The Moon Deception

Chapter 2; Mateless

Anaya POV.

Three Days After...

"Anaya! Where the hell are you going? Did you forget?! Or do you want me to remind you!" Shaina roared as she pushed me against the wall. This time, she was not alone; she was with her friends.

'This little parasite! She won't stop until I take out her eyeball!' Hope roared in my mind. Her anger was overwhelming, and it almost made me lose control.

'Hope! One mistake and we are dead!' I tried to reason out. Although I understood where this newly added anger towards Shaina was coming from. Last night, my father punished me because of my 'sin' towards Shaina.

My b***h half-sister told my father that I planned to talk to the alpha of the Phoenix pack. My father thought I wanted to ruin the relationship between the two packs.

Of course, it's a scheme. Yet, I didn't explain myself. Knowing whatever I say will remain a lie. So, instead, I accepted the punishment...

Ten lashes on my back.

"Perhaps she wanted to make a name for herself because she knew the Phoenix pack was coming to school!" Nora, one of Shaina's friends, butt in.

Shaina's grip on my arm tightened. "Don't tell me you're still hoping to be chosen to marry the alpha of the Phoenix pack?! Huh! Dream on, wolf-less b***h!"

"Ugh!" I groaned as my arm hit the nail on the wall when Shaina pushed me hard.

'I'll kill this b***h!' Hope's patience was finally broken. My heart started beating faster.

'Hope! Stop!' I try so hard not to lose control, even though I'm losing my consciousness. Luckily, I'm facing the wall because of Shaina's push. I was able to hide my claws that were coming out.

"Listen up, wolf-less Anaya! No one will choose you! A wolf-less weakling, crazy b***h like you will never, ever be beloved!" Shaina continued with her crazy speech while her friend started kicking me.

"Stop! Stop! Please... please, I'm begging you!" For the first time, I scream, begging. Not at Shaina and her friend, but at Hope.

"Ha Ha Ha! Don't stop! Harder! Make sure Anaya remembers how pathetic her life is!" Shaina ordered as she watched her friend assault me.

"This will do the trick!" Nora, who is now holding a white vase. "She will never think-"

'BLOG' accompanied by a loud bang was the violent swinging of the door.

"What the heck! Who the hell-" Shaina stood up straight while her eyes were glaring.

"I'm Alaric," the man interrupted Shaina.

Shaina was momentarily stunned as he studied the man, who suddenly introduced himself as Alaric. "Are you-"

"-the member of the Phoenix pack. What is going on here?" Alaric interrupted Shaina again.

"Oh, nothing! We're just practicing the play we'll do later," Shaina responded with her 'sweet' signature smile.

'Lying b***h' Hope states with calmness.

'What the heck is that?'

Hope's range is gone, and I'm puzzled by her sudden behavior. 'You almost took control!' I'm still shocked and wanted to talk to Hope, but right now is not the right time.

"Really?" Alaric obviously didn't believe it because one of his eyebrows was still arched.

"Anaya, tell him yourself!" Shaina asserted while quickly approaching, helping me to stand.

"Yeah... we're playing," I answered briefly, while avoiding Alaric's gaze.

"See?" Shaina asserted. "By the way, Alaric... Since you're here, your alpha is probably here too?"

Alaric just shrugged while his eyes were fixed on me. Perhaps Shaina noticed this, which is why he grabbed me by the shoulder and nuzzled forward.

"I'm here to check the place, but as you can see, I end up here... How about giving me a tour?" Obviously, this question was for me since his eyes never leave me.

"I'm not-"

"Sure! Anaya can show you around!" Shaina cut off my refusal. Although smiling, I saw the secret meaning in her gaze.

"Fine..." With me agreeing, Shaina and her friend left, leaving Alaric and me behind.

"So, where do you want to go?" After a few minutes of walking, I managed to ask Alaric.

"Do you honestly believe I need a tour guide?" Alaric smiled, or rather said, he smirked.

A slaying smirk! It's enough for my whole being to stop functioning.

'For heaven's sake! This guy is beyond perfect!' With one look, I knew for myself that he was a guy sent by the goddess for every girl to dream about. Shaina and her friend are included.

'But sadly, he is not my mate, and I will not waste my time dreaming of him!' I remind myself. With this in my mind, I restrain myself from checking how perfect Alaric is.

"If that is the case, then I'm leaving." That is the right thing to do. Instead of wasting my time with Alaric, I need to prepare myself for the coming full moon.

"Anaya-" Alaric held my wrist. "Earlier. I saw everything...so tell me-did they always bully you?"

"What happened earlier, thank you for that..." Instead of telling the truth, I shook my head while gently pulling my arms from his grip. "I still have class..."

No response.

Alaric just looked deeply into my eyes, searching...

'Searching for what? Anaya, you're thinking too much... Alaric is the same as everyone! He will judge you as everyone did!' I told myself while walking far away from him.

'Anaya, that guy Alaric... For some reason, his presence calms me. Hope's voice is gentle and unsure.

'Huh! Really? Maybe because his whole being screams hot!' I tease... 'I remember you always wished for our mate to be breathtakingly handsome!'

Right.

Hope’s dream for a perfect mate and seeing Alaric? Well, she found her dream mate, but obviously, he is not ours.

'Anaya! That is not true! Well, technically it's true! Everyone wants to have a mate like that guy! But that is not what I mean!'

'Yeah, right... Anyway, let's forget Alaric and focus on us.'

'But Anaya... I think he is our-'

'Hope, stop! Have you forgotten what grandpa said? We are different, we’re mateless!'

That is right... My grandfather told me that people like us are not blessed with a mate.

For my grandmother she is chosen by the elders.

'I disagree! We are different! Have you forgotten, we are the first, second female generation! Grandpa told you we are a miracle!!'

Hope is right. I am the first female, and the book of the Lyric clan is proof of that.

'Hope, please stop! You know that's not what we should be worrying about! Mate-less or not, we only have one thing to think about! That's how to live!'

With that, I close the mind link, and I know Hope understands.