Lunar Temptations

Ch 7

Hundreds of eyes stared at us from every direction and among them somewhere my sisters would also be watching the scene unfold as I was being dragged by a man I despised only to get engaged to him there. If I had not convinced myself to accept the scenario then I might have fainted or created an even bigger scene here but another part of me knew that I would never cause a scene for the sake of my family's reputation - even if I had to suppress my hatred for my mate and accept him as my mate and Alpha.

At this point, I knew this night was about to turn a lot worse than it was already.

Even though many people eyed us with utter surprise and confusion but none dare to question the man leading me. His power and dominance were cast over the entire hall like that of a true Alpha, feared and respected by everyone. No matter the evil I saw in him, his pack and others saw him as their wise leader and showed reverence towards him and his decision even if they were to watch him drag another woman to the platform where she was not supposed to be.

No wonder, Mom wanted me to represent our pack with such great responsibility here.

"Let the ceremony begin." He announced and even though the crowd looked not so excited, Mr. and Mrs. Castillo immediately reacted.

"What is this, Zayd?" Mrs Castillo walked up with a slight smile on her face before turning her not-so-smiley face to her son, but from my view, he seemed not a bit bothered instead his hand only tightened around mine.

"This, mother, is my mate and we are getting engaged." He said with a straight face and with the tension between both, I immediately knew that their relationship was not as smooth anymore as it used to be.

Zayden was an obedient child while I, on the other hand, was not so much. He was one of the children my parents would give me examples of what to become like if I wanted to be fit to rule but at that time all I found in him was my best friend not knowing what would he do to me. My jaw clenched at the thought but it left my mind just as fast when I heard a whisper from the crowd.

"Psst." Esme with two full-blown wide eyes, made another noise. Fortunately, she was nearer to my side so I was the only one to be able to hear her.

I eyed her back knowing many eyes were watching me and one wrong move or word could gain me the wrong type of attention from them. Winnie was not far behind Esme and their poor faces were like those of children lost in a park, staring at me with the hope of an explanation or maybe it was the other way around. Maybe I was the lost child in the park and they wanted to save me but little did they know... there was no other way around and even if there was, it would already be too late.

After a long speechless moment, Mrs Castillo remarked once again. "This is not the right way and everyone is watching. Let's settle this later." Her voice was low and pleading as if she was afraid he would snap at any moment which I knew he would not, she was simply too scared to stand against her own son.

He had definitely turned into an entirely different person than the one I knew.

"No. Now-" he replied sternly with a twitch in his jaw as if this was unbearable for him - something I could finally agree with him on. Suddenly he turned towards the crowd and raised his head as if he was the eternal monarch and the "Wolves of the Night Walkers, as your Alpha, I hereby present you my mate and your future Luna, Raya Leah Dawson." A few whispers escaped the crowd and I wanted nothing more than the floor to eat me up.

This was so controversial that I doubt anyone would be able to rule out the rights and wrongs here. I was especially worried about my parent's reaction, they would not be happy when they would get to know about the situation unfolding here but at least now my position as the future Luna of my pack, the Lunar Pack would be stronger even if it meant getting engaged to Zayden.

My eyes scanned the crowd but stopped only at Audrey standing a few feet away from the platform eyeing me fiercely, as if she would murder me the moment I look away yet somehow I was not even the slightest bit afraid. A part of me was so sure that nothing would happen to me as long as my mate stood by. His presence was so calming and attractive, unlike anything I had felt before. My wolf felt alive and I felt safer than ever, even though I did not trust him.

"Apologies Alpha, but was not Miss Audrey Boone your mate and the one you were to be engaged to?" A voice came from the crowd and silence fell over. This time it was not one of the curious silence instead danger and fear swirled in the air making it difficult for me to even breathe. The man beside me was standing still as a dead man, but the dominance erupting from him was every bit as alive.

"I am sure this is a misunderstanding - we would have this sorted immediately." Mrs Castillo explained to the crowd. "Go ahead. Tell them the truth, Mother." Behind her, Zayden whispered to her. "Or shall I do the honours?" His voice was low and dreadful enough to give anyone goosebumps yet it did something attractive to me.

What was he referring to?

Another chilling silence followed after which a scoff resounded from him. "Exactly what I thought. Now step aside." He nudged her back lightly as he whispered to her.

There was something seriously wrong going on between them both. - I thought and the next moment with a scowl, Mrs Castillo stepped aside slowly.

"I misunderstood - until tonight when I saw her." His voice boomed in the quiet hall and his eyes found their way to mine. A chill went down my spine and a dangerously sweet feeling erupted inside me. I averted my gaze and looked away. The next moment, I was caught off guard when his hand wrapped around my waist and he pulled me to his side.

"What are you doing?" I said low enough for him to hear. He lowered his head until his lips touched my ear, "Play along." he said. The next moment, his attention was back to his people and the many pack leaders present there. "I truly realized what it meant to have a mate when I saw her walking through those doors tonight. I knew as important as it was for me to find my mate, it was equally important to find for the pack a Luna who would lead us to prosperity and Raya is the answer to both." He said as his fingers gently rubbed my lower back, comforting me in a weird way.

"The Moon Goddess has chosen her to be the Luna of both, the Lunar pack and the Night Walkers - but most importantly my mate." His eyes twinkled with an unrecognizable emotion as he shifted his gaze between me and the crowd. His hand left me only to appear in front of me with a ring.

"Now, I want nothing more than to make her mine." His words were followed by the movement of his hand as he took mine in his with a ring ready to slide right on my finger.

My eyes went wide as I took it in. It was beautiful and even though it was meant to be worn by someone else, I could not help but feel claimed as Zayden put the ring on my finger and the crowd roared into cheers.