Game of Destiny by Dripping Creativity novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Armeria,” James murmured softly, his voice low and tinged with longing.

“James,” I replied, barely registering how the crowd around us instinctively parted, clearing a space between us. It was customary to give a newly mated pair room; the pack’s protectiveness surged until the bond was fully claimed. I could faintly hear my father and the Alpha exchanging congratulations, their laughter echoing in the background. But then, I caught a flicker of shadow cross James’s face, and my heart dropped, my stomach twisting painfully—I knew him well enough to understand what that meant.

“Amie,” James said again, using the nickname only the pack dared to call me. His voice carried a sadness that made me brace myself for the inevitable. He took a few hesitant steps closer, but I was rooted to the spot, unable to tear my gaze away from his eyes. They spoke volumes before the words escaped his lips. “I’m sorry, Amie, but I can’t. You know I can’t.” Even though I had anticipated this moment, each syllable struck me like a physical blow. The pack fell into a heavy silence, every pair of eyes fixed on us. For a fleeting moment, I wished his rejection could be a literal punch—something that might knock me unconscious or end it all—anything but standing here, exposed and heartbroken, rejected by the one who should have loved me above all.

“I will be Alpha one day,” James continued, his tone steady but cold, as if oblivious to the way his words shredded my heart. “I need a strong Luna. Amie, you don’t have a wolf, and even if you did, we all know it would be weak. I love you, you know I do. But my duty is to the pack—and this pack deserves a strong Luna.” His declaration hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Silence stretched between us, suffocating. I struggled to find my voice. My first impulse was to beg, to promise I could become whatever he needed. I could change. But the stubborn part of me—the part that made my mother sigh in frustration and call me headstrong—held me back.

“Son,” the Alpha’s voice was gentle but firm. “You don’t need to do this here and now.”

“It would be cruel to give her false hope. I won’t do that to her,” James replied quietly.

“You need to think this through, son. This isn’t the place or time.” The Alpha’s tone carried a warning beneath its calmness.

“I won’t change my mind,” James insisted. I felt my parents move to stand beside me, my mother slipping an arm around my waist protectively.

“James, think about what you’re doing. You are mates. The gods have decreed you complete each other,” my father said, his voice heavy with emotion.

“I’m sorry,” James repeated, his words final.

“You won’t be able to join the games,” my father added, his voice cold and resolute. A murmur swept through the pack. The games were the ultimate test of a pack’s strength and influence, held every ten years. Each pack sent their five most promising warriors, alongside a support team, to compete in challenges that tested not just physical strength, but endurance, intelligence, and cunning. For the past fifty years, our pack had consistently ranked in the top five. To qualify, participants had to be over eighteen and in peak physical and mental condition. The breaking of a mate bond was considered a mental injury, requiring at least three months of healing before one could be deemed fit. The games were only a month away.

I saw a flicker of hesitation cross James’s face, and hope surged within me. I knew how much he and my brother had dreamed of competing. We had all trained tirelessly, even I had pushed myself hard. The Alpha was expected to announce the chosen representatives any day now.

“So be it,” James finally said, determination hardening his features. “I will sit out this year’s games and join the next.” The last ember of hope in my chest flickered and died. Luna Joy’s voice drifted to me, but I had stopped listening. My hands, clenched tightly at my sides, finally relaxed as I reached for my mother’s arm.

“I can’t stay here anymore,” I mindlinked to her softly. She responded with a quiet whimper, pulling me into a comforting embrace, positioning herself between me and James, then guiding me away. The pack silently parted as we made our way toward our home. I was numb, the pain radiating deep within me. I caught the pitying looks from other pack members but tried not to let them register. It was bad enough to be pitied for not having a wolf; now I would be pitied for being rejected by the future Alpha as well. Some reached out gently, their hands brushing my arms in silent support, but it offered little comfort. I recalled Uncle Jonas’s promise just hours before—that he and his friends would defend me against any male who dared to see me as weak. Yet, that promise felt hollow now. What could be done when the one who rejected me was the son of my best friend and the future Alpha? Bitterness welled inside me, and the first broken sob slipped free. Thankfully, my mother and I were nearly home, far from the pack’s watchful eyes. She tightened her hold and made soothing sounds that reminded me of my childhood, when she would comfort me after I’d fallen and scraped my knees.

—

“Let’s sit on the couch for a while,” my mother suggested gently. I only shook my head, desperate to crawl into bed and never emerge. “Okay, sweetie,” she said softly, understanding without needing more. She led me upstairs, helped me out of my clothes, and into my sleepwear before tucking me into bed. Curling into a tight ball, knees drawn to my chest and arms wrapped around them, I faced away from her. She sat beside me, stroking my hair and humming the lullabies she used to sing to me and Elder. Tears finally spilled down my cheeks, one after another, as silent sobs shook my body. The flood of emotions overwhelmed me, my body trembling under their weight.

I heard the front door open and close downstairs and caught the scent of my father. Though I lacked a wolf, my senses—smell, sight, hearing—were still sharper than a human’s, though nowhere near a werewolf’s. My father entered quietly and sat beside my mother on the bed. No words were spoken, but the warmth of his heavy hand resting on my leg was a small comfort. I have no idea how long we stayed like that—minutes, hours, perhaps. Somewhere along the way, the tears stopped, and my body settled, though the pain remained as sharp as ever.

My mind began to wander, despite my parents likely thinking I was asleep. I noticed my brother’s absence, and that hurt almost as deeply as James’s rejection. He had chosen James over me. I struggled to believe it. Yes, he was best friends with the future Alpha, but I had always thought we were close. A sudden knock at the front door broke my thoughts, and my father left the room.

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