SHADOWS OF BETRAYAL

Mating Ceremony

CHAPTER TWO

Amelia's POV

It's the second mating ceremony of the year in the Paxon pack. The mating ceremony only happens twice a year when the Alpha's come from different packs to choose their mate.

This year is the Paxon pack's turn to host the Alpha. Nina and the rest of the omegas have been all out preparing for the big time.

They can't wait for the Alphas to arrive.

Since the Paxon pack gets to host them every two years, Alpha Barker makes sure it's a memorable mating ceremony.

"Amelia, you are not allowed to attend the mating ceremony," Nina said, walking into my room.

"Make sure all the rooms in this pack house are well cleaned before the mating ceremony ends so the Alpha that can't go home can pass the night here. Am I understood?" Nina asked.

"Yes Luna, but I need to find my mate," I tried saying.

"And who would love to mate with an unreasonable person like you?" Nina asked, rolling her eyes at me.

"But I." I was interrupted by Nina.

"If I dare see your two feet outside the pack house, I would make sure you are fed to the vultures," Nina said before walking out angrily.

I had just clocked eighteen five days ago, Nina and Alpha Barker knew about it but only Alpha Barker wished me before he left on his three-day trip promising to celebrate it when he got back, but he seemed to have forgotten.

I didn't care about it though, because I was more concerned about the mating ceremony coming up.

I can't just wait to go meet my mate and then leave this house to the twins and their wicked mother.

I had prepared the beautiful dress I was going to wear the night before. I woke up this morning and walked up to my dress smiling.

I was about to walk outside to take a stroll around when Nina came in with her bad news. I stood there looking dejected at the dress.

"No matter what, I must attend the mating ceremony even if I will have to cover my face," I muttered, walking out angrily.

While making my way to the storage to pick up my tools, I peeped through Elena's door and saw her getting dressed for the mating ceremony.

"But she's not eighteen yet." I thought, but shoved it off my mind.

"Watch where you are going, you nitwit," Ellen screamed.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"Oh, you are watching my sister, wondering why she is getting dressed and even looking more beautiful than you do.

Mom said she's getting mated to the Alpha of the Crescent Pack tonight. Go continue your scrubbing because you won't get to have a mate." Ellen blurted out before walking into Elena's room.

I don't know what I ever did to deserve these two wicked twins, they are really after my life.

"Do you want to continue watching my children get dressed or I have the warriors wipe you." Nina's voice came from behind.

I didn't wait to be told before I started running into the storage room. I got in and quickly picked up my tools so I could finish cleaning on time.

We had twelve rooms in the pack house that I had to clean. I started with the larger ones so I could have fewer ones to clean when it's a few minutes before the mating ceremony.

I focused on cleaning the rooms while my mind was on my beautiful dress.

I finished cleaning on time. I reported to the head of Omegas, who looked at me with disgust but I didn't care anyway because I had more important things that needed my attention.

When she was done checking out all the rooms I cleaned, she nodded her head before I proceeded to drop off my cleaning tools.

While rushing to my room, I slowed down to check on Elena and met her still dressing, but this time around, she had already changed to another dress.

I ignored her and made my way to my room instead. I didn't want to take a look at my dress because it was too beautiful for me to see. I just dashed into my bathroom the moment I stepped in.

I carefully scrubbed my body while I smiled at the mirror placed in front of me. Immediately after I was done, I proceeded to apply my lotion.

Before I could finish, the mating ceremony had started. I picked out a black scarf I would use when closing my eyes to prevent being recognized by Nina or her children.

I closed my eyes as I stepped closer to my dress, I pulled it closer and smelt the fragrance, it felt so good. But I needed to be fast.

I opened my eyes to wear my dress only to find it being pieced into many parts.

The part I just smelt was the only part left hanging. The rest were cut into different parts and thrown in different directions.

"Who could have done this?" I asked curiously as I picked up the scattered pieces.

I stared at the remaining one hanging as tears rolled down my hot cheeks.

"How did this happen?"

"Who came into my room?"

I looked through my window and saw Elena walking downstairs already while the Alpha was choosing their mate.

I threw the pieces of clothes on the floor and rushed to my wardrobe. Luckily, I found a beautiful blue dress Alpha Barker had gotten for me on my seventeenth birthday.

I quickly put it on and rushed outside.

While running towards the back door, I missed my steps and almost fell, but I felt a strong hand hold onto me.

"Thank you," I replied and continued walking.

The guy looks handsome, but that's the least on my plate now.

I quickly sat on the chair waiting patiently for one of the Alpha's to point a finger at me.

All the she-wolves sitting beside me were chosen while Elena and I were the only ones left on the seat.

If she had any slight idea that I was the one seated beside her, this place would have gone into uproar. I ignored her signals and focused on where the Alpha's were seated.

Just when I thought we were done, the last Alpha stepped in. I rolled my eyes at Elena before looking up, only to realize he was the guy I stumbled upon earlier on my way here.

"I chose her as my mate!" He said, pointing his finger at me.

"Alpha Kessler of the crescent pack has chosen his mate," one of the elders announced.

"What? I can't believe it, he's the Alpha of the crescent pack. He's the Alpha that almost all the ladies are dying for.

If I had known that he was the person chosen for Elena, I wouldn't have bothered coming here, but there's nothing I can do about it."

"Do you mind opening your face, so the Alpha can take a look at his beautiful mate?" The elder asked.

We have now gotten to the time when everywhere will turn into chaos. I stared at everyone as I carefully took off the clothes I used to cover my face.

"Amelia, what are you doing there?" Nina asked the moment she noticed I was the one.

"What?" Elena screamed as she ran her hands through her hair.

"I mark you as my mate." Alpha Kessler said as he placed a kiss on my lips.