Chapter 32

Flora’s P.O.V

The dress I wore was a soft pink in colour and made with a gorgeous shiny material. The top was a slight v-neck, sleeveless and form fitting up to my waist then it flowed into the skirt that reached just past my knees. But the most beautiful feature were the golden vines that were embroidered all over the dress, giving it a vintage look.

Since I hadn’t taken off the necklace he had given me, it was going to be the only piece of jewellery I’d decided on wearing, except for the watch on my right hand.

I’d kept my makeup light and neutral and pulled my hair up in a ponytail, with a few strands hanging in front of my face. I’d also paired the dress with golden heels to match the patterns on my dress. Everything seemed perfect.

“Flora?”

A knock sounded on my door, followed by my mother’s voice. Putting aside the hair brush, I called for her to come in.

“Oh my! You look gorgeous.” My mother, Lily Argentine walked into the room wearing her patrol clothing.

“Mom? Aren’t you coming to the party?” I asked as." I stood up from my vanity.

“I’m sorry honey, but I’m afraid it’s duty.” She told me with a rueful smile, her short brown hair just touching her shoulders. “Your dad and I need to go to a nearby pack to provide assistance. I’m so sorry I’m going to miss my daughter’s big day.”

“Mom…we don’t know that yet…” I told her unsurely.

“And that’s exactly why I’m here.” Mom told me as she led me to the bed and sat us down. “Honey, whatever the outcome of today…just know that we all love you and we’ll do everything to make you happy. Your father, Riley and I are hoping for the best, but we must all be prepared for the worst. You know that right?”

I nodded my head, unable to speak past the knot in my throat. My hands and feet felt cold, numb and my heart was in my throat. This was it. This was finally my judgement day.

“Oh, baby.” My mom must have felt my nervousness as she pulled me to her chest. “We’re here for you and we love you. So don’t go doing something rash. If anything, be thankful for getting to experience such an intense love outside of the mating bond. Not many people get to experience what you did, so consider it a blessing.”

Was it really a blessing? Was this really my fate?

But I didn’t say anything as I soaked in the warmth of my mother’s loving embrace.

Half an hour later, my parents dropped me off at the main pack house where Clay’s 28th birthday party was going to be held. And as the ceremony required, all the single women in the pack were invited, no matter the age. And that was probably why I spotted our Principal, Avery McKellar, exiting her car in a shimmery black dress and head inside.

The entire pack house was lit up like a Christmas tree and all the women were dressed in their finest, making me feel a bit underdressed. I felt like Cinderella entering Prince Charmin’s ball but in her work clothes. And since Clay was the future Alpha, there had been no expenses spared for his party. Since his parent’s couldn’t make it on time, Alpha Nicolai had made all the arrangements himself.

I waved my parents goodbye as they drove off and as soon as they left, I was almost tackled to the ground by Ruth.

“Hey!” I complained. “Don’t ruin my dress!”

“Sorry,” she smiled sheepishly. “But I’m just excited! Ready to be claimed by the future Alpha?”

“Sure,” I smile at her before taking in her attire. “You look stunning by the way.”

She wore a light blue evening gown that reached her ankles and it had beautiful silver flowers at the hem and bodice. Her eyes were a shimmery blue and she’d gone with light pink lips. Her black hair was in waves down her back and she had a diamond pin on one side along with diamond dangler earrings.

“Awww…thank you.” She blushed. “I told my mom I didn’t need dolling up but she wouldn’t stop. I love your outfit too! And the pendant! It’s gorgeous!”

“Thanks,” I touched it with my hands lightly. “It’s a gift from Clay.”

“Wow!” She grinned. “He sure knows how to pick gifts. Lucky girl!”

She bumped her shoulders with mine lightly and then we were entering the pack house together, hand in hand. The inside looked even better, much different from the last time we were here during the rogue attack, and the party had already gotten started even though it was only eleven thirty at night. The real party would begin after the clock struck twelve.

“Oh, there’s Trevor!” Ruth pointed to the back of the room. “I’ll be right back. Oh! And here comes your man!”

With that, Ruth went off her merry way, leaving me to face my Prince Charmin…Clay.

He wore a teal coloured jacket and pants with a light pink shirt underneath and he looked absolutely scrumptious. His copper hair was combed back and I wanted to run my fingers through the silky soft strands to feel their texture.

“Hey…”

“Hi…”

We spoke at the same time before smiling at each other. From the look on his eyes, I could tell that Clay was nervous. Reality was finally setting in.

“Clay…” I took his hand in mine and held it firmly. “Whatever happens today…if we’re unable to be together any longer… just know that I understand. I am glad to have found you…to have gotten to know you like this…”

The words were difficult to get out past the lump in my throat but I knew I had to say it. Mating bonds were impossible to ignore and I knew Clay wasn’t going to be an exception. We had to be prepared no matter how difficult the situation was and I wanted him to know that I forgave him already for choosing his fated mate over me. It was our nature. It was the law.

“Flora…” Clay narrowed his eyes at me. “There’s still time.”

“Less than half-an hour isn’t enough, Clay.” I swallowed and looked at our clasped hands. “I have to…we can’t be together anymore…not until we’re sure…”

“That I haven’t found my mate yet?” Clay cursed. “So you want to break-up with me before I turn twenty eight? Flora, I told you a thousand times, I’d reje-”

“Shhh!” I placed my finger on his lips to stop him from saying those words out loud. “Not here! This isn’t the time or place. I can’t ignore the facts anymore and neither can you, Clay. So please…we have to let go.”

Clay stared at me unmoving, his eyes hard with disbelief and his entire body humming with tension. I could feel the strain in him, like he was ready to snap at any moment now. But this was for the best. For both of our hearts.

“Clay.” Alpha Nicolas’s voice came from a bit far away. “It’s almost time, son! Come here so we can get the ceremony started.”

Clay didn’t move for a few seconds until his eyes became hard. “Fine.” He spoke through gritted teeth. “Let’s break-up…until twelve.”

With that, he hauled me in for a rough kiss with a possessive hold on my nape. Only a brief contact between our lips and then he pulled away and went to join Alpha Nicolai, a forced smile on his face.

“Flora…are you alright?” It was Ruth’s voice that snapped me out of my trance and I realized I had been crying only when she dabbed her handkerchief on my cheeks. “What’s wrong? Did Clay say something to you?”

“Two minutes, everyone!” Alpha Nicolas said, looking at his watch as cheers went up in all directions.

“No…everything is fine.” I told her calmly as my heart threatened to burst out of my chest. There was an ache inside my heart, like it was being gripped by icy fingers, harder and harder as every second passed.

“One minute!”

“Are you sure?” Ruth asked unsurely, her hand coming around me, holding me upright.

“Yes.” I shook her off and gave her a sad smile. “Yes.”

Ruth nodded but her face was worried. She was about to say something when Alpha Nicolai’s voice sounded once again.

“Thirty seconds!”

Nodding in understanding, she turned to face Clay and Alpha Nicolai as the cheers stopped and the countdown began.

“Ten….nine…eight…”

The entire hall began chanting along with Alpha Nicolai, all excited voices and giggles as I stood transfixed, looking at the man I loved more than life itself.

“Seven…six…five…four…”

This was it…this was it…

“Three…two…one…Happy Birthday!”

Balloons exploded and glitter dropped on the floor as everyone screamed. Clay’s smile didn’t falter, but then I heard the words that I never expected to her this soon…and my world came crashing down around me.

“Mate...”