Christine's Point of View
I put on a fabulous dress. It was an emerald green that perfectly matched the color of my eyes, with drapes of white and sheer fabric cascading elegantly from different parts of it.
The maid styled my white hair into a neat bun, crafted to look effortless, though the reality was that every single strand had been placed in a very specific spot.
My parents were waiting in the foyer for the driver to pull up the car, so I decided to join them. They didn't miss the chance to shower me with compliments upon seeing how beautiful I looked, after all, I was stunning
When we arrived, the event staff wasted no time recognizing us and treating us with the respect of an Alpha family. I held my head high and swept forward with confidence, a sweet smile on my lips and that subtle hint of arrogance that followed me everywhere.
The crowd inside lost no time surrounding me, offering the praise and adoration that was meant to be mine from the beginning. Among them were my two close friends.
-Look at you, Rhis! You look like the Moon Goddess herself right now. -Bianca spoke in that high-pitched voice of hers that I always found rather grating.
-Oh, please. I just threw my hair up and grabbed a random dress from my closet. -I said, pretending I hadn't spent the last two hours getting ready. -I suppose it's just my natural beauty.
-Without a doubt. -Sarah replied with a fake smile.
The two women might have had their flaws, but their comments always made me feel good, and they always did exactly what I asked of them.
-By the way, Rhis, have you heard about the new pack that just moved here? -Bianca asked with a sly smile.
That definitely caught my attention and sparked my curiosity.
-Tell me.
-Well, I don't know much. -Bianca replied. -Only that they're a family of Alphas, supposedly from some unknown little town, and they want their daughter to perform the ritual here. But they haven't even shown their faces at any of the events. Don't you think that's rude?
I listened to her words thoughtfully. A family of Alphas... I would have to be careful. -Let's keep a close eye on them. If they aren't showing themselves, it's because they surely have something to hide.
Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, making me gasp. A low chuckle rumbled behind me, accompanied by that masculine Alpha scent I loved so much.
-Are you seriously laughing for scaring me? -I pouted, faking annoyance as a joke.
-Never, my Rhis. -Cedric kissed my cheek, sending a light shiver down my spine. I let out a soft giggle and lost no time pulling away from my friends to spend time with Cedric.
He led me to a secluded terrace, holding two glasses of champagne. "This is the moment" , I thought.
Cedric's Point of View
Seeing her in that dress, with that dazzling smile, made me completely lose my self-control. I closed the distance and wrapped my arms around her waist, and when she gasped in my embrace, my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't wait another day. It had to be tonight.
I brought her out to one of the terraces and handed her a glass, which she accepted with an enchanting smile.
I couldn't help but lose myself for a few moments just admiring her beauty, until I forced myself to get on with what I had come to do.
-Ahem... Rhis, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about... -I could feel how nervous I was. I didn't want to mess this up, and for the first time in my life, I felt the fear of rejection. Still, I gathered my courage. I began to move to get down on one knee when a loud crash echoed from inside the ballroom, instantly snapping both my attention and Christine's away.
Christine's Point of View
I knit my brows, mentally cursing the interruption. Just when Cedric was about to get down on his knee! Unfortunately, the noise didn't stop, and as much as I wanted to hold onto the romantic moment, I couldn't help but hear a familiar voice raising itself in anger. Sarah.
I ventured back into the ballroom and was met with a peculiar scene.
Cedric's Point of View
I silently cursed whoever had distracted Christine enough to make her walk back into the ballroom.
I followed closely behind her, intending to ask her to return to the terrace, to just forget about whatever noise was happening... But as my eyes shifted from Christine to the shouting crowd, I felt a strange sensation.
There was a group of people glaring down at a girl on the floor, who was drenched in what looked like wine. Before I could even process my own actions, I stepped forward and demanded in a tense voice: -What is going on here?
The girl looked up at me, and the feeling I had just experienced instantly tripled, flooding me with entirely new and overwhelming sensations. My inner wolf, Onyx, roared within me: "Mate!"
Everything fell silent. I could only see this girl, with her wide, blue eyes and straight black hair. She didn't break eye contact either, though her expression didn't seem quite as intense as mine.
Then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. The illusion shattered instantly, and I glared with fury at whoever had dared to interrupt that moment.
Christine's Point of View
Cedric brushed past me at blinding speed. I assumed he was angry about the interruption, but I didn't expect him to be this deeply affected.
-What is going on here? -Cedric's voice rang out with immense authority, and his Alpha aura flared violently all of a sudden.
Everyone fell silent, thoroughly intimidated by his Alpha´s aura pressure, so I decided to step closer to calm him down. But once I was near enough, I noticed exactly where his gaze was fixed.
My eyes drifted down to the girl on the floor. I had never seen her before, and her features didn't look like they were from around here. She was staring intently at my boyfriend, sparking a sudden wave of irritation and jealousy in my chest.
I placed my hand on Cedric's shoulder while staring down at the girl. She shifted her gaze to me, and Cedric did the same.
I looked back at Cedric. A fleeting flash of anger crossed his features before he registered who I was.
-Rhis... -His voice carried a slight trace of guilt. It was almost imperceptible, but I had known him since we were kids-better than anyone.
I didn't need any explanation. I let out a quiet breath and forced myself to smile. -Are you alright, honey? -I asked affectionately, making sure the unknown girl heard the affectionate nickname.
-Yes, yes. -he said quickly, regaining his confident posture. But I noticed his tells. His jaw was far too tense, and his green eyes kept darting back to the girl on the floor.
Bianca broke the awkward silence, rushing to speak up. -This girl stepped on my dress, Rhis! And then she pretended it was an accident! -She said in her grating, high-pitched tone.
The girl reacted, standing up to her feet. -It was an accident. -she said with a surprising amount of composure. -But if you don't believe me, you can ask your other friend, who was the one who pushed me.
Cedric tensed even further beside me, while Sarah's face flushed bright red.
-No I didn´t, I just asked you to move out of the way- Sarah took a step forward
-I told you to stop drinking so much, Sarah. -I intervened. -The excitement of the ceremony is no excuse to mistreat someone. Apologize to... what is your name?
-...Celine.
I felt Cedric hold his breath, visibly affected just by hearing her name. My smile wavered, but I forced myself to hold it. -Sarah, apologize to Celine.-Sarah was ready to fight back, but I gave her a harsh look silencing her
Sarah's eyes welled with tears, feeling humiliated, but she didn't argue with me. -I apologize for pushing you... accidentally.
It was a half-hearted apology, but it was the most sincere one anyone was ever going to get out of Sarah.
Celine stared at her for a few moments. For a second, I thought she wouldn't accept it and that a scene would break out, but she didn't.
-There is nothing to forgive. -Celine turned toward the exit, her dress completely ruined.
Before Celine could take a single step toward the door, a shadow brushed fast past my side. Cedric had taken off his suit jacket and placed it over Celine's shoulders. -It's cold out there.
Celine didn't reply. She looked at him for a brief moment and walked out.
That woman had just earned my hatred. How dear she try to seduce my man? I would make sure to ruin her and her family before I ever lost Cedric.
Yes. My eyes gleamed with determination. Cedric was mine. He belonged to me. No woman and no fated bond would ever stand in my way.
