CHAPTER THREE

OLIVIA 

I walked into the large hall with Lily. She had insisted that she wasn't going to leave me all by myself in my room. She wasn't hearing any of the excuses I made to not attend the party.

Lily is Lisa's younger sister, they are the present beta’s daughters. While Lily was calm and feisty, Lisa’s the opposite of her sister, loud and rude.

“If you really want to go ahead with your rejection, then you should watch him mark Lisa. You would see yourself hating him for real.”Those were her words to me all through the day. Her idea of motivation marvelled me at times. She was always blunt at it with no hidden feelings. 

Lily had rejected her mate a few months back, on the very day she met him. She stumbled on him plunging ferociously into another she-wolf. I often wondered how she was able to cope.

I had let her know that I would be rejecting Rowan. His regular sexual episodes with Lisa were getting to the height of it since the Luna's order. My chest burned and tightened with pain each time he was at it. Ava, my wolf was in a more sorry state, she rolled and whimpered in intense pain while her mate pleasured himself in the arms of another. At the rate he was going at it, we would be destroyed sooner than later. 

I wasn't about to live my life in such intense pain. It was my life and I had the right to make a choice on what to do with it afterall. I wouldn't be a freaking mistress to anyone and I wouldn't accept to be mated to that weakling of a man who wouldn't stand up to his mother to save his life. 

Lily insisted on sitting with me at the round table meant for the regular members of the pack. There were so many people gathered in the hall that served as the venue for Rowan's coronation. The hall was beautifully decorated that it looked so much in contrast to the plain hall we used to know. 

Rowan walked in with his arm wrapped around his would-be Luna. They moved past the row of tables up to the long table specially reserved for the ranked members.  

Lisa's gaze met mine, with a small smile of victory playing on her lip. 

She looked irritatingly pleased with herself as she reached for a glass of champagne, bringing it to her lip with a sneer.

Then she leaned her head against Rowan's shoulder, whispering something to him affectionately.

Rowan's face brightened at her words, his free hand tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. 

My chest felt like it was on fire. Ava winced at her mate's public display of affection for another she-wolf. 

“Put yourself together, Ava. We would be free from him in no time.” I begged. 

Suddenly everyone bared their necks in submission to a very powerful aura. It was intimidating but for an unknown reason, I didn't feel the need to bare my neck. 

I instead looked up to see a drop dead gorgeous man take the largest seat reserved at the high table. He had walked into the hall through the VIP entrance. 

Lily pinched my arm, snapping me back to reality “What is wrong with you?” She mouthed in fear for me. I quickly bared my neck, submitting to his aura. 

“What the h*ll were you thinking?” Lily questioned, raising her eyebrow as everyone lifted up their heads. 

“I was momentarily lost in thought,” I sighed. “I mean no one would be excited seeing their mate mark someone else as his Luna.” I shrugged even though my heart ached at the mere thought of it.

With her free arm, she grabbed my shoulders playfully, “You'll be alright,” she muttered. 

I nodded with a blank expression, my eyes wandering every now and then to the attractive man each passing minute. 

Who was this man? I wondered. 

As if reading my thoughts, Lily whispered sweetly, “The Prince is such a fine breed of a Lycan.” Her eyes held so much admiration for him.

I rolled my eyes at her, “You’re drooling, Lily.” I chided her, also mentally berating myself for scolding another person for the same sin I was guilty of. 

Rowan's swearing in process was almost completed. Soon enough, the crowd erupted in cheers as everyone stood up to honour their alpha. 

“I PRESENT TO YOU, ALPHA ROWAN BLACKTHORN, THE ALPHA OF THE COLD MOON PACK.” An Elder of the council bellowed. 

With pain in my eyes, I stared in horror as he made her his Luna. 

The moment he sank his fangs into her not-so pretty neck (rolling my eyes), I felt my bond with him snap. My heart twisted in agony. The screaming pain in my chest made me gasp for air.

Ava trembled as she wriggled in sorrow. She was getting weaker, but for some reason, my mind kept going back to the charming hot prince. 

I looked up to steal another glance and I met his eyes staring dead into mine. 

My cheeks burned with embarrassment alongside my heart pounding wildly in my chest. I quickly averted my eyes to Lily who handed me a drink. “Thanks.” I mumbled, gulping the liquid down my throat. 

Today's obviously not a good day for me. Firstly, I watched my mate, mark and mate with another and then this drop-dead gorgeous man had caught me red-faced stealing glances at him. 

I was sure I wouldn't stay till the end of this ceremony. The swearing in had been completed already. Sooner or later, the important guests would begin to take their leave. Maybe I could use a good excuse too.

“Lily, I have to go, I don't feel too well at the moment.” I whispered impatiently. 

She tilted her head, looking at me briefly and gave a slight nod. “It's okay.” She mouthed. 

I surreptitiously left the hall and walked out into the open air. I felt much better as the cool night breeze settled on my skin. I stumbled aimlessly around the pack house. My patience was growing thin and I wanted to quickly put an end to this sad fate that was about to befall me. 

Suddenly, there were goosebumps all over my body. I had this strange feeling of being watched. In fright, I quickly made a U-turn to head back into the packhouse and almost fell as I bumped into a thick wall that suddenly blocked my path. This wall was made of flesh. I could feel the tautness of it under my palms.

“Careful,” the wall of flesh said gently, his fingers brushing my skin as he helped me from falling. Sharp tingles shot through my arm making me impulsively retrieve my arm from his chest.

I looked up in a daze to see that this wall was no other person than the Prince. 

Was I in trouble? How bad was this day going to get? I thought groggily. 

Now that we were in a very close range, he was unbelievably handsome and far more irresistible than he was from afar. 

He smirked. Maybe he was aware of the effect he had on me and was pleased with himself. My face turned crimson red as it heated up in embarrassment. He wasn't going to punish me at least.

“Watch out! You wretched blind mutt.” A familiar voice screeched from behind.