Torn Between Mates

#11 Who is she?

Ella took some time for respite in the washroom. She patted her face with water to get a grip on the situation. She felt like her heat was back. Didn't it happen a few weeks back? How could it come back so soon?

She felt like someone had set her entire body on fire. Not someone. She knew who it was exactly. Levi! Out of all the men, it was Levi! How? Why? When? What was that?

She patted more water. No! It wasn't working. Her face was red like a tomato from the heat. She flushed her face with a handful of water several times.

She kept looking in the mirror, gasping, water dripping from her face since she hadn't wiped her face. But in front of her played the dance she shared with Levi. It wasn't very personal from a wolf's perspective. But it was the most intimate moment she shared with an unmated wolf. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about how good his hand had felt on her waist. She wanted to touch his bare body. At least to peek at what was beneath those layers of fabric.

She was positive there wasn't anything between them before the dance. She never even looked at Levi, for she feared him with her life. But suddenly, something has changed.

Levi was a total heartthrob, a fantasy of many young women. He was the soon-to-be alpha of the second-most influential pack. Who knew where he would take the pack from there with his potential? But he was also a tyrant. He wouldn't let any chance slip if he could torment Ella. And soon, everyone was bullying her. He never stopped them. Ella blamed him the most for her oppressed life. So how could she ever like him? So what has changed now?

Levi didn't even dance with her because he liked her. His words were clear like air. It was because he wanted to ensure that she didn't make any advances toward Riven. It was for Loui. So why was she feeling so tense?

She cussed herself for behaving like that. Not long before, she had been crushing on Riven, and now she wanted Levi too. Who the hell was she? She puffed in exasperation. An unwanted wolf like her was too presumptuous to imagine herself between the two most desirable wolves.

But Ella's peaceful moment only lasted for a while. She heard a bunch of ladies making their way to the restroom. She couldn't look like that. So she rushed inside a chamber to hide. She picked up her dress and jumped on the toilet seat to hide.

"Did you see the girl in the blue dress?" Someone rasped. Ella stretched her ears to hear them better. She had a hunch it was her, even if there were many other girls in blue dresses at the ball.

"The one who danced with alpha Levi?" One of them asked to make it clear to everyone.

"Of course! Who the hell does she think she is?" The first one grunted, a little annoyed. "Does anyone even know who she is or her background?"

When Ella couldn't hear any response, she imagined they must have answered through facial expressions. She got a little impatient to understand why they were bad-mouthing her. She didn't do anything. It was Levi who pulled her to the dance floor.

"Right! I knew it! I had hoped he would have the first ball with me. I am Loui's college friend. And the only daughter of the Nightwalker's pack. I thought we even had an understanding after the morning party. He was flirting with me before some omega of his pack returned hurt." The first girl whined, washing her hands, probably. The noise of water rushing was making it difficult for Ella to hear everything clearly.

"Oh! That! Do you know that omega is trying to seduce alpha Riven of the Bloodmoon pack? Poor Loui. She was so sad about it. You know there is no one better than Loui for alpha Riven. But she is not willing to play dirty." Someone new bleated.

Ella gasped in shock. They thought she was playing dirty? What with all those satirical assumptions? She found the voice annoyingly familiar. After careful consideration, she was sure it belonged to Amie. No wonder she had to hear such hurtful remarks.

"Poor Loui! I totally understand her. I am in the same situation. This nobody girl pops up in a nice blue dress like Cinderella and steals my prince." The first one stomped her foot, squealing.

"But no one has seen the blue girl for a while now. Maybe she left, or she is out. Why don't you take your chances now? It is the right time, Stella." A voice boomed, startling everyone, including Ella. It was Loui.

"Are you sure?" The girl named Stella squealed.

"Yes, hurry before she returns. I don't want my brother to waste the event on just anybody. And about me! Amie, at least you should know alpha Riven is not dumb. He would see right through Ella's actions soon. Didn't you see how close we were to the floor? I will be his Luna." Loui spoke in a loud and clear voice.

Ella hung her head low. She knew it was a warning to her. Perhaps Loui knew she was there. Was that girl omnipresent or something? Her words made her heart pound like crazy. Her emotions were all over the place. She was already torn about the sudden feelings she was nurturing for Levi. And now Loui's words had put her on edge. Her heart was aching for Riven. She felt betrayed that he didn't choose her. Didn't they have a moment in front of the door, even if he didn't know she was Ella? He could still have approached her.

Ella sighed with relief when she heard retreating footsteps. After the restroom became pleasantly silent, she stepped down the toilet, feeling overburdened. So much for finding a mate! She wasn't sure if it was even worth it anymore. She was getting entangled unnecessarily between two wolves who wouldn't even bat an eye in her direction. What was she going to do about those unwarranted feelings she was developing? A heartbreak was on its way!

Ella opened the door, hanging her head low, clutching her face mask tightly. Her makeup was out of place, thanks to all that water she flashed on her face. She looked up, sighing in frustration, only to get startled.

Ella almost fell when she jerked with surprise. Loui was leaning on a wall in front of her with her hands folded against her chest. She was giving her deadly glares as if she would roast her alive. Did Loui never leave? Of course, she was talking to her at that time.

"Loui!" Ella gasped, breathing heavily.

"What are you thinking about that thick head of yours? Since you can't have Riven, you want to seduce my brother?" Loui grumbled, taking small but dangerous steps toward Ella, making her shake.

"I did nothing! Trust me! Levi pulled me to the floor so I wouldn't look for Riven." Ella blurted out in her defense, stuttering, and stammering. She pleaded with Loui with her eyes to believe her. Why was her wolf hiding when she really needed her to show some strength? No wonder she was a meek omega!

Loui stopped, carefully inspecting Ella's reactions. When she was convinced that Ella wasn't lying, she nodded. "You better not lie to me or assume things. How could you even dare look so high?" Loui intimidated Ella.

"I won't," Ella whispered, breathing heavily.

Loui glowered at her for a moment before relaxing, making Ella catch her breath. "Leave the ball immediately. You are only being a nuisance." She warned Ella, leaving no room for debate.

Ella nodded her head, running outside, wasting no seconds. She wouldn't want anything else. Participating in that stupid event was the most bizarre decision she made. She wanted some quiet. She had never missed her cozy room more dearly than now.

Ella ran clumsily, looking back several times to ensure Loui wasn't on her trail. She had barely left, trying to flee the ball quietly when she bumped into a broad chest. She was taller than most of the girls. So it had to be a male. She looked to her side. She was in front of the men's washroom. She swallowed hard, trying to stop her racing heart. What was wrong with her? Why was she feeling attracted to just any man? She looked back to see if Loui saw it. When she couldn't see Loui, she sighed in relief.

"Miss!" A pleasant yet familiar voice spoke, making her eyes pop out in fear. Why had it to be him?

Ella looked up to confirm the man's identity. She closed her eyes out of nervousness. It was officially a bad day. Riven Black was looking at her with confusion and amusement.

"Miss, are you alright?" Riven probed, feeling his heart jump.

He hardly felt that intrigued in the presence of any woman. He couldn't let her slip away again. For the first time in a while, he felt sparks from a woman. An idea popped up in his devil brain. He smirked, twisting his lips. He could have fun with her as he had intended before attending the event. If she agreed, he would love to keep it casual and end it at the end of the event.

"It is none of your business," Ella didn't even think about what she was saying before pushing him to make her way out. She didn't want Loui to find her with Riven. That scary woman would eat her raw.

Riven was left flabbergasted. He couldn't let a woman trample over him. It was the first time he had been rejected. He was sure there was a spark earlier. And it wasn't just him who had felt it. So he ran behind her to catch her. He saw her almost jumping the stairs to escape. It shocked him. Was she someone suspicious? Or was she someone unauthorized? Why was she in such a hurry to leave? He was sure she belonged to the Bluemoon pack from her pack smell. The pack undoubtedly had many crazy and mysterious women. He wanted to find out the women's identity.

The girl was unquestionably quick. It was her dress that slowed her down. He thought he was lucky when he could finally get hold of her near the treeline. But she retaliated with all her strength, pushing him. She caught him off guard. But he still managed to grab her hands to stop her from leaving. But she was fast, vanishing into the thick forest, leaving her bracelet in his hands.

Riven looked at the forest, wondering if he should follow her or not.

"Alpha Riven? What are you doing out here?" Loui brooded.

Riven scoffed, walking away, squeezing the bracelet tightly, leaving Loui heartbroken and damaged.