The turn out

Chapter. 2

ASTRA'S POV

Tree branches scattered the ground under the cold whooshing wind. It was the Eve day for the Lycans. A day where both the mighty and low status Lycans gathered for feasting before the Royal banquet sets. I had personally scheduled this day to introduce a Luna to my lunatic father who wanted to hand over power to my stepbrother, Daemon if I didn't get a wife so I had a contracted marriage deal with one of the wolves Alpha to hand over his Luna in exchange for an alliance.

Now sitting under a giant pear tree which shielded us from the harsh weather with the Royal family; Father, stepmom, stepbrother and step sister who lusted after me, I felt tensed. It wasn't like me to have dinner with them. I hated them all, every single one of them.

"You promised to show us your Luna today Astra but it seems null" Queen Magnet said, mockery evident in her tone. Ever since my heartless father remarried this vicious woman, my hatred heated up for him. Obviously she was trying to get on my nerves but I wasn't going to let it happen. The contracted Luna should have arrived by now since it was already evening.

"Quit Astra if you can't find someone as your Luna, An Alpha without a Luna is baseless" My father remarked upsetting me.

"Baseless you say" I scorned, "I don't think that word suits you father"

"If you actually knew what a Luna meant then you wouldn't have banished her to become a rogue" I flared, I knew exactly the words that could fuel his rage.

"Astra ! " He yelled sitting up but I cared less. I already wanted to upset them so they could end this stupid feast.

But then a beautiful scent washed my nostrils and my wolf rejoiced in ecstasy. I became surprised and shocked at the same time. What could make Baal, my wolf this elated?

Suddenly, I began craving that scent as I felt its hitched breathing loom closer; a pure mixture of Rose milk, vanilla, berries with a splash of mint. This was an entirely new mesmerizing scent and it tugged my senses.

But then a realization hit me. Could this be the mate pull? I couldn't believe it as it dawned on me. I didn't know if I should be sad or happy but one thing I felt was anger. How could the Goddess mate me at a time like this, I made myself clear that I didn't want a mate? Was this a trick or something?

Right now the anger that pulsed through me was like never before. Snapping my head towards the direction of the scent, a brownish-white wolf hurled towards me in a radical speed. Knowing this wasn't going to end well, I spranged up menacingly and let my wolf take over as I took off with the she- wolf not caring about the shock and surprises that glistened the people's faces.

Arriving at the solace grounds, I shifted and threw her to the ground, with her furry head rolling on the sides of the grasses. I felt her sharp gazes and as she shifted to nature, trying to shield herself amongst grasses, she spat out the most disgusting words to me.

"Mate, mine" She called blatantly. I felt so angry. I hated to hear that word.

"I Alpha Astra Thrones of the Lycans pack reject you as my mate " I burled angrily. My beast nudged at me trying to force its way out but I held him in with every ounce. But then, I sensed terror and fear and dejection in her. A sharp pain pierced my heart, enveloping my whole being but I tugged in fiercely masking the emotions

"And if you utter that word anymore from your lips, you'll be met with a fatal consequence" I snarled at her. I felt bad, I wanted to apologise to her, I wanted to cuddle her but I couldn't. It was for the best, I didn't want to be weak or have a weakness. If Father should find out that she was my mate, she'll be dead.

Oh the Moon Goddess, why now? I countered my thoughts not able to ascertain why I'm always met with misfortunes. As a child, I didn't get to have a normal life like other kids, I was always locked up deep in a dark room and now I've adjusted to darkness to the extent I detested light.

I needed to make her fear me, hate me and detest me just like the rumors that spread wide beyond the whole packs of how ruthless I am. I didn't want her to feel anything for me and it would be best if she accepted my rejection, but I couldn't bring myself to force her.

"Do you understand" I further threatened. I felt her shiver at my cold voice, I sensed the horror in her, the sadness in her eyes cut me like a blade, maybe it's just my fate, a fate to hurt everyone by my side. She nodded with tears in her eyes. I felt shattered and unachieved.

"Now go back to wherever you came from and pretend nothing happened"

"I can't because I'm the contracted Luna" She hushed sharply. My mind went hazy in split of seconds. I was shocked to the brim.

What was happening? I asked myself

I think I've asked myself this same question multiple times today.

"You're the contracted Luna?" I asked still not believing the shocking reveal.

"Yes Alpha" She answered. Right now, I was speechless. How did I get stuck in such a bizarre situation. Not knowing what to do, I mind linked my Beta, one of the special abilities I had as an Alpha.

I heard the approaching footstep of someone, it was really getting close and suddenly, I felt the need to protect the witty girl. If she's seen with me then she's gone. I immediately carried her up from the bushy ground, confusion and shock plastered her silhouette face the moment our skin connected, flicks of desires balled in messing with my senses, her scent adding to the torment of the unwavering urges. Running towards an underground clearing we hid there and I peeped up.

"Alpha?" I recognized the voice of my Beta Augus, the moment the footstep breached on the spot I stood before but he wasn't alone, he came with my personal maid Miriam. I released a hitched breathing and came out of the clearing with her. I saw a mixture of surprise and shock on their faces as they stared at our bodies but soon enough, I was going to turn that into sheer sadness.

"Let me have it" I said to Augus as he brought out a neatly folded paper and handed it over to me.

"Here is a list of the contract do's and don't s" I spurted, my voice turning cold and domineering as I threw over the paper to her.

"Read out loud" I demanded harshly.

She flipped through the paper and read " We will display our marriage in front of the Royal house and in public. You shall be adored as the Luna of this pack"

"However, within the pack house and without anyone present, I owe no obligation to treat you as my wife"

"You'll not share the same room, eat or sit with me except for duty purposes"

"I will never mark you and you will never mark me nor involve yourself in my personal life" She stopped, her hands trembling in shock.

"And lastly" I resumed, "You're not permitted to see me or touch anything that belongs to me or do anything without without my permission" I completed narrowing my eyes at Miriam

"Get her ready Miriam, she shall be addressed as the Luna on the banquet tomorrow evening" I ordered and with that I started leaving with Augus trailing behind me as he handed me a robe, I know he must have a thousand and one questions to ask me but I wasn't in the mood for them all.

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