Betrothed To The Alpha

The soft glow of my room lights reflects off my peach asymmetrical one-shoulder evening dress, casting a warm sheen across my small but cozy bedroom. I stand before the full-length mirror propped against the wall, admiring how the fabric drapes elegantly over my frame. A smile tugs at my lips as I twirl once, watching the dress flutter around me. I couldn't help but feel a momentary pride in my choice. I had spent days picking my dress just for tonight, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

My eyes drift to the clock on my nightstand, its gentle ticking a reminder of the approaching party. Between the success of my dress and The DuskBane Pack hosting the event, everything is turning out perfectly. Anticipation courses through me as I smooth down the fabric; these gatherings are prime opportunities to meet one's mate. Even though I'm not yet twenty-one, by midnight tomorrow—my birthday—my mate will be revealed to Kelly, my wolf. A delighted squeak escapes me—I can hardly contain my excitement.

My heart soars at the possibility that the one I've come to adore might actually be my fated mate. Yet, beneath the surface, a sobering reality casts a shadow. Even if he is revealed as my mate, a gnawing worry tugs at my heart—he may not accept me. In our werewolf world, the Moon Goddess chooses our mates at birth, but we remain oblivious to their identities until the moment of revelation on our twenty-first birthday. He and his brother already had their eyes set on her as their Luna, and they were just waiting for midnight for the universe to give her to them.

I force a smile, attempting to push aside the disquieting thoughts. A silent prayer escapes my lips, hoping against the odds that my mate is someone else—someone who will cherish and rescue me from this emotional abyss. It pains me to label my home as a hellhole, but ever since she entered this house, everything changed. It transformed from a place of joy and happiness into one of sadness.

If only my brother hadn't... No, I can't bear to finish that thought. The shame holds me back from openly wishing harm on someone. I wished she never arrived, yet a conflicting part of me hesitates to wish for her demise.

I give myself a final once-over in the mirror. The doe brown eyes that once sparkled seem dimmer now, and my pitch-black hair is pulled up into a high ponytail. Rosy lips are adorned with just a touch of lip gloss. I take a deep breath, mustering the strength to face the night ahead. With my purse in hand, I step out of my room and into the softly lit hallway, ready to step into the evening.

As I descend the stairs, the familiar voices of my parents and hers reach my ears. Mentally preparing myself, I join them at the foot of the stairs.

“Finally!” Mom exclaims upon seeing me. She, a poised woman with auburn curls cascading gracefully down her shoulders, is dressed in a beautiful black gown. Her makeup is subtle yet elegant, accentuating her features with a touch of sophistication. A hint of annoyance lingers in her tone, something I choose to ignore.

“Hi, Mom,” I greet with a smile, attempting to overlook the undertone of irritation.

“You should learn to be more like your sister. She didn’t keep us waiting,” Dad remarks, adjusting his cufflinks, visibly annoyed. Dad is the Alpha of our pack, The Ashen Crescent Pack. He stands tall with black hair framing a strong, chiseled face and brown eyes. As one of the many Pack Alphas across the country, he answers only to the regional Alphas and, ultimately, the Alpha King himself.

My tongue dares to remind him that Alice, my adopted sister, with her piercing gray eyes and cascading blonde hair, has also just arrived, but I wisely hold back. “It won’t happen again,” I assure.

“It’s okay, Dad, we can get going,” Alice says, adjusting his tie. She hadn’t seen me as her back was facing me.

“Hello, Alice,” I say, and she finally turns around. Her gray eyes widened, and a flicker of anger crossed her face before being replaced by a fake smile.

“Oh, my goddess, Haisley, your dress…” She fakes a gasp, running toward me. I take a step back, narrowing my eyes at her. “It’s so beautiful.” Her eyes sparkle as she admires it.

“Thank you,” I reply cautiously. Her compliments are unusual, and I sense something more behind them.

“Don’t you think it would look great on me, Dad?” she asks, batting her eyes at him.

I should've seen it coming.

“It would, dear. Anything you wore would look beautiful on you,” he responds, and a pang hits my heart. He didn't compliment me upon arrival, but the same dress would be beautiful on Alice.

What about me, your real daughter? Doesn’t the dress look beautiful on me? I wish to shout, but I keep my feelings bottled up as always.

“Too bad Haisley is wearing it. I would have loved to.” She pouts.

“If you wish to wear it, Haisley should give it to you. You're her sister,” Mom adds, shocking me with her words.

“Yes, Haisley, give the dress to your sister,” Dad chimes in, and my shock intensifies. Are they serious right now?

I stare at them, lost for words. They didn’t compliment my dress upon my arrival but scolded me, and now they want me to hand over my dress to Alice just because she wants it—no valid reason given.

Closing my eyes, I exhale. I shouldn’t even be surprised; I should be used to it by now. But how could I? These two people were my parents, the ones who created me and loved me until she came along. Tears filled my eyes.

“No problem. I will head upstairs and change.” I turn away from them as the tears drop.

I rush up the winding staircase, my heart pounding as I burst into my room. With trembling hands, I hastily pull off the delicate dress I spent countless hours picking. The soft fabric slips through my fingers as I hand it to a wide-eyed omega servant who had followed me upstairs.

"Give this to Alice," I instruct. The servant nods silently and hurries away, leaving me alone with my tumultuous thoughts.

Kelly's angry voice echoes through our mind link, her frustration palpable even in the confines of my own head. "You shouldn't have given that bitch your dress. You spent hours picking it out for tonight!"

I sink onto my plush bed. "And what else could I have done?" I reply through our link. "Said no and made Dad and Mom hate me even more because of her?"

"No!" Kelly retorts. "But you should've lied or done something. That bitch doesn't even like the dress. She probably just wanted to wear it because it looks so breathtakingly beautiful on you."

I close my eyes, picturing how the dress hugged my curves perfectly. "I know," I admit softly.

"Fuck!" Kelly's frustration radiates through our mental link. "Sometimes I really wish your brother never brought her home."

A lump forms in my throat as I think of my beloved brother. "Too bad he did, and I lost him in the process too."

"You know if he was here, this wouldn't be happening, right?" Kelly's tone softens slightly.

I nod, even though she can't see me. "Yeah, I do."

Kelly sighs, her anger fading to resignation. "Let's just pray tonight your mate ends up being someone amazing who takes us far away from her. Then we'll never have to worry about that bitch again."

I gaze out the window at the darkening sky, watching as the first stars begin to twinkle. "Hopefully," I whisper, allowing myself a small glimmer of hope for the future.

Reluctantly, I cut off my connection with Kelly and finish putting on my second dress—a simpler gown in muted tones that pales in comparison to my original choice. With a heavy heart, I head outside to join my family.

As we settle into the car, Alice slides into the backseat beside me, a triumphant gleam in her eyes. She's wearing my dress, the delicate fabric shimmering in the fading light. I plaster on a smile, but beneath the surface, I'm boiling with resentment. Alice doesn't need to utter a word; her self-satisfied smirk says it all—she's reveling in the fact that she's wearing the dress I coveted.

Kelly growls in my head, but I maintain my facade all the way to the venue. The weight of anticipation settles in my stomach as I silently count down the hours. Once midnight strikes, I won't have to put up with Alice's machinations anymore. I can't wait for the moment when everything would change, hoping against hope.

We arrive at the venue, and the atmosphere is buzzing with werewolves from all corners of the country. It's no surprise as parties hosted by the DuskBane Pack triplets are not to be missed. They are the heirs to the most powerful pack, considered by many as the royal family of the werewolf kingdom, and the triplets themselves are regarded as princes.

Mom and Dad step out first from the car, followed by Alice, who receives assistance from two hands that belong to Xander and Kyle, two of the triplets. Xander, with jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes, glares at me, while Kyle, sporting a similar look, is equally unfriendly. Both have ripped biceps that catch the attention of many she-wolves. The triplets from The DuskBane Pack have been oddly hostile towards me since I entered high school, despite them being four years older and rarely crossing paths with me before. In our world, all werewolves attend the same school, from nursery to university, regardless of pack affiliation. Even though our interactions were limited to school events and occasional inter-pack gatherings, their animosity was unmistakable. I can't figure out why they dislike me so much, especially since we've hardly interacted, and I don't recall doing anything to provoke their animosity.

“Haisley,” Alice calls, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yes,” I reply, and she grabs my hand, leading me a few feet away from Xander and Kyle. I look at her in confusion.

“I know Mom and Dad said we should stick together at the party, but unfortunately, Xander and Kyle don’t want to be around you. Please understand and enjoy the party alone. I'm very sorry, sis.”

I freeze, unable to believe what she just said, and the fact that she added an apology.

“I promise, once I see one of your friends, I will ask them to come and meet you,” she adds as I stare at her in bewilderment.

"Friends?" I question, recalling that it has been years since the last time I called someone a friend. “No problem. I will be fine on my own.”

She abruptly pulls me into a hug. “Muah.” She kisses the air, and I turn my cheek away before she can land one on it. “I love you. See you later.”

She pulls away and runs over to where Xander and Kyle wait for her. I watch her with a bitter feeling in my heart and, if I'm honest, a twinge of jealousy. I envy the fact that she has friends who welcome her as she arrives.

“Don’t let that bitch make you feel bad,” Kelly says, fluttering into my mind. “You’re an amazing person, and anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend. Too bad all the people around us are too dumb to see that.”

“Thank you, Kelly,” I say, a small smile tugging at my face. She always manages to make me feel better.

I make my way to the entrance of the grand ballroom, my heels clicking softly on the polished marble floor. As I approach, the band's melodic tunes fade away, and a spotlight illuminates the ornate stage adorned with golden filigree. The air buzzes with anticipation; an important figure is about to make an entrance. My steps quicken, joining the crowd of elegantly dressed werewolves as we inch closer to catch a glimpse of the arrival.

Around me, a sea of shimmering gowns in jewel tones sways gently, their wearers' eyes glowing with barely contained excitement. Some werewolves stand tall and proud, their regal bearing hinting at their Alpha status, while others move with a graceful, predatory elegance that betrays their supernatural nature. The scent of excitement and various perfumes mingles in the air, tickling my heightened senses.

My breath catches in my throat as I see him step forward to address the gathering, his presence commanding instant silence. The owner of my heart—Hades Stone—stands before us, his green eyes scanning the crowd with an intensity that makes my wolf stir within me.

He expresses gratitude for everyone's presence. His aura radiates authority, and even from a distance, the power of an Alpha exudes from him. His features are like those crafted by the gods themselves, a face that leaves no room for imperfections. His jet-black hair is slicked back, allowing every contour of his chiseled jaw to be on full display. His straight nose and red lips add to the perfection.

His captivating green eyes, distinct from his brothers', lock onto mine for a fleeting moment. I hold my breath, unable to tear my gaze away, though he looks away quickly. As he leaves the stage, searching for someone, I wonder who has caught his attention.

The entire ballroom buzzes with admiration for him, murmuring about how he helps his father well in handling pack affairs. Some even speculate that he will be the one to inherit the Alpha title among his brothers after his father passes and might surpass his legacy. Being the eldest among the triplets, he is more likely to take over after their father.

However, a comment from someone nearby shatters my reverie, and my shoulders slump. "I bet Alice is his mate; she is already perfect for him, another perfect match," the person says, echoing my earlier worries. The world seems to have already accepted Alice as his destined mate. Even though it hasn't been confirmed, my heart aches at the realization.

My thoughts are abruptly interrupted as I sense a pair of eyes on me. I look ahead, and my eyes widen—it's him again. Hades, the eldest of the triplets, is staring at me. He's walking toward me, and I swallow hard as panic sets in. Why is he coming towards me? Has he finally noticed me after all these years?

As he approaches, the scent of sandalwood fills my nose, and my heart pounds impatiently. I wait anxiously for him to reach me, my hope soaring. However, my heart breaks as he walks past me, heading towards the person behind me. I spin around to see who it is, and if possible, my heart shatters even more. Hades passionately kisses Alice in front of everyone, disregarding the onlookers. He wants everyone to know Alice is his.

They pull away, and Alice notices me. A big smile spreads across her face, her eyes dancing with delight. Hades looks at her with admiration, and my heart clenches. I turn away, feeling tears sting the back of my eyes.

Today feels worse than any of the days Alice came home to tell me about her dates with the triplets. Those moments couldn't even compare, as I always left the room once she began to talk. But tonight, all I can do is stare as my heart breaks.

A part of me wonders if Alice approached Hades because of me, remembering the smile on her face. I never told her I loved him, but the timing aligns with when I began to develop feelings for him at the age of fourteen. She got close to him and his brothers during that time. I brush the thought away, deeming it useless, as once my mate is revealed, it won’t matter. She can have them for all I care. I tell myself this to feel better.

I move away from them, seeking a quiet spot to pass the time. While I wait, I browse through Instagram on my phone, laughing at funny videos to occupy myself.

The cheering of people inside the hall shifts my attention from my phone. Curiosity getting the better of me, I rush inside to see what is going on. I freeze as I step inside, my phone slipping from my hand and hitting the ground hard. The triplets' eyes are red, and they are all staring at Alice. She's their mate. Alice is their fucking mate.

They move to claim her, their expressions clouded with desire and possessiveness. However, a mysterious figure intervenes, blocking their path with an authority that silences the crowd. My brows furrow in confusion. Who’s that? The man speaks to the triplets in hushed tones. My gaze darts between the triplets and the older man, noting the striking resemblance in their face and physique. It dawns on me that he must be their father, the Alpha of The DuskBane Pack . The triplets take one look at Alice before moving to exit the hall. My shock intensifies. Whatever he told them made them stop approaching Alice and leave. The man turns to face me, and I meet the intense gaze of eyes identical to Hades’s. A realization strikes me—he is indeed their father, the Alpha George.

He continues to gaze at me and scan the surroundings, half-expecting to find another subject of his attention nearby. To my surprise, the focus remains on me, and a sense of unease settles in.

As the tension lingers, a woman approaches me, her presence commanding attention. She bears an air of authority and sophistication, and it becomes apparent that she is the Alpha's mate—the Luna Marley.

"Come with us, dear," the Luna says with a gentle yet firm tone, gesturing for me to join them.

“Why?” I question, a swirl of confusion marring my features as the Luna insists on our departure from the chaotic ballroom.

“We can’t talk here, just come with me,” she insists, her urgency adding to my confusion.

“We are the Alpha and Luna of this pack. We just want to talk, dear,” the man, whom I deduce is the father of the triplets, asserts as he joins the conversation.

I take another look at the woman and notice the resemblance she shares with Xander and Kyle.

"Okay," I agree, deciding to follow them, curiosity getting the best of me.

"Thank you," the Luna expresses her gratitude, leading the way, and my heart pounds with every step.

As we navigate through the corridors, I wonder what prompts this secretive discussion and why the urgency to distance ourselves from the prying eyes of the ballroom.