Alex's POV
It was the moonlight ball celebration of the year.
Everyone was happy, the young wolves who were to be mated to the fated mate were all carrying the happiness so loud on their faces.
It was clear, the atmosphere was bright enough that it couldn't fully be described.
But it was different where I sat, all through the night it had been a restless and scofflaw one for me.
Clara has refused to mind link with me, and I wonder what the problem was
With a heavy heart, I decided to go see her that morning so we could go to the banquet hall together, as we are to be fated today.
I tried this morning again to mind link with her, but she kept blocking me.
I went to the bathroom to take a warm bath. It was nice as the water flushed down my body, sending a shiver down my spine
After the bath, I applied lotion and then to the silver royal attire, which sat well on me.
I finished dressing and took a look in the mirror once again before exiting the room.
I walked into the hallway heading to Clara's room, but then I was stopped by my beta wolf.
"Good morning Alpha '' he greeted.
I nodded with a sign that he understood.
"Is Clara in?" I asked him, moving forth to crack the door open, but his next words hit me hard.
I wasn't expecting him to tell me that, but I gulped it down.
"She said she would rather not see you, my Highness," he busted.
I froze where I stood to open the door with my eyes blinking in every corner.
I turned to him with my face seeking answers.
"Why?" I asked moving closer to where he stood.
"I do not know her reasons for being so my Highness," he replied.
"Bring her then when she is done" I replied making my way to the hall.
I couldn't tell why her mood changed suddenly, all through the day yesterday we went out to get the dress she had always wanted to wear to the ball. She was excited to have them, but last night she mind-blocked me.
I was confused, I wanted to ask her why she was mind-blocking me now and why she requested no one including me come to see her.
With a heavy breath, I walked down the banquet hall. From the appearance, you will know that it took effort to bring it up here.
I greeted the elders after the long conversation. I went to my seat waiting patiently for Clara to appear, yet she was unavailable.
The ceremony soon began, and yet, she was nowhere to be found.
I gulped down as I was called up to give the speech, with waterloo's heart I climbed taking the microphone from the MC to give the speech.
"Hello, great people of this pack!" I screamed through the microphone, bringing their attention back.
Everyone responded, taking their seat back and paying attention to where I stood, I sighed as I gained their attention.
Everywhere went silent that if a pin fell, the echo would be heard loud and clear.
I smiled at them and continued with the speech.
"As you all know, today is a very great day for the pack, especially the newly mated wolves," I said, casting stares at them where they sat giggling ear to ear.
"It called out for this celebration, as I meant to announce that..." I suddenly paused looking around to see if I could see Clara where she was yet, I was unable to see her.
I wonder what could have kept her for so long, I decided to carry out the announcement as she was yet to arrive, and the people are eagerly waiting to hear what next I have to say.
"I am excited to announce to you all that I, Alpha Alex of the crescent moon pack, accept Clara Lane as my mate and Luna of this pack," I said looking at the entrance doorway only to see Clara standing at the door.
There was a loud arousal from the ballroom. Everyone was shouting and clapping hands as she was caught on sight.
I smiled at her, waiting for her to walk up so I could mark her in the presence of all, but she didn't move.
I was surprised but tried to hide it. Maybe she wanted me to come pick her up.
I walked down the stage, moving to where she stood, her face wasn't bright at all and I wondered why.
Getting to where she stood elegantly, she was beautiful as always and looked more gorgeous than ever.
I stretch my hand forward to get a grip on her hand, but she remains cool.
I don't know what she is up to, I wanted to ask her, but the faces of the people captured every step we took.
Why is she doing this now?
She spoke up, and her words stabbed me hard in the chest. I felt my heart dropping pieces on the ground, but I held it tight.
"I Clara Lane reject you Alpha Alex as my mate," she said to the hearing of everyone.
I lowered my head, trying hard to get a grip on her words.
Murmuring was all around the hall, everyone asking the same question as mine.
"No! No!! No!!!
Clara? I called out, but she had disappeared.
Eyes were stuck to me, seeking answers.
I couldn't stand it, So I ran off.
Off to the bar, yes to the bar.
Now I understand why she had been mind-blocking me
Jeez!
I gulped down the glass of whiskey.
What the hell is going on in her head?
"How do I face the pack members?" I asked myself, taking in another glass of the whiskey.
I took the glass, emptied it then ordered another one.
My brain wasn't working. I just had to drink this pain, sorrow, and regret off.
Suddenly, I paused like something flashed through my head.
Yes. I screamed, picking up my car keys as I left to hurry down to where my car was packed. There's no way Clara would've done such a thing to me unless something happened.
I must talk to Clara immediately, we must solve whatever puzzle that's going through her mind before I present myself to the elders
My hands were shaking, and my eyes were blurring but, I managed to drive speedily.
Running high on the express, the loud honking from a car made me look up. I lost my cool immediately when I saw the car in front of me. Out of utter confusion, I slammed on my brakes causing my car to jerk forward and my head hit hard on the satire.
I saw my eyes closed as darkness erupted in the surroundings.
Ariel's POV
Fuck! How could I have forgotten such an important document?
I said to myself, clicking my finger hard on the table in my office.
Do I have to get home now? What should I do?
I picked up my phone, dialing my husband's line, but he wasn't picking up.
Is he driving? Brad might have left the house because he promised to leave earlier.
I ran my hand through my hair thinking of what to do next.
The door cracked open, viewing a lady.
"Good morning ma'am" she greeted looking up at my face.
I exhaled silently, trying to hide my sadness and anxiety.
"Are you okay, ma'am?" She questioned, looking to get the notion of my face.
Her question throws me off balance while my heart skips.
"I'm fine, what brings you here?" I switched to another topic.
"The boss asked me to inform you to come along with the document in the next 15 minutes for the meeting with the AC company," she said, nodding her head.
"The documents?" I asked to grasp what she just said.
"Yes, ma'am, hope you are with them?" she responded.
"Yeah, I have them intact with me!" I replied to her.
"Okay I will be there in the next 15 mins" I replied, packing my things up as I watched her leave.
I don't know where I left the documents last night after chit-chatting with Brad, my mate. He is the best and the most funny man any woman could have, so lovely and caring.
I should go pick it up myself as he isn't taking calls now.
Brad never missed my call for once, so I was surprised why now.
I struggled with my shoulder and walked out of the office.
With the fleet, I dashed out of the office to my car, which I brought back to life with the start of the engine, and drove off from the company.
I checked the time, and it was just 12 minutes left for the meeting to start.
I high the speed rate running down to the house as I ransack my brain to know where exactly I kept the document.
"Traffic!" I screamed holding the transmission.
'Thanks, goodness' I sighed as the traffic cleared off.
I was frustrated as I drove into the driveway of my house, parking the car before rushing down from the car.
I swiftly ran into the house, ransacking the sitting room where I and Brad sat last night before we finally went to sleep.
Where could this document be?
A brainwave to me, I remembered I took it along while we walked up the stairs last night.
What the heck!
With speed, I ran up the stairs with all my strength left.
I felt exhausted, but I kept moving, as the time left was just 4 mins for the meeting to begin.
I flipped the door open and was shocked by what I saw.
Furthermore, I stood unblinking, trying hard to proceed with what I was seeing.
My brows shot up in surprise.
Brad? Mia?
My mouth opened to say something but words couldn't form as I watched the atrocity happening in front of me.
I saw Mia raise her head, but Brad flip her head into the duvet as he fucks her harder.
"Ahhh, slow down !" I heard Mia moan in my presence.
They didn't care I was standing over at the doorpost, they fucked each other harder and harder.
My mouth gaped, uncertain whether to breathe or scream or hit them both.
Muscles in my jaws as it tense, I watched my skin go pale as I was losing my color to white chalk.
I didn't understand why he was doing this, Brad has never given me a reason to suspect him.
And he is with Mia, my best friend?
She? How could she?
I couldn't breathe, it seemed my heart was falling off from me.
I squatted, running my hand in my hair.
My heart hits hard as I struggle to hold it.
"Are you enjoying it, Mia?" I heard Brad say to Mia.
"Yes my love, please shit my womb harder" Mia cried out.
"Brad!" I screamed not wanting to take it in anymore. He shot his head up to look at me, I was expecting to see guilt in his eyes but he gave a rather mocking smile. He ignored my presence and locked lips with Mia
"Brad!! Stop this, you are hurting me." I cried out, watching my wolf pounding out to leave me.
It hurts so much to watch someone you love so much.
Mia has been my childhood friend to whom I tell my secrets.
Why now? Why would she want to sleep with Brad?
Or was Brad the one who forced her to?
No, both were enjoying it.
"Ariel watch this out," he said, taking Mia up as he went into her from the backside.
I heard her moan loud, my heart smacked more.
I wasn't expecting this, I couldn't believe this.
Not only that, but I couldn't hold myself, closing my eyes wasn't helping either, and cupping my ears couldn't help me as I still heard those sounds echoing into my ears where I squat.
I prayed to wake up from the dream, pinching myself, challenging myself to wake up, but I found out It was real.
"So I am now the next Luna, right?" I heard Mia ask Brad.
I took off my hands from my face only to see Brad nodding his head.
But I am the Alpha, he only became the Alpha because I let him as his mate. Why would he want to replace me now?
Why would he want to give my position to Mia?
"I will strip her down tomorrow," Brad said to Mia in my present.
My heart smacked this time harder than ever, I held it tight as I felt I was giving up. My chest tightened as I tried to breathe but I couldn't. With each second, I felt life slipping out of my palms
"Brad, please save me, I am dying "I mustered hard to say, but I only heard both laugh out loud which echoed around the house.
"Don't you think you are supposed to die?" Mia asked with her legs on my back.
"Mia? Why? I thought you were my friend?" I cried out as I was losing to the darkness.
"Friend? You think? Now it is clear, I hate you, Ariel, and I'll forever hate you." She spat, dragging my hair up. She bent down so she could reach my ears and then whispered
"I've always been treated unfairly because I was a weak omega, while you were loved. I hated the fact that you were nice to me and I swore to take whatever brings you joy, including your man...and guess what?" She looked at me mockingly
"It was easy for me to fuck him..." She pushed my head hard against the ground and laughed maniacally
My vision went blurry as my eyes closed slowly
'Am I dying? Moon goddess, please save me. All I need is one chance, just one chance to right my wrong...please, save me' My eyes shut and I was consumed by utter darkness.
Ariel's POV
I was rudely awakened by the sound of my alarm. I opened my eyes only to find myself on the bed covered with a duvet.
With the heck, I jumped from the bed. I picked up the alarm to turn it off when my eyes caught the date on it
"December 3rd 2021?"
How? I can't fathom this! It was 2024 a while ago!
I rubbed my hands on my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming or imagining this outcome.
'Huh! It's real' I said to myself, hitting myself on my pale skin to see if it was still an imagination or dreaming.
I recalled my vision blurring as my eyes closed, and I could only see darkness my way just a few minutes ago.
Yes, this was the bed Mia and Brad were romancing each other while I squatted in the doorway.
Where are Mia and Brad now? And why did I just wake up?
Wait a second, was I dreaming at all about this scene? No. I went to work.
Yes... I remembered I did!
I knew I died but seeing myself on my bed is what I wasn't expecting.
Is this true?
I run my hands through my hair as I pace the room.
Mia? Brad?
I recalled those words which I called last before giving up the ghost.
The memories of how I met Brad and Mia when I ran inside the room, smack me back.
I staggered to the bed with my knees stacked down and my head bent on the bed.
This didn't happen to me? I loved Mia as a sister more than a friend she is.
I chose her as my beta wolf even when she was just a weak omega, I knew how I pleaded with my father to get her to train.
Why would she want to strip me down?
Why would she even execute a plan to take Brad, my pack, and even kill me?
I cried more silently.
Brad, who I have always bragged about as the only faithful man, ends up being the worst wolf anyone could have.
My wolf was left crying hard as I watched Mia and Brad moan on my marital bed.
The guilt, anger, sadness, and betrayal were all I felt running in my blood.
I quickly stood from where I kneeled, to the bathroom to watch my face, dry it, and walked out of my room.
All I need to know is answers to the dying questions.
Is this a second chance? I asked myself. Maybe it is!
Just to make things clear.
I reached the sitting room and everywhere was cool as always, only the guards and maids of the palace were around it.
"Greetings to you princess" The guards and the maids greeted me at the sight of me.
I responded I wanted to make it clear to myself that no one knew I was dead and back.
With speed, I ran out of the palace straight to the forest to run in the woods down to the goddess's palace.
I need to get the answers I seek!
I tried shifting to my wolf form, but it was difficult, I fell.
" Ahh!" I cried out!
Why is it challenging to transform? I groan with anger.
I tried again and this time it was painful, making me howl loudly.
"Wow!" I exclaimed to myself as the gigantic wolf I turned into.
Is this me? Golden wolf?
"What a new life!" I screamed, trotting more in the woods. Suddenly, a bright blinding light shone in front of me so I had to stop myself
After the light disappeared, I opened my eyes to see myself standing right in front of the moon goddess's palace.
"Woah...how's this even possible?" I looked around as I strived closer to the building
It was clean and magnificent, just as I imagined it when I was young
I walked in, with each step I took, giving the air of peace and joy.
Even though I don't have that joy.
Even though I don't have that peace.
Maybe because my heart is bleeding profusely, and I am losing so much blood from my inner self.
With just a sniff, I took my step forward and walked sternly down to the courtroom.
One of the maids who worked at her palace welcomed me to the palace.
"Let me tell her someone is here to see her. '' She replied to me after I told her I was here to see the moon goddess.
I nodded with a smile as I watched her disappear to one of the rooms close by.
I shifted back to my human form as I sat patiently waiting for her to come out.
Not only that, but I have so many questions to ask.
Likewise, I glimpse at the door and here she walks elegantly towards where I sat.
You don't need a soothsayer to tell you she is gorgeous with her long hair swaying behind her
I was lost admiring her beautiful body shape that I almost missed when she spoke
"What brought the Alpha of Barry pack to my palace?" She asked with a mixed feeling which I couldn't explain.
Was it happiness, sadness, anger, seriousness or ... ???
I ignore that, waving it off from my mind.
"Alpha?" I asked incredibly because it was clear that no female could be the Alpha of any pack.
It was forbidden, so as the only child of Alpha Alessandro, I was to get a fated mate who would rule as the Alpha while I was the Luna.
Choosing Brad as my mate so he could be the Alpha while I be his Luna, with the thought he loved me.
I never knew he was only after the Alpha with my presumed best friend.
"You are here to seek answers that disturb you ever since you woke up?" She asked, looking at me eyeball to eyeball.
It was a rarity for me!
"Yes, I am confused. The last minute I recalled I was dead and the next minute I was on the bed. I don't just... ?" She slashes me off from my unraveling explanation.
"Some questions are not to be answered or should I say...some questions simply don't have answers," she paused.
Those words; Some questions are not to be answered or some questions simply don't have answers
My eyes blinked numerous times that I couldn't understand but still follow up.
"It is a second chance for Ariel Alessandro to right the wrongs you made. You pleaded so badly for that chance when you were dying so I decided to grant it to you..." she paused again, making me anticipate her next answer
"Or should I say, the deities decided together to grant you this second chance...So go now and do what you think is right!" she said standing from the royal seat.
Walking back to the room.
I knew what she meant, and I am ready to accomplish that.
"Be ready to be the next Alpha!" She dropped, walking away from my sight.
I touched my cheeks, slapping it a little to make sure I heard her.
The next Alpha?
"That is one way to accomplish my plans," I said to myself with a smile and stood up.
Something brainwashed me and on the spur of the moment, I stopped.
Mia and Brad won't go away with this betrayal.
I left the moon goddess palace and shifted back to my wolf, it was less painful than the previous time.
I was running home with all vigor in me until a figure I potentially remembered appeared to my front.
What the heck is he doing here, I detest him so much more than anything else. I transformed back into my human form and stared at him...
"Hi Ariel" he pronounced stretching his hand front for a hand check but I scooted it off.
"Just get off my way scumbag!" I fired
"Hey, do we have to always fight like this?" He asked
"Alex we also don't need to pretend to be friends either, now move!" I quickly transformed back into my wolf form and ran off
Me and him has been the worst enemy while growing up, I began to detest him from the day his father waged war against my father to take over the pack.
Maybe he is coming back for a fight but with a tricky move. Seriously I am not after him let me focus on the work at hand.
With that, I ran through the woods back home.
And transformed back into my human before walking inside the house.
I sneaked to the kitchen and took a pin knife, I just didn't want to attract any suspicion from the maids and went back to my room.
I gulped down my saliva as I locked the door behind me.
Furthermore, I howled loudly, shifting back to my wolf form.
My eyes were red, and my wolf was angry. All we seek is what we will find!
I made a fresh cut on my paw, it hurt that I groaned badly.
My wolf was in pain, but I had to endure the pain with the last strength I had. I looked up to the moon, which was still full.
"I Ariel Alessandro of Barry pack take an oath with my blood that you both Mia Chloe and Brad Edison will beg before Mr. Death to grant a wish, but it won't be granted. And you Mia, I'll give you what you so desire. Since you're jealous of me and wish to take what's mine, I'll give it to you..." I paused and took a deep breath with my eyes closed.
Likewise, I watched my blood dripping down the floor, I was losing a lot of blood, but I continued.
" Mia, I'll make you marry my mate so you can go through the same fate I went through, both of you will pay hard for every pain you caused me, No second chance mate for you both, "I said, placing my bleeding paws on my forehead.
I was weak with my eyes blurring.
"Help!" I screamed before dropping the knife and falling on the bed.