**Chapter 9 – A Night of Revelations** **Jasmine’s POV** On the eve of my eighteenth birthday, the air was electric with anticipation, yet my spirit felt heavy. Alpha Ned, with all the gravity of a king, ordered me to prepare the packhouse for the grand celebration of his son Oliver's ascension to the throne. The most formidable Alphas from every corner of the world were summoned to witness this event, and I was tasked with creating a feast worthy of their attention. The hours slipped away as I worked tirelessly, a whirlwind of chopping, stirring, and plating, all the while enduring the relentless jeers from the pack members. By the time I returned to my humble hut, exhaustion clung to me like a shroud. That’s when I noticed a small piece of paper waiting for me on my bed. **Jasmine,** I knew they would work you to death. My mom had a dress made for you. Come over so we can get dressed together. **Sabrina** The thought of attending the grand celebration had barely crossed my mind, yet the law of the pack left no room for refusal; every wolf, regardless of their rank, had to be present. I hastily gathered some underclothes and darted to Sabrina's house. "You finally made it! The party starts in about an hour, you know," she remarked, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "Sorry," I replied, breathless. "I was busy cooking for everyone." With a flourish, she tossed a stunning long-sleeved black dress into my arms. “Happy Birthday!!!” she exclaimed, enveloping me in a warm embrace that banished my fatigue, if only for a moment. In her other hand, she presented a small box. Laughter erupted between us as I opened it to reveal a delicate gold heart-shaped pendant, etched with the words, **“I will always love you.”** Below the lid were two photos—my parents, their faces radiant with joy. Tears welled up in my eyes, and Sabrina pulled me close, holding me tightly as I allowed the emotion to surface. “This is incredible, Sabrina. Thank you,” I whispered, my voice laced with gratitude. “Now, let’s get you ready. No more sappy emotions,” she instructed, shooing me into her bathroom. I showered, the warmth relaxing my tense muscles, and styled my hair into a low ponytail. Sabrina worked her magic with a curling wand, transforming my simple ponytail into cascading, bouncy curls. I slid on the dress, a pocket stitched into its side. Sabrina gifted me dangling gold earrings, accentuating my look. I opted for comfortable black flats, determined to look my best on this momentous occasion, if only because there might be a chance to meet my mate among the visiting packs. The mere thought sent a thrill through me, albeit tainted with anxiety; if my mate were from this pack, I could only imagine the rejection that awaited me. “He won’t reject us. Look at you, you’re gorgeous! Only a fool would turn you away!” Lunar chimed in, her confidence fueling my own as I flashed a small grin in the mirror. Before we left, Sabrina pulled me aside, her expression somber. “In case you were wondering about your parents... before all that happened, your father entrusted me with this. It’s a gift meant for today. Just read it when you get home, okay?” She handed me a note, which I tucked into the pocket of my dress. Once we arrived at the packhouse, I found a spot in the back near the door. The ballroom was brimming with Alphas and Lunas, the walls gleaming in shades of blue adorned with gold and white trim. Memories flooded me as I recalled carefree days spent playing in this very room with my brother. But tonight, the atmosphere was charged with tension—a world away from my childhood innocence. I spotted Oliver, a mere glimpse of his hair cutting through the throng, and my stomach churned with disdain. “Welcome, honored guests, pack members, and families,” Alpha Ned's voice boomed, commanding the audience's attention. “Today, I pass the mantle of Alpha to my son, Oliver, a young wolf who has exhibited unwavering commitment and loyalty to our pack.” His pride was unmistakable, aimed squarely at Oliver, whose smile could've lit the darkest corner of the room. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, and Lunar growled within me. Loyalty, I thought bitterly, was a word that had been lost on him. Alpha Ned continued, “Together, I have no doubt he will lead the Red Valley Pack into a new era of prosperity.” With that, he beckoned Oliver forward. He strode onto the stage, flanked by one of the identical twins, a sight that sickened me. As he grasped his father's hand, I couldn’t help but admire his appearance for a fleeting moment—how he had grown, his once-straight hair now falling in soft curls, his black suit clinging to newfound muscles. For an instant, my heart skipped a beat, and I felt an unsettling warmth spread through me. What was happening? Lunar was on high alert, growling and yet echoing sentiments of affection. This confusion twisted my gut. Suddenly, Luna Leena appeared, making her way toward me. Clad in a gaudy yellow dress, her makeup like that of a poorly painted clown, she epitomized a hot mess. The overpowering scent of her perfume nearly brought tears to my eyes as I forced a smile, bowing slightly out of courtesy. “Look who decided to crawl out from under her rock,” she sneered, her eyes glinting with malice. I remained silent, staring forward, fully intent on ignoring her. “Don’t you dare ignore me!” she snapped, but I refused to engage. As she gripped my cheek, a fire ignited within, stoking a long-buried rage. “You look just like the slut everyone says you are,” she hissed, venom dripping from her words. The comparision to my mother struck a nerve, and I felt something snap inside me as Sabrina tightened her grip on my hand, offering comfort. “Breathe, Jasmine,” I reminded myself as I closed my eyes, feeling Lunar clawing for control within the darkness of my mind. “I said look at me!” she barked, her voice now an echo of authority, causing heads to turn. The eyes of the room felt like a thousand daggers against my skin, each one fueled by curiosity and discomfort. As my heart raced, I could feel my powers warring beneath the surface, ready to unleash chaos. Sensing my tension, I took a deep breath, willing my spirit to calm as I focused on Lunar, finally pushing her back into the depths of my consciousness. Just as my eyes fluttered open, a stinging slap connected with my cheek, sending a shock through my senses. The burn ignited something I hadn’t expected—an electric energy that enveloped me in a whirlwind of sensations, accompanied by the scent of impending rain, sweet and intoxicating. Amidst the stunned expressions surrounding me, Oliver's face emerged, twisted into a mask of rage. “Listen here, runt, when my mother speaks, you look at her!” he commanded, his voice brimming with authority. My spirit screamed in defiance as I traced his gaze, breathing in the conflicting emotions swirling in his eyes—confusion, desire, and then a burgeoning anger. Reflexively, I gasped. **“Mate...”** Lunar breathed, her voice echoing a truth I wasn’t ready to confront. The energy crackling in the air resonated through us both, but instead of joy and victory, a heaviness filled my chest. “Mate,” I echoed inwardly, and yet the implications filled me with dread. “She is your mate,” Leena spat, unable to mask her annoyance. My brother, John, watched us with a curious smile, one that felt ominously out of place amid the brewing storm. The silence clung thick and heavy, a stillness that suspended time itself as voices faded away. “Oliver isn’t worthy of being our mate,” Lunar asserted, and I found myself agreeing vehemently. I bore witness to the tumult within Oliver's gaze, his thoughts shifting like lightning—first to confusion, then to lust, and finally falling heavy with anger. “Don’t you dare think you can call the shots, Oliver!” I proclaimed, standing firm. “How dare you defy me? I am Alpha!” his voice boomed, but the authority behind it seemed to fizzle when directed at me. With resolve surging through my veins, I met his glance. “I, Jasmine White, the runt of the Red Valley Pack, reject you, Oliver Shemus, as my mate. I renounce my title as Luna, and I will NEVER belong to you!” The words echoed through the hall like an incantation, and in that moment, I could sense his world shattering. I turned away, leaving behind the chaos and heartache, with Sabrina right by my side. And as I walked out into the night, a chilling sense of freedom swept through me, igniting a spark of hope for what lay ahead.