8. ARIANA

I was correct when I decided that this was a wrong decision. The moment I stepped into the hall of the pack house, all the eyes were on me. Looking at me like I was some vampire who had been brought into the werewolf world.

“That is Shane.” Lucas' voice brought my attention to the woman with afro hair and pink clothes, with beads and crystals on her neck. She looked like a woman who wanted to start a cult but couldn’t and then became a Occultist.

“Hi.” I spoke meekly, not believing my voice.

“Shane, this is my mate Ariana and –” Before he could finish his words, we heard a snort. 

Sophie. 

She was leaning against the entrance looking at us, no, sneering at me. I rolled my eyes at her, not caring about the people around and sat down on the couch before Shane.

“I am not his mate. I never was and I never will.” I heard a growl but I knew whose it was. Xavier sat beside me and I instantly relaxed into the familiar warmth surrounding me.

“I know dear. I am sorry for what happened to you. You are doing a great thing by helping this pack. Can I see your hand?” She asked. Surprising for her outfits and appearance, she had a soft spoken aura and a kind voice.

“Yeah sure.” I extended my right palm and she held it within hers. She closed her eyes and I looked at Xavier. He looked between us and shrugged lightly. I could see that he was acting strong even though he was scared. I placed my left hand on his thigh and he immediately interlocked our palms.

Shane opened her eyes and looked back at me.

“You shall face a great deal of loss and misery. Your sacrifice for this pack will always be remembered, eternally. But you shall lose a lot. Will you be ready to go ahead?”

I frowned. “What will I lose?” Fear gripped me but I did not let it show.

“Anything.” Her eyes darted to Xavier. “Everything.” I shuddered at her words. What does she mean?

“Then why am I chosen for this sacrifice? Why can’t his mate do it?” I nodded at Lucas and asked her.

“Because she is not worthy of this at all. The moon goddess has personally chosen you to be her messenger for this. It is her wish that you fulfil this prophecy and protect this pack on her behalf.”

“If she has chosen me, or if I am her wish for this, why does she make me suffer?”

“Oh dear. She is testing your strength. She is testing you. She wants you to be capable of taking this responsibility. That is why you are having to face all this and you shall face more.”

“More?” This was Xavier. “What else does she have to go through?”

“I can’t tell that dear. It may alter everything. But honey, once you step into doing this, there shall be no going back.”

“Do you want to believe this woman and all the shit she is spewing? I know that you believe in things like this, but if all she is but a facade to make you suffer, then we would rather leave this place.” Xavier fumed, looking between Shane and Lucas.

“I need some time to think this through.” I stood up and held Xavier's hand. “Show us our residence. I don’t want to stay here any longer.”

“Sure.” Lucas followed us behind as we exited the pack house. 

We walked to the car we came in when another car pulled into the driveway. I looked up to see the owners when my blood ran cold.

My mother and my brother stepped out of the car. 

“Ariana.” Augustus, my brother exclaimed. I just nodded. He excitedly walked towards me and opened his arms, waiting for me to hug him but I just took a step back and fell into Xavier’s embrace.

I didn’t know how my man would always find me and prevent me from falling, but he literally always had my back.

My mother scoffed and I glared at her.

“What now?” I couldn’t help but snap.

“You are married. That too to some human.” She scoffed again. “I thought you could do better.”

“Yeah I could. Now that I am thinking, I wish I had never come here. You sometimes surprise me. Instead of being happy for your daughter, you resent her presence.”

“Be happy for you? I’d rather wish you’d be dead that be seen with a human like that. You bring shame to me and our family and instead of hiding, you act proud of that.”

I stumbled at her words and Xavier quickly balanced me. “Hey, it’s okay.” I nodded absently but I was not okay.

But Lucas did not take this threat easily. He held my mother by her throat and slammed her back on the car.

I gasped and Augustus ran to release her but he didn’t budge.

“Next time you try to disrespect her or try to harm her, I shall personally ensure that you get to live with your husband.”

“Yes alpha. Yes alpha.” She mumbled, trying to fight his grip off. Augustus was no match for him. Lucas dropped my mother and she fell onto the ground holding her neck. It had turned blue with his fingerprints.

“Are you okay?” He tried to reach for my cheek but I turned my head away and Xavier defensively stepped in front.

“I appreciate your concern man, but that doesn’t give you any rights to make advancements on my wife.” His words were strong and firm. Lucas looked between us, his heated gaze lingering on me, more than necessary and he walked away. 

“Jake shall escort you.” He spoke and left. 

Augustus and my mother looked at us. I turned to Augustus and spoke. “I am sorry for your loss.” He nodded knowingly and I sat in the car not sparing them another glance.