Maya's POV
I let the glass fall. Pieces flew everywhere as it broke on the kitchen floor. Despite my best efforts to control them, my hands continued to shake.
"Maya!" Mrs. Anderson lost her temper. "What's wrong with you today?"
I knelt down to pick up the shattered pieces and muttered, "Sorry." "I apologize."
I wasn't sorry about the glass, though. What Connor had told me earlier had me in a panic. I will have to kill you if I am unable to reject you. I couldn't get those words out of my head. My partner wanted to murder me. The person who was meant to care for and defend me wanted me dead.
"Sped up!" My thoughts were interrupted by Sophia's voice. "You still haven't finished setting up the tables, and the ceremony is in an hour!"
Sophia was standing in the doorway when I looked up. Like a princess from a fairy tale, she looked stunning in her blue dress. Her bright smile, her confident gait, and her shiny blond hair were all flawless. She was everything that I wasn't. All of Connor's desires in a partner.
I muttered, "I'll be done in a few minutes."
Sophia approached and knelt next to me. I briefly believed she was going to assist me in cleaning the glass. Rather, she took hold of my wrist with such force that it bruised.
She hissed, "Listen to me, servant." "My night is tonight. I will be Luna, and Connor will select me as his mate. I'll make sure you feel bad if you do anything to make this unpleasant for me."
I attempted to free my wrist, but she held on to it too tightly. "I promise not to ruin anything. I swear."
"Good." Sophia tightened her grip. "Because I'll tell everyone what a worthless little nobody you are if you even consider getting in my way."
She smoothed down her dress, released my wrist, and got to her feet. "And Maya, during the ceremony, try not to look foolish. I understand that being around your superiors is difficult for you, but please try to keep your temper in check."
I sat on the floor, surrounded by shattered glass, and tried not to cry after she left. My wrist, heart, and soul all ached. I had the impression that I was shattering like the glass. I couldn't break, though. Not this evening. Even if it meant dying, I had to be strong.
An hour later, our pack's and the visiting packs' wolves filled the great hall. Everyone was laughing and chatting excitedly, all dressed to the nines. Anticipation was in the air. I tried to blend in by standing in the very back corner. There were angry butterflies in my stomach. The golden thread in my chest tightened each time I glanced at Connor.
Although Connor appeared dapper in his ceremonial robes, I could see that his shoulders were tense. He kept looking at me, then quickly averted his gaze. I got that weird electric shock every time our eyes locked.
"Welcome, everybody!" Alpha Marcus yelled. The audience fell silent. "We celebrate my son Connor's 21st birthday and his ascent to Alpha tonight!"
Everyone applauded. I watched as Connor moved forward and his father put the bulky Alpha crown on his head. In the candlelight, the crown appeared to glow, giving Connor a strong, significant appearance.
Connor's voice carried across the room as he said, "Thank you, Father." "I swear to lead this pack with honor and strength."
Another round of applause. I thought my heart might burst from the speed at which it was beating.
"And now," Alpha Marcus added, "Connor will reveal his partner of choice!"
It was this. The moment when everything would be different. Connor's green eyes scanned the room as he gazed out at the crowd. He stared at me for a long, frightful moment after they found mine. There, I saw fear, sadness, and what might have been regret. Then he turned his head away.
"My mate and future Luna is Sophia Blake!" Connor declared.
The crowd erupted in joy. Sophia's face was beaming with joy as she ran to Connor's side. As everyone applauded, she threw her arms around him and planted a kiss on him. My heart felt like it had been torn from my chest by someone. It hurt more than anything I had ever experienced, even though I knew this was going to happen.
But then something happened. Around me, a golden light began to shine. I initially believed I was dreaming. However, the light grew brighter and brighter until those around me began to notice.
Someone whispered, "What's that?"
"Observe the maid girl!"
I was shocked as I looked down at myself. I had a golden candle-like glow. Although the light was lovely and warm, I was afraid of it. Then I noticed that Connor was also glowing when I looked up. He was still kissing Sophia, but the same golden light was all around him.
"No," Connor remarked, stepping back from Sophia. "No, this isn't possible."
However, it was already happening. By revealing something that was supposed to be secret to everyone in the room, the golden light served as a bridge connecting us all.
"The Moon Goddess has made a choice!" Elder Patricia yelled, her voice trembling with anticipation. "Maya Rivers and Connor Blake are destined to be together!"
There was utter silence in the room. Then everyone spoke at once.
"The servant girl?"
"That's not possible!"
"How is it possible for an Alpha and an Omega to mate?"
Sophia gave me a hateful look. "This is incorrect! I'm meant to be his partner."
Connor gave me the same disgusted look he had previously displayed. He yelled, "I reject this bond!" "A servant as a mate is something I will never accept!"
Though it flickered, the golden light remained.
Senior Patricia gave a sorrowful shake of her head. "Alpha," she remarked, "the Moon Goddess' choice cannot be rejected so easily." "This connection is more powerful than your individual desires."
Anger filled Connor's face. He rushed across the room and seized my arm so firmly that I let out a cry.
He growled, "If she's my mate, then she belongs to me." "However, she will never be my Luna. Sophia will continue to be known by that title."
I thought I was going to drown. This was worse than I thought it would be. I would remain Connor's mate, but I would never receive any affection or respect. While Sophia received everything I was due, I would be his hidden embarrassment.
"Please," I muttered. "Just give me a break."
Connor's hold became more firm. "Never. Whether I want you or not, you're mine now."
Suddenly, I sensed something different as the golden light surrounding us pulsed. Strength. Power. As if something were awakening within me. Connor's eyes widened in surprise, so he must have sensed it too.
He inhaled, "What are you?"
The golden light flared brighter than ever before I could respond. Everyone in the room had to cover their eyes because it was so bright. As the light dimmed, I noticed something that chilled me to the bone.
A tall, dark-haired man I had never seen before stood in the doorway. Royal guards surrounded him, and he exuded power like fire. His voice carried easily through the quiet room as he declared, "I am King Alexander Storm." "And I think you've got something that's mine."
Across the packed room, his eyes locked with mine, and I experienced the most peculiar sensation. Suddenly, the golden thread that bound me to Connor broke in my chest. And a silver thread emerged in its stead. One that led directly to the enigmatic monarch.
Connor looked at the king in disbelief, and his hand dropped from my arm. "That's not possible," he muttered. "She is my partner."
King Alexander grinned, but it wasn't a pleasant one. "Boy, was your mate. However, some ties are more robust than others."
The silver thread brightened with each step as he began to approach me. I sensed a shift within myself, as if I were awakening from a deep slumber.
When the king arrived at me, he said, "Maya Rivers." "I have been searching for you for a very long time."
Too shocked to say anything, I just stared up at him. Who was this man ? What brought him here? And why did it feel like I had been waiting for him to find me all my life?
"Who are you?" I was able to ask at last.
The king grinned once more, and it was a kind and warm smile. "Maya, I'm your real mate. I'm here to take you home, too."