Chapter 4

Anna's POV

Without haste, I packed my bags, years and years of savings dumped inside the same luggage.

It was pitiful, but it was going to be for now.

Leaving now, meant I was likely to be labeled a rogue, but I don't give a damn.

As long as I was out of here, then I'd take it.

Meeting with Yvonne again, it was an hour to the party. Her hair was a mess, her reading glasses hanging dangerously at the edge of her nose bridge, I feared it would fall the next second.

“Get dressed, and attend the party like usual, I'll come get you.” Was what she said, after collecting my bag and heading to goddess knows where.

Now I was standing at the edge of the podium, my heart pounding as I nervously scanned the room.

The coronation was in full procession, but I barely registered it. Not with all the eyes boring at my skin.

I pressed my lips into a line, careful not to make eye contact with anyone or let them smell my fear.

Werewolves were sensitive creatures, with noses blessed by the goddess herself ,they could smell anything from a mile away, even pregnancy.

It made me wonder how no one noticed the change in my scent.

Was I so good at hiding it, or was I too useless, nobody cared?

“I now pronounce you, Alpha and Luna, of the dark claw pack. You may now rise to get your members.” The elder announced, his loud voice carrying an eerie ring to it, that brought shivers down my spine.

I watched Laura and Gunner rise to their feet, waving to the crowd with similar smiles on their faces.

They looked like such happy couples, that it made me a joke all of a sudden.

I lowered my eyes, feeling a pang in my chest.

Being rejected, pregnant and all alone, I wished the world would just end.

Why must I face this betrayal?

I thought the moon goddess blessed you with a mate who was supposed to love and cherish you,so why was my case so different?

A tear threatened to slip past my eyes, but I held it in.

I promised not to shed a tear, and I won't do it.

Looking up, I unexpectedly locked eyes with Matteó, and I stiffened.

The beta watched me with a knowing grin, his eyes flashing a pale yellow.

Fear crawled into my skin, and I hastingly snapped my head away, my heart racing.

Where was Yvonne?

What was taking her so long?

I had been standing here for who knows how long, and I was starting to dread the unknown as the night grew.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the front of the hall, a female's excited shriek drawing everyone's attention.

“He's here! Alpha Mattias is here!”

“What?! Where?!”

“At the front. He's coming in!”

Immediately, the crowd grew crazy. Girls frantically fixed themselves up, and the men tried their best to look impressive.

Hearing the name alpha Mattias sparked a massive buzz, but why wouldn't it?

Even I could not hide the faint excitement that bubbled in my chest.

“Have you heard?” A man whispered, his face red with excitement. “I heard Alpha Mattias single handedly took out all the rogues in the area last month.”

“Really? That's so cool!”

“You think that's cool?” Another interjected with a scoff. “I heard that he took out at the hunters in the region making them his slaves.”

“That's terrifying!” The other exclaimed, his eyes going wide in astonishment. “Is this the power owned by the legendary largest pack in the country?”

Gossips flew into the air, but a particular one caught my attention.

“Did you know Alpha Mattias was only sixteen when he took over the pack? He's so powerful, and now he is only in his mid twenties.” A lady gushed, her excited chatter reaching my ears as she spoke to her friend.

“I also heard he hasn't found his mate.” Her friend commented, her eyes glinting with light. “Imagine a powerful alpha as him not having a mate, he must be sad, but I bet one of us would be lucky to be mates to him.”

“Yeah, I hope so.”

I stood rooted, as different versions of stories about alpha Mattias flew into the air, the said man in question nowhere to be found at the time being.

The name alone is already shaking the masses.

“I guess you are wondering how alpha Mattias could show up at a place like this.” Laura suddenly said, making me wonder when she even got close to me.

I looked over at her, now noticing Gunner and his beta were missing.

Seeing as I didn't answer, she continued, “did you know that alpha Mattias is Gunner's cousin?”

I froze, shock filling me.

I did not know that.

In fact, I barely knew anything about Gunner, but the fact that he didn't bother to tell me this, was a slap to my face.

I took a deep breath in, trying to not get distracted.

I needed to escape tonight, and nothing was going to stop me.

Not Gunner, and not his so-called powerful alpha cousin.

Just then, the screams grew louder, and I winced slightly, covering my ears.

The door was filled with people, their previous haughty expressions gone.

I narrowed my eyes, only for me to freeze as I felt my wolf Ava stir restlessly.

Goosebumps pricked my skin, and my heart thumped louder in my chest, my eyes staying glued to the door.

What was going on?

What's wrong with me, and why does this feel all familiar?

Cut it out! I growled, shaking my head to snap Ava out of it, but instead, she grew frantic.

I staggered, feeling my wolf fight for control.

What's wrong with you Ava? I snapped, placing my weight on the wall behind me.

I took a deep breath hoping to calm myself, but then I smelt it.

I froze, my eyes widening in shock, as the acid scent of spices and cold mint hit my nose.

“Impossible!” I cried, whipping my head up, only to lock eyes with him.

Standing in the sea of bodies, he stood a head taller than everyone, his cold face devoid of emotions, his majestic aura demanding respect— different from Gunner's intimidating ones.

He stood like a tree, his green kiwi eyes resting on me like he knew.

Fuck, not again.

“Mate!” Ava chanted, and I knew I was fucked.