When His Mate Emerges

Chapter 5

Estella’s POV

“Yes Uncle, don’t worry. It’ll all go fine… okay then, bye!”

I ended the call and let out a shaky breath. The alpha election was about to begin. All my plans with Lorelei were in place.

Some minutes ago, I arrived at the tribal meeting hall with some palace officials but remained outside to speak to my uncle.

It’s tonight. It’s almost time.

My palms were slick with sweat and my stomach was fluttering with nerves.

I let out a deep breath and patted my curls in place. I was about to make my way into the hall when I saw Xander and Lilith.

They stood mere feet from the door, talking and chuckling. So shameless.

I scoffed and shook my head. Unbelievable. They don’t even hide their closeness in public.

Had I always been this blind?

At that exact moment, Xander seemed to sense my gaze. He broke off his conversation with Lilith and strode out of the hall with a bright confident smile.

“My love.”

I let my lips form a smile as he hugged me then pressed a kiss to my cheek.

“How are you?” He asked eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement. “Did you sleep well? Everything okay?”

“Yes,” I affirmed with a nod. “I just paused outside to speak to my uncle.”

“Okay,” Xander nodded in relief, his eyes scanning me then narrowing. “You have to be alert. You can’t make any mistakes when voting. Understood.”

“Of course, my love.” I affirmed then looked at the hall.

A part of me dreaded going inside. I knew Lycan Darius wasn't there… I couldn’t feel him from out here. But he could come anytime and I wasn’t sure how I’d act if Lycan Darius was watching me...

“Doesn’t the Lycan King need to erm… witness the election?” I let out casually like my true intent wasn’t to find out if Lycan Darius would be coming or not.

Xander shook his head distractedly. “No no. My father is a busy man. He’s at some pack investigating something,”

I let out a breath of relief I didn’t even realize I was holding, as my limbs filled with confidence.

A call came to enter the inner hall, and we all headed inside. The tribal meeting hall was full. All the prominent officials and head of noble families. Everyone with political power was there to watch the election.

The official droned on about the importance of the election, then called for each contender to make a speech.

Xander’s competitor was his cousin, Lord Therys. I watched the entire proceedings with my heart pounding in my chest.

“And now, it’s time for our Council to vote!” he announced, waving for the first Elder to join him. One after the other they voted until I was the only one left.

And now it wa a tie with 175 votes to 175 votes.

Xander immediately turned to me, the message in them clear—Vote for me.

I rose to my feet, making my way to the podium. The hall was so quiet that the only sound came from the rustle of my skirts over the floor. My eyes darted to Xander, who smirked like he’d already won, then to Therys, whose brows were pinched with tension.

This was it. My moment. My chance. My revenge.

“My vote for the Alpha elections goes to…” I paused, then locked eyes with Xander.

He smiled broadly and began to stand to his feet. Around him, his supporters all sported equally triumphant smiles.

“… Lord Therys.” I finished calmly.

The hall first erupted in applause then it grew scattered and stilled. Xander’s face was still smiling then he seemed to process what he had heard and his smile froze.

I leaned into the mic again to seal the deal and smiled at Xander. “Congratulations Alpha Therys on becoming the next Alpha of our pack. I hope your reign is peaceful.”

“WHAT?” Xander bellowed, and in an instant, he was standing in front of me. “What are you doing? Change your vote, and I might forgive you for humiliating me.”

“No,” I hissed. Xander took a step closer, but the whispers rising around us forced him to stop.

“Why are you doing this?” he snarled. “We had a plan! After tonight, you and I…”

“Oh, I know all about your plan!” I scoffed. “You know, the one you made behind my back. Humans are so fragile, nobody would have suspected anything, right? Well, they might be fragile, but they are not stupid!”

His eyes widened before an innocent smile replaced the shock.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Estella,” he laughed.

“You’ve said it yourself, didn’t you?” I interrupted. “An Alpha should be above reproach. But you’re not, are you, Xander?”

“The Red Moon pack was built on honor, loyalty, and strength!” I said loudly. “Xander is none of those things! He bribed, threatened, and schemed to ensure his win! He lied to every single one of us, including me!”

“Wha—“   

I don’t wait for him to express his shock. Instead I turned to the display board where I had already instructed Lorelei to upload the photos of him and Lilith, along with the evidence of his private bribery.

“You thought I wouldn’t find out?!”

Loud gasps and murmurs went up the hall as pictures of a naked Lilith and Xander flashed across the hall.

“Xander cheated on me for months,” I shouted. “He broke his vow before the Goddess herself! Is that the man you wish to trust with your lives?”

Murmurs spread through the hall, eyes locking on Xander with disapproval and disgust.

“Xander’s not fit to be an Alpha!” I finished.

“You b***h!” Xander growled, preparing to shift, but Therys slid between us.

“Shifting to attack a powerless woman? Don’t embarrass yourself even more, Xander. Accept defeat like a real man.”

I squared my shoulders, meeting Xander’s furious gaze over Therys’ shoulder.

“Move,” he snapped at Therys. “This is between me and my fiancée.”

“Fiancée?” I laughed. “I stopped being that the moment you stuck your c**k into another woman!” I took off my engagement ring and threw it at him. “You’re nothing to me now, Xander!”

“You think you get to decide that, you filthy halfbreed?” His lip curled. “I’m a prince of this kingdom, and you are nothing but a spoiled, rich brat!” He turned to the crowd, raising his voice. “You’re going to believe her over me? She lies! Those pictures are forged! I can prove it!”

But there was no point. The election had ended and couldn’t be reversed. The crowd cursed at him and Lilith, their insults and scorns filling me with justice.

Xander was still trying to beg the angry crowd but I was done. I gathered my dress in my hand and stalked off the stage. From the corner of my eye, I saw Lilith dealing with yells and attacks from other noble ladies. Good.

I would have loved to linger and watch their social downfall but I couldn't stay long. Xander might not be Alpha, but he was still a prince. Now that I had publicly embarrassed him, I had to leave the pack with my Uncle immediately.

Uncle Herry knew everything that was happening and was waiting for me at the city gate.

I began to run. The gate wasn’t far from the hall, I could get there in no time. My uncle would be waiting for me. We would—-

My feet faltered and froze as cold dread seized my lungs..

Xander and his men were faster. They stood at the gate, detaining my uncle.

Xander turned to me smugly and our eyes locked.

“Estella, Estella,” he purred, gripping my hair and yanking my head back. “You stupid, worthless mutt. Did you really think you could outrun a real wolf?”