CHAPTER TWO: The Supreme Alpha's Long Forgotten Son.
1557 Words
MAE'S POV:
My heart tightens with fear as I take in the man before me. The first thing I notice is his large, hulk-like form. His pristine white shirt stretches over thick, well-defined muscles, giving him the appearance of a royal bodyguard.
He’s so gorgeous, it’s a miracle that I’m not drooling all over the place. My lips part in a gasp as those dark, piercing blue eyes fall on me. He pins me in place with a penetrating stare and heat floods my belly in response.
I have no idea who this stranger is, but he does things to my body that I can barely explain…
I immediately snap back to reality when I remember the words he just spoke. What did he mean by that?! A few days ago, I was pretty sure that Rowan was my mare, and following from the intense ache in my chest, it's simply the truth.
Everyone suddenly goes quiet as they try to make sense of what's happening. They all murmur under their breaths as they share confused looks amongst themselves.
Even Aunt Amaya seems to be shocked, which is a very strange emotion for her to display.
The pain in my chest suddenly reduces to a dull ache which is not as consuming as it first was following the rejection by my fated mate.
My mood darkens further at the betrayal, and suddenly my cheeks literally start to tingle as I remember the pain of Aunt's Amaya's hands hitting my cheeks.
The stranger's eyes finally shift towards Rowan, releasing me from the claws of his gaze.
“What did you f*****g say?” Rowan asks with a sneer on his lips as he glares at the stranger.
My brows furrow, and hope starts to bloom in my chest. From his intense reaction, maybe – just maybe he might now want me as his mate.
My eyes fall on Nova who notices me staring and steps closer to him, burying herself under his arm.
My eyes fill with tears, and I quickly look away, refusing to allow her see that she has broken me.
“I'm not in the habit of repeating myself, younger brother.” The stranger says with a sinister smile on his lips.
My mouth falls wide open at his claim.
The crowd gasps in unison at his words. They all seem to share my reaction as regards his words. The Supreme Alpha has another son?!
The murmurs increase, until it’s more like a noise. If what he's saying is true, then that means he's next in line to become the Supreme Alpha of the pack.
Which leaves Rowan in the position of Gamma of the pack.
“What are you saying, young man? You can't just crash the Fated Moon Festival. It's meant only for members of the Embercrest Pack.” One of the pack elders steps forward with a frown on his face.
The stranger smirks before proceeding to take off his shirt in one swift motion.
My mouth hangs open as I take in the large tattoo of a werewolf on his back. In our pack, it's simply a proof of royalty. It's given to the Supreme Alpha's first born son right from birth.
“It's obviously fake!” Rowan says in a steaming tone as his hands tighten into fists.
“Anyone can fake a drawing!” Rowan continues, but no one pays him any mind as all their attention is completely focused on the stranger.
“Why now? Why show up now?” Another elder asks in a genuinely awed tone.
“To claim my mate of course.” The stranger says in a cold tone as his smoldering look lands on me.
My eyes widen at his insinuation. I'm his mate?!!
Aunt Amaya as well as everyone in the pack share in my shock and confusion as they all give me dirty and strange looks that convey their anger at being the mate of a man who is probably going to be the Supreme Alpha of the pack.
Maybe I should have paid attention to Aunt's Amaya's and Nova's obsession with being the mother of Luna and Luna of the pack respectively.
Maybe if I had, then I would have been able to keep her away from the man who was my mate and who was supposed to be my lifeline out of the evil clutches of my aunt and her daughter.
The stranger opens his mouth to speak once more, but all of a sudden, the Supreme Alpha – Anton Blackstone – steps forward interrupting him.
“That's enough!” The Supreme Alpha growls impatiently.
The stranger narrows his dark gaze on the Supreme Alpha who seems intent on completely ignoring him.
“It is true that I had a son years ago. But then he was kidnapped at a young age and he never returned.” The Supreme Alpha says in a heavy tone, turning the fearful gazes of the pack members to sympathetic gazes.
It is common knowledge that the Supreme Alpha was once married before to Selene Blackstone, but she died years back. No one knew that a son came from their union.
The Supreme Alpha later got married to Eliana Blackstone who moved in with her son Rowan. People still whisper about how Rowan might not be the Supreme Alpha's true son.
The stranger does not react in any way to his words, but due to the weird connection I have with him, I can practically feel the anger coming off him in ways.
As though he is extremely passed at his father and is only holding himself back from not causing a scene.
“I didn't know I would ever have the chance in this lifetime to reunite with my son.” Anton Blackstone says in a quivering tone as he steps closer to the stranger.
Everyone quietly watches the whole scene, some with tears in their eyes and others with disbelief.
“Romero Blackstone. Welcome home, son.” The Supreme Alpha says in a shaky tone as he pulls the stranger in for a hug.
‘Romero Blackstone.’ I try the words on my tongue. Not the least bit surprised that the stranger has such an enigmatic name just like his presence.
Romero remains stiff in his hands not returning his hug.
“I would hate to see my two sons fighting over one woman. It's time we laid all this to rest.” Anton says as he pulls away from Romero, his son.
Rowan steps forward, his face pinched tight in anger.
“There's nothing to fight about, father. Mae Ravenwood is my mate.” Rowan declares in a superior tone.
I can feel Nova's icy glare on me the entire time. My heart thunders, and I'm left with the whiplash of his constantly changing emotions.
I make no mistake about his words as I realize sadly. He only wants me now because someone else does.
“I was gone for so long. It's my bond with her that brought me back home, father.” Romero counters, the last word coming out in the form of mockery.
“But you were in the process of rejecting her, Rowan. Why the change of heart now?” One elder asks I'm a genuinely confused tone.
“You came in with Nova Winters. Isn't she the one you have chosen.” Another elder asks.
Their words bring me back to my cruel reality which brings tears to my eyes. I had so much hope for our future. It breaks my heart that he chose Nova over me.
I was never concerned about his status as Supreme Alpha's heir, I just wanted him as a person.
“The moon goddess is not a perpetrator of confusion,”
“There's only one way to find out who is truly Mae Ravenwood's mate, and that's by asking her herself.” The Supreme Alpha says as he turns his intense gaze towards me.
I almost crumble under the weight of his gaze, but I manage to stand upright. I see people in my periphery murmuring and talking, but I completely ignore them.
Unconsciously, my gaze rolls back to Romero's eyes, and what I see in them has my breath seizing.
A promise. Of retribution. To every single person that has hurt me up till now.
But there's also the threat of imminent harm and danger if I were to fail to choose him.
“Who is your name amongst these two, Mae Ravenwood? Remember that you are standing before the moon goddess. If you lie, your bond will be ruined from here on till the end.” Anton Blackstone says with narrowed eyes.
My throat closes up and I'm unable to form any words.
What choice am I going to make?
Choose the mate who betrayed me with my cousin and then who proceeded to reject me?
Or choose the beautiful and enigmatic stranger who's eyes promise me things that have always been so out of my reach.
Revenge.
For every evil word spoken to me and for the ill treatment by the pack members.
But then there's the curse of the moon goddess.
Do I dare make a choice based on my anger? Or will I be condemned to living life as a second choice to my mate?
- Writer
