CHAPTER 2

“No one would be able you discover you.” Her Father assured. “As long as you do all I say. Everything would be alright.”

Luna rolled her eyes, as if! Her father had always wanted her to become a pure werewolf even though she wasn’t. He was a great liar that covers up for her when others became suspicious. As the most respectful beta daughter in the pack, she should be ongoing, generous, friendly and kind. She was the opposite of that, she loved being alone in order to hide her precious secret. Having a friend was a way of show casting her powers, a friend will get to know who she was. She didn’t want to take that risks. Assy was her only friend who knew all of her secrets and he kept them all to himself, without telling anyone.

“Sure Father, on your command.”

Bartram smiled at her, “Get up, and let’s go find your mate.”

He hurried away from her towards her door. Luna stood up immediately and rushed after him.

“How are you so sure you will find my mate? Not that I even needed one.”

“Every wolf needs one.” He retorted. “Including you, you might be half wolf but there is a wolf in you.”

“The she-wolf does not speak to me; she hides herself away from me. Father, I don’t think I have a wolf within me, maybe I am more a vampire than a wolf.”

Bartram paused to stare at her, his eyes held a look of curiosity and mischief. He walked over to her; she stood her ground until they were nose to nose. Eye to eye, none was blinking. Luna was not going to let him tell her what to do, she knows herself better than he does.

“Have you encountered someone and your mind whispers ‘Mate’?” He questioned.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Luna asked, grumbling. “I haven’t heard it; my mind hasn’t whispered to me yet.”

Bartram stepped away from her, a smug smile on his face. Luna glared her him as she studied his expression, she noticed that he was glad it hasn’t happened yet.

“That is so great, you haven’t encountered your mate yet. Maybe tonight.”

Tonight? Was she going to find her mate? She hated this whole mating stuff, she could not believe someone was going to be mated to a random person you know nothing about. She don’t know how she was going to react if a random person walk up to her and claim to be her mate, she was going to scream at his face and maybe show him that she has claws.

Bartram turned around and headed out, she trailed behind him, glancing round as he opened the front door. Her heart began racing as she stepped out of her house, the house she had always hid in and refused to come out. Her father was walking towards the festival while she slowly clutched to his long jacket like a scary cat. He looked back at her and gave her an encouraging smile only to receive a glare in return.

“Luna, it is just an hour and the clock is already tickling.”

Luna looked down to the floor, she slowly raised her head back up to stare at him. Her palm was already getting sweaty, she was glad it wasn’t in the morning the festival was taking place. She looked up and glanced at the moon which seemed to be shinning down on her.

“I wish I can make the time go faster.”

Bartram giggled. “Here we are, stop holding on to my jacket, everyone is watching.”

At the mention of everyone, Luna released her father in a flash, almost losing balance. She glanced around the place, they were in front of a large table with a lot of foods on it. Red meats were the most food that were kept on the table. Luna almost choked just looking at meat, she knew they were going to make her eat it.

‘Calm down Luna, it is just meat and act like you love it.’ She assured herself.

Luna forced a smile, she watched the people at the table discuss. She recognized most of them, the one who was eating a red meat like her life depended on it was none other than Adrian’s sister. “This is Luna, my daughter, she would be joining us for dinner tonight. She hadn’t been so well and due to her late night practice and trainings, she doesn’t come out that much.” Her Father lied.

Luna eyes widened as she secret glared at him from the corner of her eyes, with a huge smile on her face.

‘This conversation is annoying, I hope my reaction isn’t showing it?’

She silently prayed they don’t notice how fake her smile was, she hoped she was able to keep her face straight.

“Haven’t seen you before, you look like a goddess.” Adrian’s sister complemented.

“Phoebe that is not a proper way to welcome someone.’ Alpha Dean said.

Alpha Dean was Adrian’s father and he had almost the same look on his face like Adrian’s. Luna smiled at him and forced her lips to move.

“I am so glad to finally hang out here for once.”

“That is great.”

“You can have a seat.”

“Sit right next to me.” Phoebe said.

Luna glanced back at her father who nodded at her, she walked over to Phoebe. She took the seat, this time the smile on her face was gradually fading.

“Have you find your mate yet?” Phoebe questioned immediately Luna sat down.

“Nope, hoping to find the idiot tonight.” She responded.

“Idiot?” Phoebe questioned looking amused. “I wonder who the idiot is.”

Luna picked up a plate, a knife and went ahead to dish a food out for herself. Phoebe beat her to it, Phoebe giggled as she picked up all the red meats her hand could reach and placed them all on Luna’s plate. Luna stared at her and back at the food bewildered, Phoebe had just put the thing she doesn’t like, and Luna clenched her fingers.

“You must eat a lot of red meat, it will help you find a mate quicker. Oh, you can’t even find a mate yet when you don’t come out.”

Luna smiled, I love red meats, thank you.” But in her insides her heart was racing behind her rip cage. It was either escaping this table or suffocate while trying to eat what she does not like.

Luna picked up the knife and slowly began to chop the meat, she wished Phoebe could just leave the table. She would have enough time to get away from the table. Now she only needed a plan to escape, she could hear Phoebe talking, going on and on. She was only nodding to what Phoebe was saying.

“My brother also hasn’t found his mate and the coronation is getting closer. You also haven’t found your mate; don’t you think it is a coincidence?”

“I don’t.” Luna said, looking at the girl who was already sounding like her father.

“Beta Bartram had such a beautiful goddess and hid her all along.” Phoebe grunted sighing. “He only speaks about you but don’t worry you got me and you will never be lonely.”

Luna was quiet, she wondered why Phoebe thinks she was lonely and it seemed everyone was thinking she was going to be mated to Adrian. The way Phoebe speaks shows it, Luna silently swallowed a groan. She hadn’t even met the Adrian everyone was talking about, she had only seen him from far away and never came across him. Why would she? When she was always in her room or at the ocean.

“I am not lonely, I have a lot of friends.” Luna lied.

“Then why do you stay mostly indoors?”

“I do come out, to important gatherings like this one. Everyone knows I am the Beta’s daughter.”

“Yes, we all do.”

Luna placed the knife back on the table, she glanced around the table. Everyone were discussing in different ground, she tried to catch the glimpse of her father. He was sitting at the table end with the alphas and laughing his hearts out. She smiled, this was a great opportunity to escape, he was too busy to notice and by the time he does. She was already gone.

“You don’t want to eat?” Phoebe questioned.

Luna nodded. “I ate a lot. I’m full, no one seems to be my mate here. I will have to leave.” She stood up, “It is nice meeting you Phoebe.”

“Can’t you wait for my brother to arrive?” She asked. Not giving Luna time to respond, she began speaking again in a matter-of-fact tone. “He went for a bath and would be here soon.” She closed her eyes and winked at Luna. “Who knows you guys might be mates.”

Luna smiled. “He can’t be my mate, you really want me as a sister-in-law. Don’t you?”

Phoebe smiled brightly. “Of course, you are far better than the bitch who is trying to force herself on my brother.”

Wait! There was a bitch? Luna didn’t have time to ask who the bitch was because when she turned to look at her father, he was looking at her.

“I have to go now, we will see some other time.” She assured. “Maybe.” She quickly added, unsure if they might cross paths again.

“That is understood, can I come to visit you tomorrow?”

Luna did not know what to say to that, she answered with a smile. Turned around a fled, she grabbed hold of the hem of her dress and pouted. She wondered why Phoebe kept on mentioning her brother, was Adrian that good that her father also wants her to get mated to him? Luna was sure that if she wasn’t able to find her mate, her Dad was going to get her mated to Adrian the traditional way. She smiled as she ran in the woods towards her favorite lake, she was going to be free at least without anyone watching.