Aria's pov
"Happy birthday to me." I murmured under my breath as I carried the the large tray of pastries into the dining room. Today was my birthday...not just any birthday but 'the great eighteen'. Many wolves looked forward to turning eighteen because that was when your wolf would awaken and you were most likely to find your mate. Most wolves were giddy with excitement on their eighteen birthday but not me. Apart from the dream about Elena waking me up, as usual, I felt nothing. I had waited anxiously for the faintest stir within me, for a hint that my wolf was there lurking within but I felt empty.
I didn't have a wolf and I most likely wouldn't have a mate, maybe this was my punishment from the moon goddess herself. Maybe this was the only way I could atone for what I did to Elena. Guilt gawned at me as I realized I held out hope on meeting my wolf and my mate. If Elena never had the opportunity to meet her wolf why should I?
"This isn't the time to get lost in thought, there is still much work to be done." Trish's harsh voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Don't just stand there, get to work. The alpha would be here any minute." She snapped when I remained unmoving. I snapped into action and made my way back to the kitchen to grab the remaining trays that needed to be brought to the dining room.
"I heard Alpha Rowan is returning with his chosen Luna." One of the slaves announced to her friend as we walked back into the dining room. That was the thing about being a slave, we were deemed insignificant and moved unnoticed, making it easy for us to get information.
"I never thought I'd see the day. The pack members speak about how cold and elusive he is, I must admit I'm suprised he finally took a mate." The other replied.
"I'm sure he did it for the pack, everyone knows he puts his pack before everything else...even himself." The first slave explained. I had heard different versions about Alpha Rowan's personality, from how cold and unfeeling he was to how ruthless he was when it came to dealing with his enemies but we all knew one thing for certain, he cared about his pack almost to a fault. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole reason he travelled was in order to secure a mate.
We went about the rest of the day, placing finishing touches onto the pack house and ensuring everything was perfect especially as it was now clear our future Luna would be present.
"Their here." One of the slaves announced and everyone scrambled into their stationed positions.
Alpah Rowan's beta and other pack members stood right in front of the door, waiting for him and I knew they would take the credit for all the work we had laboured for, just like every other time.
"Alpha." All of them bowed when the door swung open. The slaves remained hidden in the shadows as we observed from a distance. Our duty was to remain hidden and only appear when needed or summoned.
Alpha Rowan slowly stepped into the room and my breath hitched, I couldn't tear my gaze from him and I watched his every move. I had seen Alpha Rowan before but for some reason he seemed to captivate me right at this moment. He was a handsome man with dark brown hair and calculating silver grey eyes. He had a small scar running along his left brow which only added to his allure. Beside him was a tall elegant woman with fiery red hair and honey brown eyes. They looked like the perfect pair and that seemed to make something within me twitch.
Alpha Rowan stilled and scanned the room, my heart beat rapidly when his gaze settled on where the servants lurked hidden. I could feel his gaze on me but I knew that was impossible, he couldn't see me. The necessary introductions were made before Alpha Rowan and his companion were ushered into the dining room. Dinner began in earnest and the slaves moved efficiently and as swiftly as possible to ensure everything played out smoothly.
"Go get another bottle of wine before that one runs out." Trish ordered me and I scrambled into the kitchen, picked up the bottle and returned to the room. I approached the table with shaky hands and just as I placed the bottle in front of Alpha Rowan he stilled. He looked up at me and as our eyes met I felt a bond snap in place.
Could it possibly be?
No, I must be imagining things.
Alpha Rowan's stare burned the side of my face but I ignored it as I let go of the bottle and moved to leave.
"Mate." The words ripped out of his lips as he stared at me and my eyes bulged.
The whole table had fallen silent and we're now watching us curiously.
I wasn't mad, I hadn't been imagining things. Alpha Rowan was my mate, I could feel the bond pulling me towards him.
Maybe the moon goddess had seen that I had suffered enough and I had worked to drag myself out of the abyss of guilt I felt. Maybe I was finally free and the moon goddess had rewarded me by giving me a mate. Joy soared through me and I kept staring at Alpha Rowan like a fool.
"Rowan what's going on?" His companion asked him but he ignored her.
Would he claim me as his mate even though I was a slave?
The thought lingered in my mind as he rose from his chair and faced me.
"What is your name?" His deep baritone voice asked.
"Aria Thorn." I whispered.
"I, Alpha Rowan Blackthorn, reject you, Aria Thorn, as my mate." He announced and pain seared through me.
"I don't need a slave for a mate, I need someone fit to be my Luna." His said with cold eyes before he walked out of the dining room, leaving me with a gutting pain in my chest.