Chapter Two

Bella ran through the woods, trying to get away from the wolf that was hot on her heels. She arrived at the highway and turned back to see that he had stopped chasing her. The wolf growled deeply at her before turning to go back. Bella was relieved and pranced back home, transforming to her human form again.

"Who was he? Why did he run after me like that? Why did he stop?" She kept on wondering in her head, his shiny golden brown coat and hazel eyes didn't leave her memory. She went back home and met everyone worried.

"Where have you been Bella?" Her mother was first to ask. Zoey and Aiden were staring blankly at her while her father, Alpha Darren was glaring heavily at her.

"What? Did I do anything wrong?" She asked, confused.

"Your engagement is tomorrow Bella. Are you planning to get yourself hurt? Do you want to ruin it?" Luna Diane asked again, looking worried. Bella was even more confused because nothing was making sense to her.

"I still don't get it." She answered. Aiden walked up to her and took her hand.

"Bella, please don't run off like that on your own again, I shouldn't have let you go in the first place. A notorious pack is causing trouble out there and they wouldn't mind hurting you. I just got word that they're everywhere, causing trouble." Aiden explained, still holding her hand and stylishly checking if she had any injuries.

"What? But why?" She questioned.

"Why is non of your business, your only business is to do as I say. I'm sending a group to investigate the cause of this commotion and bring it to an end. This entire countryside is big enough for all of us, war has never been an option." Alpha Darren finally spoke up, his deep voice resonating as usual. Bella lowered her head and nodded. She was busy contemplating whether the wolf she saw earlier was one of the notorious group her father was talking about.

"You should get some rest, you need to look extremely beautiful for your engagement tomorrow." Alpha Darren said, a tiny smile creeping up on his face. Although he was one of the strictest alphas that the pack has ever known, he was a fun and loving father who would go to the extreme for his daughters.

"Yes father." Bella smiled back and turned to Aiden.

"I'll see you tomorrow." She whispered and placed a soft kiss on his cheek before running up the stairs. 

..

"Are you ready yet?" Luna Diane asked, slightly opening the door and poking her head in, Bella was sitting in front of her mirror, struggling to zip up her gown.

"Almost mother. Is Aiden here yet?" She asked, groaning and giving up on the zipper. Her mother entered and helped her zip up the dress. Bella stood up and took a deep breath, checking herself out in the mirror. She normally wouldn't admit how beautiful she was, but today she could not deny it. The sky blue mermaid gown fit her so perfectly and beautifully.

"You look so gorgeous my dear." Luna Diane smiled, touching her cheek briefly. Bella smiled and took another deep breath.

"Thanks mother. Is Aiden here?" She repeated her earlier question. Luna Diane chuckled and took her arm, leading her out of the room.

"Calm down, he will be here soon. His pack members are here already." Luna Diane answered as they walked down the long hallway. Bella thought it was weird for Aiden's pack members to show up without him but she decided to shrug off the feeling and carry on. They arrived at the living room, which had been transformed into a blue themed ballroom for the engagement. Her father waited for her by the staircase and led her to her chair.

"Where is Zoey?" She asked, she was looking around and greeting people when she noticed that her sister was nowhere to be found.

"She's probably outside with her friends." Her mother, who sat right next to her replied in a whisper and she shrugged.

Several hours passed and there was no sign of Aiden or Zoey. Everyone was becoming tensed up, especially Bella. This was supposed to be her special day, the day she had been looking forward to for a long time and it was about to be ruined. What scared her the most was the fact that they could be in some sort of trouble.

"Father, we should send a search party immediately. What if something bad happened to them? Zoey is nowhere to be found and she's blocking my links!" Bella screamed, her heart racing at the thought of anything happening to her only sister.

"Calm down, I have already sent out a few members to look for her. As for Aiden, I'm sure he's fine, he can take care of himself." Alpha Darren assured, but he was not convinced himself. Bella turned to her mother who nodded at her and asked her to trust her father. 

The guests got worried and started murmuring, that made Bella even more anxious. What would people say when her big event is cancelled? An event that has been circulating for days! She couldn't imagine the heartbreak she would feel if Aiden left her.

"Zoey!" Luna Diane suddenly called out, looking straight at the entrance. Everyone turned and saw Zoey walking in side by side with Aiden. They both didn't look happy, anyone could tell from their faces that something was off. Bella ran to them and hugged Zoey.

"Are you okay? Where have you both been? I've been worried sick!" She screamed, staring at the both of them. They were both hesitant to say anything.

"Well? I'm waiting." Bella said.

"We can ask them questions after you've taken your vows. The perfect time is about to pass." Alpha Darren stared. Bella glared at both of them before moving to the centre of the room with Aiden behind her. They took each other's hands, about to accept each other as their mates. Zoey was the one to present the rings, she stood in front of them, holding the rings on a bronze platter. 

Bella noticed the awkward stares that Aiden and Zoey were exchanging and it troubled her. Aiden took one of the rings and stared at Bella. He took her hand and sighed. Bella was busy smiling, patiently waiting for him to slide the ring in and accept her as his mate. 

"Bella, I hereby, in front of everyone present here today, publicly and proudly.." he paused and sighed again, Bella watched him intensely, waiting for him to finish his sentence.

"Reject you as my mate." Aiden completed and there was dead silence everywhere. Bella's hand dropped ever so slowly as the phrase replayed over and over again in her head. 

"Instead.." Aiden wasn't done yet. He turned to Zoey and took her head instead, Zoey was already shedding tears and didn't seem shocked that Aiden took her hand. Alpha Darren and Luna Diane watched in total and utter shock, unable to understand what was going on either.

"I accept Zoey as my mate. She's is the one I am in love with, she is my true mate." Aiden said and immediately put the ring in Zoey's finger. 

"Aiden!"