Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
Zara's POV
Two days later
The news of the arrival of the Frostfang Alpha spread through the pack like widefire. Whispers filled the room, warriors trained harder and the ranked members of the pack scrambled to make preparations.
The arrival of the Alpha meant one thing —an alliance through marriage. The thought of Selene being chosen as a mate to someone as powerful as him filled me with a mixed emotions. Jealousy? Resentment? Or something deeper. If only my parents were still alive.... I would probably be a fated mate or chosen Luna to one of the handsome and powerful Alpha around.
"Have you seen the gown Selene is to wear?" one omega whispered as she passed by, her voice filled with awe. "It’s made of silk and laced with gold thread. The Alpha demanded only the finest for her presentation."
"Of course, he did. His daughter is about to become a Luna, not a concubine," another scoffed.
A Luna.
"Selene was already powerful, and now, she was about to become the Luna of an even stronger Alpha." Some people really have everything at the tip of their fingers, isn't it.
But really.... why do I care? I thought as I tried to push away the thoughts and joined in the chores.
"He arrives tomorrow at sunset," Lady Evelyn, the new Beta wife said, her voice carrying authority. "Everything must be perfect. The feast, the decorations—every single detail must reflect our strength."
Just as I turned to leave, another slave approached. "Princess Selene, called for you," she said and walked away almost immediately.
Selene? Why is she calling for me?
I sighed, frustrated already. Nothing good comes out from associating with that girl or anyone from this pack at all. I was always the means for her to pour out her anger and frustration.
I made my way out of the grand hall towards her room, my heart racing in my chest. I stood before Selene and her crickets, my head bow low as she glare at me.
“The Alpha of the Frostfang Pack is arriving tomorrow,” she said, her tone firm and cold. “Stay hidden in your room.”
I frowned, my head snapping up in surprise. “What does that have to do with me?” my expression silently demanded as I fixed her a questioning stare.
“Oh, yes,” she said, catching the unspoken question in my eyes. Her lips curled into a sneer. “Don’t even think of throwing yourself at him. If you do, I’ll kill you myself. He’s going to be my husband and mate,” she finished coldly.
Myra laughed, adding her two cents. "The young, handsome and powerful Alpha knows better than to be smitten by a slave girl."
I clenched my fists at my sides, but kept my voice low. "I don't care about your mate, Selene. You can't control me."
"Stay hidden," she ordered, her voice sharp. "I'll make sure you regret it if you don't."
I retreated to my room, the weight of her orders hanging in the air. 'Stay hidden ' my pleasure. I would take that time to breath and get some sleep.
"Not like I care anyways," I muttered under my breath, hissing loudly. I hurled myself onto the bed. I buried myself under the duvet, trying to escape the reality of my life, my thoughts spiraling.
The next morning, I was jolted awake by the sound of screeching tyres. My heart pounded in my chest. I rushed to the window, peeking out behind the curtains.
There he was. The Alpha of Frostfang. The man Selene had been obsessing over. He stood tall by his car, looking every bit the powerful figure he was meant to be.
Stormy-gray eyes locked onto mine for a fleeting moment. His intense gaze sent a shiver down my spine. Then, I quickly closed the curtain, my heart hammering in my chest. I wasn't supposed to be seen. I needed to avoid Selene's wrath.
I heard laughter and cheers coming from the hall. I stayed in the room, alone, as I listened to the festivities beyond.
A knock at my door made me freeze.
"Zara."
I hesistated, my body tense from the shock.
"Zara," the voice came again.
With a sigh, I rose from the bed and opened the door. It was a maid. She looked anxious, avoiding my gaze as she spoke. "Lady Evelyn wants you in the kitchen. Immediately," she said, turning away.
My heart sank. Selene has told me to stay hidden, but Evelyn was not someone to defy. Even Selene won't dare go against her openly.
Reluctantly I made my way to the kitchen, my stomach twisting with unease. The moment I stepped in, lady Evelyn was waiting, her sharp gaze landing on me.
"You," she said, handing me a tray stacked with an assortment of meats, fruits and wine. "Take this to the hall. And be quick about it."
I opened my mouth to protest. "But Selene told me —"
She cuts me off with a glare. "Did I ask for your opinion. Take the tray, Zara."
I pressed my lips together, biting back my words. Obedience was the only way to survive here.
Balancing the tray carefully, I made my way to the grand hall. The moment I stepped in, the atmosphere shifted. The air was thick with power and authority, the presence of other mighty Alpha's was undeniable. But the Alpha of Frostfang, and Selene were not in the room.
I focused on my task, weaving through the hall and serving the wolves seated on the table. I kept my gaze low, avoiding the eyes that seems to pierce into me—until a hand suddenly grabbed my ass.
Heat shot through me —not the one from pleasure, but from irritation. No, pure rage.
Without thinking, I slapped the wolf hand away. Hard. I could take everything spew at me, but not my dignity.
"How dare you," I spat. Gasps erupted through the room.
The warrior who had touched me snarled, his eyes flashing dangerously. "You little—" He raised his hand, about to strike me.
I stepped back in reflex, only to collide into something solid.
No, not something. Someone.
A strong, unyielding force.
Silence enveloped the room as I turned slowly. My breath seized.
I had bumped into him. Alpha of Frostfang.
The moment our eyes met, my pulse raced. Selene stood by his side, her beauty in contrast to the fury emanating from her.
His stormy-gray gaze locked onto mine, intense and unreadable. Up close, he was even more intimidating.
"Alpha—" Selene started, but he silenced her with a single gesture. Then he turned towards the wolf who dared to touch me, his expression darkened. "What do you think you're doing?"
The wolf paled, bowing. "Alpha—"
"Silence." His voice was ice, cutting through the room like a blade.
Then in a single, effortless movements, he gestured to his men. "Take him outside. Punish him."
Two warriors quickly grabbed the wolf and dragged him away, his protests fading into the distance. By this time Selene was already seething.
The hall remained eerily silent. Then, the Alpha's gaze returned to me. His eyes, calculating and assessing me like I had suddenly become important.
A slow smirk ghosted his lips. Then, in a voice that sent shivers down my spine, he announced—
"Instead of Selene, I'm going to marry her instead."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Marry me." He stepped closer to me, he told me hand in his, his eyes never leaving me.
My mouth parted but words failed me. I couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe. Have I misheard?
Before I could gather my thoughts, another voice, sharp and unyielding slice through the heavy silence. "You can't do that Alpha Ashen."
Alpha Kael, the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack. His glare was firm. "You are here to marry my daughter, Selene and not ..... that slave girl."
Selene eyes burned with rage, her hands clenching with fists.
I expected Ashen to deny it. To correct whatever misunderstanding had just happened.
But instead—his jaw tightened, a flicker of anger appearing on his face.
"Slave girl?" He sneered. "This is no slave." Then he turned towards Alpha Kael. "And you don't get to tell me what to do."
Alpha Kael fell silence and could only watch. No one would want to argue with such a powerful Alpha.
Before Ashen could say more, the door burst open.
A guard stumbled in, his voice tight with urgency. "Alpha Ashen," he called breathless. "The kingdom is under attack."
Ashen spun around. "What?"
The guard expression, confirmed the worst. "Yes, my lord."
Without hesitation, Ashen turned back to Alpha Kael. "I need to return immediately. Have my bride prepared and sent to me immediately," he said, his tone was sharp leaving no room for argument.
Casting a final glance at me, he strode out of the room.
And I?
I stood frozen in place.
Because I wasn't Selene, and yet—he had yet claimed me as his bride.