Bethel's Pov.

I was nineteen,but still hasn't found my mate.

I live with my sick mother in the pack,and she always sings in my ears of how she wanted to see me get married before she dies.

She has an unusual disease.

It's been three years since she's been lying on the bed ever since my dad,the alpha's beta,died in the battle between Halzuwood pack and another pack.

I guess the misfortune that comes with it for me was being mateless.

I peeked through the window,as I watched Brian laughs his heart out as Rose circles around him, whilst pulling his arm at intervals.

I could never be enough for him.

I shut the curtain.

Yes,I don't have a mate, but I do have a boyfriend and that's him - Brian,our future Alpha.

I felt pain stroke my heart,and I heaved out a deep breath.

I moved to where my mother was lying down,her dull eyes on the ceiling.

"You should try to eat,mother,"I uttered, grabbing the plate of cooked green vegetables.

Her eyes rolled over to me,her chest moving up in a heavy sigh.

"Bethel,"she drawled.

I knew what was coming after that, so I just glanced down at the food,as i shove the spoon around in it.

"You'll be getting married five days from now. May the moon goddess bless you with heaps of happiness. I..."

"Mom,"I cut her off, finally looking up.

"My wedding is still ages to go. Just focus on getting better these days, so you can be present - that alone would be a big joy for me,hm?"

She looked at me for a while before nodding.

"If it was not for that war,if the rogues didn't attacked us bac–"she suddenly paused,as if she'd said something she shouldn't have.

"Wha..what do you mean by... rogues mom? Didn't dad got killed in the fight?"i was confused.

I earnestly hoped it wouldn't be that I've been deceived for years!

Mom didn't say anything. When I tried to ask another question,she cleared her voice.

"Uhm! I guess I have to eat."shs struggled to sit up,and I snorts.

So, she isn't going to say anything then?

..

After feeding mom,I helped her lie down back,urging her to take some sleep.

She's been awake since four am.

Only Diana goddess knows the stone in her heart..

She was sick,and yet thinking too much!

I've tried so many ways to cheer her up,even fulfilling her wish of seeing me get married, but she still remained the same.

There's always this expression of regret,guilt and.. sometimes,I see her look at Brian with hatred.

I want to believe that's my misbelief though.

My mind flashed back to the question she asked me a week ago.

"Do you love that boy so much?"

I had been reluctant to respond.

Of course,I love him. But that's not the same answer that would be for Brian.

I'm just a low woman that begged for his emotions.

A beggar of love.

"Of course I do. He loves me so much too, don't you see? We're so perfectly made for each other,moma.

I think even the goddess agrees because on the night we confessed our feelings for each other,there was a briiiight star that shoots out.. as if giving us its blessings to date.

I have a feeling he's my mate!"i had responded with so much enthusiasm.

After many months,I saw a small smile on mom's face.

She was happy!

And,i couldn't bring myself to ruin her happiness.

Let's just keep the act going.

Brian will pretend to love me,and I in return will teach him my three - vicious flower moves that could kill tens of wolves,far or near.

I left the room. It was time for our training.

I got to his quarters and heard laughter coming out from there.

I gnashed my teeth together.

Rose must really be his sweetheart!

"Brian! Come out here!"I hollered.

I heard him groan before his door was threw opened and he struts out with a frown deep rooted in between his brows

"I wondered what dog was shouting. Turns out it was you,Bethel. Your loud voice alone is enough to sound the war's bell."Rose jested,popping her donut - like face behind him.

That termite!

"Is it time yet?"Brian asked.

"Obviously."I tried to roll my eyes but stopped after seeing the snarky look on his handsome face.

"Maybe you can come later? I'm helping Rose with something."

Rose clicked her tongue smugly, crossing her arms.

"You heard him. Now scurry off,little ant."she spat.

I turned to Brian and saw he didn't mind her insulting me.

Fvcking awesome.

Our wedding day soon arrived,and I was left standing alone at the venue for hours!

He didn't showed up!

I went home,enraged, only to meet my mom, struggling for her last breaths.

"Mom!"I shook her body,tears rolling down my cheeks.

She uttered few words to me before she died.

I mourned for her alone. Arranged the funeral,and buried her in a good place.

I went back home to pack my luggage,and Brian and Rose walked right in.

I scoffed. "What do you want?"

"Look,I couldn't make it that day,sorry. Rose fell from a chair so I had to be there."

I laughed hysterically.

"Let's put an end to this two to one love story. It's not possible for three of us to be in love"

"What has happened to you,b.."

"Not your business!"I barked at him.

I turned to leave.

"It isn't your fault that her mother is sick,forcing you guys to be in love,Brian.

This is all on her pathetic mom!"Rose remarked.

I turned around swiftly,my palm making contact with her cheeks.

The worry that was on Brian's face disappeared.

He took position of a guard protecting his princess, sending nasty stares my way.

"Are you insane?!"he growled.

"I don't want to hear my mom's name again in your mouth,you wench!"i screamed at her.

"What the heck has come over you,Bethel? Apologize!!"Brian's voice thundered.

An alarm shrilled in my head.

"You must be fvcking joking,you a*whole!" right then, I didn't see him as the man I'd loved but an enemy!

I always knew Rose was well capable of making him hers with just a simple text message.

But I still wanted to be enough.

I wanted to play around him like she does, but he only get annoyed at that.

We haven't held hands,nor kissed,or hugged before.

We are more like a doctor - patient,where he is giving social distance from me,the diseases - stricken patient!

"I didn't said anything false! If you hadn't begged him to help you fulfill your mother's dying wish, would he have wanted marry you?!"she yelled, grabbing his arm,with a smirk as if declaring that he was finally hers before me.

All the pack members has always paired them up that they really made a good couple.

Maybe I did had a couple of delusions back then that we could be more,he and I.

"Is that your own thinking too?"I faced him.

He didn't replied,which confirmed my question.

Oh. There's no use being hurt.

I fought back the tears, trying to keep my breathing steady.

"You both can go to hell for all I care. But just know, I'll make you regret this,every damned person would pay!"

"This is only between us! Why would you make others that are innocent suffer for it?!"

"That's if they truly are."I sniffed.

I remember how I knelt down to have him accept my marriage request.

He was one to like obedient girls,and even though the deal was a win - win,i tried to obey his commands.

"Don't listen to her gibberish. Just let her go."Rose rolled her eyes.

"Your mom wasn't even affected so why are you throwing troubles here?"Brian gritted out.

I scoffed.

"Oh,I see."i replied bitterly.

"Every single pack member killed my parents and i shall go and return for revenge."I added.

"We can fix another date for the wedding,Bethel. Continue teaching me your-"

"How ignoble!"i bursted into short laughter, interpolating his words.

Mom's last words flooded into my ears.

..

"How folly,Beth. I'm sorry I did something so unforgivable by keeping this from you,but I had to stay silence for us to live

They are powerful than us.

Your...dad,he didn't died in any fight.. he was set up.. he...was suddenly called that he needed to meet other pack members in the north side of the pack house,but..was ambushed by rogues.

There were no pack members,only him fighting for his life.

That Brian shouldn't be an husband,but an enemy.

Quick,flee here. I won't hold you back anymore."

..

"My face is all ruined! How am I supposed to attend tonight's party with this face.."Rose whined,pulling Brian's attention to her,breaking into my thoughts.

I had left my imprints on her face with my slap.

For being a killer - joy,she deserves that,and more!

"Say sorry to her, Bethel. You are in the wrong so beg for forgiveness! It's only right you do so." Brian fired,his eyes simmering in rage.

I crossed my arms,tilting my head to the side with a smirk.

"And,what if I don't?"

"You don't wanna dare me, Bethel! You know very well not too!"his eyes changed to that of his inner beast immediately.

My heart missed a beat.

How ever how scared I was,it didn't overshadowed the anger burning inside me.

I loved a man I was supposed to hate!

And,these stupid strings were still trying to force me to give in to his command.

"What if her mother wasn't dying at all in the first place?

Maybe it was all...lies? Just for her to be with you?"Rose stated, furthering fanning the pit of fiery in me.

I lunged forward to attack her,but Brian gave me a kickback,making me land on the floor.

Two pack warriors came running in simultaneously.

He must have mind linked them.

They held me down to the floor,and I just stay stilled.

I haven't had anything to eat since the morning of the previous day.

Besides, it's no use attempting to put up a fight against these muscled warriors.

They were stronger than I,no doubt.

"Why are you trying so hard? Just say sorry and this matter would be closed!"Brian wasn't pleased.

And I was pleased he wasn't pleased.

From now on,I would do everything in my power to do the exact opposite of what he want.

I shot stares back at him, defiantly.

I could see the little glint of shock in his pupils,prolly wondering why I was being such a belligerent kid all of a sudden.

"Brian,I don't need her apology. She is not even worthy to apologize to me."Rose sauntered forward.

Now,I understood the term stumbling - block better.

Brian and I have been friends for years, before I made that preposterous marriage request to him about eight months ago.

My feelings had always been there. I thought I could hide them.

From how we interacted,I might have gotten wrong information about how he felt about me.

He's always pestered me about admiring my special ability and wanting to learn it.

My father always warn me not to even make it known to the pack that I had such great skill, but Brian was my friend so i showed it to him.

Hot tears ran down my cheeks as I whimpered.

"That's more like you now. Just say you're so-"

"You must be so fvcking insane,why would I apologize? Why do you keep saying i should?

You act just like a clown around Rose!

I am so stupid to have thought you were a man! So foolish i was!

And you have no shame!"I screamed at him.

The guard pressed me down on the floor further.

Brian let's out a scoff.

"I can't believe this b!tch"I heard him mutter under his breath,as he yanked his hair up, frustratedly.

Rose chuckled in a sinister manner before dropping on a squat before me.

She hit me on the face thrice,and I gnashed my teeth to keep the pain in.

"I've changed my mind. Now,I need you to beg me"she stood up,casting a look down at me.

"In.your.filthy.dream,you slut!"I laughed maniacally.

"Oh,how awesome. You both match, perfectly!

Both with zero thinking, misusing of power... GRACIOUS,"a sharp breath escaped from my lips.

"You were both created to drown in your stupidness of a love!"i completed,with an annoying grin.

"Have you forgotten about your mother,Bethel?

Do you want me to end the wedding and go tell her it was all a play?"he threatened,pointing out of the room.

"Hahaha! Are you deaf? You didn't heard what I said before?"

He brought out his phone, dialing a number.

"Hi,Greg,"he said into the phone,eyeing me.

He was expecting me to start cowering, pleading with him,but he was rather shocked at the calm me.

"Disregard all the wedding plans! Prepare to send both Bethel and her mom out of the pack,now!"

He still expected a reaction from me,but all he got was a smirk.

Greg seems to hesitate at the other end of the phone,"well,Young Alpha, Bethel's mom has passed away two days ago,on your wedding day,and has been laid to rest."

I shrugged at Brian,and he looked away from me,ending the call.

"See? Nothing to be afraid of anymore,hun?"i grinned.

He faced up south of the room,before giving his order.

"Lock her up in the cell! She uttered blasphemy against the goddess,went against her Alpha and plotting to get all members killed!"

I was shocked to the bone marrow.

Whaatt?!!