Mated To The Ruthless Female Alpha

7

CADEN

It took a bit of time before I finally found Ella. And for some odd reason, she was with…Sarah. It had been pretty hard to miss the girl’s furtive glances my way and the way her eyes almost always seemed to constantly demand my attention.

Safe to say, whatever conversation they were having wouldn’t be a pleasant one. I watched as Ella took out her phone, her steps towards the exit more hurried than before.

“Ella.” I called out, jogging up to meet her.

Sarah’s eyes turned to me just as she looked. She looked like she wanted to say something. I barely gave her the time of day, making my way towards Ella.

“Hey,” I let out a breath.

Her brows scrunched a little. “Hey.”

Then her attention dropped to her phone. Something was off with her mood. Or rather, something might have happened with Sarah.

“Is everything okay?”

Her eyes rose. “Yeah. I think I’ll be heading home now. Liam should be here any minute now.”

There was something about the look in her eyes, almost like she wanted to say more. Then, she seemed to decide against it, waving me bye just as Liam pulled up towards the exit.

He did not look the slightest bit pleased to see me.

I waved once more, watching as they disappeared past the school gates and down the path they almost always took home.

The next day seemed just like every other one. I’d go over my carefully crafted morning routines and everything else I did for the day.

Except, it all felt off.

I laid in bed for a couple more minutes longer than I usually did. My eyes flicked to the alarm on my bedside table, the neon green of the time stamp almost feeling some sort of ominous.

Then it dawned on me.

Today was my birthday. I would be marking eighteen. My stomach churned, a feeling of frustration clawing at my throat just at the mere thought of it.

A knock on the door stopped my momentary internal meltdown. “Sir, your father demands that you get ready at once.”

I held back the urge to snap back. It took a couple more minute of just lying in bed, and of course, cursing why I even existed before I finally summoned the courage to get up.

My first stop was the bathroom where I hurriedly got ready. I picked out some dark pants and paired with a luxury button down shirt. After giving myself one last glance in the mirror, I began making my way down stairs.

Sure enough, the house had been organized and sufficiently decorated just for the day. My mood soured even further.

“Took ya long enough.”

I turned to find my father standing by the kitchen doorway. He poured himself a glass of white wine before stopping in front of me.

“I assume you are ready to receive all your guests for the day.”

It took a lot to keep my lips from quivering. “Yes, father.”

He grunted. “It’ll do you some good to wipe that pathetic look off your face. You’re a BlackMoon. And I sure as hell know I’m not supposed to be the one reminding you of who you are.”

I remained silent, letting him talk some more before finally heading to the living room. I hated attention. Hated the crowds that always came with it and the scrutinizing looks that always found their way on those faces.

Overall, I hated the pressure that came with being the BlackMoon heir.

“Today’s going to be swell,” My father found his way into the living room. “I’ve left no stone unturned in inviting the most influential pack families.”

My head remained low. “Yes, father.”

The tremble in my hands was sickening but there wasn’t anything I could do. He was my father. I couldn’t speak.

“You’d think the Blue Moon Alpha would have returned that message by now.”

That made me perk up a little. Blue Moon. Which meant there was a chance Ella would come. As much as I knew I was going to hate every last bit of today, her coming along would be the best silver lining I could hope for.

As hours went by, the main house became all the more crowded with guests. Every now and then, I’d be called to welcome this family or that. Exchanging pleasantries like that was something I was long since groomed on how to do.

But that wasn’t the main issue. I needed to find Ella.

“Esteemed guests,” My father took the center of the room. “I thank you all for honouring my son’s coming of age. Today, we celebrate not just a milestone, but a call to the power within.”

What followed were lots of cheers and different people clinking their glasses. I forced a small smile on my face, waving at the guests who stared expectantly.

My eyes continuously searched through the crowd for her face. Still nothing. Then a thought hit me.

What if her step mother prevented her from coming? My fingers moved to subconsciously itch at a small part of my wrists. Was it suddenly hotter?

I could feel my wolf antsy, restlessly pacing and trying to burst out of some mental cage. The party continued to go underway, most people resorting to small talk and going for the food.

My wolf was still pacing, albeit a bit more aggressively now. There was a small pressure behind my ribs, one it didn’t quite feel like I could contain.

I needed to calm down.

The whole situation was probably stressing me out. That had to be it. But this…felt different. For one, little bits of conversation from across the hall were filtering into my head.

“You think it’s as big as he looks?”

Okay. I did not to hear that. A small wince left my lips as I took hurried steps away from the center of the room. If I could just head to my room for a break from all this—

Then the whole room seemed to go silent. My breath got caught as soon as I spotted her making her way into the room.

Her blue dress seemed tailored just for her, her walk simple but confident. Her step-sister was by her side, her smile more sickening than sweet.

My whole body grew hotter, my wolf growing more erratic than before now. Then our eyes met.

Her lips parted a little in surprise. “Caden.”

“Ella—”

Before I could get any more words in, sharp pain wracked through my body. I barely realized when I yelled, or when my knees buckled underneath me.

“It’s starting.”

It was my father, but I barely even registered his voice.

My bones were the first to crack, and it was so painful. I knew what was happening now. I was shifting, and in front of every single person present.

Another scream tore through my lips, my body collapsing to the crowd. The murmurs were growing louder, too louder. I barely realized when a whine left me, or when I started curling into myself.

“Stay away.”

My father ordered the crowd, his eyes fixed on me carefully. Another scream echoed through the hall as more of my bones cracked and shifted.

Some excruciating seconds later, my wolf emerged with a burst of blinding silver light. I felt different, calmer, more in sync with every single one of my senses. I could hear it all, more aware of any slight movement around me.

“A silver wolf.”

“No way. We haven’t even seen one in centuries.”

“He’s the true heir, then it means…”

Some people dropped their knees, their faces dumbstruck and stunned. Others seemed downright terrified, backing away from me.

Ella.

I turned to her instinctively before I even realized it. Her scent. That was the only coherent thing in my mind. And I needed more of it. It was the only thing that seemed capable of calming the storm in me.

She seemed just as confused as well, stepping back. Her step-sister looked annoyed, gripping her hand hard.

Get away from her.

I wanted to lash out. My wolf was in control now, moving before I could, doing things before I could. I stopped in front of Ella, her step-sister immediately letting go.

“Caden.” She whispered.

My wolf responded immediately, leaning forward until its head was now touching hers. She didn’t move either, wide-eyes and stunned.

“Mate.”