An Unwanted Guest

Alpha Fauz's POV 

Heavy footsteps echoed forward and toward the altar.

No one moved during a Marking. No one! How dare he!?

I looked towards the direction of the approaching footsteps.

A hooded man approached, his face was concealed with deliberate skill. But I didn’t need to see it. The smell and the star ring on his small finger burned into my vision. It was the emblem of the Dreamer’s Pack’s royalty.

“Alpha Pitman!” I growled in my head, pulling Nora closer to my chest.

Gaius’s hand moved to his sword. But I stopped him, “Stand down,” I ordered through the link. “Do not ruin my day.”

The murmurs in the hall grew louder as Pitman continued forward.

“Who is that?” 

“Where is he going?”

“He is approaching the altar.”

“Is he mad?”

Nora shifted in my hold, she must have sensed his presence. Her breath hitched. She tried to turn. But I stopped her.

“Stay,” I muttered, tightening my hold, and pressing her against my chest.

Pitman reached the altar steps, then veered.

He walked past us. He was so close, his shoulder nearly brushed mine.

That was enough. My fury exploded.

I seized Nora’s chin and tilted her head to the side. Roughly, I sank my fangs into the crook of her neck. 

It must have been painful as I did it in a bit of a rush. 

Yes, I had to claim her and let that bastard know that she is mine now.

Blood splattered and I felt my heart cringe. The bond snapped into place, and Finn howled.

He has found his fated mate and nothing else mattered 

Nora shuddered violently and I pulled her into my arms, soothing her, and letting every wolf in the room, especially Pitman, feel it.

Now she is mine!

The hall erupted again, applause mixed with confusion.

Eyes darted between the altar and Pitman's exiting figure.

Pitman stopped, he must have felt the marking too. He turned halfway and stared sideways, partially looking behind. 

Our gazes locked. Then he looked away and resumed walking.

“Can you perceive the smell? The hoodie smells like a Dreamer!”

“No way. Why would a Dreamer be here? Impossible!”

“How dare a Dreamer cross the borders?” The crowd murmured, and just before Pitman reached the exit, my father’s voice thundered through the hall.

“Seize him!”

Nora's POV 

Ridiculous! The elders didn't lie, Alpha Fauz was indeed my fated mate.

I felt it in my bones as he lifted the veil and our gazes met.

His eyes were like dancing inferno. My heart synchronised with his and I could feel every beat of his heart.

The it hit me hard. His scent! Pine and earth. Briefly, I shut my eyes and took a deep breath savouring ever bit of his scent.

As I stood transfixed before him on the sacred altar, his eyes were glued to mine. 

He stared at me like I was some ethereal being. His aura was killing, but the warmth that radiated from his eyes made it endurable.

Does he also feel it? The mate bond… I stared back into his golden eyes. Then his lips moved like they had the will of their own, “Mate,” he muttered.

My eyes shone wide. Lila leapt for joy. I could feel her happiness in my bones. 

Traitor! She had been redundant and never felt this way when we were with Alpha Pitman.

The crowd roared in admiration and chorused, “Mark her! Mark her!”

A great sense of peace radiated over me. Lila continued to wag her tail excitedly. She pounced around in my mind, howling loudly. 

My eyes burned with tears of joy. I didn't know meeting one's fated mate felt this way. A big grin tumbled out of my lips, but then I remembered Alpha Pitman…

I shouldn't be feeling this way… I don't have the right to be happy when I left him hanging…

Alpha Fauz's face descended and was buried in my neck. It was time for him to put his mark on me.

The breath from his nostrils warmed me up and I felt it when he bared his fangs.

Suddenly something shifted in the air, and Alpha Fauz stopped. 

A strange, but familiar presence dominated the hall. 

Alpha Pitman! Every alarm in my head blared.

Alpha lifted up his face and his eyes travelled down the hall. His gaze settled so close to us and the Dreamer's smell hit me harder.

I tried to turn, but Alpha Fauz's arms snaked around my shoulders, holding me tightly against his chest.

… And what the hell is Alpha Pitman doing here? Didn't he wish me happiness with my fated mate? I gave us a way out but he literally pushed me away!

I tried to turn again, but Alpha Fauz held me tighter and I couldn't budge.

What the heck?

A bitter chuckle rumbled down my throat. Alpha Fauz protecting me from the love of my life? How did we get here? Is it my parent's greed or the Moon goddess' choice? My heart sank.

Without warning, Alpha Fauz tilted my head to the side and buried his fangs in my neck, possessing me.