Chapter 3

Onel had turned into a white wolf, a magnificent sight to behold. It was the first time the guests had witnessed such a phenomenon. His transformation was extraordinary, as he stood tall and proud, resembling the alphas' wolves in both size and grandeur.

A collective gasp echoed through the room, and everyone rose from their seats. Eyes widened, mouths hung open in astonishment. The atmosphere was charged with awe and curiosity as they witnessed this unprecedented event.

Onel's gaze fixed upon a specific direction where Blue was seated, accompanied by Sabina. A deep, resonating roar emanated from his wolf, reverberating through the room. The sound pierced the air, conveying a primal hunger for revenge. His instincts urged him to tear their flesh apart, to satiate his thirst for vengeance. Yet, he knew that such an act would instantly brand him an enemy in the eyes of those present. They would hunt him down and end his life without mercy.

"Amazing!" Michael exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder and admiration.

"You are as fascinating and stunning as the rumors say, young master Onel!" Kevin chimed in, his words carrying a mix of awe and reverence.

The alphas, including Kevin and Blue, clapped their hands in appreciation of Onel's display of power and beauty. Blue, however, found himself in a state of shock. He was accustomed to seeing Onel meekly following him like a loyal puppy, always by his side. But tonight, something about Onel seemed different, apart from the obvious transformation into a wolf.

Was it his aura? Or the way he looked? Blue's mind was in turmoil, struggling to make sense of the emotions welling up within him.

"What the fuck is happening to me?" he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with confusion and disbelief.

"I want my women refined, modest, and tamed," Blue continued, his words tinged with frustration. "Onel's the exact opposite of that."

He paused, his gaze fixated on the mesmerizing figure of the white wolf. "Yet, tonight, for some reason, I can't take my eyes off of this omega."

Michael, who had been silently observing the unfolding events, interjected with an awestruck tone, "Wow."

"That was one powerful entrance!" Michael exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "This is the first time in history that an omega has ever shifted!"

Michael paused, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I didn't know our young master Onel here could actually shift, and a white wolf at that!"

Whispers and murmurs spread through the crowd, a chorus of curiosity and intrigue. The guests, who had only seen white wolves depicted in books, understood the significance behind this mythical creature. Legend had it that white wolves were bearers of peace, power, and prosperity for their packs.

Onel, still in his human form, watched Sabina closely, noting the pallor that had overtaken her face. Just as he was about to avert his gaze and shift back, he caught sight of a pair of glowing gold eyes fixated on him. A shiver ran down his spine, for in their kingdom, only one man possessed such striking eyes.

"I can't be mistaken," Onel muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. "I only saw him once in a ceremony, but I'm sure that's the Alpha King, Giovanni Del Fierro."

A wave of confusion washed over Onel as he tried to comprehend the Alpha King's unexpected presence. Their king was known to be elusive, rarely revealing himself to the public unless the situation demanded it. 

Even if he was puzzled, he still shifted back to his human form, exposing his ivory skin. Alphas rushed to offer their coats to him. The scene unfolded like a surreal dance, with the vibrant tapestry of power dynamics interwoven beneath the surface.

Blue, consumed by astonishment, couldn't tear his gaze away from the blood red half-moon mark on Onel's chest. It was a mark meant only for Blue and his mate, a symbol of their connection. His heart raced as the truth hit him with an almost physical force.

“Get away from him! Onel s is my mate!”

Kevin, his voice dripping with skepticism, responded swiftly. "Don't make me laugh, Alpha Blue. We all know that Onel hasn't found his mate yet."

Jackson, another alpha chimed in, amplifying Kevin's sentiment. “That's right. All of us here still have a chance."

Kevin emphasized his point, highlighting the possibility of rejection. "And even if Onel has found his mate, he could still reject that person."

"Onel is my mate!" Blue's voice resonated with unwavering conviction, refusing to yield. "He has the same mark as me—And he wants me!"

Jackson scoffed, fueling the fire of doubt. "Don't get so cocky, Alpha Blue. Nothing is sure yet until the omega confirms it himself."

The tension in the air was palpable, each word a volley in the battle for Onel's affections. But Blue suddenly transformed, a confident smile adorning his face, as if he had emerged victorious.

"Fine. You'll see."

Alpha Blue's gaze turned towards Onel, who stood before him, draped in a coat offered by a willing alpha. The touch of Onel's back sent shivers down Blue's spine, revealing a texture that defied expectations. His thoughts raced, witnessing the delicate beauty before him—a body that defied conventional notions of masculinity, tender and pristine.

Amidst the crowd, a hushed silence fell as Onel cleared his throat, ready to address Blue directly.

“Alpha Blue..."

"Yes, my mate? Go on... Don't hesitate to say what's on your mind."

“Are you sure whatever I say will be okay, Alpha?"

"Of course. Have no fear. You have my support, darling."

A sudden shift transformed Onel's eyes, their warmth replaced with an icy demeanor.

"There is only one thing I want to say right now... Fall in line."

Blue's confusion was evident, his voice trembling. "C-Come again? You want me what? Fall in line?"

"Don't push others around, Alpha Blue. That's bad manners. The Alphas you pushed came before you. If you wish to talk to me, please fall in line."

Blue's face flushed with humiliation as laughter erupted from the crowd. He fought the urge to retaliate, knowing that Jackson's pack outnumbered his own.

Jackson taunted him further, highlighting the irony of their proclaimed bond. “And you tell us both of you are mates?”

Blue wanted nothing more than to unleash his pent-up frustration upon Jackson, but the reality of his outnumbered pack members held him back. The odds were not in his favor, and he couldn't risk further escalation.

Kevin's voice cut through the air, urging Reid to comply with Onel's request. “You heard the omega, Alpha Blue. Fall in line.”

Reluctantly, Blue was about to swallow his pride and join the line when Onel's voice called out to him, rejuvenating his wavering confidence.

“Alpha Blue..."

“Yes, my mate?”

Onel gracefully removed the coat bestowed upon him by another alpha, accepting the one handed to him by his nanny. With a gentle gesture, he offered Blue his discarded coat.

“Kindly take this with you.”

As Blue reached out to retrieve the coat, laughter continued to echo around him. The humiliation he experienced in that moment surpassed anything he had ever endured before. The weight of judgment from his peers pressed heavily upon his shoulders, threatening to crush his spirit.

Onel, however, lifted his chin, refusing to succumb to the ridicule. But deep within his heart, seeing Blue subjected to such mockery caused a pang of sorrow. Onel yearned to comfort him, to wipe away his tears and mend the wounds inflicted by their circumstances. Yet, instead of succumbing to despair, he chose to fortify his determination.

Though Onel's heart ached, he resolved to rewrite the mistakes of his gullible past. Tonight, he would embark on a journey of self-discovery, reclaiming his own agency and shaping his destiny.

With unwavering resolve, Onel declared his intentions to the universe. He had already decided he would rewrite all the things his gullible self did before. And he would start tonight.

As Onel prepared to return to the past, memories of his coming-of-age ceremony flooded his mind. Among all the alphas, the only one he had danced with was Blue.

During that dance, Blue had held Onel possessively, his eyes filled with self-assurance. Sabina had been relegated to the sidelines as Blue's attention remained solely fixed on his beloved alpha. Onel couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions—overjoyed that the man he adored was his mate, yet resentful of Blue's possessiveness.

”Watch me make you swallow your own words, Blue... I will turn you into the man you despise the most.”

The dance concluded, and it was finally Blue's turn to dance with another partner. A mysterious figure, shrouded in a black cloak, emerged.

“May I have this dance?”

Blue's initial reaction was one of contempt, questioning the stranger's presence. "Don't you have eyes? Didn't you see me coming over? Just whose pack do you belong to? I will talk to your alpha. I can't smell your scent—You're most probably a beta trying to win an omega!"

Onel's brows furrowed as he witnessed Blue's dismissive behavior. He had only seen Blue's favorable side, the one aimed at winning Onel's affection and protecting their unborn child. But beneath that façade, he had observed Blue's ruthlessness towards those beneath him.

The mysterious figure—Giovanni, removed his hood, causing a collective flinch from the surrounding wolves. His eyes burned red, matching the intensity of his fur. Despite his smile, an undercurrent of danger simmered beneath the surface.

Every wolf, including Onel, bowed before their king, acknowledging his presence.

Blue, initially taken aback, quickly composed himself and lowered his head. "G-Greetings, alpha king... Please forgive me for what I said. I failed to recognize you. I didn't know you would come. Had we known, the Blood Moon pack would have prepared something for you."

"Don't bother, Alpha Blue. I'm already entertained enough. It was my fault. I didn't see you right away. Don't worry, I would fall in line."

"There is no need for that, your majesty."

"Great. Thank you, Alpha Blue."

Giovanni smirked and turned to face Onel. "May I have this dance?"

Onel glanced up at Giovanni, noticing the king's towering presence. A sweet smile graced Onel's lips, silently provoking Blue's anger. Blue shook his head, subtly indicating for Onel to reject the dance.

However, Onel defied Blue's unspoken command. After all, it was a rare opportunity to dance with the alpha king, a moment to be cherished.

"It'll be my pleasure, your majesty."

Accepting Giovanni outstretched hand, Onel joined him on the dance floor, while the other wolves retreated to their tables, their eyes fixated on the unfolding scene.

Giovanni's firm grasp on Onel waist brought their bodies close together, moving in perfect harmony to the rhythm of the orchestra. As they danced, Onel mind spun with questions, unable to comprehend the unexpected emotions stirring within him.

Why was his heart pounding so fiercely in the presence of Giovanni? Why did his body respond to the king's touch in a way that left him both bewildered and intrigued?

Giovanni's eyes locked with Onel, a profound understanding emanating from his gaze.

"Have you heard the legend about the white and the red wolves?”

"In the book, they're portrayed as two wolves destined to be together, despite the efforts of their packs to keep them apart. Through numerous trials and obstacles, they eventually find their way to a happy ending. But aren't they merely characters in a fairytale for young pups, your majesty?”

"That's what I believed as well until I witnessed your mark and caught your scent."

Onel's confusion deepened, his voice barely above a whisper.

“My mark? What are you saying, your majesty?”

Giovanni leaned in closer, his voice resonating with a mixture of awe and realization. "You see, something extraordinary occurred tonight... While you are undoubtedly Alpha Blue's mate, as I observed, it turns out you are also my mate, Onel."