4. Mistaken

★ELAINE'S POV★

I was yelling, but my voice was muffled by the large masculine hands enclosed in my mouth. “Shhh....it's me, it's me.” my assailant cooed, but I couldn't identify who the voice actually belong to. So I kept on trying to wriggle free. 

With a swift maneuver, he whisk me around to face him, one of his hands pressed against the small of my back, and the other cupped my chin. Making my chest press against his hard rocked ones, yet, I could barely see his face. 

Fear replaced the rage I felt moments ago. 

“I have been waiting for you, I thought you wouldn't be able to make it, tonight.” He blurts, and I could feel him leaning toward my face because his breath fanned against mine. 

In truth, I was more disconcerted, pretty much, that I forgot my plight for a second, and I was trying to pinpoint what the hell was going on. I didn't even realize that I had stopped crying until now.  

But the moment his lips grazed mine, I gathered up my strength and pushed him away from me. My heart began to thump rapidly against my chest. Who was this person and why is he trying to kiss me? 

Spinning around to make a run for it,  those strong hands grasped my wrist once again. “Why are you pushing me away? Are you still angry about what happened three days ago?” He questioned and I was trying to comprehend what he meant. 

What happened three days ago? 

Damn! I wasn't even in this pack, three days ago. I just arrived! So, it was either this person was delusional or he has mistaken me for someone else. 

“I already told you there is nothing between Cynthia and me, she wants me but I don't feel the same way about her.” He stated in a soft-spoken tone. 

Okay, this person was definitely mistaking me for someone else. Just as I was about to open my mouth to tell him that he got the wrong person, he pulled me to him once more, those firm hands held me in place, restricting me from making a move. I was beyond flustered and as much as I tried to open my mouth to speak, words eluded me. It was as if my brain went numb. Still, I didn't relent in trying to pull myself away from him. 

“Why are you doing this to me, Ashley? You know how much I love you, you know how much I'm willing to risk for us to be together. I don't care about your status,  I don't want Cynthia even if she is from a reputable family. I want you, Ashley.” His fingers trailed my skin, distorting me for a moment. 

Just as I was about to inform him that I wasn't Ashley, and he is mistaken, Beta Adrian darted up to us with a fire torch in his hand. “What the hell is going on here?” He bellowed. 

My eyes drifted from him to the person that has been rough handling me since, and so did he. The moment we looked at each other, his face turned pale and he released his grip from my waist, taking a couple of steps backward. 

My chest rose and fell in anxiety, and my breathing became uneven. 

“I-I am s-sorry for groping you roughly.” He stuttered, looking from Beta Adrian to me in shock. “I didn't mean to. I—” 

“You didn't mean to?” Beta Adrian scoffed in disbelief. “So tell me, Delta Donovan, why are you here in a dark corner, trying to molest the Luna?” he questioned. His deep voice resonated through the dark, balmy atmosphere. 

“L-luna?” He gasped in awe, with his pupils dilating in shock. Instantly, he crouched down to his knees and began to apologize. “I am deeply sorry, Luna. I mistook you for someone else, I didn't mean to, I didn't mean to.” He reiterated with shaky breaths. “Please forgive me." 

And to be honest, I was also shocked. But it wasn't about the fact that he was apologizing, but because my assailant turned out to be the delta of the Lycanfrost pack. It seemed as though a lot must be going on here, and soon, I would be caught up in the middle of it all. 

“So if you didn't know she is the Luna....” Beta Adrian took a few intimidating steps toward him. “Then who were you waiting for, and why were you lurking around in the dark?” 

Delta Donovan raised his head to him, looking stunned. “Huh?” 

“I asked, why were you lurking around in the dark and who were you waiting for?” Beta Adrian reiterated his question. It was stern and direct. 

“Ahem, I-” Delta Donovan cleared his throat, scrambling for words. “I was —” 

“Will you quit beating around the bush and answer the question, Donovan!” Beta Adrian roared and Delta Donovan flinched from the impact of his daunting voice. To be honest, I did too. The beta looked so different from the same man that escorted me to my room earlier, the same man, who was the first to ever pacify me, aside from Tania. 

“Okay okay, I was waiting for—” 

A pretty blonde she-wolf emanated from the corner and she halt the moment she noticed us. Beta Adrian's gaze shot up in her direction. “Ashley?” 

Without a word, the she-wolf ran away, making me wonder what exactly was going on here. 

Beta Adrian huffed. “Ashley? Seriously, Donovan. Ashley, the Alpha's personal maid?” 

Alas, I was starting to couple up my scattered thoughts together. 

“Yes, Beta.” Delta Donovan responded with a defeated sigh. 

“So what happens to your mate, Cynthia? And why are you having an affair with Ashley?” he questioned. 

Finally, the realization of everything Delta Donovan uttered to me earlier, dawned on me. He was thinking I was his lover, Ashley. And it turns out he has a mate, whom he mentioned as Cynthia. So they were having an affair in secret. 

Now, this is interesting. I thought to myself and tried to suppress my grin. 

Delta Donovan lowered his gaze to meet the floor. “I —I am, I was—” 

“Buh buh buh, you can't speak?" Beta Adrian fired back at him. “Since you can't seem to give a plausible explanation for your atrocious act, I will inform the Alpha and Elder Brent, Cynthia's father about this.” 

“No, please." Delta Donovan grasped him by his ankle. “Please, I am begging you, Beta. Don't do this to me. I will do anything you ask me to, I will receive any punishment but not that, please.” He pleads, breathing unevenly. Loud enough, that I could hear him. 

“So you don't want them to know about this? What are you even doing, Donovan?" Beta Adrian asked, seemingly confused by the whole situation. “You know what? Just leave. We will revisit this matter tomorrow morning.” He stated, shoving his hands into his pocket. 

“Please, Beta. Don't let them know about this.” Delta Donovan begged. His voice was shaky as though he wanted to cry.

“I won't. Just have a better explanation to give me tomorrow morning. Now leave." he commanded and Delta Donovan scrambled to his feet. He bowed in deference before strutting off with his head hung low. 

As soon as Delta Donovan was out of sight, Beta Adrian turned to me. “Did he hurt you?” His eyes scrutinized me from head to toe and I shook my head in response. 

“No, he didn't.” 

“That's a relief,” he breathed. “look, I know Alpha Damon hasn't been nice to you since you arrived this morning and I will try to talk to him. But, do not walk out on the Elders and the Alpha next time. Fine, you were hurt, but that was disrespectful.” 

What? Disrespectful? I scoffed in disbelief, feeling pained to hear him say that. 

“So you expect me to stay there and pretend as if I am numb to pain? As if I wasn't affected by everything he said?” I questioned angrily. 

“Some things are meant to be ignored.” Beta Adrian advised calmly. “No one should have the right to alter your mood, except, you, yourself. Alas, if you choose to be angry, it's because you allowed yourself to be.” He said in that same soothing tone that seemed to weaken my resolve. 

And I hate to admit it, but the Beta was right. The moment I stopped getting affected by the things people say about me, I will learn to be happy. However, I didn't utter a word to him. Instead, I remained quiet, occupied by my thoughts. 

“Let me escort you back to the hall, Luna.” He prompted and I began to move, while he followed right behind me. 

The moment we got inside the hall, Alpha Damon tossed me a daunting glare. My knees wobbled and blood rushed to my head, making my vision blur for a split second. He seemed like a predator about to devour me, but I looked past him, and plop on my seat. 

One of the elders cleared his throat to speak. “Luna, we would like to apologize on the Alpha's behalf. Please, don't take his words to heart. You know he just lost his mate.” 

But that wasn't an excuse to be vile and speak rudely to people, I thought to myself. But I wouldn't dare to say it loud, of course. 

“So tell us, Luna.” Another Elder chipped. “We expect our Luna to be very strong and courageous. So may I ask if you have seen your wolf and what she is like?”