3. The anguish in her heart

★ELAINE'S POV★

“No, Tania. It is not possible for us to escape now. I thought of it, but we don't know the layout of the house pretty much. Also, we don't know how the pack works yet. However, I will try to attend the ceremony, and pretend as if everything is fine while we plot together. Until then, we have only each other.” I enunciated to Tania and she nodded her head in understanding. 

“Oh, my lady!” breathed Tania as she pulled me into a brief hug. Afterward, she helped me up so we could start preparing for the ceremony. 

In a short span of twenty minutes, I was done taking a shower, so I plopped in front of the dressing mirror with a towel draped around my bosom. Observing my reflection, I stared at the dark circles under my eyes, then at the bruises around the base of my neck. Fresh tears welled up in my eyes as they lingered on the pink abrasions inflicted by Alpha Damon, my soon-to-be partner. But I didn't cry. 

When I looked up, I saw Tania observing me with her brows creased in pity. I hated that pitiful look, nonetheless, I didn't complain about it. 

“They must hurt so much, my lady.” She stated, applying some ointment on the surface. “But don't worry, this will help you feel better.” 

And she was right. The moment she rubbed off some ointment on those spots, it stung less, and the pain reduced too. I swallowed hard as Tania urged me to my feet, before slipping a yellow dress over my head. I bought this dress myself a few weeks ago because I wanted to impress my mate when I finally meet him. It accentuated my curves and made me look more womanly and appealing. But now, I was wearing it to the ceremony of someone who wasn't even my mate. What an irony!

Once again, my heart clenched in pain. 

Tania meticulously pulled my hair into a bun, then she designed it with various colors of hair clips. She wasn't even done yet, and I was already looking stunning. Regardless, I wasn't excited. Furthermore, she applied a perfect amount of makeup to my face, concealing the dark patches beneath my swollen eyes. When she was done, I could no longer recognize myself. 

My face transformed into a goddess of beauty, and I relished this aspect of myself. 

“Damn, my lady. I can tell that you have a greater weapon to navigate your path in life.” Tania exclaimed with a slight smile. 

Arching a brow, I inquired, “and what is that?" 

“Your beauty!” She proclaimed. “If only you come to terms with yourself, you will discover a tremendous deal that you are worth so much more.” 

And for the first time in a while, my lips curved into a smile and it made an effort to brighten my face. “Thank you, Tania. You are also very pretty and I hope you get to find your mate soon.” 

Heaving a sigh, Tania lowered her gaze to meet the floor. “I have lost hope in finding a mate, my lady. Because at the age of twenty-three, no one has come for me....” 

“....Yet.” I implored, rising to my feet to face her. 

She stared at me warily. “I don't understand.” 

“No one has come for you yet, doesn't mean you will never find one. Common, where is that she-wolf that sees a ray of hope in every hopeless situation?” I inquired, taking her hand in mine. “Give me that smile, Tania. I need that beautiful smile of yours to boost me into what I'm about to do.” slowly, her lips curved into a feeble smile. 

I returned the smile. “There it is. Alas, the only reason why you might have not gotten your mate in our pack, might be because of a situation we are oblivious to. But very soon, the moon goddess will grant you a real mate and not the one who will reject you.” 

Thus, I expected Tania's face to be bright with a pleasing grin. But instead, her smile was sad and pitiful. And it brought up something that weakened my resolve. “What is the problem, Tania,” I asked out of concern and curiosity. 

She sighed. “At first, I have been so excited, hoping to get a mate someday. But now, I feel indifferent about it, my lady.” 

“Why?" I questioned further. My brows furrowed in confusion. 

“Because I have gotten too comfortable with not having a mate, and I feel the moment I do, I will drift away from you. Nevertheless, I do not want to.” 

“But you can't stay by my side forever, Tania,” I complained. 

“I can, at least for now. I want to remain by your side until you are finally happy and until you are in a deserving place.” 

Pressing my lips together into a grim line, I pulled Tania into a deep warm embrace.  My head rested on her shoulders as I pressed my hands against the small of her back. It was obvious Tania liked me, too much. Sometimes, I wondered what on earth I did to deserve someone like her — even with the fact that she is older and knew everything about my plights, not once had she disrespected me. 

And I am deeply grateful for that. 

A soft knock on the door tore us apart. Tania briskly walked over to respond. And a guard sauntered in, he bowed in deference. “I have been instructed to escort you to the ceremonial hall, Luna.” He announced. 

So Tania did some finishing touches on me. Satisfied by the outcome of her effort, she issued me a reassuring smile. “You can do this, my lady. I wish you all the best, and while you are gone, I'll arrange your room and set your things properly." 

Issuing her an affirmative nod and one last smile, I followed the male omega, out of the room. 

When we got to the hall, I was stunned because I wasn't expecting anything. However, the large hall was illuminated with various colors of candles, and at the center of the hall, was a table filled with a buffet. Gathered around the large oak table, were old people, whom I presumed to be the Elders of the pack. 

My eyes instantly fell on Beta Adrian. His eyes met mine, but he quickly looked away and focused on the young female, speaking to him. 

“Join us, Luna!” One of the elders beckoned on me. 

Just then my eyes drifted to Alpha Damon, whose face displayed no emotions whatsoever. Memories of how he almost strangulated me to death, surged to the forefront of my brain and my eyes stung with tears. 

Bile was starting the rise in my throat as I made my way to sit on the empty chair beside him. Do I have to become his Luna? How would my life pan out afterward? Several questions plagued my mind. But it wasn't like I could request to head back to my pack. I would rather bear hell here for the time being than return to my father. 

So I swallowed hard and plopped on the chair. 

“Wow! You are so beautiful!” a silver-haired Elder exclaimed and everyone conceded with a nod. 

“I agree." another chipped. 

“She is a keeper, Alpha Damon.” Stated another. 

But Alpha Damon growled in response, without even sparing me a glance. And I like the fact that he didn't look at me. My hatred for him had levitated into a bond that I wanted him to avoid me like a plague.  I felt so uncomfortable, sitting here instead of being in my room with the only person that understood me;  Tania. 

Then one of the elders cleared his throat and the rest ceased their incessant chattering. “On behalf of the Elders, I want to commend you for being able to find another Luna even after losing your mate one month ago.” 

“Luna?” Alpha Damon scoffed, his lips curled up in disdain as he glared at me. “She is just an empty shell used to occupy Luna's throne. But she can never fill my Luna's place." He seethed. 

My breath hitched for a moment. 

Try harder, I thought to myself. I have heard a lot of nasty things about me, so this didn't bother me a bit. Although, I felt somewhat insulted in front of the Elders. However, I didn't make a fuss. 

“Don't talk like that, Alpha. We understand that it must have been painful and heartbreaking to lose your Luna in such a nasty way, however,  the moon goddess has blessed you with another, so be grateful."

A devilish smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, darkening his expression. “Indeed, the moon goddess decided to bless me with a rejected mate of another." His tone was sarcastic and demeaning. 

If what he said before didn't hurt me, this one did. Not that I wished for my mate to reject me after waiting all these years to finally meet him. I couldn't believe my father informed him about that. But yes, what did I expect? He has never had my best interest at heart. 

With agony coursing through my veins, I jolted to my feet and darted out of the hall into the night. I didn't know where I was heading, but the tears threatening to fall prompted me to keep moving. 

Someone called out to me and I didn't respond. Instead, I pushed past the corner of the hall and before I assimilate what was happening, a pair of firm hands covered my mouth and whisked me into the dark corners.