6

Alana’s POV

The wind carried fresh smell of freshly baked bread through the open window and into the room where i stood staring at my reflection in the mirror. 

I couldn't recognize the girl who was staring back at me. She was beautiful, her face flawless and contoured with make up. Her lips in a perfect red. I looked amazing, almost like a princess._A complete opposite of who i used to be.

 

Today was the day, our official mating ceremony was in a few hours. My palm felt sweaty not to mention how fast my heart was beating within my chest just thinking to myself ‘what if something goes really wrong tonight?’. 

Luna Emilia didn't give her blessings and most of the pack members have murmured in displeasure about our union but none has been able to come forward to speak up against us.

Kai on the other hand has proven beyond measures how powerful a mate bond can be. Not everyone who get marked by their mate went to enjoy it like falling head over heels in love with them but ours has been different. our mate bond was growing stronger by the day. 

But with all the opposition going on, I still can't help but fear that he might be forced to change his mind one of this days. 

‘Kai is our mate and i can feel how excited his wolf is eager to be with us, tonight' My wolf, Vel, had answered me.

 

I nodded, exhaling a deep breath, my hands nervously brushing against my white flowing gown. The dress was made from one of the finest fabric in the region. Kai had it made specially for me for tonight. According to the mating rituals, It was customary for the mated couples to wear white as a sign of purity so that the moon goddess can bless the union with pups.

Kai hasn't mentioned anything about the numbers of children he would like us to have but i know deep down in my heart that i would be happy to have as much as possible.

I really can't wait to have them running around the pack house and screaming on top of their little voices. 

Warm heat start to creep up on my cheeks just thinking about the kind of father kai would be in the future. Kai was always so sweet and gentle with me that i have no single doubt that he would make a great father. 

I could hear servants hurrying about in the hallway as they make preparation for tonight ceremony. It was almost dusk, pack members and other guests from neighboring pack were starting to arrive at the hall. 

The anticipation and thought of it all, making me even more giddy. 

A few moment later, I was blessed with the company of my best friend Suzy. 

"Whoa, you look amazing, Alana!"

My smile widen as i turned around and faced her. "Thank you, Suzy for being here"

She nodded, her arms darting out to wrap around me in a tight embrace. Suzy was the only one who seem to be genuinely happy for me. 

"I'm so excited for you" She let go of me slightly, her eyes scanning me over, "Just look at you, just like a real princess"

I chuckled, hugging her back just as tightly. Our little moment was disrupted when the door to my room was suddenly thrown open and Nadia walked in and stood before us with folded arms, her eyes narrowing at Suzy and I, in disgust.

Suzy pulled me into another quick hug before whispering into my ear, "Don't let her intimidate you. You have got what she wants"

I smiled at her and she quickly excused herself and walked out the door, leaving me to face Nadia. 

She eyed me for a brief moment and gave a slight nod.  "You cleaned up pretty well, I must say" I smiled and she inched closer, " That wasn't a compliment, so don't be fooled. You're still a freaking nobody and a slut!"

I felt rage at her words but silently had to remind myself that, today was for me not her and I'm not going to ruin it by entertaining a bitter witch like her who obviously believe it should have been her and not me.. 

"Thank you for the reminder but is there a particular reason why you're in my room right now?" I said, trying not to show my current disdain for her. 

She gave a shrug, "I'm just here to remind you of your place just in case you have somehow forgotten that already. Kai was mine before you came along so don’t think it would be for long"

With a satisfied little smile, she turned to walk away but stopped death in her track at my next word. 

"Wait, Nadia dear”  Her face paled, totally unable to hide her momentary shock. Nadia looked as though she has been slapped across the face. 

"What the fuck did you just call me ?"

"Nadia dear?" I said with a careless shrug, "I mean, isn't that your name? or you don't appreciate the special tag to it?" My tone was just as casual but her facial expression doesn't look anything like it.

She was pissed!

"How dare you?" She sputtered with rage,  her middle index pointed at me, “How fucking dare you?”

"Oh? my apology if my words offend you so greatly" I kept speaking just as calmly, totally enjoying her dramatic facial expressions. 

Seem no one has ever had the courage to stand up against her dumb bullying before now. Oh well, I have never really stood up against anyone before but look at me now. 

"You worthless piece of trash!" She shriek at me, her hand raised and ready to hit me. I caught it mid strike, her eyes widened at my reaction.

I let her hand go and leaned forward, whispering into her ear, "just a little reminder, Nadia dear. My mate might have been yours at some point but he is mine now and yes, This worthless piece of trash and a nobody is about to become your future Luna" 

I stepped back to look at her face, satisfied with what i saw there, I continued, "If i were you, i'd stop running my mouth so much and hide my face in shame"

And with that little reminder of mine, I turned and walked out the door, leaving her to stare at my back speechless. 

***

I emptied the air in my lungs as soon as i made it into the hallway, my fearless and confident facade crumbling a little bit. Nadia having a thing with my mate in the past wasn’t exactly a surprise to me.

He was handsome and the next leader. It’s typical for girls to fall into his bed hoping to get picked but all of that is about to change soon.

Curling my trembling hands into tight fist, I continued to put one feet in front of the other as they carried me towards the ceremony hall. 

The pack house was empty and awfully quiet at this point, no single servant or guards could be seen in sight. Seem everyone has gone to the hall and I'm going to be the last one to show up.

Half way across the long corridor connecting my chamber to that of the Luna, I started hearing voices followed by a loud crash, halting me. 

I stood by the hall contemplating my next move, whether to check it out or not and in the end, my feet began to carry me towards the closed door. 

Not willing to interrupt whatever was going on behind the closed door, I gave a slight knock and waited for reply but none came and i tried again.

"Hello everything alright in there?” I heard a muffled reply, followed by another crash, forcing me to turn the door knob. 

I was surprised to find it unlocked. Pushing it open, I stepped inside, my eyes immediately settling on the scene before me. 

Luna Emilia was lying face flat on her pool of blood with a dagger sticking out from her back.

Without hesitation, I ran to her side and pulled out the dagger, causing more blood to gush out from her wound and staining my cloth but i didn't care as i used both my hands to apply pressure against the opening.

The Luna stirred slightly when i pulled her into my lap and she inhaled a sharp breath, her eyes fluttering open to stare up at me.

"I'm sorry ma'am... But…who did this to you?”

Her eyes held mine for a moment, relief flashing in them before it flutter closed again, her whole body going limp in my arms. My breath hitched in my throat as i continued to hold her. 

Another second went by before it finally dawned on me that, the soul shattering scream going off in the room was actually coming from me. 

"What's going on here?” I heard a male voice asked among the voices speaking around me but i was too stunned to say anything. My throat had literally collapsed, my hands trembling as i held her still.

 

"Don't just stand there, arrest her! She is a traitor and a murder!" Another voice i had later recognized to be Nadia's had yelled above the noise freezing me.