Chapter 2

Arya Pov

I woke up with swallowed eyes; my tummy chumed with pain as that was their main target of every punch. I pinched myself once more. I thought I was in the land of the dead, not after receiving those beatings from last night. I looked around, and the shadows of darkness encircled my sight. I was laid in my room amid my scattered belongings. Every step I took to lift my body was full of excruciating pain. 

"Ouch." The pain was discomforting. I slowly pushed myself forward, using my hand to move aside my things, as I aimed at the medicine I had melted last night before the chaos. Thank goodness the content was still intact as I emptied the whole thing into my stomach. I laid back and allowed my body to heal. 

The pain went away within a few minutes, and my bones cracked back to their original position. The medicine worked like magic. My stomach churned. I was hungry. I lifted myself off the ground and went to the restroom. I will take care of my room later. After I was done bathing, I looked at my face in the mirror; my eyes were still swollen and burgy. I went about my daily activities as everyone behaved like I wasn't exiting. At least that was better; probably I will have a good day, I thought to myself. After serving Alice and her friends some meals, I heard them talking.

"The mating ceremony is coming," Vivian said, eyeing Alice.

"I know right, you can never have a taste of him," Vivian shoots her a deadly glare boiling in anger.

"It's in two days," Lyra said, holding a bottle of drink close to her mouth.

"I can't wait to be in my prince charming's arms." Alice said she was full of excitement.

"What if he isn't your mate?" Lyra chipped in, and Alice swallowed as her friends awaited her reaction.

"We have been dating for two years now; he can't throw that out in the trash just because he found his mate," Alice said.

"I have seen a scenario where the Alpha accepts his mate while his girlfriend wallows in pain."

"Enough! Alice slammed the table, foaming in anger, and turned her gaze at me with clenched teeth.

"Arya, you have been cleaning this spot for over 10 minutes. I hope you aren't eavesdropping."

I was cut off guard as I hurriedly stood up to escape her riot and mistakenly bumped into someone. The dirty water I held in my hand flashed all over.

"What!" His voice roared all over the room. Then, it seems, the world stopped. 

I was graced by an amazing scent of coffee beans and wet soil, and the handsome dude stood in the middle of the restaurant.

The scent was too close, as I caught the eyes of a man. We looked into each other's eyes for what seemed to be 10 minutes. My wolves wack her tale in excitement. I was drawn to him—a connection I couldn't explain.

"Mate," I said, and my wolf awoke,trying to fight for control as I was mesmerized by the handsome face in front of me.

He stood 6 feet tall, had a strong jawline and piercing gray eyes, and his shirt was half-buttoned as I could see his abs. It was beautifully decorated with tattoos.

I sucked my lower lip. I could feel his reaction as his wolf struggled to come out. He was close to me as he muttered.

"Mate," I whispered, his eyes roaming my body. His eyes were filled with excitement and pity.

I was drawn back to life by Alice, who drew me backwards and gave me a resounding slap.

"What the hell, you spit dirty water on my boyfriend?" she spat in disgust. When she raised her hand to hit me again,.

"That's enough," his voice roared in the room.

"Alpha Damian," one of the customers, called out, causing others to bow their heads.

"Alpha," I muttered in-between, not audible enough for another ear. That was my first time seeing him this close. Wait, I try to complete the puzzle. 

Alpha Damian is my mate. My eyes widened, and I placed one hand on my mouth, a blessing in disguise. 

All attention was directed at the Alpha while I hurriedly took away the remains of the dirty water in the bucket with the mob and disappeared. 

I could hear Alice from the rear end. "Don't mind that good for nothing, idiot," she cursed.

I watched Alice and the Alpha in between the holes that patched the kitchen door. She was cleaning him up with a cloth.

"I'm so sorry, babe; it's an accident," she said, both walking out of the restaurant together with her friends. When I checked, it was all cleared. I creeped out behind the door to clean up the mess I had already done earlier. Lucky for me, Alice didn't come back to torment me once more.

~

The day of the mating ceremony came, and I was happy. I had a smile on my face. Everyone looked at me strangely, asking the same puzzle. 

"Why are you smiling? You dickhead," one of the customers blasted out. Does my weary face give you guys happiness? I thought to myself.

"Does my weary face give you all happiness?" He gasped and retreated. I carried out my activities with a smile on my face. Even Alice felt uncomfortable, but she shrugged it out. 

Everyone talked eagerly about the mating ceremony. The ceremony commenced by 8 p.m. in the evening as I went into my room to get prepared, making sure I was done with my chores. I went through my closet but was met with faded clothes. I picked the best out of them, brushed my hair, and headed out.

"Where to?" Echoed behind my door, my legs came to a halt, and I turned to see Alice standing beside my door.

"Heading for the mating ceremony," I said nonchalantly, amazed at how my heart leaped for joy.

"I see, you thought I didn't see the little drama displayed earlier." I raised my eyebrows. What is she getting at?

"I don't know what you're talking about." 

"Alpha Damian is your mate, you thought I didn't notice." My heart skipped. I froze at the spot where my face dropped, and she stormed out without saying a word. My legs were whooping, and my happy mood changed instantly.

I wondered what Alice had fed him; the alpha is her boyfriend. Do I think he will easily let her go and choose me? I am his mate, and there is every chance for him to choose me. I was beginning to have a double mind that I might be rejected.

I emitted cold feet towards the ceremony; every step was filled with uncertainty as my heart beat accelerated.

As I got closer, I could feel the scent again; it was close. It smells of coffee beans and wet soil. He was searching for me as I stopped in a distance as he searched with his eyes. 

The place was crowded with wolves chatting away, waiting for the event to commence. My nose was filled with appetizing dishes, but his scent was stronger. The smell of coffee beans and wet soil kept me calm.

He found me with his eyes as he came closer to me, his gaze on me. I was calm like a lamp. The look on his face scared me more.

My wolves emitted a wanking tail. I could feel him fighting with his wolves. He looked at me from head to toe and spat. My heart accelerated. I blinked in surprise at his actions.

"Weaklings like you shouldn't even be in my presence," a grin played on his lips. His words pierced like knife stabs, and tears streamed down my cheek. The crowd roared at his speech, some giving out tantrums.

"You're a spineless worm unable to stand up for yourself, a pathetic little pup," he spat out for the second time. 

"What is your name? He rowed harshly. I was head-bent, looking at the floor. Everything suddenly became quiet.

"What is your name?" He demanded his voice be louder than the previous. 

I managed to mumble it out in between sobs.

"Arya Scotler."

"I, Damian Thrones, the alpha of the Ember Moon Pack, reject you, Arya Scotler, as my mate." His gaze was on me, waiting for my reply.

"I accept your rejection." The bond was broken, and I felt a snap sensation. My chest struck my throat; I couldn't breathe. The pain was too much to bear, tears dripping down my cheek like a river wetting the floor.

Alice emerged from the shadows, holding him from behind.

"Hey, you, what are you still doing standing over there?" She said, sliding her lips into Damian as their lips collided together. 

The pain was more; it broke me into pieces. Alice added more fire, showing how much looser I am. 

You're pathetic little pup echoed in my head as I ran off, knacking off bodies that stood in my way as I made my way outside. All I felt was pain—immeasurable pain. My sobs were louder this time. I didn't know where my legs were carrying me, but it was fast, like the clout of the wind.