Chapter 2
1937 Words
Bella's POV.
I stood there frozen, staring up at the tall masked stranger. My cheeks burned even hotter when I realized my phone was still in my hand.
The video kept playing on the screen, making the masked guy look down to the phone. He tilted his head slightly, studying the video with a cold, sharp look. His jaw tightened under the black mask.
That was enough. Shame flooded through me like ice water. I quickly shut off the screen and shoved the phone deep into my pocket. My hands shook so badly I almost dropped it.
“I-I’m sorry,” I mumbled, not waiting for him to say anything else. I turned and ran.
“Bella! Wait!” Riley called after me, her voice full of worry. I ignored her completely. I didn’t want her pity or her explanations.
I just needed to get away from everyone.
My feet pounded against the hallway floor as I pushed through the laughing students and burst out the school doors.
Tears blurred my vision the whole way home. I didn’t stop running until I reached our front door. I slammed it shut behind me so hard the walls shook.
“Bella? Is that you?” Mom’s voice came from the kitchen. “Why are you back so early? What’s wrong, honey? Are you crying?”
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My throat felt too tight. I ran straight up the stairs, ignoring her footsteps coming after me.
Once inside my room, I slammed that door too and locked it. Then I threw myself onto my bed and buried my face in the pillow. Sobs shook my whole body.
Why did I let myself believe him? I lay there thinking about how my relationship with Elias started.
It was last year during a hockey game. I had gone to watch with Riley. Elias scored the winning goal and after the game, he came straight to the stands and smiled at me.
At first, he was so sweet. He texted me every night. Told me my curves were sexy. Kissed my forehead and said he loved how soft I felt when we hugged.
But now I saw it clearly. He was only really nice when we were alone. Around his friends, he would tease me a little or act distant.
I thought it was just guy stuff. I didn’t want to see the truth because deep down I never believed anyone like him could love someone like me.
I sat up and hugged my knees to my chest. “Stupid,” I whispered. “You’re so stupid, Bella.” Fresh tears rolled down my face.
*****
The hours passed slowly. I stayed in bed, staring at the ceiling as the light outside faded into dusk. My eyes were puffy and red. I didn’t want to move. I didn’t want to do anything.
A soft knock came at my door. “Bella, it’s time to get ready for the mating ceremony,” Mom said gently from the other side.
“I’m not going,” I called back, my voice hoarse.
She tried the handle, but it was locked. After a moment, I heard a click. She must have used the spare key.
The door opened slowly and Mom stepped inside. She looked at me with sad but strong eyes.
“Whatever happened at school today, it doesn't stop you from finding your mate,” she said firmly.
She walked over and sat on the edge of my bed. “You’re twenty now, Bella. If you don’t find him tonight, the pack will force you into an arranged marriage. This could be the best thing that ever happens to you. Your true mate will see you. The real you. He won’t care about what other people say.”
I stayed quiet, but her words sank in. She reached out and brushed my hair away from my wet face. “You deserve real love, baby. Don’t let a scum take that chance from you.”
She leaned forward and kissed my forehead softly, then she stood up and left the room without another word, closing the door behind her.
I sat there for a long time, thinking. Elias had betrayed my trust in the worst way. If by some cruel twist he turned out to be my mate tonight, I would reject him right there in front of everyone. I wouldn’t let him hurt me again.
With a deep breath, I forced myself up. I washed my face with cold water, trying to make the redness go away.
Then I picked out a simple dark green dress that hugged my curves but still felt comfortable. I brushed my hair until it shone and put on a little lip gloss. Not for anyone else.
I walked to the Northwood Pack House as the moon started to rise. The big hall was already full of pack members.
Everyone buzzed with excitement, hoping to find their mates tonight. I could only find a spot near the back, squeezed between two older wolves. My feet hurt in my shoes, but I stayed standing.
Some students from school walked past and saw me. They covered their mouths and laughed quietly, whispering about the video, but I pushed the hurt aside and stared straight ahead.
My arms crossed over my chest as I tried to forget everything that happened today. The betrayal. The laughter. The pain. I just wanted this night to be over.
Then I turned my head a little and saw him. Elias stood near the front, already surrounded by a group of girls.
They giggled and touched his arm, clearly hoping they would be chosen as his mate. He smiled at them, entertaining every word, laughing like he hadn’t destroyed my heart just hours ago.
I scoffed under my breath. Pain twisted in my chest again, but I forced myself to look away.
The big hall inside the Northwood Pack House grew quiet as the ceremony officially started. Lights dimmed a little, and everyone turned toward the raised stage at the front.
My heart felt heavy, but I sat up straighter, trying to pay attention. A tall elder stepped forward and cleared his throat.
“Tonight, we welcome our new Alpha heir,” he announced in a loud, proud voice. “Dominic West.”
The name sent whispers through the crowd. Dominic West. I had heard the rumors for months. He was ruthless and cold, a monster who destroyed anyone who crossed him.
People said he was so ugly that he always hid his face behind a mask. That was why no one really knew what he looked like.
“Mask?” I thought as my mind drifted back to earlier that day at school. The tall, muscular stranger I had crashed into while running away in tears.
The black mask covering the top of his face. The cold but strangely seductive voice. Could it be the same person? I shook my head slightly. No way. It had to be a coincidence.
Just then, a tall figure walked onto the stage with strong, confident steps. My breath caught. It was him. The exact same black mask.
The same powerful build and straight posture.
Dominic West stood there like he owned the entire room. The crowd leaned forward, buzzing with curiosity.
The elder spoke again. “Alpha heir, please remove your mask so your pack can see you.”
Dominic reached up slowly with one big hand and pulled the mask off. Gasps filled the hall. I couldn’t hold back my own surprise.
He was not ugly at all. Far from it. His face was strikingly handsome, sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and full lips that looked soft but serious.
His eyes were a deep, piercing gray that seemed to see everything. Dark hair fell slightly messy over his forehead, and there was a small, almost cute dimple on his left cheek when his lips twitched.
He looked dangerous but beautiful. Even I felt a tiny spark of delight at how cute that dimple made him seem. The girls around me started whispering excitedly.
“He’s so hot,” someone near me breathed.
But I pushed the thought away. He was just another golden boy. Another powerful guy who would probably hurt people like me.
The mating moon rose high outside. The elder raised his hands. “Let the bond search begin. Find your true mates.”
All around me, wolves started stirring. Happy cries and tight hugs broke out as people found each other.
I closed my eyes and reached inside for my wolf, Xia. “Please,” I muttered.
“Work with me tonight.” But she stayed quiet, just like in every other ceremony before. Nothing happened.
My chest tightened with worry. I was already twenty. If I didn’t find my mate soon, the pack would choose someone for me.
I stood up, ready to leave and go hide somewhere. But suddenly, Xia stirred deep inside me. Her voice rang clear and excited in my head.
“Mate!!!”
My heart jumped. I turned quickly, looking around. “Where?” I whispered.
“Mate!!” I heard it again.
I quickly followed the pull, pushing through the thick crowd. Shoulders bumped against mine.
I squeezed between people, saying quiet “excuse me” as I went.
Hope bubbled up in my chest for the first time since the video nightmare. Maybe things could get better.
But as I got closer to the front, Xia went completely quiet again. I tried calling her. “Xia? Xia, where did you go? Talk to me.” but I got no response. I couldn't be sure of who my mate was without my Wolf.
The pull faded, leaving me confused and lost in the middle of the crowd.
Just as I was still trying to avoid being stranded, the people in front of me slowly parted, like they sensed something important. I lifted my head almost immediately.
And that was when my eyes met his; Dominic’s intense gray eyes. He stood about ten feet away, staring right at me.
My heart raced so fast it hurt. “Was he my mate?” The question filled my mind.
He took the first step toward me. His long legs moved with purpose. My breath caught. He kept coming closer, eyes locked on mine.
I could see the strong lines of his shoulders and the way his fists clenched at his sides. My own feet moved before I could think.
I stepped forward too, wanting to reach out, to touch him, to accept the bond and finally feel wanted.
But then his eyes slowly drifted away from me. He didn’t stop. He walked right past me, so close that his arm brushed mine for a split second.
The touch sent sparks through my skin, but he kept going like I was nothing. My world crashed down for the second time that day.
He wasn't my mate.
The hope I had just felt shattered into pieces. Pain filled my chest, sharp and deep. I stood there frozen, tears burning in my eyes again.
People who had noticed what happened started giggling under their hands.
I heard soft laughs and whispers. “She really thought the Alpha heir would be her mate?”
The humiliation burned hot on my cheeks. I wanted the floor to open and swallow me whole. I should have just stayed at home.
Soon, Dominic halted a few steps behind me. His voice came out in a deep, powerful growl that echoed through the hall.
“My Mate isn’t present!”
- Writer
