***Leila POV****
I could feel all their stares but I didn't raise my head.
It was foolish I know, almost too daring but that was the only way out of this mating ceremony I could think of.
“Raise your head,” Alpha Xander said. His voice firm and uncompromising I raised my head and met his eyes. They were dark and unfathomable. I could not see any emotions in them.
“Repeat yourself” he ordered.
“I caught my fiance cheating on me. I made my father aware of it and yet, my father wants me to go along with the mating ceremony.”
The hair at the back of my neck stood at the instant change in the room's atmosphere. I looked around noticing that I wasn't the only one that was tensed up.
“Carlson, what do you have to say for yourself?”
“Alpha, I'm looking out for my daughter. She has been friends with her fiance for a long time, I do not want her to end a friendship based on a misunderstanding.”
“Are you trying to say that cheating is a misunderstanding?” Alpha Xander asked, he didn't look pleased.
“No Alpha…”
“Then what exactly are you saying?”
“I'm trying to say that she may not be right. Won't it be better for her to talk to her fiance and know what's actually going on than for her to assume and destroy her relationship?”
Seriously?! I'm assuming?
The two generals present looked uncomfortable. Their eyes bounced from Alpha Xander to my father to me.
Their gaze reminded me that I forgot to cover my neck. I glanced at my father, his hands were clenched but there were beads of sweat on his forehead.
He was angry but the fear of Alpha Xander overruled it.
“Carlson, there are marks on your daughter's neck.”
Father swallowed, his gaze darting from left to right, trying to avoid Alpha Xander's penetrating gaze. I've never seen him like this…I don't know how to feel about it.
Fortunately for him, Alpha Xander focused on me.
“Who did that to you?”
Fuck!! I didn't think about this. I glanced at father, he didn't meet my gaze. I couldn't ignore the question.
“They look recent, is the person close by?” Regan, one of Alpha Xander's generals asked.
My gaze briefly went to my father's direction. I couldn't help it.
“Um…I…”
“What did you do Carlson?” Alpha Xander asked, his eyes narrowed.
Fuck, he had followed my gaze. There goes my peaceful night…I resisted a shiver at the fear of what might happen to me at home.
Father lowered his head to the ground, shocking the generals.
“I'm sorry Alpha, I took her punishment too far. I accept any punishment you give me.”
Alpha Xander had killed the last alpha so he could take over. The last alpha was a tyrant and a self centered bastard. Alpha Xander's ruthlessness in battle and he's shrewd mind made the pack to both fear him and respect him.
“There are laws Carlson. No one is forced into a mating they don't want, you will be punished accordingly. As for the marks…” he leaned forward “...I will let it slide this time. There will be no next time.”
It wasn't a question.
*Yes Alpha.”
My wolf finally settled, she had sensed the relief in my heart. I was no longer going to mate with Damien, the plan had worked.
“Take her to the healer Regan.”
“Thank you Alpha. Thank you.” I bowed.
For a moment, his gaze softened as I raised my head.
Regan and I walked in silence. I noticed his frequent questioning look. We weren't close but he always kept an eye on me when he was around. Not even my stepmother could try anything funny when he was around.
“Leila…” he started. A small smile appeared on my face, he was also a little bit impatient.
“...did…did your father really do that? To your neck?”
I nodded, my talk with the Alpha had taken a toll on my throat.
“I may have said some things…” my voice sounded like a croak.
“Stop. Stop talking, let your throat rest.”
I raised a brow and he smiled.
“I know I'm the one that asked. Sorry, I forgot…But, no matter what you said, he shouldn't have done that. It looks like he was planning to kill you.”
I looked down, the ground suddenly became more interesting.
Regan stopped, “What was he thinking?!!”
Huh?... that's true, Damien and Alessia were my only friends but I have people that at least cared that I was alive.
“Some people beg the goddess for children during moon and after moon…” he grabbed my wrist, gently, and dragged me all the way to the healer's place. I couldn't get rid of the smile on my face.
Someone cared and he was angry on my behalf.
“...and some idiot tries to kill the one that he was given…what's even his problem?...did Sonia ban him from her bed?...”
I gasped flustered.
“... that's not even a good reason to do this…Babe?!”
The healer of our pack was Regan's mate. I am her most regular patient because of my poor link with my wolf. I don't have fast regeneration like the others do, my sensory perception was lacking compared to the others and I didn't have their strength. These factors led me to the healer's doorstep every other day.
“Honey? Did your meeting go well?” Marenza asked as she entered the room, drying her hands with a towel.
“It was something” Regan grumbled.
She raised a brow, “what does that mean?”
I moved from behind Regan, stepping into her line of sight.
“Leila? I thought you have finished this week quota?”
Marenza had given me two days a week and a free day for emergency to come to her place. It was her way of ensuring I wasn't too reckless with my body.
“You've used your three days for the week and you know the rule.”
Yeah…if I came back for a fourth day, I have to endure the pain over night.
“This is a big emergency babe…” he gave her a little peck, “...look at her neck.”
“What the fuck?!” She lifted my head to get a good look.
“I can see the fucking fingerprint of the fucker that did this…who is the bastard?”
Marenza never minced her words. She would tell you how bad it was even if your guts were falling out.
“It's Carlson” Regan said.
Marenza looked at her mate in disbelief, he sighed.
“I'm going to cut his hand off!!”
Xander's PovI was shocked to see a carbon copy of Lelia but male. Carlson did not have any son, I was suspicious, thinking he was an imposter, an ally of Antonio's at the event so l was mindful and yes remember, l always knew Leila was my mate since her 18th birthday.Hala calmed me down, “He has the blessing of the goddess.”His calm nature and wise gaze told me there was a whole lot to him than being my mates twin. I could see myself becoming good friends with him and yes we had a little time to talk.“Where's Damien?” I thought l asked to let him in. He wasn't in the house and I didn't trust him.“He's outside. Liam wanted saying something but I asked him to wait so we'll hear what he has to say at once.”I took another gulp of the drink, “Do you trust him?”“Trust is a strong word, I don't want to kill him.”I nodded, “Let him in then.”He took his drink back and finished it.“Alright.”Liam left and returned with Damien.I clenched my fist, keeping the desire to kill him in the
Antonio's Pov The sorcerer who would help me do the ritual paused.“Someone just left the house.”I stared at the door, there was no need to go after the person. There was nothing they could do right now.“Leave them, stopping me is impossible right now. I just need to find that girl.”He nodded, “I'll be on my way. You know how to call me when you find her.” He got up and dusted off invisible dirts from his robes.“You won't stay?” I asked, following him out of the house.“I have other people to attend to in the meantime.”“I understand. As far as you don't delay when I need you then we're good.”He nodded and walked away, murmuring teleportation spells.My mind wondered back to the volana wolf in the forest. There was no records on them because they were said to be extinct, that aside, why didn't she kill me. She had the power to.I sighed, there was no need to think about that now. Once I obtain the powers from Lelia, I can hunt her down. Right now, finding Lelia was priority.I h
Amelia's PovThat bitch!! She just couldn't stop could she?Always present and annoying like a fucking hovering fly.And Damien. How could he? He knew how I felt about her and he was my mate.Mine.Was it her powers that drew all the men to her? Even my fucking father.I watched with disgust and annoyance as he paced, red in the face with anger and barking out orders to find her.“Dad.”“If you don't have any news about Lelia’s whereabout then I suggest you shut your fucking mouth.” he said without sparing me a glance.I'm more pissed than you old man.“We'll need to split up to cover more ground. There's no sign of them around here so I advice we search further into the forest.” I replied, barely keeping my anger in check.Dad stopped his pacing and stared at me strangely.“What?”“I find it strange that your mate ran away with another woman. His ex to be precise.”I gritted my teeth. A punch in his face won't go in my favor. Breath.“Your point?”He walked towards me, his eye cold.
Damien's Povl saw my precious little sister dressed in white beaconing on me to come to her with her face beaming with joy.We were somewhat in a lovely garden, l could see different lovely creatures and the ambience was peaceful. For the first time in a while l was happy. Seeing my sister full of smiles made me elated. l looked around and l was so much loving this place."No going back” I said to myself.I ran to hug my sister but it seemed the closer l got to hugging her, the farther she seemed. Then suddenly l heard her call my name,“Damien! Damien!! Damien!!! you have to go back its not yet time, you have to complete that which you started.” I started crying and wailing.“No! no!! no!!! l don't want to go back, please sister, l love it here already.”This time around l heard another voice that sounded more like thunder,"Son, you have to go back now!” Who could this be? It must the Goddess I said to myself. I was shouting and screaming.“No! no!! no!!!” When l opened my eyes,
Liam's Pov The lady refused to answer me, but instead poised a question at me. “What are you doing here?”“Ma'am, I'd appreciate it if you answer my questions first. What's the Alpha doing here, did you take him captive or something? You have to explain to me, is that why you refused me entry at first?”“Young lad, please leave this room, he had a hard time falling asleep due to the poison in his blood.”“What poison? He was fit before he left to rescue Leila!” so l heard since I was at Alpha Lucian's pack. I unsheathed my sword and walked towards her pointing it at her. I could see the tears in her eyes but I wasn't bothered, I needed her to talk.“Put down your sword, Liam!” I heard a deep voice turning to face where it came from, I saw the Alpha awake sitting up. His back to the wall, I hurriedly rushed to his side.“Alpha! You're awake, why are you here? Did they kidnap you? You need to say something what happened.” I asked not letting him breathe, I needed him to assure me they
Damien's PovI walked back into the castle after watching Liam leave, directing him out of the castle was the best thing I could do to help him. I couldn't believe that Amelia and Antonio would want to work against me.“Where are you coming from? It's not your duty today, so why are you coming from that way?” Amelia asked stopping me.“I'm not coming from there, I was talking with some of the guards and I decided to follow the shortcut to come back. And why are you questioning me, what are you even doing here?” I asked her my voice harsh.“My father asked to see you, there's a new plan on board and I'm coming from feeding Leila her meal. Let's go?”I nodded and walked besides her to her father's office. If Antonio had another plan, then maybe I was involved in getting the Alpha position. “Amelia, am I still going to get the Alpha position like I was promised before joining you and your father. You owe me, and if this plan backfires. I'll step out.”“Why are you directing your anger t