CHAPTER 4

The door to my room is pushed open and Leah saunters in. Her gaze sweeps through the crumpled space and her nose lifts in disgust.

I scan her appearance through the cracked vanity mirror.

When she turns to look at me, she has a smile on her face, one that I wouldn't mistake as friendly.

“ I came to see if you needed anything. After all, today is your special day." Leah says,her smile not dropping. I can hear the mockery and disdain well concealed in her words though but I ignore it.

I am already used to it after all these years.

“ Thanks for your concern but I don't need anything." I reply, straightening my unruly hair.

Leah chuckles from behind me.

“ Don't get me wrong, Alora. I am not concerned about you. I just want to make sure that you don't embarrass our family out there.”

Her words don't faze me anymore. I know for a fact no one cares about me. Their reputation and family name is more important than I could ever be.

“ Don't worry. I will behave myself and not stain the family name." I reply,my voice laced with mockery. That doesn't sit well with Leah who glares at me.

“ Don't stop to think that I don't know you have feelings for my mate, Alora. Let me not see you hovering near him.” Leah warns before strolling out of the room.

***

I take a deep breath and calm my nerves as I approach the hall where the party is already in motion.

I remember my mother's words before I left the house and a bitter smile paints my lips.

“ Don't come back tonight without a man. I don't care how yóu do it. Seduce one if that's what it takes to find a mate. After all, that's what you strive best at."

Those words stabbed me straight into my heart. You would expect a mother to say something nice to her daughter, well,not my mother.

I can't remember the làst time I heard something kind from her.

“ The Lycan king of Alistair is attending the party tonight. I don't know why he is here so you must behave and not create trouble for us." Those were my father's words to me. In other words, I was supposed to do everything to please the said Lycan king ànd probably gain his favor.

I was however not interested in socializing or finding a chosen mate.

I was bidding for my time to make my escape.

To avoid any suspicion, I will be leaving with nothing except the few dollars stashed insíde my bra. Since I don't have a wolf or a distinct scent, it will be easy to escape without being tracked down. That is, if I manage to bypass the patrol warriors stationed at the pack border.

With one last breath, I step insíde the hall. I almost trip on my dress but manage to hold myself back. Stupid heels. My mother forced me to wear them tonight, discarding my comfy doll shoes. I don't know how she expected me to walk in them when I have never worn heels before.

I make sure to take calculated steps. The last thing I want is landing on my butt and doing exactly what I was forbade; embarrassing my parents.

My eyes scan the room. Although tonight was my mate selection party, every unmated female in my pack and the neighbouring packs was invited.

With so many beautiful and outstanding ladies, I doubt anyone would notice me which is a good thing to me. I don't have the energy to engage in little chit chats. I don't even know if I can hold one without embarrassing myself. I hardly attend any social gathering in or outside the pack. My parents don't let me, not like I would love to attend either. Anything to hold my peace and quiet.

I make my way to the makeshift bar at the end of the hall ànd order myself a fruit juice.

“ Hey beautiful?" I am about to sip my juice when a gruff voice sounds too close to me. I take a step away, turning around to acknowledge the person.

I am greeted by a familiar old face leering at me with lustful eyes. I cringe in disgust.

Alpha Leo. He is one of my father's close friends and a fucking asshole. Something about how the man looks at me everytime he visits the pack makes my insides crawl with disgust. What is he even doing here tonight?

Oh,I forgot. The man is now mateless after his last mate died giving birth to his child a year ago.

Rumors say that the man is ruthless and abusive to his mates. I can't count the number of times he has had a new mate over the years.

“ Alpha Leo." I say, trying not to gag in disgust from the smell of alcohol lingering in his body.

“ Why are yóu drinking juice,my dear? It's your night, let's have a drink together." He draws the words,motioning the bartender to pour him a drink.

" No, thanks. I am fine.” I politely decline him but I should have known that the man doesn't understand or stomach being refused.

“ It's not a request,my dear Alora. You are going to drink with me." He says,shoving a glass to me.

I am about to refuse when a familiar voice resounds in my ears.

" What is going on here?”

I turn around and come face to face with Leah who is practically glued on Lucas.

" Miss Leah, your stupid sister here doesn't respect me and won't agree to toast with me.” Alpha Leo whines and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

“ Alora, you should be grateful someone like Alpha Leo is interested in you considering your low rank." Leah sighs dramatically.

I ball my hands into a fist. I turn to look at Lucas who is staring at me quietly.

“ Don't you think, Lucas?" Leah asks, drawing Lucas' attention to her.

Lucas looks away, seemingly not interested to give a reply.

“ Let's do this? Take my drink," Leah says, stuffing the amber coloured drink in my hands.

“ It's not as strong as what Alpha Leo is offering if you are afraid of getting drunk.” Leah adds with a smile.

I narrow my gaze at her suspiciously.

Leah rolls her eyes at me.

“ Do you seriously think I would offer you a spiked drink?" She asks and my insides scream yes. She can do that or even worse.

I catch a glimpse of the time on the wall clock and realize that it's about time I take my chance or I wouldn't be able to leave later.

Against my better judgement, I empty the drink before excusing myself.

I start making my way to the guest quarters where I know few guards will be patrolling at this time.

I don't make it far when my body starts heating up,an uncomfortable feeling creeping from the depths of my stomach.

I take deep breaths and curse when a rather familiar feeling washes over me.

“ No,not again. My heat just ended today." I mumble as I start hastening my steps. My eyes start failing me, dizziness washing through me.

I contemplate turning around and rushing to my room but I Know I won't make it so far without attracting unnecessary attention.

With so many unmated males at the party, there's no saying what will become of me if they come across a female in heat.

I press myself to keep walking until in my dazed state, I crash into something solid.

“ Easy there, little one." The person says with an animalistic growl. On normal days, that would whisper danger to me ànd have me fleeing but not tonight. There's nothing normal about me nor the intoxicating scent that hits my senses,making me moan in delight.

“ Help me. Please help me." Those are the last words I utter consciously.

When I regain my senses, I moan in appreciation from how suddenly soft my mattress is. The next moment, I snap my eyes open and look besides me only to come face to face with the most sea blue eyes I have ever seen.

“ You are awake."  A musky voice registers in my confused mind.

I jerk up only to wince a second later when pain shoots from my lower region.

My eyes widen in surprise when the realization finally kicks in.

“ Last night…” I trail off, unable to form any coherent words.

“ You were drugged." I am not surprised by his reply. Why did I think I could trust Leah to not scheme against me?

“ I'm sorry for causing yóu trouble." I mumble before slowly trying to get out of bed only to be stopped by a grip on my wrist.

“ That's it? That's all you have to say to me?" The man growls, his blue orbs flickering dark.

I nearly jump in fright but hold myself together.

“ What do you want? I don't have anything to offer you ànd…”

" Marry me.” He cuts me off leaving my mouth hanging open.