The Mate He Never Wanted

ChapterThree

My breath came out ragged as I held onto my dress. My glossy eyes, filled with tears that would never fall, scanned through the crowd.

They finally landed on those golden eyes.

There was something unnerving about the way he looked at me. He wasn't just watching me he was waiting. Waiting to see what decision I would make. He wasn't doing this out of the goodness of his heart.

No.

"We don't have all night, mutt. You heard what Alpha Andranus said," Beta Matthew barked out.

Thomas still lay crumpled on the ground, clutching his hand that had twisted at an awkward angle. Derek crouched beside him. As if he sensed me looking, his eyes snapped up to mine. He looked at me with so much hatred.

"Rhiannon isn't in the right state of mind to make such a decision, Alpha Andranus. The girl is basically petrified," Alpha Reid said, his voice closer this time as he stepped forward.

"Just look at her," he continued, pointing at me.

"She can barely speak, let alone make such a big decision." He walked closer to Alpha Andranus. "I give you my word, from one alpha to another I will handle it. You need not worry about it," he said cautiously, like one wrong word would get him killed.

Alpha Andranus remained quiet. He looked at me intently, paying no attention to anything Alpha Reid had just said. His golden eyes were sharp with curiosity.

"She's clearly not ready to make such a huge deci—"

"I'm going to make my decision."The words burst out of me before I could stop them.

My blood was pumping so fast through my veins. The whole clearing went still. Shock plastered across every face. I swallowed harshly, trying to clear my parched throat.

"I've made my decision," I croaked out.My fingers curled tightly at my sides.

"Alpha Andranus will punish them as he sees fit."

The entire courtyard went silent. Alpha Reid watched with his jaw set hard, his face filled with so much anger I thought his eyes might pop out of his head. Aunt Mary stood stiffly at the edge of the crowd, mouth agape, her bright green eyes already filled with tears.

Alpha Andranus looked me in the eye, his golden eyes already glowing. His wolf was already in control.

He walked slowly toward Thomas and Derek.

"Your punishment will be carried out under my authority," he said coldly.

Derek's face went pale.

Thomas struggled weakly on the ground.

"For the attack of a defenseless she-wolf, you are hereby stripped of rank, title, and pack protection."

Murmurs spread through the courtyard.

Alpha Reid's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

"From this moment onward, neither of you stand under this pack's protection."Andranus stepped closer, golden eyes still glowing faintly.

"You will be taken to the Obsidian Pack as prisoners until your final judgment is decided."

Derek's mouth began to tremble, words unable to form.

"Please, Alpha Andranus," Aunt Mary said suddenly, stepping forward. Her voice trembled. "Derek acted foolishly, but he is my son." She dropped to her knees. "He isn't the one who committed the crime. Thomas was the one. Derek was just a bystander."

My chest tightened.

Not once had she ever defended me like this.

"I beg for mercy," she finished, already dissolving into sobs.

"Your son wasn't the main perpetrator, but he watched it happen," Alpha Andranus replied coldly. "They will serve their punishment as I see fit."

In an instant two huge men — unmistakably Obsidian Pack warriors — swooped in and dragged Thomas and Derek out of the courtyard. Derek screamed and fought frantically, trying to break free from their hold, but it was no use. In no time they were gone and the courtyard fell silent again, save for the quiet murmurs of the pack members watching everything unfold.

"So it's settled. You've fulfilled the ancient law of the moon goddess," Alpha Reid said, stroking his temple. The stress was finally getting to him.

"The Alpha Summit has also ended. You're the last alpha to leave. It was an honor hosting," Alpha Reid said, extending his hand for a handshake.

Alpha Andranus stared at the outstretched hand. After what felt like an eternity he shook it, firm and brief.

"The prisoners will leave with me soon," Alpha Andranus said flatly.

Alpha Reid gave a stiff nod. "Then this matter is settled."Andranus looked back slowly over his shoulder.

"Not quite," he murmured.

Silence spread across the courtyard.

Alpha Reid frowned. "What else could you possibly want?"

Andranus's golden eyes shifted toward me. My breath caught instantly.

"You still have something that belongs to me," he said, his voice low and dark.

"The she-wolf comes with me." Final. Absolute. No room for discussion. Alpha Reid was quiet for a moment, a glint in his eyes as his head tilted slightly, trying to figure out what possible reason there could be.

"You can take her if you want," he said, almost amused. "She's dead weight to my pack. More of a burden than anything. You wouldn't want her in yours."

He was giving me away. Just like that. Like I was an object. Like I wasn't a member of this pack. Like my parents had never existed here.

Alpha Andranus let go of his hand and tucked his own into the pocket of his trousers.

"That's not for you to decide. Complete the paperwork and have it sent to Charles," he replied flatly.

I looked at my aunt. That same look I had seen for years stared back at me. She was really going to let me leave with him.

The most feared alpha on the continent. The man rumored to bathe in the blood of his enemies.No one in the crowd spoke up for me. They stared blankly. I had never been one of them and they knew it. They wanted him to take me. They knew I wouldn't survive there.

Panic fluttered against my chest.

No

I can't go with him.

My feet started moving on their own. I took two staggering steps back. I needed to get away. Away from him. Away from everyone. But before I could take another step he was in my face in an instant.

His golden eyes glowing.

It was as if I had been held in place. My whole body paralyzed. His gaze pinned me where I stood.

The realization dawned on me slowly. He hadn't saved me out of the goodness of his heart. Every warning signal my brain had was firing at once.

Danger.

This man is my new hell.