Chapter Four

It took me a  few moments to gather myself in the kitchen area. Rage, grief, and fear coursed through my bloodstream with every beat of my heart. It was like losing my parents all over again. Why did the Moon Goddess have to be so cruel? Knowing that Julie was wearing my mother’s jewelry was killing me.

The guests soon started to arrive, and the music started vibrating through the event center. People were packing in and eagerly greeting my Uncle in hopes that their sons may be a match with Julie. Making a match with Julie meant that they would have an alliance with our pack. Although fighting amongst packs was rare, there was always the threat of humans, rogues, and other creatures.

I, along with the other Omegas, started serving out drinks to the honored guests. We made sure that we kept our eyes downward so as not to offend anyone of ranking. By happenstance, I glanced up and caught Julie’s eye. She smirked at me from across the room as she was showing off the bracelet on her arm to a gaggle of girls surrounding her. As a new wave of rage gripped me, I saw Julie freeze, as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water on her. She seemed to sniff the air for a moment before dramatically turning around, her dress swishing against her legs. I watched as she locked eyes with a male that had just entered the venue.

I watched as a new pang of jealousy ran through me. It seems as if Julie has found her mate.

“Hey, do you know who that guy is?” I quickly asked one of the passing Omegas. She quickly glanced at him so as not to be seen doing so.

“Wow, she is a lucky duck. That’s Nathan of the Golden Moon pack,” she told me as she hurried away with another tray full of drinks.

Julie had not only found her mate but her mate had just been named Alpha of his pack after his father decided to retire. I recalled the conversation I heard between my Uncle and his Beta that Nathan was one of the youngest Alphas in our region. I watched as my Uncle happily clapped the handsome man on the back, but he did not even seem to notice. His eyes were firmly fixated on Julie, as hers were on him. It was obvious from the elated looks on her parent’s faces that they were happy with the match. The Golden Moon pack was large like ours, and an alliance between the two packs would be beneficial to my uncle.

I felt like I wanted to die.

My cousin was the living version of a witch. She was cruel, manipulative, and vicious. Yet despite all of that, she has a literal dream life. Parents that care about her, friends, a fated mate, and my mother’s jewelry. I could feel the sobs rising in me that refused to be stamped down. I tried deep breathing to calm myself, but nothing was helping. I don’t want to live anymore. I have no future. The Moon Goddess has forsaken me. My parents died in this very park so it would be fitting if I did as well.

With that thought in my head and tears blurring my eyes, I rushed through the party. My only objective was to get out of here. As I burst through the doors, my whole body was rocked backwards as I ran into a very large hard body. I could feel hands grabbing me to steady me on my feet but I did not want anyone to see me in my current state. I knew that I looked like a mess, and I just wanted to get away. Just then, the nicest smell invaded my nostrils. It was like a cedar mixed with sandalwood. I couldn’t stop myself from looking at the person steadying me on my feet.

My eyes locked with the deepest emerald eyes I had ever seen. It was like the world faded away and there was nothing and no one else besides those green eyes probing mine. The man quickly tugged me along behind him as he hurried us both around the side of the building.   

“Are you ok?” His voice was soft and melodic. I could get lost in the sound; it is soothing.

I couldn't seem to find my voice, and I was painfully aware of how much of a mess I was at the moment. I needed to apologize to him. Chances are he is either an Alpha or a Beta from a neighboring pack. Either way, I had no right to run into him or even be in his presence.  I can do nothing but shake my head yes at his question.

“Pierce. Pierce, where did you run off to?” I heard a woman calling.

“I had to look at something. I will be there in a moment.” The man in front of me answers the woman. “Sorry sweetheart, duty calls.” He uses his knuckle to lift my face to meet his. I cant help but audibly gasp when he takes a handkerchief from his pocket and dries my face. “Save a dance for me doll face and whoever caused these tears should be beaten to death.”

His words had a deadly ring to them, but I was in shock and couldn't seem to move. I watched the gorgeous man return the handkerchief to his pocket before walking around to the front of the building. I had to mentally get a grip on myself. Surely he did not mean any of those things he said.

I had to take a few moments to get my brain to think rationally. That man was only being kind, there was no way in reality that he really meant any of those things. I was sure that he was as surprised as I was when I bumped into him, and he was simply a gentleman. Although I was being rational in my head, there was still a strong pull to see him again.

The party was still going strong. I figured I would go back in and continue working just so I could catch a glimpse of the man one more time. There would be plenty of time to follow through with my plan of ending it all tonight. Shouldn’t I be allowed this one ray of happiness before I said goodbye to this world?