Chapter One - An Unwanted Guest

*Selena's POV*

I and Alpha David  were taking a walk around the palace when he suddenly brought up the topic of the mating ceremony.

"The mating ceremony will be held tonight. I apologize for the short notice, but as the Beta, I would love for you to ensure that nothing goes wrong," he said, and I nodded in agreement.

"You can trust me with that, Alpha," I assured him.

"Also, Alpha Duncan , the Lycan king, will be in attendance."

"What!?" I blurted out, taken aback by the news. Alpha David  looked at me with surprise.

"What's wrong, Selena? Why are you so shocked?" he asked, clearly confused.

The mere thought of the Lycan king filled me with a deep hatred. He was a cruel and heartless man who didn't deserve to be the Lycan king. I couldn't believe he would be visiting our pack.

The mating ceremony, held twice a year, attracted people from far and near, all hoping to find their mate. I suspected that was the reason Alpha Duncan  would be attending since he had no mate. But if he were to find his mate tonight, I couldn't help but pity the poor woman.

I don't care if I sound so bitter, but a man like Alpha Duncan  doesn't deserve a mate, rumors has it that he murdered his own parents at the age of ten and that was how he took over his father's pack, he's known to be cruel and heartless and due to his cruelty, that's why I hate him so much.

“I just hope he doesn't find his mate, that'll be more like a curse to anyone mated to him."

"Selena." Alpha David  tapped my arm, jolting me out of my thoughts.

I couldn't hide my bitterness. "I'm sorry, Alpha, but is it really necessary for him to attend? We all know what kind of person he is," I protested.

Alpha David  let out a deep sigh before responding, "That's precisely why we can't afford to be on his bad side. The mating ceremony is open to everyone, and as the Lycan king, I have no right to stop him or anyone else from attending."

"So, let's get the preparation started, we have just little time on our hands to get things ready." He said before leaving.

With a heavy heart, I begrudgingly accepted his explanation, understanding that defying my Alpha's commands was out of the question. Reluctantly, I joined him in the preparations for the mating ceremony.

Together, we dove into the tasks at hand, ensuring that every detail was taken care of. The palace buzzed with activity as everyone pitched in. She-wolves hurried around, arranging vibrant floral arrangements and decorating the conference room with colorful ribbons and shimmering fabrics.

I oversaw the final touches, making sure the seating was arranged perfectly and the atmosphere exuded an air of elegance. Delicate candlelight danced across the room, casting a warm glow that added to the enchanting ambiance.

The scent of freshly picked flowers filled the air, their sweet fragrance mingling with the excitement and anticipation that permeated the space. Soft music played in the background, creating a soothing melody that set the mood for the evening's festivities.

As the she-wolves gathered in the conference room, their eyes gleamed with excitement and hope. They wore their finest attire, each outfit a unique expression of their personalities. Their dresses shimmered with sequins and adorned with intricate lacework, showcasing their beauty and grace.

I took my place beside Alpha David , feeling a mixture of apprehension and determination. My heart raced as I glanced around, ensuring that everything was in order. Despite my inner turmoil, I maintained a composed exterior, concealing my true emotions behind a mask.

The stage was set, and the anticipation reached its peak. The room hummed with a vibrant energy, a tangible eagerness that permeated the air. All that remained was the arrival of the main guest, Alpha Duncan , the Lycan king.

"Why are you wearing a mask?" Alpha David  asked, noticing my disguise.

"I just feel the need to," I replied, not wanting to reveal my true emotions. He chuckled lightly in response.

The ceremony was supposed to start immediately, but Alpha David  requested that we wait as the main guest, Alpha Duncan , had not yet arrived.

I started getting this weird feeling, but I tried my best to ignore it. 

As time ticked by, I grew increasingly frustrated with the Lycan king for keeping everyone waiting. If it were up to me, I would have suggested proceeding with the ceremony, with or without his presence.

Finally, a guard rushed in to announce the arrival of Alpha Duncan , and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Finally!" I muttered under my breath.

All eyes in the room were fixed on the doorway, eager to catch a glimpse of the Lycan king. Many of the pack members hadn't seen him before and were curious to witness his arrival.

When Alpha Duncan  walked in, a strong scent of pine trees filled the air, catching me off guard. Our eyes met, and in that moment, my heart began to race uncontrollably.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. With his intense gaze fixed on me, he declared in a loud voice.

"Mine!!"

Gasps filled the room, and all I wanted was to escape. My head spun with confusion, and I wished for the ground to open up and swallow me whole. How could I be mated to the man I despised the most?

I couldn't accept this reality. I felt suffocated and desperate to get away from him. Without thinking, I hastily lifted my dress and sprinted out of the room, fleeing into the safety of the nearby woods.

"Why? Why did this have to happen to me!?" I screamed, consumed by rage.

Only this morning, I had been discussing how unfortunate it would be for any woman to be mated to the Lycan king. I even wished for him not to find his mate, and now, I found myself in that exact situation. It felt like a cruel twist of fate.

I see this as nothing but a curse, I don't care what the goddess has install for me, but I refuse to accept this. I refused to believe that I was destined to be mated to Alpha Duncan , not in this lifetime or any other.

I pushed away those thoughts and focused on my resolve to reject him. That was the only way to make things right, or so I believed.

"Why did you run away like that?" I heard a voice say, and I quickly turned around to find Alpha Duncan  standing there.

My eyes turned cold, and I furrowed my brow at him. "What are you doing here, Alpha?" I questioned, dripping with sarcasm.

"What did you expect me to do when my mate ran off?" he replied, his tone carrying a hint of frustration.

"In your dreams! I refuse to be called your mate. I want nothing to do with you, so let's get this over with," I spat, my voice filled with hate.

As I spoke those words, anger flushed across his face, but I remained unfazed.

"I, Selena Gomez Rain, reject you, Alpha Duncan Durham Mendes, as my mate!" I declared firmly, emphasizing my rejection.