Chapter 4 Four

ELISE

With the speed of light, I ran away from him. Why was it him? Couldn't my damn feet carry me to someone else? Someone less...and definitely not him. I scoffed inwardly, knowing the moon goddess must be basking in her perfect plan.

The rustling wind and the Pack's light came into view. I took sneaky steps through the back exit of the house that led to the kitchen. It was still open. I guess my family doesn't even know I was out all night.

It was a good thing, even if it hurt to be treated differently.

I locked the kitchen door before tiptoeing to my room. If not for what my father promised my mother on her dying bed, I bet my father would have thrown me out of this room. Then the event of the night flipped through my mind.

Feeling the mate bond each time.

" How could I have a second chance mate even without my wolf? The first was just a stroke of luck from the moon goddess. Would she be truly nice again?" I asked no one in particular.

The strange woman's words rang through my mind again. Was I really going to get my wolf? And why was I keeping it a secret?

Earlier, that strange woman called me by that name, Alia. She always called me that in all my dreams. Sometimes, I feel there was something more to the reason I didn't have a wolf.

Sighing, I decided to let go of those wishful thoughts. If truly I was going to have a wolf, wouldn't it have come at the right time?

" I guess all of these are likely my imagination."

I tossed all night, until the early hours of the morning when sleep finally invaded me. The thought of facing that man in the morning was slowly eating me up.

It was something I couldn't avoid.

***

With a jerk, I woke up, realising it was almost time for the new Alpha's welcoming ceremony. It was deemed as an offence if a pack member missed it. With the speed of light, I took a quick shower before sprinting to the pack hall.

I ran through the forest, my feet heavy with the weight of last night's events. Due to my inability to not get a wolf, it took longer and tiresome before getting to the Pack hall.

The pack ceremony to welcome our new Alpha was also to install his Beta, Jason, my ex-mate. I hadn't been able to shake off the feeling of unease that lingered after Jason's rejection.

As I approached the gathering, the sound of murmured conversations and rustling leaves filled the air. I scanned the crowd, spotting Jason standing beside a tall, imposing figure.

Those hazel eyes filled with brutality and something else.

I took a deep breath and made my way through the crowd, trying to go unnoticed. The ceremony was almost halfway through and I caught a glimpse of Lilith's giggling when Jason was installed. My father was looking at her proudly.

Bunch of betrayers, I cursed.

Those two were the least of my problems. I still needed to confront my fears as I swallowed hard, my eyes refusing to look towards those hazel eyes again.

But it seemed fate had other plans.

As the new Alpha stepped forward to greet the pack, his gaze swept across the gathering, locking onto me with a piercing yet warm gaze that made my skin prickle.

" Welcome, pack members," he said, his deep voice carrying across the clearing. "I am honored to stand before you today as your new Alpha. I promise to lead our pack with strength, wisdom, and fairness."

The pack erupted into applause, but I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on those eyes. There was something about him that commanded attention, a presence that drew me in despite myself.

As the applause died down, the Alpha's gaze never left mine too.

"And I would like to take this opportunity to announce something special," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "As many of you know, a Luna is a vital part of our pack's hierarchy. However, I won't tolerate anyone who would rely on dubious tactics to get the position"

With a pause and his gaze firmly placed on my face, he continued. " Something happened last night. I am searching for a woman-"

My heart skipped a beat as the Alpha's words hung in the air. Did he think I planned last night? I shut my eyes tightly, wishing the Alpha not to mention my name.

" Please, don't recognize me. I would be buried alive by the pack members if they find out I was with you last night-" I fervently prayed in my mind.

The hall was silent, waiting for the Alpha to continue. My heart continuously raced, afraid of his next words.

" I am searching for a woman without those dubious characters to make my Luna," he concluded, smiling.

The Alpha's eyes seemed to bore into my soul as he continued, "She may not have the strength or speed of our pack members, but she has something that makes her special."

The pack's murmurs grew louder, their faces a mix of confusion. I felt my face heat up with embarrassment and humiliation. What was the Alpha thinking?

And then, in a voice that sent shivers down my spine, he said, "My Luna, please come forward."

I looked around to see the person, yet all the gazes were fixed on me. Was he talking about me?

I hesitated, unsure of what to do. The Alpha's words were met with gasps and whispers from the pack. Jason's face was a picture of shock and something I can't point out.

The Alpha's smile grew wider as he took a step forward, his eyes never leaving mine.

"My Luna, you've kept me waiting. Come claim your rightful place beside me."

I felt like I'd been thrown into a whirlwind, my world spinning out of control. As I stood there, frozen in shock, his eyes were filled with warmth.

The monstrous Alpha feared by all was smiling at me, a rejected weakling?

I sighed.

This was definitely another hallucination. And I was right as a familiar scent and body pushed me out of the way, my back aching yet from another anticipated fall.