CHAPTER 3

Iona’s POV

A loud slap was the first thing I got when I entered the cabin. "You still dare to show yourself in front of me after the mess you made?!" Father shouted with a thundering voice, it echoing in the silence of the night.

I just remained silent. He was angry at me. I had seen it coming. My parents came all the way from our pack in the eastern territory just to see their daughter fail to mate. It was indeed a disgrace that tainted our family's name.

“Get out! I don't want to see your face again,” said my father before turning his back on me.

I got out of my parent’s cabin. Now I didn't know where I had to go. No one wants me anymore. I was surprised to find Vincent still standing on the terrace.

“Come, I knew this would happen. I’ll take you to the healer’s cabin,” Vincent said.

We walked in silence.

“Sorry about your beaded chain,“ Vincent said, breaking the silence.

“It’s fine. It already happened," I replied, although deep down I still felt hurt because that thing was so precious to me.

“Lottie comes from a nomadic tribe. Her tribe was attacked by a rogue pack a few weeks ago. She luckily escaped from there and wandered alone in the forest. I found her almost starving to death,” Vincent explained.

That explains why Lottie acted recklessly. 

“I am sorry this happened because of me," he said in remorse.

“It's not your fault. We never knew that you would find your true fated mate before our mating ceremony,“ I replied.

“If I could choose, you would be the most suitable candidate for Luna's position. Lottie is still too immature to become a Luna, I realize that. I knew she would put me at a disadvantage if I continued to mate her. But my wolf only wanted her,” explained Vincent.

“I understand. She can learn, it only takes a few months for me to be acknowledged by the people of Winterhide Pack. I believe she can do it, too. And you are respected by the people in this pack, Vincent. You will be fine.” I smiled slightly to calm him down.

“I hope so. You are the kindest girl I have ever met, Iona. I hope that even if we do not end up together, at least we still can be friends,” he said.

I chuckled at his words. “Of course.”

We arrived at the healer’s cabin. “So, what are you going to do now?” he asked.

“I don’t know, maybe I'll beg for forgiveness from my father tomorrow so I can still go back to the Black Manes Pack,” I replied.

“You know that you’re always welcome here,” he said.

“Thank you, I’ll consider it. Now, go back to your cabin. You must be exhausted from the hunt and all this drama that happened today,” I said jokingly.

“Get in and you have to rest. Good night, Iona,” Vincent said before leaving the healer's cabin.

“Good night,” I replied. I entered the healing cabin.

The healer’s cabin was dark and cold. I lay down on one of the beds and stared at the ceiling. I was so tired that I didn't realize my tears were flowing down. I cried myself to sleep.

Vincent and Lottie's wedding was grand. Of course, everyone from the Winterhide Pack had been preparing for this event for weeks. They just didn't expect the bride to be changed. But they triumphed that Vincent had married his fated mate.

The bears Vincent had caught on his hunt were the feast's main course. The hunters who went with Vincent told how the man had defeated the beast single-handedly.

I stared at the altar with mixed feelings. Vincent looked handsome in his suit, and Lottie also looked elegant in the wedding dress. That should be me. But the two of them looked good together.

Vincent and Lottie exchanged vows and then kissed. The audience applauded loudly.

A lump forms in my throat. Tears unconsciously dripped onto my hands. Why did I come here? 

I never loved Vincent, and neither did my wolf. The sad feeling I feel right now is more because my parents abandoned me. I have nowhere to go back to. Even though the Winterhide Pack was letting me stay, this pack was never my home.

I turned around and walked towards the lake near the forest, away from the frenzied mating ceremony in the Main Hall. I sat on a fallen branch and gazed at the lake, which reflected the star-filled sky. It was so pretty. I stared at it mindlessly for quite a while. I don't know how long I sat here.

“I looked all over for you, and here you are,” a voice startled me out of my reverie.

I turned my head and found my mother walking towards me. I hadn't seen her in days and thought my family had already returned to our pack. She looked unhappy. “Mother, is there anything I could help?” I asked.

“Your father is looking for you. Hurry up! He's been waiting for you,” Mother grabbed my arm and dragged me to walk quickly.

“Mother, where are we going?” I asked, looking confused as she dragged me. However, Mother didn't answer and continued walking, which confused me even more.

We walked deep into the forest. It was too quiet, and the only sounds came from the nocturnes.

Then, I saw a building. I knew what it was, and it made me nervous. Why did Mother bring me here?

Several wolves were gathered there. One of them was my father, and next to him was Alpha Northgrey. The two seemed to be having a serious conversation.

“Greetings to Alpha Northgrey and Alpha Easternwood,” I said as I bowed to them.

“Iona Easternwood, how long have you been in Winterhide?” Alpha Northgrey asked me.

“Six months, Alpha,” I replied.

Alpha Northgrey stroked his beard. “I've heard many things about you from my people. You are indeed the perfect future Luna. It's too bad you are not Vincent's fated mate as the old fortune teller predicted.”

I had no idea where this conversation would lead. However, Alpha Northgrey's words made me anxious. “Yes, Alpha. We should not have denied fated mates. I'm glad Vincent found his fated mate. It will make his wolf stronger, and he will be the perfect Alpha to lead the Winterhide pack in the future,” I replied.

“You're not disappointed about that? You had prepared everything to be our future Luna, but a barbaric girl from nowhere takes your place. Isn't that unfair?” said Alpha Northgrey.

Alpha Northgrey's words took me by surprise. I didn't expect him to say that so blatantly. “I'm sure the moon goddess brought them together for a reason. I believe in the moon goddess's destiny," I replied.

Alpha Northgrey laughed so loud that it echoed through the silent forest, giving me goosebumps.

“You are truly precious. How could I possibly let you go just like that, hm?” Alpha Northgrey grabbed my chin and made me look up to meet his gaze. He looked intimidating. 

“Prepare her!” my father said to my mother, who had been silent.

Mother pulled me and led me into the building. This building was the Mating Cabin. I shouldn't have been here.

“Wait! What the hell?” I struggled in my mother's grip.

“Iona Easternwood, you are my daughter. You follow my orders,” my father's Alpha voice echoed in my head like a spell, making me lose control of my body. "Now get in there and prepare yourself to mate," said my father.

I screamed inside my head, but no sound came out of my mouth. I was like a lifeless doll under the influence of my father Alpha's voice.