BROKEN REVENGE: CURSED SECOND CHANCE

I was walking down the hallway when I noticed the party. I could almost taste the mix of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and cake from the aroma wafting into my nose, its tingling sensation on my taste buds reminding me that I hadn't eaten all day.

Clutching my stomach, I walked in.

A waiter clad as a royal butler in a traditional black shirt and pants approached me with a tall glass of wine.

"Welcome to the mating ceremony, ma'am. Call me if you need to refill your glass," he said as he adjusted the wine-stained towel on the tray.

"A mating ceremony?" My tone was quizzical, more than I had wanted. The waiter's brows furrowed. Someone rang a bell, and he nudged his head toward the sound while his eyes lingered on mine, his glare matching the tone of my question.

"All this food and drinks just for dogs mating?" I muttered.

As soon as I was certain the waiter was out of earshot, my eyes narrowed, my forehead creased as I observed from a corner. The occasion, the people, everything seemed weird.

It was summer, yet they all had multiple layers of thick jackets. They were all hairy and, for some reason, everyone in attendance had either sizzling bacon or ham on their plates.

I was draped in a checkered chiffon shirt and simple blue jeans without a jacket.

Three men from the crowd walked over to where I stood, their eyes peering into my skin as they licked their lips.

"What's this cute puppy doing here? You lost?" one said, his muscles twitching under the custom-made suit.

I shuddered slightly but made sure my stern face and bold stance made up for it, just like Mum taught me when she was still alive.

"I'm where I want to be," I shot back.

"Hmm! Feisty… me likey," another of the three spoke, raising his hand to my shoulder. I shook his hand off. He chuckled.

The last man stood with them, neither speaking nor being touchy. He just stared intently. His nerdy glasses and tuxedo made him look as though he was about to audition for the role of a clown.

The man who spoke first reached out to touch my chin. He pretty much looked like he found himself in the wrong outfit. I snorted.

"Are you guys tired of living?" A voice, firm and authoritative, thundered from the crowd.

If anyone had cared to listen closely, they certainly would have heard my heart thud.

Sniffling and jittering escaped from people's lips as they pulled themselves aside for a heavily built redhead to walk through.

I blinked, and by the time my eyes were open, the weirdos next to me had withdrawn their hands from my body and shifted their gaze to the marble floor.

"We are sorry, Alpha Damian," they echoed in unison.

He stopped on his track about a foot away. The air around me tightened. Just like the weirdos, everyone's gaze seemed fixed to the ground. His dark eyes pierced through the crowd. My knees quivered, and I leaned on the table close by.

Thoughts whirred in my head.

Was he just coming to chase out the men or to fish me out? Do I leave on my own before he arrives?

The light from the windows blurred his face.

My legs shifted. "I guess it's time to leave," I muttered.

The weirdo with the tuxedo grabbed my hands. "One step out of here and you might find yourself dead," he whispered.

I stiffened.

"What are you doing here?" The redhead's cold voice echoed into the silent room.

All eyes shifted in my direction with creased brows.

My breath hitched. I wanted to ask if he was speaking to me. My lips parted to speak, but the words failed to suffice.

One of the men appeared before me from behind. "I invited her. I'm sorry, Alpha Damian," the nerdy weirdo replied.

My eyes narrowed. What was the nerd up to?

Walking closer, a glint of surprise wavered in his eyes. "Lucia?" he called out.

I turned around to see who it was he called, but his eyes were glued on me. The surprise I saw disappeared almost immediately, his blue eyes lingering on the birthmark on my forehead.

A baby broke out crying, and the mother shushed, but the crying continued.

"Take that creature outside," Alpha Damian barked, his face still focused on mine.

"Take her to my chambers… this mating ceremony is over," he ordered, a few minutes after trying to bore a hole through me with his eyes.

His legs shifted back towards the altar. Some guards grabbed me, and I struggled against their grip.

"I am not going to your chambers," I shot back out of nowhere.

Honestly, I was scared to my marrow, but I wasn't one to be pushed around.

His foot stopped midair. The crowd gasped. "What did you just say?" he asked, his brows knitted.

"I said I'm not going anywhere. If you don't want me here, I'll leave, but you have no right to bundle me to your chambers," I retorted, my voice laced with confidence… I was taken aback.

The third man coughed nervously.

Alpha Damian's gaze narrowed, meeting mine. "Do you know who I am?" he asked.

"Do I look like I care?" Another set of loud gasps filled the room.

He walked to the spot where I stood, held by both arms by the guards.

He flicked his hand and the guards let go.

He moved closer until our faces were barely inches apart. His breath, hot, hit my cheek and his hands found mine.

From the side of my eye, I caught an angry-looking bride glaring daggers at me.

I tugged against his palm to break free from his grip. The sudden movement of his hand against mine sent discomforting chills down my spine, but the grip became stronger after each tug.

"Let go of me…" I pushed.

He didn't respond, his face returning to its usual coldness.

A single tug pulled me out of the party, leaving other attendees dazed.

He tugged at me all the way to his room upstairs.

"Somebody call 911!" I screamed on the way to his chamber, but everyone had a confused look on their face as they walked past.

"They can't see me," he said calmly, swiping his key card on the elevator lock.

"Oh my God," I muttered, blood flushing from my face. "Oh my… Someone help me! I've been kidnapped by a ghost!" I screamed as we entered the hallway on the top floor. A kid giggled, pulled out his phone, and began to record me.

"Click." The door locked.

I stiffened. "Unlock the door," my pulse echoed in my ears as I spoke, rushing to pull the doorknob.

He paced, ignoring me like I was some child throwing tantrums.

Then he turned, his eyes darkened, his expression cold and his face stern. "Has the Moon Goddess sent you to punish me?”