Chapter:-1

Ashly watched from the balcony of her room as cars rolled in through the gate of the mansion.

Today was the day. She was going to meet up with the person she had been engaged with, an engagement that had been arranged purely for the pack's greater good. Being an Omega, Ashly didn't have much of a choice in the matter. And she couldn't just refuse when her adoptive father, Brandon, who was also the pack leader, asked if she would marry into the Moonlight pack for the sake of the pack's wellness and to put an end to the enmity between their packs. Brandon had always done what was best for her, and the fact he actually asked Ashly permission for marriage made her really happy, as an Omega wasn't given the privilege of raising their disapproval when it came to their spouse and marriage. So, of course, she accepted. She didn't know how her alpha looked or what kind of person he was, but Ashly was already devoting her life to him, like any omega should.

After Ashly had given her approval for the marriage, Brandon had contacted the Moonlight pack Alpha, Jones Branson, who seemed just as thrilled at the prospect of a peaceful marriage between the two packs. Both the leaders seemed very intent on leaving behind the fight between the packs that had been going on for generations now.

Brandon had said, "It's time for a change."

A ritual was conducted the very same day, making a sacrifice to the moon goddess, and Ashly was engaged by the pack elders to Alex Branson, Jones son, who will be taking over as the alpha of the Moonlight Pack once Jones resigns from his reign. She was going to meet her husband-to-be today, and by golly, she was really excited.

"Ashly?", She heard a familiar voice from behind her.

"What is it, Moni?", Ashly turned around to face her sister, who smiled at her.

"Are you ready?", She walked into the room, shutting the door.

"I am,", Ashly answered, looking at herself in the mirror on the opposite wall. She let out a relieved sigh. She felt good in his navy blue-patterned blouse, tucked in, and black pants that hugged her legs all in the right places. Her long hair was upright, and she decided to sprinkle a dash of blue color on it. She still needed to do her eyes, but otherwise, she looked like eye candy.

"Yes, my dear sister, you look like eye candy.", Monika rolled her eyes.

"Did I say that out loud?", Ashly asked, scrunching her nose when Monika nodded.

"I'll do your eyes,", Monika offered, holding her hand out for the Kohl stick. Ashly trusted Monika when it came to makeup, so she didn't hesitate to hand it over to her as she sat on the bed.

"Eyes up,", she instructed, and Monika did the same.

"So, did you catch a glimpse of your mate?", Monika asked slyly. Her eyes widened, as only then did she realize that she forgot to look for her alpha after Monika had come into the room.

"Shit.", Ashly sighed and rushed to the window just in time to catch a group of people walking inside. She knew one of them was her mate, and her face fell; she did not get to see his face.

"You distracted me,", she complained, slumping back on the bed.

"Sorry,", Monika giggled, but when she saw how sad Ashly really looked, her eyes became laced with concern. "Hey, it's fine, Ashly. You'll see him in a while. The moonlight pack's spending the entire evening with us. You can talk with him, even... I'm really sorry."

Ashly closed her eyes. "It's okay, Moni. I don't know why I feel like this.", She said this even as disappointment and dejection threatened to overwhelm her. She composed herself and opened her eyes, looking at her sister with a small smile. She gestured for her to complete the makeup. And she did.

"You look amazing, Ashly.", Monika grinned. "Alex Branson is going to fall head over heels for you."

Ashly blushed as her sister continued to tease her further. She stayed with her for a while, and then Ashly said, "You should go downstairs."

She stood up, pulling her up with her. "Let's both head downstairs."

"Moni, I'm not supposed to, yet. Remember, an Omega is supposed to come only when he or she is called."

"Nonsense. You know Dad isn't like that. No one in the Shadow Pack is so narrow-minded."

"I know that, Monika.", Ashly rolled her eyes. "But we don't know how the Moonlight Pack members are. They could be typical werewolves.", Ashly shuddered when she realized that her own mate could be just a typical alpha. Someone who believed omegas were good for nothing except sex, someone who treated them like a breeding machine Someone who would hit Omegas Ashly closed her eyes, hoping her mate was nothing like that.

"If they are, I have no doubt that your friend would kick their asses for you."

Ashly snorted.

"Come on,", Monika said impatiently, and Ashly let herself be pulled by the girl out of her room, through the hallway, and down the stairs until they reached the hall.

She noticed that it was buzzing with people moving here and there with drinks in their hands. It felt really stuffy, and Ashly was really wishing she had stayed back in her room. She and Monika found their way through the crowded room as she continued to drag her. They eventually spotted their mother, and they walked towards her.

"Hello, my dears,", she said as soon as she spotted them.

Ashly took a moment to look at her mother's attire, and she said, "You look really beautiful, mom."

"So do you, my sweetheart,", Jenny said, smiling happily as she pulled her into a hug.

She pulled back just as Brandon joined them. He pulled Ashly into a side hug and said, "Are you ready, kiddo?"

Ashly took a deep breath and released it, trying not to let her nervousness show, but anyone who could smell her scent would smell how tense she was.

"Yes.", She tried to sound confident. Brandon held her hand out for his wife, who took it. They started walking, and all the other pack members made way for their Alpha and Luna. Monika tugged on her pinky, and they followed their parents. They passed the general banquet hall, where all of the pack members of both packs were dining. They walked down the hallway leading to a more private, secluded dining room, where probably her mate and her family awaited Ashly and her own family. Ashly felt the jitters in her stomach, and Monika realized it as she nuzzled into her arm and said, "You are okay, Ashly. They are going to love you."

Ashly tried to smile back at her sister as her anxiety got the best of her. They took a right turn, and Ashly felt her breath come to a stop as her eyes fell over a family seated on a dining table, one of the really fancier ones in the mansion. They looked royal and intimidating. Ashly gulped as she looked at them.