Chapter 3: Fatally bound

I went around the packed ceremonial grounds, attempting to understand the ceremony as a whole. There were werewolves of all ages, ranks, and statures mingling and joking together as the Gathering got underway. From the time we left our room, Sable had left me to fend for myself amid the throng of unfamiliar people. However, I decided to make the most of the occasion and took a big breath before moving into the middle of the crowd. I tried the best I could to mingle and make new friends but nobody was interested in being friends with a weak omega, everyone was searching for strong mates or at least,wolves of high ranking to be friends with. After being shunned several times, I sat down at the buffet table, eating the little I could and watching people meet their fated mates. Seeing the smiles on their faces, the love in their eyes made me jealous and hopeful. I prayed to the moon goddess to grant me a mate who would love me the way I am. After praying to the moon goddess, I got up in a final attempt to mingle and while walking around, my eyes caught on to a young, attractive stranger. He was tall and had black hair and dazzling blue eyes.

He was conversing and laughing with some people, but his smile vanished the moment we locked eyes. I could feel the electricity rushing through my veins as he approached me. I could tell he was an alpha because of the strength and authority that radiated from him. I was glad that the moon goddess actually answered my prayers and I put on my best smile but the smile quickly faded when I saw the look of utter disappointment and surprise on his face as he walked towards me. He was certainly not hoping to find a mate in a lowly omega. "Hello," he said, his voice low and hoarse. "I'm Alpha Cassius of the Wolfram pack." I said, "My name is Althea, I am from Ashram pack," in a voice that was almost inaudible. I gave him a look of complete delight and adoration but he gave me a glance that was both curious and contemptuous.

He looked at me with a mix of curiosity and contempt. "You are an Omega," he said in a disappointed tone, and I nodded, feeling ashamed and embarrassed because I knew that alphas and betas frequently looked down on omegas. I sighted and went over to Sable at the far end, laughing and giggling with a group of people, she seemed to be having a great time. I tried to sound happy as I said, "Sable, I found my mate," but her expression changed as she looked at me and then at Alpha Cassius. I could tell she was surprised and unhappy at the same time. Surprised because I was the last werewolf she'd expected to find a mate and unhappy because I had found a mate before her,a high ranking one at that.

The irony in her voice was evident as she said, "Congratulations, Althea, I'm happy for you." "I'm sure you will be very happy with your new mate." Alpha. Cassius fixed Sable with a stern stare. "When you get back, make sure Althea's things are sent to her from Ashram pack," stated Alpha Cassius. "She will be staying here from now and will need her things." Sable nodded, still wearing a look of jealousy. Her words were, "Alright, Alpha," "I'll make sure her things are sent to her." Alpha Cassius turned to me as Sable bounded off. He said, "Come with me," in an emotionless voice. I followed him, experiencing a range of feelings simultaneously.

I was glad to have found a mate although it saddened me that he didn't seem very interested in finding me. Alpha Cassius told me about his family and pack as we strolled. He informed me about his arranged betrothal to the alpha's daughter of a respected pack, and how he could never completely accept me as his mate. But he also couldn't reject me because I was bound to him by a supernatural bond. So Alpha Cassius did the only thing he could think of. He led me to his mansion, and urged me to keep our mateship link a secret. "You'll have to act like one of the house workers", he said. "I will pay you a visit at night, but nobody must be aware of it."

Several days later, Beta Felix and his family came by, bringing my belongings with them. “My darling daughter got mated to a powerful alpha”,Eliza said, with a malicious smile on her face. I forced a smile onto my face and faced Sable, “That is wonderful, I am happy for you”, “you should be”, Sable responded sharply, “seeing how you were acting all high and mighty the other day was funny to me because I know and you also know, deep down, that Alpha Cassius will never truly accept a weak omega as his mate, and even if he does, his pack members will never accept you and be honest with yourself, do you really think you are Luna material?” With that, Sable and her mother proudly walked back to the car and they all drove off. I bowed my head for what felt like an eternity, trying to keep the tears from falling, when I was sure that the tears won't stream down my face, I raised my head, carried the bags containing my belongings, and I went up to my assigned room.

As the days turned into weeks, I was forced to live a life of shame and secrecy, pretending to be one of the house staff and serving the other members of the pack who came to see their Alpha for whatever reason, while keeping my true relationship with Alpha Cassius a secret. At night, Alpha Cassius would come to me, making me moan in ecstasy as he caressed my body and fucked me thoroughly, but as soon as we both came down from our high, he would use the bathroom to get rid of my scent before abandoning me in the dark. I felt like Alpha Cassius could use and abandon me as he pleased, treating me like a whore. And as I lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling, I kept asking myself if this was really my destiny. Was I destined to live out the rest of my days as my supposed mate's bed warmer? "...I was hoping you would pass on in your sleep..." I recalled Sable's cruel remarks, and as the tears started to fall, I wrapped my arms around myself and sobbed quietly in the hopes that one day I would actually sleep and not wake up. After crying uncontrollably, I finally fell asleep, with the final question on my mind being, "When does it all end?”