55.

**Ariana**



After a long talk with my dear uncle Damian, I still refused to accept my beloved. Don't they understand what would happen if he finds me unworthy after he has his fill of me? What if he thinks having a mate of a vampire is not what he wants.

I can't leave my heart open for that kind of pain.

The sad howls broke through my thoughts, my heart ached to know who released those heart-wrenching howls.

Mason.

'To be rejected by that one person who was put on this earth to love you is the worst thing in life. I can relate to the young beta. What you did is unthinkable for wolves. Some are strong to fight the bond when most give in. Think of how selfish you have been. You didn't just hurt him. You hurt those close to him also'

Uncle Damian words came back to haunt me, tears fell uncontrollably down my cheeks, I'm so confused.

I don't want my story of finding my beloved be ended like my best friend back in Constantine Academy, seeing what she went through made my decision much more clear. But the thought of hurting Mason and his family took a toll on me. From what I heard his only family was Princess Emma.

Princess Emma.

She must think the worst of me. I don't want her to hate me. She's practically my sister through my parents and uncle, I always wanted a sister but now my chances are ruined. Should I talk to her about my reason to reject her friend?

Would she even see me? I released a tired sigh and curled up in my bed listening to my beloved's howl in the wee hours of the night. "I'm sorry Mason. I'm sorry," I whispered in the darkness. Before I drifted off to sleep, Mason's tortured face took place in my mind. His eyes said it all. Those eyes would haunt me in my dreams.



Morning came too soon, the sun peeked through the curtains, the gentle morning breeze ruffled them open, I stayed under the covers trying to recap what I dreamed for those few hours. All that came to mind was Mason sitting in the garden staring blindly across the meadows. I tried talking to him, asking him to forgive me but he ignored me and left me alone in the garden.

What was that dream suppose to mean? Did I make a mistake? Was I too hasty in rejecting Mason? What about me, what if I did get hurt in accepting him?

"Enough Ariana. You gotta get your shit together. You gotta get rid of this pain you've brought upon yourself" I scolded myself. Talking to yourself now Ana, classic.

I decided to pay Princess Emma a visit, maybe she can help me with my confused state. Quickly I got dressed and hurried over to the Crowned Princess' wing. Upon reaching the doors to their breakfast room I met up with Delta Noah. His eyes held me in place, they were emotionless as they gave me a once over.

"Can I help you, your highness?" he said calmly and gave me a stiff bow. His cold attitude towards me was welcomed, I hurt his friend deeply. His dark eyes narrowed as he awaited my answer. "I've come to speak with Princess Emma. If she would accept me in her presence," I said with my head kept low.

"Emma isn't... Emma isn't in a receiving mood for anyone" he said coldly. I felt his presence close to me until I saw his black boots in my vision on the ground. "Why? Why won't you want a mate?" he whispered for my ears only. I looked up and was caught off guard with his dark eyes which held so many emotions but the pain was what stood out.

"That's what I came to find out," I said softly. He stepped back and gave me a weak smile. "The goddess of the night and the moon doesn't make mistakes with chosen mates. It's the mates themselves are the ones to accept or reject. Your choice to reject your beloved wasn't your own," he said. His eyes became distant then a warm smile replaced his weak one.

"Emma would like to see you," he said after a moment. I nodded my thanks and walked through the door which he opened for me. "I hope you find your answers, princess," he said to me as I passed him. In the breakfast room sat the future King and Queen. Seeing the princess I felt a bit intimidated, though I am older by a year or so and a strong vampire this petite green-eyed beauty carried a strong aura. Her power can be felt within a great distance, her mate's power was also strong. They sat together as a power couple taking on the world. What caught my eye was the subtle way Prince Michael held her hand lovingly and absentmindedly stroking the back of her hand.

Besides their combined powers, their love can surely be seen. It made me want what they have.

"Hello. Princess Ariana, it's good to finally meet you. You've been hiding from us," Prince Michael said with a teasing smile. His voice calmed my nervousness. Well, a bit. Princess Emma sent a small smile my way which was welcoming, "I am terribly sorry for intruding on your meal but I felt the need to talk to Princess Emma" I said keeping my head low. Though I am a princess to my kind, all my respect and loyalty was for these two. The wolves are the reason why we vampires can move freely and live the life of humans also.

"Call me Emma. The whole princess thing is a bit annoying. Just don't tell my mother," she said warmly. Mother was right, she is humble as aunt Ari. I raised my head as I heard movements by the table. Prince Michael stood looking down at his mate and gently stroked her cheek, Emma closed her eyes and a blush took over her cheeks. They spoke over their wolf link and if my guess was right, it was words of love. He gave her a kiss on her lips then forehead and stepped from behind the table. He was tall and muscular, his strides carried confidence and power, anyone could tell he was royalty. Dressed in a plain white t-shirt and running shorts, he bowed before me and left. I stood in shock at what he just did.

The prince of wolves bowed to me. Bowed to me, a subject in his kingdom.

"Though we are higher in this royal hierarchy you are still a royal, an ally to us. Respect is to be given to be received, is it not?" Emma said approaching me with a smile on her face. I nodded my response.

"Now. We have a lot to talk about don't we?" she asked leading me to the balcony. We sat opposite each other and stayed quiet for a moment. Emma looked at me with a smile and tilted her head to the side, regarding me, like she can read my thoughts.

"Mason is not just my friend. He's my brother. I and the twins are the closest things he has for a family. His mother died when he was young and his father.... his father is currently imprisoned by Malcolm," she said looking intently at me, her tone was made for me to understand the words. Which I did clearly.

"What he is feeling now is ten times worst what I felt months ago. He and I have a connection no one can explain. When he's sad, I am too. When he's scared I am too" she continued.

"What do you mean by what you felt months ago," I asked. Emma smiled at me sadly her eyes showed whatever memories that happened months ago.

"Michael and I didn't start off as the perfect mates. I didn't even expect to find him so soon. Hell, I didn't even know I was a princess then, all I knew was I'm a white wolf with special gifts so having a powerful alpha like Michael as a mate was a surprise. You see Michael is the eldest son to Alpha Angelo of the Dark Moon Pack" she started to explain. My mouth hung open in shock as she revealed to me things I didn't even know.

Dark Moon Pack is one of the strongest packs apart from the royals and their bloodline is said to be equal to the royal wolves. Their pups are going to be the most feared wolves in history. Not to mention their mother is a white wolf.

Emma laughed at my expression and continued. "Michael claimed me as soon as we met. I was so happy, so was my wolf. To find our mate during the worst time of our lives it was amazing. But.... he had his own personal demons to battle and he pulled away from me. Through all the hurtful names and rejection I saw through the wall he built around himself. I knew deep down there was the man who wants to love me. He left after a minor altercation with the twins. That was the worst week of my life. My wolf and I called out to him every single day, Jonah went in search for him after I acquired a new gift. When he came back...... when he came back he showed his true feelings without knowing it. Michael was attacked by hunters so he was hurt. Badly. Though he was in pain and was fighting for his life, Michael put me above it all" Tears rolled down her cheek as she spoke. I would never think that the loving prince I saw a moment ago hurt his mate so badly.

"Everyone has their personal problems that they think would affect their lives and those that they loved. Michael is an example of that. You have to support them. Be their number one fan. Do you think your problem is bigger than a bond that would last a lifetime?" Emma asked.

I thought over her question. The truth was I didn't have a major problem. I had a fear. Fear of getting hurt. If Emma was able to move past the pain Michael caused her what was wrong with me accepting a beloved's love. Even if it's temporary.

"I was afraid of getting hurt. Afraid of being thrown to the side after my beloved is bored with me." I said to her softly. "Masey, have waited for you. You're his only chance in creating that family he longs for. He may be young but the world doesn't see him that way," Emma said reassuringly.

For a seventeen-year-old she was surely wise, I wish I had her confidence and strength to face this head-on. "Do you think he would forgive me?" I asked remembering the dream. She stayed quiet for a moment. "That I cannot answer. If you truly want him as your beloved once more you would have to prove it to him. Mason is one wolf not easily wavered" she said grinning at me.

The fear of being hurt was still there but I have to take this risk. Wasn't love a risk. With the words from uncle Damian and now Emma I realized my mistake. I hurt my only beloved due to me being selfish.

Now.

How does one win over the heart of a wolf who is broken? This won't be easy.


*****************************


**Mason**

'I'm coming in, Mason' I heard Michael said over our link. I was still in my wolf form so I stayed under the trees the sunlight was peeping through the leaves it was a cheerful sight but not to me, not when I feel so lost.

"Hey bro" I heard him say. I huffed in response. Michael sat in front of me and placed a bag next to me. 'I'm not coming back, Michael. It pains me to know she's there still. Maybe wanting a mate was wishful thinking on my part' I told him.

"But it's hurting the ones that love you with your absence. I know one person who's worried about you. I know you hear her calls at night" Michael said. I sat up and looked at him. Pity wasn't in his eyes just pure worry was there and on his face. It's five days now, I haven't been in contact with them not even Emma. Her calls kill me at night, she tried to not let her cries sound out in her words but I hear them.

'Is she alright? I didn't mean to cause her so much worry. On top of this pain I feel like I've disappointed her and you' I told him. His brows furrowed in confusion at my words. 'I allowed my personal problems to pull me away from my position of Beta to you and Emmy.'

I think it's time to go back home. I can deal with my broken heart some other time, my family needs me.