Chapter 3 A New Mate

Three

A new mate

~Adriana

I sat on the bed comfortably they had all gone to their various work leaving me in what I think is Riley's Room because his scent still lingers on.

I eat the food that they serve in haste because I haven't eaten for days now and I'm starting to the core.

"Okay here's what we want you to do if you're going to remain in this pack" Riley barges in with files in his hands

"We're going into a contract. I need a mate, my pack needs a Luna and I'm unable to provide due to some challenges which may not concern you..." he paused

"Wait.. you don't have a mate? Why?" I quizzed

"It's complicated, but read this" he tossed the files to the bed which I picked

A contract - it wrote.

"That's a contract, I want you to act as my mate until I find mine then I'll let you go. In return, I want to take off your head for intruding on our residence. Meanwhile, I had my Beta search for your background. You're from Southside Pack" he said

"Yeah, but please don't take me back there I'll do anything for you" I tried getting up but the pain in my legs prevented me.

"I'll do anything, just keep me here and alive. I might not have a mate but I can pretend to be one until you get one yourself" I smiled sheepishly.

I looked at me puzzled then sighed. A man burst into the room, making me and Riley turn to him.

"It's said in this record that your mates all died mysteriously and the present one rejected you because I didn't want to suffer like others," the man said, going through a file.

All packs keep account of their members, positive and negative.

"I don't think she's fit for this job," the man said to Riley.

"What do you think the pack will say, seeing a Southsider as their Luna let alone an Omega? They'll protest for sure. I suggest you find someone else" he said

" Ray, it's my pack and I'm choosing her for a purpose unknown to me but she'll be my Luna regardless"

"What if you die like the others?" Ray quizzed

And they both fell quiet.

"as long as you aren't my mate, I don't think it'll be a problem," I said breaking the silence and they both stared at me

"No, it's too dangerous. They're lots of people trying to get this position if he...." Ray said but Riley stopped him

"It's okay, nothing is going to happen "

"You don't know that for sure"

"RAY..." Riley held out his hands to the air and Ray stopped talking and stared daggers at me before retrieving.

"I don't want any trouble" I opened up.

"Nothing will happen," he said, getting up to leave

"What he said is true, all my mates rejected me, and some died. My mom told me I was cursed but I refuse to believe her" I said solemnly but he didn't turn to me.

"Sign the contract, in a few days you'll be announced as the new Luna" he quietly said before exiting.

The past few days have been nothing but constant sleeping and eating. The doctor came to examine my leg once in a few days and she said I'll soon be up on my feet.

Today, I sat beside a table staring at the window and thinking about my family.

Would they care if I'd gone missing? They're probably celebrating that I'm now out of their lives

A sigh escaped my lips and I heard the door open.

"The alpha said you should put on this and come downstairs," Maya said,

"What a beautiful dress?" I said

"What Is happening today if I may ask?"

"You're being crowned Luna" Her words left my mouth and my gape.

"Is it today? I thought it was tomorrow"

"It's today"

"Hurry up we're all waiting for you," Maya said before leaving

I glanced at the dress one last time before going to the bathroom to freshen up.

Afterward, I put on the cloth and stared at my reflection.

"You look pretty" Janice praises and I felt my cheeks burn.

I mouthed thank you and she escorted me to the living, luckily my leg was healed from the herbs I'd received, so I wasn't limping

I got to the living room and all eyes were on me. I smiled nervously as I took my seat.

Cough...

Janice cleared her throat and speak

"Where's Riley, the announcement should have commenced by now"

"He's speaking with Duke regarding the ceremony".. someone said

Ceremony??

"Okay, so I think we should get going now"

"Where are we heading?" I asked Janice and her eyes twinkled like stars as she smiled and said.

"To crown you Luna, we are having a little party and inviting neighboring packs to celebrate with us"

My mouth was shaped like an 'o' and she lifted me.

We drove to the place and people were already gathered.

I hate this, I hate this

I was internally panicking, I didn't want to see any familiar faces, especially my packs but luck wasn't on my side when I sighted Min, of all people

"Whoa, girl. Where have you been all these days, your parents are worried sick" She pretended to care, maybe because she saw Janice with me.

"Do you know her?" Janice asked

"Yes, we were best friends, she had some issues and suddenly she ran" Min commented

"That's not true I. " I tried defending but was caught off by the announcement being made.

Janice took my hands and we walked away.

If Min' is here, that means my parents are here too...

I can't let them see me.

Riley climbed up the stage and grabbed the Mic, speaking into it but I couldn't motion what was being said. I kept thinking of what my parents would do if they saw me.

Suddenly I felt someone elbow me, and raised my head to see Janice smiling at me so were the others

"What?" I was so lost in thoughts that I didn't hear my name being called.

I walked up to Riley and took his outstretched hands, and his eyes bored into mine. This made me nervous.

"I'm happy to announce to you all my mate, Adriana Chechik" he finished and the crowd went wild. I smiled nervously still scanning for my parents

The event ended eventually. I was happy that I didn't see any familiar faces except Min and some other of my pack. I knew for sure they'd inform my parents but I didn't care.

While walking out of the hall center, I bumped into someone

"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking..." my sentence trailed off when I noticed who it was.

"Sam.." he smiled

"It's been long, mate"