirely Kristine's, and a slight part of their bond remained active. Kristine was undoubtedly jealous and felt insecure as a result of this.

Rosalie sprang from the hill, changed into her stunning brown and white lycan, and bolted toward the packhouse, out of their line of sight. Her sister and ex-mate had made their way to the opulently adorned Silver Moon vicinity. Tristan had to notify her father of his presence immediately, just like any other Alpha of every other pack.

She saw her parents showing up to greet the pair on the porch. She observed Tristan as he got out of the car, looking first behind her parents and then around. With a storm-clouded expression, her sister followed his eyes; she knew who he was searching for. He had anticipated meeting Rosalie with her parents.

Rosalie ensured that she was completely out of sight behind the trees.

Tristan was compelled to turn to face his in-laws when her father stood up.

He stepped over to the Alpha and Luna and greeted them cheerfully, his hand extended. "Alpha Nolan," he uttered in his well-known, husky, and deep tone. "I send you my warmest regards for the new year. It had been a while since we chatted. He apologized, saying, "I've been so busy with pack business lately, I hardly even find time for myself." Kristine was taken in to her mother's arms.

"You don't ever call your parents, my dear child? I've missed you. Do you know how long we have been expecting you?" She gestured a little sadly. "I really hope you visit us here at the Silver Moon more often from now on my child." She also gave a quick hug to Tristan.

Before they could enter the pack house together, she noticed her sister glaring around threateningly, as though she thought she might show up at any moment.

After all went inside, she turned around and went into the forest to let her wolf out and let out her frustration. 'Reign, we are about to experience the most difficult days of our lives. It will be necessary for us to be very careful and avoid Tristan in particular.' Her wolf whimpered sadly and said nothing.

While she did not agree with Rosalie's rejection, she recognized that she had no other option at the moment and was therefore perplexed. She was unsure about how to handle her emotions, though. The rejection should have severed the mate bond entirely, but it doesn't seem to be the case. There was still a sliver of a connection between them, an inexplicable pull that pulled her toward him.

That didn't surprise her at all, to be sincere. For every female, Tristan was the ideal male.

Sharp, icy blue eyes to linger in, short, thick black hair, and muscles any female would want to run their hands over all day. Since Kristine was fourteen years old, he had been in a passionate relationship with her. They shared the same majors, participated in the same extracurricular activities, and attended the same schools. The two packs naturally believed that they would also be destined at eighteen. However, nothing came of it; There was no pull, no bond. Their wolves kept looking at each other quietly as they celebrated their eighteenth birthday without any sparks. Nothing.

When Rosalie turned eighteen and it was time to for her to shift for the first time, three years later, it was shocking. The entire family was there, as was customary, to support her at that difficult time.

And to everyone's shock, Reign raced right to Tristan, starting the whole ordeal. She said the word, "MATE!" in tandem with his wolf, Bruce.