I felt like a shell as my makeup was being done. I was used to feeling numb, but this was a discovery. My reflection stared back at me, dull and broken, and my long black body hugging dress made me feel like a joke. Throughout the night, I cried my eyes out in the cell, worried for Reina and plagued by guilt. I should have sent her off last night when she came.
"The alpha of the north would be here soon." One of the people who got me ready said to her partner and I stiffened, panic shrugging through my spine.
"I wonder if he wouldn't get angry at the sight of her, being a freak and all. what if he loses control from rage and kills us all?" The third woman asked and I exhaled shakily.
No one's forgotten the rumor, of how he went on a rampage and killed one third of his pack members in the process because he got mad.
My stomach tightened with more nerves.
"I believe he's already aware she's a freak before an agreement was made. But it's scary that he'll come to this pack this morning though."
The door opened and at that moment I jumped, but it turned out to be my twin, looking stunning as ever in a blue dress.
"Leave us." She ordered and the women bowed before leaving. Iris has always been well loved by the pack, it was no surprise that everyone eagerly accepted her as the future Luna.
"You look beautiful." She drawled and I let out a scoff of disbelief.
The nerves she has, after basically lying that I planned to poison her.
"I'm so glad you'll finally be gone after today. All my life, I grew up having to be attached to the freak of the pack. Do you know how hard my life was?" She demanded after stopping in front of me, glaring at me.
"It couldn't have been harder than living my own life, being bullied by everyone, including my twin." I whispered quietly.
Iris and I were twins but we looked nothing alike. She had beautiful blonde hair and I have weird, multi-colored hair. She was beautiful, she was perfect… everything I wasn't.
"Oh quit being the victim for once. You ruined all our lives with your existence and if you have a heart, you should have killed yourself a long time ago."
"But I didn't ask to be born." I cried out, tired of being blamed over and over again.
"Whatever, freak. After you leave, the family's gonna throw a party to celebrate your exit. This deal would even give dad a position on the royal council, so don't beat yourself up too much, you still ended up being of use a little."
She turned around and sashayed to the door, leaving before I could respond.
I had barely exhaled before the door was opened again to reveal two guards.
"The alpha of the north is here. Let's go."
The air was tense with nerves and fright, and everyone I walked past had uneasy looks just because they were all aware the north alpha was here. That was how terrified everyone was of him.
I wished I could run away or at least delay this, but I was pushed into the visiting chambers by the guards. I stood frozen, staring at the opposite side of the room where four men were gathered. Jaden, my father, a beta I couldn't recognize, and a tall, intimidating looking man which was definitely the alpha of the north, telling by the way the air around him rippled and the intense sandalwood scent that poured off him, overshadowing the others' in this room.
I swallowed emptily as the fear within me tripled as the sheer dominance that poured off him in waves made my knees shake with the urge to kneel.
"Here's the promised maiden." Jaden announced while pointing at me.
The man's eyes were gray and intense as they locked on mine, making me almost faint at once. His hair was pulled into a manbun, his face handsome in an unreal way, which made him more terrifying.
His eyes bored into mine as he spoke, his voice a calm thunder.
"Come forward,"
~~~~~~
Auden's pov
I'd rather not be here right now, and my skin was prickling with discomfort, reminding me of my hatred for being away from home. At least, from where once used to be home.
I don't only hate jaden, this insolent prince, I hate this pack, and all the neighboring packs. They were all the same, corrupted, like their pack rulers. Which was why I preferred to not get mixed with them at all.
But Jaden, stupid but daring— I'd give him that, came to me and offered me a deal, one which I couldn't refuse. For me to be able to expand my business reach into all the south without a war, and in exchange, I'll extend my pack's protection to him. To seal the deal, he suggested to offer me a virgin maiden from his pack, of a powerful gamma bloodline.
I didn't care for virgins, and I'd have turned down the offer despite my council members being on my neck for a bride, if I believed my mate might still be out there. After all, I need her to break my curse if I ever wanna be set free.
But I didn't believe that anymore. After searching and searching, I've given up ever finding her ages ago.
So, I decided to use a stone for two birds. My pack is in dire need of a luna, and while I could have selected someone from there, I needed it to be this particular maiden, for a particular reason.
This maiden walking toward me right on on wobbly legs, was clearly terrified of me.
And I liked it. She'd be easier to control, push away, easier to forget about.
I let my eyes rake over her. She was surprisingly beautiful, there was no doubt. Her oval, round face was memorable, her pouty lips, and button nose, and little prominent freckles. But her eyes lacked irises, making them stark white and I wondered how she could see. Her hair was long and straight, half part white and the other half black.
Was it dye?
As she got closer, I noticed a scent wafting off her. It wasn't that of a gamma. It was low, almost muted, but I detected it, thanks to my extra sharper nose. She smelt like fresh roses and vanilla.
"Walk faster, freak." Jaden suddenly growled as he reached out and jerked her forward by her elbow, making her stumble and almost fall.
As I stared at the wince on her face and Jaden's hand still on her elbow, with a frown, I realized that I felt irritated right now.