Chapter 3: Strange Voice

"How dare you touch her with your filthy paws!" As he stared at me, Alpha Derrick's rage appeared to be erupting. He was apparently the one who had just hit me across the face. 

I simply stood there, staring at him foolishly. I had no idea what to do or say. Whatever I say to him now, he is almost certain to side with Mona in this circumstance. 

Even though I had never harmed Mona, I was disappointed to see everyone siding with her. Nobody wants to hear my side of the story. 

"Seize her!" Alpha Derrick commands, and two of his minions grab my arms quickly. I did not attempt to drag with them. I submit without resistance. 

"Let her go!" My father entered the room and demanded my release. The two men initially resisted releasing me, but as soon as Alpha Derrick signaled them with his eyes, they swiftly discharged their grip on my arms and shoved me away. 

I was deep breathing and fighting back tears that were flowing down my cheeks. I rose slowly from the floor and made my way over to my father's side. My current tragedy is so terrible that I am unable to speak a single word. I believe that the prudent course of action is to remain silent. 

"This is a family concern, and we would resolve it amicably. I apologize profusely for any inconvenience this may have caused you in any way." My father pleaded with Alpha Derrick, and the latter simply lowered his head slightly in acknowledgement of my father's apologies. 

"Now that the celebration is over, you may all exit!" My father announced, and the entire hall began filing out one by one. Alpha Derrick strolled over to Mona once everyone had departed. He lovingly kissed her on the forehead and whispered into her ear. 

Mona has the appearance of a Hollywood celebrity. Her long, thick, wavy blonde hair cascades gently to her shoulders and surrounds her diamond-shaped face. She has beautiful, clear skin and high cheekbones. 

Mona's slightly arched chestnut brown brows, which rise and fall in response to what Alpha Derrick has just murmured in her ear, serve to underline her zeal. Her stunning blue eyes are the color of a stormy lake. 

Furthermore, her bent nose lends her a youthful aspect, which causes everyone to grin when she speaks. Her tiny mouth is complemented by swollen lips, which she frequently highlights with glossy pink lipstick. 

When she smiles, which she frequently does, her perfectly formed and well-spaced white teeth illuminate her entire face. You can certainly see why Alpha Derrick is completely smitten with Mona. 

I needed only to be there, to witness Alpha Derrick and Mona, profess their love for one another. They both chuckle, and he promptly turns to exit the hall, followed by his men. 

I felt a little nervous on the inside as I realized what had just occurred. The agony, which had been subsiding, burst forth in rivers. I felt as though I should be the recipient of Alpha Derrick's adoration, but Mona ripped him away from me. 

My hair, on the other hand, is Moon shadow black. It cascaded down my back and over my shoulders as I shifted my sight away from Mona. My waist is slim, and my skin tone is a golden tan. My arched brows framed my sweeping eyelashes. 

I inherited my mother's constellation-brown eyes and beautiful heart-shaped lips. According to what I've heard, I'm identical to my mother in every way except for my cowardice. Mona possesses both her mother's features and Luna Catherine's cruel heart. 

My father turned to confront Mona and Luna Catherine as soon as Alpha Derrick left, his eyes overflowing with wrath. "We need to speak immediately!" He turned and walked out of the hall, his voice harsh... 

I was left with two adversaries, both of whom were staring me down with a vicious gaze. I hurriedly bent my head when my gaze met Luna Catherine's. Even if I desired to fight back, I am incapable of doing it. She is our pack's Luna, and I must recognize and honor that. 

Additionally, I would lose my membership in the Moonstone pack in three days and be demoted to the rank of a slave to Alpha Derrick. 

"Let's go, Mom!" Mona muttered as she brushed past my shoulder with intent. Luna Catherine was aware of Mona's actions but faked ignorance as she escorted her daughter out of the hall. 

How I wish my mother was still alive. I'm confident that I will have no problems by this time. This witch and her nasty daughter will have no place in our lives. 

"Wasn't I the one who warned you about Mona?" Hannah's words jolted me awake and compelled me to turn to face her. She was standing close to Louis, her mate. 

Both of them were childhood friends of mine, and we are roughly the same age. We three attended the same high school and college. We had no idea Hannah and Louis would become mates until we reached eighteen. 

They were often squabbling back then, and I was frequently called upon to mediate. They are meant to be together, even if they are unaware. 

Not only that, but they didn't know they were soulmates until the day following our first shift. I was thrilled because, while I usually joke about it with them, none of them seemed to take my statements seriously. But finally, they are reunited. 

"Hannah, ease up… You should be relieving her distress now, not adding to it!" Louis locked his gaze on her with a ferocious look. 

"Louis, I believe I will no longer have to sugarcoat anything I say to her! Kimberly had been warned about her evil stepsister, but she disregarded my warnings!" 

Hannah is, in fact, correct! She has typically advised me not to let down my guard in the sight of Mona, but I have never heeded her warnings. I figured she was simply casting a terrible light on Mona, as the two had never been friends. Hannah knew more about my step-sister than I did, something I was unaware of. 

I recall vividly the night I informed them of Alpha Derrick's interest in me. But Hannah confronted Mona about her disappointment with my wonderful news. Hannah, on the other hand, I believed to be derisory, So, I intervened. 

I never considered the possibility that the person closest to my heart may betray me for a man. It is quite improbable that anyone will hold me accountable. Mona showed me a lot of love and care during our bond, and I never saw the evil in her at any moment. 

Almost always, she supports me against her mother. As a result, I have the greatest faith in her abilities. Even though I am three years her senior, Mona treated me as if I were her child. As a result, witnessing her violate the trust I had placed in her tonight, was hard for me. 

"I'm curious whether you intend to say anything, Kimberly?" Hannah inquired as she got closer to where I was standing. 

"I'm at a loss for words. I have been rejected by an Alpha. As a result, I need to address the ramifications of my action." I gently breathed while looking into her eyes. 

"Does this problem have no feasible solutions?" Louis strode over to us and inquired. 

"There are none," I responded calmly. "All that remains is for me to accept whatever destiny has in store for me." 

"However, it appears as though you are capable of retaliating against your attacker. Raise public awareness of Mona's immorality." Hannah sounded even more agitated while grasping my hands. 

"Who would be interested in listening to me right now?" Everyone believes Mona more than I do as we are conversing. If I say anything negative about her, I will come to seem like a vindictive individual." 

"I'm speechless that this is happening to you… I'm at a loss for words… There are so many events occurring that I wish we could halt them. I'm sorry we can't do anything to help," Louis mumbled, his face contorted. 

"I believe that if we set our minds to it, we can win this battle. Hannah whined, "I am certain of it." 

"Do not be concerned, guys. Nothing is required of you. With time, my confidence in my ability to recuperate rises." I promise them, attempting to maintain a grin on my face. 

Hannah immediately embraced me, her eyes welling up with tears. On the other hand, Louis merely patted me on the back. 

"You and your companion must quit the premises immediately. We are no longer allowed to be seen together." Hannah remained in my clutches when I informed them. 

"No, Kimberly, I still want to spend some time with you." Hannah was adamant that she would not abandon me. 

"You can not remain with me, Hannah… Charges of treason would be brought against you, and I do not want the matter to reach that stage. Maintain a vigilant ear and make your way out of here. You can be certain that I will be well." 

"I believe we should exit here, Hannah. Kimberly wants to think and act alone." Louis clutches her wrist and drags her down the corridor. She continued to wave at me as they walked away until they were no longer visible. At this point, I'm completely alone in the hall. 

My only aim currently is to go as far away from this location as possible. That, however, is not possible. Wherever I went, Alpha Derrick would find me. For me, the city has devolved into a dangerous place. 

I kept thinking of various methods to get myself out of this situation, but nothing came to mind. I like to address my fate to prevent making rash judgments. 

"What's that?" I wondered as I strode over to the alcoholic beverages stocked in the hallway. My engagement photos were supposed to be taken tonight, but due to unanticipated circumstances, everything has shifted.

I knelt and used one of my hands to pick up a bottle of wine from the floor. Due to my abstinence from alcoholic beverages, I have no idea what I chose or the amount of alcohol in the drink. 

Simply put, I need to clear my mind, and this is the most effective way to do so. I exit the hall after retrieving the bottle of wine. 

When I got outside, I realized why everywhere was so quiet. When my engagement did not proceed as anticipated, all of my friends and relatives returned to their destinations. 

Anyone familiar with my father is cautious of running into him due to his rage. Each of our groups is aware of his affection for me. Other packs are aware of my father's frequent expressions of devotion for me. 

So, everyone would prefer to avoid the wrath of an Alpha, whose cherished daughter has recently been spurned. As a result, they all fled the pack as swiftly as possible. 

Rather than enter the house, I proceeded to the basement of the pack house, which was located at the rear of the building. I am the only one who is aware of such a basement existence. 

I found the basement when I was on the search for something to cheer me up whenever Luna Catherine chastised me. My go-to escape tactic was to dash to the basement and hide for hours before returning to the house. 

When Mona attained maturity, I ceased going to the cellar. I considered not stopping by as a result of her continual presence around me whenever her mother scolded me. 

This evening, the story is rather different. The reality is that I am alone. As a result, I'm forced to go to the basement and drink myself into a coma until I pass out. 

I came to a complete halt as soon as I entered the basement's secret entrance. I have the unmistakable sensation that I am being observed. 

"Would it be all right if I join you for a drink from the glass you're holding?" A sharp voice whispered from behind me. 

Then I turned to see who it was, as the voice sounded to my ears like a nice, melodious tune…