Chapter 3

***Leila POV****

Alpha Xander was observing the scene before him with displeasure. His lips pressed against each other. 

There was dried blood splattered all over his face, shirt, and hands. Which meant he just come back from a battle. 

“Don’t let me repeat myself,” he ordered, his voice was frosty cold. I noticed my father's posture stiffen slightly from behind me. But he soon regained composure. Stepping away from my stepmother and step-sister, he moved towards Xander. 

“Alpha, welcome back,” he said. 

“I am sure you…..”

“Don’t waste my time, Carlson,” Xander replied cutting him off. I felt my face flush at his thundering command. Inside me, Lea whined, hiding her face in her paws. 

“Yes Alpha,” my father replied, slowly lowering his head in a show of respect. 

“This is a simple matter, I am sorry that this dishonorable scene is the first thing you'll see upon your return.”

The atmosphere was enveloped in silence for what seemed like forever. I could see the rage burning in Xander’s eyes as he clenched his fist. 

“Leila,” Alpha Xander called my name. 

My heart sank in fear as I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. How did he know my name, all this year's I never thought he would notice me. I slowly lifted my head even though I refused to look him in the eyes. 

“Look at me,” he commanded. And my gaze snapped to meet his immediately. 

“Tell me what happened?”

I parted my lips to speak but no words came out. I felt my vision go blurry as tears pooled down my face. I managed to compose myself. “ I am leaving Damian because he..”

 I didn't sense Damian creeping through the crowd towards me,  until the sound of him dropping to the ground near me, interrupted my speech. 

Damian scrambled on the floor, holding my feet, his face was full of fear and regret. I was stunned. Using this opportunity to his advantage, Damian spoke. 

“Although Leila lied to me, that she was my mate despite her being unable to smell or shift into a wolf, I forgive her and still love her. So we can continue our relationship.” his voice barely above a whisper. 

“As you can see, this is all a misunderstanding” my father interjected, trying to convince Alpha Xander “Leila and Damian will be getting married as planned. Preparations are being made as we speak.”

 I felt a boiling sensation in my stomach, as Father spoke those words. I had just walked in on my fiancé together with my best friend in my room, all alone. 

How stupid does my father think I am, how does he expect me to marry someone who already cheated on me with my best friend? 

“ I will not marry Damian Rockmeishire,” I yelled at my father through gritted teeth, shaking my head vehemently. Angry tears pooled down my cheek as I continued. “ He is an opportunist, a coward, and a cheat.”

“He's what?” Alpha Xander asked, his eyes wide open. His jaw dropped as he shot a dangerous look at Damian who quivered in fear like a little mouse. There was no doubt Alpha Xander was furious. 

“Don't listen to her Alpha Xander” My dad spoke up. 

“Leila had a difficult day, she walked in on a situation that she totally misinterpreted. The mating ceremony will go on as planned.”

I felt a knot tie in my belly at my father’s unbelievable betrayal. He didn't love me that much which I already knew. But for him to disgrace me in the presence of the entire pack members was unbelievable. 

“Alpha, I will never marry Damianl. I would rather go rogue first before agreeing to such a union.” I retorted, dabbing the tears from my face. 

my father sneered, beside me as I watched his nostril flare. He lifted his hand to strike me. And out of nowhere, Alpha Xander stretched out his muscular bloodstained hand and pulled Father by the arm. 

“How dare you do that in the presence of your Alpha?” He roared. For a moment, I could only watch in horror as these two men stood, towering over me.

“Alpha,  am so sor…”

“ I came home after a victorious battle” Xander continued,  cutting my father in his tracks. “And this is what am greeted with upon my arrival?”

“The law remains that, this pack will never force a person into a relationship against their will.” he continued. 

I felt a wave of relief and calm wash over me as I parted my lips and sighed. 

“The mating ceremony between Leila Romanov and Damian Rockmeishire is off,” he commanded, pausing briefly to let his words sink in. In front of me, my father closed his eyes for a split second as he drew a quick breath, struggling to compose himself again. Obviously, he wasn't pleased with the Alpha’s decision. 

“I am disappointed in all of you, creating a fuss like this, and throwing our pack into chaos like you're some bunch of pups” Alpha Xander growled. Each of his words, dripping with venom and disdain. 

“Carlson, you'll have to take responsibility for this. You and Damian will all be punished with double-pack training, for creating such a scene.”

Father nodded, as he gave me a dangerous gaze. 

“You may all leave” Alpha Xander ordered. And immediately everyone dispersed. I spun to leave when I heard him call my name.

“Leila,” he called out, which made me freeze in my tracks. I felt my heart sink to my stomach as I pursed my lips.

“Come here.” this time around, his voice was compassionate. He held my chin, raising my head to meet his gaze. I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me as I stood there in fear. Was he about to punish me too? What was my offense? 

“Follow me to my office,” he said, before dropping his bloodstained hand and taking a step away from me.