002

RAYLA

The whole thing with Damien was still very much weird, I couldn't stop thinking about it as I stepped into the training school premises, he still refuses to tell me what all that was about.

He pretty much stormed out after he accused me of being the reason his hands were wounded and I haven't set my eyes on him since then, our parents were worried when he didn't come to the dining hall for dinner.

It was a rule my Step-father basically forced upon us all, meals are important and it will be a family bonding time no members of the family should miss. I cringed at the memory, getting family moments while living in a place like the pack house was difficult.

The castle was huge and home to everyone, there were guest quarters, the Delta wolves quarters for retired council members, as they became the Alpha's responsibility.

Someone bumped into me, causing me to drop my backpack in the process. "Really? The place isn't wide enough for two people to share it?" I muttered rolling my eyes as I bent down to pick my backpack.

"What did you just say?" The person turned around, making me wish I hadn't spoken at all. Beta wolves are the meanest rank ever! Just a few power shots of becoming Alpha which automatically makes them angry and unbearable to be around.

They are the main competition to Alphas, because they are just waiting in the corner, waiting for the Alpha to slip so they can kill them and snatch their title. It's a power dynamic between the two ranks and they are the most respected after Alphas and Lunas.

"It was a slip of tongue." I immediately corrected it.

The girl smirked at me, pushing back her hair. "I thought so too."

"Hey!" Another girl joins her and then looks at me. "Isn't she the Omega chick Brandon is mated to?" They both laugh. "I feel sorry for the poor boy."

I felt my face burn with embarrassment at the mention of Brandon's name. He happens to belong to the Beta ranks and when everyone found out about us, they made it their mission to be extra nasty to us.

I could take the heat but I didn't want them going after Brandon and forcing him to reject me. He was my only home of escaping my family and Damien forever.

"I often wonder why they feel the need to project their insecurities on others." A familiar voice said behind me.

I jumped around at the sound of Brandon's bounce. His light brown hair was disarranged on his head as if he had run his fingers through it multiple times. He was handsome with a not so boyish look which I adore. At times, I find it hard to believe the moon goddess paired me with someone like him.

Omegas are usually paired with other omegas, Gammas or average werewolves. In most cases, some do not get mated because their mates reject them, feeling that they are too beneath them. I was lucky that Brandon doesn't think like that.

"Hi!" I said somewhat shyly, I don't have much experience with boys and we've only kissed a few times.

"Come with me." He held my hand and half-dragged me into one of the empty class-room.

Knowing what was coming, my blush deepened as I waited for him to kiss me but it never came, instead he brushed my hair away from my face. "I have always wanted to be an Alpha, you want me to be an Alpha too right? If I become one, you will be my chosen Luna."

I frowned. "Of course I want that for you." I replied even though I had no idea what he was talking about. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, come to the cafeteria with me." He again pulled me in that direction and I followed. I was still very much confused but I trusted him.

The cafeteria wasn't empty like I expected, it was packed with people who appeared to be waiting, as if something big was about to happen. Like a magnet, my eyes fished out Damien in the crowd, where he stood against the wall.

The light in his dark hair makes him look very different, there was no expression on his face as usual. When Brandon clears his throat, I tear my gaze away from my step-brother and look at my mate. Is he about to claim me in front of everyone? Goddess! That would be so romantic and make so much sense!

"I, Brandon Moonshade, reject Rayla Daremoon as my mate, publicly, privately, and in every sense, make the moon goddess be my witness." There was a huge pause after his statement then people began to laugh around us, like they expected this after all.

Despite the pain chewing at my guts, I refused to believe what I just heard Brandon say, especially when he was staring back at me with pain filled eyes.

"No!" I cried, holding on to his hand. "Brandon, talk to me... Arrrgh!" I cried as touching him felt like being stabbed with a sliver.

"Why?" I cried, ignoring the laughter in the background. I wanted more than an explanation, I wanted him to tell me he didn't mean it, I wanted him to laugh and tell me it was a prank, to fool those around us and claim me right there in front of them.

But I couldn't say anything, I couldn't even think as my body went through an intense shun down from pain and then I felt nothing more. My eyes moved, trailing after Damien as he made his way towards us.

I thought he would punch Brandon, I mean he should. He publicly humiliated me by rejecting me in front of everyone but instead he stopped in front of me, his eyes burning as he looked down at me.

I open my mouth, wanting to tell him to beg Brandon for me but no words escape my lungs, I close my eyes and continue crying. Not once did I think this would happen, especially since Brandon never gave me any signs or worry.

He likes me! He doted on me and made me believe he wanted me more than anything. I look away from Damien to look at Brandon, silently demanding an explanation.

But Damien turned my face away from him, forcing me to look at him instead. To my shock, he lowered his head and kissed me in front of everybody!

I heard the laughter die down immediately, murmuring and audible gasp filled the air. I felt breathless, I couldn't think, not in a painful way but in a way the kiss, his action left me completely speechless.

Still, I couldn't push him away, my body refused to obey my commands until he lifted his head and looked at me, his eyes burning with a sense of determination as if he didn't just do something forbidden, something totally unacceptable.

"What the hell!" I screamed, shoving at his chest.

I glanced over at Brandon to see him glaring at me, he looked betrayed, angry and jealous. I opened my mouth to say something but was cut off by Damien.

"You are mine now, Rayla."

"What is wrong with you? I'm your step-sister!" I cried out.

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TBC