04 : THE UNEXPECTED

RIA’s POV

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stood trembling to the uplifting drama before my eyes.

“Will you be my mate and the future Luna of my Pack?" Alex popped that question to Maddie.

Squealing in excitement, Maddie jumped all over Alex's body and shouted, "Yes,” exhilaratingly.

The crowd clapped their hands together for the two mates, cheering them on.

Excited about Maddie's answers, Alex pulled her close and kissed her passionately and Maddie smirked at me from the stage, her expression showing nothing but scorn.

Then, reality dawned on me that I was not dreaming. The bad dream is real.

Just then, I screamed out loud, disrupting the blissful moment, and everyone turned their angry consuming gaze to me.

Tears rolled down my eyes. My eyes were getting so hazy that I couldn't see clearly.

All along, my eyes were glaring at Alex from the stage. His countenance was pale as if he was saying sorry for betraying the love we once shared.

“Why did you do this to me? You said you loved me!" I whispered as I kept gazing at Alex as if he could hear me.

Maddie noticed his distraction and kissed him again, taking his attention from me.

Shortly thereafter, a crown was placed on Alex’s head by the eldest man in the Pack, and he was officially announced as Alpha Alex Cross Moonstone.

Without hope, I stood up in my tears to leave the hall. Life is of no use to me anymore.

The only thing I had was taken away from me. Do I still have a reason to be alive?

As I walked out of the hall, I staggered most of the time like I was drunk. The heels I wore did not help me, either. They made me hurt my feet, steeping clueless at each other.

Right now, I wasn't thinking straight. I needed to hurry to the mansion and get my bags before Luna kicked me out herself.

There were valuable properties in my bag. Those properties were the only good thing I got from Alex after four years of being together.

Inside, a thin voice kept telling me to be strong and that Alex was going to come for me. Maybe he just put on that show to please his mother.

On the contrary, another voice scorned me from inside, taunting me for being foolish and ever thinking Alex would come back to me.

So, I ignored the second voice and spurred myself with the motivation I got from the first.

Halting, I veered around to the stage and saw Alpha Alex and Maddie receiving gifts from the elites that graced the coronation.

Then, a hurtful sarcastic laugh escaped from my lips.

This time, I decided to turn my back on Alpha Alex Cross and never looked back again.

Hurriedly, I began to run away from the hall, and then, a rough, powerful hand gripped me by my hands and I halted.

Without looking back, I already knew who it was.

The fine pungent smell. The firmness in his touch. His dominance and aura; all sent a quick message down to my brain.

I was right. Damien, Alex’s uncle, was the one standing before me.

He pulled me possessively to himself, providing comfort and a wall of defense around me.

When our eyes met, the Adam's apple in his throat dropped at a snap.

Scanning his peaceful but monstrous eyes, I asked in a hushed voice, “What do you want from me?"

He did not answer me but just kept his eyes glued magnetically at me.

Reading Damien’s personality was strenuous and brain-wracking.

He had the ambiance of a monster, but his beauty made everything complicated. I mean, hell complicated.

Accurately, one could say Damien is an Angelic monster because, in my entire existence, I have never seen such a man's ruthless and peaceful demeanor entwined.

“Let me go, please. I am a miserable woman. You would regret having me too,” I said in my brokenness, forcing myself out of Damien’s grip, but he held me tighter.

“What are you doing? What's going on?" I queried quizzically, my hand struggling in Damien's grip.

“You asked too many questions at a time. Come with me,” He said and began to pull me with him.

"Come with you? To where?" I asked, insisting not to take a move.

He tightened his fist around mine and we began to walk towards the stage.

"What are you doing? Everyone's watching. Let go, please.” I tried to pull back, but he was stronger, overpowering me.

Everyone was busy having fun while a few others thonged my ex-boyfriend and his new mate on the stage, taking photographs with them.

Damien and I were almost at the stage, and I kept hitting him hard to let go of me.

All eyes slowly began to focus on me and Damien.

I was just like the stubborn mule in movies, and people were laughing at my awkwardness, especially how I continued hitting Damien's hands, yet he remained unfazed and continued pulling me with him.

The laughter interrupted Luna and she fired a burning gaze at us.

Alpha Alex and Maddie were all carried by the crowd that thronged them, so they didn't know what was happening.

Successfully, Damien and I landed ourselves on the stage where Alex and Maddie were, too.

Shame clouded me as I stood facing the crowd like a drenched hen In the rain.

“What are you doing?" I whispered to Damien.

" Just be calm,” He replied.

To my surprise, Damien took the microphone from the emcee and spoke. “May I have your attention, please?"

The authority in his voice made everyone in the crowd stand at attention including Maddie and Alpha Alex.

Alex glared nervously at his uncle as he held my hands and furrowed his brows

“Thank you all for giving me your attention. I don't have much time. But I want to use this opportunity to announce my beautiful mate to you all!" He announced and turned to me. “I, Damien, accept Ria Rochester as my mate."

What? My heart stopped beating.

" No,” the word escaped my lips.

I shook my head vehemently to everyone, saying no with my mouth and my hands, but everyone was clapping their hands in approval of us already.

I wanted to run away, but Damien pulled me close and kissed me passionately.

Whilst the forceful kiss Lasted, Damien whispered something grave to my ears.

“A few days ago, you didn't want to tell me your first name. Now, in a few days' time, you'll have my last name. Follow me.” His words hang in the air, shrouded in mystery.