Marked by Fate: The Alpha’s Second Chance Mate

Tonight was going to change everything. It's either I would find my mate or I would lose whatever was left of myself. The ball had finally arrived, the night we were all destined to meet the one the Moon Goddess chose for us. Things were moving quickly. Today was the ball party, the day we would meet our mate. I stood on the balcony, taking a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze caress my skin. The anticipation was almost unbearable, excitement and nerves swirling tightly in my chest. "I'm finally going to have my mate", I murmured, my voice tired and strained. The weight of years of mistreatment pressed heavily on my shoulders. I couldn't wait to leave this house; the treatment I got was enough. Moving away from the balcony towards my room, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The door suddenly swung open, "Oh, Moon Goddess!" Alicia exclaimed, spinning around the room with an exaggerated flair. I rolled my eyes, a familiar irritation rising within me. "What is it this time?" The words slipped out before I could stop them. She paused, her mischievous grin widening as her eyes scanned my body, as if searching for a weakness. "You know what? I'm so happy we are finally going our separate ways," she remarked, stepping closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. "I can't wait to leave you and stop sharing this room with you, so disgusting," she added with a smirk. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I didn't want to retaliate, but I have had enough. Tonight, after meeting my mate, I promised to finally give her a piece of my mind after all these years. "Orion will be mine," she shouted, collapsing onto the bed with a dramatic flair. A hiss escaped my lips. Alicia was my foster sister. I went towards my wardrobe, grabbing my clothes from it. Hanging there was my beautiful gown adorned with pearls. I whispered a silent prayer, my fingers trembling slightly. "Oh, Moon Goddess, let my mate be good and caring." With my eyes still closed, a scoff interrupted me. It was her again. "Funny you, you will never find a sweet mate," Alicia's words sounded like venom, each syllable dripping with spite. "Dont get on my nerves," I replied, my voice rising slightly, as I struggled to keep my composure. "I will and you will do nothing," she spat, her eyes narrowing. I stood up firmly, finally spitting out my words, "Do you think I don't know how you mess around with Orion, who isn't your mate yet..." Before I could finish, a slap echoed across my cheek, the sting spreading like wildfire. I pressed a hand to my face "Don't you dare utter those words again," she yelled. "Orion will be my mate forever." She stormed out, slamming the door behind her. Orion was our childhood friend, the soon-to-be alpha of the New Moon Pack. He was kind enough, but Alicia often flirted with him, even though it was inappropriate. Despite hiding her secrets, she still had the audacity to slap me. "Let me have my mate till my revenge," I whispered, my resolve hardening. The night fell quickly. I dressed in my beautiful gown. It was time for us to leave the house for the ball. The carriage was waiting for everyone. I stepped down the stairs only to find the entire sitting room empty. "Where are they?" I muttered. Walking outside, my heart dropped. Mother's carriage wasn't there at all, not even the servants. I gasped, realizing they had left me alone. "I need to do something," I whispered. I ran towards the road just as a horse-drawn carriage appeared right in front of me. " Move out of the way!" the driver barked. "Please help me to the palace," I pleaded. "Move!" he snapped again. "Before my boss gets angry," he yelled. "Please," I begged. A deep voice cleared its throat. The man stepped down from the carriage, tall, huge, muscular, and undeniably handsome. It was Orion I gasped, as my eyes locked to the full moon glowing above us. Heat rushed through my body, sudden and overwhelming. I didn't understand what was happening. My eyes shimmered and so did Orions. "You are my mate," he said. A wave of confusion swept over me. This was Alicia's childhood sweetheart. What is going to happen now? I asked myself Before I could fully process his words, Orion stepped closer, wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed me passionately. Warmth bloomed in my chest, spreading through me like wildflowers. Happiness surged despite the confusion. "What's going on here?" an angry voice shouted. I turned, and saw Alicia. "I can explain everything," Orion stammered, feeling dumb and having nothing to say. I stood frozen. "Orion, my sister!" she yelled. "That's my sister, for the moon's sake," she cried. "I know I never loved you for once. Is this what you want to do to me?" she asked me. Tears dripped down her eyes. ‘’How could you do this to me, Elara? She whispered, her voice trembling, ‘’I thought we were sisters, despite everything’’ "I can explain, Alicia. It's not what you think..." Before I could say anything, Orion's deep voice interrupted. "She is my mate," he declared, as if his voice had agreement with the thunder striking, the rain began to pour heavily. "No, that can't be," Alicia screamed. "What am I supposed to do now? I'm sorry, Alicia," I whispered gently. "Don't you dare apologize," she screamed like a crazy freak whose something precious to her was taken. She raised her hand to strike me, but Orion caught her wrist. "That's enough, Alicia," he roared. I stood there, torn and confused. It was never my intention to take my sister's childhood sweetheart as my mate at all. "Let go of me, Orion!". Let me slap that low-life wretch," she spat.