My Cruel Alpha

MAEVE'S POV. The intoxicating smell of wood and fire was so addictive. It was almost as if I was high on drugs as I sniffed around harder like I wanted to take in all the air. “Mate!” my wolf confirmed and immediately, my eyes were searching around the sea of people at the Crown Prince coronation ceremony. My legs began moving on it's own like it had it's own mind but I knew it was just my wolf taking a little control in order to find our mate faster. I folded my ball gown so I wouldn't fall. He was near now. I could feel it and goddess, I was so excited I couldn't even breathe properly. I have longed for this day for months, fantasized about it for years and now I cannot believe it is happening for real. My heart was beating so fast almost as if it would burst out of my rib cage as I turned into a corner where his scent was now very strong and with a big smile on my face, ready to meet him, ready to scream 'mate' and have him claim me but when I opened my eyes, I recognized the face I saw and I froze completely. My eyes widened in disbelief, my smile faltered and I staggered back. Blake? I breathed. How could it be him? Of all people, how could it be... this person? Prince Blake of the Kingdom of Rein. He was the very reason we were at this ball party because he was about to be announced as the heir to the throne. And then... next to him was his chosen mate wrapped in his arms. He hasn't announced it yet but I have heard the rumors. They were called the perfect couple but to me, they were just the bully couple. This was a big mistake. What on earth was the goddess thinking? I quickly turned around, ready to leave but before I could even take one step, I heard his girlfriend's shrill voice. “Stop right there Maeve.” Good. Now I can't even escape quietly. I swallowed hard as I turned around. “W-what is it?” I stammered, wondering if she knew that I was here to find my mate. And that her boyfriend who she was hugging so tight was my mate. “Weren't you here to tell us something?” “Definitely not.” I turned my face away from her quickly. There must have been a mistake. Blake cannot be my mate. “C'mon Maeve. Quit the act.” Sloane, Blake's girlfriend came to my front twirling her hair around her finger. “You were stalking us right? You definitely heard everything we were saying.” What? What is she talking about? “I just got here.” I informed them, trying to calm my nerves. “I don't believe you.” she took my own hair in her hand this time and began to twirl it, a sinister smile hanging on her lips as they cornered me. What's going on with them? I threw a glance at Blake and he was just there, watching us. Does he know it too? That we were mates? It doesn't look like it. “It's your problem if you don't believe me.” I took a step backward. “Now if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be.” I had just taken a step forward when Sloane grabbed my hair and drew me back. “Who said you could leave?” she said, and I looked up at her like she was unbelievable. Did she just drag me by my hair? Isn't she afraid I might report this to my father and-- no something was wrong. My eyes darted between the two. Sloane was smiling victoriously. She has always hated me for having a crush on the Prince long ago but she could never touch me. It was different now though. This place was isolated which meant they could do whatever they wanted to do to me and deny it later since there was no witness, no evidence. 'He won't let her hurt us.' my wolf told me and I scoffed at her. At times like this, she could be quite delusional but not me. I knew Blake would do whatever Sloane wanted of him. It had always been like this since childhood. He was my first crush but he never saw me as anything other than someone he could bully. Never with his fists though but with words because my father would make him pay if he dared to touch me. Prince or not, my father holds a position even the King had to respect and perhaps that was the only reason I didn't turn into their punching bag no matter how much Sloane instigated it. “You shouldn't have followed us here alone, Maeve. What would become of you now?” a sorry look entered her eyes making her look pitiful but she was actually mocking me. “How about we handle this amicably, like sensible adults hm?” I tried to persuade them. “No.” she disagreed. “You're going to tell us everything you heard and we will wipe out your memory.” And how exactly do they plan to achieve that? What shady things were they discussing to have them this worked up about me listening in when I heard absolutely nothing? I looked and met Blake's eyes. His ocean blue beautiful eyes pierced right into mine, his lips curled viciously and I wondered how I still managed to find him beautiful at that moment. My heart began to race for him and I couldn't look away. It was as if I was under a spell. Does he know we are mates? Why isn't he saying anything? Why is he helping her bully me? Whatever it was, I knew I couldn't take this or let Sloane have her way. “Holly?” I called for my wolf. “Howl. Right now.” She understood what I wanted to do so the moment I gave control to her, a loud howl resonated from me, shaking even the trees. “f**k! Do you even know what you're doing?” Sloane panicked as I got back control. “Stopping you. My people will be here in a minute.” I told her and she scoffed, her eyes filled with hatred before she glanced at Blake and they hurriedly left. That's right. Run. Blake glanced back and our eyes locked. I couldn't tell what the look in his eyes meant or the smile he flashed me but I could tell why my heart was tightening in pain seeing my mate and another girl together. Immediately, my father's guards were running towards me. “Are you okay my lady?” “I'm fine.” I answered, watching them search around for any threats. “There's nothing here. Why did you howl?” My father's right hand man, Caden asked me, his gaze suspicious. “I thought I encountered some rogues but they ran away the moment you came.” His gaze remained on me for about three seconds before he looked away with a sigh. “You shouldn't wander on your own here. It's especially dangerous today.” “I understand.” I nodded, letting him guide me back to the ball where I met my friend, Gwen. ….. “Wait, wait, wait, Maeve. Blake is your mate?” she whisper yelled after I told her everything and I quickly rushed to cover her mouth. “Goddess Gwen, what if someone hears?” “So what? Why should you keep it a secret?” “You don't get it.” I shook my head. “Blake would never want me. He is obsessed with that girl.” “You'll be surprised what the mate bond can do to someone.” she tried to convince me as if she had experienced it. “My brother hated his mate to death but look at them now.” she pointed to a couple at a distance whispering sweet nothings into each others ears. Yes. Gwen has always gone on and on about this. Their love surprised her but not me. I always knew it. There was a very thin line between love and hatred. “I and Blake are different.” I didn't know how to explain it to her. “He's a total asshole.” “You can change him.” “Oh please.” I rolled my eyes. “The pain of rejection isn't something I'd wish upon you, Maeve. And watching him parade with another girl is a different kind of torture. Are you ready for that?” I was afraid of the pain yeah, but was I really that fragile? Would I not be able to handle rejecting him? “So you're saying my only option is to make him fall in love with me.” “Definitely. You have that power.” Gwen said but I can't tell why I wasn't okay with that. Blake was my first love but with time and with everything he did to me, I had lost my feelings for him. Now, I don't really know what do. Reject him as soon as possible or take Gwen's advice. An Omega approached us just then and she handed me a piece of paper. “Miss, someone said to give this to you.” I took the paper from her, glancing at Gwen who gave me a suspicious look and smile as I unwrapped it and read the words that left my heart thumping wildly. “Meet me in the Golden residence.”