Chapter 3

Ayla’s POV

“Mine!”

The word rang in my ears like the sound of a bell. I lifted my head up, turning around. A man stood behind me—blond hair, golden eyes, tall and handsome. He was dressed in a different manner, I knew he was not a member of my pack.

“Mate!”

He growls again. And I was sure this time, it was really my mate. I can’t feel him, but he can feel me. Taking slow steps towards him, he does the same, covering the space between us as he grabbed me, sniffing down my neck, he murmured, “It is you.”

He released me and stared deep into my eyes, like he was trying to see into my soul. “I’ve felt you for a long time, but I just couldn’t find you. Little did I know it was because you have been kept behind these tall walls your whole life,” He whispered . His voice was deep and soothing, he was everything I had wished my dream mate would be.

“Thank you. Thank you so much for showing up now, my life would have been messed up if you didn’t,” I whispered as he wrapped his arms around me.

“I’m here now. I will protect you.” He said.

“The moon goddess has finally shown us mercy, Lady Ayla has found her mate!” Elder Vagner announced. The crowd cheered. Everyone was happy—or so I thought. I had no idea what was coming.

* * * *

It’s been three weeks since my mate, Julian found me. Life has been easier these past weeks. He’s treated me so well. He only marked me, but I refused to be intimate with him until the day of our coronation.

“Ayla?” Elena peered through the half-opened door. I lifted my head and smiled at her.

“Come in Lena,” I gestured with my hand.

“Oh, Look at you my friend. You are glowing!” She beamed.

“Please, Elena. I am not.” I whispered.

“Julian is doing a great job.” She inched closer and her eyes widens in surprise. “He marked you!” She shrieked . I immediately used my hand to cover her mouth.

“Tone your voice down, Lena.” I whispered. My hand reached out to my neck as I caressed the golden puncture marks on my neck.

“Sorry.” She whispered, “So tell me, how was it? Was he gentle?” She asked, eyes wide with anticipation.

“No. No, we haven’t done that. I asked him to wait until the night of our coronation.” I said to her, something in her expression flickered, but she covered it up immediately. I thought it was normal so I didn’t think much about it.

“That’s a good idea. Well, I have to go now. Duty calls. She said and embraced me slightly then headed for the door.”

The coronation is in three days time and I can’t wait for it to happen. I walked to my closet and touched my gown—a red silk, mainly worn by future Lunas, but since I am going to be a female Alpha, I had to dress according to tradition. It felt very soft to the touch as a smile crept up my face.

I stepped out of my room and walk to Julian’s room. I pushed the door open, he sat on a chair, busy with work, the top three buttons of his shirt were undone revealing a toned, broad chest. His hair glittered in the sunlight. I smiled as I walked towards him, pausing midway as I noticed something was off, his hair looks like it was scattered with fingers, or is it just my imagination?

“Julian.” I called as I walked deeper into the room.

“Oh. Here comes my queen.” He said and spread out his hands, I quickly ran into them. He held me for a while then released me and made me sit on his lap.

“Why are you here?” He asked, smiling softly.

“I miss you. So I’m here to see you.” I murmured.

“How much did you miss me?” He asked as he brought his face closer to my neck, trailing kisses on my neck, down to my collarbone. The feeling had me moaning. I placed my hand on his hair, my fingers tangling his strands and pulling slightly, I bit my lower lip as his hand slipped into my gown to my underwear, he was about ripping it off when I came back to my senses. I grabbed his hand and pushed him slightly.

“Julian, stop. You promised to wait until the coronation day, remember?” I said to him, my chest heaving in rhythm with his.

“Yes, I did. You are just so beautiful, it’s hard to resist you.” He whispered, I could see the lust in his eyes and I felt bad for starving him.

“Just two days more, and I’ll be all yours to ravish as you like.” I whispered and hugged him.

The next day went as usual, the pack was very busy with preparations for the coronation. Invitations had been sent out to different packs, I felt boundless joy in my heart. I didn’t see Julian all day. It is pack tradition that we don’t see each other until the day of the ceremony, they say it brings bad luck. I walked over to my window and stared out into the night, the mansion looked beautiful, flowers hung on each corner of the mansion, my lips curved into a small smile. Tomorrow, everything changes—or so I thought.

~ ~ ~ ~

Staring at myself in the mirror, a stunning and extremely beautiful reflection stared right back at me. The red silk gown fitted me perfectly, my hair glowed, same with my skin.

“You look absolutely stunning, ‘Alpha’” I turned around to see Elena, she looked beautiful in a red silk gown. A red silk gown? I am meant to be the only one wearing red today, so why?

“I’m sorry, Ayla. I just feel too happy for you so I decided to wear same color with you to show how happy I am. If it’s not okay, I’ll go change right now.” She said and was about walking out,

It shouldn’t matter right? She’s my best friend. “No, don’t. Its fine, don’t bother. You look absolutely stunning.” I smiled at her.

A knock on the door interrupted our conversation.

“Lady Ayla, it’s time.” A maid had come to inform me. I smiled nervously at Elena, taking slow steps towards the door, with her trailing behind me. When the giant doors of the grand hall opened, I looked ahead. At the end of the long red carpet stood Julian, looking devastatingly handsome in his red ceremonial suit. My heart leaped for joy as I walked toward him, but as I got closer, the smile on his face vanished. A strange feeling settled in my stomach but I brushed it off.

Julian stretched out his hand to me, and I placed my hand in his, before I could register the coldness of his palm, he yanked me forward, his breath icy as he whispered, “Did you for once think I’d let you rule this pack as Alpha? In your dreams, Ayla.”

I blinked hard and looked at him, an evil grin played on his face, his grip on my hand tightened “Let go Julian, you are hurting me,” I hissed under my breath. And instead of letting go, he shoved me, then turned to face the crowd.

“May the moon goddess bear me witness as I put an end to this cursed bond.” His voice boomed through the hall.

I was stunned, my heart hammering fiercely against my ribs. “Julian, what are you doing?” I choked out. Confused.

He turned to me, his golden eyes void of any warmth. “I, Julian Voss reject you, Ayla Reed as my mate. There shall be no bond between us from now henceforth.” He leaned in closer, ensuring only I could hear his final word: “Your throne is mine.”

The words hit me like a physical blow, air rushed out of my lungs, and the grand hall spun as I staggered backward. The same man who had spent three weeks whispering promises of love and protection to me was now staring at me with absolute disgust. Then I felt it, the bond shattering—and a blinding, agonizing pain ripped my soul in two. The twisting pain in my chest made it impossible to breathe. I crashed down on my knees, trying to take the pain. But it was just too much for my human body to bare.

“Arghhhhhh!~ Aahhhh.” I screamed as a scorching heat radiated from the mate mark, spreading throughout my entire body. I coughed up blood gripping my chest as I stared at the crimson red liquid dripping down my nostrils.

“Wh… why?” I choked out. Julian had a triumphant smile on his face.

“Just accept the rejection, Ayla. Reduce the pain.”

He was right. The pain would lessen if I accept the rejection, but how could I? How could he do this to me. I turned and looked at the crowd, they were all seated, like they already knew about this. Elder Vagner had no expression on his face, that was when realization hit me—it was all a plot. From the very beginning, my mother’s death, everything was well planned. I groaned as my chest twisted, the pain of a bounded soul ripping off of mine felt worse than dying. I looked at Julian and he just stared down at me, no remorse at all.

Then I decided. My voice trembled, but I forced the words out of my mouth.

“I… Ay… Ayla Reed, accept your rejection.”