CHAPTER THREE

~RAELIYA~

I stared at myself in the mirror with a smile as I ran my fingers down the blue gown given to me by Sophia.

I had thought Sophia was going to try and sabotage me by giving me rags to wear but the gown was breathtaking.

I did a little twirl as a giggle escaped my lips. Who knew that clothes were supposed to feel this soft?

I turned back to the mirror and frowned at my face. I couldn't do anything to cover up the dark circles and tiredness on my face.

“At least the dress is beautiful” I murmured to myself.

I heard the sound of jubilation And music coming from the Hall where his birthday party was being thrown so I knew the party had begun.

“It's now or never, Raeliya” I murmured to myself before quickly putting on my shoe and walking out of my room.

With every step I took, my nerves grew worse. Was I making the right choice? Maybe I should have talked to Chase beforehand.

I tried my best not to overthink as I walked towards the venue. Luckily, everyone was busy making sure the party went smoothly so no one saw me and even if some did, they didn't care that much to question me.

I walked into the venue and immediately, my eyes fell on Chase. He was talking with a few of his friends and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

I spotted his mother and her husband not too far away. She was going around greeting people with her husband trailing behind her like a puppy. After the Alpha died, she had immediately remarried but since both sons of the Alpha were alive, her new husband hadn't been made Alpha.

My eyes connected with Sophia and for a minute, I thought she smirked at me.

I ignored it as Chase's best friend, Luke suddenly got on stage to deliver his speech. My eyes stayed glued on Chase who was still unaware of my presence while his presence was all i could feel.

He was all i could see.

Some of his other friends got up on stage to deliver their speech and just as the last person was done delivering his speech, I felt a presence behind me.

“It's now or never, Raeliya. This is going to be your only Chance to let everyone know he's your mate, don't blow it” I heard Sophia murmured behind me before she walked away and I clenched my fist.

My nerves were eating me up but she was right. I needed to do this to help Chase. To help us.

I took shaky steps towards the stage, trying my best not to turn around and discourage myself.

As soon as the last person climbed off, I hastily walked towards the mic and grabbed it. It made a sound that immediately turned everyone's attention towards and for a second, i was frozen.

I slowly turned towards Chase and the dread on his face almost made me drop the mic and run away as fast as I could but Sophia gave me a reassuring thumbs up so i took a deep breath and brought the mic to my lips.

“I… I just wanted to wish… Wish the Alpha son's…. Chase…. My mate a happy birthday and let you know how much i love you” As soon as i said that, the whole hall went silent, even the music was turned off.

My eyed remained on Chase but I couldn't read his expression at all.

“Did she just say mate?”

“That runt is the Alpha son's Mate? What's going on?” Murmurs and whispers began flying around as well as insults being hauled at me.

I ignored them as I dropped the mic, got down from the stage and walked towards Chase. His eyes remained on me as I walked towards him while everyone watched silently.

I stopped right in front of him and flashed him a little smile.

“Happy birthday, Chase” I murmured softly and the look that appeared on his face was one I hadn't expected. His eyes blazed with fury as he dragged his eyes up and down my body.

“Don't you know your place, Runt?” He asked menacingly and I froze as my eyes widened.

“Chase…” I called out as I grabbed onto his arm but he shook me off so hard that I fell to the floor. I gasped slightly before staring up at him.

What was happening?

Everyone immediately began pointing and laughing while my eyes remained on him. It almost felt like I was staring at a different person.

I reached out to grab his leg but he kicked my hand away and I whimpered as he suddenly grabbed my cheek.

“It seems being nice to you gave you some silly ideas. You? Being my mate? You're not even a wolf, how can I possibly be your mate? Let's say you're right, did you really think I'd accept someone like you as my mate? A nobody? Even your own parents didn't want you, what makes you think i would?” He questioned and as soon as those words left his mouth, my heart rippled with pain as i stared at him in shock.

Guilt flashed through his eyes but it was gone in a second.

“Now that we are on the topic. It's time I announce this to everyone…” He uttered then let go of my cheek as he straightened up.

“I, Chase Lennox choose Sophia as my chosen mate and when I become Alpha, she'll be my Luna” He announced and any bit of hope I had was shattered instantly. The tears began flowing down my cheeks before i could stop it.

“Get her out of my sight” I heard Chase ordered but I couldn't even look at him, I couldn't look at anyone. I felt humiliated.

“I'll handle this, baby” Sophia uttered then placed a kiss on his lips before walking towards me. I winced as she grabbed my hair and lifted me off the ground. At this point, I was too weak to fight back.

Everyone watched us in silence, probably wondering what was happening.

“You look good In my dress” She complimented and I bit my lower lip as tears rolled down my cheeks.

“You tricked me” I murmured and she scoffed.

“Tricked you? It's not my fault that you're dumb and can't get over your obsession for my man. What? Did you really think he was going to choose a nobody like you over me?” She sneered and I clenched my fist, digging my nails into my palm painfully.

My eyes darted towards Chase and he immediately turned away, not being able to keep eye contact with me.

“I'm talking to you!” Sophia screeched before landing a slap on my cheek.

I held onto my cheek and instantly felt it bruising up.

“How desperate can you actually be that you stole my dress from the dryer yesterday. I want it off” She uttered and my eyes widened as I turned to her.

“You gave…” Before I could complete my sentence, she grabbed onto the gown and tore it slightly, exposing My torso.

I gasped as I tried hiding myself with my arms.

“What are you doing?!” I screamed and she reached out to tear another piece when Chase's mother spoke up.

“That's enough Sophia. Today is a happy day, let's not waste our time on that nuisance. I'm sure Chase can get you something better” She uttered and immediately, Sophia dropped her hand and smiled.

“Of course mother” She murmured and as soon as she moved away, I felt all eyes on me and the murmurs grew louder.

Many were laughing and some were pointing and in that moment, I really did feel like a fool.

I turned to Chase and could see the guilt on his face but he made no move to approach me or help me out. He let them all humiliate me.

He humiliated me.

My lip quivered as I wrapped my arms tightly around my body before I ran out of there as fast as I could.

I didn't bother turning back knowing fully well no one was coming after me. No one wanted me.

If that was the case then I had to find a way to leave this place. I couldn't keep living like this.

My vision blurred the faster I ran with my torn gown in hand. I didn't care anymore, I was going to reject Chase and move on with my life since he didn't care about me.

Did he ever care?

After a while, my legs couldn't take it anymore and I collapsed to the ground as I cried my eyes out. Memories of Chase and I Flooded my memories and I wondered why I had been born with no wolf.

Why I had been cursed to live this life.

My cries stopped as soon as I heard a loud howl. I paused then glanced around and only then did I notice that I had ventured into the north wing.

My hands shook as I slowly stood up. Those from the east were restricted from coming to the north because of who lived there.

Kaelric Thorne, Chase's Step brother.

I've never seen him eye to eye before but the stories I've heard were enough to make me shiver.

Other than the fact that he has a deadly disease, he was vile and killed without cause. According to Chase, he was a monster and an abomination.

After the Alpha's death, he had Confined himself to the north and no one from the east wing was allowed to visit him. If anyone dared to break that, he killed them.

The thought made me shiver.

My life was bad but I didn't want to die. I knew there was more to life than just sadness.

I glanced around, hoping to see a way out but I was surrounded by trees. Nothing felt familiar.

Another loud howl echoed through the thick forest and I screamed before running towards a cave that wasn't so far away. All I had to do was hide in there and when morning came and I could see better, I would leave.

I walked quietly into the cave, glancing behind me the deeper I got in. I saw an opening up ahead and I walked towards it. The closer I got, the brighter the cave got.

I gasped slightly as I walked out of the cave and it suddenly seemed like I had been transported into another universe.

There were beautiful flowers, butterflies, and fireflies all around. The lake glistened like it had several diamonds in it with the moon illuminated In it. It was beautiful.

As I walked closer to the lake, I suddenly caught sight of a figure and I forgot how to breathe for a second.

Sitting by the lake with his eyes closed was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. I must be hallucinating because I could see several little lights surrounding him.

He had the whitest hair I had ever seen that flowed down to his shoulders. He was shirtless and I could see all the tattoo, line, abs, curve, every fucking thing.

He was breathtaking.

I hadn't realized I had walked close to him till his eyes snapped open and I gasped for air.

His gray eyes stared back at me with no emotion and yet, it felt like he was sucking me in so deep that I could barely breathe.

He glanced down at my hand and only then did I realize my Fingers were close to his face.

First my feet now my hand? It was almost like my body was reacting on its own.

I tried moving back but ended up stumbling on my dress and falling onto the stranger.

My hand fell on his chest and I gasped as something suddenly snapped within me. My eyes connected to his again and this time, evident anger shone in his eyes.

Before I could utter a word, he suddenly grabbed me by the neck and pulled me so close that our noses were almost touching.

“It's either you're stupid or suicidal. Either way, you're not leaving here alive”...