: Alpha

The ball was at full swing, everyone dancing and drinking, overjoyed by the crowning of a new alpha. I stood to the corner, just watching. My mother was somewhere in the crowd, flaunting her favourite daughter to everyone.

My eyes swept the crowd, searching for something to entertain me when I spotted her. Kira Martin. One of Cassian’s friends. She’d helped him make my life a living hell. I watched her, hatred and anger brewing in my chest as she laughed, throwing her head back. Happy little Kira. No one knew what a little bitch she was. I scoffed and looked away, my gaze landing on the Alpha, Alpha Black. As he took long, powerful strides towards the pulpit, his black suit tailored to perfection, hugging his frame elegantly, his black hair slicked back. He looked every bit of a powerful alpha.

“Can I have everyone’s attention?” He called out, clinking his glass with his ring. The chatter died down, everyone turning to face him.

It was time.

I straightened, glancing around in search of him, Cassian. I was curious to see what he’d look like after four years.

“We are gathered here today to witness the swearing in of a new alpha and,” he made a dramatic pause, “I’ll be stepping down as CEO of Silverhowl Legacy Group and officially passing on the title to my only son, the rightful heir, Cassian.” Everyone clapped, seemingly excited. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“Also,” he continued, to the surprise of everyone. The crowd exchanged confused looks, caught off guard. What was he going to announce? What other motive could they possibly have? A chill went down my spine, alert. I could feel it, whatever he was about to say wouldn’t be good. I glanced around, in search of my sister, but she was nowhere to be found, probably hidden somewhere in the crowd. I glanced at Kira, checking her reaction, to see if she knew about the next announcement.

“We would be announcing a new Luna.”

The hall went silent for a moment. Then whispers. The crowd exchanged glances, whispering loudly. Kira looked shocked, texting aggressively on her phone. I guess she wasn’t as close to the Alpha family as she used to be.

A Luna ? When did he meet his mate? Or… were they going to pick a mate for him ? I swallowed at the thought of that. It was against the moon goddess’s will to pick a mate. It wasn’t uncommon in the werewolf world, but it was banned in our pack due to the events that transpired the last time. The pack had witnessed great calamity, and it had taken a huge sacrifice to resolve it. A sacrifice that left me fatherless. I clenched my fist, angered by the thought.

“Please welcome,” he spoke, drawing my attention. My breath caught the moment I spotted him, walking towards his father in long, purposeful strides. His suit was an onyx black, hugging his frame elegantly. His black, curly hair sat atop his head, cropped at the sides and long at the top. My hands itched to touch it.

“My son,” he got to his father, smiling warmly at him. That smile that used to make me angry and excited at the same time. “The new Alpha and CEO,” he turned to face the crowd, standing tall at 6’2, smiling coldly into the crowd. A stark contrast from what he gave his dad. He was always so cold to everyone except his family and close friends. But he had been exceptionally cruel to me. His gaze swept the crowd, searching.

My breathing increased. His eyes moved steadily, sweeping every face. He had a mission. I glanced at Kira and found her already watching me, hatred blazing in her blue eyes.

“Alpha Cassian”

Our eyes locked. His sharp hazel eyes pulled me in, making me unable to move. His eyes were narrow, his jaws chiseled like they were crafted by the moon goddess herself. He had a faint hint of beard framing his pink lips. He looked different, manly. He was no longer the boy from school that bullied me. He was now the Alpha and CEO of a multibillion company. He wore that same blank expression that haunted my dreams. His eyes narrowed even more at me than his lips curved upwards, a slow, sinister smile gracing his face.

I took a step back, completely caught off guard by the way my heart started to race and the one word my wolf howled in my head repeatedly. It was faint at first till the volume increased and it became deafening, drowning out every sound in the room.

MATE

Oh goddess, no.

: Luna

I broke the eye contact, searching the crowd for my sister again, but she wasn't in sight. I grabbed the skirts of my dress and turned around, trying to get to the door. I needed to leave. I needed to leave fast. Everyone stared, making way for me to move.

Right before I got to the door, I felt sparks shoot up from my wrist, making my knees weak. No. He spun me around, bringing me flush against his chest. His arm snaked around my waist. I looked up at him, my cheeks flushed.

"Let go of me," my voice was breathy. He smiled. Not that sweet smile a wolf gives its mate but the one a lion gives its prey. It was predatory.

“Natalia," his voice was deep, smooth as slick. It went straight to my core. "Your chin has healed."

It clicked. He was the one from yesterday, the wolf in the woods watching me like a creep.

"You're the creep."

His arm tightened around my waist. He glared at me, and I didn't back down, though my pulse stuttered under the weight of his hazel eyes. The atmosphere was tense, everyone watching with bated breath. He took his eyes off me, glancing above my head. It made me remember where we were and the people watching. Alpha Black cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"It seems my son has found his mate," he wore a proud smile, his eyes landing on Cassian's arm around my waist. I tried to pull out of his hold, but he resisted. "Son, come on and announce your new Luna."

New Luna ? No.

“Behave," Cassian whispered in my ear before leading me to the centre, where his father stood. My heart raced, my wolf howling in joy. No. I didn’t want to be the Luna, I didn't want to be tied back to this pack, to him.

Cassian cleared his throat. I looked into the crowd, once again searching for my sister. This time, I found her. She had a big smile on her face, pride glistening in her eyes. What's there to be proud of ? Being mated to a delinquent bully ?

"You all know her, Natalia Crown. The daughter of the late Beta, Nico Crown." He spoke, his voice carrying authority. I felt a small pang at the mention of my father. I wish he were here; he'd stop this. I glanced at my mother. She looked proud. My heart tightened. My mother looked proud of me for the first time because I was mated to the alpha. The same man that bullied me. "The moon goddess has made her choice, and I will honour it."

I wanted to scoff. He turned to me then reached for my hand. I pulled back, but he grabbed it anyway, bringing it up to his lips. He planted a small kiss, maintaining eye contact. A show. I felt butterflies in my stomach, much to my dismay.

He faced the crowd once more, smiling coldly. He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear as he spoke, “Smile."

It wasn't a request. I plastered on something close to a smile, though probably looked like a grimace. The crowd clapped politely, some individuals howling in approval. It all felt unreal, like I was watching my own nightmare.

Alpha Black stepped forward and raised his glass. "To Alpha Cassian and Luna Natalia. May their bond strengthen our pack and honour our past."

More claps, more smiles, more fakery.

Cassian turned to me again, his expression unreadable.

"You're shaking."

"I'm not," I lied.

"You always were a terrible liar," he murmured.

"I still hate you," I whispered back.

He smirked. "Good."

I could feel every eye in the room on us. Every whisper. Every fantasy forming in their heads about the reunion of Alpha and Beta bloodlines. About legacy. About power.

They didn't know the truth.

They didn't know I wanted to set this entire ballroom on fire, set him on fire.

"There's a lot we need to discuss," he said under his breath. "Don't make a scene."

I smiled sweetly and whispered back, " I’ll do what I like."

His grip tightened, challenging.

"Don't test me, Talia," he warned.

"Or ?"

Cassian's hazel eyes darkened, a flicker of something dangerous flashing across them. "Or I'll carry you out of this ballroom over my shoulder, Luna title or not," he said lowly, his voice smooth but coiled with threat. "And I won't care how many people are watching."

My heart slammed against my ribs.

I narrowed my eyes. "You wouldn't."

His lips curled. "Wouldn't I?"

For a split second, we just stood there, glaring at each other. I hated him. I hated this. But my traitorous wolf purred, basking in his presence.

"We'll talk later," he muttered before turning to address the crowd again, smiling like he hadn't just threatened to publicly manhandle me. I took a step back, watching him do his thing.

I came back here with the intention of attending the ball and leaving immediately now I stood at the centre as Luna, forever tied to the pack.

I hated him more.

: hate

The room was dark, a dim light casting a soft glow. The scent of sandalwood mixed with something else, something I couldn't place my finger on, filled the air. It was sweet and masculine, addictive.

“Natalia," Cassian spoke, his hard gaze fixed on me. "We can both agree this is an unfortunate situation."

I scoffed, glaring daggers at him.

"But like I said, I'll be honouring the moon goddess. So you have no choice but to comply." He continued.

"Is that what you called me here for? To state the obvious?" I folded my arms as if preparing for battle.

His jaw clenched. "I called you here to make something clear."

I tilted my head. “Go on, Alpha," I emphasised on the alpha, venom laced in my voice.

"I'm not asking for your love or forgiveness. All you have to do is stand by my side, united."

I scoffed again and turned my back to him, heading for the door.

"Yeah, whatever," I opened the door and in a flash, he shut it before I got the chance to step out. I gasped in surprise. His front was flush against my back, I could feel the hard planes of his chest pressing against me, sparks flying everywhere.

"Where do you think you're going?" His voice was a raspy whisper, sending chills down my spine. My heart rate increased. I hated this proximity, hated the things it did to my body. "I haven't excused you. Yet."

His breath fanned against my hot skin.

"Get away from me," I demanded weakly, frustrated by how breathy it sounded.

Cassian didn't move. If anything, he leaned in closer, his body heat wrapping around me like a net I couldn't untangle myself from. His scent engulfed me, driving me mad with anger and something else, something I refused to admit to myself.

"I think we both know you don't mean that," he murmured against the shell of my ear, his voice thick, low, confident.

I swallowed hard, my fingers twitching at my sides. "You're wrong," I whispered, though the conviction I meant to lace into those words faltered. My body was failing me and he knew it.

His nose brushed lightly against my neck. I shivered. Damn him. "Am I?" he asked.

I spun around so fast we were almost nose to nose. "Yes," I snapped, forcing the tremble from my lips. "You are. I hate you, Cassian. I've hated you since you made high school a warzone for me. You think one look, one bond, one title is going to change that?" I leaned on the door, staring at him, hatred blazing in my eyes.

"I don't expect you to forgive me, matter of fact, I don’t care if you do. But don't stand here and lie to yourself, don’t try to deny it, this attraction between us,” I stared at him, breath shallow, throat dry. Every nerve in my body screamed to move, to push him away, to run. But I didn't. I couldn't.

Because damn it, he was right.

The mate bond pulsed like a second heartbeat. Even now, with all the history between us, all the bitterness, I felt the invisible string tying me to him pull tighter.

"I hate you," I repeated, barely above a whisper.

"I know," he said.

And then, the bastard smiled. Just a little.

“It doesn’t matter. All you have to do is be a good little Luna, a Luna the pack would love. A Luna my father would love.”

“So that’s it then. I’m just a political trophy, a little thing to hang on your arm and smile sweetly,”

He held my gaze

“Exactly,” his eyes lowered to my lips “you’re a smart girl,” his tone was condescending.

I shoved him hard in the chest, and this time he let me go. He stepped back, hands raised in mock surrender, but his eyes never left mine.

"I’m not an object,” I snapped. “I'm not your puppet. I won’t be your trophy wife,”

“Who said anything about a wife?” he quirked up a brow. Anger blazed beneath my skin.

“You know what I mean !”

“Don’t get so riled up.” He reprimanded, his eyes dancing with amusement “I do know what you mean, Talia. Don’t get ahead of yourself. I crowned you the Luna doesn’t mean we’re married. You’re not my wife,”

“And I don’t want to be !” My frustration was evident in my voice. “I don’t want to be your wife or Luna. I h…”

“I hate you,” he interrupted, folding his arms. “You’ve repeated that line over a thousand times this night. It’s getting old.”

I stared at him in disbelief, frustration and anger right beneath my skin, making me feel like I was going to explode. I opened my mouth and shut it, unable to come up with something. I scoffed and stormed out of the room, shutting the door loudly.

I hated him. I hated him so much.