Marked by the Alpha

The Alpha's Achievement

I was oblivious. I wasn't expecting this kind of overturn in my life. I was fated to an Alpha, the next person who would rule our pack and the company, and by accepting his claim was too late for me to reverse the marking that had successfully been done.

For a moment, as I stood watching the man named Xavier Lewis give his speech to his new subordinates, it made me feel an unexplainable sense of regret and the idea of running away.

This wasn't the life I had expected to undertake. By being fated with an Alpha means I have to reign the pack and the company alongside him as his Luna. That was the thing I never wished to do or even meddle myself with for it was insufferable. To me, it always had been.

All these people have never been good to me. Treated me worse than a rogue who was shunned by the Alpha for committing an unforgivable deed. Most of them had tormented me. I know myself I hated being in the pack and once considered running away to become a rogue because it was too much for me to endure. If it wasn't so dangerous and sin in the Moon Goddess's eyes, I would have done it the moment I knew my father hated my existence.

I had no gratifying experience in the pack. Now, how can I live the life I hated for almost all of my existence? Let alone reign it?

Doing it was like consuming your most hated food. Not because you liked it but because you were forced. And that is exactly what I am feeling right now. How can I be so clueless? How can I not tell from his looks? He looked exactly like the Alpha— no, former Alpha it appeared, since he had passed down his position to his son, who turned out to be fated to me.

If I had known that this was the life I was heading to, I should have dodged it by not going to this freaking ball. Not only would I save the dress I had sewn for a month, but I would also save myself from the responsibility I have to face now that I have accepted an Alpha’s claim.

I got too carried away by the hot summit. Too enchanted with his aristocratic beauty. Too aroused to get my head straight that I never even ask for his name, his status, and his relevance for tonight’s ball.

And it was indeed foolish of me to have believed that once I was marked, he could get me out of this life I long hated. There was a part of me that suddenly gave in to that idea. It turns out that I was right about him being the Alpha, except I never anticipated the twist.

I can still hear the loud cheers from almost all the members and it was deafening... vexating for my part every time their hands made a continuous sound from applauding. When I couldn't bear the overwhelming noise, my knees buckled when I made up my mind to run away until I heard my name echoed all over the function hall.

“May I call Miss Mia Constantine to join me on stage, please...”

My eyes widened in surprise and my feet were pinned on the ground just as when I decided to turn my back and forget everything that happened between us. I couldn't possibly hear my name from him. Or rather, I purposely refused to act in accordance just like Xavier wanted me to do because I feared that I might shame both of us once I got on the stage.

I had to wake myself up just in case I was having a dream, yet what was happening at the moment was far from the nightmare I prayed every night not to bear. And I fear what lies ahead of my future if I stay. However, Xavier gave me the most assuring smile and my worries and anxiety had disappeared all of a sudden.

Xavier had done it so genuinely that he had changed my mind in such a short moment. And I was mistaken when I thought that the only thing that attracted me most was his gray eyes. Clearly, I had never had a glimpse of his smile before and now that I have seen it made me want to catch sight of it again, but this time I wanted to stare at it for the longest time I could, and that would only happen if I stayed.

“Because she’s my fated mate and the new Luna that will reign alongside me,” he continued and then extended his hand, requiring me to come forth.

With that unanticipated announcement, the obnoxious sound of applause inside the function hall eased off and the people were silenced the moment they knew about the truth.

All the members who attended the ball were certainly shocked. I could tell from the way their eyes pierced at me with a perfect mix of disbelief and dismay. Even the former Alpha and his wife, the Luna, weren't expecting any announcement from their son. They looked at each other in alarm, having no clue of the declaration, unaware that their son had finally located his mate on the day of his passing down their responsibility to their heir.

With Xavier’s parents' reaction, I thought it was going to discourage him. However, there was no sign of gloom and pessimism on Xavier’s face but rather a lilt of exhilaration. I have no idea if Xavier couldn't read the atmosphere of the room or if he was purposely not minding the harsh gazes we were receiving from many, but I could sense the unwavering of his plan.

The longer I discerned him as a person, the more I realized that Xavier was more courageous than he had shown when he rescued me. He had a strong mentality that couldn't easily be affected by others’ judgment, unlike me who pretended to have been unbothered for so long, had always tormented myself in silence like a madman, just like now as I faced this dissatisfied crowd.

My mind was screaming, advising me to run to spare the both of us the shame we are about to attain, especially Xavier because he doesn't deserve the dismay on his first day of being the Alpha of our pack. Yet my heart was so captivated by his smile and dimples I never knew he had, however, loved it when he flashed it on me. It was as if he was telling me that I was going to be in excellent hands if only I accepted it.

I never felt such an assuring gesture in my life. Not even from myself which I had attempted and done so dreadfully for years.

As assurance deprived as I was, I found myself acquiescing. I walked towards the stage and Jacob came to assist me but was commanded by Xavier that there was no need since he would do it himself, which he did to me so gallantly, proving to me the assurance he offered me was sincere.

“Just smile,” he whispered as he squeezed my hands the moment I accepted his offer on assisting me in taking up the stairs. “Let me do the talking and we’ll get out of here.”

I nodded at him indicating that I obliged, forcing myself to purse my lips into a smile for the crowd like the way he instructed me. I could feel the lingering gaze on every part of my body caused by the unhappy crowd, but Xavier had made the situation a little forbearing for me by intertwining our hands in front of everybody.

Again, I felt my cheeks turn hot pink. I had the urge to cover my flushed face but it was too late for that when Xavier settled me beside him as he smiled at me.

He never let go of my hand as he talked about his past and explained why he liked his identity hidden for the past years and he wanted it to be his first appearance to be on the day he would succeed his father as the next Alpha.

That explains the reason why he looked so novel to everybody’s eyes and not even heard from him even once. The Lewis family had taken good care of keeping his identity undisclosed for the past years until now. He carried on with how he met me an hour ago and we had accepted each other as mates.

I could see the glint of envy in people's eyes, especially those women wolf shifters who were expecting to be fated with Xavier in hopes of becoming his mate and the Luna.

Even I couldn't believe it still. How could someone like me be fated with an Alpha? Not just any Alpha, but the Alpha of the Crimson Pack. No one was expecting me to become the Luna. Goddess knew nobody was expecting me to be fated with another wolf shifter because I hadn't shown any interest in locating my mate and the idea of copulation that takes place after the marking. Nobody had interested me in anything rather than running away from the pack, not until I met Xavier.

“Once again, thank you for your warm welcome with me, as the new Alpha and my mate, as the Luna of the pack. Enjoy the rest of the evening,” Xavier ended his speech and pulled me towards the center.

And what happened afterward was the moment I never anticipated. Everybody dropped to one knee with a little dip of their heads.

“Moon Goddess save the Alpha!”

“Moon Goddess save the Luna!”

That’s what everybody said in synchrony in their deep voices. My brain had short-circuited from the warm greeting, I couldn't move. Until Xavier placed his hand on my back and motioned me to bow down as a sign of my acknowledgment and acceptance of their salutations.

I ended up complying as I faked everybody a smile. It doesn't matter to me if my smile appeared to be ungenuine in their eyes. They never even liked what I do.

“That’s great. Now, we can go,” Xavier whispered and led me outside where envious and judgmental eyes trailed at us. “Don’t mind them, they never had a choice anyway but to move on and get on with it.”

I looked at him and an amused smile cracked on my lips. “You’re smart, Xavier. You know exactly what you are getting into. Why do you have to do that?”

“Why? Are you really asking me why?” he asked and then held my hand before meeting my gaze. “You’re my mate, Mia. If there's anything a man should do to their mate, then it’s to save you. I have seen you get tormented. Almost humiliated by social media. How am I supposed to take that every day if I keep it a secret?”

“But... but—” I sighed and pinched my lips together. “I never had a good reputation in the company, Xavier. There’s a rumor circulating about me and my father. I don't want to burden you with the idea of having a Luna of a—”

“Of a what?” he continued, a little impatient, requiring an immediate answer.

“Of a murderer,” I answered, couldn't help but raise my voice a little. I swallowed the lump in my throat and expected Xavier to release my hand because of my confession. And yet, he didn't.

“Do you think I didn't know that?” he asked solicitously, making me gaze up at him in disbelief because I never anticipated his response. “Believe it or not, I had studied every beta in our company. As my managerial training instructed by my own father, I had to know everyone. From their names, their appearance, their attitude, their work experiences, and their families. I know everything, Mia. I also know your past with your father... and about the rumors? No, I don't believe it. I don't think a woman as calm and collected as you could do such a thing.”

I looked down when I felt the corner of my eyes sting all of a sudden. Xavier was the only one who said those words, as if that thought didn't deserve a bad judgment. He had the understanding others find so difficult to offer.

“In truth, I found your presence to be real and serene, Mia... and because of that, don't expect me to let go of you,” Xavier added, which made me gaze up at him with teary eyes. “Aside from succeeding in my father's position to be the Alpha of the Crimson Pack, marking you as mine was my greatest achievement. You don't how long I’ve been looking for you.”

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Dear Canidean readers,

From this chapter onwards, you can read it on the Libri app with the same title and pen name. It will be updated daily starting January 01.

Thank you!

- Jerida

PUBLISHED CHAPTERS:

- The Hot Start