Dark Mate

Chapter 5

We had waited for hours before Raziel came in, dressed in a black button-up. He is so handsome, maybe that was why I let him have my way with me. He was nothing like his wolf in human form. He had slight blonde hair that was swept in a wave to one side and it made him oddly attractive. His broad shoulders would tell anyone how big he was, like a werewolf. His creamy skin along with his babyish face would deceive anyone about his true nature. I squeeze my palms so hard, I did not realize blood was already dripping down my dress. Gabriel strolled in not too long ago, the injury I gave him still fresh on his face. With poise and elegance, Raziel walks to the podium haughty as always. He looks down on everyone. My stubbornness seems to be reinforced with such a nasty attitude and I try my best to heed my mother's warnings. The priestess comes up and starts chanting all sorts of rubbish, making noise in my ears. Hours later, Raziel dips his finger in whatever concoction they decided to mix and it is my turn. I try so hard to behave myself, but my hands won't just cooperate. They remain stiff, my whole body stills when Raziel lifts his gaze to look at me. Father is gripping the armrest of his chair and mother is already sobbing. With every passing second, the temperature drops, and Raziel's eyes turn a darker shade of deep royal blue. I wish to go on with this ceremony but my heart seems to be controlling my body. In the twinkle of an eye, Raziel turns into his werewolf form and smashes me on the floor. I won't be surprised when I finally get whiplash. I have a serious headache, maybe even a hangover. Raziel strolls around me in circles this time. I can't fight Gabriel, there's no point trying to fight Raziel. I don't even dare it. I may be stubborn, but I'm not stupid. I would be digging my own grave at that very moment. I stay chill and wait for what wants to come.

"Raziel, that's enough!"

"She's just a little child."

"A little child that needs to be put in her place, don't you agree with me, Leon?" At this statement, he digs his claws into my leg. I chew on my lip and silence my screams. This is the ruthless devil my mother and father want me to wed. Over my dead body. Father transforms into his werewolf and everybody clears the arena. Everybody except me.

"We don't want to do this, Raziel, you have people to protect!"

"Oh, but I want Leon. It's been quite a while since I flexed my muscles, don't you think?"

"What do you want?"

"She is leaving now!"

"That is my daughter we're talking about! And she is going nowhere!"

"Face my wrath or she will leave!"

Father turns to look at me with tears in his eyes and, just like that, Raziel has sealed my fate.

"You are not welcome here anymore. We will try to keep in touch with you afterward."

"She is not welcome here anywhere around this place. Not my pack, not your pack. If I as much as get her scent, I am not to blame for what happens to her."

And so, on the night of my wedding, I am banished from my park. I leave heading into nowhere exactly. I had never ventured outside the outskirts of my pack. I have no particular destination in mind, I just want my faith in the hands of the moon goddess. I wander past Amelia's house but she's nowhere to be found. I don't know if she attended the event, but to the best of my knowledge, she has been absent for the past two days. I don't know if she's avoiding me or if she has been warned to avoid me. Either way, I departed without saying goodbye. Our friendship bond was broken just like my bond with my father. I wandered across trees, trees that were once my shade, places I stayed to catch up with Amelia.

Very soon, I venture into the paths of the forest I know nothing about. Tall dark trees make the night even scarier. I trudged forward nonetheless, but the effects of the fights I had this week suddenly came back in full force. I try to push forward but my body cannot carry on anymore. I look for a tree with enough leaves to shade me. Luckily for me, I found a tree that met my requirements. It opens up another road, but I'm not bothered. I need to drift off for now.

I wake up in a strange place, with werewolves gaping at me. These werewolves are not like us, they have amber eyes and slightly enlarged ears. I am apprehensive because I know nothing about them. They continue staring at me until a little boy and an aged woman come to the forefront. The woman has a relaxed atmosphere and the boy, whom I guess is her son, stares at me like the rest of his pack members. She lifted me from the bed and ushered me into a room not far from where I was staying. The other wolves just remain in the other room.

"Welcome to Sun Park, I am Rhea, the Alpha of this pack, and this is my son Alvin. How did you find us?"

My voice is hoarse and croaking. I tried to talk, to let them know I hadn't found them, had no intentions of finding them, but I sounded like a broken recorder. Without demanding, they handed me a cup of water. I drown in the water, it brings me back to life. Maybe because of the odd comforting presence here or the fact that I haven't had quality rest for a while, I feel refreshed and alive. I'm still confused as to how a woman is the alpha of the pack, and why they're called the sun moon pack. Do they live in the sun? This contradicts everything I've ever believed as a werewolf. I explained to her, telling her how I was banished for making my decision. I carefully omit the name of the mate that rejected me, still apprehensive of their abilities, and I keep that information to myself.