“Isadora, your mating ceremony is due for six years. You can't always delay it. You know the Pack’s rules.” My mom's voice echoed through the mindlink, concerned as always.
“Your father has arranged your mating ceremony with the alpha of a renowned pack. He asked me to ask for your consent.” She added, her voice hesitant.
I remained silent. I knew she was going to speak again. “If you don't want this, I’ll talk to your father and cancel everything-”
“I’m ready.” I replied, my voice firm and confident.
“Y-You agreed?” My mom stammered in disbelief.
“Just tell him to give me some time. I need to wrap up something before leaving.” I stated before disconnecting our telepathy.
As the connection was cut, a silence stretched through my chamber, a stark contrast to the fireworks going outside.
According to the pack I belonged to, I must mate with someone after I turn eighteen. Fortunately, I found my mate at the night I turned eighteen.
But, the worst part was, he refused to mate with me!
“I won't mate with you until I make a name for my pack and prove myself to be a worthy Alpha!”
Once amazed by his determination, I followed him for six years, helped him take ladders of success and merged several packs under his territory only to see him kissing his beta under the full moon.
He had held her tightly in his arms, sat on the mountain I once urged him to visit with me on the night we mate. His gaze never diverted from her eyes, as if she was the moon of his life.
“Isadora would be mad if she finds out you have already mated with me,” Layla's words cut deep through my heart.
I stared at them in disbelief. Layla’s wrinkled clothes, sweat rolling down Alexander’s abs and the mess on the green grasslands were telling the tales of their betrayal.
They had already mated!
“It's your day, Layla!” Alexander’s voice echoed through my ears, soft and gentle, but only for Layla.
“Don't think about Isadora right now!” he said, his eyes filled with desire as he pulled Layla back in his embrace and continued, “It's your birthday today! Tell me what you want?”
Layla’s cheeks turned red, a malicious smile on her face when she expressed her desire, “I want to give birth to a lot of cubs for you, Alpha! Will you let me?”
Alexander hesitated for a moment before he smiled back, “If that's what you want, I won't refuse you.”
Alexander’s words sent shivers down my spine. He promised someone to let her conceive his child while he had held our mating ceremony for six years.
My fingers were clenched into my thighs as I stared at them angrily. But, I didn't confront them.
I didn't cry either.
I just turned back and left, already making up my mind.
I had just disconnected my mindlink with mom and Layla pulled open the door of my chamber without even asking for my permission.
She walked in on her heels like she owned it as she stood right before me.
“You heard everything, don't you?” She asked, her voice laced with pride and arrogance. “Alexander is mine now!”
“If you are smart enough, you should already start packing your luggage and leave!” She added.
Resting her hands on her belly, she added, “I don't want my cubs to be scared watching such a dangerous woman in their pack when they grow up.”
“What did you just say?” I growled, stunned by her words.
“Why are you looking so shocked? Have you ever heard the whispers and snickers against you in the pack?” She smirked.
“Alexander isn't to be blamed for betraying the bond with you, Isadora. It's you! Always acting strong and powerful, fighting alongside men, roaring and growling… too unromantic”
“Men like soft and delicate women- like me!” She said, “Alexander loves touching my soft skin beneath his hard muscles. He loves it when I stiffen myself in his arms, afraid- which you wouldn't!”
“He loves it when-”
I grabbed her neck before she could say one more word and growled in anger, “Will he love it as well when your tongue comes out of your mouth?”
Layla's eyes wide open in terror. But then I saw a malicious smile on her lips, just for a moment before I was pushed so hard that I fell off the floor, my head hitting the flower wasp, bleeding heavily.
I barely managed to turn back only to find Alexander holding Layla in his arms and gently rubbing her neck.
“Are you okay, Lay?” He asked, panic written all over his face.
Lay? I couldn't remember the last time he had called me by my nickname, despite my request.
Just a cold address ‘Isadora’, tone similar as he called his men.
After making sure, there wasn't a single scratch on Layla, he turned to look at me, eyes fiery red. “What the hell is wrong with you, Isadora?”
“Did you even try to know what she said to me just now?” I yelled, hissing in pain caused by the heavy bleeding.
“I don't care what she told you. But, you shouldn't have hurt her. She is soft and delicate unlike you- wild and masculine!” He replied.
“Wh-What did you just say?” I asked, stunned. The word ‘too wild and masculine’ kept echoing in my head.
“Apologize to Layla!” He said coldly.
