Chapter 5: Cruel Fate

It had been a while since Adriana was outside, and the crisp, cool night air that brushed her skin put a smile on her face. Pretty soon she would never have to spend another day locked up in a mossy, dank-smelling basement. Maybe she was also smiling because Lucien had said she was beautiful, though perhaps he was just being kind.

She had to admit that Alpha Rowan's quick dismissal of his comment stung a little, though what else did she expect?

Maybe it was the thrill of knowing this was her last night here or the fact that she was finally out in the open air, but this was very unlike her. Since when did she care what people said of her? 

She was so used to being demeaned and insulted that she had grown very thick skin. It shouldn't matter to her what Alpha Rowan thought of her. 

After she hid the pack behind some rose bushes, covering it with dirty clothes in case someone happened to look there for whatever reason, she headed towards the event center where the ball was taking place. Golden lanterns lit up the paths in the village, and their dancing light made it look like the trees' shadows were dancing to the tune of the music. 

Now all Adriana had to do was make sure Luna Marie saw her so no one would come looking for her until it was too late. 

The Moon Goddess Ball was in full swing when she got to the event center; a modern, upbeat tune was playing in the dimly lit space. 

Other than a few curious glances from the people from Black Moon pack, no one paid her any attention. She thought someone from another pack attempted to stop her as she went to the food table, but she pretended not to hear. 

There was still a lot left, so she decided to find Luna Marie. All she had to do was wave to her from afar and she'd fulfill the last order anyone from the Turnbull family will have given her. 

She grabbed a fruitcake from the table when she felt goosebumps as if a current of cold air had swept into the room. In a few seconds, she was shivering. Turning to see what could have possibly caused that, she was surprised to see no one noticed it. Hopefully, it wasn't just her about to catch a cold from being in the basement so long. 

As if drawn in by an invisible magnet, her eyes found Alpha Rowan standing in a corner on the opposite end of the event center. Rhonda was excitedly talking to him while he just stared at the dancing floor in silence, looking rather bored. 

Then Rhonda tugged at his arm, clearly wanting him to dance with her, but he politely shook his head, giving Rhonda a curt and brief smile.

Adriana sighed. Why was the Moon Goddess so cruel? Adriana had never really wanted anything in life other than to leave the Turnbulls, and just as she was getting ready to leave them, She put this man in her path.

"Adriana?" It was Luna Marie, gently grabbing her elbow. She quickly swallowed what was left of the fruitcake, almost choking on it.

"Hello, Luna Marie," she said, slightly bowing her head. 

"I'm glad they allowed you to come. Tell me something. How long have you worked for the Turnbulls?" Luna Marie was practically yelling over the music. 

Adriana's eyes widened. Luna Mona had told her not to speak with Luna Marie, but she couldn't leave the woman hanging. 

"I've been with them my whole life," Adriana said truthfully. 

"Do they pay you?" 

What kind of question was that?

"No..."

Luna Marie squinted and came closer to Adriana, so Adriana shook her head.

Luna Marie opened her mouth to speak but Luna Mona appeared, separating her from Adriana.

"Oh! Luna Marie! I've been searching everywhere for you. Darien has prepared a private dining room area for all the alphas and their families. Would you like to join us?"

"I was speaking with Adriana." Luna Marie gave her a cold smile. "I was just asking her how long she's been working for your family."

Luna Mona stiffened. "Well, it seems like forever. Doesn't it, Adriana?"

"Yes, ma'am." Adriana tried not to look at Luna Marie. "I... really should go check on Rhonda. It was nice talking to you, Luna Marie."

After snatching a paper plate and filling it with sandwiches, tiny cakes, and slices of ham and cheese, Adriana headed towards the exit. 

If anyone asked, she was taking these back to the house per Rhonda's instructions. Now all she had to do was grab her pack and run. Run as fast as she could, following the path that led from the village to the other side of the hill. 

She'd heard from Alpha Darien a few days ago that the patrolling guards would all be stationed near the event center, so it was unlikely she'd be seen. Besides, she'd heard stories of would-be fated matches that once they found each other, liked to go to more private spots to talk... or do other things. 

At that thought, Alpha Rowan's face filled her mind, and Adriana's cheeks reddened. She couldn't think about him, or she'd never find the courage to leave. When she finally made it to the entrance and looked around to see if Rhonda or anyone from the house was around, someone gently placed their hand on her shoulder. 

She smelled him before he even spoke.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" Alpha Rowan stepped in front of her, giving the paper plate in her hands a quick, confused glance. "How long has it been since you've eaten?"

"I'm... taking some back for the other servants at the house," Adriana lied. "Maybe I can come back later?"

"Aren't the servants all here, too?" Alpha Rowan said. 

There'd be no later, though Adriana desperately wished there would be. Alpha Rowan's reddish hair shone in the glow of the lamps, and his eyes looked even brighter in the dim light. 

And he looked... troubled. 

Contrary to the more confident and carefree way he had carried himself when Adriana had first seen him in the afternoon, he now seemed to be worried or anxious. What wouldn't she give to be in his arms, caressing his head and helping him sort out whatever was troubling him. 

To Adriana's horror, he leaned in closer to her.

"I know you know," he whispered into her ear.

She was going to ignore what he just said. Even if it was true that he was her fated match, she knew he'd reject her. He'd already done so, even if he didn’t say it explicitly. 

She'd heard stories about people getting so heartbroken about being rejected that it took them months to ever smile again, and she couldn't deal with that at the moment. Not when it was the perfect night to carry out the plan she'd been hatching for months. 

"I really want to talk to you about... that." Alpha Rowan didn't move away from her as he waited for her to respond. 

Now people were definitely staring at the two of them. She spotted Linda, the more vicious of Rhonda's friends looking in her direction with a scowl. 

"I really have to go," Adriana pleaded with him. 

"If you're scared about Rhonda, I've already told her the truth. I don't think she'll be trying to speak to me again tonight."

"What?!" Adriana said, her eyes widening. 

"I told her that I found my fated match, and it wasn't her."

"Alpha Rowan, I really don't want to get into trouble. I think Luna Mona invited all the Alphas to a private dining room next to the event center. Maybe you should go there," Adriana said, her heart skipping a beat. 

"Please," Alpha Rowan said, grabbing her free hand. "We can talk on the way to the house if you really need to go there." 

He then gently pulled her away from the event center, down the path to the house. 

His hand in hers was as if summer itself had touched her. She felt the warmth of his skin traveling through her body like an electric current. 

And he felt... safe. He felt familiar, and he felt like he was all the good things in the world. Everything she had ever been deprived of. 

This really couldn't be happening to her. She'd found everything she was looking for in the one person she could never be with, on the day she'd set out to find that very same thing somewhere else. 

People stared at them as they left the event center. Once the house came into view, he unceremoniously dropped her hand. Then he glanced behind him, probably to make sure Adriana was still walking behind him.

Adriana stared at his strong back until he abruptly stopped, and she almost slammed into him.

"I... know you've felt it, too. I can see the way you tense up when you see me." He spoke to her without even facing her. "And I need you to know how sorry I am..."