Contractual Marriage with My Alpha Mate

Chapter 2 Heartbreak

"Only Amelia would rock that dress, it's spot on for you, sweetheart," Silvia praised Amelia after she had changed into Winter’s dress, kissing both her cheeks.

Winter kept quiet, although she heard others whispering that the dress didn't fit Amelia at all, it sure was a flashy piece.

“You, go change into this one,” Silvia said, throwing Winter a white gown.

“Mum, is it not too plain for an important party?” Amelia asked.

“This bit*h is fu*king good at acting!” Scarlett hissed inwardly, whereas Winter kept silent.

“How thoughtful of you!” Silvia said, “But you’re the only one who should be in the spotlight tonight, Amelia. It’s your eighteenth birthday!”

Turning around, Winter couldn’t bear any more of her mother’s bias. She changed into the outfit her mother gave to her and stayed silent on the way to the hotel.

The car came to a stop and the Hart family got out. As Winter emerged from the backseat alongside Amelia, she marvelled at the hotel and the bright lights livening up the exterior. Her heart beat a tad faster at the thought that Julian was somewhere in there, and soon, she would see him.

“Amelia!” a cheery male voice called, and Winter looked to find two of the Winthrop triplets walking towards them. The one who had called out Amelia’s name was Arthur, the youngest of the triplets. With him was Blue, the second eldest.

They were both dressed in tuxedos, with their hair slicked back from their faces. They were both over six feet tall and insanely handsome–looks ran in the family, but no matter how identical they were, Winter thought Julian was the most gorgeous among them.

All the brothers had natural blonde hair, but Blue’s was often bleached to a silvery hue that matched his eyes, as it was now. Arthur’s eyes were hazel brown and were always glinting with an emotion of some kind, ranging from harmless mischief to boiling anger.

Winter stood to the side and watched as both brothers greeted Amelia with hugs and wished her a happy birthday. None of them turned to her or acknowledged her presence. She was used to that. Once they said hi to Amelia, they turned to her parents, the Alpha and Luna of Ivory Pack, and shook hands with them, welcoming them to the party.

Winter’s parents went into the hotel and left the four of them standing outside. Arthur hooked Amelia’s hand around his arm and Blue flanked her other side as they turned to go into the hotel.

“Oh, sorry,” Amelia said just before they left, turning back to Winter. “I have to go, Winter. Will you be fine on your own?”

Winter forced a smile and nodded. “I’m alright, don’t worry about me.”

Scarlett hissed inwardly. “She is not worried about you.”

Amelia looked at Arthur and then Blue. “Can you guys set Winter up with a date for the prom? She doesn’t have anyone, and it’ll be so sad if she spends the night alone.”

The smile fell right off Winter’s face. Why on earth would Amelia bring that up? Sure, no one had asked her to the prom, but that was her business. She especially did not want to announce it to the Winthrop brothers.

Blue shrugged, his eyes bored as he regarded Winter. “What can we do if nobody wants her?”

Amelia poked his arm. “Come on, Blue. She’s just shy, I’m sure you know a guy who doesn’t have a date. I would feel bad having a date while she goes solo.”

“She’s doing that on purpose,” Scarlett growled. “She wants to seem like a caring sister but what she’s really doing is humiliating you, suggesting rejects to you. What a bit*h! Dammit, you should have come with a date.”

“I'm a reject too,” Winter replied, “I've got no offers either.”

“Only because you walk around with a sign on your forehead that screams ‘if you’re not Julian Winthrop, don’t you dare look my way’. Then there are those hideous things you wear to school, of course,” Scarlett said.

Winter fought a smile. Scarlett always spoke her mind, and she was quite entertaining while at it. While Winter was quiet and mild-natured, Scarlett was fiery and did not shy away from confrontation. She was always egging Winter to ditch the smiles and bring out the claws.

“I’ll be fine on my own,” Winter told Amelia.

“Don’t say that,” Amelia told her. “I’m sure the boys can find someone for you. We’ll go now, bye!”

She waved at Winter and let the two boys lead her into the hotel. Winter followed behind them and heard Arthur comforting Amelia, saying she has been very considerate of her sister and it was not her fault nobody wanted her.

Winter felt embarrassed and kept her distance from them once they made their way into a huge ballroom. She already knew the brothers didn’t think much of her. She did not need to hear the things they said about her. What if Julian said the same things? She would never get over it.

Winter made her way through the crowd, seeking a corner with little activity. Her eyes roamed the room, looking for the one person she wanted to see tonight. She was determined to talk him tonight, maybe ask him for a dance. She could no longer keep on hoping he would notice her, it was time to make the move herself.

Just then, the lights flickered, signalling the arrival of someone important. The crowd turned their attention towards the entrance, and a few seconds later, the lights came back on, converging on a single person.

It was Julian.

Butterflies erupted in Winter’s stomach as she took him in. Bathed in the spotlight, he looked like a myth. Everything from his hair to his face was perfect, flawless. Even from a distance, she could feel the powerful aura that he exuded.

With just a single glance, anyone could tell that he was the future Alpha of the Atlas Pack. He excelled in everything and carried himself with an air that made him seem a level above his agemates. It was no wonder that Winter was not the only she-wolf in the room looking at him with stars in their eyes.

All around Winter, people discussed him and his brothers, wondering who would turn out to be the triplets’ mate.

“I would bet on the Ivory Pack girl,” one of them said. “Amelia, is it? She is the perfect match for them.”

“I agree,” another one said. “She is an Alpha’s daughter, and just look at her. Doesn’t she look like royalty? I don’t think any other she-wolf would be suitable for the Winthrop brothers.”

Not only were the brothers enamoured by Amelia, even outsiders thought she was the perfect choice for them. Amelia was Ivory Packs’ princess, not Winter. Since Amelia would turn eighteen tonight, people were hoping she would turn out to be the triplets’ mate.

Standing in a corner, Winter feared that it was all she would ever be–a bystander who would never get close enough. She couldn’t have regrets, she told herself. Even though she's just one of his admirers, the one he always ignored, she dreamt of him choosing her. She wouldn’t know until she gave it a try.

There was movement in the crowd, and Winter suddenly realised that Julian was walking towards her. She stood frozen, watching people part to let him through. Her mouth went dry the closer he got, her heart beating wildly.

I must be dreaming, she thought.

He was coming straight towards her. She tangled her hands together and licked her lips. She hadn’t expected him to be the one to approach her, but–

Her thoughts grind to a stop as he moved around her and went right past her. She blinked. Of course, he had not been coming towards her. Like a fool, she had been standing in his way. She swallowed and turned to see where he was going.

“Hey, handsome!” Amelia greeted excitedly as Julian wrapped his arms around her waist while she hooked hers around his neck.

“Hey, beautiful,” he replied, before closing the distance and kissing her cheeks.

The two pulled back and Julian tucked a stray piece of Amelia’s hair behind her ear while gazing down at her tenderly. He was always tender with her like that, treating her like the most delicate treasure. They looked like the perfect match–after all, he had been the school’s star athlete and she the most popular cheerleader.

Amelia's eyes went straight to Winter, who she gave a smug look. It was the most honest expression she had directed at her all night–it was not a fake smile or pretended concern. It was a downright smug look that bragged that she had the one guy Winter wanted.

Looking away, Winter hid herself back in the crowd. She should have known she couldn’t win over Julian, she comforted herself. But the tears swelling in her eyes betrayed her.

She had first fallen for Julian four years ago, and since their first interaction had been gentle, she had thought they would grow close and if she was lucky, he would like her too.

But around that same time, Amelia started getting close to the triplets. She would come back home with stories of how she had hung out with them and talk non-stop about them. Winter tried to avoid her because her stories only made her upset, since unlike her sister, she had not managed to get close to Julian.

In those four years, the triplets’ mate had not shown up, and since Amelia was so close to them, everyone thought she would eventually become their Luna. As far as everyone was concerned, it was only a matter of time.

The clock struck midnight, and everyone turned to the triplets and Amelia for any reaction. And, as everyone watched, the colour of their eyes changed to golden. Gasps filled the room. Their mate was in the room!

“It’s you!” Arthur exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Amelia and twirling her around. His brothers looked ecstatic too as they looked at Amelia with a new possessive light in their eyes.

The crowd cheered. Winter’s heart beat painfully. Everybody around her was celebrating, but she felt numb.

Winter hunkered down in a corner, digging her head into her knees. Everyone was cheering for the triplets and their mate Amelia, and she could as well not have existed in that room. Her hopes of approaching Julian died just like that. He had found his mate, who was her adopted sister!

The cheers were beating like a drum in Winter's eardrums, making her feel like she was about to pa*s out.

“Scar, losing Julian hurts so much!” Winter cried to her wolf.

She thought she'd readied herself for the worst, but when it hit her, she still felt like the world had ended. The last time she felt this broken was when her brother passed away.

“I’m sorry,” Scarlett whispered, her voice devoid of any sarcasm.

“You’re right, Scar. I am the one unwanted, not her.”

“Oh, don’t say that. I didn’t mean it. You should let him go as it turns out he isn’t our mate. We deserve better.”

Was there even a mate out there that's better than Julian?

Winter wished she could agree with Scarlett. But she felt like her heart was a dead zone. Mate? Nah, she might not be able to fall in love again.

“Boys, hold up,” their parents showed up while the triplets showered their affection on Amelia. Unlike everyone else in the room, there was no sign of joy on their faces.

Their father, Alpha Hurbert, said, “Come with us.” He did not wait for their response as he turned and addressed Winter. “You too, Miss Hart.”

Alpha Hurbert and Luna Astrid, the triplet’s mother, walked away, expecting the four to follow. Confused murmurs erupted all around as people sought to understand what was happening.

Winter was confused too–had Alpha Hurbert meant her, or Amelia? Amelia was the one who had turned out to be the boys’ mate. Why would he summon her instead?