PANDORA'S POV

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.

"Hi, Pandora. Why are you so excited?" She asked, getting up her feet.

I got a grip on myself and glanced at Eric, stretching my hands for a handshake. "I'm really sorry for interrupting you both, but I really need to steal your mate right now." I giggled.

"It's fine," He replied as I dragged her out of the hall, not waiting for his response.

"I finally found my mate," I announced.

"Really? Who is he? Is he here right now?" Kiara asked in excitement.

"One question at a time. You are not more excited than me."

"Just give me a response. The ceremony is about to begin and I don't want to miss it for anything." She chirped, grabbing my hands.

"His name is Derrick." I announced and her eyes widened in surprise, then her lips stretched in a smile.

"Derrick, your crush? Does he know that he's your mate?"

"Yes and he doesn't know, but I guess the epsilon will announce us as mates and we'll live happily ever after," I replied, lowering my eyes then shrugged.

"He'll know soon. Let's go," Kiara comforted me and led me to the hall.

The Epsilon was already standing on the podium and making a speech but that didn't matter to me as I scanned the hall in search of Derrick. I found them at the front of the hall, smiling at each other.

"Soon you'll be mine," I muttered happily and listened to the Epsilon call out people's mates.

"I know that some of you have discovered who your mates are already, but I still have to confirm it and announce it publicly. Kiara Jones from the Beta family, you've been Mated to Eric Williams. Do you both accept to be each other's mates?" He asked as they stood up.

"Yes we agree." They chorused and everyone clapped for them but I clapped the loudest.

My best friend had a kind heart and she deserved to be with Eric. They had been in love with each other for a while and it was only fair that the moon goddess matched them with each other.

When the applause died down, he moved on to the next name and called mine.

"Pandora Miller, from the Omega family, you've been mated to Derrick Brown. Do you both accept to be each other's mates?" He asked with an uneasy look.

I stood up excitedly to give him a positive reply when a yell rang out.

"I don't accept." Derrick objected with a scowl.

My heart shattered to pieces at his rejection. Was I really worthless that he had to reject me in public?

"I, Derrick Brown, will never accept a low-life like her when I have someone as beautiful and classy as this woman beside me." He said and approached me slowly, his glare cutting deep into my broken heart. "Pandora Miller, I reject you as my mate." He concluded and everyone burst out laughing.