Chapter Five

“He rejected his own mate and now he wants a wife? That makes no sense at all.”

It was every werewolf’s dream to find their fated mates, but it was common knowledge that that was a rare occurrence. Many of us eventually settle to the reality that our ‘fated mates’ might be somewhere at the other end of the world, or even yet to be born and thus, we move on to get married the traditional way. Others though, take a bit longer to catch up with that reality.

But the Mad Alpha had found his fated mate and he’d rejected her. He’d thrown away the very thing many hoped and prayed for like it meant nothing.

“It’s clear the only motive behind his decision is to humiliate us. I’m sure there are abundant of young ladies at the Raventhorne’s pack he could pick from.”

I couldn’t help but agree with my father. It was all a part of the power play.

Now though, I could understand why my mother hadn’t looked overly excited to see me, it wasn’t because she was embarrassed by my presence, it was because she didn’t want me here by the time the Mad Alpha arrived. That realization made me feel instantly lighter.

“That’s why you wanted me locked up?”

“I know it’s the last thing you’d want, but I only want to keep you save.”

“I understand father, but there’s nothing to worry about. I’m infertile—remember? No one would want to wed a wife who can’t breed offsprings and I know how much the Mad Alpha would want his own pups.”

My parents—just like every other person, believed I was infertile. The scandal had quickly spread across the werewolf communities and since I knew Ray wouldn’t be admitting to the truth anytime soon, I might as well use the scandal to my advantage.

My parents exchanged glances and finally my mother nodded.

“You’re right.” She said, “You surely won’t make his cut, and that’s a good thing.”

I’d never been so pleased to be found lacking.

“How long until the Mad Alpha pays us a visit?”

“Not long. He’ll be here sundown, tomorrow.”

***

I stood by the balcony overlooking the hall, with my mother beside me. On any other day, all eyes would have been on me. But today, no one cared that the ‘infertile’ was in the same room with them. The Mad Alpha’s visit was the only thing anyone could talk about.

I spotted our pack Alpha, Collins, barking instruction at the soldiers. He too had bags beneath his eyes like he hadn’t slept for days. I’d never ever seen him like this and I couldn’t help the fear that rose in me at the odd sight.

“Anything goes wrong; you attack. Stay alert and in position,” He instructed the soldiers. “Be ready for anything.” He tapped one on the back, before walking past them.

“They’re here.” someone announced.

If I’d thought the place couldn’t get any more tense, I was wrong. I could literally feel the tension in the air; it was like everyone was holding their breath—or at least I was.

My mom wrapped her hands around mine and I could tell she was afraid too, but unlike me, she was determined to keep it all locked in.

The halls main door flew open as a huge man with golden brown hair and dark green eyes walked in.

“Is that—”

“No. That’s Liam. The Beta of the Raventhorne Pack.”

Of course, he was the beta. I might have never seen the Mad Alpha, but I imagined he would look very… different from this. I imagined he’d have scars marring his face, maybe even a missing eye or half-chopped nose. I imagined him with a bald head, and wild eyes, burning bright with vile ambition.   

Beta Liam walked in like he owned the place, the sneer on his lips seemed to a be a permanent expression. He came to a stop before Alpha Collins.

“Welcome to our Pack, Beta Liam.” Collins said, extending his hand for a handshake, one the Beta didn’t bother honoring. Collins let his hand fall to the side. “I was expecting the Raventhorne’s Alpha.”

“And he’ll be here. I’ve come to make sure everything is in place.” Liam answered his voice, cold.

“About that.” Collins said, “I was hoping we could talk and make a reasonable agreement. What you—what the alpha had requested is beyond us—”

“It’s not. You have the soldiers to spare.”

“We can’t just give up one tenth of our soldiers—”

“And so, you’d rather go into battle against our pack, and watch us take all your soldiers?”

Silence passed between the both of them, finally Collins nodded to my father.

On his signal, a line of girls made their way into the hall. I knew each and everyone of them, I’d grown up with them. Some had tears rolling down their cheeks, others tried their best to stay composed. A surge of pity rose in my chest. They were scared—all of them and they should be. No one wanted to be married off to some savage Alpha, that’s not a future any girl would ever imagine for herself.

“Over half the she-wolves standing here are omegas.” Liam pointed out, “If you think Alpha Asher would marry a she-wolf from less standing, you are sorely mistaken.”

“I can assure you, each and everyone of them present would surely make a good wife for the Alpha.” Collins assured, but I didn’t miss the look of annoyance on his face.

“Perhaps they will, but there’s someone missing here.” He said, “Your daughter, Alpha Collins.”

I watched Collins face go completely pale and then anger sparkled in his eyes.

“My daughter Camila is engaged.”

Camilla and I used to be friends when we were younger, though we grew apart as we got older. Still, as the beta’s daughter, I saw her a lot as we were often times required to attend formal parties, events and meetings together.

“All unmarried and unmated females of marriageable age should be here. She is not married, so she is not an exemption.”

“She is my daughter!”

“There are no exemptions.”

“No. I will not allow it.”

Liam lips lifted into a half smile; it was almost like he’d been hoping Collins would fight back.

“Fine.” He said, and with that he turned around to walk away.

I could see the torn looked in Collins eyes. Alphas were never supposed to show fear, but I could see his fear.

“Wait!” he finally called out and Liam came to a stop, his smile only growing wider.  “Go get Camilla. Let her join the line.” Collins instructed my father.

My father hesitated, perhaps to make sure he’d heard Collins right. “Go!” Collins ordered and he finally walked away to get it done.        

Minutes later, Camilla, who was dressed in a stunning light blue dress was escorted in by my father.

Her eyes darted to Liam and then to the girls lined up.

“You called for me?” she addressed her father.

“Yes.” Collin’s answered, “Stand in line with the girls.”

A look of surprised crossed Camilla’s eyes, as she stared at her father.

“I will not!”

“Camilla. Do not disrespect me, do as I’ve told you.”

Giving her father one last scornful, she joined the line.

Camilla was attractive—very attractive and she was also of noble blood, her chances of being selected were very high. Collins knew that too.

“The Alpha has arrived,” Liam announced.

On cue, a figure stepped in and my breath caught in my chest. The Mad Alpha.

Except there wasn’t anything about him that looked insane. That should be a relief, but strangely it wasn’t. There were no emotions on his face. No anger, no annoyance or irritation. Just… blank. And for some reason it was worse.

His short black hair fell over his face like he just walked out of a shower, but it wasn’t even raining, in fact it was a very hot day. His eyes… coal, inky black.

The mad Alpha might be the most beautiful man I’d ever seen, but there was something about this beauty that was… scary. And they could all see it, every girl in the line, could feel it.

What was that scent?

“Can you perceive that?” I whispered to my mother as I sniffed the air. The scent practically called to me and it all seemed to get stronger by every passing second.

“What scent?” my mother asked.

How could she not perceived that.

A set of inky black eyes settled on me, ignoring every other person in the room.

No, no, no.

This couldn’t be happening.

I took a step back.

My mother was speaking but I couldn’t make sense of the words and then I ran, I ran as fast as my legs could take me, but not before I heard him whisper the words; ‘Mate’.