True Blood Luna

Chapter 2

We arrived at the venue for the event, I was ushered by the smell of lollies along the hallway, the air was filled with chattering and the clinking of glasses. Everyone was dressed exquisitely to match the event, with all expensive brands represented by one socialite or the other.

We were noticed and everyone bowed to show their respect. Damien quickly gave a welcome and thank you note addressing the crowd.

“Hey, “

“Interact with your guest, I will find Mila, “ I told him. He nodded and placed a gentle peck on my chin before going to his guest. Mila, short for Camilla, was my best friend and roommate in college. Mila and I weren't always this close, she despised me at first over a hunch, she thought her boyfriend, the pack beta, Ellis was head over heels in love with me. Ellis only cared for me as a friend and sister since we originated from the same Pack, Crescent Moon Pack. It is also one of the strongest Packs far and wide, my father Jace Carter was the Alpha.

We sat her down with her and conversed, we explained our lineage and history. Subsequently we were able to clear up our misunderstanding and we soon became best of friends . Just like me she left her Pack to be with Ellis.

“Elena!” I hear my best friends voice trail through the subtle music in the background, I spin around with a broad smile across my face and engulf her in a tight hug.

“Uhmm, I can’t breathe,” she said jokingly and I let go to take a good look at her as her eyes scanned me.

“You look gorgeous!” She exclaimed

“You too,” I said with a smile.

“That reminds me, Thorn Orion has been asking all around for you, “ I let out a long sigh at the mention of his name; Thorn Orion was one of the wealthiest, handsome bachelors in the city. He was proud and full of himself. Every year top companies hand-pick five high flyers from college to intern at their companies and this year Thorn’s company, Dynasty Corp picked me because I'm the best Data Scientist at my Academy.

“I’m not interested in seeing him. He only wants to use me as a yardstick to piss Damien off, I'm not ready to be a pun in his stupid games, “ I blurted. Thorn and Damien were great Alphas of strong and wealthy Packs with a true bloodline, however they hated each other. Seeing themselves as rivals.

“Yes, Elena but you know this is a wonderful opportunity and you’d get your hands on real world practicals and simulations.” You are right, it was indeed a great opportunity but I don’t want to stir up any drama putting Damien in an uncomfortable position by accepting the Dynasty Corp proposal.

“For now, I will work at a company recommended by Damien, he’d throw in a few good words,” I told her.

We talked extensively about work, and she informed me of her upcoming exhibit, and how much it would mean to her if I was in attendance. Mila was a great artist, her work had traveled far more than anyone ever imagined. She had no idea of her talent until late which forced her to switch her major from science to arts.

“Hi, ladies,” We turned around to meet Selene as we graced her presence with a smile.

Selene was a shy and timid Omega wolf who attended our College. Students despised her because she was an introverted lone wolf. A wolf from the Omega clan was treated no better than a rogue as they were considered wild. But we weren't like the others, we took the shy redhead under our shield recently because of that she had gained some favours.

“I didn't know you'd be here, “ I said before giving her a warm hug. We had tried inviting her to different socialite gatherings but she never showed up, probably because she didn't feel she belonged, she felt out of place.

“Mila invited me. I really didn't want to but I love the surprise in your faces,” she said with a light chuckle.

“You look pretty, Selene. You are rocking that lilac dress. Look at that cleavage pop.” Mila teased, and she blushed.

“I had nothing else to wear. This is the dress you gifted me the other day on your shopping spree, Elena.” she said, trying to hide her shyness.

“You look absolutely stunning,” I complimented, making sure to boost her ego.

She looked around, scanning the hall.”So where's the host? We should say our Hello’s right? “ Selene asked, her eyes still scanning in search.

“The host is my boyfriend, Damien Blake. You’ve met him before, no?”

I think they had but slightly as Selene was in a bit of a hurry, she was in a rush to leave and Damien paid no attention to her.

“Uhmm, I-i have seen him on Tv and the magazines but never in person.”

“Ooops, I will introduce you….” I didn't finish my sentence when my eyes caught Damien and Elis walking towards us.

“There, that's him!”

I waved at him accompanied by a smile when suddenly he stopped in his tracks, his foot frozen in position.

“Damien,” I called out softly, ready to approach him, but Mila’s soft hand held me back. Confused, I stared at her, her eyes fixated on Damien like she was trying to tell me something.

I followed Damien’s gaze, his eyes unwavering as he stared lustfully at the woman behind me.

“Mate,”

He said in a low growl, causing my knees to weaken as this word escaped his mouth. I took a step back. As I watched the scene unfold before me.

“Damien, my love.”

I called out as I approached him, trying to take his attention away from her, in my desperation I kissed his lips but he was stiff, unyielding and most importantly never taking his eyes off of her.

“I-i’m glad to see you, “ I stammered, trying to form a coherent sentence as tears began to well up in my eyes.

“Mate, “

His growl grew louder, paying no attention to me, his eyes fixed on the redhead. My breath hitched, my body quivered. At this instant all I could do was step aside as Damien succumbed to the mate bond.

He strode forward towards her, with each step my heart broke in a million different ways. He cupped her face in his hand, his eyes glistening with a bright glow, and his voice grew deeper.

“Hello, Mate.”

“No, this can't be happening. No, please.” I silently prayed to the moon goddess, begging for this cup of Shame Passover for me, I needed to wake up from this nightmare but Mila’s grip on my hand reminded me that this was far from a dream, it was about to become my new reality.

I raise my head to catch Damien's eyes staring in admiration. They were both lost in each other's eyes, their affection obscuring the people around them.

He threw his arms around her waist and yanked her closer to his chest, his hands running through her thick hair before placing an adoring kiss on her chin, and their hands entangled.

Unable to watch any longer I swung around and scurried out of the scene as quickly as I could. I needed to breathe fresh air; I could feel my heart cramping hard against my chest.

The moment I got outside, the brutal wind slapped my face and didn’t make it any better; even the cloud wasn’t happy with me as I heaved in a deep breath before the fierce downpour of rain.

The rain fell in relentless sheets, soaking through my dress as I stumbled through the empty streets. My bare feet throbbed with pain but nothing compared to the emotional turmoil going on inside me.

“Elena, Elena, please wait.” I heard Mila’s gentle voice etched with concern and pity but my body was too heavy to turn around, I had no zeal whatsoever to speak with her.

I sat on the street bench drenched in rain, my face buried in my palms sobbing profusely.

“Oh, girl, Come here.” Mila hugged me and I bawled even louder.

Damien gave in to the bond, and it felt like the world collapsed around me.

Four years ago, when I turned eighteen, I waited breathlessly for the confirmation of what I already knew in my heart, that Damien was my fated mate. Instead, the truth came like a knife to my chest. He wasn’t.

I tried to hide my heartbreak, but it seeped into every corner of me, stealing my breath and twisting my thoughts. What was the point of a bond if it wasn’t with him? But like always, he soothed me.

“It’s okay,” he had whispered, his hands warm but shaking as he cupped my face. “We don’t need the bond. We’re stronger than that, aren’t we?”

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. But his voice grew firmer, desperate to fill the void between us. “Even if we meet our mates—I’ll reject mine. You’ll reject yours. We’ll stay together forever, no matter what. I choose you.”

He swore it like a sacred vow, his words tangling around my heart like a fragile thread of hope. I nodded because I wanted to believe him, because I loved him too much to imagine a life without him.

I told myself I was content. Content with his promises, content with his touch, content to defy even the moon goddess.