CHAPTER 1: BETRAYAL

Elaine's POV

 “Your wedding to Finn, the love of your life, is just a few days away Elly” Clara squealed. Jumping around like a puppy who had just found its owner. She sounded more excited than I. Heat crept up my neck crimson as I thought about the wedding.

“ No doubt you both are a match made in heaven" she continued, swirling me around then paused giving me a stern look before whispering. 

“Elly if he dares hurt you, don't hesitate to tell me I'll certainly teach him the greatest lesson of his life." 

“Yes mom,” I muttered, laughing beneath my breath

“Elaine Theodore!" She called raising her furrowed brows, staring at me.

"Hey, you don't need to worry about me. I know for a fact that Finn would take good care of me.” I assured her remembering last night and the promises he made to me. My cheeks turned red again, gaining a mocking glare from Clara.

“Lover bird, you're blushing already, I want to be like you" Clara mocked, rolling her eyes, before letting out a laugh she seemed to have held in. Clara, my bestie, had been my childhood friend since I could remember. When everyone got their wolves and I didn't get mine, she stood by me chasing off bullies, refusing to allow anyone to treat me unfairly. She was a sister I never had, a mother figure I clinged to when everything felt too heavy.

I didn't realize I was crying till Clara caught it.

"Elly, what's wrong? Why the sudden tears?” Clara asked, her eyes scanning mine like a hawk. 

“Oh it's nothing, Just remembering old times and how you always got my back" I said, wiping the tears off my cheek with the back of my palm. She pulled me into a tight hug.

“You're suffocating me” I laughed trying to pull away, only to be squeezed tighter.

“That's what you get for making me worried.” She teased before releasing me. “Look," Clara called, raising my chin to meet hers. “No matter what happens, know that I will always be here for you." She said, placing her hands on mine, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you. I'll have to leave now, it's getting late and I need to see Finn for some final arrangements." I explained, giving her a side hug, before leaving.

"I'll be waiting for updates.” Clara shouted behind me.

I tried calling Finn but he wasn't picking. “I will surprise him instead.” I muttered to myself smiling.

Getting home, I took a hot bath. Surprisingly no one was home. “Just perfect, no one to ruin my mood." I breathed, humming and taking in the scent of lavender and lemon. 

Thinking of what to wear is always a big hassle for me.

My wardrobe swung open revealing a rainbow of fabrics. My fingers danced across the array of dresses before landing on a short red dress that caught my attention. I yanked it off the hanger to view it properly. It had a slit by the side and an open back. 

Finn's type. I giggled putting the dress on, pairing it with a silver hill. It fit perfectly, revealing my curves. I put on light make-up and styled my hair in a bun letting a few strands fall to my face. 

I was met with a stunning reflection on the mirror and couldn't help but giggle. " Oh what a beauty”

Taking my purse, I took one last glance at myself nodding in agreement before leaving the house.

I got to Finn's palace, earning a mixture of glares that held disdain and amusement from the guards and maids. I ignored them making my way to the fifth floor using the elevator.

Getting out of the elevator I turned my heels clicking my way to the study because that's where he spends his evenings. I got to his study door but was stopped by his guard Killian

“I want to see Finn, could you please tell him I'm around?”. I asked politely.

“Alpha Finn asks not to be disturbed, he is currently in the middle of a meeting” Killian answered, without looking in my direction.

“Oh…..it's urgent, could I wait until he's free?”

" No you can't, he won't be able to attend to you." He replied, irritation visible in his voice.

“Okay" I answered in defeat, turning around to leave.

“what should I do?” I murmured to myself, fiddling with my phone in my hands.

 I heard something, like a female giggle, I turned around, to see where the voice came from, but only saw Killian staring into space with an unreadable expression. Must be my imagination playing tricks on me I thought.

I heard it for a second time, this time louder, and it was accompanied with a hearty laughter. That laugh, it sounds so familiar, it was unmistakable. It belongs to my step-sister Olivia, and it seems to be coming from Finn's study.

“What could they be doing at this hour that brought such laughter” my subconscious yelled 

“He probably said something funny to cause a loud laughter." I explained to my subconscious, trying to dispel the growing suspicion rising with me, but that wasn't helping. It grew stronger by each passing second. 

I couldn't take it anymore. I ran past Killian, ignoring his warning, and pushed the door open with my side. 

“Alpha, I tried to stop her.” Killian explained,with his head bowed. 

" Leave us Killian. Now.” He commanded, without looking towards me.

He stepped out, closing the door shut behind him.

My eyes widened in disbelief; everything seemed to stand still, and the only thing I could hear was the sound of my quickened heartbeat. For a moment I felt it was a dream, or probably

Olivia's scheme, but it was real, it was fucking real.

 This was my reality.