Chapter 1
1724 Words
LUCY
Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, but little did I know…
I jumped off the bed, grinning from ear to ear and swirling around the room. Memories of last night flitted through my mind, sending hot flashes between my legs.
Last night with Blake was everything I’d envisioned it to be and more. It still felt like a dream to me–the taste of his lips on mine, his large hands in places no man had been.
I paused in front of the mirror, grabbed my hair into an updo and tilted my head to get a clearer view of my neck. Pale, spotless skin stared back at me.
I sighed. No mark.
What was I thinking? That my love would change fate?
I looked away, unwillingly to let the thoughts ruin my mood.
“He loves me. That changes everything,” I said fiercely, wanting to believe it.
I’d made the first move last night, kissing him when I shouldn't, but I couldn't stop it. Bliss, my wolf, was driving me crazy— she’d been in heat for so long and had her eyes set on one person, Blake, my best friend, and the one person I was not allowed to love. We have been friends since I moved into his family home at five after the death of my parents and we've been inseparable ever since.
I took one last look at my body before heading to the bathroom. I did my business there very fast, got out and raided my closet. After 30 dragged-out minutes with a lot of sighs, I settled for a knee-length gown with a v-neckline that emphasized my boobs—I wanted his eyes stuck on them.
I ran halfway to the dinner hall.
"Good morning, Mrs Sophia," I greeted, smiling broadly, spotting her at the end of the table. "You're up early today. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I did but I need to attend the Lunas’ meeting slated this morning," she replied. “We are not allowed to be late.”
I nodded, knowing how much pride she took in her duty as a mother and the Luna of the Blackwood pack. She had taken me under her wings and treated me like the daughter she never had. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. Blake adores the ground she walks on and so does her husband, Alpha Marcus.
I grabbed a chair, sat down and piled my plate with toast and scrambled eggs spread out on the table.
I could feel her eyes watching my every movement.
"My, my! Someone is looking radiant this morning," she commented, turning my cheeks scarlet. “Don't get me wrong, love. You always look good, but there’s something different today. Oh, Lu!’ she placed a hand over her chest. “Your cheeks are burning!”
Heat flushed my skin red.
Embarrassed, I bent my head, trying to hide the culprit on my face. It was just the two of us in the room and I was grateful for that.
I needed to distract myself. Her too.
“The egg is good,” I mumbled, stuffing eggs into my mouth. “And so was last night's event. You outdid yourself.”
She smiled, taking the bait. “I can’t take all the credit. I had help…”
I tuned out her voice, my eyes helplessly darting across the door and the clock on the wall.
He should be here by now. Why wasn't he?
"Have you seen Blake this morning?" I asked, interrupting her.
"No,” she replied, raising her eyebrow in surprise. “He must have left before dawn for his morning run."
"Oh, I forgot about that."
"Your mind must really be occupied. This is so unlike you" she said, staring at me like her life depended on it.
The door to the dining room swung open before I could say a word. I smiled thankfully, pausing halfway when his scent hit my nose.
My eyes hungrily sort him out. He was shirtless and his body glistened with sweat. The sight of him left me breathless, he has that effect on me all the time. I stared at him, willing him to look at me but he avoided my eyes.
"The weather isn't looking good Ma, You've to leave now if you want to be able to make it," he spoke to his mother directly and headed straight to the stairs.
He didn't acknowledge me. It was so unlike him.
Was he feeling embarrassed about last night? Or was it the opposite? He didn't even say hi.
"I'll head out now. The sky is still visible to light my way." Mrs Sophia said, drawing me out of my reverie.
I nodded in acknowledgement, my eyes still stuck on the stairways Blake had just disappeared from.
“Finish up your meal while it's still hot, Lu,” she urged, kissing my forehead, before walking away.
I stared at my half-eaten plate in front of me, my appetite was gone. Anxious, I stood up and headed to Blake's room, taking two steps at a time in my haste.
I knocked on the door.
No response.
Gently, I pushed open the door and stepped in. The room stood empty but the shower was running. I decided to wait for him. He was used to my intrusion now. His workout clothes littered the floor and I bent over to arrange it. A flowery scent hit my nose, making me wince.
"What are you doing here, Lu?" Blake asked, standing at the bathroom door, a towel wrapped around his torso. "I could have been naked. You should have at least knocked."
I diverted my eyes, ashamed of myself and the thoughts running through my mind.
"I did knock, but there was no response. I thought we could talk about what happened last night," I volunteered, dumping the clothes in the laundry bin. “It changes everything, right?”
The silence was loud and uncomfortable. Slowly, I looked up at him, staring into his eyes while religiously avoiding his bare chest. Something flashed through his eyes, something I couldn't put a name on.
“Blake?” I called, moving towards him.
He stepped out of my reach and headed for the window.
"What happened yesterday Lu, shouldn't have happened," he whispered, so softly I could barely make out his words, but I did.
My heart stopped for a millisecond, beating twice as hard when it resumed.
"It happened so fast in the heat of the moment,” he continued, his back turned towards me. “My wolf was restless and beyond control. We should have known better… I should have known better."
"But…but what we shared was beautiful. We made love and you said you love me" I stammered my words out. "We can make this work. You love me, right?"
"I do love you, Lucy."
"Then everyone will understand. We don't have to be fated mates to be together."
"No one will understand, especially my father. There are things set in place for a reason, Lucy, and you know this." he turned around, his eyes finally resting on me.
"We can change that," I replied hastily, wanting him to believe it as much as I did. "We love each other Blake, that should be enough."
It has to be enough. We don't need the mate mark to be together. No one should have to be mated to a complete stranger, not when you love another.
"No, it's not," he stated matter of fact.
My heart broke into pieces, causing me pain. "What do you mean by that?" I managed to squeeze out.
"I met her today, Lu. My mate." He said the words to me but they sounded so foreign to my ears.
"What did you say?"
"Her name is Raelle and she's the daughter of Alpha Frode. I saw her across the borderline separating our lands. She was having an early morning run too. She's my fated mate."
His words hit me like a blow to my chest, snatching the breath out of my lungs. I stumbled backwards, falling heavily to the ground.
“Lucy!” He rushed to my side, pulling me into his arms. I didn't fight it—couldn't— not when my mind was reeling.
He met his mate today. Was the moon goddess taunting me? Making a mockery of me for her own amusement? Why give me last night if she knew she was going to snatch it away from me?
I said the words before I thought of it. "Did you sleep with her?"
"Lucy."
I hated the sound of my name on his lips. His lying, treacherous lips.
“Answer me, Blake,” I could feel my wolf stirring inside me, sensing my emotions.
So many emotions coursed through me, lighting me on fire. I wanted to punch him, bite him, beg him, but instead, I screamed.
"Did you f**k her?!"
"Yes," he whispered. "I tried but I couldn't. The bond between us is so strong. I couldn't resist her and I tried Lu. My wolf recognised her before I did and took charge. I couldn't keep it under control and you know this."
Tears welled in my eyes, threatening to spill. It was hard to breathe through the pain.
"Lu, I never meant to hurt you" his voice trembled with each word.
"What will become of me now, Blake?" I choked out, clenching my chest to stop the pain.
"We're still best friends. What happened between us was a one-time mistake. It won't ruin what we share."
"A mistake?” I pushed myself up and away from him. “A mistake?! I love you and you're saying last night was a mistake?”
“I don't— I—”
"So, she is to become yours?" I asked, barely hearing the sound of my voice over my racing heart.
Silence followed. One beat, two.
"Yes."
"You choose her?"
"Yes, she is to become my Luna. You know I can't reject her. It would weaken me, please Lu. "
I backed towards the door, racing blindly as the door slammed shut behind me. I didn't need a fortune teller to tell me I'd been rejected by the man I love. My dream has crumbled before it began.
- Writer
