Two

ARABELLA. 

My sister, Mia got on stage and then wrapped her hands around Alpha Rhys. He too wrapped his hands around her and they kissed. Everyone cheered for them, noises went on and on. The noises felt like my inside was being blended. 

Hot breath rushed out of me, and my entire body rumbled. I had never felt so many emotions at once in my life until today. Watching them caused anger, turmoil, and apprehension in my entire body. Tears clouded my eyes, and my lips became shaky. I couldn't watch anymore so I turned and ran away while everyone else was celebrating. 

I found myself heading to the deep bushes. My entire thoughts were clouded by the betrayal that I had just faced. Rhys slept with me the other night, he took my first time as a bond between us that he would never leave. Suddenly, he invited my sister on stage beside him as a mate. Without blinking, he kissed her in the crowd. No wonder he hadn't been looking at me with affection like he used to do. 

Now I can only guess that he had gotten what he wanted and then he moved on with my sister. Perhaps he had been playing me while assuring her that all he wanted was to make a fool out of me. A painful hiss fell from my mouth at the realization that they would have laughed behind my back - calling me a fool. 

What is this? 

Why does this hurt very much? 

It hurts like thousands of needles pricking at my heart at the same time. What have I done to deserve this pain? What?! 

I punched the tree I was heading toward hard, and my hands bled from how hard it was. However, I did not care. I continued, punching the hard hedge which tore my skin but the pain was nothing compared to the one I felt in my heart. My legs started to feel wobbly, my body couldn't take the pain resulting in weakness. And the next second I fell to the floor. 

My wolf came forward, lending me her strength. She was just as hurt as I was. With our feelings, I thought that Rhys was really mine but now he is gone. I allowed my wolf to take over, not knowing when I would be ready for this cruel world again. 

ALPHA RHYS. 

"Where is she?” I looked around the town square, especially the spot where she stayed before but she wasn't there. My father and the elders were congratulating me and Mia. Mia was especially happy beside me, she was glad. 

We had found out we were mates and I was more than willing to reject her. However, fate had to happen. Fate stopped me from going on with the plan. As an Alpha, I have duties to the pack and the pack comes first every time. 

“Are you searching for someone?” Mia asked, watching my eyes. The mating ritual was being performed on me and Mia therefore I had to finish it first before thinking of looking for Arabella. 

“No. Stop watching me.” I snapped. The elder placed some incense oil on our forehead to bind us together. They invited my father to bless our union and he did with exaggeration. My legs tapped against the floor impatiently - I wanted them done. 

Soon after, they finished and I stood to leave. The elders were now busy with my father and the rest of the pack went on with the party. Mia however was by my side watching me like her son. 

“Where are you going?” She brushed her hand against me and I felt nothing. All I could think of was getting to Arabella before she did anything drastic. 

“I will be back soon.” I tapped her shoulder before walking away quickly giving her no chance for arguments. There were bushes where she and I would play and talk, she must have gone there. Then I dashed to the forest in my wolf form, following her scent and using her vast hearing to pick up her voice. Indeed, I saw her wolf howling and stomping at the tree before her. Then she howled to the bright moon which sat in its full glory in the sky. 

“Arabella,” I called through the link and she turned to me. Once her wolf turned to me, she groaned - warning me. However, I was Alpha and my wolf would never stand back not even for a woman we love. 

We moved forward and she growled again, warning me to step back. Once we took another step forward, our paw hitting the clearing, Arabella’s wolf leaped for us. She landed on our tummy and we whined and then attacked her unconsciously. 

Without forcing it, we were defensive hence when she came at us, our fang brushed her ears. 

She whimpered and stood down. 

“Shift to your human form!” I commanded, wanting to see Arabella. A part of me felt bad for grazing her skin. It wasn't much but it was there. My command fell heavily on her and she whimpered again before shifting back to Arabella. 

At the same time, I shifted. 

Arabella looked away from me, she turned to the moon with her hands around her body. It was a cold night so I decided to give her my shirt. After wearing my trousers alone, I walked toward her. 

It was a good thing my wolf picked up my clothes on the way here. 

However, Arabella pushed my shirt off her. 

“I don't feel any pain, not after what you did to me tonight.” She uttered softly. Her voice was dry and pale, she had been crying. 

“Please, let me...” 

“I don't want it!” She snapped, her small blue eyes gazed at me angrily. I had never seen my little wolf like that and it hurt my heart. 

“I didn't do it on purpose you know?” I sighed, throwing the shirt to the floor. 

“You were drugged?” She asked, turning to me. 

“No, I have a duty to this pack. I am the Alpha and I cannot fail them. The moment I found out Mia was my mate, I knew I couldn't choose my feelings over my duty to the pack. They need the right Luna selected by the goddess.” I explained hoping she’d understand me. 

However, her eyes receded and more pain settled in them. 

“What about your duty to me? The promise that you made for me under the full moon after taking my first time? You told me you are going to choose me regardless. What about me? What is going to happen to me now?!” She yelled. 

“I have plans for you. You can be my mistress.” I walked closer to her. Her eyes met mine with incredulity. It was as though she didn't hear me. 

“Mistress?” She asked and I nodded with a little smile expecting a positive answer.