Chapter 2

ELOISE- 

 

They say blood smeared is a life lost, but it turns out it is actually two. I kept having nightmares, the Alpha’s face gnawing on me in the mirrors, whispers piercing my ears, “Why?”.

 

A week later, Noah had refused to see me after that day. He kept saying he was busy with the facilitation process as he had to speak with the elders. I knew he had to buy it; I had a hunch that it wasn’t what it seemed. 

 

Matilda had called that night that she had arrived in the pack, and we had agreed to meet up at the mating ceremony. I had spoken to her about Noah and how he would be the next Alpha; I couldn’t tell her what was buried beneath for fear of being neglected as a criminal. 

 

“I’ll be there, babe.” She had giggled before terminating the phone that night. I knew she was planning something. I couldn’t undermine what it was; I never found out no matter how many times she did it. 

 

… The sound of horses rolling in from several areas of the pack made me jump in excitement. The classical male wolves from noble families in their rich tuxedos, the 1960s musicians who were always there to entertain, and the elders in their roped-up attire—all here for the celebration. 

 

Noah was to be installed as the Alpha of the pack today, and surprisingly the moon goddess had chosen to do it along with the annual mating ceremony. I didn’t doubt our love; I knew the moon goddess would look into my struggles and provide me with the mate bond I was searching for so earnestly. 

 

I put on the new gown I had gotten, running towards the mating hall with a smile on my face. I leaped upon reaching the stairs, trying to make the perfect entrance.

 

My legs landed perfectly on the floor but my heels failed me, my whole body moving along with gravity. Thump!

 

“Madam, are you okay?” Murmurs erupted as I lay flat on the floor. I lowered my head to the floor, not wanting anyone to see how weak I was. A scout would have stood still despite the heels failing; that’s how strong they were compared to me. 

 

“Why are you on the floor?” His cold voice resonated in my ears. I tilted my head towards his voice, his icy glare sending shivers down my spine. 

 

“I fell.” I stuttered. 

 

He looked at me with disgust, walking out on me. I felt a pang of pain as I watched him greet the noble wolves from the neighboring pack. It was like I never existed. 

 

A young maid helped me up and got me cleaned up in minutes, keeping me stunning enough to stay in the hall. After a heartfelt thanks, I returned to the hall. 

 

Upon returning, he had already been installed as the Alpha King, the rituals done in a flash. 

 

…Something was wrong somewhere. 

 

“The Alpha shall now meet his mate and complete his ritual rites.” The shaman spoke up, hitting his staff on the floor. 

 

The ground grumbled, but with the aid of the table, I managed not to fall like the other noblemen in the room. A beam of light emanated from the heavens and vanished the next instant. 

 

“The Moon goddess has passed on her blessing! The ceremony shall now begin.” 

 

My nose began to itch, but not with disgust but with sensation. The smell of cedar passed through my nose, my body moving towards the scent. 

 

I had never been blessed with a mate despite attaining the age 2 years back. Some had called me un…f…able, while some believed I would only be a burden to whoever got me, and the moon goddess had decided to stop such a misfortune. 

 

My nose led me to the front of the crowd, and there he was waiting for me. It was Noah, his wicked smirk giving me the reassurance that I hadn’t been mistaken. 

 

I took to my heels, my eyes burning with excitement as I planned to hug him before the pack members. It would be a big shut-eye for my haters; how I would love to watch their feeble and horrified faces.

 

“What?”

 

I was on the floor, my back arching against the concrete ground. I could feel the pain from the bruises, the drops of blood that had begun to escape from the fall. 

 

“Noah?” I stared at him, tears in my eyes. 

 

“Today, I become the Alpha! No one defies me, and my words are final. “ Growls erupt as they cheered him on. Just as I thought, they believed I wasn’t good enough. 

 

“But Noah, the mate bond…”

 

“Mate bond?” He chuckled. “The moon goddess made a wrong decision putting the both of us together.”

 

I could see it again, the sinister aura cloaking him, the choking smell of arrogance and toxicity twisting in my gut. He wouldn’t…

 

“I reject Eloise Saber as my mate.”

 

“Arghhhh!” I groaned. It was hotter than steam, the tears rolling down my cheeks. I was petrified, my body going numb in an instant. 

 

“Matilda, come here, love.” His voice grew deeper. 

 

Matilda? 

 

My eyes widened as the pack cheered the lady on. It was her, the light-skinned beauty who had been my best friend since I turned eight. What had gone wrong? 

 

“Matilda, what are you doing?” My voice cracked, the wails disrupting the frequency. 

 

“Oh, I forgot to tell you; I met with this Alpha, and fortunately for me, he’s mine.” He held up a smile. 

 

“He’s mine…” I growled. 

 

“Not anymore, Eloi…” She walked up to him, his right arm curling around her waist. 

 

My heart began to pound, the sound of the thumps building up tension in my mind. He brings her closer, his nose sniffing out her raspberry scent. “You’re so beautiful.” I read his lips as he whispered into her ears. 

 

“Noah?” I yelled, trying to stop him from doing it. 

 

He held up a smirk, tilting his head as his fangs emerged. He buried his face in her neck, his fangs digging deep into her neck. 

 

I could hear the sounds of her moans, the way she whispered his name, his hand on her bosom before the pack. That should be me!