Chapter 1: Moonfall clan's ball

Raine's POV

If you ask people what their greatest desire is, they're probably going to make mention of money, love or an ambition that keeps them grinding. As for me? What I truly wanted was Freedom.

Something so simple, but I've not been able to attain it in the twenty three years of my life.

When people look at me, they were met with my smiles and harmless exterior—the mask I'd slipped on for so long, I had almost forgotten how it feels to be real.

That's why I was here right now, all dolled up in make up and expensive dinner gown, I'd give the princess grace of Monaco a run for her money. I was attending the mating ball being hosted by the Alpha of the Moonfall clan.

I didn't give two shits about finding my mate. But I hoped to get the attention of someone rich and powerful. Not because of my love for money. But who better to help me get that freedom than someone powerful enough to do so?

"Lorraine, we need to go." A knock drew my attention to the locked door.

That was my mother. Beta Melinda Richmond.

She was the definition of beauty, grace and poise. Built like a Goddess and had the face of one. Even though she was my mother, our relationship was a far cry from the usual mother-daughter one. I felt like a subject, and she was a dictator. But just like me, beneath her exterior was someone else. Someone so different from the perfect Beta female she shows everyone. Even my father didn't know all about her. The things I know. Things I'd seen.

"We don't want to keep your father waiting."

My father. Beta Nolan Richmond. The Beta of the Phantom stars pack. If mom was a dictator, Dad was a damn tyrant. To normal people, their family was their home. To my father, it was a military regime, and he ruled. No, he Lorded over us with iron fists.

Mistakes were not allowed in the Richmond's home. And my existence was a mistake.

After one look in the mirror to make sure that my hair and makeup was intact, I exited my room.

By the time we got to the Moonfall clan, I wasn't sure I made a good decision by coming. My stomach was cramped up with nerves, and my chest tightened with anxiety.

The ride here wasn't smooth. Dad kept talking down on me and my ability to make a good impression.

"You better not mess this up the way you did with Alpha Lucien."

I had told him a number of times that Alpha Lucien already had a mate. But he didn't care. He didn't listen. He never did.

"And you need to attract an Alpha from a respectable pack." Mom had added in her signature dry tone that suggested she'd rather be spending her days surfing the Sahara than talking to me.

So when I stepped into the ballroom, I was immediately intimidated by— Not the people or the opulence of the hall, I'd seen much of it my whole life— but by the fact that I was supposed to walk out of here with a mate my parents thought were worthy enough. And one I secretly hoped would lead me one step to freedom.

"Move, Lorraine, and stop slouching." Dad said in annoyance, not even bothering to reduce his voice. "Join the other ladies and make good connections."

Before I could protest, the attendant announced our name.

"Lady Lorraine Sky Richmond, escorted by her parents; Beta Nolan Richmond and Beta Melinda Richmond."

I sucked in a breath as the attention turned to me. All I had to do was hold my chin up, smile politely and walk to join the ladies chattering, also hoping to walk out with a mate.

I felt Mom's hand at the small of my back, pushing me forward. But before I could move two steps, a heavy weight fell on me, before wrapping around me.

"Raine!" Her voice bounced happily through the room, which took me by surprise, because she was usually broody. "You look so gorgeous."

It took me a moment to recognize who the person was. But before I could speak, she dragged me away.

Davina. My friend. I made a fool of myself when I was trying to claim her mate for myself. In my defense, I had no idea as she kept it a secret from me.

Somehow, seeing the smiles on her her lips and the lightness of her expression, I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Join me. Do you mind?" She whisked me away before I was given the chance to answer. I was certain that my parents were fuming now.

Things only got awkward when I got to the round table she was sitting. There were other Alphas there, but Alpha Lucien Bryant held my attention. A tinge of jealousy bit at my heart, seeing how he was all for Davina now. And I swallowed it back. They were mates. And I was here to find mine.

But I still couldn't resist asking; "Are you two official now?" They were having a little disagreement the last time I was at their pack.

"No."

A moment of awkwardness past, but thankfully, Alpha Sienna and the other Alphas there saved the day.

I sat alone with my thoughts and a drink in hand. When I suddenly felt a chill at the back of my neck, and every hair on my body stood on end.

My stomach clenched, and my fists tightened around my glass.

The scent hit me like a drug, thick, dark, and impossibly addictive: smoked cedar, black currant, and something feral underneath that made my knees threaten to fold. My wolf surged forward so violently I nearly dropped the crystal tumbler in my hand.

Mate.

I heard it loud, unmistakable in my head, a confirmation of something I already knew. And when I turned, the room narrowed to a single point.

Alpha Desmond Montari. The Alpha of the Moonfall clan.

He moved through the crowd like he owned gravity itself: tall, broad-shouldered, the kind of dangerous beauty that made wise wolves step aside without realizing they'd done it.

Midnight-black hair swept back from a face carved from arrogance and old money. Glowing amber eyes looking straight, like he wouldn't dare let anything distract him from reaching his goal. He looked dashing in his tailored tux, and I could only imagine all that was hidden underneath.

I stood up because I couldn't help myself. My heart was beating wildly as I waited for him to approach me.

I didn't care about finding my mate, coming here. I was just focused on my goals. But right now, I think I was having a change of heart.

With each step he took, my heart climbed, until I could almost feel it in my throat.

He was coming for me.

I could see it in his eyes. He felt the bond too.

Then he stopped. And my heart dropped.

He didn't stop in front of me. He stopped in front of Davina, looking at her with such intensity, he might just light her evening dress on fire.

I swallowed, feeling my confidence dwindle. But a small part of me still held on to the hope that he made a mistake. I was shaken with mortification, but I was still staring at him, hoping he would turn around and realize the error. He was my mate after all. An honourable man from what I'd learnt. He wouldn't do this, right?

"Lady Davina," he called her name with such reverence, he might as well just put a dagger through my heart. "You are my mate."

I couldn't contain the small sound of distress that escaped my lips, and my hands tightened around the table for support.

I heard the exact moment my heart cracked. And the moment humiliation wrapped around me like it was my second skin.

I wanted to die.