3. Her Precious Hope

Rosalie stood in the center of her cramped attic. Her eyes were fixed on the broken mirror in front of her. She has freshly showered, and her skin glows.

Stepping out of her ragged clothing, she stared at the beautiful dress she had stitched out of torn dresses of Carolina.

Rosalie put on the dress and adjusted it as she gaped at herself in the mirror.

The burgundy dress had glittering diamonds at the chest area, it was tight around her waist and chest, and flowed down her waist. And there was a slight tail at the back of the dress.

She hasn't done any makeup yet, her hair was wet as they cascaded down her back, and yet she looked so pretty. She hasn't felt this beautiful her entire life.

Rosalie combed her hair gently and then grabbed the lipstick, which Carolina had discarded not so long ago. She didn't like the shade of it. But Rosalie loved it, so she kept it in her attic under the cupboard. Make-up was a luxury to her. She stared at the dark maroon shade, putting some on her fingers, she gently rubbed it on her cheeks as blush, slightly on her eyelids, and a light coat on her lips.

Her dark brown hair reached below her hips as it dried slowly; her natural long waves became prominent. Her hair was soft, silky, and thick. She got this hair from her mother. She had such beautiful hair.

Rosalie stared at her reflection. She looked so beautiful. Her eyes lingered down her body, and the dress clung to her like a second skin, making her curves a lot more prominent. She was a bit shy but was confident as well.

Rosalie waited until she couldn't hear any voice from downstairs. She was willing to take the risk today. It was obvious her mother would not let her go, but she wouldn't let anyone stop her today.

Rosalie and Carolina turned eighteen last week. Carolina's birthday was celebrated in full swing while Rosalie was locked in her attic. She was let out once the party was over to clean up the aftermath. 

After turning 18. This was their first full moon ceremony. There were high chances they'll find their mates tonight, and she prayed to the Moon Goddess to find her mate.

She stepped down the stairs in one of Carolina's discarded heels, even though everything she was wearing was discarded by Carolina, and yet her natural beauty and brain she used to stitch her dress made her look like a princess.

Penelope gasped when Rosalie stepped down the stairs. For a second, she couldn't believe her eyes, but soon, anger filled her.

"You're not going anywhere looking this ugly." Penelope gritted. Carolina had already left for the ceremony.

"I'm sorry, mother. But I have to go tonight." Rosalie said. 

Penelope's eyes widened at her dare, and she stepped forward to grab her. But Rosalie knew that if her mother even touched her, she would rip her dress or something worse. So without a thought, she dashed out of the house as her mother ran after her, but she didn't stop until she reached the main gates of the venue.

Her heart thumped wildly. A group of high-ranking Beta females, who had spent years laughing at her "lowly" status, actually stepped aside to let her pass.

She looked at them, a little taken aback. Not knowing why they did that. Maybe they knew that tonight, Rosalie would find her mate who would protect her with his life. That thought alone brought a smile to her lips.

The whispers followed her like a trail of dry leaves.

"Is that... Rosalie?"

"She looks... different. Look at her scent. It’s changing."

"She looks gorgeous."

"The Moon Goddess is active tonight. Do you think she'll be mated to someone strong?"

Rosalie kept her head high, her quiet resilience replaced by a budding confidence. For the first time, people weren't looking at her with loathing; they were looking at her with curiosity, as if they were trying to stay on her good side in case her mate turned out to be strong.

The Moonlit Altar was located at the highest point of the pack's lands, a massive circle of white stone that glowed under the rising full moon. The entire Valen Pack was there, hundreds of wolves dressed in their finest attire, creating a sea of color against the dark forest.

Rosalie was excited as well as scared. Her heart was beating so wildly that she was afraid that others might hear it. She stepped inside, and all eyes were on her. 

Maybe because no one has seen her dressed up before, and that was why they were gaping, especially the males. She knew some of them were talking about her by the looks they were giving her.

Rosalie noticed Carolina, and her heart dropped. Carolina started at her, stunned, and then a fraction of fear mixed with rage swarmed through her eyes, and she dashed in her direction, but before she could reach her, everyone gathered closer.

A horn blasted, silencing the crowd.

"The Royals have arrived!"

Rosalie breathed deeply as Prince Cassian Valen stepped onto the dais. He was breathtaking. Clad in white and gold military regalia that emphasized his broad shoulders and royal bloodline, he looked like a god descended to earth. His blonde hair caught the moonlight, and his blue eyes scanned the crowd with a princely grace.

Surely the girl who'd be his mate would be so lucky, she thought.

Cassian's gaze landed on Rosalie, and he stopped. His eyes scanned her from head to toe, and they shone brightly.

A small, knowing smile played on his lips. Rosalie felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her. 

He’s looking at me, she realized, her heart thundering. He sees the dress. He sees me. But a thought plagued her happiness... He also knew she was an omega. 

But then, the air temperature plummeted.

The crowd parted as a second figure ascended the stairs. He didn't wear white or gold. He was dressed in charcoal black, his presence so heavy and merciless that the cheering died down to a fearful hum. It was the Alpha Uncle, Dominic Varkov. The notorious, cruel beast.

Rosalie felt that familiar, vibrating hum in her bones, the sound of a thousand bees thrumming against her skull. It was him.

 The hooded man from the woods. Now that his hood was down, she could see his face clearly. He was devastatingly handsome in a rugged, terrifying way. His jaw was like granite, and his eyes, those amber embers she had seen in the dark, were locked onto her with a predatory intensity that made her knees feel like jello.

Maybe he hates her like everyone else, but then why did he save her earlier?

Dominic didn't smile. He didn't wave. He simply stood like a dark mountain behind the Prince, his scary gaze made everyone shrink in fear.

The High Priest stepped forward, raising his hands to the silver moon. "The Moon Goddess has spoken! The sacred bonds shall be revealed!"

The clouds parted slowly, revealing the moon.

A shimmering silver mist began to rise from the altar, swirling around the feet of the unmarried wolves. It was the Scent of Fate.

The elders began to chant an old mantra in light whispers as the flute played. The whole moment was so magical.

Suddenly, the air was filled with the intoxicating aroma of sandalwood, mountain rain, and something spicy.

Rosalie felt a physical pull in her gut, a magnetic force so strong it nearly dragged her off her feet. 'My mate.' She breathed, feeling the pull as her eyes searched for her significant other.

At the same time, Prince Cassian’s eyes turned a deep, wolfish black. He stepped off the dais, walking straight toward her.

Their gaze clashed, and they both whispered in unison. "Mate."

The pack gasped in unison. The sacred bond was sparking between them, visible as faint silver threads of light connecting Rosalie’s heart to the Prince’s chest.

It’s happening, Rosalie thought, tears of joy blurring her vision. I’m saved. I’m finally saved.

A smile caressed her lips. She wanted a strong mate who would save her, but never in a billion years did she think that she'd be mated to a prince.

Cassian reached her, stopping just inches away. He was so close she could smell the expensive citrus of his cologne. He reached out, his hand hovering near her cheek. Rosalie leaned into the touch she had craved her entire life.

"Rosalie Ashford," Cassian’s voice rang out. It was loud and clear, carried to every corner of the silent woods.

Her heart stuttered like a fluttering butterfly as he said her name for the first time. She was ecstatic, realizing that he knew her name.

"Prince Cassian, my mate." She whispered, nuzzling her cheek in his palm as she met his gaze with so much love.

But as Rosalie looked into his eyes, the warmth she expected wasn't there. Instead, she saw a cold, calculating flicker. He pulled his hand back as her brows furrowed, but she didn't stop smiling.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her sister, Carolina, standing nearby. Carolina wasn't crying or angry. She was smirking. She was wearing a tiara that looked exactly like the one worn by the Queen Mother.

Why does Carolina have that? She thought.

"Prince-"

Cassian grabbed her wrist, cutting her off. He grabbed the wrist, which was still raw from the ropes, and squeezed until she winced in pain.

He turned her toward the crowd, his face hardening into a mask of royal arrogance.

"Members of the Valen Pack!" Cassian shouted, his voice echoing like a death knell. 

She smiled faintly, knowing he was about to announce them as mates.

"The Moon Goddess has shown me, my mate. But a Prince of the blood cannot be shackled to a taint on our pure bloodline. I have a decree to make tonight that will change this pack forever."

Rosalie’s heart stopped. The silver threads of the bond began to pulse with a sickly, dark light. 

"Cassian... Wha... what are you doing?" Rosalie whispered, her voice trembling.

The Prince didn't look at her. He looked at the pack and spoke the words that would shatter her world into a million pieces.

"I, Prince Cassian Valen, have something to tell you all regarding the future of this Omega."