Alpha Nocturne's Contracted Mate

"Yes! That's the one! That's exactly what I want!" Ann exclaimed almost giddy with excitement as she reached forward and ran her hand over the beautiful material.

The white fabric seemed to shimmer in the light and the effect was almost spellbinding.

"Fantastic, would you like to try it on now? It's a match for your measurements, but it may need a little alteration…" the sales assistant began before Ann interrupted her excitedly.

"No, it's fine. I'll take it home and have the seamstress take a look if there are any alterations needed. She's coming tonight to make some alterations on some evening wear that I bought for the honeymoon, so it won't be an issue." Ann grinned.

With a nod of her head, the assistant packaged everything up and handed her the dress to take home.

She couldn't wait to get home and try it on.

Ann admired herself happily in the full-length mirror as the seamstress said her goodbyes and left the room with an armful of gowns.

She smiled wistfully as she smoothed her hands along the flowing material of her wedding dress.

This was the last night that she would be Ann Veritas, daughter of the Alpha King. Tomorrow she would be Ann Lunaris, wife and mate of Brad Lunaris, the future Alpha King.

She covered her mouth with her hand and suppressed the squeal that almost escaped from her lips.

Finally, she would be out of this god-forsaken wing of the mansion and moved to her floor with her husband. She would only have to see her stepmother and step-sister at special functions and would be able to avoid any contact with them on most days.

She bit her lip nervously. Should she go and show her dad the dress? He would see it tomorrow but... they had so little time together anymore, it might be nice to spend the last night here with him as his daughter.

Ann sighed lightly. She wished her mother was here. Even though her father had betrayed her mother and taken a mistress, Ann couldn't help but feel that if her mother had lived, things would have been infinitely easier. Perhaps she would have had more siblings.

With a final twirl and contented giggle, she opened the door of her room and headed out into the hallway.

As she made her way past the bedrooms and suites that made up this floor, she could hear a couple's distinct moans and grunts in the passionate throes of lovemaking.

She sniggered and rolled her eyes.

She hadn't had the chance to be intimate with Brad yet. Ann had been determined to save herself until they marked each other on their wedding day.

After they had said their vows and celebrated with the pack, the family would then retire to the inner temple of the moon where the elders waited.

It was a simple affair with intimate words spoken between the mated pair and an exchange of vows would happen again but this time, their wolves would have the opportunity to speak their vows to their fated mate.

It was a ritual that encouraged acts of service for each other and once the ceremony was complete, they would return to their room and enjoy each other as a mated pair.

Ann blushed furiously at the thought and stifled a giggle. To wear Brad's mark would bring her nothing but pride, he was loyal to a fault…

"Fuck, Ada…"

The banging of the headboard against the wall intensified as Ann froze. No..it couldn't be!

Her head turned towards the door that she had been just about to pass and saw that it was slightly ajar. She swallowed nervously as her heart raced wildly. She was wrong..she had to be!

"Brad... oh, fuck... deeper... harder!" Ada's shrill voice begged between breathy moans.

Ann's legs seemed to have a mind of their own as she positioned herself next to the crack in the door. She pushed it open slightly as she tried to peer into the dim light of the room beyond, but it wasn't quite enough.

She took a deep breath and nudged the door a little more. Her chest felt like it would explode as she held her breath whilst the crack widened.

When it revealed her sister lying underneath Ann's husband-to-be, her hands flew to her mouth to stifle the gasp of horror as her heart shattered instantly.

As Brad roared his release inside her sister, Ada turned her head towards the door with a smirk. An icy chill descended over Ann as if a bucket of ice water had been thrown over her and she stood and stared, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open in disbelief.

Ada lifted her hand and waved in Ada's direction with a smug smile plastered on her face as Brad collapsed on top of her, kissing her neck tenderly.

Ann wanted to scream, to rage, and to sob but she remained silent as she pulled the door closed and balled her fists up angrily at her side.

She stared blankly ahead as she made her way down the stairs and out into the night.

Ann had walked along in a daze for quite a while, her mind reeling with the scene that she had stumbled upon.

They were supposed to be fated mates...what had happened? It was so rare to find the other person made exactly for you that when it happened, the relationships were almost infallible. It was very rare for either partner to seek others out for fulfillment because their wolves simply wouldn't allow it.

Ann's wolf Maeve had remained silent throughout all of this, but Ann could feel the fury coursing through her.

Maeve had never been one for talking too much. When Ann attempted to talk to her she would mostly remain silent. She communicated her feelings on subjects enough at the time and words were rarely necessary for Maeve's opinion.

The numbness that had led Ann into the city had begun to fade and the pain that coursed through her heart was excruciating.

She sniffled miserably as she looked around her. Somehow she had ended up in the popular club district of the city, well known for its nightlife.

The pulsating beats that emanated from inside some of the buildings did nothing but remind her of the strong, rhythmic heartbeat that she would hear when she laid her head on Brad's chest, and the grief would hit her all over again.

'Perhaps you can find a quieter bar,' Maeve growled.

Ann jumped at the sudden gruff voice in her head and it took her a moment before she had recovered enough to reply.

'But... Maeve... I don't drink... I never have.' Ann protested.

'No? Well, fated mates don't ever sleep with their mate's sister either... yet here we are. Now seems like a perfect time to start drinking.' She snapped back brutally.

Ann bit her lip, unsure how to reply and she felt the sensation of Maeve sighing heavily.

'Even if you don't want to drink, I want something to numb us both. Fratricide is frowned upon and if I see that bitch again then you can be sure that she'll get what's coming to her. Until then, find somewhere quiet and drink until I shut up' she grumbled.

Ann took a deep breath and lowered her head, hoping that her hair covered her face from the curious glances that were cast her way.

They eventually arrived at a bar well known for its high-profile clientele and commitment to protecting their privacy. It was the perfect place to hide for a little while.

The doorman stopped her instantly and laughed.

"Listen, missy, I know we're called The Minster, but I think you've got the wrong kind of church, you can't get married here."

Ann felt her cheeks flush furiously as she lifted her head to stare at him defiantly.

He visibly blanched as he realized who she was and apologized profusely.

"Ah... Miss Veritas! I'm sorry I just... with your attire... wedding dresses aren't usually... and..." He stammered hopelessly, stumbling over his words as Ann narrowed her eyes at him and the golden irises of her wolf peeked out at him furiously.

"If I wanted jokes I would go and see a comedian. I wanted somewhere quiet to drink where no one would bother me." Ann hissed.

The doorman hurriedly escorted her inside and she was shown to a booth on the top floor, reserved only for those with the highest profiles. Being the daughter of an Alpha King granted her that privilege and as she squeezed into the booth, lifting the hem of her dress so as not to get wrapped up in it, she was grateful for the lack of prying eyes.

It wasn't long before the manager of the establishment approached her and apologized profusely for the conduct of his doorman. As a way of showing his sincerity, he offered complimentary drinks for the evening.

Ann had accepted the offer graciously and when he handed her the drinks menu she accepted Maeve's suggestions for drinks and didn't hold back on ordering.

After her fourth glass of Bellevue Cabernet, she came to the decision that there was no way that she would go through with this wedding. If Brad could do this to her now, before they were even married and marked, the chances were that his behavior would only get worse.

'It's the worst kind of betrayal. You should seduce him and let me rip his penis off so he'll never be able to bury himself balls deep in another woman again.' Maeve snarled.

For some reason, Ann giggled at Maeve's fierceness and a ripple of amusement ran through her from Maeve's direction.

'It would be a bit messy, Maeve. I think the rejection should do fine.' Ann giggled.

'Maybe take a man home with you tonight and repay the favor,' Maeve smirked.

'Maeve!' Ann protested, her flush from the wine deepening suddenly as she felt her ears grow hotter.

Before long Ann found herself in dire need of a visit to the toilet and as she made her way through the maze-like corridors of private rooms and private offices, she walked straight into what she thought was the ladies' room.

As she adjusted her dress and took a seat in the cubicle, the sound of footsteps entering the room could be heard and she stifled a giggle.

The alcohol had indeed had a drastic effect on her. Although they had a naturally strong tolerance for alcohol, the Bellevue witches had worked wonders with their line of fortified wines.

She swayed a little as she stood and turned to flush when she froze. The distinct tones of the two males talking could be heard quite clearly.

"Alpha, I know you don't want to talk about this but you really must consider your options." A male voice pleaded.

"Not this again, Allen." A deep, husky voice sighed heavily, clearly tired of whatever subject this related to.

'Eavesdropping seems to be a talent that we've recently acquired…' Maeve slurred in amusement in Ann's head.

'Shhhh! They might hear us!' Ann answered back through their mind link, stifling yet another giggle.

"If the others find out about the curse, then you know it will lead to bids for takeovers."

"And what? If I don't have a Luna I can't rule well? Give me a break, Allen." The deep voice snorted derisively.

"If you can't produce an heir the pack's future isn't secure! At least consider taking a chosen mate."

"And if my mate shows up in the meantime?"

"Can you be sure that they would be truthful about that matter? The curse took away your ability to..."

The curse? What the curse is?