The following morning I woke up to stare at my ceiling for about an hour. It was hard to get out of bed. I didn't want to. This wasn't fair.

Why couldn't the rejection affect both parties? Why did it have to only hurt me so much the way it did? Was it too much to hope that he was feeling the same way I was? But of course not... why would he when the love of his life is all he needs? I didn't want to understand what Ridge told me. That he'd already found his True Mate and because of that, he had to reject me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, the corners of my eyes tearing up. My hands shot up to cover my face and again the sobbing erupted. I was a blubbering mess and I tried so much to simmer down because then I'd hear from my family's countless questions. Well, from a few of them anyway.

Dad wasn't very in tune when it came to dealing with girl things like periods. So Cece and I were usually scurrying towards mom for answers to our problems. But that didn't mean dad didn't care. He was just more open to giving advice about different things that didn't involve feminine hygiene.

Boys were a touchy topic growing up and usually Dad gave the stink eye to the boyfriends that my older sister had. So every once in a while he would get in on the matter just to make sure those boyfriends would understand who our father was.

Being the Alpha's best Warrior meant a certain standard for us as an entire family was held. So Cece had her share of complaining to our mother that 'Dad was being so unfair!' when Dad would snarl at the teenage boys trying to date Cece.

I never had that problem because I was more into hanging out with my friends and reading. That's not to say I didn't think a few boys in school were cute but I wasn't as boy crazy as my sister.

My eyes shut again thinking suddenly about the Alpha's family and how his only heir was a selfish a-hole who decided that I wasn't good enough to be in love with because he'd already fallen in love with someone else.

Letting my arms fall to the sides of my mattress, I stared at the ceiling again and thought about last night.

The night before, on the table, there was a foil covered plate of food for me to heat up and a note from my dad that he made meatloaf and that hopefully I enjoyed it with the mashed potatoes and green beans. I honestly wasn't able to eat it after I warmed it up. What a waste.

I just kept staring at the plate turn in the microwave, the low humming keeping me in a trance. I didn't move even after the appliance beeped for the third time but the thought of my parents or siblings coming down to see me made me quickly push the button on the bottom that turned off the beeping noise.

Sighing, I opened the door and took out the plate of food but then just stared at it. Disappointment set in because I really enjoyed my dad's cooking since he loved to experiment and came up with more than decent meals to give us.

I grimaced, my stomach felt so empty. My appetite was just... gone. The thought of food was unbearable at that moment and ended up walking the plate over to the garbage can and tossed it then placed the dish in the sink reminding myself that I'd get to wash it tomorrow since mom liked the sink to be left empty and clean at the end of the day. Though with the way I was feeling, I knew I wasn't going to wash that plate.

I sauntered up the stairs, briefly stopping in my steps to hold myself together between whimpers. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and walked up the rest of the stairs and passed my younger brother's room and then Cece's. Just as I was passing my older brother's room, Wade's door opened.

Halting, I swallowed hard at my brother's calculating sleepy look as he stepped out into the hallway. He rubbed the end of his palm against an eye, muttering, "Gigi... It's almost midnight. Where the hell have you been?"

I should have known that my brother's hearing would catch me. Though us Weres had heightened hearing, Wade always seemed to have a better ability to hear better than the rest of us. Remember I mentioned that Warrior gene? This was a good example.

"I, uh, was with—with Eden and Molly at the park."

"All night?" he questioned, frowning and crossed his arms while resting his shoulder against the door frame. It kind of reminded me of the way Ridge had stood hours before.

I shook my head then looked up at my brother to sigh, "Look, Wade... I'm really tired. Do you think that I can get some sleep and discuss this tomorrow?"

My brother stared at me, his eyes wide awake now as he frowned, "You've been crying."

I winced, shaking my head that I haven't.

"Yes, you have. What's going on?"

"Nothing. Wade, I'm serious. It's just menstrual cramps, okay? They are hurting, like, a lot." I grumbled then waved at my bedroom door that was only ten paces away. "Can I go to my room now... please?"

My brother looked hesitant in letting go of the matter but then nodded. I could feel him watching me as I walked to my room and shut the door behind me.

Once I heard his own door shut close, I broke down against the door. I dropped to my knees and covered my mouth to hide the noise from traveling.

"Gigi?"

I turned my head towards the door where my little brother was knocking. Honestly, I really didn't want to answer or let him in. He was my baby brother, sure, but right now—right now I was feeling like total shit.

"Gigi... Are you in there?" Cody called, knocking once more.

Groaning, I rolled onto my stomach and pushed myself up onto my haunches. Then I fixed my tank top properly before getting up and dragged myself to the door.

Pulling it open, I rested the side of my head against the side of it, droopy eyed and sluggish. "What..." I deadpanned.

Cody, taking on being the smaller version of Wade with his hazel eyes and bright brown hair, cocked his head to the side with a frown. His eyes did a once over of me, pursing his mouth to the side and then met my eyes.

"What happened...?"

I should have known this little rugrat would have been able to see through my facade that I was doing quite a horrible job of hiding anyway. Though he was only fourteen, Cody was quite intuitive about things; like knowing when his favorite sister is going through something. And I say favorite sister because he mentioned that I was.

"Nothing... what's up, little brother?" I sighed, forcing a small smile.

Cody narrowed his eyes, shaking his head slowly that he can sense something was off about me and he wanted to know what. He even went to pull the whole, "I tell you everything, so you can't keep secrets from me."

"I'm not," I lied. "I just... Code, it's just that time of the month and I am a bit drained is all."

"Is that why you were crying last night... all night?" he asked, lowering a brow.

Crap. He heard that? His room was the furthest from mine! Stupid Werewolf hearing. And stupid me for believing I'd be able to keep that to myself.

I nodded, rolling my eyes as I tossed a hand up in the air, "Damn cramps got me in the fetal position all night! Wanted to rip my uterus out." And my heart.

Cody's eyes widened then scrunched his face in distaste, "Ugh! That's gross, Gigi! Don't talk about stuff like that! I don't want to picture a uterus!"

I smiled, laughing a bit and placed my hand on his head. "Tell you what... You pour me a glass of orange juice and save me a seat beside you and I won't talk about my uterus or the female body and its parts anymore."

"Deal!" he answered quickly, stretching out his arm and slapping his hand against mine when I held it up for a high five. Cody shot down the hallway and down the stairs.

I returned back into my room to get dressed for the day. Not sure what for but I decided to just take it slow.

After tugging on my jeans, sneakers, and a plain t-shirt, I walked into the hallway to the shared bathroom between my three siblings, and brushed my teeth. As I did, I cocked my head to the side at hearing Molly's voice downstairs. I squinted, pausing the toothbrush from brushing away.

What was she doing here?

I usually have to force her to come hang out at my house because I was always going over to hers. Something about being able to do more stuff at her place than mine.

So what was she doing here? And so early? Out of the three of us, Molly was the one to wake up the latest. Something about needing "beauty sleep" because it clears the skin.

I glanced at my reflection, raising a brow as I caught sight of the red spot on the side of my cheek. A sign that a pimple was threatening to flare. I narrowed my eyes at it, growling with my toothbrush in my mouth.

"Gigi?"

I turned to the doorway of the bathroom where Molly stood, smiling widely. She was quite chirpy today and dressed just as posh as usual. Her bright white stockings under her yellow mini skirt matched with the white collared blouse under the just as yellow sweater she had on. Molly's blue eyes were bright and shining under the purple eye shadow.

"Hey..." I greeted, turning my head to spit out the toothpaste and rinse my mouth. I placed my toothbrush in the cup where my siblings kept theirs too then looked back at my friend. "What are you doing here... and so early?"

Molly scoffed with a smile, "What? Can't a girl come see her best friend?"

I raised a brow, grinning as I slowly dragged out, "Maaaaaaaaybe?"

"Ugh! Gigi, honestly. You are my best friend and I wanted to surprise you for once instead of the other way around." She nodded with her head, waving, "Come on! I have a little surprise for you!"

I raised my brows, looking at the pink gift bag that I hadn't noticed her holding. I frowned, asking why she even got me a gift to begin with as I followed her out of the bathroom and towards my room again. Molly skipped inside, going over and sitting properly on the edge of my unmade bed. She placed the gift bag on top of the bed beside her, gesturing for me to open it.

Walking over with a glance at her, I squinted at her. Her smiling a lot more than I am used to, was weird. It was nice but still weird.

I shrugged it off and opened the bag up. There was tissue paper in the way so after taking that out, I widened my eyes and felt my mouth drop as I stared at Molly.

"Oh my God!" I cried, blinking a few times as I reached in and lifted out the red sweater. I know it didn't sound like much, but it was smooth as silk and it was cashmere, which was totally out of my shopping budget, so yeah, it was a big deal.

"Molly! Oh, my God!" I was so excited, jumping up and down as I hugged the sweater to myself and she watched me with a smile, giggling with me.

Molly shrugged, saying how she noticed how down I was yesterday and that it was only fitting that, as my best friend, for her to buy me something to make me smile again.

"And red is such a good color on anyone!" she stated, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Plus, that color is supposed to make you look sexy." She wiggled her eyebrows up and down.

I laughed, looking down at the sweater again and smiled at how soft it was. I pressed it to my face, closing my eyes before lowering it.

"Thank you, Molly. I really needed this. You have no idea."

Molly blinked, glancing off to the side as she pursed her mouth to the side and hummed. Then she got up and smiled, "Yes, well... No more of that! I just stopped by to give you your present, but uh, take this as a token of me being the best of our trio. Because I know that you would do anything for my happiness, wouldn't you, Gigi?"

She raised her brows, standing in front of me with her lip glossed bottom lip pouting outward.

I glanced at her take my hands in hers after taking the sweater and tossing it on my bed. My brows furrowed, tilting my head and narrowed my eyes. "Molly... how can you ask me such a thing? Of course I care about your happiness."

It was strange that she was asking me this when I always went out of my way to make her happy, even if other people thought I shouldn't. They said that I catered to Molly too much which was why her wealth went to her head too much.

I pursed my mouth to the side, reaching forward and pulling Molly into a hug. She blinked, wide eyed at my gesture. She patted my back, laughing that I needed to change my perfume. That it was too fruity for her.

"I'm not wearing perfume," I laughed, pulling back and going over to grab my new sweater that I admired again.

"Oh... Well maybe it's time for a change of shampoo. Ya know?"

I nodded, muttering, "Okay... Sure." though I wasn't really listening. I was too into my sweater that I would have to wear sometime today. I'd find a reason to.

Molly walked over to the door and sighed that she had to be somewhere but that she hoped to see me later at the meeting hall. She explained that there was an important announcement from the Alpha and that everyone was to be there.

I inquired on how she knew something like that before anyone else and Molly widened her eyes before relaxing and shrugged a shoulder that she just overheard it from a few guards. I assumed my dad knew of this too since he was one of the Warriors. But aside from that confusion, I smiled at my best friend, nodding that I would see her later at the meeting then—adding that I'd have a reason to wear my new sweater she got me.

Molly blinked, nodding slowly, "Yeah... Heh. I'll see you then." and made her way out of my room, shutting the door behind her.

Looking back to the sweater in my hands, I smiled widely, feeling how soft the material was just as another knock on my door rapt. I called for the person to enter without looking away from my new gift and heard a gasp. I looked up wide eyed and Cece stared at my sweater. She rushed forward and took it out of my hands, her brown eyes widening.

"Oh my God! This is—do you know what this is?!" she asked, her tone higher than normal. Cece's eyes were on me now, she shook the sweater at me. "Do you realize how much this costs in the retail store?! How—how'd you get this?!"

I smiled, for once kind of happy that my sister was talking to me.

Cece and I have never been close. Even if we were sisters, we were never close. She was the one in the family that thought she was a Molly Sinclair, minus the money to go with the name.

Everything was materialistic for my sister and it just made things hard for my parents growing up since their daughter was always wanting the best of the best, though she had to settle for the best of what could be afforded. I learned at a young age that my parents couldn't buy me whatever I wanted because we just couldn't afford it. It was the same understanding with Wade and Cody.

Cece was the only of us Gomez children who seemed to miss that memo before finally becoming an adult and realizing that she needed to lend a helping hand with my parents now that she could. She still had a prissy attitude and thought everyone but my parents were beneath her but... progress, I guess.

Cece wasn't very close with me which was a disappointment since I grew up always wanting to be just like her. She'd always push me away to leave her and her friends alone until I turned ten years old and decided on my own that I wasn't going to follow her around if she didn't want me to anymore.

It became easier to just ignore my sister, as my brothers did, whenever she complained about something she didn't like or just had something to say because she liked to hear herself talk.

The lack of closeness between us two sisters was sad though I still held hope one day we'd bond over something to put us in a better sibling relationship. Today was not that day.

Cece scrunched her nose, scoffing, "How the hell did you get this sweater, Gigi? This shit is expensive!"

She eyeballed me, lowering an eyebrow and I tilted my head, giving her a flat look as I snagged my sweater out of her grasp.

"Okay, Cece. Like I'd stoop that low to shop lift in order to live a luxurious lifestyle. I'm not that desperate, thank you. I'll die poor and be happy than be rich with stolen goods and depressed all at once with that on my conscious."

My back was to my sister as I tossed my gift on the bed and began to strip off my shirt. I could hear her scoff and only picture her hands on her hips.

"Hmph! You would! You would be the one of all of us to die poor and happy with the way you like giving everything to everyone, you selfless prude."

I stopped, lowering my eyebrows and glanced to the side as I snapped, "Was there an insult in there somewhere?"

As I shook out the red sweater, Cece chuckled, "Other than you being my sister? No."

I looked over my shoulder, scowling, "What do you want?"

Shit, I felt sorry for the man my sister meets to be her mate. The poor guy will have to stand by my twenty-one year old sister for the rest of his life. I hope he has a career that would support her happily.

My grin wilted when I thought about my sister's mate. Though she hadn't met him yet, Cece would eventually, and I bet he wouldn't even think about rejecting her. I bet he would love her unconditionally; materialistically and all.

I closed my eyes, wincing as I thought back to yesterday and the guilty look Ridge had given me before tearing my heart apart.

When I opened my eyes, I realized that he'd be there at the meeting today. That meant seeing him after he rejected me for someone else. I felt my body shaking slightly, like I was cold before the soft, "Hey..." from beside me made me look at my sister.

Her eyebrows dipped, her brown eyes looking into the same colored ones belonging to me. She took a moment before asking, "Something wrong?"

If there was a moment that I could have said something to my sister, it wouldn't have been, "I'm fine. Why act like you would be concerned if there was?"

Cece narrowed her eyes, shaking her head and scoffed, while heading back out of my room, "Came in to tell you that you have fifteen minutes to get downstairs. We are supposed to leave to the meeting hall together."

Cece looked at my clock on the wall and then glanced at me with her hand on the door knob. "Now ten." then slammed the door shut.

Biting my lip after being a bit rude to my sister, I groaned. I know that might have been a genuine moment on her end, but that was a first so please, spare me a lecture.

I finished putting on the new sweater, taking a moment to dwell in how silky it felt as my fingers stroked downward. A smile etched onto my lips, the heartache from yesterday momentarily dimmed as I focused on the sweet gift from Molly. Again, it was so unlike her to give me something like this. So expensive. That should have been the mega red flag.

I went to the bathroom mirror and quickly brushed out my hair; conflicted if I should wear it up in a pony tail or leave it down today. I decided with a french braid and exited into the hall and down the stairs where my family was already finished with eating.

Dad looked at me, grinning, "Hey! Good morning, Button!"

Smiling back, I said good morning and he glanced at the food on the table.

"Unfortunately, Button, you are going to have to wait to eat once we get back from the meeting hall. Seems that the Alpha has a big announcement to make and we can't be late. That'd be rude."

I was slightly disappointed when I caught sight of the plate of bacon beckoning me to steal a few pieces as I walked out. Which I did. I was stealthy too or at least I thought I was until my dad, who was holding open the door for us all to exit out of, raised an eyebrow and grinned at me. My shoulders raised to my ears and I pulled in my lips to show my coyness before rushing out of the house with six strips of bacon.

Since the meeting hall was located within the gated community we live in, we all walked there. Mom and Dad were up ahead, discussing in low tones about what the meeting could possibly be about. Cece was behind them listening to music on her phone and kept turning to scowl and smack Cody on the head because he was making faces at her.

Wade turned to slow down and walk beside me with his hands in the pockets of his favorite navy blue sweater. He raised a brow, glancing at me and questioned how I was feeling this morning.

I nodded that I was good, that again it was menstrual cramps so I was feeling a bit emotional and stuff.

My brother has always been one to come to my aid whenever Cece would overdo her teasing at me or whenever I was just needing someone to play with me growing up. So he was like my best friend. He understood me the way I understood Cody.

"You know you can tell me anything, right, Gigi?" he looked at me seriously, still watching me until I responded.

I nodded, my eyebrows furrowing as I chewed on a strip of bacon.

We had been walking up towards the hill where the meeting hall sat. I could already see all the others in the pack filing in. It only held so many people, so some of us would end up having to stand outside and I personally wouldn't mind since I don't know if I could see Ridge so soon after the rejection.

Stopping beside my brother, glancing to see that the rest of my family walking up the hill, I looked back at him with my arms crossed over my chest. I swallowed, biting my lip again. My eyes nervously watched others in the pack move past us and I lowered my voice to not have eavesdroppers. "Wade... About yesterday..."

I paused, hesitating in telling him about Ridge. With a deep breath, I let out, "I—" but the sudden interruption of Eden running into me from the side with a wide smile on her face had cut me off from telling my brother. I almost fell over as she wrapped her arms around me and I looked at my best friend giggling that she'd been calling me from the back of the group.

Eden stepped back, smiling, "Oh, hello Wade." who nodded, then looked at me. "What were you saying, Gigi?"

I shook my head, smiling that it was nothing. That I could tell him later. He asked if I was sure and I nodded that it really was no big deal.

Nodding slowly, Wade accepted my answer and then pointed at the meeting hall. "Don't be the last ones in." before trudging his way up the hill.

Eden raised a brow, watching Wade walk off and she grinned, "Maaaaaaan, that boy is fine!"

"Ew. No." I frowned, using the back of my hand to rest against her stomach, "Don't even go there. Again."

"But come ooooooon!" Eden pleaded, sulking her shoulders and gripped my arm.

I laughed, shaking my head that Wade was my brother and that would be hella weird for me if they broke up or did the nitty gritty and made Eden coming over awkward.

My friend laughed, releasing her hold on me and shrugged, "Eh, it was worth a final attempt."

"From the thousands you've had?"

Eden pointed at me, raising her brows, "And yet you still deny me!"

We laughed as we came to the entrance of the meeting hall, people walking in after being ushered in by those keeping count who can fit into the hall. Eden and I quickly ran up to pass a few members of the pack and made it as one of the last few to make it inside. I looked behind me and could see a few disappointed members who would have to listen to the speakers that were installed outside to hear what was being said.

Facing Eden, I frowned, asking if she'd seen Molly.

My friend blinked, looking around and then shook her head, "No. Last I saw of her was yesterday when I left her at the store. She said that her ride was going to be picking her up. But I haven't seen her since."

Eden looked around again, being that she was able to see over the top of other's heads as I could see only their backs. I hated being short.

We stopped our search for Molly when Alpha Beaumont made his way up to the podium and stood with his hands on the sides of it. He lowered his head to speak into the mike extended out towards him. With a smile, he welcomed us all to the meeting hall. He looked to be in high spirits today and I could only wonder what brought on such a good mood. Not that the alpha was bad or anything, he just was a serious person for the most part and unless it had to do with the children in the pack, his family or the visits he had with my father, it was rare to see the alpha smile as much as he was now.

"Good morning!" the alpha greeted, waiting as the crowd replied the same way.

Alpha Beaumont grinned, "As you know, my son recently returned from his trip overseas. With their help these past months, they have been showing my son the Alpha ropes as I have over the past years. This is in preparation for when I pass down the responsibility of taking care of you all and those in Carmel."

There were pleasant murmurs from the crowd then the alpha continued.

"That will be when I can no longer see myself fit to carry on the Alpha role which is when Ridge will take over."

The alpha grinned as he added that by the time Ridge was officially alpha there would be an Alpha Female at his son's side. I froze when he spoke those words. My heart beating wildly as I suddenly found myself searching for the Beta. I found him at the side of the stage with his mother standing beside him. She was smiling endearingly at her husband who was still talking.

"Which brings me to our gathering here today as I'd like to announce that my son has found his mate!"

I blinked, staring wide-eyed then swallowed. Frowning, I was wondering what Ridge told his parents about his "mate". Whether he shared his confusion about what happened with me at the park and why there were two True Mates instead of one like it was supposed to be. Did he change his mind? Had he chosen me... or her? But why would he after he already rejected me?

The Alpha nodded with a big smile. "Yes, yes... this is all good news," he chuckled, hearing everyone's happy murmurs. "But I'd like for my son to come up and give a few words about his mate." then he turned to the side. "Ridge?"

Ridge's stoic look was taken after his father as he walked up the steps after an encouraging push from his mother. He stood beside his dad, grinning and saying something that had the Alpha laugh lightly before nodding towards the mike. Ridge took the place in front of the podium, smiling widely off to the side at the front of the crowd then looked up at the crowd.

"Pack Members, I'd like to thank my father for giving me the opportunity to learn the ropes for when the day comes that I shall take over. Since I was six years old, it's been quite grueling, but worth it in the end if it'll mean I can protect you all as much as he has."

He smiled off at his dad standing beside the Alpha Female then Ridge looked back at us.

"As for my mate..." Ridge smiled, sighing, "I can't even believe that I'm finally able to reveal to you who she is. I feel she will make a great impact to the pack as my Alpha Female. I know you will all grow to love and respect her, for she was meant to be mine. I can only thank the Spirit World for giving her to me." He paused for a moment. His gaze looking far off for a brief moment and then cleared his throat with a grin. "And now... I'd like to introduce to you to someone very special to me."

Ridge held out his hand to the side of the front part of the crowd and proudly asked, "Molly Sinclair, will you join me on stage?"