Heyy guys!!!
In case you missed it, this is the second part of a double update. Make sure to read the previous chapter before reading this one.
Happy reading!!!
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"I invited the guys from the dinner over to hang out. Is that okay?" Lio asked.
I raised a brow at him from across my desk. "You already invited them. Why you asking?"
"Fine, let me rephrase," he said, rolling his eyes. "Heads up, I invited my friends over."
I laughed but was cut off when his phone dinged. After he reads the message he turned his attention to me. "Never mind. Change of plans. They are having their beta ceremony and have invited us."
I thought it over before agreeing. "What time does it start."
"Two hours." As soon as he finished talking, I shot up and ran to my room. It usually took me three hours, with my makeup routine taking an hour. I, surprisingly, managed to make it out the door in an hour and a half with a black dress that went to my knees, curled hair, and light eye makeup with a heavy lip.
Lio drove, crossing through the human town to get to Alv's pack. It was a short ride through the woods, and Alv's warriors let us through; recognizing me. Once there, we saw the whole pack outside on a wooden platform. Fairy light were wrapped around the room giving the area a whimsical feel.
Lio and I stepped out of the car and the whole pack turned towards us and bowed. It was their wolf submitting as they sensed someone with power.
"Alpha Camila," I heard somewhere in the crowd. Chris stepped out and walked over to hug me and greeted my brother. "Pack," he began, turning to face them. "This is Alpha Camila Rodriguez, my cousin."
As soon as he stopped speaking, whispers broke out. Chris, however, ignored them as he guided me into the house. In the living room sat Alv, his dad, and two unknown men. Jacob stoop up as soon as he saw me and came over to hug me, followed by Alv.
Jacob turned towards the unknown men. "Beta Will, Max, this is Alpha Camila and her brother, Emilio."
Will was the older man will Max appeared to be his son. Will was calm while Max seemed very nervous. They both stood up to shake our hands.
"I'm assuming the ceremony is for you," I told Max as I shook his hand. He nodded. "Congratulations."
"Well, it's time to start, let's go," Alv, held the door open as everyone filed out.
Alv led Lio and I to Chris and the guys before going to the stage.
"Hey guys," Chris said as he hugged me and shook hands with my brother. Elijah, Mel, and Matt gave us their own greetings before the ceremony started.
Will had Max repeat a couple of phrases before transferring his Beta tittle over to his son. That was followed by dinner. They served a delicious pasta.
I was sat in a round table with Chris and the guys. While everyone was talking, Elijah was quiet and stared at his plate. "Hey, what's wrong?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing," he replied, however he got up and left. As a watched him leave, I got a gut feeling telling me to follow him. My wolf pushed me to make sure he was okay. After a few minutes of searching, I found him far off from the rest of the pack talking to a girl. The look on his face as she spoke was of anger.
I cautiously walked over to them and heard the end of her speech. "You don't have any power or high status. You're worthless." My stomach dropped to my stomach hearing those words.
Elijah noticed me first as the girl was caught up in her speech. When Elijah bowed his head in my direction, the girl brought her attention to me. Her eyes widened as she bowed her head. "What is going on here?"
Elijah had his hands fisted and shaking but ignored the question. The girl spoke, stuttering trying to explain the situation but failing. I still had no idea what was going on. "You want power yet can't speak to those in power?" I questioned with a raised brow.
At that, she raised her head in anger, all nervousness forgotten. "I was putting him in his place. He is not a worthy mate because he has no power." Elijah's anger seemed to increase.
"Well, this is pathetic." The girl turned to smugly smile at Elijah. "How dare you reject your mate for such superficial reasons?" The smile dropped of her face as she stared at me in shock.
"You'd have to understand, wouldn't you? Considering you're someone in power. You wouldn't want someone below you power wise, right?" She asked nervously.
"I'd accept whoever the moon goddess blessed me with, regardless of social standing," I replied coldly. "Now go before I break my composure and punch you." Her eyes widened and I heard her heart race. She high tailed it out of here.
Elijah was standing there, still staring at the ground angrily. "Hey," I whispered but he ignored me. "I know you're angry at her words, but you have to let it go before anger is the only emotion you're able to feel," I reasoned. After a moment, he took deep breaths and relaxed his hands.
When he looked back up at me, the anger was gone, replaced by a small smile. "Thank you."
I shrugged. "It's fine. I know what it feels like." At his confusion, I elaborated. "I was also rejected."
His eyes widened. "But how? You're an Alpha."
"That's a recent development. I used to be a warrior in my previous pack and my mate had been the Alpha. He rejected me for the exact reasons you were. So really, I understand and you can talk to me about it."
He cracked a grin. "Might as well call us best friends with all the similar things we've been through."
I placed a hand over my heart. "Geez. Friend zoned by my second chance. Ouch." I decided honesty was the best policy and mentioned what's been running through my head.
He froze in shock. "You noticed it, too?"
I nodded. "I realized it when my wolf was pushing me to find you."
"I realized it when my wolf was happy you defended us. He's usually very prideful." He paused for a moment. "I had my doubts, considering it's not something that happens often, but since you noticed it, too..." He seemed to be thinking too much about this.
"Hey," I said grabbing his shoulders. He looked up at me nervously. "We'll take this slow, okay?" I paused as I became nervous. "Unless you were planning on rejecting me?" I had to know before I got my hopes up.
"No!" He practically shouted, bringing a smile to my face. "We'll take it slow," he repeated my words.
"Now let's go back. I'm still hungry." I stated. As we began walking back, Elijah slipped his hand in mine.
I squeezed his hand as my smile grew.
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Well.... what do you guys think?
Was it at a good pace or should there have been more build up before revealing they were each other's second chance?
The reason I write is to better myself as an author, so I am open to polite, constructive criticism.
Thank you guys sooo much for reading and please vote and comment!!!
Stay safe!!!