MATE!

ELORA.

"I can't do it! I refuse to marry him!" I yelled, storming into my room, my heart pounding with anger and loathing.

I despised the thought of being joined to someone like Killian. I detested him with every fibre of my being.

"No!" I growled furiously as I collapsed to the ground, rolling and pounding my fists against the unforgiving floor.

My pristine white gown was now stained brown, and tears streamed down my cheeks as frustration consumed me.

Just as I was contemplating ways to escape the situation, the door swung open, revealing Bryce, who froze in surprise at the sight before him.

He was clearly taken aback by the sight of me sprawled on the ground, and I couldn't blame him—I'd be equally surprised if our roles were reversed.

"What's going on, Elora? Why are you lying on the floor?" he inquired, closing the distance between us.

"Isn't it obvious, Bryce? I refuse to marry that evil Alpha! I won't marry Killian!" I declared defiantly, disdain colouring my tone.

"It can't be that bad. I know you hate him, but rolling on the floor won't solve anything. Come on, get up!" he urged, extending a hand to help me rise.

Reluctantly, I allowed him to lift me to my feet, but I remained seated on the bed, staring down at my hands as I fidgeted with them. Happiness seemed out of reach.

"I've heard rumours about Killian too. They say he's done terrible things, even killing his own mate," Bryce revealed, his words causing a shiver to run down my spine.

"He killed his mate?" I exclaimed, my eyebrows shooting up in shock as I awaited his response.

"I'm sure you didn't know! Killian is someone the moon goddess will never bless! Marrying him might bring you nothing but bad luck," he added, his expression grave and determined.

"Then why should I marry someone like him?" I demanded, rising to my feet in frustration.

"There's no way I'll let this marriage happen! I have to do something to stop it!" I declared, placing my hands on my hips as I paced the room, my mind racing with possibilities.

As I mulled over my options, Bryce rose to his feet, drawing my attention away from my thoughts.

"Why don't you make him pay for everything he's done, Elora?" he suggested, causing me to stop in my tracks and focus on him intently.

"What do you mean, Bryce? How could I possibly make him pay?" I questioned, anxiously awaiting his response, hoping for a solution to rid myself of Killian.

Bryce drew closer, enveloping me in a tight embrace, his hand comforting as it rubbed my back soothingly.

"Kill him the moment you're alone with him tonight," he whispered, his words striking me like a thunderbolt, causing my heart to skip a beat.

I recoiled from his embrace, my eyes widening in shock as they remained fixed on him.

"What? I may hate him, Bryce, but... I can't just kill him! I'm not like him!" I stammered, struggling to articulate my thoughts. In truth, Bryce's suggestion filled me with fear and uncertainty.

"Trust me, Elora... it won't hurt at all! Killian needs to be dealt with, and this is the only way!" Bryce insisted, his hand firm on my shoulders as he tried to persuade me.

I pondered his words briefly, but I couldn't bring myself to see any justification for killing Killian.

I believed that justice would come in its own time, perhaps from the moon goddess herself, and not through my hands.

My gaze shifted from the ground to Bryce, who stood before me, then back to the ground again. It was a difficult decision, especially coming from my best friend.

"He's not worth your mercy, Elora! Let him face the consequences!" Bryce urged, his grip on my shoulders tightening as if I were his adversary.

I pulled away from his grasp abruptly, feeling a sense of unease with Bryce for the first time.

After a moment of contemplation, I reached a decision.

"Fine! I've made my decision," I asserted, exhaling deeply.

"Kill him?" Bryce inquired, seeking confirmation of my choice.

"I appreciate your intention to help, Bryce, but I can't bring myself to kill an Alpha. It could endanger the pack," I explained, hoping he would understand my reasoning.

"Then I'll do it for you! Just to assist you and..." he started to say, but I interrupted him, rejecting such a drastic solution.

"No! Don't do anything, Bryce! I'll handle it myself," I pleaded, locking eyes with him to convey the depth of my emotions.

"It's time, Luna Elora," a voice suddenly cut through the tension in the room, prompting me to turn towards the door.

"I'll be right there," I nodded, and the messenger swiftly exited the room.

“I hope you're confident in your decision, Elora,” Bryce uttered before hurrying out of the room and closing the door behind him.

Clutching the necklace my father had given me, I rubbed it for a moment, seeking reassurance that I was making the right choice.

Then, with determination, I walked over to my wardrobe.

I swiftly changed into a black gown, a symbol of mourning.

"I'll marry you, Killian... but I'll never bow down to you. After all, what good is an Alpha without the support of his Luna's pack?" A smirk crossed my lips as I examined my reflection in the mirror.

Once dressed, I made my way to the hall. It was empty except for Killian, Chief Grayson, and Bryce.

Their expressions were a mix of shock and confusion when they saw me in the black gown, though Killian seemed unfazed.

"What wicked schemes are brewing in that little mind of yours, Princess?" he inquired with a half-smile.

"Why? Because of my dress?" I mocked, hoping to incite anger in him.

"It's typically worn at funerals... but black has always been my favourite colour, thanks to the moon goddess!" he remarked, his tone surprisingly jovial.

I had chosen the black gown to provoke him, but instead of anger, he seemed pleased by it. This unexpected reaction caught me off guard.

"Murderer," I muttered under my breath, glaring into his eyes.

He extended his hand toward me, and despite the fury coursing through me, I grasped it tightly. It was time to go through with the ceremony.

"Do you, Alpha Killian, take Elora as your Luna?" Chief Grayson began once more.

"Of course, I do... she's mine!" Killian asserted, causing me to scoff and roll my eyes in disgust.

"Do you, Elora Hale, take Killian as your Alpha?" Chief Grayson asked.

"I do," I declared, preparing to withdraw my hand from his grasp when suddenly, I felt it: the intense surge of emotions stirring within me, something I prayed would never come to reality.

My inner wolf, Kyla, emerged, and I could feel the rage building inside me.

Then, my eyes began to glow brightly, and the next words I heard took me by surprise.

"MATE!"

My eyes widened in disbelief, and my heart raced uncontrollably. At that moment, I quickly pulled my hand away from Killian's grip.

"He can't be my mate, right? This must be some kind of hallucination. Kyla doesn't know what she's feeling... I can't be mated to the Alpha I hate!”