章 9: _His Reluctance
Kaene
~~
It was still hard to believe.
Impossible even.
How could a pathetic maid who I'd never once noticed before now be the Moon's Chosen? Most importantly, how could SHE be my mate?!
This had to be some sick joke from the Moon goddess. I'll be the laughing stock among the Alphas of neighboring packs.
Our Bluemoon pack was one of the most prestigious and most powerful in the world, with many packs looking up to us due to our customs and ways.
But now?
"I can't accept this... Maid as my mate." I thought to myself, gritting my teeth and squeezing the arm of my seat until I was certain it would break if I applied any more force.
My gaze traveled the hall, scanning the faces of the people—my people after Elder Gita broke the news before all of them.
I also caught a glimpse of my mother's expression, watching how her face twitched with rage and disgust as she yelled at the poor maid, who was trying to defend her brother.
The commotion was cinematic at best, but it was becoming too much.
To ease my mother's anger, I stood up and stopped her from slapping the maid—my mate, again.
When I did that, however, I felt this odd new feeling sprout out inside me. My wolf howled within me, threatening to tear up anyone who dared to touch our mate.
'Calm down you mutt.' I commanded him mentally, but he was relentless, forcing me to cast a glance at the maid, who looked on at me with fear.
My gaze softened for a second, but eventually, I shut my eyes, giving the girl a death stare.
I tried asking Elder Gita if there was a way to fix the 'issue' but her response was negative. It seemed I had no choice.
"If that's the case, then I, Kaene Maverick, reject this maid as my Moon's Chosen and mate." My voice boomed defiantly through the hall, causing all the people present to gasp in shock.
.
.
"Can you believe that wretched old lady?" Elsa, one of the Moon Chosen candidates, hollered when we left the hall and got into my chambers.
My mother has tried pairing me up with the girl for years to no avail but finally saw an opportunity to get her together with me when the ceremony for the picking of the Moon's chosen arrived.
Speaking of which, my mother also barged into my chambers, where I'd originally retired, to catch some air.
So much for that...
"You can't get married to that maid, Kaene, I forbid it!" My mother sneered, her steps heavy with anxiety.
Elsa agreed with her words, nodding while staring at me with a proud smile.
What the heck was she proud of?
"Mother, calm down," I chimed in with a sigh, my voice firm but laced with the irritation I felt. "Elder Gita's words, as unbelievable as they sound, are law. We can't defy the Moon Goddess."
My mother, the former Luna, should know this more than anyone.
The Moon's Chosen has been picked for the Alpha of this pack and several other packs without any mistakes for centuries.
Trying to change the Moon goddess will always end badly.
Meanwhile, my mother's eyes blazed with even more anger, her chest heaving with each breath. "That maid will tarnish our legacy! Elsa is superior in every way."
Elsa smirked, her eyes gleaming proudly. "Thank you, Luna Catherine. I'm the rightful Moon's Chosen, not some... servant girl."
My wolf growled just then as if he wanted to jump out of my body and gobble Elsa for daring to insult our mate.
Neither of them knew how much I struggled to keep my composure even as I sat there in my chambers quietly watching them throwing curses at Elder Gita and the servant girl.
But I, for once, felt helpless. I'd already done what I could by publicly rejecting the girl and telling her not to show her face near the estate.
Any more could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Suddenly, my mother turned her gaze to me, her voice dropping to a decisive whisper. "Rejecting the maid isn't enough, Kaene. We must do everything in our power to make sure she never becomes accepted by the people as Luna. I'll not have our pack ridiculed."
My unease intensified.
I couldn't sit here and listen to their rants any longer.
"Enough, Mother." I blurted with an exasperated sigh.
Elsa and my mother finally stopped their ranting, turning their gazes to me, disbelief evident in their eyes.
The look on their faces was almost comedic, but I didn't find anything humorous in the situation as I got up, adjusting my clothing.
"Do you defend that measly servant girl, Kaene?" Elsa pointed at me with a surprised expression.
I shot her a glare, causing her to swallow her words.
"What I do is none of your business, Elsa," I growled, my voice a guttural rumble as I stepped closer toward her. "I am your Alpha. I can make any decisions I please. Y–"
"And I am your mother, Kaene!" My mother snapped just then, forcing me to pause and turn my gaze to her.
She quickly stepped in front of Elsa, placing a hand on her shoulder and comforting her. "Go. This is a family matter. But I promise you; you will come back into this pack house as Luna. I'll make sure of that." She whispered to her.
Elsa, who'd stood there frightened by my words at first, had a bright smile light up her face as she bowed down, showing her gratitude.
She gave me one final glance before scurrying out of the room, leaving me alone with my mother.
"Let me ask you something, Kaene." My mother started as soon as Elsa closed the door behind her. "Do you think your father would be proud of your reluctance in chasing out a simple servant girl who's poised in dragging this family's name to the mud?"
My fists clenched as soon as those words left her mouth. How could she bring my father into this?
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