Chapter 2

Esme's POV

As I walked towards the Great Hall with a tray of appetizers, all I could think about was what the Alpha had told me three days ago.

He had said that on my 18th birthday, which happens to be today, I would become the Pack's whore.

Could that possibly be the reason for his inviting the other Alphas? Could this banquet just be an excuse for one big gangbang with me at the receiving end?

No! It can't, the Alpha wouldn't be so cruel.

Tears gather at my eyes at the thought, the Alpha hates me so much that anything is possible.

"Don't think so negatively Esme, everything will be fine." Solar tried to comfort me but I wasn't buying it.

This is starting to seem like too much of a coincidence.

I was made to wear a flimsy and see through dress, short and barely able to hide anything, specially for this occasion. All my scars are on full display, including my still freshly wounded back.

It's been three days but it hasn't started healing yet, it must be infected.

That's definitely the least of my problems as I'm about to walk into one big trap, in which I'll have to face the devil himself. I just hope I survive this.

Walking as slowly as possible doesn't help as I eventually arrive at the Great Hall and all eyes fall on me. I can see the Alpha grinning wickedly at me while Kyra shifts uncomfortably in her seat, a worried look on her face.

I keep my eyes glued to the floor but from the corner of my eyes, I search for Alpha Ethan in the room. Someone as infamous as him would definitely not be hard to spot.

As soon as my eyes fall on him, the Alpha's voice startles me.

"What are you waiting for slave? Come here and serve our esteemed guest immediately." He barked at me and I gulped, moving towards Alpha Ethan without daring to take a glance at him.

I walked towards him, my heart racing rapidly, my stomach twisting in knots and every nerve ending buzzing.

What is this feeling? How can I be so afraid of someone I've never even met?

I finally got to the table he was seated at and tried to serve him some appetizers but he stopped me with a raise of the hand.

"Pour me some wine." His magnetic voice sounded and I felt myself at a loss for words.

I quickly snapped out of it and grabbed a glass, filling it up with some wine. I was about to hand it to him when he suddenly grabbed my wrist, stopping my action midway.

As soon as his skin touched mine, I felt mini electric shocks wash through me, my lower belly tingling with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The area where his skin met mine was growing hotter and I could feel my breath getting heavier.

These unexplainable reactions forced me to look up at him for the first time and as soon as our eyes met, I heard the words that sealed my fate.

"Mate." Solar cooed.

"What?!" I mumbled back to her, unable to believe what I was hearing.

"Mate!" She repeated firmly, confirming my fears.

No! No! This must be some kind of sick joke. I've been tortured my whole life for crimes I never committed and as if that wasn't enough, goddess Selene decided to mate me to the devil. Haven't I suffered enough? I'm pretty sure I've atoned enough for whatever sin I committed in my past life. This can't be true, please let this be a bad dream.

Despite my tumultuous thoughts, I couldn't seem to take my eyes off him. I studied his features in a daze. He was tall, very tall. I would level up to his chest at best.

He was larger than life, with well defined features. I had heard he was ugly and difficult to look at and that's why he was still unmated but looking at him right now, that's probably the biggest lie I've ever heard.

He's the definition of beauty, except for a long scar which ran across his left cheek but even with that, he was still better looking than all the men in my pack.

He exuded dominance and regality, the type that made people feel small in his presence.

His cold and stoic blue eyes stared into my brown ones, unwavering. I couldn't tell what he was thinking but I could tell that he was trying to read me like a book, his gaze penetrating into my soul.

He suddenly let go of my hand and due to my enchanted state, I couldn't keep a hold of the glass.

My hand shook and the glass fell and shattered, some of the contents spilling on his clothes.

I recoiled in horror, knowing that this mistake would probably be the end of me.

I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my head as my Alpha grabbed a handful of my hair, pulling on it with all his might.

I screamed in agony, begging for him to let go.

"You clumsy little bitch, what the hell are you good for?! I should have killed you earlier, at least then you wouldn't have made such a foolish mistake." He barked at me and pushed me to the floor, delivering a swift kick to my side.

I screamed out, the pain nearly blinding me. Tears poured down my cheeks as I tried to nurse my bruised side.

The Alpha quickly grabbed my hair again, pulling me up by it. My head buzzed with a headache and I was starting to see stars.

I prepared myself for another brutal blow when his voice suddenly rang through the hall.

"Stop!" 

Everyone quickly turned their attention to Alpha Ethan who had been silent the entire time. I had almost forgotten he was in the room. What had I expected from those cold eyes anyway? Did I really expect him to save me because he's my mate? He's someone who kills just for the fun of it and he's no different from my Alpha, probably even worse.

He's definitely going to reject me right about now.

"I apologise, where are my manners? You're the one she offended so you probably want to punish her on your own." My Alpha said and my body went limp with fear.

No, please no.

Alpha Ethan said nothing. Everyone in the room watched quietly as he walked towards where the Alpha of my pack stood, still holding me by the hair.

He raised his hand and I flinched, closing my eyes in anticipation for a hit but I felt no pain.

Rather, the grip on my hair was released and I heard a sickening crack which was quickly followed by a heavy thud.

My eyes flew open to see my Alpha on the floor, clasping his right hand which seemed to be broken.

What the hell is going on here?

Alpha Ethan turned to me and I cowered, slowly moving backwards in panic, realizing I might be next.

I don't know how it happened but I tripped on something, causing me to fall backwards, my butt hitting the ground hard.

Alpha Ethan stood in front of me, intimidating. He slowly grabbed my hand and raised me up. I stared at him pleadingly but he never changed from his cold expression neither did he say a word to me.

He simply just dragged me to the center of the room, all eyes focusing on us.

Here it comes, the much anticipated rejection and only Selene knows what he'll do to me after that.

"Listen up, each and every one of you. This girl here is my mate and if anyone hurts as much as a hair on her head, I'll cut that person to pieces. Your Alpha is a coward for being so brutal to a helpless girl, fully aware that she's unable to fight back.

He's lucky I'm in a good mood so I only broke his hand." He said and suddenly turned to my Alpha who was still cradling his broken hand, seemingly in pain.

"For what you just did, you don't deserve any of your limbs but I didn't come here to fight. You're not worth my time." He said and the whole room remained silent, everyone probably in shock, I included.

This is starting to seem more like a dream than reality.

He suddenly turned to me and I gulped, quickly moving my eyes to the floor.

He grabbed my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.

"You're my mate and that means you're my responsibility, I'm sorry you had to go through so much because I couldn't find you sooner. I won't let anyone hurt you again." He said and I blinked repeatedly, unable to believe my ears.

This whole situation is so surreal that I can't even figure out how I'm supposed to be feeling.

"How could you do this? I treated you with respect and hosted a banquet in your honor and you repay me in this manner? By wounding both me and my pride, you've certainly made a terrible decision." My Alpha threatened.

"You seem to be the one obsessed with making bad decisions, like how you're talking to me right now. Don't infuriate me or I might finish the job." Alpha Ethan fired back and turned to me once more.

"I'm taking you out of this hellhole. You won't have to worry about anything from now on." He assured me and I just nodded, gobsmacked.

Before I could process anything, he suddenly lifted me into his arms, carrying me bridal style.

He walked towards the exit of the Great Hall and the angry face of my Alpha was the last thing I saw.