Chapter 5 Five

Lucianna’s POV

I watched as the other girls moved in the middle of the hall, then one of the guys would move forward, almost like a wild animal, and start to put their claim to their fated one’s neck. The way the men growled the word ‘Mine’ made my knees tremble with excitement. I couldn’t wait to hear my mate say the word!

“The Shadow pack’s Alpha is a hottie! It’s too bad we didn’t get to see him!” said a girl who rode the van with me.

What now? Were they going to keep throwing blades at me? So what if the Alpha looked good? It wasn't as if they could continue drooling over him once they met their own mates.

Ugh. They were starting to sound pathetic to my ears! It became almost unbearable, and I couldn't help but frown.

“Oh, yes! I heard the girls from the front talked about how mighty he is!”

“Second strongest Alpha of the North, I wonder what he looks like!”

“If it ain’t because of that bitch who came last…”

I decided to just hum and focus on what was happening in front of us. I was certain these girls wouldn't stop blaming me for a while.

It wasn't as if they wouldn't see the Alpha during the closing remarks, duh! They'd become part of this pack when they found their mates, too! Why whine over such a trivial thing as if they'd never see the Alpha again?

Dumb asses, I didn’t even intend to be late!

I looked up to where the Alpha was seated. He was on the stage, shrouded in darkness, just a shadow sitting on a chair. I couldn’t see him at all.

Why was he seated in such darkness, anyway? Or did he prefer it that way?

Most Alphas liked to display themselves, to show who was in charge and let others feel their power. But this one seemed different.

I remembered Cruz mentioning that he was peculiar when he abruptly left before entering the Regal pack land. But… oh, why am I bothering myself with these thoughts?

“No! I hope that won’t happen to me!” someone wailed.

My eyes shifted to the center of the Hall, where a girl stood, tears streaming down her face. Oh, no. Her mate wasn't here, and the whispers filled the room, discussing her misfortune. She was the first tonight to find herself without a mate.

When the mate was not here, it only meant that he was on a mission, out of the town, or… dead. I hope the last one wouldn’t be my fate but the other reasons were not good either.

To me, the idea of waiting another year for the Mapping Ball to meet my future husband seemed unbearable.

Or wait forever until death because he might be dead.

Oh, no! No! My mate would be here! He was here! He must be or else I would really kick him in the nuts!

Yeah, right. Like I could kick a dead man. Damn! Why am I thinking like my fated one has already left this world?

I quickly shoved the thought and just continued watching what was happening in the middle Hall.

The poor, heartbroken girl stepped aside, crying. My eyes watered from how devastating she looked but I immediately fanned my eyes using my hands to avoid destroying my makeup.

Sorry, girl, my heart is breaking for you but I can’t let my mate see me at my worst. I only promised him to see beauty in me, so I’ll cry for you later. I thought.

My heart raced as I stood in the middle of the Hall. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears, loud, fast, and scary.

“I think she’s the second heartbroken girl tonight.” I heard someone say and that made my eyes close. It has been a minute, then two, three-

Fucking hell. Is this true? Don’t tell me my mate was not here too?

How unlucky would I be to become the second devastated and hopeless she-wolf of the night?

“That’s what she gets for almost ruining our night,” one whispered.

Shut up! Shut up!

I closed my eyes, deafened by the loud thuds of my heart. I had never imagined that this was what the other girl had felt earlier. It was embarrassing and sad. Disappointment was there, but the overwhelming sadness surpassed it.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I bowed my head to hide my face. I must have looked like a fool, a child crying over a piece of candy. But this wasn't just any piece of candy; it represented the biggest wish I'd ever had.

Finding my mate was what I had lived for. It had given me hope, and now... it had shattered me completely.

“When will she get out of there?!” one complained.

“Hey, move along so we can get the party started!”

I wanted to. I fucking wanted to move, get out of there, run away, anything! But my knees were trembling; I couldn't move an inch!

After a few seconds, I managed to look around. Everyone was gossiping about me and the awkward situation I had put myself in. Why couldn't I fucking move?!

If I could, I would have punched my own legs to punish them for being like this! I knew I looked pitiful. I could feel the tears on the edge of my eyes, but they weren't falling yet. I was trying my best not to cry, to be honest.

With my eyes wandering, I caught a glimpse of the Alpha’s seat. He was still there; I could see his build but not his face. If he were looking at me like everyone else, I might have seemed funny to him for acting like this.

Great! Just great.

Okay, I thought this embarrassment should have ended now or else that weird Alpha might throw me out of his pack for ruining this traditional Ball.

Suddenly, every girl around me gasped, looking at me with wide eyes, just as I was about to take a step away from that space.

Fine! Fine! I know you all are irritated but fuck you all!!!

How could they have given me so much attention when they had just met their mates!?

“Mine,” a voice said behind me, followed by a loud growl.

What the-

I noticed the Alpha's silhouette had disappeared from where he was seated, but my attention was drawn by the intense heat emanating from behind me.

Everyone wasn't looking at me; they were focused on the person standing behind me.

“Mine,” the person behind me repeated with a voice emphasizing finality and possession. The hairs on my nape stood up, feeling the surge of power coming from the person behind me.

I turned around and was met by a man towering over me. My height is 5’6”, and this man was clearly over six feet. When I looked into his eyes, deep pitch black, they shifted to red as they met mine.

Alpha!  My head screamed, shocked. My mate was the Alpha!

Mate! My wolf follows enthusiastically.

Oh my!

I felt my heart beat even louder than before. My eyes focused on his, and my entire system was pulled by his mere presence. I could feel the mate bond between us and I never thought it was like this!

It was heavenly addicting. The way his scent lingered on my nose made my head in a haze, it was intoxicating!

I only had a glimpse of his face because the moment I looked back, my mate circled his arm to grab on my chin, tilting my head to the side as he leaned forward.

I felt a sharp sting on my neck as my mate bit through my flesh, placing his claim where it should be.

It hurts!

I don’t know how exactly this will feel like but I could feel the pain from his bite. I thought it would be a pleasure, why was it not?

“Ah-Aw!” I complained silently as I held on to his arms for support. I felt like my knees turned jelly, and the pain has reduced, but still painful.

There I felt it.

Our mate bond has been connected and the pain slowly subsides, letting me drown on an agonizing pleasure coming from the bond. I was about to moan when my mate suddenly pulled away.

I looked at him with hooded eyes. I felt my cheeks burning from the pleasure I felt in that short time.

I found my mate! Finally! Someone who will be with me until my last breath!

A Family!

“A-Aren’t you supposed to lick it?” I whispered in question.

The male wolves were supposed to lick the flesh where they put the claim so the wound would heal fast and I guessed he… forgot?

A low growl escaped his chest as he looked at me- Wait.

I knew that look. B-But why?

The Alpha of the Shadow pack, who turned out to be my mate, looked at me with disgusted eyes, dark expression and his lips were flat. I knew this look, he was not… happy to meet me? That I was his mate?

“Why would I?” he whispered in a cold tone without even blinking. At first, his words struck me like a sharp knife but then I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he must be thinking that I would heal since I was a wolf, too.

But I was wrong.

He leaned forward, placing his lips just at my ear and he whispered, “I despise weaklings like you.”

Every word came from his mouth with emphasis of hate and disappointment. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine not just from the way his hot breath touched the skin of my ear but because of the coldness of his voice.

“W-What?” I uttered in disbelief.

I don’t know if anyone heard what he said. But I felt conscious of all the eyes looking our way. It was as if everyone was laughing at me without showing it, or was it just in my head?

I don’t know what made him say that. Was he calling me a weakling? Me? Weak? How?! I was one of the strongest she-wolves fighters of my pack, won trophies over two packs simultaneously, and I strive on my own alone! Which part of that was weak?

“Weak and deaf, huh? Not a good combination,” he smirked, his expression was still cold as ice, which made my headgo blank in question.

What the-

He turned his back to me, facing the crowd.

“Congratulations and welcome to the Shadow pack. No sexual intercourse in public. Make sure to get a room for that,” he said with a smile and everyone laughed at his humorous words. “Enjoy the rest of your night,” he ended his small speech and everyone in the Hall howled and cheered as they started minding their own business.

My mate looked at me and the smile he gave the crowd was not shared with me. His face was grim and dark again. What the fuck was wrong with him?!

Okay, okay. I could let this go with an apology. I’m a simple lady, forgiving and kind. I would surely kiss and make up if he only apologized-

“Someone will take you to my house,” he said and walked away.

That was it?! What the!

No! He should apologize for judging me harshly and for not licking his claim! Yes, I demand my wound to be licked!

Without any second thoughts, I followed him as he walked out of the Hall through a back door. Where was he going?!

“Hey!” I called once we reached the outside. He stopped walking and looked at me with squinted eyes and an irritated expression.

“What do you want?” he said in an annoyed deep voice.