Chapter 2 02- The collision

RAINA

"Hold it higher, slave! Don't drag my gown on the floor!" Trish yelled at me as I limped behind her on our way to the great Hall.

Howlgroove was everything I had ever imagined and even more. The city sparkled in the morning light when we arrived, and in the evening, the Supreme Alpha's magnificent Castle made of pure gold as rumored shone bright in the setting sun.

"Yes, my lady," I whispered, though my arms ached from holding up the heavy train of her black and burgundy gown. The fabric is so rich and thick she looked like royalty in it, but every other she-wolf I had seen from the other clans looked royal too.

My feet burned inside my torn shoe as I put every effort in moving. I noticed everyone who passed by me looked at me strangely, some sniffed trying to place my scent.

The golden walls of the palace reflected everything - the glimmer of torches, the rustle of silks, everything here screamed power.

We reached the towering double doors, carved with wolves howling at a moon of pure crystal. Two guards stood on either side, dressed in the black and gold insignia of the Supreme Pack. They didnt even glance at me, my ragged clothes and tangled white hair gave me off only as a slave.

Luna Fran walked beside her daughter, she wore too much jewelry and makeup which made her look like a drag queen. She looked back at me with a scowl on her face.

Standing by the large double doors of the entrance of the great hall, she turned around

"You will wait outside, half-blood," she said coldly "You are not worthy to enter the presence of the Supreme Alpha, you stink and I wouldn't want your presence to taint the image of our pack."

I bow quickly, hiding my relief. "Yes, Luna."

Her gaze narrows. "Do not wander, do not draw attention to yourself. If anyone asks who you belong to, you say nothing. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Luna."

Trish smirked. "Don't think you'll see anything grand from here, Raina. This place isn't meant for creatures like you."

"Yes my lady," I murmured

"Good." She tossed her hair, the scent of roses choking me. "Now fix my train, and remember, one mistake tonight and Mother will skin you alive."

I watched as they walked into the ballroom, vanishing into a swirl of music and laughter, the large doors close.

I stood there for a moment, clutching the edge of my ragged shawl. I heard faint echoes , laughter, the clinking of glasses and the steady rhythm of music.

After a while the hallway became empty, all the guest had gone inside the hall.

My heart beat wildly against my chest, this was my chance to run away.I glanced around.... empty hallways, guards stationed far at the ends. The corridor stretched before me towards the massive golden gates.

Now, I tell myself. Run. I lift my skirts and take off.

The sound of my feet slapping against marble echoed louder than my heartbeat. My lungs burned but I didnt stop. I run past gilded pillars, through a hall lined with ancient tapestries of wolves and moons.

I could almost see the front gates open to everyone for the night. Beyond them, dark woods stretch out under the stars. If I could just reach them.....

Suddenly I collide with something hard, darkness was thick but it felt like a wall of muscle. The impact threw me backward, and I stumbled crashing to my knees. My palms sting as they scrape against cold stone, my vision blurry.

A growl filled the air, it was loud and menacing

"Who dares?"

My breath hitched, I looked up blinking through the blur in the darkness of the night and see boots. Black leather polished boots. Then a black cloak long, embroidered with silver wolves.

And then faces, one which was most striking I knew instantly I was looking at the supreme Alpha.I had seen his face staring down from billboards and portraits when we arrived Howlgroove.

Zane, the Alpha of Alphas. My heart stopped for a second as I knelt on the hard floor shaking. Behind him stood another man..... his Beta, by the insignia on his clothe , his eyes sharp and cold as steel. He stepped forward instantly.

"Answer the Alpha," he snapped "Who are you, girl?!"

"I ... I.." I stuttered unable to speak.

Zane's gaze locked on me, and something stirred in the air between us. The hallway trembled slightly.

"Speak," he thundered

My lips trembled "R-Raina, my lord," I whisper, lowering my head. "I didn't mean to... I wasn't...." I knew I was done for, he will order my execution; my tragic end.

His beta grabbed my arm, yanking me up from the ground where I was grovelling like a begger. His grip strong like an iron "You dare cross the Supreme Alpha's path and think an apology will save you?"

"Please," I cried , tears streaming down my face

"I didn't know....... I was just....."

"Running," Alpha Zane's deep voice cut me off. His tone calm, but the power in it makes the air vibrate. I couldn't look into eyes. My mind screamed at me to bow, to crawl, to vanish all at the same time.

He steppes closer, his scent hits me; the strong most overpowering wolf scent I had ever smelled... he smelt like wild cedar, smoke, and blood. Suddenly I felt a low growl stir inside me, no, no it couldn't be. My wolf? I have no wolf, I was told the moon goddess bound my wolf at birth never to be awaken. But now, suddenly restless , she stirred inside, though i had never felt her before now, I knew it was her.

"Look at me." Alpha Zane ordered, his beta and bodyguards were all at alert as if waiting for his signal to tear me into shreds.

I shook my head, trembling. "I can't... my Lord"

"Look at me " he repeated, softer this time but I knew it was a command I couldn't disobey, so slowly, I lifted my eyes and our eyes meet, locked in the moment.

And everything stopped , the world tilted, the torches flickered, the ground felt like it's moving. My breath hitched as his pupils dilate, the golden light in his eyes deepened into something dark. his jaw tightened, his nostrils flare slightly. His entire body goes still, his gaze fixed on me.

Then his wolf growled, I feel it, it surged beneath his skin, roaring to the surface.

"MATE."

The word echoed in my head before I realize he never spoke it aloud. My own wolf, non-existent and silent for eighteen years, stirred faintly in response ,...... like a whisper in the back of my mind, faint but undeniable.

No. No, it can't be, not me, not him. Everything was happening so fast my head spinned, my thoughts were chaotic.

Firstly I was supposed to be escaping, secondly I was cursed at birth as a half-blood by the moon goddess never to have my wolf, never to find a mate or become a Luna- much more a Supreme Luna of the ten clans. This isn't fate, it's. a cruel joke being played on the miserable little half-blood.

How ?.. why?... questions gnawed at me. He is the Supreme Alpha, the most powerful werewolf in existence. I am... nothing, so how could this be.

His Beta stiffened beside him, eyes widening.

"My lord?"

Alpha Zane didnt answer, his gaze is locked on me, unreadable, as if the world has narrowed down to this one impossible moment.

My legs feel weak. My vision blurs. I whisper,

"Please, forgive me my Lord, I will go....."

"No," he growled, his voice low but firm "You won't."

He took a step closer to me and I feel the pull from his wolf to mine. something magnetic, ancient and terrifying. It's not just attraction. It's instinct, a bond older than time itself.

He stared down at me as I knelt on the floor, too terrified I glanced back toward the entrance , toward the open gates that had promised freedom just moments ago, far from freedom I knew what lay ahead for me, death, public execution of the half-blood who dared to speak before Alpha Zane, I expected to hear him say it, Kill her, but instead.

"Get up".