ESMERALDA’S POV.
I thought seeing Anthony with that woman in his arm could somehow be a misunderstanding of some sort, perhaps, there has to be.
However, the words that escaped his lips chased away anything related to that thought.
“Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Claire,” He paused, as the place quietened down, wanting to hear what it is he would say exactly. His next words hung thickly in the air, “She would be,” he looked down at her, his lips slanted into a warm smile. “My Luna.”
I felt my heart drop to the pit of my stomach, my toes curling as I felt breathing become such a difficult task. That sentence, I feel as though it ripped my heart right out of my chest with it.
Silence ensued, thick with tension and wariness, as if they all shared the same sentiment as I. However, the one that found the strength to break the silence was Anthony’s father, “Anthony, what is this nonsense you are spewing?” His tone was anything but calm, the fury behind it impossible to miss.
Anthony’s mother, usually the calm one that calms her mate whenever something happens placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to get him to do just that. However, even she judging from the look on her face seemed to be having a difficult time digesting the news.
Anthony’s father ignored her advances, then scolded, “You are betrothed to the Beta’s daughter, Esmeralda,” His fury was impossible to miss, “How can you break that promise?!” He pointed an accusing finger in his son’s direction.
Anthony looked away from his father, unable to hold his gaze even though his stance remained resolute. It does not seem as though he is willing to falter in the slightest bit.
“But, Anthony,” His mother started, as she threw a look of worry in the direction of the woman in his arms, Claire. “She is human.” She is normally not one to judge, she needed to point that out.
Humans are naturally weaker than we are, way weaker. This lady, she does not have a wolf, we can all tell. She has the scent of a human, and obviously is one. A lone human in a pack of wolves is a dangerous thing, especially not she is not particularly welcomed.
Somehow, my father whom was shocked by the news as well managed to find his voice, as he stepped in to speak. “A human woman is not fit for our pack, Alpha.” When Anthony threw him a look, he added, though his tone remained firm as well. “I am not saying this because Esmeralda is my daughter, but, please consider it.”
I know some might think my father simply said that to be fair, and out of his loyalty to his Alpha and the pack but he is merely being honest, unfortunately. He does not care about me, nor how I would feel about this. No. I have always known they have always preferred my brother, Cole to me. They only wanted me to marry the Alpha so they can have more influence.
That is all I man to them. A way to gain more power.
My father’s words, coupled with Anthony’s parents apparently made the human start crying, as she buried herself in his arms. He tenderly wiped her tears away, whispering sweet nothings and giving her assurances which I highly doubt he would keep, or perhaps, he would.
When he managed to hush her down, though she remained a whimpering mess in his arms, he looked up, raged as he stared down at my father. “My decision is final!” His tone left no place for argument, at least, none for my father. “Claire will be my Luna, human or not. She stays by my side.”
His words, those words of affirmation left everyone more stunned, for it appears he was firm in his stance regarding that. Even I, whom had the tiniest bit of hope that this is all some sort of mistake, or that my father and his would be able to dissuade him evaporated into thin air following his words.
Anthony’s eyes met mine, and he finally noticed my presence in the room, rooted by the stairs and unable to bring myself to move an inch. His expression did not change, he did not show any remorse regarding what he did, but he minds linked, “I hope you can make it work.” He frowned, “You can be my mistress in the future, if that is acceptable to you.”
I did not know when I found myself asking back, through mind link as well, “What did you just say?” My tone was no doubt laced with the shock I felt.
I could not believe he would even dare to say something like that to me. A mistress in the future? Is that all I ever am to him. After everything, he will dump me to be a mistress?
Rage coursed through my veins, a firm and resolute answer at the very tip of my lips, ready to reject the damn offer because no way will I not only be embarrassed and dumped in public, but made to degrade myself down to the status of a mistress.
However, before I could mind link the words, a sudden scent hit me. At first, I thought it was all part of the pregnancy, however, the scent seemed to be emanating from Anthony out of everyone there, and it smelled so divine.
A mixture of woody scent, couple with the aftermath of rain scent sort of. Particular, but somehow heavenly as I said.
Then, my wolf’s voice came in my head, and she exclaimed one word that seemed to change everything…at least for me.
“Mate!”
It hit me like a truck, a thought that has been clouding my mind for years somehow evaporated in the past couple of minutes, resurfacing all over again. It is my 19th birthday. The day to find my mate.
Anthony. He is my mate.
Stunned, and a bit confused by everything, I waited to see if recognition would flash through his orbs, perhaps the new piece of information would make a difference and change the course of everything.
It did not. Anthony’s expression remained the same, indifferent.
My wolf, she is clawing at me internally, wanting to claim Anthony as hers but the lack of reaction from him made it impossible for me, for my human and rational side to allow myself to do just that.
Everything that has happened in the last fifteen minutes made my world spin. And without thinking, I turned around and sprinted out of the pack house, ignoring the eyes that followed me and the voices that came from them.
I ran to the only place I know I would find solace, the woods.
ESMERALDA’S POV.I find it weird now that I have thought about it. If Anthony truly is my mate, something I have no doubts of now, then why can’t he feel it? I am sure what I felt was true, I indeed felt the mate bond so…what is up with his reaction?Is he truly indifferent? Does he really still want that woman over me, over his mate?“She must have done something to him,” My wolf said, tried to reason. She sounded so certain, I could not help but listen and try to make sense of her words. “Maybe she used witchcraft on him or something?”“Witchcraft?” I shook my head at my wolf’s thoughts. “She is human, you can tell as well. So, that is out of the picture.” There is no doubt she is human, I would have been able to sense if she is a witch, we all would.Before my wolf could say anything further, I decided to return back home, as I have been out in the woods the entire day and it is getting late. It is best if I return home now. Instead of going to the pack house where I have been stay
ANTHONY’S POV.Claire is my mate; she has to be.I fell in love with her at first sight. She is beautiful, and the moment I saw her on the battlefield despite the chaos surrounding us, I felt the bond between us. Even in her weak and fragile state, she is still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and I felt pulled towards her. I knew then she is my mate, and I want no one else.It is only right I bring her back to my pack and make her my Luna.Even though everyone is against my decision apparently, I have no regrets. I know what I feel for her. They may not understand it now, but they would later on. A mate is always the best thing to happen to happen to a wolf, and to an Alpha wolf, a Luna, a fated mate is not just the best thing to happen to him but to the pack as well.So, this is ultimately for everyone as well. I will still choose Claire as my mate over and over again if I have to.At night, I was prepared to mate with Claire for the first time ever. With the whole turmoil
ESMERALDA’S POV.I watched every emotion display across Anthony’s face, every bit of it since I turned around and met his gaze.Confusion was the first emotion to flick across his features, followed by surprise as his lips parted slightly and his eyes dilated. My best guess is, he has finally figured out that there is a bond between us.I felt it when he was following me around, I could tell it is him from the scent. I was simply taking a stroll in the forest to clear my head and decide when I would leave the pack when I heard it—the snap of twigs as someone’s presence became known, and as my steps hastened, so did his.However, at a point, I realized there is no point running away. I am not guilty of anything after all, and the only reason I did so was to avoid talking to him lest he decides to bring up the mistress issue again and heaven help me, I might do something I certainly will not regret.The look I saw on his face though, somehow lit up what I thought had diminished or shoul
ESMERALDA’S POV.I felt as though I am floating, I could not exactly feel myself bounded to anything, but rather, I was free. I tried to move my body, open my eyes, or shift my finger at the very least but none of that worked. Instead, I felt unable to do anything, and wherever I looked around, I could only see darkness nothing else.I tried to speak to my wolf through my mind, but I could not do that also. It felt as though I am in a different universe from the one she is in. I could not even feel her. My reality began to blur out though and before I know it, I had lost the ability to think all together. In the distance though, I heard muffled, unfamiliar voices. My skin, it felt a bit chilly, but the same time, bound to something incredibly warm. I could not decipher a single word though as the darkness took me with it, and the only thing I could decipher, the pain that took over my body.The next time I felt myself awake, I could actually open my eyes, though it proved to be a diff
ESMERALDA’S POV.Today is a very special day for me. I am finally turning nineteen and it is all I have longed for all these years. Why? Because all the women in the pack meet their mates on tier 19th birthday, meaning I will finally meet my mate today as well.My two friends, Kate and Hannah have both met their mates already as they are older than I am, Kate by two years and Hannah by one. They were lucky enough to be one of those people that meet their mates on their 19th birthday. Kate was mated to my brother, Cole, the future Beta being our father’s eldest and only male child, while Hannah was mated to a warrior, Orion. They both happen to have one of those cute relationships that will make you envy them and yearn for your own relationship with your mate.I have just one wish for my mate though, for it to be Anthony—my fiancée, and future Alpha of our Pack, the BloodMoon Pack. We have been engaged for nearly two years now, due to my parent’s wish for me to marry him but I never mi