ALPHA JASON’S P.O.V

I sat behind the massive oak desk in my office, arms crossed, jaw tight. The border reports were stacked in front of me, neatly arranged but contained chaos that refused to resolve themselves.

“There are still some years left,” My Beta and lifelong friend, Kael said, “still some years for the prophecy to come true.” His voice was ominous. “Nobody wants to-“

“Report me about the situation at borders.” I cut Kael off. I was in no mood of talking about that prophecy. I have not been granted a mate yet and I have to get married in 6 blood moons. If I don’t do that, the prophecy of curse will come true.

I did not believe in mate bond. And after my mother’s cheating on my father, I have stopped believing in marriage. Even though my mother was the fated mate of my father. Death is better than to be caught in a toxic marriage.

“The East line’s still vulnerable,” Kael informed. “The rogues are getting braver.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. It was getting out of hands now. I have reached a peace agreement at the western border after three months of continuous efforts. I have crushed the heads of rebel, brought them on their knees and now when I am back after my expedition, the rebels have raised their obnoxious heads from the East line. But they don’t know what’s coming for them. This time, they will not only kneel infront of me but also present their heads to me. I would perish their generations.

“I know. The patrols need to rotate tighter. And we need to reinforce the Crescent Rock crossing. Again.” My beta said, trying to relax me. He was aware I have been tensed and high on nerves for past few months and now with my arrival I am met with bad news again.

Kael leaned back in his chair, watching me. “You haven’t slept, have you?”

I didn’t answer and I know he knows the answer.

“You’re doing that thing where you act like you’re solving a war with your brain alone.”

“It is a goddamn war.” I gritted through my teeth. I was aware of the gravity of this situation. War was no joke. I have seen my men dying, their bloods spilled on the floor, the ground turning to red from brown in one evening. Their teared away limbs and helpless eyes.

“And it won’t fix itself tonight.” Kael folded his arms. “You need a break. Clear your head.”

I took in a deep breath of exasperation. My chest heaving up and down.

“For 3 months you were away from the capital and I feel you need to relax. Do I need to call a woman for you tonight?” Kael asked. His voice serious.

“No.” I said and gulped down the red wine placed infront of me.

“Go to The Veil. I am attending too.” Kael told, “You know I have been mate less for years now. I need a woman.” He said jokingly.

I scoffed. “You think a masquerade ball is going to make this go away?”

“No” Kael shrugged, “But it might remind you that you’re not just a title. You’re a man. A young Alpha with a whole damn future ahead of him.”

I hesitated, a thoughtful look on my face. Then finally I exhaled in affirmation, a smirk crossed Kael’s lips again. He knew he had won.

“Fine. One hour.”

By the time I arrived at Moonstone Hall, the ball was in full swing. People obviously recognized me. Since I was the alpha of this pack and only my identity won’t be concealed in this masquerade.

Just when I was thinking to leave, I bumped into a beautiful girl. Not overly jewelled nor loud. Just...breath-taking. Her mask was loud but elegant at the same time. And my steps carried me towards her.

I watched how nervous she became when she recognized I was the alpha. I have been accustomed to this reaction now. A red hue spread on her cheeks.

I noticed her embarrassment when the people around us glanced at her with disdain and I couldn’t understand why but it affected me and that was why I asked her for a dance. With every beat of the music, the urge to explore her within me grew. She was innocent. And beautiful. She couldn’t withstand my gaze for a few seconds and every time I wished to stare in her eyes for a few more seconds, she looked away.

That’s when a low growl escaped my throat. I wanted to see more of her and there and then I led her to a room so I could unravel all of her.

I have never felt such emotions capturing me with this beautiful intensity.

I was enchanted by her.

ROSETTE’S P.O.V

His hands caressed my face softly, his eyes shining behind the mask.

“I want to see you. Every inch of you.” He growled in a sultry voice. I gasped.

And before I realized, my dress was pooled around my feet and it was the start of a passionate night that made my legs shook, body quiver and throat scream.

I gave my virginity to the alpha.

The virginity that belonged to my future mate.

***

The first thing I noticed when I pried my eyes open was the silence. I sat up straight, my eyes adjusting to the warm amber light filters through the silk curtains. My throat was parched as I quickly drank water to dampen it. I have screamed my heads out last night and it was the reason my throat was injured i looked around me and the bed was empty.

As expected, I have forgotten whom I spend a night with. All I can remember are feelings the man made me feel. I don’t remember his identity, his face, voice or anything but still I could feel his hands all over my body.

I sighed in disappointment, of course I knew I wasn’t going to see him again but I still felt sad. As I stood up to get my dress, I couldn’t help but wince in pain. It was the evidence of how pleasurable last night had been.

I slipped in my dress quietly and quickly left for my house. Luckily for me, they seemed to be deep in sleep when I got in, so I tiptoed silently and snuck into my room. Without wasting time, I pulled off my dress and hid it in a secret corner then hurriedly went to shower. By the time I was dressed and clean, they had woken up and I behaved as if nothing had happened.

Days passed, I resumed my normal life of being abused. Everyone in the pack had been talking about a mysterious girl at the Veil but just like me, nobody seem to remember her. I had almost forgotten about that encounter. Until I suddenly began to feel sick. I would wake up and feel extremely fatigued and nauseous. But I didn’t panic and out blamed it on stress. But then my appetite increased, my body began to feel tender, especially my breasts. Then I missed my period. I sat on the floor of my small room, staring at the calendar I’d drawn tiny stars on.

“Four weeks, five. Six. I’m late.”

That’s when I panicked. I barely had enough money but I scraped all my savings and went to the pack doctor.

“You’re pregnant!”

I sat in disbelief as I faced the pack doctor, her face had on a serious expression so it meant she wasn’t joking.

“But...how...it was only once.” I whispered to myself as I trudged back home, my body lacking the strength. I barely noticed anyone as I walked, it felt like my body was present but my mind was far away.

“What am I going to do? How long could I hide the baby from my step mother and Kiara?” I felt tears filling rapidly on my eyes.

For the next two days, I behaved normally and no one noticed. But on the third day, just as I was about to serve breakfast to my step mother and Kiara. She suddenly paused and sniffed the air deeply. Sharply her eyes zeroed on me, shock in her eyes.

“You’re pregnant?”

‘Crash’

The tray of dishes I had been holding fell to the floor, their contents scattering to the floor. But none of us reacted to it. I was too shocked and scared while they both stared at me with eyes full of disgust and shock.

“How...how did you..?” I asked numbly, my head lowered.

“Your scent changed and I could smell an additional scent on you. Wow, you are such a slut huh?” Stepmother taunted, her eyes flashing briefly. “To think you would go out and bring disgrace onto this family like this.”

Kiara finally burst out laughing, her eyes crinkling and shining with tears.

“Wow. Rosette, Rosette. Innocent Rosette. I didn’t know you were such a slut.” She clicked her tongue while staring at me with mock pity in her eyes. I tightened the hold of my hands on the hem of my shirt as shame washed over me. “Aren’t you aware that you could be killed for getting pregnant out of wedlock?”

***

The family meeting happened in the sitting room. My step uncle, my stepmother’s older brother looked stunned and shocked at the same time. He was the only one from her family who still cared about me. But stepmother and Kiara just looked smug, they could barely hide the smirk on their lips.

I was made to stand in front of the three of them. My head lowered and my hands restless.

After a few gruelling moments of silence, he opened his mouth.

“Who?” He asked softly, his raven gaze on me.

I but my lips.

“I...I don’t know”

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Stepmother snapped, her head tilt to the side as she glared at me, I couldn’t help but tremble.

I had to say the truth.

“It..it was at the Masquerade...I can’t remember anything else.”

“Wait what? You snuck out to go to that party? Even after I locked you in?” Stepmother screeched loudly with fury.

“Do you realize what you have fucking done?” Step uncle roared, the veins on his forehead pulsing, I took a step back. “You might never find who the father of that baby is. And you might never get a mate. Do you think your mate will accept you once he learns that you gave yourself to a man you barely knew?”

I tried to speak but no words came, my lips trembled with unshed tears. I wished I could go back in time and undo all of this. If I hadn’t been too keen on going to the masquerade, all just to see the alpha, this might never have happened. The worst of it all is that I don’t know if I ever saw the alpha.

“I’m sorry...I never meant for this to happen. I just wanted to see the alpha. I never wanted this.” I robbed, my shoulders shook with the action.

“Too late. You already brought this on yourself.” Kiara chimed in a singing voice, a look of glee on her face.

“What happens now?....to me?” I whispered, barely audible but they could hear me. My helplessness was clear in my voice.

Step uncle rose from his seat, a determined glint in his eyes.

“We only have one choice right now.”

I stared into his eyes searching.

“What’s that?”

“We have to let the alpha know. He will be the one to decide your fate from here on.”

My heart sank. I know I always wanted to see the alpha face to face but this wasn’t how I wanted it. I would look like a piece of trash, a slut infront of him if he hears this.

“Do we really have to...tell him?” I pleaded desperately.

“Yes.” Step uncle nodded his head. “He’s the alpha and what he says goes.”

Its over, I had no choice anymore. Why me.