The Rejected Mate and Her BabyCOM

I bounced happily to the mating hall where the epsilon would announce who our mates were. My best friend, Kiara, already knew hers and just wanted to go for confirmation while I hoped that the moon goddess wouldn't disappoint me.

The mating hall was filled with young men and ladies of my age. Some of them who had already identified their mates sat smiling with each other, while I looked around for Kiara.

While searching for her, my eyes landed on Derrick, the hottest man in the pack. I've had a crush on him since I was fifteen, and even when I thought it would go away with age, it kept increasing until I thought I would explode with my feelings for him.

Seeing him check his wristwatch and batting his lashes in impatience aroused fluttery feelings in my belly.

I'd never had a conversation with him before, but today I decided to try my luck. I kissed the necklace I usually wear on my neck for good luck and approached him cautiously.

"Hi... Derrick," I stuttered behind him.

He twirled around and regarded me with an air of nonchalance which I ignored and grinned.

"Hi… do you need anything?" He asked impatiently, going through his phone.

"I don't need anything, I just felt like I could have a decent conversation with you. It's the mating ceremony today, have you found your mate already?"

He tilted his head to the side with a questioning look and shrugged. "How does that concern you?"

"Because it's happening today and almost everyone in this pack knows their mate already." I replied.

His expression wasn't friendly, yet I kept up the conversation hoping that he would get interested, but he kept up the scowl in his face.

Footsteps rang towards us and then I was met with the sight of a beautiful lady. Her expression was unfriendly as well and her eyes glimmered with jealousy.

"Who is she, babe?" She asked, taking in my appearance from head to toe.

"She wanted my help, that's why she's here. And I've been calling you for a while but you've neither picked or returned my call. What happened?" He asked and drew her closer to himself.

I was gobsmacked at his response and felt a tinge of bitterness. Maybe I deserved it for approaching him, but it wasn't wrong for me to start a conversation with him.

"My phone wasn't with me. But the Epsilon is around and I can't wait to be announced as your mate." The lady shrieked and led him into the hall while I blinked hardly to stop the tears that had already formed from rolling down my eyes.

While they headed for the hall, his scent kept wafting strongly into my nose, making her heart palpitate. My wolf purred at his scent and then I realized that Derrick was my mate.

I leaped for joy and ran towards the hall, searching furiously with my eyes for Kiara so that I'd tell her the good news.

Finally, I found her at the back of the hall with her mate, Eric. Their eyes were locked with their palms linked together. Today, I'd get to experience that with Derrick.

"Kiara!" I screamed and hugged her, interrupting their cuddling session.