Two Alphas One Omega

3. Blood Moon.

Melrose POV:

It's often said that betrayal stings the deepest when it comes from loved ones, and I now understand the truth in this sentiment all too well. The burden of disbelief felt suffocating. Ezra was not the person I believed him to be—not at all—and with Chrystal... That betrayal blindsided me. Someone had to be playing a prank; this wasn’t true, it couldn’t be, but as my eyes fixed on the two bodies moving with an intensity I had certainly never witnessed before, I couldn't deny what was right before me. I slowly backed out of the room, unable to bear the sight any longer, leaving the door ajar as I stumbled away, tears streaming down my face in a heartbreaking torrent.

I dashed out of the dorms, feeling as though I was invisible; they hadn't even noticed me; too consumed in their world of passionate lovemaking, their laughter felt like daggers to my already shattered heart. A gut-wrenching pain resonated deep within my chest, threatening to collapse me onto the floor. Voices faded into a dull murmur around me as I struggled to grasp reality, my tear-filled eyes fixated on the front door. I needed an escape...

I longed for freedom from this suffocating heartbreak... This act of treachery struck deeper than the profound sorrow of losing my parents; it tore through me, shattering my very being in ways I never imagined could exist. I was completely caught off guard by this betrayal... not from Ezra, the one person who always made me feel like I could rise above it all as I could dance among the stars. Now, I found myself trapped in a hurt that was not only unbearable but suffocating; tears kept streaming down my face, an unstoppable waterfall that blurred my vision and dragged me deeper into despair. Even the relentless cruelty from Soren and his awful crew seemed minor compared to the raw, vulnerable emptiness that gripped my heart in this moment of complete devastation.

I was almost out of the door when I bumped into a plush chest and was shocked to see Madam Helga, who stared at me with an angry scowl on her face. s**t, I quickly wiped my eyes and bowed, "My apologies, Madame."

"You must watch where you're going; we have--" Helga's voice trailed off as she took in my soggy appearance. "What on earth happened to you, child? And where's your apron?" I looked down at myself and then toward the hallway I had just come from.

"What's the matter with you, Melrose?" Madam Helga asked, studying me carefully. I sniffled, struggling to find my voice. "I... I found Chrystal..." My eyes remained glued to the cool marble floor beneath me as if it held the answers I desperately sought. "She should be down soon; she is preoccupied with a high-ranked wolf at the moment,"

Madam Helga sighed, giving me a sorrowful look. "So you found out?"She asked, and I snapped my head up, my heart racing with revelation. How long had this been going on? Was this a well-known secret among everyone else? Did he ever truly love me, or was this a cruel game designed to humiliate me for their amusement? Were they all laughing at my expense? My mind spiraled with questions, each one sharper than the last, while I battled against the tears that threatened to overflow. The pain that comes with heartbreak is unbearable. I felt like shrinking away, disappearing entirely from this harsh reality. Inside me, Athena stirred restlessly, mirroring the heavy burden of my heartbreak that pressed down relentlessly. "It's okay, Thena," but my soothing was useless.

I needed to get out of here; the stress from the mating moon, Soren's return, and now Ezra and Chrystal's betrayal loomed over me, threatening to make me snap. I glanced at the front door, still wide open, as more and more pack members filtered outside. "Come sit, child," Helga said, crushing my escape plan. Knowing I had no choice, I followed her to the private dining table, where she handed me a napkin. "Wipe your eyes, and never let those bastards see you cry! High-ranked wolves like Ezra play games with weaker wolves like us... It's as if they know we are vulnerable, desperate for love and acceptance, but you are a strong girl; I've watched you overcome more than this."

Helga patted me on the back, but I didn't feel encouraged. "He.." I cried; "they... they were my only friends here... after my parents--"

"I understand how difficult this is for you, my dear," Helga said, her grip on my hand firm yet reassuring. "This is your first heartbreak, and I know it feels unbearable right now, but I promise you, it will fade with time. Tonight is the night of the mating moon; this could be your chance to meet your fated mate. And even if that doesn't happen, remember, plenty of other options exist. You are gorgeous; the males see it and speak of you often. Embrace the night and all its possibilities!" I was shocked by her kind words; I didnt know she had it in her... but honestly, the thought of seeking a mate or engaging in a loveless rebound for the night was the last thing on my mind. The preparation and chores that still needed to be done consumed my life, stealing my night and leaving little room for anything else. So, what possibilities was she referring to?

"Take the evening off," Helga said as if reading my mind. "You’re not in the right mindset to work tonight anyhow."

"Take the night off? On the night of the blood moon?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes, but be sure to stay close. The rogues have been acting strange, and I don’t want you to get hurt. And stay out of sight; I don't want the other maids to see you wandering about, or I'll never hear the end of it."

"Thank you," I smiled at Helga's words; maybe she wasn't the hardass I'd known her to be after all these years. I quickly left the private dining hall before she could change her mind. I heard a loud commotion coming from out front. People were screaming and cheering, but I couldn't be bothered to find out why. Instead, I left through a side door of the palace, creeping quickly into the forest.

Once out of sight, I stripped off my maid uniform, tucking it in a hole next to a large tree out of sight from prying eyes. Then, without warning, Athena broke out of me; the shift was quick and painless. She kicked the dirt beneath us and let out a painful howl into the sky before she dashed into the forest, disappearing into the trees. We ran until the pain of betrayal and the hurt from our shitty life didn’t sting as bad. I don't know how long I was roaming, but I ended up by the lake at the end of the Iron Wall; that's where I sat for hours, contemplating how I didn’t see the signs between Ezra and Chrystal. They barely spoke to each other, although she was initially from his old pack… maybe they had a history... "They obviously have a history," Athenas barked in my mind.

I gazed at the darkening sky. "Come, Athena," I said, standing to my feet. I was covered in dirt and twigs from the run, which did little to improve my mood, but I couldn't cry anymore; I was all cried out. I had no idea what time it was, but I knew it had to be close to midnight. The stars lit up the night sky as they danced around the full moon; pretty soon, this place would be crowded with wolves seeking their mates, and I didn't want to get caught up in the middle of that.

I gave control to Athena, and she quickly took us back to the castle, which was tough; the closer I got, the more restless she became. She was sniffing wildly, pacing back and forth. I know she wasn't interested in being in the mating environment, but we didnt have a choice; we finally made it back just in time to see Queen Stefani leading a sea of she-wolves... into the forest... s**t the ceremony was about to start. The vibrant and inviting energy of the party surged around me. Yet, I sought refuge from the overwhelming chaos. I quickly found the tree where I discarded my clothes, carefully dug them out of the hole, and changed, making sure to stay out of sight...

I didnt want to run into anyone tonight... I just wanted to hide until this dreadful day was over. With a discreet glance around, I slipped through the familiar side door, exchanging friendly waves with the guards who recognized me as a regular visitor over the years. I knew this castle like the back of my hand, having wandered its shadowy corridors and echoing halls countless times in my childhood. With no friends to share my adventures with, I turned to the secrets the castle held, probing its hidden depths.

I made my way to the bunkers, each footstep echoing in the damp stillness. It felt eerie down here, but I welcomed it, knowing this was the only place I could be alone. No one outside of me, and sometimes Ezra, had ventured here in years; I frequently escaped into the underground tunnels. Door 216 beckoned to me like a siren's call, and once inside, I secured the heavy lock, isolating myself from the world above.

It became my refuge, a cherished retreat—but first, I needed a shower. I stepped into the cramped bathroom and caught a powerful glimpse of my reflection in the mirror—my jade green eyes swollen and red, revealing the tears I had shed. My dark, curly hair was an untamed mess, filled with twigs and leaves, each a reminder of the wild journey I had just endured. My skin, coated in dirt from the run, spoke volumes about my struggles and sheer exhaustion. At that moment, I felt utterly defeated. Overwhelmed by fatigue and heavy emotion, all I wanted was to surrender to sleep. I cranked the shower to scalding hot, hoping to wash away the grime and the weight of my feelings. As the water cascaded over me, I couldn’t help but cry harder, my sobs mixing with the torrent. I scrubbed away the dirt and watched as it washed down the drain. I wish I could wash away the last 24 hours. I stayed in the shower until the water was cold, and my fingers began pruning.

A wave of heat came over me, making me feel dizzy. I hesitantly climbed out of the shower, hastily wrapped a thin towel around my naked frame, and rested my head against the wall, trying to catch my breath; my body felt hot to the touch; Athena whimpered restlessly within me... I reached down with my hand, caressing my lower stomach where a tight pressure was beginning to form, as sparks erupted, "I need to sleep," I mumbled to myself, but as I took a step forward, a loud, dominating howl pierced my eardrums, sending me hunching over, trying to catch my breath... desire pooled in my belly. "What the hell?" I breathed out, clutching my chest. Athena perked up, sniffing the air. "Mate, mate, mate," she jumped up and down. That was our mate's howl, Melrose. You must answer his call!" I could feel her pushing, trying to take control, but I held her back, not caring about the mate call. I was too depressed and angry about Ezra. "Leave it alone, Athena... not tonight."

"Mate, Mate, Mate," she chanted, not caring about my headache. I was experiencing; suddenly, the bunker door burst open, and Ezra appeared before me, his tall frame taking up most of the space in the room, his blonde hair was neatly combed, and his blue eyes held mine with such intensity, a look of worry than relief flashed over his handsome face, looked me over."Melrose," he breath, "are you okay? I was looking all over for you. What are you doing down here?" I watched him silently, unable to believe that he was playing in my face, anger bubbling in my gut as I struggled to maintain my composure. I didn't want him to see how much he impacted me, but I was failing."What's the matter? Were you crying?" he asked, reaching for me. I took a step back, not wanting to feel his touch. Hurt flashed in his eyes. "Baby..." he said, reaching for me again, but I dodged his attempt a second time. You're scaring me. What's wrong?"

"Do you have anything you want to tell me?" I asked, staring into his royal blue eyes, which looked conflicted as they moved back and forth between mine and the ground, searching for what could have set me off. "Melrose... I don't know what you're talking about, but please, let's go upstairs; I want to finish what we started yesterday." his eyes darkened, and vomit rose in my throat, "NO!" I shouted, and he stepped back, "I saw you, Ezra." Tears welled in my eyes again as the memory of him and Chrystal flashed in my mind,

"You saw what?" He shook his head, confusion written all over his face.

"I saw you f*****g Chrystal in my bed!" I seethed, losing my patience. Clearly, he was going to play stupid, and I didn't have the time for it. His face drained of color, the blood ebbing away like the last light of day as the weight of realization crashed over him. He opened his mouth to lie to me, but I cut him off before he could, "Don't you dare deny it... I saw you!"

He sighed deeply, the weight of the truth crashing down upon him like a tidal wave. The silence pierced my broken heart anew,

"How could you... how could both of you?" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with a mix of betrayal and heartbreak. Sensing the turmoil, Athena grew restless as she faced the wolf we held dear and thought loved us in return.

"Please, just hear me out!" he urged, moving closer with a shaky voice filled with urgency. "You’ve got it all wrong. I don't love Chrystal. My heart belongs to you and only you, I swear!" His every word overflowed with desperation, pleading for my trust as his eyes cut through the veil of misunderstanding between us. "It's not what you think, Melrose. I promise," he insisted, but it only intensified my anger.

"Isn't it?" I challenged, "did you or did you NOT f**k my roommate in MY bed?" A whirlwind of emotions crossed Ezra's face as he struggled to find the words to say, "I was," he admitted, "but I don't want her."

"Then why do it at all, Ezra?" I held my towel tighter to my body as I stared at the man I loved, the man I almost let mark and claim me just yesterday.

"Because she's... Chrystal... she's my mate Mel, and I didn't know how to tell you," he said, running a trembling hand through his sandy blonde hair. His eyes were cast downward, unable to meet my gaze. I felt my blood turn to ice, and my heart plummeted, each beat echoing painfully in my chest. "Chrystal's your mate?" I let out a laugh devoid of humor, a hollow sound filling the silence. An electric shock coursed through my veins, each beat of my heart echoing like thunder as I struggled to digest this harrowing revelation.

"Yes," He said, grabbing me by the shoulder," but I don’t want her; I want you! We rejected each other; it's just that—"

"No," I held up my hand, stopping his words. If Chrystal was indeed his fated mate, they must have been aware of their mate bond for years, so how could he claim to still want me after finding her?

"Leave me alone, Ezra!" I whispered, my voice shaking with intense feeling. "It's over for us!" His face crumpled in despair. "You can't possibly mean that Mel... not us... I can't accept it. I recognize I made a huge mistake, but it was the wolf inside me. Please... you have to understand. I love you with every fiber of my being, Melrose."

Just then, another loud piercing howl cut through the air, sending me to my feet; my legs weakened as arousal dripped from my core. I clenched my legs together, hoping Ezra didnt sense it; I didnt want to confuse the situation more than it was. "Mel!" Ezra shouted, kneeling before me; he gently took my arm. "Are you okay, baby?" His eyes locked onto mine, filled with genuine concern. I wrenched myself free from his tight hold, my heart racing with fury.

"Don't touch--" I started to say, but just then, the third and final howl resonated, shaking the walls around us, indicating that the hunt was on and my mate, whoever the wolf was, would be sniffing me out soo, and with this liquid dripping from my p***y at an alarming rate, he was going to find me in seconds.

I turned to look at Ezra, who caught the scent of my arousal. His eyes darkened, and his wolf growled low as he licked his lips. s**t, I cursed my body for betraying me; I heard heavy footsteps racing our way. I knew Ezra heard them, too, because the lusty look in his eyes faded, and he immediately got tense, his gaze glazing over with his wolf as he took a protective stance in front of me.

"He's coming, our mate is coming," Athena warned, "You need to answer the call now!" Athena demanded, but I continued to ignore her; I couldn't answer the call, not with Ezra here... Plus, I already decided I wasn't interested in a stupid mate... I wanted to be forever alone... just me, Athena and our foolish curse.

"Something is happening," Ezra said, pointing out the obvious. No s**t, something was about to happen, and he didn’t need to be here for it."You need to tell him to leave or answer the call!" Athena demanded again, and this time I listened to her.

"Ezra," I warned. "You need to leave... like right now," I gripped the towel tighter around my body and tried to push Ezra towards the door, but he didnt budge.

"No, I'm not going anywhere; now, get behind me," he said, quickly shifting my weight behind him. Ezra, please, "I begged. Now isn't the time for..." But before I could finish my sentence, the door was kicked open with such force it flew off the hinges. In that brief moment, I caught a glimpse of Soren, his eyes as dark as night, staring behind Ezra's large frame at little ol me. Ezra quickly blocked me from his view, but the strong scent of amber and spicy earth overwhelmed my senses, urging Athena forward. Before I realized it, I stepped out from behind Ezra and faced off with the man I deemed my enemy...

Soren's dark eyes locked onto mine as a growl resonated from the back of his throat, and before I could stop myself, the word I never wanted to utter spilled out of my mouth...

"Mate," we said at the time.