Chapter 2

Eleanor

I didn't hear what Khloe was saying until she tapped my shoulder.

I looked up, my brows pinched. “Did you say anything?”

“Yes,” she sighed dramatically.

“Tonight’s my first ever Mating Ceremony. I can't wait to see whom the Goddess will choose for me. More so, I wonder who will be Alpha Eli's mate? Everyone knows that he's the most eligible bachelor in all of the RedMoon Pack. Honestly, Eli could be a contender for the hottest man I’ve seen in our entire realm.”

“I mean, uh, obviously I don't see him that way,” I lied, hoping that my high-pitched voice didn’t betray me. “He’s just goodlooking, I guess.” That was the understatement of the century.

If there was another word for ‘sexy’ I would say it. Eli wasn't just good looking. He was perfect and I meant it in every sense of the word — from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet. I knew that much because I was one of his bedroom maids. I'd once seen him naked and bled through my nose. Khloe wasn't wrong at all. Eli was hot. But I'd be damned if I admit that.

I had feelings for him and I couldn't tell her. The look in his beautiful green eyes always made me shiver and when I’d unconsciously bitten my lips around him one day, a flash of attraction had crossed his face. It had been so quick, and Eli hadn’t looked at me since then. I was starting to think I had imagined it or maybe I had. He barely knew my name and I was obsessing over him.

What was wrong with me?

Why couldn’t I stop thinking about him? Why couldn’t I stop picturing the way he looked right after his shower? Why did I keep fantasizing about him whenever my mind wandered?

“I can't wait for tonight. Don't you?” Khloe asked.

“Yeah.” I muttered.

I couldn’t tell Khloe about how nervous I was to see Eli tonight. He would be wearing a suit and would be looking devastatingly handsome. Deep down, I was terrified that the sight of him in a suit would make me forget myself and run up to him and confess that I couldn’t stop thinking about him. What would everyone think then? They would probably be disgusted that some filthy, wolfless maid had the audacity to fall in love with their heavenly Alpha king. The worst part was…they wouldn’t be wrong to assume that.

But how could I love Eli? I’d hardly spoken to him. Why did I feel this soul-deep connection to someone I barely knew?

Khloe helped me into my dress, and after I slipped on my shoes, she spun me around to face the floor-length mirror.

“Oh my…” I trailed off as I took myself in.

I'd saved up a month's allowance to buy this dress and it was worth it.

The dress complemented my slim figure in a way that most clothes didn’t. The tight bodice showcased my slight curves, and the flowy skirt made me look taller than I was. The silver high heels I was wearing helped with that, too. Also, Khloe had mixed white and silver eyeshadow to create a gorgeous color that accentuated my blue eyes.

My look was completed with the simple silver necklace that I always wore. I only took it off when I showered. At the end of the chain was the letter “V”. The necklace had been a gift from my late mother. Her name was Violet, and she passed away when I was 10. Growing up, it seemed like my mother was the only one who understood me. Even after our father left, my mother stayed to protect and care for me. I started to miss her.

“You look stunning!” Khloe said, pulling me from my sad thoughts.

“I can't thank you enough.” I turned and hugged my oldest friend.

She squeezed me tight and pulled away. “Now, let’s go find our mates!”

Exactly an hour later, we arrived at the Pack's Hall.

The mating ceremony for our pack was always held in the woods at night during the full moon of the summer month in the year. If a human were to stumble upon our ceremony, they might mistake it for a wedding.

White candles lined the forest floor, creating a walkway to a flowered archway filled with red and white roses. The color of the roses represented our pack name. The red represented blood, and the white signified the moon.

Our entire pack was gathered around to watch the ceremony. It was already midnight so the ceremony had already begun.

The Pack Hall was already filled with werewolves, young and old, dressed elegantly in expensive gowns and suits. My heart raced as I headed towards the hall where the pack's Mating Ceremony would be held.

Just like outside, the interior was equally wolves from my pack and others, both young and old. There was a rush of excitement and laughter in the air as they enhanced in conversations and exchanged pleasantries.

Like the tree I was, I took to a quiet corner, my blue eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of my chosen mate.

While Kylie went to mingle with other wolves, I carried myself to my quiet little corner, thankful that no one had occupied it.

An attendant passed by and I snatched a glass of wine. The glass hadn't reached my lips before the whispers began.

Of course, I ignored every whisper, still feigning confidence but when it got worse, it was clear to me now that I was totally unprepared for this year's mating ceremony.

“Isn't that the witch's daughter?”

“Look at her, she's cursed. I bet that's why she's also a wolfless omega”

“I thought she'd hide forever. What is she doing here?!”

“Poor thing. She wouldn't find a mate here. No one wants a woman with baggage.”

Painful memories flooded my mind and I nearly puked the wine. What was I even thinking coming here?  

My eyes stung and tears threatened to slip from them.

I sniffled softly and turned away but the trouble was far from over.

A group of female wolves leaned in together and whispered before pulling away to laugh. Their eyes never left me as they laughed. I knew I was the subject of discussion.

Everywhere I turned, people had something to talk about. I knew it was stupid coming here.

I scanned the room, looking for an escape and I found one — the hall entrance.

Tears welled up in my ears as I approached. But before I reached for it, I tripped over my feet.

I let out a little squeak as I prepared to hit the ground but I never did. Protective arms wrapped around my waist.

The stranger who caught me pulled me up against their body until my breasts were pressed against their muscular chest.

I looked into the eyes of the person who had saved me, but my thank you got stuck in my throat. These were the same eyes that I saw in my wildest dreams. This was the man whom I couldn't stop thinking about.

The Biker Alpha, King Eli.