Sapphira_
I looked at the beautiful reflection in mirror and all I could see beneath the layers of makeup was my pale face. My fingers held unto the edges of the most gorgeous dress I've ever worn since I came to this pack anxiously. Today is this the day I'm supposed to be given away in a loveless alliance to as a chosen mate to an alpha I've never met before and I dreaded it. Creak! The door opened and aunt Elisa stepped in. She had this kind smile that made me sick. "You look so beautiful. He's here." I swallowed but was worried about someone else. "Aunt, Mateo..." "Shh... He's fine. Natalia is handling him and he'll stay put till the agreement process is over. You can take your little bastard with you." I nodded and sat back quietly. For a minute, I wanted to hold her hand and ask, 'Aunt, when my parents passed away, didn't you promise to take care of me? Why give me away now like I'm worthless?' But I decided against it. Aunt Elisa might have asked the maids to cover up my bruises, injuries and scars. It doesn't mean she can't inflict new ones. So I sat in agonizing silence till a maid knocked on the door. "Miss Sapphira, master demands your presence." I took a deep breath and stood. Aunt held my arm and led me out like a loving mother. My teeth were gritted as I was led into the dining room where the guests await my presence. I kept my head lowered as we inched closer. However, a sweet, intoxicating scent suddenly assails my nose. My body trembled with tingles and I could feel my usually timid wolf, Saskia pace around in my head excitedly. What's happening? I have never felt this way before. I thought as we walked into the dining room. The scent only got stronger almost making me dizzy. "Here she comes," I barely had time to register the unusual nervousness in my uncle's voice as he announced my arrival. I looked up and my eyes darted around the unfamiliar faces till I locked eyes with a particular person. His electrifying blue eyes bored into mine making me tremble at the coldness in them. My eyes widened slightly in realization as Saskia chanted, 'Mate! Our mate!' _______ Rafael_ I was so pissed off I wanted to blow off the brains of the stupid, old omega right there in his study room. We had an agreement. I get to marry his daughter in exchange for some lands and other assets. But I get here with all my family members only for him to inform me that the agreement has to be altered. Instead of his daughter, I will be getting his niece instead who is a better choice only that she already has a child. What the heck? Nineteen with a few months old baby. What does he take me for? Even if I'm sterile, I am still an alpha and I have my pride. Does he think I'm someone he can just dump his second hand niece on? If it wasn't for father, I know what I could have done. Finally, based on father's persuasion of how much it would be a shame to return to my pack without my supposed chosen mate, I agreed to meet her once. If after our interactions and I still don't like her, we'll break off the agreement and Marcelo has to compensate for my loss. I begrudgingly agreed to this and wanted to get it over with so I could leave this godforsaken place. I just didn't expect that after some minutes of waiting for the supposed niece in their dining room, the most luscious scent I'd ever smelt would waft into the room. I briefly wondered who was baking or cooking as I definitely wouldn't be staying here long enough to taste anything. That was when she walked in. Raf jolted in my head and panted with excitement. It took the strongest will in me to hold him back from bursting out. 'Mate... Our mate. Rafael, that's our mate.' I was stunned. I focused on her just in time to meet her eyes and I realized the scent had gotten stronger and it was from her. 'Mate?' I asked in disbelief and Raf growled in annoyance at my slow understanding. I didn't know what to think. How could the moon goddess play tricks on me like this? I came to Dark Moon pack with the purpose of choosing a mate rather to avoid settling with my own fated mate and subjecting to the pain of our bond. But the moon goddess... She really led me into the hands of my fated mate. My eyes were fixated on the red haired woman standing across me and I suddenly thought of something. 'She already has a child...' My eyes filled with coldness. All these years I've been compelled to abstain from sexual relations, she couldn't keep herself for me. Just how little did she regard our mate bond. 'I thought you always said you didn't want her,' Raf mocked; he didn't seem upset at the thought of her already been tainted and having a child for someone else like me. "Alpha Rafael, this is my niece, Sapphira." 'Her name is so beautiful. Just like her,' Raf drooled; a complete contrast to the scowl on my face. "Hmm," I gave a curt nod and Marcelo looked more nervous as he knows what's at stake. Good for him. "Then let's leave the young people to discuss," My father laughed so harmoniously and slyly gave others a cue to leave the room. "Bro, she's beautiful. You've got a good one this time. I have no objections towards this sister-in-law," Roberto leaned in and nudged me before they turned to leave. "There is no need for that. Let's finalize the agreement right here... Right now," My words stopped them. Marcelo looked at me with confusion and I growled, "I have other important things to attend to." A smile outstretched his sinister face as he realized what I meant. "Of course... Of course. I won't dare delay the alpha." "I didn't expect you'll take one look at her and have a change of heart," Ricardo whispered with an amused smile which I didn't find funny. They have not the slightest ideas of my thoughts.Sapphira As I approached the black tinted car with a maid by my side carrying my small luggage, I could feel a sharp gaze penetrating into my skin from the car. But the glasses were designed in a way one couldn't see what was happening. I collected my suitcase from a maid who I was unfamiliar with. Although there was this look of envy and disgust on her face, she still had to keep up the smile on her face. I know news has traveled fast about the marriage proposal more like a business proposal and there were many that envied me. They didn't understand I would do anything to get out of this agreement but I had no choice. "Thank you," I told her and opened the car door. She didn't even assist me any longer and as she turned around, I could hear her say, "She is probably feeling mighty and all now but we all know she was sold out and didn't even deserve a proper mating ceremony." She probably thought she whispered that but I could hear her clearly and the words stung. 'She is j
Sapphira My face paled as I watched Rafael slam the door behind him and leave. I was so humiliated and hurt. I've never felt like this and my eyes suddenly sting. In front of everyone, he was treating me this way. What would the pack members think of me? Mateo stirred and babbled something in his sleep again like he was aware I was about to cry. Someone opened the door and I quickly blinked back my tears. I looked up to see one of his brothers. He was smiling down at me and his kind face was so different from Raphael's cold one. I remembered I had seen four of them back at home. Were they all quadruplets because they looked so identical? One wouldn't even be able to tell the difference aside from the fact that Rafael is always wearing a scowl on his face and this one is wearing a pair of glasses. "Welcome home, sister-in-law. I'm Riccardo," He helped me out and even collected my suitcase. His other two brothers were waiting for me. One on a wheelchair and the other one who wa
Sapphira_ I was speechless. Why did he sound like I was acting so irresponsible? If he wasn't giving me the cold attitude, how would I know what I'm supposed to do or not do around him? The only thing I could say was, "Sorry." Jeez, I don't even know why I'm apologizing but it made a scowl appear on his face and I wondered what I did wrong now. But he didn't say anything and just walked out of the room. I rolled my eyes and huffed angrily. He's really got a big attitude. I've been taking care of Mateo all by myself and he just made it seem like I was an irresponsible parent. As I laid Mateo back on the bed, I made a mental note to be more careful around him. It seems like she was walking on eggshells every minute I spent around him. I opened the box and began to bring out the clothes inside angrily. Then I went into the walk-in closet and didn't even admire the numerous expensive clothes I saw there before looking for an empty spot to arrange the ones in my hands. 'Why are you
Sapphira I made way for him to pass and he signaled to some of the maids. I watched as they bowed slightly before rushing forward to the cupboards. "Thankfully, I got them to stock up on a variety of baby foods earlier. I don't know which one he prefers or eats so I asked them to get a bit of everything." My mouth opened slightly in surprise as the doors to the cupboards opened to display a beautiful sight of colorful jars and boxes of baby cereal, pureed fruits and vegetables. There were so many branded foods I couldn't even afford to get Mateo back at home. When did Roberto have time to prepare all these? He really went all out. "My goodness... This is even more than enough. I doubt he will outgrow all these baby foods before consuming them all," I laughed. I looked down at him, my eyes shimmering with gratitude. "Thank you. I don't know how to express my appreciation. This is too much..." Back at home, I just used to do little menial jobs without aunt knowing and whichever
Rafael I watched Sophia's back turn stiff before she turned around to look at me. I didn't need to know how dark my expression was because I could already judge by the look on her face. But I didn't care. Raf was raging inside of me and I was furious. How dare she call Sapphira a maid? "Rafael—" her voice was trembling and she couldn't look into my eyes. "What did you just say? Who are you to question me?" "No, I was... I didn't know she was the one. I thought she was a maid. I—" Her eyes were shimmering with tears when she looked up but that trick wasn't going to work this time. "You had no right to call the baby a bastard whatsoever and she is your Luna. You will respect her. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes," Sophia nodded and bit her lips to show she was having a hard time holding her tears back. I've never raised my voice at her until today but she crossed the line. "Now apologize like Roberto asked. Don't make me repeat myself." "I'm sorry." "I'm not the one you should apo
Sophia I marched right into my room when I got home and didn't even go down for dinner, ignoring my mother's pleas. So that was the thing Rafael settled for. I was so disappointed and hurt. How could he have chosen an ordinary she-wolf like her who already has a child? I was expecting a beautiful, sexy, high-class woman who would have been a formidable rival, not that bitch. "But just now," I sat up on my bed and stroked my hair. "I couldn't feel her rank. Is she a beta? No... There is no way someone like that could be a beta. She might be an ordinary omega or even a delta." Well it doesn't matter. Since she dared to agree to be with my own man, I am going to teach her a lesson. Without even saying a word today, Sapphira thoroughly humiliated me. Neither Roberto or Rafael has ever shouted at me before in my life. Even though Rafael is usually the coldest and emotionless one of them all, he has never been harsh with me until today. This only fueled my hatred towards Sapphira.
Sapphira When I woke up, the other side of the bed was cold and so did my heart turn. I sat up. He didn't spend the night here. My face fell and my insides twisted hurtfully. Was he also avoiding me now? What did I ever do to him? 'Why doesn't he want us?' Saskia was also awake and she was feeling incredibly sad as well. But I didn't know how to respond to her so I blocked off the link. Maybe it's because of the mate bond but I feel worse than I'd imagine. I hated this mate bond between us. Hated the fact that he was my mate yet acting like he wasn't. Well, if this is how he is going to play his game, I'll play along. "Today is a beautiful day. I get to go on a tour around my new pack with his brothers so I shouldn't ruin my mood over his attitude," I reassured myself and replaced the frown with a smile. I looked to the side and saw that Mateo was still asleep. He must have turned during the night as he was now sleeping in a slanted position. There was this cute pout on his ch
Rafael I was holding up my towel which was tied so lazily and loosely around my waist as I walked out of the bathroom. My phone was ringing and when I saw the caller ID flashing on the phone screen, my knitted brows eased. "Father?" I called out once I answered the call. "Son, your mother has just completed another session and I'm bringing your mother over now." My eyes shone with concern as I asked, "How is mother? Do you need me to send someone to come get you two?" "No, the guards are quite diligent. There is no reason to send more forces. And your mother..." I heard my father sigh over the phone and worry etched on my physical features. "Her health is deteriorating. The shaman says she can't handle any more long trips now." My fingers clenched around my phone. I'm not sure when my mother's strange illness started but I was quite young. It left her bedridden for the most of our lives and she was starting to look like a shell of her old self. I could tolerate anyon