Chosen

~Aria~

Becoming the wife of an Alpha was never what I wanted. Or dreamt of. Let alone becoming the Luna of the known ruthless Alpha. 

They told me I was chosen by the moon goddess. But I knew that I was sold to him. As an atonement for the sins of my father and to save my Pack. 

“My Luna, the Alpha is at the Pack’s boundary now,” Beatrice, my personal maidservant, announced. 

My heart instantly skipped followed by my wolf low rumble within my frame. 

Impulsively, my fingers trembled, my eyes darting to my reflection in the mirror. 

“Are you excited to finally meet him?” She asked as she stood behind me, gauging my reaction. 

“I don't know,” I shrugged and tried to stand up, forgetting I had my lipstick on my laps. It fell and broke just as I stood.

“Let me pick it,” Beatrice offered quickly. 

I stepped aside as she did, the pounding in my chest increasing.

Honestly, I was nervous and scared. 

My husband, Alpha Damon, whom I was yet to meet had been away for the general Alpha council meeting ever since I was brought here. Over a week ago.

Today, he will be returning. Same today, I'd be meeting him for the first time since I was named his Luna. 

I sighed, feeling a weight press around my chest. 

“Don't worry, it'll work out fine. He’s not really as bad as they paint him,” Beatrice offered kindly. 

She'd been most gracious to me ever since I arrived here. 

“Come let's get you ready for him. There's still a lot to be done.”

“I'll finish my dressing, you can do other chores–”

“Don't worry. It'll be quick,” she said, ignoring my protest.

I let her apply finishing touches to my makeup and my hair which honestly didn't take as much time as I thought it would. Much to my relief.

“And we are good to go!” Beatrice exclaimed in cheerful relief after about another five minutes.

Then she helped me into the hall. Where I'd be wedded to the ruthless Alpha. 

It was my first official appearance. The crowd murmurings made their way into my ears as I walked the aisle. Some in pity and some, perhaps in admiration. But I could tell there was more pity than admiration in them. 

My gown was a flamboyant soft ethereal silver made of layers of shimmering opalescent silk. The bodice were intricately embroidered with silver thread that depicted the crescent moon. And the skirt was adorned with multiple layers of flowing fabric that seemed to float. The edges of each layer were delicately scalloped and edged with tiny twinkling crystals, catching the light and creating a mesmerizing twirling effect as I moved. 

“The Alpha is here!” the announcer echoed as soon as I reached the ceremonial circle. 

The hall went silent in a breath. 

Then the doors opened and he walked in. 

Immediately, my wolf leaped, causing a gasp to draw out of me. 

“Mate!” She howled. 

A silver tiny thread instantly appeared on my wrist. Thrown into shock, I trailed it with my eyes and it stopped in the wrist of the figure that just walked in. 

“Mate! Alpha mate!” My wolf growled in my head. Loudly this time. 

I blinked, unsure whether to be relieved or worried. 

Two weeks ago when I finally turned eighteen, I was worried about the kind of mate I'd be blessed with. Although a mating ceremony for all eighteen years old was held in my pack, in hopes to find our mates, my mate never appeared. And then when I was chosen as the bride for the ruthless Alpha, I'd immediately given up hope on ever finding my mate. 

“Mate!” My wolf howled loudly again, her prancing increasing. 

Then he began to walk towards me, his eyes drifting from the thread and back to me. His features registered absolutely no emotion I could read. My heart raced erratically as I imagined him rejecting our mate bond on the spot. 

His ceremonial robes shone against the lights. The Alpha crown on his head glowed of gold and silver. Strong cheekbones, defined jawline and a straight, well, proportioned nose. But his eyes…It was cold, ruthless and lacking warmth. 

Something suddenly struck me the moment he stopped before me–a familiarity. 

I froze, the recognition dawning. 

The world was so small and unpredictable! What were the chances?!

Two years ago, this same face saved me from slave traders and today I was standing in front of him as his mate and bride!

My wolf excited prancing increased. How could I have not known he was the Alpha I was getting married to? 

But then my excitement slipped into anxiousness. 

Would he be happy to know it was me? Would he remember me?

My questions were answered soon afterwards. 

Instead of the cheerful eyes of two years ago, he looked at me with nothing but sheer irritation. His face had quickly morphed into a hard rock. At that moment, if eyes held arrows and bows, he'd shoot me down on the spot!

“Mates! This is truly the will of the moon goddess!” The officiator, the seer of the pack exclaimed. Cheers and murmurings erupted in the hall. 

“My Alpha, you must accept and mark her as your mate so we can proceed with the wedding ceremony. I have been worried for nothing. It's obvious the mood goddess always has her plans,” she continued, her voice laced with pride and gladness. 

Only that the man who is supposed to be the happiest of all didn't look anything happy. 

Alpha Damon looked away, his face scowling. 

My wolf whimpered in pain sensing his displeasure. Is he angry with us being mated or the fact that I was chosen as his Luna?

“Hear me, everyone!” He roared, turning to address the gathering. “Since she's my mate, I will accept her. But, until she's proven to be a suitable Luna for my people and a wife to me, our official wedding will be put on hold!”

My chest clamped as I gripped the side of my gown, afraid my legs would buckle at any chance.

Right in the front row, Bertha, the Alpha’s concubine smiled with satisfaction. Their eyes locked briefly and he did not look at her with the same reproach he looked at me. His eyes were warm but once he glanced towards me, his eyes turned cold.

Tears clouded my eyes. It wasn't that I was still unsuitable to be wedded or become his recognized Luna, it was the fact that he already has a woman he was interested in. 

Why didn't he take her as his Luna then, instead of this? Why am I here when I would only be humiliated…when his heart was already beating for someone else?

The tiny murmurings that ensued in the hall made the tears in my eyes finally drop. I quickly looked away and swiped them off. 

“I Alpha Damon Luther accept you Aria Samuel as my mate,” he gritted his acceptance in one sentence and one breath. With no feeling and with the only emotion being nothing but hatred.