Chapter 2

ALISHA.

Today. Is. My. Mating. Ceremony 

I still can't believe it. I'd finally be able to leave this hellhole that I call home. Ever since Marina and Jenna found out that Adolph was my mate, their hatred and maltreatment intensified. They'd find fault in everything I do and lash out on me. But I endured it with a smile, today, I'll be joined in union with my mate. 

I whistled excitedly as I pranced under the table, scrubbing the floor for the umpteenth time. It was barely 10 a.m but I've cleaned the entire floor, done the laundry and dishes. Next on the roster was doing Jenna's pedicure. But the spoiled princess was still snoring in bed, giving me ample time to clean the marbled floor again. 

I stood from my crouching position and stretched. Letting out a tired yawn as my eyes swept across the room. Everything looked clean and perfect.

“You're gloating now, huh?” A voice scoffed behind me. I spun on my feet to see who it was. Marina. Her lips curled up in disgust.

I heaved and pursed my lips, clasping my hands over my abdomen. “Good morning, ma'am.”

“The only thing good about this morning is that I'm finally getting rid of you,” she sneered.

I smiled and nodded. “Thank you ma.”

She eyed me for a beat, while I held my breath— anticipating the worst. After what felt like eternity, she finally spoke. “Go and get the manicure kit. My nails are overgrown.”

My eyes fell on her perfectly manicured nails. She obviously doesn't need another manicure, but… okay.

•••••

I sat on the edge of my bed. My fingers drummed anxiously against my thigh as I stared at my phone screen. The time glared back at me: 7:32 p.m. Adolph was supposed to pick me up at six. He wasn’t late—he was never late.

I unlocked my phone again, reading his last message for the hundredth time. "I'm on my way. Can't wait to see your beautiful face." Sent at fifteen minutes before seven. Where was he?

A cold knot twisted in my stomach. Something doesn't feel right. 

An hour passed. I tried calling him but it went straight to voicemail. Okay, now something is actually wrong!

“Maybe he changed his mind,” Jenna’s voice drifted down from upstairs, followed by a mocking laughter. “Can you blame him? An omega like her? Mated to Adolph? Oh, please.”

My chest clenched. I swallowed the lump rising in my throat. No. Adolph wasn’t like them. He saw me and he loves me.

But then… Why wasn’t he here?

I grabbed my shawl and bolted outside, ignoring Marina and Jenna’s jeers as I ran. The mating ceremony was being held at the Pack Hall. Maybe something happened. Maybe he was waiting for me there.

The air was cold and biting against my skin as I hurried down the familiar dirt paths. My heart pounded louder with every step as I approached the pack hall. Then I saw the crowd.

A huge gathering was outside the hall and I could hear murmurs all around. Why were they all here? Why wasn’t anyone inside?

Heads turned when they spotted me, whispers following in my wake as I pushed through the sea of bodies. The atmosphere felt tense with hundreds of eyes shooting daggers at me.

“Move!” I snapped, shoving past a man.

Someone grabbed my arm. “Alisha… wait—”

I yanked free. “Where’s Adolph?!”

No one answered. Just solemn faces and averted gazes. And then I saw it…

A figure on the ground, draped in a white sheet. The cloth was stained in dark patches that looked like ink.

My footsteps faltered. “No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, no, no.”

I stumbled forward, my knees hitting the floor as I reached out a trembling hand toward the white sheet. I peeled it back and my world shattered.

It was Adolph.

His face was pale and blank. His beautiful hazel eyes were closed shut, and on his chest were sword slashes, deep and jagged. Blood matted his once-glossy curls and his lips were parted slightly, as if caught in mid-breath.

A strangled sob escaped my throat. “No… no… Adolph…”

My fingers trembled against the torn fabric of his shirt. My mate. My Adolph. Gone.

“Who… who did this?” I rasped, turning around wildly. “Who killed him?!”

Nobody answered.

I dropped my head against his cold chest, tears pouring down my face and mixing with the blood on his skin.

“You promised,” I whispered. “You promised you’d come for me.”

Suddenly, a piercing voice shattered the silence.

"You caused this!" someone yelled from the crowd.

I turned slowly, blinking through tears. A wiry woman pointed directly at me, her face twisted with disgust. "Your curse killed him! You worthless omega!"

Gasps rippled through the pack and then murmuring voices followed.

"It’s true…"

"She’s cursed…"

"Her bad blood tainted him…"

"We should’ve never let her near him.”

"The Moon Goddess never wanted them together."

Each word felt like a dagger in my wounded chest and I staggered backward, “No… no…” My lips trembled as I shook my head. “No, I didn’t—”

Someone spat at my feet and a small stone flew past my shoulder, landing beside Adolph’s body. I flinched and pressed my hands over my ears. What offense did I commit to deserve this humiliation?

My legs obeyed before my mind did. I pushed through the crowd and ran. Away from the wicked stares, the judgment, the unbearable pain of being blamed for the death of the only man who had ever loved me.

My vision blurred as I ran. My mate was gone. The pack despised me. And even in my father's house, there was no solace.

The cool night air slapped my cheeks as I stumbled toward the road. My hands were shaking as I flagged down a passing taxi.

“Where to, miss?” the driver asked.

I wiped my face roughly. “The nearest bar.”

He hesitated. “You sure? It’s late—”

“Just drive.”

He shrugged and pulled onto the road.

Tonight, I didn’t want to feel. I didn't want to think. Didn’t want to remember his face, his smile, the warmth of his arms.

I just wanted oblivion.

And tonight, I’d drink until I found it.