CHAPTER FIFTEEN

EMMA'S POV

I sat still as Pamela expertly worked on my hair, her hands moving with practiced ease. I tried to ignore the faint animosity in her touch, focusing instead on the reflection staring back at me in the mirror.

My hair, usually a tangled mess, was now a cascade of smooth waves. I couldn’t help but smile, momentarily forgetting the tension that seemed to follow me everywhere in this pack.

Just then, the doorbell rang, a sharp sound cutting through the quiet room. Pamela paused, her fingers still woven into my hair, as we both turned towards the door.

It creaked open, and a man stepped inside. He didn't look like one of the pack workers—no uniform, no familiar face.

My eyes shifted back to the mirror, catching my own gaze. I looked different, almost like someone else entirely. Maybe it was the hair, or perhaps it was the way Pamela’s eyes narrowed slightly at the stranger, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face.

"Excuse me, who are you?" Madeline muttered, her tone edging off an air of authority. .

I watched closely as the man's gaze flickered, unable to hold my eyes for more than a moment. There was something unsettling about him—he wasn't dressed like a pack worker and seemed out of place.

Something about him was off— I could tell but I just couldn't place my fingers on it. Madeline, who had probably perceived his presence as weird, steeped forward.

"I was sent from the Alpha's chambers with an instruction to call his mate," I watched him say, his words skittering. With a slight frown, I turned my gaze back at him, "Tell the alpha I'll be there shortly."

A tinge of pleasure trickled in me causing me to smile the instant he was out of the room. "Seems like you're already becoming close to the Alpha," Madeline stated, her smile hinting off a decent reveal of her white dentition.

"It funny how the alpha quickly warmed up to you, I've heard from rumours in the maid's quarters that he barely allows anyone visit, not even his mother." Madeline pried.

My jaw clenched in shock. The alpha's call now seemed to not be something to smile about, I was now beginning to feel a sense of worry. Why had he called? And why, had he requested I meet him in his quarters?

I started to ponder, sweats strolling down my forehead.

"You don't have to worry Emma, you're his mate." Madeline asserted sealing my doubts. Her words seemed to had injected some spasms of confidence to my bloodstream. I felt light, smiling back at my reflection as I rose to my feet.

"Let's go," I declared, my voice firm and steady.

With Madeline leading the the way through the pack's endless hallways, I felt safe. I probably wasn't going to run into Pamela today, I hoped. The last time was a disaster— I had to admit, one that nearly cost me my life.

Brushing my fingers through my neat curls, I sighed, taking in the lighting and the fine display of paintings on the walls. As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the gazes I got, from the maids and the pack members, some bowing their head in greeting while some didn't.

"They haven't yet warmed up to your presence in the pack," Madeline chimed, pausing in her tracks as she turned to flash me a glance. "Your presence will be fully respected after tonight, when the Alpha presents you as his mate to the entire pack."

I smiled at the thought. For the first time in my life, I was finally going to be acknowledge, respected, and not cast away in the shadows like my father did to me. This felt like a new opportunity. Growing up, my father loathed me for being weak, hiding me away from the rest of the world. He sheltered me, but not out of love—more to hide his shame.

My stepsister, Natasha, made my life a living hell, constantly reminding me of my inadequacies. Back then, I was nothing more than a pawn in my father's pack. Meeting Alpha Kai was supposed to change everything, a chance to prove my worth.

This time, I had to believe it was my chance to finally break free. I was going to be Luna, with Alpha Kai by my side as my mate and Alpha.

"A lot of maidens in the pack are already jealous of you, the news of your mate bond with the alpha has already spreaded like wild fire, causing a stir among the she-wolves already," I heard Madeline say.

"Jealous? Of me?" I couldn't hide the disbelief in my voice. "Why would anyone be jealous of me?"Madeline gave a small, understanding smile. "Because you're Alpha Kai's mate.

That's a position of power, Emma. Even if he hasn't shown it yet, you have a place here that many would give anything for." I shook my head, still trying to process her words. "It doesn't feel like that. It feels like I'm a target. Especially with Pamela."

"Pamela's always been a thorn in everyone's side," Madeline acknowledged. "But you're stronger than she gives you credit for. And besides, you're the Alpha's mate. That alone makes you special."

I was just about to reply when she blurted, "We're here!"

I paused instantly, standing before the view of the Alpha's chambers. The designing in the short corridor to the chamber was unlike any I'd ever seen. The walls were neatly polished, the floors were crystal clear and a golden chandelier braced the high ceilings.

"Do you need me to follow you in?" I heard Madeline's voice from behind. "No, I think I can do this alone."

I pushed my steps, my feet gliding as I veered in the direction of the corridor. I was scared of what the alpha might say, I couldn't help wondering if it was going to be good news or bad news.

My thoughts were immediately clogged off by the loud sounds of moaning coming in from the alpha's chamber. "Fill me up, Alpha," I heard a female voice, the blood in my legs running dry.

"I'm all yours," I heard the female voice again, this time, my entire body pausing. My legs suddenly grew heavy, like they hadn't been there a second ago.

"I'm cumming!"

Right before my eyes was the view of Pamela, fully naked, riding him, alpha kai. My heart shattered into a million pieces, the entire room freezing. They were both entangled, their moans filling the entire room.

As I stood there, frozen in place, my heart sunk. The sight before me was a cruel reminder of my insignificance. Alpha Kai, the man I was supposed to trust, was entangled with Pamela, their bodies moving in a rhythm that spoke of intimacy and familiarity.

I felt a lump form in my throat, the sting of tears burning my eyes. Each moan, each whispered word of passion between them, was a dagger to my heart. My chest tightened as if the very air around me was suffocating, the betrayal piercing through my soul.

Pamela's eyes flickered to mine for a brief moment, a smug satisfaction playing on her lips. She knew what she was doing, reveling in my pain, basking in the power she held over him.

Alpha Kai's gaze met mine then, and for a heartbeat, I saw something flicker in his eyes—guilt, regret, or perhaps just annoyance at being interrupted. But it was too late. The damage was done.

A wave of dizziness washed over me, the room spinning as I struggled to keep my composure. My knees buckled, and before I knew it, darkness enveloped me, pulling me into unconsciousness, away from the unbearable reality of my broken heart.