THE STAND-IN MATE

CHAPTER THREE — THE STAND IN MATE.

DARIUS

“I, Mira Hale, reject you, Alpha Darius, as my mate.“ Her words cut through me like a blade.

My breath grew sharper by the last, my nails carved deeper into the throne until its wood particles stabbed beneath my claws. The air thickened, the pack trembled beneath the weight of my fury and every pair of eyes matched to the ground.

Their gaze dared not to meet mine or even look away.

My wolf rose inside me with a roar and pounded against the walls of my chest, demanding freedom. His voice echoed through my skull; raw and dreadful.

'Take her. Hunt her, break her.“

I leaned in and rested my weight over the throne, jaw tight, eyes rolling darker. Heat emanated beneath my skin; too hot like my flesh could not manage the beast inside.

My teeth ached, fangs drew out.

“She dared to reject us,” my wolf snarled

“Make her bleed.“

My chest rumbled in a growl that the warrior a few steps away from me flinched.

Mira. I wanted her, I wanted her defiance.

The memory of her eyes as she turned away from me sprung like poison. My wolf roared louder, shaking every bone in my body as it urged me to find her.

But she was gone.  

Yet,

How dare she reject me!

My wolf howled and in response, I slammed my hands hard against the arms of my throne once I smashed a cup that had been served to me crashing down the hall.

The pack hall went dead silent, I could see their faces twitch and body tremble. My wolf roared inside of me like a hungry beast chained. My claws dug deep into the wood of the throne, its wood particles gathering under my claws.

She had not just humiliated me, she did before my warriors, my council, my people.

No one dared to.

No one rejected Alpha Darius.

Until now.

I could still smell her defiance, sharp and bitter on my tongue. My wolf howled inside my chest, demanding I chase her, pull her by the hair and sink my fangs onto her neck until I marked her, whether she begged or bled.

But she was gone.

And the eyes of the pack still lingered on me.

My ears whined, almost spreading out. I could hear their soft mummers in the hall.

“The Alpha was rejected.“

I loathed the shame that burned in my throat. I swallowed, still fisting.

“What does it mean for us? For the Hale's?“ The other person had mentioned in a cracking voice.

I clasped my hands.

The Hale's?

Yes, their daughter has defiled my claim. I should punish them.

My eyes scanned over to them, trembling, not daring to look into my eyes, yet, Mira had dared to.

A hot pressure pressed against my ribs.

“Revenge. Selene.“ My wolf whispered. And then, it struck me!

Selene Hale was the second daughter of the family. I had always noticed stolen glances from her.

My wolf growled.

“That's it! I want revenge with her.“

A devilish smile crept to my face. I straightened and shot a sharp glare towards the pack before I roared.

“Mira Hale thinks she had deduced me in front of the pack and run?“ I chuckled darkly, her mother shuddered.

I smiled, satisfied.

“She forgot who Alpha Darius is.“ And then, my eyes caught a glimpse of someone through the crowd, walking in.

Selene Hale. Mira's younger sister. Where Mira burned like fire, Selene stood as a soft shadow. Quiet. Obedient.

Her body trembled but her eyes..

Oh goodness!

Those eyes still lived like they usually did. They looked at me like I was everything. The love she had never dared to speak aloud.

I scoffed.

Pathetic. Sweet, perfect revenge.

My wolf nudged further, hungry. He whispered dreadfully.

“Claim her.“

Yes.

I walked away from the altar and through the congregation, my foot stomping the floor noisingly.  Eyes widened, gasps rippled. Parents tried to rise, but one glare from me pinned them back down.

Selene's mother covered her mouth, resentment clouding her eyes but she didn't move.

They dared not.

Selene moved backward, breath quickening but in fear. Instead, her eyes lit with appreciation.

She thought I was choosing her.

'Foolish!' my wolf whispered.

I grabbed her arm, she gasped but didn't fight it.

“Alpha Darius..“ she called in a shaky voice full of terror and hope even.

But I pushed her through and walked to the altar, clasping her hands tighter in my grip.

“If Mira Hale rejects me..“ I roared, tightening my hands around Selene's wrist.

“Then listen, pack! The moon goddess does not waste her powers. Tonight, I claim her sister, Selene Hale, as my Luna.“

My council froze. Warriors stiffened, the rest of the park stunned.

I looked over at Selene, her lips trembled. A tear rolled down her cheek yet, she forced a small smile.

Desperate.

My wolf urged. “Hurry man!“

I didn't delay further. I sank my fangs into her neck.

Possessively.

Her scream rang through the hall as my mark seared to her skin. Her hands clutched my arm, body arching before she leaned against my chest, weak.

My wolf purred in victory at the scent of blood and bond filling the air. But my heart still raged.

Mira!

At the thought of her, I shoved Selene back, not gentle nor cruel, just final.

My grip still tightened around her wrist as I dragged her down the altar. Eyes followed.

Some horrified, some relieved.

At the door, I paused letting my voice cloud their thoughts.

“And let the Pack remember tonight, no one dares to humiliate their Alpha and walks free.“

“This was just mercy!“ I sneered and then stormed out into the night.

I looked over at Selene trying to match up my pace as the rain mixed with her tears. It was never about her.

I jerked her hands off and walked away.

I looked at the moon above as my chest heaved with dread.

My wolf growled the vow I sealed into my soul.

“Run all you want, Mira. I will find you and make you cry for mercy from the bond you spat at tonight!“