Hiding Atlantis

Chapter 10

My eyes met Atlas' and I can see the evident shock in his face no matter how hard he tried to conceal them. I heard the crowd behind me whispering,

"Mate?"

"Does the new alpha finally meet his mate"

"We have a new Luna now?"

Said the voices of our pack members. I saw how Atlas regained his composure and took his eyes off of me.

"As I said earlier," his speech continued, "I need a Luna to help me in ruling our pack." My breath hitch. The happiness I felt earlier upon knowing that the man I've been in love with for years is my mate, is gone and was replaced by another wave of pain seeing him in front of me as if he doesn't care about that fact at all.

I looked at Liliani, still smiling while looking at Atlas. She's been looking for her mate since she was 18 years old. I know how long she waited. There are nights where I can hear her praying to the Moon Goddess to finally meet her mate. Now she finally has one. 

Only that he's not really hers but mine.

I turn my eyes to Atlas. Our eyes meet and I can feel my heart beating in hope.

Please don't reject me.

I kept on saying in my head while looking at him. I can feel my wolf praying with me and I wanted so badly to hug her right now to say that everything will be alright.

 He closed his eyes, cutting our eye contact.

"My mate," he said after a while. "Sadly I can't introduce her to you right now." I can hear our crowd members whispering to each other again before stopping so Atlas can continue his speech. "Don't worry, I finally meet her. I just need some time to discuss things with her. Being a Luna is a very difficult job and I want to make sure that she's ready for the position." He said with finality before he ended the ceremony.

I felt instantly relieved with his decision and my heart swell in hope that maybe, he still considers me as his mate. That maybe, he just got tired of waiting for his mate to show up so he made a promise to turn Liliani into his Luna, and now that I'm here, he'll let us have a chance.

Speaking of my sister, I look in her direction only to see disappointment all over her face. I want to go on stage and comfort her but I know that it's not the best thing to do considering our situation right now.

"What happened?" asked Elaine on my left. "I thought Atlas will introduce your sister in our pack today? What's with the sudden change of plans?"

I look at her, not really processing her inquiries as my mind is full of questions as well.

Elaine creased her forehead and inspected me.

"Are you alright? Is there something wrong?" She asked again.

I shake my head. I was about to tell her the truth when I saw Altus walking towards our direction.

He looks at Elaine who's still confused with what's happening before turning his gaze towards me.

"The Alpha wants you in his office." he said, making my heart jump even more.

Atlas wants to see me! My mate wants to see me!