Chapter 5

Hazel POV

I started a rumor which had spread over Silver Moon with the aid of the servants. I had told the servants in charge of reception to spread the rumor that me and Xavier were together.

“I saw them kissing in the yard,” the first one would say.

“I saw them mating in the backrooms,” another one would add.

“They would be having a baby.”

Well now that will so obviously be a lie as it was impossible, I told them to stick with the first two.

As the preparation for the gala, that night was underway, the rumor began to spread and even Xavier had heard it. He found it a little embarrassing but he couldn’t blame me. He knew the story was fake, but he thought my feelings for him were true. At least, that was what he thought.

It was finally the night of the Red Moon Gala and everyone was in position. The whole pack had worked hard to set up and seeing how the place looked, they thought it paid off.

Zoe came over to my room to get me. She knocked on my door. While on the other hand, I had just cut the mind-link with the other rogues after confirming they had set the ambush.

I put myself together before I opened the door to go with Zoe. She pushed open the door to reveal Zoe standing right in front of me and I was awestruck as I took in Zoe’s appearance. Zoe was wearing a red silk evening dress with makeup that enhanced her already gorgeous features.

“What do you think?” Zoe smiled.

“You look… You look breathtaking,” I said, genuinely.

Zoe was happy. She rarely ever got compliments from me. She reached over and planted a kiss on my right cheek.

As we walked to the hall of the gala, I realized I was actually very envious of Zoe. I was raised as a killer, I rarely ever did the teenage girl things Zoe got to do; kiss a boy, go out on a date, and wear a pretty dress. I was used to being the best of the rogues, but sometimes even I forgot that I was just an 18-year-old girl.

Which prompted me to make a silent vow to kill Xavier tonight. With the bounty, I would be free and even get to buy plenty of dresses, kiss plenty of boys and go on multiple dates. All I had to do was succeed in killing Xavier.

When we got to the hall everybody was looking at us. It was one of two things, they couldn’t get their eyes off of Zoe because she looked stunning or they had heard the rumor that I had sex with the Alpha. Zoe and I split up to exchange pleasantries and mingle with the guests.

After greeting a few people, I got tired of them trying to bring up the discussion about me being with Xavier. I finally found Xavier having a conversation with what looked like Roman and his sister. Roman’s sister looked just as beautiful as Zoe, only she was more on the fairer side while Zoe was fiercer. I walked up to them and exchanged pleasantries with Roman and his sister.

Xavier was visibly uncomfortable. This was the first time he had been with me since the rumor spread. And here we are, in the presence of Roman.

At least Roman didn’t try to bring up the rumor, they were having a seemingly good conversation before a man Xavier recognized as Mike came to join in the conversation. He was an Alpha too.

“Xavier!” He guffawed, “isn’t this the boy I heard you’re shagging? Even if you wanted to go for a boy, which I think is disgusting by the way, I’m sure you could’ve done better than…this,” he said, shooting me a dirty look.

He continued. “Well your loss, you missed out on this hot damsel of a girl,” he said, talking about Roman’s sister. “Roman, I would like to express my interest in your sister. I would take really good care of her. And oh, I promise to be gentle during our first time… you know,” Mike snickered.

But no one was laughing with him. It looked like a vein would pop on Roman’s head with how angry he looked. He squeezed his hands so tight that his knuckles were turning a shade of purple.

Roman’s sister, tactful enough to read her brother, tried to lead Mike away.

“Would you like to dance, Mike?” She asked him.

“Why sure you beauty,” he lustfully grinned at her as she led him away.

“I’m sorry about him,” Xavier said to Roman.

After networking was over, it was time for the real ceremony. I wasn’t at all giddy because I knew I wouldn’t find my mate at all. I knew tonight, I would end up being an outcast lone wolf without a pack.

Wolves got up to the altar and something would happen, the mates would attract themselves as their intense desire for one another would kick in.

So far, 20 wolves had gone up and just one didn’t find a mate. It was Zoe’s turn and her eyes were fixed on me. And then when she attracted her mate, it turned out to be Ryan, Xavier's brother.

 I could notice the shocking look on elder Noah's face and his jaw clenched unable to hide his contempt. He always wants Xavier for his daughter. Just as shocked as everyone Ryan isn't an exception as his eyes met with mine and his jaw dropped to the floor. Every male should be happy to have Zoe as their mate because she has beauty and her father is also an important figure in the pack.

Even when Ryan stared at me longer than expected I felt no reaction for him so it was confirmed that Zoe is actually his mate seeing how their eyes glow of the same color with a force that they couldn't control.

And soon enough, it was my turn. I could as well get it over with, I thought. I climbed up to the altar and I felt every piercing gaze from the crowd. And then I felt it, a surging feeling from deep inside me. The feeling was rapidly consuming me. It was a feeling of thirst? hunger? Need. I was longing for someone. I bared my fangs and my eyes sifted through the crowd until it locked on some familiar eyes. I could feel it too. Both our eyes shone and then everyone knew.

Xavier is my mate. 

This changed everything.

My dream of killing Xavier was rooted in me getting free and finding my mate. But what would I do when the man I had to kill for my freedom was actually the one I needed my freedom for?