Chapter 1
Bella
SMACK!
I watched as my palm made contact with her face and she fell on the floor. It's only after slapping her that I cursed internally: damn, my hand is gonna hurt the whole day now...
She fell down on the carpeted floor of my office holding her reddening cheek. Angry tears immediately sprang up and she glared at me through her tears.
Well, at least she's strong enough to still glare at me rather than just cowering.
“Bella, how dare you slap me! You’re the one seducing Laxton!”
I looked at my reddening palm with a disinterested face. My Beta, Ellie growled at her and my Gamma, Rue said to her in disdain:
“Bella is our Luna and Laxton is her Alpha. How the f**k does that make our Luna the seductress? Know your place, Elaine!”
I threw her a look of contempt and left my office. This is the first time I’ve lost my temper since she came into our lives a year ago. I have had enough, I need a solution and fast. My Beta and Gamma followed me after giving instructions to our pack warriors to throw Elaine out of the packhouse.
“Bella, she will definitely complain to Laxton. Will you be ok with him tonight?” asked Ellie, worried about me.
I hmph-ed and shook my head a little.
“We need to focus on the upcoming reception of the Lycan party next week. Let’s regroup in 2 hours. Have your lunch ladies, don’t worry about me too much. I can handle myself” I said and gave them a small smile.
Ellie and Rue returned my small smile and I know that they’re just keeping mum for my sake.
I walked to my room and sat on the floor, leaning on my bed and let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. My body, tense from the confrontation, dropped in exhaustion. Without meaning to, I started to tear up. I drew my legs up, wrapped my arms around them and started to cry in earnest.
How did it turn out this way?
Laxton and I were childhood friends. We went to the same pack school when we were 11 years old. We were best of friends and throughout high school, we knew that we had a crush on each other, the whole pack knows that. But we never dated as he’s the jock of the school with many girls sticking to him and although I was a popular girl in school, I was more focused on studying and achieving in sports.
I have always thought that I wasn’t good enough for him as compared to all the pretty, model figure girls surrounding him. I was of average height, straight raven black hair and eyes, curvy at the right places and apparently, legs that go forever (his words, not mine).
Laxton has curly dark brown hair, chocolate-y brown eyes that have sparks of bronze gold special to Alphas. Even with my doubts, we always hang out after school either at the park or our spot in the woods. He’d always try to convince me how great I am and how lucky my would-be mate is while I’d think to myself: can it be you?
As I cried, my mind went in search of happy memories, to remind me of all the good things in life… or maybe the cause of my current pain. My mind spun back to the day of Laxton’s 17th birthday.
We agreed to meet at our spot in the woods. It was a small clearing with a spring running through, feeding a small pond. I had arrived first as I headed there from school while he was coming from training. He was an Alpha in training at that time. I was unpacking our picnic when I heard a rustling sound and turned my head to the noise, vigilant as life is dangerous for us werewolves. I relaxed when I saw Laxton walking into the clearing.
He was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a black shirt with his top 2 buttons open. Looking hot as hell. I smiled at him when the wind suddenly picked up from behind me, blowing my yellow knee length sundress in front of me and my hair to the front, covering my face. I was tucking my hair behind my left ear trying to clear my vision when I saw him standing frozen where he’s at. I laughed.
“What’s wrong? Come on, our picnic is ready!” I held out my hand to him.
He took a deep breath and then stalked towards me. He embraced me, his nose on my neck, one arm around my waist and one hand holding my head to his chest. Surprised but loving it, I took a deep breath of his scent. Everything seems so peaceful, his body warming me and his scent always comforts me. I felt him smile at my shoulder and then I heard him whisper:
Mate
The world seemed to vanish as I heard his whisper. There’s only the both of us in the world. My heart jumped in relief and joy. Our hands clenched tighter. We turned to look at each other. Then he kissed me for the first time and it was blissful, beautiful, and unforgettable. When we finally broke the kiss, he looked at me with such affection and love.
“I’ve been wishing for this since when we’re 11. I love you, Bella.”
“Oh Laxton…” I blushed and rubbed my face on his chest. Shy and so happy, I didn’t know what to say.
“I’ll wait for your birthday in 5 months and we’ll have the mate ceremony. Please Bella, please say yes.”
I nodded, the word “no” never went through my mind when it came to him. I’ve always looked to the moon and prayed to the Moon Goddess for a good mate but in my heart, I always had him when I prayed.
He pulled my chin towards him and put his lips on mine again. He kissed me softly then licked my lips, asking me to let him in. I parted my lips and his tongue licked mine, tasting me and teasing me until we couldn’t take it anymore and started kissing deeply and passionately.
I still remember his taste then, his scent mixed with the smell of the woods, his soft tongue and lips on mine.
How did it turn out this way?
