Chapter Four: Unbelievable Reality

Chapter Four

Vaelora's POV 

The air is crisp and wet as Matt, Maya's brother, takes the turn that leads to what I assume is the packhouse of the NightMoor Pack.

Maya cocks her head over her shoulder, giving me a curious, knowing glance. I ignore her and focus on the road, my body tingling with anxiety and a bit of excitement.

“We're here.” Matt says and turns off the engine.

I take in the environment, marvelling at the beauty that stands in front of me. The mansion is about seven feet tall and there's a huge, iron gate protecting it.

The building resembles a cathedral with its long pillars and dark, brooding colors. The gate is tall and large, enough to swallow the house whole.

I step out of the car, pressing my clutch against my body as Maya comes to stand beside me.

“It's so beautiful.” She whispers and I nod, agreeing with her.

“Let's go in.” Matt says, walking up to the gate.

We follow him and wait behind as he shows our ID to the security before letting us in.

A gasp catches in my throat when I behold the wholesomeness of the mansion. It's like a building right out of a fantasy movie. Haunting. Dreadful and insanely beautiful.

“You're going to miss the party if you keep staring at the house like that.” Maya chuckles.

I shake my head and follow her in. “I've never seen anything like it before.”

“Me too, but you have to compose yourself. What if today is the day you finally meet him?”

“I don't know about that, Maya. It's been years.” I mutter.

“Well, today is another day to try. Right?” 

I nod, taking a step up the stairs beside her.

“Wait, is the party being held up there?” I point upwards.

“Yes. These guys? Crazy rich. They're one of the most powerful packs around and have lots of money.”

My mouth is clipped shut as we walk through another round of stairs.

“How do you even know all of these things?”

She shrugs, grabbing my hand for balance. “Advantages of being a social butterfly.”

“Hmm.” 

By the time we get to the last floor, I'm already out of breath, panting heavily.

“How do they survive here? I feel like my lungs are on fire.” I breathe out, turning to face Maya who's dragging in deep breaths.

“Oh god.”

A snicker leaves my lips and she shoots me a glare.

“What? Maybe that's your cue to always join me for a run.” I shrug.

“You live twenty minutes away on foot! You don't expect me to join you for a run everyday.”

Putting my hands up in defeat, she gestures for us to walk to the door where there are three heavily armed men standing, all with deep frowns on their faces.

“They're so scary.” I whisper to her, my palms suddenly getting sweaty.

“And hot.”

I roll my eyes at her silliness, following behind her. Once we get to the door, Matt shows them our IDs again and points to the both of us.

“They're with me.” 

Both men nod, holding the door out for us.

Maya steps in and I follow, clutching my purse tightly. I'm struck with awe as I take in the large hall of people and different scents. Nearly everyone is wearing a mask with a glass of drink in one hand.

“Oh. My. Moon. Goddess.” Maya says, her eyes wide and moving in all directions.

“This is absolutely mesmerizing, Maya.” I whisper to her and she nods.

She grabs my wrist, leading me straight to the large bar across the room. She shoves a glass towards me, almost spilling the content on my dress before winking at me.

“Have fun.” She whispers, sashaying to a guy at a corner.

“Such a perv.” I shake my head, taking a sip of my drink.

The hall is choked up with people and knowing that my social anxiety is beginning to crawl at my skin, I stay put, gently sipping on my drink.

‘Too many scents, Vae. Does anyone smell familiar?’

“No, Blair. I don't know, but I have a feeling that he'd be here. And why the fuck are you just talking to me now?”

‘Been on a short little break. Gotta go now.’

This little…

“Vaelora!” I hear someone call my name from afar.

My eyes wander around until I see Maya beckoning on me to come over. I roll my eyes at her and grab another glass of wine before heading her way.

“Guess what?!” She squeals as I ascend the stairs to where she's seated.

I shake my head and climb up a stool, sitting beside her. The view is nicer than I thought it would be as I can see what's going on downstairs clearly and vividly.

“Guess!”

“Maya…” I warn, giving her a side glance as she keeps tugging on my sleeve.

She pouts. “Common, Vae. Just guess.”

I shrug, turning to look at her. “The party will last for days?”

She gives me a blank look before bursting out in laughter, shaking her head. “Oh my goodness, Vae. Seriously?”

“That's all I can think of right now.” 

Wiping a tear from the corner of her eyes, she places a hand on one of my shoulders.

“Far from it. Matt just told me that the Alpha is going to crown his son today as the new Alpha. But…” She pauses.

I wait for her to finish her sentence but a smirk suddenly finds its way to her lips.

“What? Tell me!” 

“He's unmated!” She squeals again.

Passing her a “seriously?” look and pick up my glass, taking a sip.

“What? You should be excited. I mean, we're both looking for our mates, right? He's a hot chance and could be either of ours.”

I shake my head. “He may be yours, but mine? No. I doubt he'd be mine.”

“Vaelora, you can't keep saying that just because you feel like you don't belong anywhere. What if this is your fate?”

“You think the moon goddess will be so kind as to make me the mate of an Alpha? A bloody dangerous and powerful one at that?” I scoff.

“There you go again with this reasoning of yours. Don't you know that the best things could happen to the worst of people? For a werewolf, you have too little faith in yourself.” She turns away, annoyance masking her expression.

We both sit in silence until her words hit me.

“Wait.” I turn to her with wide eyes. “Are you saying I'm the worst of people?”

She doesn't answer me and just keeps looking ahead. I think of nudging her in the ribs with my elbow but decide against it. 

“You know, Maya. When you've been through the absolute shit fucking worst times of your life, it's common for one to think that you're destined for ruins.” I say, gently dropping my glass on the table.

“I never disputed that.”

I nod. “Yes. And I really appreciate that you want me to think the best for myself but, it's not that easy.” 

Tears well in my eyes and I blink them away. “I also want the best for you too.”

“But it's a problem when I do the same for you? I don't understand you, Vaelora. I really don't, and it's so sickening because after all these years that we've been together, you know me more than I know you and it's so fucking unfair.” 

“I'm sorry. I just don't know how to accept your love. It's foreign, Maya. So foreign that sometimes, it scares me to the fucking bones.” I sniff back a sob and nearly rip my bruised nose off.

We stay silent, watching as people drink and chat around downstairs. Everyone looks so happy and excited, as though they're about to witness the most life altering event.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I hope we're all having fun?” A man in black tuxedo and a bow tie says into the mic from the podium and everyone screams a “yes”.

“Very well. We're starting shortly and I'd urge everyone to take a seat before we do.” 

They all scramble in the most elegant way to take a seat and Maya snickers.

“Its really going to be the biggest pack party. Everyone is so eager for it to start.” 

“Yeah.” I respond, holding my nose in pain.

I'm going to fucking slit Michael's throat.

‘How do you smell your mate if you keep doing that?’

And Blair's.

Once everyone is seated, the man continues. “Thank you, everyone. Please accept our deepest gratitude for honouring our invitation. Today, we'd be crowning the heir to the BlackMoor throne as the Future Alpha of the NightMoor pack.” He says, clapping and looking towards the black, giant door.

The room erupts with cheers and claps as they all stand up from their seats. My eyes are trained on the entrance door and my heart stops when the brooding aura of the man that's yet to appear, penetrates the room.

The room falls into silence as we all wait for him to come in. I remove my hand from my nose and watch keenly as he enters with a frown on his ethereal face. 

This man is insanely handsome that it's sickening.

“Holy fuck.” Maya whispers.

He looks familiar and his scent wafts into my nose-

‘Mate.’ 

Blair quietly says and I freeze, my mind going blank.

No way.