Chapter 3 3

Nicole's POV

Suddenly, I heard the sound of car horns. I immediately ran to the window and saw a convoy of cars arriving in the courtyard.

It was undeniable that Alpha Michael was very wealthy, judging by the fleet arriving at the mansion.

When people got out of the cars, my eyes widened in shock. These men were tall and muscular. Indeed, werewolves were the greatest.

I couldn't help but think of Ms. White's words-among these muscular, handsome men, one might be my mate.

I put on my coat, took a deep breath, and headed to the packaging room.

As soon as I pushed open the door, I saw the pack workers busy entertaining the guests.

The ladies attending the party were all busy touching up their makeup, trying to look more attractive.

I couldn't help but wonder just how charming Alpha Michael must be to make all the women so eager to impress.

Suddenly, I noticed my father entering the hall with a handsome man. I hurried after them but accidentally bumped into a woman in a black off-shoulder evening dress.

She gave me a fierce glare and walked away, her high heels clicking on the hard floor.

I saw my father moving away and quickened my pace.

When I entered the hall, every wolf in the room turned to look at me.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. No one knew I wasn't Vera.

I scanned the room and found where my father was. I walked quickly towards the gathering of guests and pack members.

Suddenly, a scent of pine and mint hit me. It smelled like a winter forest, and I felt it getting closer.

My heart skipped a beat. Just as Ms. White had said, my mate was here. Was he here for me?

I looked in the direction of the scent and saw the man beside my father. The closer I got, the stronger the scent became.

My eyes locked onto a pair of green eyes I had never seen before. They belonged to a tall, broad-shouldered man, and I instantly knew he was the main guest of the evening, Alpha Michael. He looked at me with a slight smile on his lips.

"Beautiful lady, what is your name?" he asked.

"Her name is Vera, my daughter. Vera, this is Alpha Michael," my father said.

"Well, Vera, I have heard from your father that you are a very outstanding she-wolf. I didn't expect you to be my mate. You are amazing," he said.

Every wolf in the room turned to look at him. Everyone was shocked that he would make such a public declaration. Matters of mates, especially choosing a mate, were private family affairs, discussed in secret and announced only upon marking.

I looked at my father, terrified.

"Don't worry, little wolf," Alpha Michael said when no one else spoke. "Your father told me you haven't found your true mate yet. It would be my great honor to have such a beautiful and strong Luna like you."

I turned my gaze to Alpha Michael. "I'm not..."

"Vera, come with me," my father interrupted. "Michael, make yourself at home. I need to have a word with Vera."

Alpha Michael gave me a dazzling smile. "See you later, Vera."

I followed my father, leaving the lively hall and entering a dimly lit study.

"Close the door," my father's deep voice commanded.

As the heavy oak door closed behind us, he turned, his eyes like ice picks staring at me.

Fear made my heart pound faster in my chest.

"Let's drop the pretense, shall we?" he said, his voice a cold whisper. "You're not my daughter Vera. Did Irene send you? What does she want?"

I swallowed hard. "It wasn't Mom who sent me; I came on my own to find you. Father, please... you must listen-"

He raised a hand to silence me. "What scheme are you and your mother plotting now?"

Tears stung my eyes. "Father, Mother is very ill. After you refused my calls, I had to find a way to see you."

My father's expression remained unchanged. "I divorced your mother. Her problems are no longer my concern."

"But she needs an expensive surgery, and I can't afford it!" I cried. "You're her only hope. Will you really let her die for a bit of money?"

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "The raw stone business is struggling. I can't afford Irene's surgery."

My heart sank. "So you'll let Mother die because we can't pay for the surgery?" I choked, my words filled with despair as I searched his face for any sign of compassion.

"That's her fate, not my concern," he said, his voice icy enough to chill my spine. "For the goddess' sake, stop bothering me."

The cruelty in his words shattered me. Sobbing, I fled the study, my hopes shattered like glass on the floor.

When I returned to the hall, my eyes widened in shock. My mate was dancing intimately with a woman in the center of the dance floor.

When I saw her face, it was like looking into a mirror-she was Vera. She looked exactly like me, the only difference being her haughty demeanor and mysterious superiority. Other than that, we were nearly identical.

Her hair was burgundy, while mine was blonde, so I had to wear a wig to avoid being recognized. Her eyes were amber, while mine were violet, so I had to wear colored contact lenses.

As the song ended, I watched Vera rise on her tiptoes to kiss Michael. He passionately returned her kiss.

I stepped back, my heart racing, feeling like it might shatter at any moment.

In that moment, fear, sadness, pain, and heartbreak overwhelmed me.

I ran out of the party as fast as I could. I sprinted into the woods, tears falling like rain on my face.

I cried out in anguish as the weather suddenly changed, with a storm raging around me, lightning and thunder flashing.

My last hope was gone. My father refused to save my mother, and my mate was lost. Why was life so unfair to me?

I stayed in the woods for hours until night fell and I remembered to return to the hospital. The burgundy dress I wore was now tattered and dirty from my fall while running through the woods.

I regretted believing my father would help us. I regretted coming to the party. If I hadn't come, maybe I wouldn't have seen my sister with my mate.

Tears streamed down my face. I never expected Vera to take my mate from me. It was too painful.

Suddenly, a question occurred to me. "Could Vera and I have the same mate?" That might explain why Alpha Michael chose Vera over me.