Killing Moon A Harry Hole Novel by Jo Nesbo

CHAPTER 1.

MY REJECTION.

The atmosphere was cold and chilly. It was the winter season, and as usual, the soft breeze and melodious songs of birds could be heard.

I sat in my room in absolute dejection.

Today, was the day. The day when my destiny will be marked, and my future, rewritten.

Few minutes from now, I shall be standing before the pack elders and the entire pack to mark my bound with Alpha Shane Gledova.

It came with a mixed feeling with of uncertainty, and many 'what if...?'.

"Rory, are you ready?" The voice of my best friend, Becky, brought me back to reality.

Without being told, I knew that she could see the look of dejection on my face.

"Do you think Shane will accept me?" I asked with a distressed voice, and Becky, immediately blew a soft kiss towards my direction, as she walked to my side.

Softly, she caressed my right hand, as she looked into my eyes in the most reassuring way possible.

"Rory, you're the most beautiful Luna I know..." She began with a smile. "I'm very sure that Shane, can't wait to have you as his bride. Now, dress up... The ceremony will soon begin." She reminded me, and I nodded.

Immediately, I stood up from my bed, and walked towards my wardrobe to get my attire for the day. Each step I took towards that angle sent shivers down my spine.

In my community, rejection was a curse, and the only way you could run away from the trauma was death. I've heard stories about Luna's who were stoned to death cause they were rejected by their mates.

To make matters worse, my cousin, Jada, recently ended her life, after she was rejected on her birthday.

This and many more stories kept giving me reasons to doubt my chances at being accepted.

"Hurry up, girl... The pack elders shall soon be arriving." Becky's reminded me, and I nodded.

Slowly, I opened my wardrobe, and picked my ceremonial dress. This dress was special to me because it was worn by my mother on her own marking day.

Unfortunately for me, she wasn't alive to witness my day. The dress had a white color with burgundy lining. It was also embedded with both silver and white ocean pearls.

Swiftly, I sat on my dressing table, as Becky, helped me to dress up. Afterwards, I applied a nude makeup on my face, before wearing my marital veil.

"You look like a goddess." Becky praised me with a big smile. "I swear to the moon, Shane, will kill to have you."

I sat there with a pale look. Nothing even seemed to move me anymore. Even though I had waited my entire life for this moment, I was still scared for my future.

As we stepped out, I held unto Becky's left hand, like a newborn child.

"Becky, do you think I will survive if he rejectes me?" I asked with a shaky voice.

"Look at him..." She pointed towards the crowd. "Can you see how he looks at you with so much adoration? Well, he'll not reject you." She responded with a smile, and I nodded.

The venue was already filled to the brim with both spectators and gossipers. Some were present to enjoy the moment, while the others were here to find what to gossip about.

"She looks beautiful." I heard one of them mumble to the other, and I smiled to myself. It was the confidence booster I just needed.

Suddenly, I raised my eyes towards the direction of my mate to look at him one more time, and I was mesmerized by his heavenly beauty. He was tall, had broad shoulders, ocean green eyes, raised jaw bone, and a super model figure.

At that instant, I felt mesmerized by the beauty of this man.

Soon, my eyes crossed path with his, and somehow shifted in my body. I felt confident that he was the one for me.