The Alpha's Mistake: Her Sweet Revenge

Chapter 3

Layla's point of view

(Day of the mating ceremony)

Today was finally the day of the mating ceremony, everyone present was having a blast minus me. It was so intense I had to leave, luckily for me the lake was quiet.

"Perfect place to think." I said to myself as I rubbed my hands together.

I watched everyone from afar while sitting on the bank of the lake, my legs swinging gently in the cool water below, the ripples distorting the mirrored image of the night sky and the full moon that loomed over me.

Closing my eyes I whispered a silent prayer. "Dear Moon Goodness, grant my wish and finally let me meet my mate. Tonight had to be the night I'd meet my mate, a Fated connection that might finally liberate me from the chains of loneliness."

I've always longed for love, to be seen and cherished, not just as a nobody.

A princess to be exact.

A rustle from the nearby bushes interrupted my thoughts, I looked over my shoulder only to see Emery approaching me with a sly smile on her face.

She held two glasses of wine in her hand. "Want one?"

"Sure," I shrugged and took the glass from her. "Thanks." I settled it on the floor next to me.

"Why so glum?" She asked, taking a seat close to me as she sipped on her wine. Her tone was light, almost teasing.

I ignored, unsure whether to share my emotions with her.

"Hmm, ignoring me ugh?" She said as she looked down at her fingers, playing with her rings. "Lonely much?"

I snapped my head towards her, my anger taking over. "Are you here to mock me, Emery?"

"No," she feigned ignorance. "Why would I? I'm just saying that everyone right now is searching for their pairs. What if you're destined to be alone forever?"

I bit my lower lip, trying to control my emotions. "Alone forever as your shadow?"

She laughed, a mocking tinkling sound that sliced through my quiet desperation.

"You were never my shadow, Layla. Don't flatter yourself,"

I pressed in my lips in a thin line, she was crossing the line, and I on the other hand was on the verge of flipping out.

"Well, the truth is you may or may not find someone. Depends on how lucky you are. Either way, I wish you luck," her facial expression turned to that of pity. I looked away avoiding her gaze.

I felt a small tap on my shoulder, followed by a gentle squeeze.

"You'll be fine, join us for the celebration when you feel better or you can enjoy your night alone." She chirped before walking away, leaving me alone to my thoughts.

I ran my hand through my hair in slight frustration. With trembling fingers I picked up the wine and took a long gulp, letting the sweet taste wash over me.

After a few minutes, I went back to the ceremony, laughter and music rang in my ears. Everyone seemed absorbed in the festivities. I looked around, my dad was still engrossed in a conversation with the elders, while Emery and the Alpha were nowhere to be seen.

Oh, I smirked at my own stupid thoughts. Well, they are engaged.

My head hurt with each step I took, was I drunk? I shook my head multiple times but it only made the feeling worse.

"Care for a drink, Miss Layla?" A maid holding a tray of wine approached me. I wanted to decline but the thirst in my throat was strong.

With a slight nod, I accepted the glass of wine, then another, trying to drown the foreign feeling, but it only increased.

The dazzling lights of the celebration began to swirl and fade.

I need to go to my room, I mumbled to myself. Despite the aching headache, I stumbled back to the palace.

"Why is everywhere so quiet?" I whined, the palace was dark and oddly quiet. Then it hit me, oh, today was the mating ceremony.

Shit, I still haven't found my mate and I'm already dead drunk, pathetic much ugh, Layla?

I sighed when I finally reached my room. I pushed through the door, my vision still blurred, the world titled beneath me making me feel dizzy. I slid down to the floor, breathless.

I heard a noise and looked up, then I realized I wasn't online.

“Who is it?" I mumbled. I was unable to move or speak due to how drunk I was.

The shadow approached me slowly, I tried to picture the face of the stranger in front of me but it was hard. Not only was I dead drunk, my room was awfully dark.

Could it be- my mate? For some reason, I felt a bond between me and the stranger who just loomed in the dark.

As he moved closer to me, a certain rush of uncertainty swelled inside. I could feel the pull, a magnetic force urging me to act before I lose my courage.

Before I could fully comprehend what I was doing, I grabbed the collar of the man's shirt and pulled him down to me, crashing my lips onto his.

For a moment, he stiffened, as if surprised by my boldness. But then, warmth enveloped us as he melted into the kiss, his hands exploring my body, sending a trail of sparks beneath my skin.

This was wrong, I don't even know, hell I don't even know what he looks like. But it felt right. I could feel it, a bond. There's no doubt about it.

I wasn't even concerned about why he was in my room, right now I didn't care about that.

My fingers played with his, tangling in the soft strands as we stepped backwards, our bodies drawn together like magnets until the back of my legs hit the edge of the bed.

We fell onto the mattress together, our kisses deepening with each passing moment.

I moaned softly as I lost myself in the taste of him, our tongues entwined with each other, both of us fighting for dominance.

Suddenly, he pulled away staring deep into my eyes. Before I could speak, fangs bared out from his mouth.

"I-" I sucked in a sharp breath when he bent down and sank into the curve of my back. A hot rush of pain flared, but it was quickly replaced with a pleasant feeling as he used his tongue to graze over the mark.

He knew, he knew that I was his mate. My stomach churned as the feelings in me started bubbling over.

Emery was wrong, I wasn't destined to be alone, or so I thought.