Chapter 2: Daphne

EARLIER…

As a werewolf, you constantly fantasize about meeting your mate. Until you've experienced it firsthand, you can never really understand it.

As I eagerly anticipated my future with Lennon, I began to see the world in vivid hues. However, everything came crashing down when Lennon finally found his mate. That very evening, I lost everything in a snap.

“Are you ready, Daphne?”

Jaime leaned against the door frame as he laughed and studied my reflection. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he clearly didn't care if his crisp blue dress shirt wrinkled. He had taken on the role of father for me since I was a baby, and our parents had been killed in an ambush by a band of outlaws.

"What keeps you going for so long? Hey, no matter how much powder you put on your face, it will never change." He smirked.

"You're only distracting me," I grumbled as I met his gaze.

"From what I see, you're already decent enough to blend in with other people," he said, examining my attire. Then he gasped for no reason. "Oh, no! But what if you aren't my sister? The little Daphne I know doesn't even bother to comb her hair, which is why she's often mistaken for a witch's daughter... or a vampire’s!"

I was seriously considering throwing things at him. I thought the solid wooden hairbrush I was holding would do the trick. I cocked my head to look over my shoulder at him. "Why don't you just wait in the living room or assist your wife in putting on her dress?” I rolled my eyes and returned my gaze to the mirror. I took a deep breath and forced myself to smile once more. I couldn't let go of my good mood.

"I was just finishing up the last round of retouching," I explained when I noticed he was still standing by the door. "You see, I have to be the most beautiful girl for this night... and for Lennon's eyes. I have to be ready in case he's found his mate, and that is none other than me." My greenish eyes twinkled in the mirror, which matched my apple green off-the-shoulder cocktail dress that contrasted with my jet-black long hair and pale white skin.

I expected Jaime to laugh again at my claim to be Lennon's soon-to-be mate. But his expression became serious. "Daphne, it’s not possible. Only the Moon Goddess can decide who our mates will be. I'm simply stating the facts. Please do not misunderstand."

His words pricked my heart, causing me to blurt out my irritation. "Then why did you choose to live with Yvette, who isn't your mate? You just stole her from her original pack."

“Abusive pack,” he corrected me. “Will you stop bringing it up every time I give you advice?”

There was an odd silence in my room as we both turned to face one another in the mirror. I despised being involved in family drama. But whenever he lectured me about something I knew he couldn't apply to his own, I didn't see the point in believing in it.

"How many times do I have to tell you that my case was different?" He sighed and shook his head as if water had hit him in the face. He turned the doorknob after that. "I'll give you another five minutes. If you don't go downstairs after that, I'll drop Luna Carmela’s birthday invitation and claim I'm not feeling well. I'm so close to being one, actually."

I let out a long, frustrated sigh. My good mood was gone for good. But I had to go to the party, no matter how sad I was. It was the birthday of Lennon's mother. I had to be there.

***

We arrived at Alpha Darius's pack house a few minutes later. Our home was far from the town's heart. However, my brother chose to live on the outskirts of our urban community, so he could tell right away if rogues were invading the area. Also, he wanted to get along with the common werewolves rather than jam with the high-ranking officials. That made the other wolves love him. They had faith in him and adored how humble he was.

Returning to the present, I smiled as a familiar figure walked toward me. Lennon looked stunning in a black button-down shirt and a dark pair of trousers. He looked great in his casual attire. His hair was pushed back, giving him a stylish appearance.

“Hey, pretty!”

My mood instantly improved when Lennon leaned down and pressed his lips against my cheek. I had to tip my toes to meet the kiss.

"You've arrived. I thought you weren't coming," he said quietly in my ear. His hypnotic voice almost made my knees turn to jelly, particularly when he encased me in his arms. “Are you alone? Where’s your family?”

My eyes wandered around the lobby over Lennon's broad shoulder. Then I noticed Jaime and Yvette talking with Luna Carmela. I frowned when Alaine came up to them and greeted Luna with a kiss on the cheek. Alaine was the daughter of Jaime and Yvette. We had the same blood running through our veins, but I couldn't seem to like her.

Why do they all appear to be so happy without me?

"I'm not sure." I knew lying was wrong, but I didn't want to talk about it with Lennon. "How did your trip in the Eastern region go, by the way?"

"Good," he said as if it weren't a big deal. "Alpha Calle from the Blood Moon Pack will arrive tonight." He looked around and pointed his index finger in the direction of Alpha Darius. "Oh, the wild one is finally here. He is talking to Dad."

I watched where his finger went and found the person he was talking about. I didn't get to see his face because his big back was turned towards us. But the bun of hair on top of his head was noticeable from a long way away. “Wow. Isn't this pack the most feared in the East? And you've managed to convince their leader?" My eyes grew wide with awe as I looked back at him. "I'm sure you'll be a great Alpha at some point. I'm so happy for you."

“Thanks. Anyway, that’s for the sake of our pack. We need strong allies so our enemies won’t knock us down easily or hesitate to touch us in the first place.” He grinned, but the emotion didn’t reach his eyes. Shortly, he wrapped my wrist with his hand and said, “By the way, there’s something I need to bring up, Daphne. Can I have a moment with you?”

For some reason, his tone made my heart race—in a bad way. “S-sure. Here?”

"Outside."

The next thing I knew, we were standing by the fountain, settling in the garden. This was the center of their sprawling home. Everything was vintage and romantic.

“Daphne…”

My heart skipped a beat as he mentioned my name. But I didn't say anything or turn around. I bit my lower lip, waiting for him to complete his statement… or sweet confession?

“I want you to know that—”

“Lennon, we were looking for you all over the place!”

I turned around to face the familiar female voice that had the nerve to interrupt my private time with Lennon. “Alaine?”

"Hello, Daphne." She smiled at me without appearing surprised but with an expression of disapproval. "Have you heard the whole truth from him yet?"

"What truth?" I asked with a frown.

Alaine looked over at Lennon, who had moved to stand beside her. He even put his arm around her waist.

"Wait a minute, what in the world is going on?" I clenched my teeth, seeing them together.

"Alaine is my mate," Lennon declared, and kissed Alaine on the lips.