SLOANE

I exhaled as I reached the hall’s entrance. Looking up at it, it seemed intimidating and I just kept standing there, as if a gust of wind would blow past and somehow push me inside on its own accord. But it was something I knew could never happen.

I had to do this myself.

I didn’t belong in a place like this, and I have no idea how I would be treated by these people but I had come too far to back out now. Not doing what I had to because of people’s opinion wasn't going to get me anywhere, but forever trapped as a slave in my parents’ house.

So, I pushed back the dreaded feeling and finally mustered the courage to step inside. As I struggled to make my way through the sea of new faces I’d never seen before, I looked around for Scarlett.

She’d never been the type to care about anyone but herself. She’s attention seeking and if she was present, I was sure she would be the first person I’d notice because she wouldn’t fail to take the spotlight. Coming to the conclusion she wasn’t here yet, I focused on finding myself an empty spot.

I could be mistaken but as I strutted through the crowd, I spotted a group of three men in the opposite direction staringly longing in my way. Although I pretended not to see them, my heart still fluttered.

If truly I was the one who caught their eye and not some mix up, then there’s a good chance I might walk out of this place hand-in-hand with a man to call mine tonight. Even though there’s barely five minutes until the ball ends, and the thought alone made my heart thud excitedly.

Heavily carried away, I forgot to look where I was heading until I suddenly bumped into someone and I was snapped back to reality.

Holy crap!

“Goodness, I’m sorry. I wasn’t watchin—” The rest of my apology died down my throat. Not only as I looked up to take the person’s face in but also as his scent hit me, filling my nostrils.

What the heck. Don’t tell me this man was my mate?

I might not know a single soul here but this man who screamed sophistication, with a well sculpted defined handsome face, I recognized him instantly. Who wouldn’t? He’s… the pack’s Beta.

The world spun around me, and I nearly fell over my face as I staggered back, my heart racing as I tried to process it. If he wasn’t standing right before me and so close to me, I would have assumed I had gotten the wrong person but he was.

Beta Micah was someone I’d always admired from afar, ever since I was a kid. He was my childhood crush, no doubt. Still, I’d always known someone like him would be far out of my reach. Or so I thought. I wasn’t hallucinating or imagining it. The goddess actually went out of her way and fated us together. I mean, s…she actually thought I deserved him?!

I couldn’t resist biting down at my lower lip as anxiety filled me. Every second that passed and I stood there in the spot, unable to meet his eyes, it felt like I needed more oxygen.

However, the moment I actually managed to tilt my head upward and my eyes locked onto his deep brown ones, I felt it as the mate bond sparked between us.

I was almost worried as to why he wasn’t saying anything when his hand reached for my shoulder, sending a shiver racing down my spine. I closed my eyes, my lips pouted in anticipation. Wasn’t this it? The moment he’s going to pull me close, smash his lips against mine as he accepts our bond?

I anxiously gulped a bile down my throat when seconds ticked by and nothing was happening. My heart skipped a beat and I could feel my pulse thudding in my ears but still, I refused to cut the moment short by opening my eyes now.

Maybe he was just shy or taking his time. And if that was the case, then I was willing to make the move instead.

My wolf perked up with excitement, ready to claim him first but only for the man I thought was reaching for me to shove me aside. His lips twisted into a sneer, he walked right past me, without a second glance.

My eyes widened at the unexpected harshness but I still couldn’t come to a conclusion. So, I spun around quickly, just in time to see him headed towards the entrance, and a person. Scarlett.

“Mate!” My heart twisted into painful knots as Scarlett pronounced, in a voice loud enough for everyone gathered to hear.

She rushed into his arms, giggling as he twirled her around while I stood there, paralyzed. Unlike the look of disinterest he had on his face while he was with me, and in which I had shrugged off as nothing, his lips were now curled into a charming smile.

Had I misheard? I mean, my mate was also her mate?!

I blinked rapidly, failing miserably the more I tried to comprehend it. How? How had this managed to happen? Or probably the moon goddess was playing a prank on me? Yes, totally. That just had to be it.

I waited until the Beta set Scarlett back on her feet before I braced up and started to approach him, my hands fisting the hem of my tattered dress by my side. I immediately knew it wasn't a good idea when after barely taking two steps, Scarlett shot me a deadly look over his shoulder. It penetrated through my skull, daring me to come any closer.

I wasn’t used to causing a scene. Old me would have cowardly stopped in my track right there and then, but tonight wasn’t one. I was determined to fight for what was mine. But only if I had known not all you desire actually wants you.

“Uhm, Beta Micah,” I stopped right behind him, his name rolling off my tongue way too easily. “Can I have a word with you please?”

His hands were holding Scarlett hostage against him and while she arched more into him, he squeezed her soft waist. Her eyes glinted with mischief as she watched for my reaction, taking satisfaction in torturing me. But all I did was shake my head warily, and looked away from her.

Truth be told, I wasn’t sure if with everything displayed in front of me, he would actually go for me but I still wanted to try. I’d been praying and had been living for this very moment.

“For what?” His response finally came and it landed with an impact. Then with the next words that followed, I could swear I felt it as my heart tore into shreds. “I already made my choice the moment I walked past you. I’m being made to choose between you two and I’m picking her, the one who isn’t cursed.” He concluded icily, his resentment for me flashing in his eyes. Then without another word, he leaned down to Scarlett’s neck, biting into it and marking her as his.

Shock coursed through me and I stepped back with a gasp, my palms clutching my mouth as I struggled to contain the sobs that instantly broke through me. But I failed woefully. Tears spilled out of my eyes, streaming down my face and soon enough, my vision became so blurry I almost lost my balance.

I needed to get out of here, I told myself. I began to retreat, hoping to make it out of the door in record time but still, Scarlett’s voice caught up with me, hitting me like a blow.

“Maybe work on fixing your reputation before attending the next ball, since I’m sure you’ll be right back here next year.” She spat the words victoriously just as I completely disappeared from the grand hall and I could imagine a sinister grin stretching across her face.

All through ragged breath, I kept pushing, running as fast as I could in the cold night without stopping. The night had gotten darker and I should be worried I was straying far from the path that led home but I was too ashamed to care about anything else. Not even the direction I was headed.

I panted heavily, beads of sweat covering my face as I fought the urge to give up halfway down the road. I also completely turned a blind eye to my wolf’s agonizing howls. She was in despair. This was our first real heartbreak. And as much as I wished I could comfort her, I was just as shattered as her. Maybe even beyond repair

Scarlett had always made it her job to remind and rub on my face how ill-fated I was, and how I don’t deserve to be born. I had thought it was cruel of her, and at the same time thought she was just being childish. But now I came to realize how delusional I was to still dare to dream of a happy life when this curse was never going to cease following me around.

I can never be like the other wolves. I was certainly fated to die alone without any companion, no one to save me from this eternal suffering and mystery, and maybe it was high time I accepted that reality.

Like a bolt of lightning, the trees were a blur as I flashed past the woods, the branches scraping at my skin. I wished I could actually feel it, but it was nothing compared to the overwhelming sore in my chest from the broken bond.

With my hand clutching my chest to suppress the pain, I kept running until I reached the pack’s outskirt.

And yet, instead of getting any better, Scarlett’s cruel words kept echoing off the walls of my ears and I realized something; I needed a release.