four

It has been days since I arrived in the pack and Ezra had invited his family over for dinner. I couldn't hide in my room anymore, last night I heard from Lydia, my maid that Ezra was in my room but I didn't smell him when I woke up this morning. Whatever that was, I didn't want to look anything out of the ordinary so I asked Lydia to choose anything for me as long as it doesn't show my curves.

I didn't know but I suddenly didn't want to impress him anymore with my looks. " I think this is the one" Lydia stretched the ground-length red dress she took from my wardrobe" No" I shook my head immediately, it looked too tight and revealing. What if I get in trouble with that?

Ezra might suddenly change his mind and decide to mark me who knows? I couldn't risk it.

" Luna, I think I should get you something from the store," she said sincerely but the dinner was one hour time and I couldn't get there late. " did you check properly? There should be something to wear" I said sitting before my dressing mirror with a hand dryer blowing my wet hair. " you have said no to almost all the dress I picked," she said in a low tone.

I could see she was stressed but I couldn't think of a better way to escape Ezra, I needed to avoid capturing his attention.

" help me with my makeup and leave the rest," I said " but Luna, the alpha instructed me to get you ready within an hour" she retaliated. it wasn't something new, I had noticed that all the servants including my personal maid follows whatever Ezra says. " did he also instruct you on what I should wear?" I was getting bored with all his orders, he practically treat me as if I was his property and I hated that more than anything else in the world.

I knew alphas were possessive beasts but I never thought I would be a victim of one besides, I wasn't even his fated mate.

" Get out of my room and only show up when you are ready to obey my words." I was pissed at him, her, everyone even myself.

I felt tears in my eye and I signed immediately she shut the door. I unplugged the dryer and stood up from my chair. It was my first time meeting his family and I couldn't help being nervous .

I placed my hand on my waist looking at the bunch of clothes hanging in my wardrobe. " there isn't much to do" I picked the brush and started brushing my hair after which I pulled out my bathrobe before grabbing the first dress that came into view.

It was a yellow dress, the one I got from dad on my seventeenth birthday. It was short, a knee-level designer off-shouldered dress, one that I was going to keep till my old days. My parents weren't rich as Ezra but they never failed me when it comes to materia stuff.

After putting on light makeup, I couldn't think of anything else. I let down my long black hair and grab my favorite heel boot from the numerous things Ezra had arranged for me.

Even though It was thirty minutes before time, when I got there everyone was seated. It seemed they were waiting for me, I felt a little uncomfortable with the whole table looking my way. " Here she comes" I heard the female voice and I knew she was aware I heard her. " Hey allow me" a male who looked much like Ezra stood up from his chair and pulled one for me as my gaze met with that of Ezra, he growled at him " That is okay if you are jealous" he said in a teasing tone as I sat down in discomfort.

They say the first impression count but I wasn't impressed with his family. They seem disgusted by my present, especially that one. I pointed my gaze at the two she-wolves, the woman who seemed to be in her forties and that, the golden haired female.

Except for the gentle one who pulled the chair for me. " am Danny, his younger brother. nice to meet you Catherine " he kissed the back of my hand with a blooming smile which I returned.

" you almost took the whole night" the golden haired female complained, she looked a little different because I could point out Ezra's siblings and I would certainly not point her.

" you kept us waiting but anyway let's eat" the male at the other end of the table whom I guessed was Ezra's father said and dinner started. About ten servants appeared and began filling our plates as if they knew what everyone liked to eat but when it got to my turn, I didn't like the food that was put on my plate but who was I to complain? I couldn't imagine myself voicing out my dislikes in front of them.

Ezra didn't say anything to me, not like I was expecting him to say something but how rude could it get? Not even a hi!

" So tell us, which pack are you from, and who are your parents? And most of all, " he raised his head to look at me" your family rank" he demanded.

I was secretly praying that this dinner would be over soon. " interesting, an alpha blood?" he said as if he doubt my answer. " bridge pack sounds familiar but...." he shoved a spoon full of soup in his mouth.

I wondered how one could survive among such personalities. I couldn't help but wonder if I really traveled across several packs to get acquainted with these royal Lycans?

Unbelievable!.

" you couldn't find your mate as well?" hearing that statement made me want to throw up. What the hell was that question for?

" you don't have to answered me, he probably doesn't want you" she added and I met her gaze, she was no doubt his mom.

Did she have to be rude and who said he didn't want me?

I recalled his cold attitude and suddenly I felt pain in my chest." Bridge pack is probably something ugly" the golden hair female said disdainfully.

My eyes watered but I didn't allow myself to cry. " your manners are zero, I hope you teach her something beneficial. She isn't qualified to be your Luna yet" Ezra's father said looking at his son as if reprimanding him.

" sorry am late" a brown-haired female joined and all attention went on her. I was too hurt to pay attention to their conversations. It felt as if I wasn't welcome and a strange feeling enveloped me making me feel different from them and indeed I was different.

I wished I was home because this place didn't feel like one to me.

" she is beautiful" I heard the female who just joined say and I glared up. " Hi, am Helen. You can tell the rest" she smiled and that was when I smiled genuinely for the first time since I arrived in the crossroads pack, the Lycan pack.

" I thought I was the only beautiful shifter ever but you are more beautiful than me," she remarked and I grinned awkwardly as everyone turned to look at me in disgust, once again," I thought I was the only one seeing that" Danny teased taking my hand from under the table squeezing it a little.

" Bridge pack is such a nice place, I doubt you remember but I have seen you before because I was at your birthday party. I was curious, I wanted to know the woman my alpha wanted for a mate" she explained cheerfully eyeing Ezra who was only looking at his plate. Helen seemed different from her family members " Ahh, you aren't eating your food?" she noticed from across the table" who served you those?" she frowned as if she knew I didn't like seafood " do you have to go all the way to know her?"

" She is my best friend and sister-in-law, can you mind your words, Sandra?" she rolled her eyes at the golden haired female.

Best friend?

" Don't you have anything better to serve her ?" Helen yelled at the chief maid " it's okay, am not hungry anyway" I murmured and once again it appeared as if I said something wrong with everyone's gaze sitting on me.

" Ezra, did you have to choose such a woman as your Luna?" her eyes never left my face

" Mom?" Helen called, unhappy with the comment made.

" Don't interrupt your mother" Ezra's father scolded" she even chose to wear something else "

" I don't see anything wrong with that" Danny murmured " Of course, you won't see" Sandra said sarcastically. She really seem to have a problem or two with me.

I noticed how she had been looking at Ezra the whole time and I wondered if she was also family or a crush .

" I didn't know fashion could be this difficult to catch up with" how rude could she be?

I was tired of taking her insult, I looked at Ezra for help but he didn't look my way. Couldn't I be myself anymore?

" Excused me" I stood up to leave" You don't leave in the middle of a meal" his mother again and I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I sat back without much choice. And listen to their nonsense!

I kept quiet the whole time without touching my food and no one cared to ask.

Finally dinner was over but unfortunately for me, they were staying and for how long? I didn't know.

For the first time, I decided to take a walk to ease my sorrow. I noticed Ezra was too busy to care about me and I was mad at him, he couldn't even say a word when his parents were saying all those nasty things to me.

I have never felt this sad in my entire life before. I admit, crossroads was huge and luxurious but that didn't make it look any better from bridge pack.

Before I realized it, I was strolling in the dark woods with tears in my eyes. I felt like a stranger back in the dining place before his family. None of them seemed to like me. I have never felt this cheap and stupid before.

' Mate!' Aria jumped in my head and I stopped in my track as I cleaned my face with the back of my hand looking back and forth. I could smell him but his smell wasn't strong in the air" Are you spying on me?" I yelled because I knew he was near" be a man and face me!" I yelled again but in tears.

I couldn't stop it for some reason.

For a while no one appeared, as I was about to move my feet I heard a rattle behind me and when I turned I saw him again for the third time and this time I couldn't hold back as I ran to hug him tight.

I remained to hug him for a while" are you sure you want to do this?" I lifted my gaze, his golden eyes looking at me without hugging me back. Being just this close to him eased my pain, it was as if peace was raining on me" we are mates" I said tears running down from the corner of my eyes, I didn't know why I was crying in front of him.

Wasn't it embarrassing? No, because it didn't feel like one. " Supposed to but you couldn't wait" his words were like a dagger stabbed into my heart.

Was he seriously blaming me? It was a mistake anyone could have committed.