Chapter 1 (The Betrayal)

Ella's POV

My fingers gripped the sheet as he thrust deeper into me, sweat dripping from my body and mixing with his. I could feel my toes curling as I bit my lower lips. "Don't stop Brandon... please don't stop," I whispered in his ears, adjusting my left leg on his shoulder. His right hand griped my waist and pulled me closer to him as he increased his pace and the bed shook with our bodies.

Slowly, I opened my eyes to look into those gorgeous blue eyes of his, and for a moment, everything felt so perfect. But then his eyes started darkening, shifting from blue to a deep, glowing red.

I could feel my heart beating faster with excitement.

I felt the slight tension in his body as his muscles tightened beneath my hands. His fingers curled against the mattress beside me, and I could see the tips of his claws beginning to push through.

“Finally…” I murmured to myself softly, with a little smile on my lips.

I closed my eyes and tilted my head slightly, bracing myself for what's coming. This was the moment I had been waiting for, I'm finally getting the mark of the Alpha. Nothing would stop him this time.

But suddenly the warmth vanished.

The weight above me lifted as Brandon pulled away immediately. He stepped back from the bed like something on me had burned him.

My eyes flew open in disappointment.

“No..no…Wh-why are you stopping?” I asked, pushing myself up on my elbows. My voice was filled with confusion as I sat upright, and the sheet slipped slightly as I stared at him. “Why won’t you give me the mark?... you know the mark is a must between two mates.”

He didn’t say a word, he was more focused on himself.

Brandon stood a few steps away, with his chest rising and falling rapidly. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and his claws dug into his palms as if he was trying to force them back. His eyes squeezed shut, he tightened his jaw as he struggled to steady his breathing.

Slowly, and painfully, his body began to relax as he fought to pull himself back into his human form.

"It's been six months of sneaking around with you. You know I could get into trouble if my stepmother finds out."

I drew the sheets to properly cover myself. "The mark is the only proof I have to show that I belong to you... that I am your fated mate, but you wouldn't give it to me."

He took a deep breath now fully changed, he moved closer to me and cupped my face. "I love you so much Ella, and that is why I haven't given you the mark."

"What do you mean?" I asked with my voice sounding irritated. " What greater sign of love is there, than the mark?"

He gently took my hand in his, " I want to give you the mark when you are fully mine, when I have fully claimed you. I want it to be special, not something done when we are still a secret.” He placed a tiny kiss on the back of my right hand. “Listen my love" His blue eyes stared hopelessly into mine. "You are my mate, the one who will be by my side, ruling with me... but I need you to be patient and trust me...I will never disappoint you...I promise.

He gently drew me closer to himself and placed his lips on mine. As his lips locked with mine, nothing else mattered to me, I had everything I could ever dream of in front of me. Since he says I should wait, I will, I know he loves me so much and I already have the evidence of our love growing inside of me. After all, the mating ball is in four days, the day he will openly claim me as his mate in the eyes of everyone and the day I will tell him my special news.

“I have a meeting to attend, so we have to leave,” he said as he stood up to get dressed. “The head maid will show you out as usual,” he continued.”Remember to cover yourself properly as you leave.”

I nodded and smiled as he placed a kiss on my forehead, and walked out. We always met at this secret place where no one even knew existed in the pack. I quickly dressed up, and the head maid quietly escorted out of the building.

*********

Four Days Later

My whole body shivered from excitement as I sat on my chair. My gown had a little tear by the side, but this is the only presentable outfit I have. I use my left hand to cover the tear, but I don't care, my whole life changes today.

Finally, my cruel fate comes to an end.

The music began, and all the maidens stood up to dance. This is the biggest ceremony in our pack. The day the Alpha publicly announces his mate to the world.

Seeing myself here, I can't help but remember my stepmother’s words to me. "You can never amount to anything Ella," she would always say. "You are a useless and cursed child. Nobody will ever love you, nobody wants you, not even your biological mother who abandoned you and ran away."

Well, I can't wait to see the look on her face, when she sees that someone actually loves me... not just anyone, but someone of importance.

The big door to the hall opened, and Alpha Brandon walked in, in his full glory. The most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on. Skin shines like gold, his gaze can easily make any woman wet down there, his dark hair rested perfectly on his shoulder. For a second, I was lost staring, and then my lips curled into a smile. I can't believe he is mine.

Brandon is the most eligible bachelor in the pack. Ever since his father, our previous Alpha, died, he had to come back to the country to take over from him. Every maiden in the pack has their eyes set on him.

But who wouldn't…Just look at him…a man perfectly moulded by the goddess herself.

The priest said a few words, and then the time came for Brandon to take the ring to his fated mate. He smiled as his eyes met mine, and I could barely breathe. My hand was already lifting, ready to accept him. This is perfect, because I have the best news to seal it all up.

But then...he walked past me.

My breath caught as he stopped in front of my sister, and knelt down in front of her holding out the ring. “Mary Adams, daughter of Jonah Adams, Beta of Lightwood pack, and the most beautiful of them all. Do you accept me as your mate?”

Mary's smile spread like fire across her face. She placed her hand in his. “Yes. I, Mary Adams, accept you, son of David Lightwood, and Alpha of the Lightwood pack as my mate.”

The hall erupted in cheers.

“What is happening?” I whispered, the words breaking inside me. My chest tightened, and my vision blurred. “Mary… Brandon… When did...how...? But he told me...he promised me.”

I stood up immediately, unable to control my disappointment, and my chair scraped the floor. “Brandon!” My voice cracked. “My sister? I thought… I thought I was your fated mate. You told me...”

All eyes turned to me, but I didn't care. I am tired of everyone riding me like my existence doesn't matter.

His eyes turned immediately to me, I could see the disgust written all over it. "Who are you?" he asked like he had never seen me in his life.

This had to be some sort of stupid joke, because this was the same man that had me in his bed last week, promising me the world.