CHAPTER 2

Tears welled up in my eyes as I saw my boyfriend getting mated to another girl right in front of me.

My wolf retreated as she howled in pain. My ribs contracted and my breath hitched as I tried to shove back my tears.

Their words felt like a physical blow and I could not believe my relationship with Brandon had ended. I got a public breakup from my boyfriend whom I had given my everything to.

I remained rooted to the ground still in shock, as I reminisced on all our happy moments, the laughs, loves, and intimate moments we had.

He had promised Eve; my wolf and I the world, to spend the rest of our lives together. The amount of sadness I felt could not be quantified.

It took me a while to recollect myself from the bombshell that dropped a few minutes ago but at the end of it, with some encouraging words from Sienna and Mom through mind link, I was able to pull myself together from the mess he put me in and put on a welcoming smile for the new couple.

I used all of my efforts to have a happy face and good energy around me but deep down, I was in great turmoil and I wanted this ceremony to end as soon as possible. The atmosphere was too toxic for me.

My wolf was suffocating as I watched them perform the ritual.

After a long time of waiting and internally crying. It was time for them to share the sacred thread and as the Alpha’s daughter, it was my duty to tie it to them.

Sienna being the caring cousin she was, offered to do it but I stopped her.

"I'm fine Sienna, I'll do it," I said to her through the mind link, pain evident in my voice. I had to show the pack members their soon-to-be Alpha isn’t one to break from a little betrayal and heartbreak.

I shut myself from the mind link, making it impossible for anyone to reach me or vice versa till I was done.

I took the thread from the tray and walked towards the couple. As custom demanded I had to tie the thread on the male before the female.

As Brandon stretched his hands, I took a thread with the same color as Mia’s wolf and tied it to his wrists. As our skin touched, the sparks and tingles we used to feel were absent.

It felt like I was touching a cardboard and my heart sank. The moment I tied the final knot on his wrists, I heard his voice, “I’m sorry Rose.”

He used the mind link to speak to me but I ignored him acting deaf like I heard nothing but deep down I was crying after hearing his apology.

I moved over to Mia and gave her one of my brightest smiles and mouthed to her, “Congratulations.”

She returned with an even brighter smile and my heart dropped more. He was truly her mate and my world was in shambles but I masked it up.

I went back up to my seat and let my father proceed with the ceremony. “With all the rituals done and with the blessings of the moon goddess, our mother, I announce you as mates to the members of this pack.”

The whole room was filled with applause and smiles, I could only join and not ruin the fun. All the couples had to do was wait for their marriage ceremony.

Their mate claiming ceremony was a success and everyone was partying. I tried so hard to not stare at Brandon but I failed miserably.

My eyes, having a separate control system would wander off and watch him but fortunately, our eyes didn’t meet so he never noticed.

While everyone was merrying, I sluggishly walked to the bar and requested a drink. I took it sip by sip as I watched my ex and his mate party on the open floor. My view was disrupted by Sienna who came to join me.

“You know a sour face doesn’t suit you, Rose," she sighed.

“The pain of goodbye is the beauty of another hello and moreover, your heart may be bruised now, but it will recover and become capable of seeing the beauty of life once more. It has happened before and with the arrival of your mate in a few months, it will happen again.”

I took in a deep breath and let it all out hoping to calm my nerves. I requested a drink for Sienna and a refill for me. As I sipped in sorrow, Sienna continued cheering me up till we heard a scream of excitement from the crowd and turned our heads.

“FUCK!!!” we said in unison. The scene of Brandon and Mia sharing their first kiss was the first thing our eyes welcomed.

The only interpretation my brain could send out was flaming anger and the feeling of sending a sharp sword into my already broken heart, from the scene I just witnessed.

"Bloody hell" was the only thing I could say as I watched them kiss, my eyes unable to move away as I was glued to the spot.

My aura became cold and chilly, possessing invisible spears that could pierce someone. The glass in my hands was cracking and would break anytime soon but Sienna quickly pulled me out of it.

The bartender, who was a regular wolf, was suffocating from the cold aura I emitted. I quickly dropped the glass I was holding to avoid it shattering and causing unwanted attention. “I’m going to get some air, probably go home afterward.”

Those were the last words I said to Sienna before I dashed out of the hall after making sure no one saw me. I walked under the dark sky with the moon above my head to my safe haven. A place I always go when I feel down and need privacy. It was a secluded place in the forest that I found years ago.

~~~~

A man, pressed himself against the brick wall, trying to make himself as small as possible in the corner of the alleyway. He held his breath as he heard footsteps approaching from the direction of the building.

The sight of Rose running away in tears prompted him to grab his phone and make a call.

"Master, the target has left the hall. The plan worked." He said with his lips curved into a sinister smile.

"Good. Now follow her and keep a close eye on her. Remember the plan. One slip up and your wife and kids go to the world beyond. UNDERSTAND?!" The master said, changing the low voice to a harsh one.

"Yyy-yess" he stammered with his head low, his devilish smile turned into a sigh then a frown. "I won't let you down again Master," he promised, before the phone call was disconnected.

He sighed before keeping the phone in his pocket and chasing after the girl who dashed out of the hall.

The man's heart was racing as he chased after her. He had been following her for weeks, trying to get close to her, but she was always too guarded.

He knew what he had to do when he finally caught her, as the lives of his family were in danger at the hands of the mysterious master who kidnapped them and blackmailed him.