2. Most Gorgeous Creature

Elise

Hours later, the party had begun.

Elliott and I sat at a round table with elite Alphas from packs across the North Moon.

They talked about pack affairs and politics, breaking into loud laughter every few minutes. I took several sips of my wine, feeling so clueless and left out.

"You're a dangerous man." one of the Alphas said, grinning at Elliott. "Juggling your brother's widow and your mate..."

I immediately stiffened.

"Shhh" another alpha said. "His mate is here."

Elliott chuckled under his breath and gave me a quick glance. "Don't worry. She won't hear us. She hasn't gotten her wolf yet" he said.

My hands shook as I reached for my wine glass.

"Elise is my mate, my obligation." He bagan. "It was my late father's dying wish that I marry her because he believed her lineage was blessed with healing powers..."

"But she's wolfless and useless" he continued, voice filled with disdain. "I haven't seen any powers yet but I'll still marry her in the hope that my father was right about her being an asset to the Frost moon pack"

"Wow!" One of the Alphas exclaimed in awe. "You sure are a calculated bastard!"

I gripped the hem of my dress so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

My throat burned but I forced myself to keep a neutral expression.

"Lucia on the other hand..." Elliott began smugly and the other Alphas present at the table guffawed and made hooting sounds, cheering him on.

"...Is a wildcat. Hotter and wilder than Elise. That's more my type"

"But isn't she your late brother's widow? The one he left you to take care of?" Another asked, obviously still trying to understand the situation.

"Yeah, he's taking care of her and also getting some!" Another Alpha cut in, lewdly and a loud cackle broke out around the table.

My vision blurred and I let out a choked gasp. Loud enough for Elliott to turn to me with practiced concern in his gaze.

"My daisy, are you okay?" He asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His gaze and his touch were so tender, it made me question if I had imagined everything.

I blinked back the tears and forced a smile. "I'm fine" I breathed. "What are you guys talking about that's making you laugh so much?" I asked, playing dumb.

"It's nothing serious" he said, his gaze glinting in mischief. "They’re just praising our mate bond and telling me how much we deserve eachother"

His effortless lie hit me like a physical blow. My lips were trembling from maintaining my forced smile.

"He's down so bad!" One of the Alphas teased. "He doesn't want his mate to know his dirty little secret"

Elliott turned to them, his gaze cold. "Make sure none of you slips up in front of her." he warned. "She can't know about this!"

Too late! I thought bitterly.

Elliott and the other alphas had been conversing in Silver Tongue —a language wolfless people couldn't understand.

But I wasn't wolfless. I'd gotten my wolf and awakened my powers, three years ago, after Elliott's father's death.

But I suppressed my powers and my scent with an inhibitor patch.

I did it because I was hiding from the people who killed my parents. I was the last of my kind and I wasn't ready for the fame that came with the use of my powers.

Fame only brought danger to my doorstep and I didn't want to end up like my parents.

I was going to tell Elliott after our mating ceremony but hearing him now...

Nausea rose in my throat and I immediately stood up.

"Are you leaving?" Elliott asked, a hint of fear and possessiveness in his gaze.

"I feel dizzy, let me go lie down for a minute" I whispered shakily.

He stood and kissed my forehead, something I normally would have melted into if I hadn't heard everything he'd said earlier.

I  hurried away before he could see me cry.

All my life, I'd been called wolfless, powerless. Mocked by people who thought I was unworthy to be the Alpha's mate. But hearing it from Elliott today felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest and stomped on.

I had never felt so humiliated.

He'd looked me in the eye and lied so easily, discarding our three-year relationship because of Lucia.

I watched the party happen around me but I was in no mood to stay. All I wanted was the privacy of my room.

I walked brusquely, wiping my face as my thoughts were in a chaotic blur.

Just then, I missed a step and was about to fall but a pair of strong arms immediately wrapped around my waist, catching me just in time.

My heart thundered in my ears as an overwhelming, masculine scent engulfed me.

I looked up to see the most handsome man I'd ever come across—the most gorgeous creature imaginable.

As he helped me stand properly, I couldn't help but notice his striking features: sharp jawline, dark tousled hair, and piercing blue eyes that gazed down at me.

A forceful aura radiated from him—raw, unlike anything I had ever felt.

I had momentarily forgotten the pain and tears.

Who was he?

​"Someone hurt you," he said, his voice rumbling like a deep, soothing hum.

​"Hmm?" I mumbled, dazed. Then I noticed his deep blue gaze lingering on my tear-stained face.

​I immediately wiped my cheeks. "No, I'm fine," I said.

​"You don't sound very convincing." He cocked an eyebrow.

​The sheer confidence in his voice—as if he already knew me—made my chest tighten.

I straightened my posture. "Have we met before?"

​He offered a small, slow smile. "I don't know. Have we?"

​"No, we haven't," I said, keeping my tone standoffish. "So stop pretending like you know me."

​Just then, a passerby offered him a respectful nod, which the stranger casually returned.

​I blinked, confused.

​"You seem to—" he started, but another man stepped up, bowing deeply.

​"Your Highness—"

​The stranger raised a single hand, silencing him instantly.

​My breath seized.

Your Highness? Was I standing face-to-face with the Lycan King?

I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat locked up.

​He watched me, a faint smirk playing on his lips at my reaction.

Before I could pull away, he took my hand. Warmth flooded through my skin at the sudden contact.

"Here's my card," he said. "Call me if you need anything."

My mouth fell open in shock.

Then he pressed a heavy golden ring into my palm. "This grants you access to me."

​I stared down at it. It was exquisite—two silver fangs curved at opposite ends, framing a majestic emblem.

​"No—no, I can't take this—"

​"You may need it someday," he interrupted softly.

​"I won't," I retorted, trying to find my spine again.

​"Then I hope you're right." With one last lingering look from those piercing blue eyes, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

​What the hell just happened?

Did the Lycan King really just hand me one of his most prized possessions?