FLASHBACK

“I'm here to announce to everyone that your Alpha has found a mate. She's Alexa, from a pack that was once our rivals, but will now be joined together in this beautiful alliance."

I was frozen into place, for over five minutes. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak, I couldn't think.

I couldn't breathe.

My eyes met his, and for a second, it felt like I had been restored, but only for a second. When I saw that same unusual far-fetched gaze settle in his eyes, I knew it was all over.

“Thane…” How could you do this to me?

He tore his eyes away from me, and it felt like a part of me was being torn apart.  

I'm dreaming, right? This isn't real.

It can't be!

I swallowed, finally finding my feet. Whispers were beginning to rise from every corner of the huge hall, everyone had something to say—their Alpha had found a mate afterall.

If I stood there for one more second, I would probably lose my mind, so I turned and walked away. A part of me wished he would stop me, and tell me all of this was just some prank. It didn't happen, I was just being delusional. I found my way to the library, releasing a heavy breath I didn't know I was holding.

I couldn't cry, even though my chest felt unbelievably heavy. But I couldn't also breathe, my heart wasn't doing much work at the moment.

“Mira!”

I turned. There he was, staring at me with this distant look in his eyes, like he didn't just kiss me last night and tell me I'm the only wolf he'll ever love.

“Thane," his name rolled off my tongue in a broken whisper.

I saw the regret flash through his eyes, as he took a step forward. “Mira, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…”

I took a step back, gripping something for support. He stopped, his fists falling to his side. "Mira, I'm sorry.”

The tears finally came. "Thane, what's going on?” I mumbled.

He looked away. "I have to do this. The council thinks it's the only way, I couldn't refuse them. Mira, you have to understand.” He was pleading, but it did little to pacify my wounded heart.

"So what? I'm just supposed to watch you get married to the daughter of a rival pack? I'm your mate, Thane. You're hurting me.” I cried.

He ran his hand through his hair. "They don't know that, Mira. No one knows you're my mate, and we have to keep it that way. It's something we both decided, Mira.”

Oh! “We didn't decide that you'll get married to someone else, did we?" I retorted.

“Mira…" I heard the strain in his voice, and my heart broke even more.

I bit my lips, trying to hold back the tears. “Why didn't you tell me?" I mumbled.

"I… I tried.”

Loud footsteps echoed, and the door made way at that point. I quickly turned away, wiping my tears away.

"Thane, there you are! I've been looking everywhere for you.” A shrill voice broke the silence of the room.

I didn't need to be told to know who it was.

“Who is she? Gonna introduce us?" She asked.

There was silence for a while, then, “Mira!" Thane called.

I blinked repeatedly, hoping to keep the tears in. Taking a deep breath, I faced him. My eyes fell on their interlocked hands first. My heart shattered.

His hand is supposed to fit in only mine.

“Alexa, Mira is the pack's library keeper.” Thane said. I'm just the library keeper, moon goddess, please save me from this pain!

“Mira, this is Alexa, my…” he trailed off unexpectedly.

She didn't wait to ask why he stopped, she finished off for him. "His Luna-to-be. I am so excited already, aren't you?”

I swallowed, finally finding my voice. "Welcome to our pack, I hope you like it here.” I said.

She smiled at me, "Oh, I will. I know it." I saw mischief flash in her eyes, and my heart sank.

This is not going to be good.

She took Thane's hand, half-dragging him away. I watched them, my heart in my hands. So this was it!

My legs failed me, and I crumbled to the floor, finally letting the tears fall freely. This is what I get, I loved him shamelessly, with every thing I had, and this is what I get.

Who knew rejection hurts so bad!

The next few days of my life was torture. They were everywhere I went, I hated it. I hated the way she ran her eyes over him, the way she touched him, the way she intentionally kissed him anytime she knew I was in the room. I hated her.

To keep myself from having murderous thoughts, I buried myself in the library. It was my only source of comfort, the only way to stop myself from going insane.

Today however, I was going insane nevertheless.

The door made way, and she strode in, her shoulders raised like she owned the world. My fingers wrapped around the book I was holding subconsciously, as she approached me.

Fake a smile. “Luna-to-be, do you need anything?" The words fell off my mouth, leaving a lingering aftermath.

She grinned. "I hear this library has a lot of ancient books.” She said.

I nodded. "Yes.”

She looked around, then back at me. "And you take care of it all by yourself?”

I bit my lips. “Yes."

She was silent for a while, looking around again. “You’re doing a very good job, I must say.”

I parted my lips to respond, but her next words made me freeze. "But we'll have to find someone else for the job.”

"What?” I snapped.

She gave me a perplexed stare. “I'm very sure you heard me, Mira." Her tone was lowered, far from calm.

I swallowed. “I don't… I don't understand what you mean."

That same mischievous grin spread out on her face as she said, "It's quite easy to understand. We need to find someone else for the job, because I'm giving you a promotion.”

I hesitated, knowing fully well that the words she was going to spill wouldn't be any good.

She, however, didn't want for me to ask. “I like you, and I want you to serve me directly. This shabby library will do you no good, there will be a lot of benefits, however, from being beside me.”

What the…?

My lips parted in shock. How dare she? “Are you asking me to be your personal servant?"

She shrugged carelessly. “That's one way to see it, love. I just want you to be around me."

This lady must think that I'm a fool. "Well, I'm sorry, Luna-to-be, but I am not taking that offer.” I said, as politely as I could.

I must not have been polite enough, because her face twisted into an ugly frown. "You don't really have a choice, darling.”

What? “I do. You can't just come in here, and start making decisions for me. I had a life before you, and you have already taken enough from me. I'm sorry, but I won't put my life on hold to serve you."

I didn't mean to say so much, but the words came spilling.

Her eyes darkened, as she glared at me. “You… how dare you talk to me like that? I'm your Luna.”

I was fuming already. "Not yet, you aren't. And before you came in, I was there. He was mine.”

I realized my words too late. Way too late. And I also realized someone else had walked into the room, and my hands flew to my mouth.

“Mira, what nonsense are you saying?"

It was the Head Chief.