Chapter 5 (Mate)

Valeria POV

“Mate!” my wolf yelled loudly, almost blocking my ears, but I didn’t mind that. I was just speechless. I never thought a day would come when I would clock eyes with my mate, feeling the euphoric power of the mate bond. But that only lasted for a split second as he stared at Adrain’s hand wrapped around my waist. My heart fell faster than it has ever fallen. I just met my mate, but I am in the arms of another wolf; he would never want me. He walked close and looked directly at Adrain, who was getting angrier by the second.

“Alpha Adrain,” his deep voice booms with so much authority, and my heart flutters, my stomach bursting with joy I have never experienced. I never thought I would hear a voice more authoritative and deep after hearing Adrain’s voice. Guess I was wrong.

“Alpha Damien,” he replied, using the exact same tone my mate used, if not harsher. My mate smiled, his full plump lips shaping into a thin line. I almost smiled at how handsome he was.

“Lovely party you have going on; who is the pretty lady you have here?” he asked, and my heart dropped as Adrain’s hand tightened on my waist claiming possessiveness. My mate stared right into my eyes and I focused only on him, his mesmerising cobalt blue eyes staring at me. I have never seen a shade of blue this beautiful. I was awestruck.

“This is my mate, Valeria,” Adrain snapped. He smiled a little; the smile looked genuine.

“Correct me if I am wrong, Alpha Adrain; I thought rumours said your mate died years ago?” he asked, his voice blank. I could really hear Adrian growl as he stared at my mate. I hissed a bit as his finger dug into my skin. My mate looked at his hand, then he stared at the discomfort in my face, and for a second I saw his eyes flash gold, but I guess I was tripping. Adrain released his hand from my waist, but his hand hung loosely around it.

“Rumours will always be rumours, Alpha Damien; you never know which is right or wrong,” he replied. My mate smiled, nodding his head.

“I will take my leave,” he said, and I watched as he walked away. His pose and walk were filled with confidence and power, and I was confused. Is my mate perhaps more powerful than my husband?

“It’s clear we are not friends; why does he keep coming to the ball?” Adrain asked. I just stood beside him quietly.

“Probably in search of his mate,” Collin answered. Adrain scoffed loudly.

“That is what we have in common; both our mates are dead; why does he bother coming here?” Adrain asked. I looked down at my feet. His mate is not dead, though; I am right here and alive. 

“His mate is not dead, Adrain; remember, the only female we saw with the Alpha was his sister; he has not met his mate,” Collin said, standing in front of Adrain.

“Well, I hope she is dead,” he growled, walking away. Collin and I stood in the middle of the ball, and he stared at me like I was a snack.

“Who knew Alpha Julius’ daughter was hiding all this hourglass figure beneath her cheap clothes? You amaze me, Valeria; you were the right option after all,” he said, a smirk on his face as he sized me up, looking at my cleavage. I looked him right in the eyes. I was in no mood for his nonsense; I needed answers, and he was in my way. I smiled at him, feeling really petty.

“I will feel better if you respect your alpha and do not stare at me in a suggestive manner, as I can’t and won’t have anything to do with a dog, even if I were blind. Now if you would excuse me,” I snapped, not waiting for him, and I walked off. Well, part of the daily gossip I heard from the pack teenagers is that Beta Collin loves to chase after women with no mate; he is worse than a dog, and clearly he has no boundaries. 

“Where are you going?” my wolf asked. I didn’t reply to her; I was on a mission looking for someone, and I needed answers. I followed the way I saw them go, sneaking away after attention was drawn from them, but clearly I saw them. Coming out of the ballroom, I inhaled her scent, then followed it. I got to the female restroom, and before I entered, I could hear the loud wailing and cursing.

“Calm down, Ruby,” mother said, trying to calm her raging daughter, but I could tell she was embarrassed too.

“It’s all your fault!” she yelled as I entered the restroom. Ruby was over the sink counter; her make-up smeared as mother patted her back. They both turned to me as I entered, and they growled.

“You? What are you doing here?” mother snapped.

“I am not here for you, mother; I came to talk to Ruby; excuse us,” I said, looking at her. Her mouth wide opened in shock as she looked at me.

“Oh, now you can’t talk? Your sister was humiliated, and you stood there doing nothing. Don’t you forget we got you married to him; remember your place and not allow the pretty dress and heels to get into your head,” she snapped. I smiled.

“At least I know the dress and heels are pretty; now I want to talk to Ruby,” I snapped back, and her eyes widened in shock. She walked close to me.

“You are talking to your mother like that? I got you married to him, and I can bring you back to hell!” she yelled, her hand coming to strike my face, but I held it, dragging her out of the restroom, and I locked her out. She hit the door harshly, but I ignored her as I walked to Ruby, who was fixing her makeup. 

“What do you want?” she snapped. I took a deep breath.

“Who is the Alpha who walked in?” I asked, my face blank. She looked at me through the mirror, then she scoffed.

“Why should I answer you?” she asked. I smiled.

“Well, if you answer me, I might just tell my husband to allow you into our pack. You see, he adores me now and listens to anything I say,” I said, folding my arms. I could literally see Ruby’s ears straining immediately after she heard that. I smirked internally. Well, sometimes white lies like this don’t hurt anyone. She faced me.

“That is Alpha Damien, the most powerful Alpha in the werewolf world, coming first in anything Alpha Adrain is doing,” she said. I kept my face blank, but I was surprised. I thought Damien was the most powerful.

“Go on,” I said.

“He and Adrain are sworn enemies; they just don’t like each other, but they have never had any war or altercation. Everyone is scared of Alpha Damien and his pack. He is currently around 30 years old; he became the Alpha at the age of 18 when his parents mysteriously died. Other Alpha’s have tried taking over his pack because of the lands and goods he has, but the last Alpha who tried that never lived to tell any stories, so everyone has concluded on staying away from Alpha Damien. Behind that handsome angelic face is a devil’s spawn,” she said, shaking in fear. I looked at her blankly. Is my mate that scary? I am not seeing it. Ruby gasps cut me out of my thoughts.

“Is he your mate?” she asked, her eyes bulging out. I looked at her disgustedly, but she thought it was because of her statement, but really it’s the eyes.

“No, of course not,” I said.

“Then why are you asking?” She asked, narrowing my eyes at me. I smiled.

“He seemed to make my husband uncomfortable, so I wanted to know who he was,” I said, turning around to leave, but she dragged me back, holding my hand.

“What of what you promised me?” she asked with pouty lips. I looked at how she was holding my hand with her two hands, then I looked at her pouty lips and hopeful eyes. For a second, we looked like the typical elder and younger sister, but I know better. I shoved her off me harshly, and she hit her ass on the floor. She gasped, looking up at me with her hair everywhere. I didn’t say anything; instead, I scoffed and walked away.

“Valeria!” she yelled as I walked away. I opened the door and guess what? My dear mother was still standing there. I rolled my eyes, walking away as she ran to her daughter. I am more concerned with what Ruby told me. Of course, I felt the energy when he came in. Should I be happy that he is more powerful than Adrain or sad because this might really mean war if he should forcefully take me away from Adrain? I exhaled. This is messed up.