Chapter 2
ERICA
I took off immediately and the carriage came to a halt. I ran as though my life depended on it, and maybe my life did depend on it.
I was just eighteen, I was not going to let two greedy Alphas ruin my life for me. If the man I trusted could sell me out without giving me any tangible reason, he wouldn't even come out to see me being taken away. I wiped tears as I continued to flee from this despicable future they wanted me to surrender to. No, I would not. I would not marry a wicked, old Alpha like Alpha Logan.
"Stop there, Erica." Commanded Beta Hayden, the Beta of Bluemoon pack.
He was the one assigned to bring me here, along with his wife, Lady Sofia. The ride had been a long one full of contemplation and I'd decided immediately we got here that I would not let this happen to me.
His boots were hot on my trail, I increased my pace, he must not get to me. I didn't want him to get to me. I wanted to run away successfully.
Heart racing, pulse sprinting, beads of sweat already forming on my forehead and temples, wishing tears away, I increased my pace. Propelling myself further without any consideration for where I was headed only what I was running away from, I met with a wall, not bothering to pause to check what this wall was, I decided to go round this wall attempting to outrun the Beta, this wall pulled me back.
I had a nanosecond moment of panic but as my gaze travelled up the length of the wall that had hands, my panic dwindled considerably as it latched on a very attractive face with kind eyes.
Seizing this opportunity as Beta Hayden was closing the distance I'd put between us, I pleaded. "Please save me from him." I pointed backwards toward Beta Hayden. "Please save me from this man and his wife. They want to sell me out. Please I beg you." The desperation and pleas in my tone was unmistakable. I did not want to be married to that Alpha, it was going to be a nightmare being knotted in holy matrimony to that Alpha devil.
"What is wrong?" His voice was kind and sort of reassuring, like it was enough to make anyone feel safe and protected just by hearing him talk.
"They want me to marry an old man. They want to forcefully wed me to Alpha of Moonstone pack." I explained, pressing myself into him as though I wanted to vanish into his soul and hide there so no one would see me.
He chuckled softly. I raised up my face to meet his in surprise. What was funny? Why was he laughing? Did he find my situation funny? I hope he was going to help me.
"It's quite amusing I get to meet my father's newest bride before the man himself. And what's more, she's running away from having a forever with him." He pointed out.
Just then, Hayden reached us. He was breathless and looked annoyed, irritated and a bit frustrated.
"I'm really sorry." Beta Hayden apologized and pulled me away from him.
Tears of defeat running down my face, I allowed myself be taken back to Moonstone pack. If this was going to be my fate, then I had no choice but to endure it, but that singular thought broke me more.
"Alpha, here is your bride." Beta Hayden and his wife, Lady Sofia bowed before the Alpha.
The man just glared at the three of us; his expression was terrifying and intimidating.
"Her?" He asked, drinking in my appearance and making a awful face as though I was some disgusting wine he was being forced to take.
"Yes, Alpha." Beta Hayden replied respectfully.
"Take her out of my sight." He ordered nastily.
The couple had no idea how to obey that order, and I was confused too. He had paid huge amount to have me, why was he acting this way?
"Did you not hear me?!" He roared.
My heart leapt in fear. This was the man I was to spend my life with? Oh, Mother of the Moon, I was dead. The Beta and his wife quickly went out of his presence, pulling me along. As soon as they had left his presence, they let me go and bade me goodbye before going back to Bluemoon pack.
I wanted to cry but I realized I was no longer welcomed in Bluemoon pack. Accepting my fate, I decided to indulge in a little, refreshing stroll. To have a look at the place where my future would be unfolding before me.
I wandered and aimlessly strolled, taking in the gigantic size of the pack and the huge number of their people. It was getting dark but I still refused to return to the Alpha's manor, I was not done with my evening walk.
I got to a quite lonely road that had a bushy path. I ventured there and soon, I found myself in a thick forest. The moon was full, I stood watching at the brilliant beam of the moon. That was when I heard the crack of bones and the rising of a growl.
Panicked, I turned and watched a man transmute. Halfway through, he turned and saw me. Already understanding the wild look in his eyes, I took few steps backwards before turning on my heel and run.
He chased, I was no match for him as he soon caught up with me and attacked me. But no sooner had he gotten hold of my dress and pushed me to the ground when he sniffed me...
"Mate!"
I remained on the floor, dumbfounded. Another mate for me? But I didn't feel any sort of attraction. My wolf was silent in my head.
Was the Moon Goddess playing another trick on me? Half wolf, half man, he came closer to me and sniffed me gently, then a whimper left his lips.
Peering into his face, I realized he was…