Rise of the Rejected Luna

han an hour before I had to wake up, but I was too excited to stay in bed much longer. I threw on some clothes, tied up my sneakers, and headed out for my morning run. I felt a wave

talking about?" Lora demanded, not deigning to look at me. She never asked me directly if she could help it. "How should I know?" he growled and promptly resumed his conversation with her. I grabbed my plates and stomped off to the kitchen, angry and hurt at their indifference. I didn't expect much from Lora. She was so engrossed in Erin's, that she didn't have room for much else, but how could my father forget? Turning eighteen was a big deal among my kind. I took several deep, calming breaths as I did the dishes. Things would be better soon. When I got married to Jason, I wouldn't have to live here with them. A knock sounded on the door of my room that afternoon, while I was lounging on my bed. "You have a letter," my father said from the other side of the door. Something hit the floor as he walked away. I opened the door and picked up the formal-looking envelope. It was an invitation from Jason stating that he was throwing a mating ceremony party at the pack house. "Oh, Jason," I sighed, love and longing in my voice. He knew as I did, that we were destined to be mates. He was obviously throwing this party to claim me as his in front of everyone. I immediately threw myself into preparations for the party. It took me quite a while to decide on what to wear, and a longer time to decide on a hairdo, but I was in time for the party that evening. The pack house was lavishly decorated. Everyone in my pack turning eighteen was there including those who had already found mates and those who would find mates next year. They stood in groups talking, laughing, and dancing, but glancing from time to time at the large clock placed strategically on the most visible part of the wall. I wandered around the large room, looking for Jason. Finally, I found him giving instructions to a waiter. "Jason," I called. My words were drowned out by the music. I pushed my way to him and hugged him around the middle. "Oh, Jason. I'm so excited," I said, smiling up at him. He didn't return my smile. He merely gave me an awkward pat on the back and stepped out of my embrace. "Yeah. Me too," he said tonelessly. "Listen, I er- have to go check on something." He was walking away before he even finished talking to me and I was left staring at him in confusion. That was weird, really weird. I shrugged it off and went in search of something to drink. There was a lot of finger food to munch on, so I took a lot of that as I swayed to the music in my corner while watching the dancing couples. As midnight approached, the sense of anticipation and excitement cr