It has been days since I arrived in the pack and Ezra had invited his family over for dinner. I couldn't hide in my room anymore, last night I heard from Lydia, my maid that Ezra was in my room but I didn't smell him when I woke up this morning. Whatever that was, I didn't want to look anything out of the ordinary so I asked Lydia to choose anything for me as long as it doesn't show my curves.
I didn't know but I suddenly didn't want to impress him anymore with my looks. " I think this is the one" Lydia stretched the ground-length red dress she took from my wardrobe" no" I shook my head, it looked too tight and revealing. What if I get in trouble with that? Ezra might suddenly change his mind and decide to mark me who knows? I couldn't risk it. " Luna, I think I should get you something from the store," she said sincerely but the dinner was one hour time and I couldn't get there late. " did you check properly? There should be something to wear" I said sitting before my dressing mirror with a hand dryer blowing my wet hair. " you have said no to all," she said in a low tone. I could see how stressed she was. She had been at it all morning and nothing seemed to suit my taste because all my cloths weren't close off. " help me with my makeup and leave the rest," I said " but Luna, the alpha instructed me to get you ready within an hour" she retaliated. it wasn't something new, I had noticed that. All the servant practically follows whatever Ezra says. " did he also instruct you on what I should wear?" I was getting bored with all his orders, he practically treat me as if I was his property and I hated that more than anything else in the world. I knew alphas were possessive beasts but I never thought I would be a victim of one besides, wasn't even his fated mate. " get out of my room and only show up if you are ready to take my words and not his" I was pissed at him, her, everyone even myself. I felt tears in my eye and signed immediately she shut the door. I unplugged the dryer and stood up from my chair. It was my first time meeting his family and I couldn't help being nervous . I placed my hand on my waist looking at the bunch of clothes hanging in my wardrobe. " there isn't much to do" I picked the brush and started brushing my hair after which I pulled out my bathrobe before grabbing the first dress that came into view. It was a yellow dress, the one I got from dad on my seventeenth birthday. It was short, a knee-level designer off-shouldered dress, one that I was going to keep till my old days. My parents weren't rich as Ezra but they never failed me when it comes to materia stuff. After putting on light makeup, I couldn't think of anything else. I let down my long black hair and grab my favorite heel boot from the numerous things Ezra had arranged for me. Even though It was thirty minutes before time, when I got there everyone was seated. It seemed they were waiting for me, I felt a little uncomfortable with the whole table looking my way. " here she comes" I heard the female voice and I knew she was aware I heard her. " hey allow me" a male who looked much like Ezra stood up from his chair and pulled one for me as my gaze met with that of Ezra, he growled at him " that is okay if you are jealous" he said in a teasing tone as I sat down in discomfort. They say the first impression count but I wasn't impressed with his family. They seem disgusted by my present, especially that one. I pointed my gaze at the two she-wolves, the woman who seemed to be in her forties and that, the golden hair female. Except for the gentle one who pulled the chair for me. " am Danny, his younger brother. nice to meet you Catherine " he kissed the back of my hand with a blooming smile and I smiled back. " you almost took the whole night" the golden hair female complained, she looked a little different because I could point out Ezra's siblings and I would certainly not point her. " you kept us waiting but anyway let's eat" the male at the other end of the table whom I guessed was Ezra's father said and dinner started. About ten servants appeared and began filling our plates as if they knew what everyone liked to eat but when it got to my turn, I didn't like the food that was put on my plate but who was I to complain? I couldn't imagine myself voicing out my dislikes in front of them. Ezra didn't say anything to me, not like I was expecting him to say something but how rude could it get? Not even a hi! " so tell us, which pack are you from, and who are your parents? And most of all, " he raised his head to look at me" your family rank" he demanded. I was secretly praying that this dinner would be over soon. " interesting, an alpha blood?" he said as if he doubt my answer. " bridge pack sounds familiar but...." he shoved a spoon full of soup in his mouth. I wondered how one could survive among such personalities. I couldn't help but wonder if I really traveled across several packs to get acquainted with these royal Lycans? Unbelievable!. " you couldn't find your mate as well?" hearing that statement made me want to throw up. What the hell was that question for? " you don't have to answered me, he probably doesn't want you" she added and I met her gaze, she was no doubt his mom. Did she have to be rude? Even though my pack wasn't as rich as theirs but never was I insulted. That small pack I grew up in was my whole life and I would never trade it for anything, at least not for their luxurious ruthless life style. I mentally rolled my eyes" bridge pack is probably something ugly" the golden hair female said without rumoring as if it was okay to look down on someone. My eyes watered but I didn't allow myself to cry. " your manners are zero, I hope you teach her something beneficial. She isn't qualified to be your Luna yet" Ezra's father said looking at his son as if reprimanding him. " sorry am late" a brown-haired female joined and all attention went on her. I was too hurt to pay attention to their conversations. It felt as if I wasn't welcome and a strange feeling enveloped me making me feel different from them and indeed I was different. I wished I was home because this place didn't feel like one to me. " she is beautiful" I heard the female who just joined say and I glared up. " hi, am Helen. You can tell the rest" she smiled and that was when I smiled genuinely for the first time since I arrived in the crossroads pack, the Lycan pack. " I thought I was the only beautiful she-wolf ever but you are more," she remarked and I grinned awkwardly as everyone turned to look at me in disgust, once again," I thought I was the only one seeing that" Danny teased taking my hand from under the table squeezing it a little. " bridge pack is such a nice place, I doubt you remember but I have seen you before because I was at your birthday party. I was curious, I wanted to know the woman my alpha wanted for a mate" she explained cheerfully eyeing Ezra who was only looking at his plate. Helen seemed different from her family members " oh, you aren't eating your food?" she noticed from across the table" who served you those?" she frowned as if she knew I didn't like seafood " do you have to go all the way to know her?" " she is my best friend and sister-in-law, can you mind your words, Sandra?" she rolled her eyes at the golden hair female. Best friend? " don't you have anything better to serve her ?" Helen yelled at the chief maid " it's okay, am not hungry anyway" I murmured and once again it appeared as if I said something wrong with everyone's gaze sitting on me. " Ezra, did you have to choose such a woman as your Luna?" her eyes never left my face " mom?" Helen called, unhappy with the comment made. " don't interrupt your mother" Ezra's father scolded" she even chose to wear something else " " I don't see anything wrong with that" Danny murmured " of course, you won't see" Sandra said sarcastically. She really seem to have problem with me. I noticed how she had been looking at Ezra the whole time and I wondered if she was also family or a crush . " I didn't know fashion could be this difficult to catch up with" how rude could she be? I was tired of taking her insult, I looked at Ezra for help but he didn't look my way. Couldn't I be myself anymore? " excused me" I stood up to leave" you don't leave in the middle of a meal" his mother again and I couldn't help but roll my eyes as I sat back without much choice. And listen to their nonsense! I kept quiet the whole time without touching my food and no one cared to ask. Finally dinner was over but unfortunately for me, they were staying and for how long? I didn't know. For the first time, I decided to take a walk to ease my sorrow. I noticed Ezra was too busy to care about me and I was mad at him, he couldn't even say a word when his parents were saying all those nasty things to me. I have never felt this sad in my entire life before. I admit, crossroads was huge and luxurious but that didn't make it look any better from bridge pack. Before I realized it, I was strolling in the dark woods with tears in my eyes. I felt like a stranger back in the dining place before his family. None of them seemed to like me. I have never felt this cheap and stupid before. ' Mate!' Aria jumped in my head and I stopped in my track as I cleaned my face with the back of my hand looking back and forth. I could smell him but his smell wasn't strong in the air" are you spying on me?" I yelled because I knew he was near" be a man and face me!" I yelled again but in tears. I couldn't stop it for some reason. For a while no one appeared, as I was about to move my feet I heard a rattle behind me and when I turned I saw him again for the third time and this time I couldn't hold back as I ran to hug him tight. I remained to hug him for a while" are you sure you want to do this?" I lifted my gaze, his golden eyes looking at me, just me without hugging me back. Being just this close to him eased my pain, it was as if peace was raining on me" we are mates" I said tears running down from the corner of my eyes, I didn't know why I was crying in front of him. Wasn't it embarrassing? No, because it feels like one" supposed to but you couldn't wait" his words were like a dagger stabbed into my heart. Was he seriously blaming me? It was a mistake anyone could have committed.5 It was a moment of dark desires. I didn't want anything more than to immerse deep in it, to feel the pleasure that comes with it. I didn't quite catch anything as the flames gathered in me and took over. I didn't think before allowing myself to be grabbed by his cold lips giving in to the pull and I couldn't fight it either. My hands found their way around his firm neck and my nose pranked at the smell of his arousal. It sunk deep into my system, cursing me to drop weak in his strong arms.It was the best smell ever, I mean the best scent I have ever heard in my entire life. I instantly became addicted to it as I kissed back hungrily following his movement.His other hand left my waist grabbing my left thigh and raising it to his hip. I immediately clenched it around his heavy ones with needs. I was on fire as if I was going to explode anytime.His growls only flipped my desires, he growled loudly creasing my back with his warm rough palm leaving sparks all over my body. And I seem
6Staring down at my stained white dress that looked too impressive a while ago. I felt a little heavy but I couldn't vent it on the poor woman, I couldn't bring myself to do it, not someone her age. She looked old enough to be a mother. " I'm truly sorry, my queen. I didn't see you walking by, I'm regretfully sorry, please you may punish me if you want" She was shivering with her head down as if afraid of me or something. I mean you couldn't blame the old woman after all I was Ezra's chosen mate and Ezra was practically scary apart from his cold handsome personality which keeps others from running from his present.I wanted to help her from the floor but the family didn't take long to appear '' does she always have to be the center of attention? Unbelievable '' Sandra rolled her eyes murmuring the last part, obviously annoyed at something as she folded her arms on her chest. Her voice was stained with disdain and I wasn't bothered the least because I knew I would always be the villai
7" I saw how you were looking at him," Helen said and glared at me . I dropped the coffee cup in my hand raising a brow as I didn't know what she was talking about. Was I confused? No, I wasn't, just surprised" I mean Hector" she smiled, sipping her cup with a raised brow and staring out the glass window at our side where the car was packed with Hector, my new bodyguard and mate in nature was standing.I made an ' oh ' sound following her gaze out the window at where he stood. So he was Hector? I said the name as if I was tasting it out on my tongue and with a slight nod I wanted to tell his name. It felt as if I had gained something, knowing his name was more than enough to make me smile. I could have guessed it but hell, I didn't think that far.Smooth name for a handsome Lycan!" I know he is handsome but don't get your hopes up and besides...." she sounded like I was doing something wrong and surely I was. I didn't expect her to be my friend like mine because she was still Ezra's
8" Good morning" his deep husky voice greeted me and the horrible scene last night flashed in my memories as I squirted my head up to look at him from under my long black lashes. " It's okay, you are safe," he assured me as he pulled me into his warm embrace. I couldn't believe he killed him because of me, he thought he was harassing me and yes he was, which was practically my damn fault. I thought I would move him, I only did what I did to piss Hector off but my bad luck had to show up. Ezra was the one who got pissed off instead because of my little act which provoked the beast and almost forced him to rape me.I was at the perk when he suddenly showed up asking me to follow him back to the pack house. And instead of complying, I ignored him trying to show him who the boss was, hell me! I was annoyed with him. I remembered asking him if he had danced with Helen but he just looked at me as if I was some kind of joke! He pretended to not hear my question so I presume he did dance with
9Hector's POVThe familiar scent hit my nose and when I turned to face the direction it came from, I saw Ezra walking towards me from his room. Fuck! My animal was jumping in outrage as her smell appeared on him. Ezra was fucking smelling like her! He was scenting as if he had been drawn into her body and that could be possible. I mean she was his chosen mate and it wasn't as if he didn't want to fuck her. The thought courses my Lycan to growl in my head as it began pushing forward to tear him into pieces that could be more bloody in the end, I looked frustrated. Being the Hector of the Lycan empire, I was trained to kill and protect the pack. A mate was the last thing I ever considered because I was sure that thing couldn't be the fate of a warrior or a killer like myself. The night Ezra summoned me to lead his mate to safety, I thought it was just an order but when I got there, I realized it wasn't but rather a call from fate. Of all the women that Ezra could have chosen, my fated
10' It's for the best' his words, his cold tone kept ringing in my head like musical verses.Sittinkig at Ezra's right-hand side as his queen didn't stop me from thinking of him.How wrong of me but could I be blamed? He called staying by Ezra's side the best. I couldn't stop my heart from hurting. Doing both wasn't easy for me, I didn't intend to lie to Ezra. The urge to tell him about my fated mate was stronger but I couldn't do it because I get a little scared when I remember his words ' I can't betray Ezra ' . Those were his words and they hurt me more. He said he couldn't betray Ezra but he was willing to betray my love for him, our natural bond because of him, tears threatened to fall as I glared at the corner of the room bumping into his stares. He was looking at me like nothing was wrong and I felt like breaking down on my knees and shamelessly begged him to tell everyone about what we shared. Did he think I would be okay after he said those dump words to me? I sniffed not ta
11' The pack is under attack ' I thought the day was going to go by smoothly but I was wrong. I thought they won't attack again or should I say they were supposed to know better?' head to the borders now!' I heard Kelvin's voice through the mind link as I raced through the woods. He was the fucking gamma you won't like to know any fucking thing about and also the head of the pack's security shift. I wasn't under his command, not anyone, the only one who was eligible to order me was the king because that was how it had always been. He stopped crossing my path and trying to prove a point in front of Ezra long before I offered to serve the royal house. I stopped at the western border but there was no single warrior over here, just quiet with the births and squirrels chirping. I wondered where they could have gone. I was sure I heard that right, I was told those rogues were spotted at the borders and here I was.I looked around with my wolfish eyes as I sniffed the air to be sure I was
12Catherine's POVAria was running in a flash and bumping into trees here and there without a care as if none of it hurts. She was head bent on getting to him, we felt him and his pain. He was hurt and in pain, we could feel this because our souls were bonded. Growls leaving her mouth like a hungry beast, I could feel myself growing weaker within her. The pain she was feeling was correct, just like I assumed, Hector was in pain and we could feel it vividly. Both Aria and I, feeling the pain of a fated mate weren't news because I remember mom did the Same. The same thing happened to her when dad was attacked on his way back from a meeting with another pack.I wasn't surprised when the pain cut through me a while ago because I could guess the thoughts of my wolf but not all the time did it come out correct. Aria and I were one just like every wolf was with their human but much different in many ways.A growl left her mouth as she halted in her race just at the very edge of the cliff wi