Chapter 9 Nine

Zane's POV

From the corner of the hall, I watched her step in. Her alpha aura lingered gracefully around her.

The beast inside me roared.

Her crimson dress hugged her curves like a goddess.

Her long silver hair fell behind her, grabbing the attention of every wolf in the hall.

I couldn't help but frown at the eyes looking at her.

My hand squeezed around my glass. My eyes never left her as she walked to an empty table with a man behind her.

I immediately sensed him.

A beta male.

I didn't fucking like him especially around her.

My eyes turned cold as he handed her a glass of champagne.

My beast was screaming for me to get close to her and get rid of her beta.

I couldn't look away from her spot. I watched her every step with that beta of hers glued beside her.

He seemed loyal and devoted to her but I didn't fucking like him.

One of the young Alphas stepped closer to her but after exchanging a few words he returned to his table.

A smile played on my lips.

That was what I fucking wanted. I didn't want any male around her or inch closer to her.

" Zane." Sternly walked over to my table where I stood alone and comfortable.

At the far end of the hall. A glass of champagne in my hand.

" Keep a close eye on her," I ordered and Starnly followed my gaze to her.

I slipped my drink slowly. My eyes, not leaving her for even a second.

She was fucking beautiful.

A goddess in the midst of predators. The preying eyes of the Alphas in the room were hard to miss.

They weren't looking at her as an alpha or equal but as a female.

They all wanted a piece of what was fucking mine.

I could see it on their faces including his beta.

Mariam made her entrance, attracting a few predatory eyes to herself.

" Thank you everyone for coming." Alpha Thomas stepped in front, forcing every eye to turn to him as his daughter settled beside him with a smile.

She wore a crimson dress just like Calista's.

Her long black hair was held behind her in a ponytail unlike Calista's that sway behind her head like a shadow.

" Today, is my beloved daughter. Mariam's birthday and I'm happy to have you all here to celebrate with her especially Alpha Zane Bluemed." Thomas announced with pride.

The hall immediately turned silent as eyes turned around for me.

I didn't know what I was hoping for but my gaze settled on her.

Calista. She wasn't moved by the announcement.

Unlike everyone else, she didn't turn her head, not even slightly.

Her calmness at the mention of my name didn't settle well with me.

My grip tightened on the glass as her beta leaned and whispered something to her before leaving the hall.

Thomas continued talking but I didn't pay attention, not until I felt the familiar scent closer than necessary.

" Thank you for coming. Your present means a lot to me, Alpha." She leaned towards me and whispered.

I didn't bother turning my face to her but my grip on the glass loosened a little.

" I got your gift and I love it. It's the most beautiful gift among the gifts I received." She added, her hand reaching out to touch mine.

She literally says that about all the gifts that Starnly presents to her.

" I'm glad you did," I whispered finally turning my gaze to her as her hand slid around mine.

I didn't know what I was expecting as her hand touched mine but I didn't feel anything.

No spark.

She wasn't my fated mate. Calista was.

" I can't thank the moon goddess enough for making you my mate." She whispered excitedly.

Her thumb creased the back of my hand gently.

" Happy birthday." I slide my hand out of her grip and lifted my glass.

" Thank you, Zane." She grabbed hers and we both sipped our champagne.

" This is my best birthday ever."

Between Mariam and me a marriage alliance was meant to benefit both packs.

Thomas wanted my power and my name and I wanted control.

I turned my gaze back to where she was standing and for some fucking reason, she wasn't there.

She was fucking gone!

My beast roared in my head as my eyes turned cold in displeasure.

She was supposed to stay where I could see her.

"I can't wait to mate with you. It will be the best day of my life." She spoke softly as her eyes met mine in the dark corner where I stood.

The rest of the alphas seemed to notice me as they walked over to show their respect.

Mariam spoke with each of them, and I remained silent most of the time. She was the perfect tool for me to seize power and reign as the most powerful pack in the world but the moon goddess brought in my fated mate.

Which wasn't something I expected.

Looking at Mariam and thinking of Calista at the same time.

What the fuck was this bond doing to me?

" Alpha Zane. To our packs." Thomas held his glass up and I grabbed mine.

" To our packs," I said and drank the whole liquid.

" I really appreciate your present here. I feel honored." He said with a smile and I nodded.

The rest of the conversation was between him and his daughter.

I was lost in thought trying to mind-link my beta.

' Alpha she is here at the back.' Starnly replied after a few seconds and I narrowed my eyes.

' She is alone. Holy shit, alpha Stephen is walking towards her.' I glittered my teeth.

I excused myself and made my way out of the hall.

The slow music in the hall faded slowly.

I halted when I saw Stephen standing beside her and laughing at something she said.

My face went icy cold.

They both turned their heads when they sensed me and immediately moved away from her.

" I will go back inside. It was nice chatting with you Alpha Calista." She extended her hand to him and my face darkened.

She has nerves than I ever thought.

Shaking hands with other males in front of me wasn't just bold but deadly.

I stepped closer, my brows pulled together and my eyes fixed on her.

" Shaking hands with other males in front of me. Calista Rukers." Did she know how I wanted to tear that bastard in half?

" Coming from someone who is planning to get mated to a female who isn't his fated mate." Her hard gaze turned to me.

' She knows.' my beast growled in my head with regret as I locked eyes with her.