CHAPTER 2

Kailey’s POV

 

It's been a week since my breakup with Kyle, and it's ironic to say the whole world knows about it.

 

I rolled my eyes as two ladies giggled past me.

 

I knew they were laughing at me, so I secretly held up a middle finger at them.

 

I walked into the kitchen, averting my gaze from meeting anyone's eyes since I was a low-ranked wolf and wasn't allowed to.

 

I dropped the crate of apples in my arms to the floor, heading out.

 

Shouts of people moving here and there as they hurried to decorate the packing halls filled the air.

 

Laughs and giggles from men, ladies, and children made the atmosphere more lively than it would have been on Christmas.

 

I shook my arm, my muscles aching in protest to the heavy lifting I was doing.

 

Tonight was the final preparations for the banquet we were hosting.

 

The alpha's son was returning from his training, and as the biggest pack, second to the king's, tonight's banquet was a huge one.

 

Packs from all around were to come.

 

I just hope that maybe the moon goddess will pity me.

 

Everyone found their mates at the age of sixteen, but it was as if I was cursed.

 

I sighed, preparing to lift the next batch, when I heard my name being called from across the hall.

 

“Kailey!” I stiffened, the deep voice from my alpha sending chills down my back.

 

Alpha Mark was tall, his huge form intimidating. Even in his fifties, his handsome face carried charisma that awed everyone.

 

With his presence, the laughter died down, and all that was left was silence.

 

“Sir!” I replied, sweat running down my temples, as he stopped in front of me.

 

His chilly gaze rested on me. “My office. Now.”

 

With that, he strode off with his long legs, leaving me to catch up to him.

 

I jogged after him, hearing murmurs fill the air along with a few snickers as they wondered why I was being called.

 

Wiping the sweat off my head with my shaky palms, I followed closely behind Alpha Mark as he led us into his office in his mansion.

 

Once in the office, he sat on his chair, his palms interlocked under his chin, while I stood upright.

 

His deep gaze bore into my skin, making my wolf restless. I fought the urge to shift, rubbing my palms on my pants.

 

“I have been hearing a few things about you.” He cut to the chase, his voice with no ounce of emotion.

 

Knowing what he was talking about, I winced internally.

 

He was the alpha; of course, he would know.

 

But I was tempted to ask if he knew of the things they had been doing to me.

 

Unfortunately, his words sent a bucket of cold water. “Personally, I don't give a shit what happens to you.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “But let me remind you, Kailey. If you mess up this banquet, I'll make sure it's your last. Do well to behave, got it?”

 

I nodded, “got it.” Thump.

 

“Now leave my sight.” He dismissed, pressing his temples. “Just looking at you agitates my wolf.”

 

Thump.

 

Lowering my head, I reached for the door, feeling dread wash over me as I walked out of the office.

 

Thump.

 

My knees shook as my heart raced.

 

I felt cold. Numb. Dread. Scared. Terrified, petrified.

 

I hugged myself, my eyes stinging as my wolf whined at her leader's rejection.

 

Lowering my head, I walked out of the mansion, heading to the woods to clear my head.

 

With my head filled with thoughts, I failed to watch where I was going until I bumped into a person.

 

“Sorry,” I hurriedly apologized, looking up with a blurry vision, refusing to let my tears fall.

 

For a while, I didn't know who this person was, until they spoke. “What do we have here?”

 

Recognizing the voice, I blinked the tears out of my eyes. “Kyle?”

 

He sniggered, “You remember?”

 

I turned to look at him, only to realize his friends were also around, and they were laughing too.

 

I frowned, “Fuck off.” I made to leave, but he blocked my way with his huge body.

 

“Where do you think you are going?” He sneered, signaling to his friends who surrounded me, blocking all exits. “Do you think I'll let you leave?”

 

"You... what are you going to do?” I stammered, my heart racing.

 

My eyes darted, looking for a gap in the circle they had formed, but I found none.

 

“I heard the alpha called you.”

 

“And?” I went back, trying to suppress my fear. “Do you regret it now? Want me to recommend you to the alpha?”

 

This was Kyle's sore spot.

 

He was meant to be the head warrior, but Alpha Mark didn't feel like he was fit for the position and was even considering giving the title to someone else.

 

Furious, Kyle growled, his eyes flashing. “Do you want to die, Omega?”

 

I whimpered, closing my eyes as he tried to force submission on me.

 

I won't let you.

 

“Since you have a death wish, then I'll help you.” He coldly said, his face red with rage as his submission failed to work on me.

 

My eyes went wide as I took a step back, my heart pounding.

 

Adrenaline pumped into my veins, fueling my need to escape.

 

Laughs from his friends filled the air, their urging catcalls making my erratic heart beat faster than a cheetah.

 

“Stop, please,” I begged, tears running down my face.

 

I don't want to be raped.

 

Kyle snickered, a sick, twisted look on his face as he finally got to me.

 

Just as he was about to grab me, a lady's voice cut through. “What are you doing, Kyle?”

 

Kyle frozen, his face going pale as he muttered a cuss under his breath before turning. “Macy, what are you doing here?”

 

Folding her arms under her breast, Macy appeared unfazed. “I should be the one asking that.”

 

Kyle gave a smile, scratching the back of his head while heading towards his mate. “I was just goofing around with my friends.”

 

“Really?” She squinted her eyes.

 

Her beautiful face said she didn't believe it, but Kyle talked her out of it, calling off his friends and leaving with them.

 

Before leaving, he threw me a glare, one of his friends mouthing, “You won't escape next time.”

 

Glued to a spot, my body shook as realization hit me.

 

If Macy hadn't shown up, what would have happened to me?

 

I covered my mouth as a muffled sob came out.

 

Dear Moon Goddess, what did I do wrong?

 

I crouched, tears pouring down my eyes, and I was glad this was a quiet area.

 

My wolf whined as she felt my sadness too.

 

She was as weak as I was, and in that situation, there was nothing my wolf could do.

 

Still. I won't give Kyle the satisfaction.

 

I brushed my tears off, heading towards the shack.

 

Tonight was going to be a gathering from all around, meaning I could find my mate.

 

Even if I didn't find them, giving my virginity to someone other than Kyle would be better.

 

Picking out my best dress, I made my way to the stream to bathe since I wasn't allowed to use the bathroom.

 

I let the cold water sink into my skin pores, temporarily washing my troubles away, and by the time I returned to the shack, it was already late.

 

Classic music made its way to my ears, signaling the start of the occasion.

 

Putting on the dress, I did my makeup with the little light that seeped in.

 

Since I had no mirror to check out my appearance, I made my way to the banquet.

 

I was putting on a gold dress, one that complimented my olive skin.

 

The party was officially started by nine, but guests had started to arrive.

 

I strode to the corner, avoiding the prying eyes of guests and pack members alike.

 

They could smell the omega in me, but I didn't give a fuck anymore.

 

What I wanted was my mate, or a possible one-night stand.

 

I picked a champagne from the buffet table, twirling it as I watched every move the crowd made like a hawk.

 

A few single wolves threw winks at me, but I ignored them. They looked like players.

 

I was waiting for a reaction. From anyone. My mate had to be here.

 

Moon goddess, please.

 

There were about a thousand people or more in this hall. Or was I supposed to move around?

 

But I was scared of angering the alpha or bumping into Kyle's friends.

 

A few minutes passed, and I felt nothing change, so I decided to move to a new area.

 

Dropping the glass on the table, I walked towards the end of the hall, which had huge entrance doors that were left open.

 

I walked to the middle, standing awkwardly. I had never done this before.

 

Suddenly, there was a commotion up front, which drew heads.

 

A lady beside me gushed with her partner, “It's him! The alpha's son is back!”

 

Immediately, the crowd grew restless as they swarmed towards the entrance.

 

I winced, feeling a burn on my shoulder as I was roughly shoved to the side.

 

Quietly, I moved to the other end, avoiding the mad crowd.

 

Security was swift to take action, but that didn't faze the crowd as they continued to scream their lungs out.

 

I covered my ears, a frown making way to my face.

 

I shook my head, feeling my wolf going restless. She whimpered, clawing at the back of my mind.

 

“Stop.” I let out a low growl, cradling my head as my head throbbed.

 

What's this? Why was my wolf acting up?

 

Just then, the noise grew louder, and I looked up.

 

Standing in the midst of the crowd with a stoic face was the alpha's son, Ezekiel, and his beta beside him.

 

They walked past me, but suddenly he made a glance my way, catching my gaze. His eyes flashed, and my wolf howled in my head.

 

“Mate!”