Chapter 4: Betrayed

Aine's Point of View

The thing about fated mates is that it's like two sides of a coin. It has the ability to make you the happiest person alive, making you whole. But it also has the ability to ruin you, taking you under like an avalanche when you least expect it, snuffing out all of the light, crushing all the air out of your lungs and leaving you numb in complete darkness.

For me, Oishin was my everything, he was the oxygen I breathed. I had devoted my entire life to being his person. Ever since that fateful day he'd tilted my world off its axis, when I'd felt my heart beating wildly and my wolf had gotten in a frenzy yelling mate. Because that's what mates were, and he was my soul mate. They were your person.

It's someone who finally understands you, truly understands you and you find a small amount of relief in that. They understand all the parts when no one else does or couldn't. It's like you can finally breathe. They were your best friend, your other half.

You don't have to over exhaust yourself trying to use a million words to tell them everything. You let them in completely and you give them full control. They know your fears and insecurities. You give yourself to them completely and I gave myself completely to him, without any hesitation even running away from my pack and my arranged mate.

If only I didn’t…

It was now half an hour since he had said he would return but Oishin hadn't. The small amount of light outside had grown dimmer and night was falling around us, hugging the trees. I grew anxious and impatient. I was worried, he should have been back for me already. I hoped everything had turned out alright and was resolved.

However this was a big event and as Luna I didn't want to be absent when it was a must that I should be present. It wouldn't look well for such an occasion and I would face ridicule.

I didn't want that to happen with Oishin’s mother, Luna Camilla there as well as other Lunas from the various packs. Oishin was one of the Alpha King candidates. I want him to be the one so I supported him to the point I neglected taking care of myself.

I anxiously smoothed down my dress for the millionth time, taking another look in the mirror. Maybe he had forgotten? His phone went unanswered. I tried Cian’s number, Oishin’s Beta and best friend as well but it was the same.

I glanced at the clock, fidgeting with the sides of my dress before just deciding to head out. I didn't want to be late. Lindsay would tell him I had left when he came by. His parents had arrived the day before and I'm sure they were already there.

Luna Camilla, didn't really say much about the set up when I showed her around showing her all that I had done with the living arrangements. While the pack members were thrilled with their new spaces, she only vaguely muttered that it would have to do. Her words hung heavy on me the entire day.

I couldn't help but feel I had slacked terribly on my part of it all though I had tried as hard as I could. Maybe I just didn't have it in me. I kissed Eion, our son goodnight and made my way to the pack hall. The cool evening air kissed my skin and I tried not to get any dust on my feet as I followed the path. I wasn't the best at wearing heels, I didn't exactly have the most practice in them.

I was grateful that Lindsay lived in one of the closer houses because she’s the pack doctor and my best friend. We were nobodies before and look how she thrived with her supporting mate.

I kept an eye out for Oishin but he was nowhere to be seen. I passed and exchanged greetings with a few pack members dressed up beautifully. I held the soft material of my dress so as not to trip as I made my way up the steps and inside the building. It was nice to see the hard work come to fruition and everything moving smoothly.

Entering the center of the luxurious hall I spotted Oishin’s parents, Luna Camilla and Alpha John but I didn't see Oishin.

Everything was so perfect. I made sure of it. Suddenly, one of the guests caught my eye.

She stood out like a beacon in the center of the room. I had to pause a bit when I saw her. All eyes were on her. She looked exquisite in a floor length gold dress with shimmering sequins. It hugged her amazing figure and I couldn't help but feel a small pang of jealousy at how stunning she looked.

Large diamond earrings dangled from each ear and on her left hand it was impossible to miss the large diamond ring on her finger. Whoever was her mate spared no expense in making her his.

The lights from the chandeliers glittered off of her gold dress like jewels. She was ethereal, reminding me of the moon when it's golden, standing beautifully in the night sky. Everything about her was breathtaking.

She had a sharp jawline and cool blue grey eyes. I could tell she was someone of importance more than likely from a well-known pack. I had a list of all the people attending but it was natural that I wouldn't know everyone here, which was most people. Her eyes suddenly landed on me and she took me in from head to toe with a frown. I fought the urge to smooth out my dress. I could almost swear her face hardened and her eyes slanted threateningly.

I have never met her before, but I could feel my heart racing as she stared at me. There was something about her that I couldn't quite put my finger on but it made my wolf rustle.

It took a while for me to notice that Lesly, Oishin’s sister, was standing closely beside her in a velvet black dress with a plunging neckline. That would probably explain her reaction at seeing me. I wasn't surprised they were friends. They were both elegant beauties. I'd stick out like a sore thumb beside them.

Despite my heavy reluctance and her penchant for embarrassing me in front of others I made my way over to them, I just needed to know where Oishin was and if everything was okay. She would probably know what had happened. Lesly took one glance at me and I could see the annoyance written plainly on her face. It still burned a bit that Oishin didn't care or would ever believe that his sister constantly said degrading things to me and that if anything I was definitely the one in the wrong.

Lesly said something to the stunning woman beside her and I knew it wasn't good. She was probably still on her witch hunt. My stomach twisted as I braced myself for her insulting remarks. I almost stumbled as I made my way there. I didn't get far however, as before I reached where they were, a large shadow fell over me almost blocking my view of Lesly.

I teetered backwards in surprise trying not to collide with him. I was surprised I didn't see him but he had moved stealthily. He was an extremely tall blonde-haired man in a black suit that hugged his rugged physique.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" he growled loudly as he approached me and I flinched, feeling the force of his voice all the way to the pit of my stomach. His voice rang out above the soft music and the friendly chatter, drawing everyone's attention to us. His eyes blazed with rage.

This is when the chaos started.

His cold eyes looked me up and down disdainfully, like I was garbage. There was nothing friendly about him. I was confused by his reaction towards me, especially since I have never met him before. Fear crept up my spine as he intimidatingly drew closer.

"What are you doing here?!" he roared.

I stumbled backwards trying to keep my footing. It took a second for me to realise his question was directed to me. In my simple-minded way, I thought he must have been mistaken.

"H-Hi I'm Luna Aine," I introduced myself, trying to diffuse whatever it was and maybe understand what was happening.

He was disrupting the party and I didn't want to be the cause of it for such an occasion. All the wolves were around us now and the atmosphere had shifted. I didn't like that I was at the center of the commotion and was nervous with everyone watching.

"I know who the fuck you are but it still doesn't explain what you're doing here?"

"I'm Luna here." I responded.

The more I scrambled backwards the more he took a threatening step towards me and he was close, too close, his blonde hair glinting a brilliant white gold and his face harsh under the light. If he had just slightly softer features he'd look like an angel. His eyes flashed red, showing signs of his wolf and I glanced around for help. But I was on my own. No one sprang forward to help. I was cautious, but hoping that the knowledge that I was Luna to the Greyhound pack and we were in a room filled with wolves meant he wouldn't try to hurt me.

I didn't know what his problem was. I fearfully took a measured step backwards but there was no getting away from him. There was nowhere for me to run. He was bearing down on me, like a vulture ready to spring on its prey.

"Luna? She said she was Luna,” he said roughly to the blonde woman. There was a telling look in his eyes. "You have the nerve to even show your face at my sister's Luna introduction and then try to disrespect her? Or didn't he even tell you?"

I didn't know who he was. I didn't know what Luna's introduction was talking about, and I stared back at him bewildered, at a loss for words.

"I think you have mi-" I tried to respond.

"Caitlin, why is this bitch here?" he directed to the beautiful blonde woman, cutting me off.

"Apparently, Oishin invited his help," she replied coyly with a soft sigh, even though her mannerisms were dainty and elegant.

"The fat help," Lesly laughed, making a show of it and rolling her eyes.

The disrespect could not be missed and my wolf bristled at this. Everything suddenly felt like it was happening quickly. The room was filled with whispers and everyone had pressed forward, gathering around us to see what the commotion was about. I didn't understand why everyone was looking at me so shocked or surprised.

"This is our Luna Caitlin and Beta Kirk. Finally I have a worthy sister-in-law,” Lesly proudly introduced.