The Claiming : His Mate

#5 Undeniable Attraction

Elsa's POV

"Elsa, you have to take part in the Claiming. And that's final." Romero said in a very stern voice. Ryker stood behind him in support.

My head was spinning. Wasn't it clear from the beginning that I don't want to take part in it? Why force me suddenly at the last moment? 

"But I don't want to," I said the nth time. I was starting to lose my temper.

"We are not asking you," Ryker said this time. I looked at him with unbelievable eyes. 

"And why is that?" I raised my voice a bit and looked him in his eyes. He flinched at that. 

"How dare you speak to your alpha like that? And are you doing to stay unmarked, unclaimed, unmated all your life?" Romera banged the tabletop. He was clearly furious. I was taken aback at that. I did fear him. After all, he is the alpha who sheltered me and also made my life hell.

"It's my choice if I want a mate or not." I tried to reason.

"And also it is your choice to get publicly aroused and let everyone know about your virgin p***y?" Ryker fumed. Romero gave him a stern look for the language he used, but he did nothing apart from that. I felt wronged and humiliated. But I was still helpless.

"It's not my fault. And it's not like anyone would be interested even when I am a virgin when my mask is off." I tried to play the victim's card.

"It's not just about the Redmoons. The other pack member wolves are also here. They have raised concerns. Some even think you might be their mate. They are worried they will never know if you don't participate in the Claiming." Romero tried to reason with me this time.

"And what guarantee do we have, I will be claimed by my mate?" I questioned back.

"Look, you can always walk out if you are not interested once a male wolf approached you. No one can force you. So just don't create a fuss and take part." Ryker was completely irritated by now.

"But..." I wanted to keep putting my stance.

"No buts and ifs anymore. No more discussion. You are taking part. How does it look to others when the Redmoon members only don't take part in this event organized by us? It's settled." Romero said with such finality that I had nothing to reply to it.

I lowered my head and left, cursing my terrible fate. I never wanted to be in such a situation. I wanted to save myself. I was going to make sure I am walking out of it as soon as a male approaches me, no matter even if it was the most desirable and most amazing and most handsome Rafael himself. 

***

Rafael's POV

I could feel her apprehension every time Romero or Ryker asked her to take part in the Claiming. This girl was impossible. I mean, being a werewolf, she was pure and 21 plus. She was beautiful. A great jawline, height, milky skin, glowing face, and those luscious lips... Oh! I was getting a hard-on just thinking about her. 

I was not able to understand how can her pack members resist such beauty. I wanted to know what she has done to get such cold treatment. Obviously, it can not be that bad, otherwise, she would have been banished already. I was afraid she was bullied. If that is so, I will make sure this beauty is moved to my pack. But obviously, first I have to claim her. 

I have never felt such a pull for anyone. Except maybe for Divina. But she is not my mate. What we share is stronger, I guess. We are physically and emotionally so compatible. Plus, she does not bind me to her. I can not and most importantly, I don't want to tie down myself to anyone. I just hope this new girl could be someone like Divina for me. Of course, no one can replace what I share with her. Divina is Luna material, and this girl is merely an omega. I mean, I am surprised she stood her ground for so long. 

"It's not my fault. And it's not like anyone would be interested even when I am a virgin when my mask is off." She sounded miserable. I mean, was she so undesired? Then why do I feel her so attractive and this pull is making me and my wolf crazy. I am sure it's her virgin smell but still, it's so refreshing. 

I was getting anxious now. She was hell-bent not to participate in the claiming. And I can not let that happen. I needed her. So badly. It took me so many useless deals to get Romero and Ryker to make her participate in this. Deals I would not agree with otherwise. They are not even half our level to get a deal with our pack.

"No buts and ifs anymore. No more discussion. You are taking part. How does it look to others when the Redmoon members only don't participate in this event organized by us? It's settled."  Romero said with such finality that even I was feeling his alpha aura. I was sure now she could be able to feel it too and she has to submit now. And when I did not hear any more arguments, I let out a heavy sigh. 

After she left the room, Ryker opened the secret door for me. I could not hide my satisfaction. But they did not look too happy. I was curious.

"Your faces don't look like you sealed a dead. With the strongest pack." I groaned in annoyance.

"Because we are afraid you are not going to like the end of your bargain for long." Ryker raised his voice. I gave him a stern look. Romero was wise enough to control his son. Nobody messes with Rafael Black.

"Ra... Alpha Rafael, Ryker spoke in your interest only. Forgive his tone." Romero reasoned for his son's lunatic behavior. 

"What interest?" I queried.

"That girl... Elsa... umm.." Romero seemed to be at a loss for words when Ryker picked up to say the rest.

"Elsa is worse than a rogue. She is an abomination." Ryker said with such finality that it baffled me. I wanted to know more.

"And why would you say so? She looks perfect to me." I said to know more things about her. The mystery was beginning to kill me.

"She is not from our pack from start. In the last war that Moonlit City fought, there she was abandoned near the waterfall. She was accepted by Romero. He had to, as she was in our territory, and it would have made us look bad. But as days passed, everyone started to notice weird things developing. First her yes. They changed to silver with golden tints. So unnatural. Name a wolf with such eyes. And then, her hair... It too changed color to silver. She dyes them, but we know it." Ryker paused, looking at Romero. When Romero nodded his head, Ryker continued the rest.

"We believe she is a product of the experiments done by rogues. We can not banish her, for god knows what she is capable of. We haven't seen any power or potential but all we know she could be a ticking bomb waiting to blow any moment." Ryker said.

"Why would you think so? What has to she done? Just the appearance? This is lame. Her wolf is beautiful." I felt their allegations of rubbish and superstition. But Ryker began to laugh, and Romero looked surprised. I gave them an angry look. That's when Ryker composed himself and spoke again.

"She has not shifted yet. The wolf you think was hers, definitely belonged to someone else. I don't know why you have that confusion." Ryker put a bomb. I was startled. Then whose wolf I was following? It led me to Elsa. And also I heard a loud cry for help! Was it a mere coincidence that Elsa was lying there wounded, and I presumed the wolf to be hers? It could be the case. But still, I need to talk to Elsa to be sure. 

My trance was broken when Ryker started speaking again, revealing things about Elsa.

"What kind of werewolf doesn't shift till 21? Noone. Every wolf that we know shifts by 18. It is impossible to shift after that. And her eyes, hair, unnaturally pale skin. They all can't be a coincidence." Ryker tried to make me understand, and I was beginning to understand the reason why no one liked her. Maybe no one in my pack would also like to accept her.

"Then why do you have her in your pack?" I asked the final question that was bothering me.

"Well, there is no strong reason why we can banish her. She has perfectly carried out all her duties and never went against our pack laws. The wolf council will not agree to it and we are not a strong pack. Also, we think it is better to keep something you don't understand closer." This time Romero answered. I can understand his dilemma. 

I nodded my head and left the room without speaking anything more. I wanted to be alone to reevaluate the situation. I wanted to be sure if I wanted her anymore. Maybe it could be the pull towards the silver wolf, and I mistook it for her. Also, it was because she was a virgin. I mean a very beautiful virgin. I certainly did not want to do anything wrong because I was physically attracted to her. 

When I was walking out of the packhouse, lost in my thoughts, my eyes caught a glimpse of her working on the lawn outside. She was decorating something and was totally immersed in it. Her amber hair, which I know now is not natural, was tied to a loose high bun. But some of her locks were flowing freely. Her skin radiated under the sun. Her long, slender legs were a major turn-on. I could not help but think about how it would feel when her long fingers were wrapped up around my c**k. 

Her face was glowing. She looked like a goddess. An angel. Her luscious, plump pink lips were tempting. I wanted to taste them. They were so inviting that I was finding it difficult to resist. She had thick eyebrows. The kind that never required any shaping. Her big, perturbed silver eyes magically suited her pale skin. I mean, it looked unnatural, but yet perfect. She did not look skinny, but attractive and curvier in the right places. 

She was wearing a loose tank top and shorts. When she was bending to pick things to decorate her section, it gave a clear view of her cleavage. It was so inviting that only I knew how I was controlling. I was not sure if she knew that she was seducing me. But if she was doing it purposefully, it was definitely working.

I tried to control my urges and gulp down my saliva. I did not want to look at her any longer. Otherwise, I was going to do something reckless and it might not be good for my pack. If she was a misfit like Ryker said, then I needed to find more about her and her abilities and not toy around her. I might be a f**k boy, but my pack means more to me.

I let out a loud sigh and brushed my eyes. I let out a groan. I turned my back and started walking towards the staircase so that I could avoid seeing her. The corridor was like a big balcony giving a full view of the lawn. I would have admired the architecture if not that beauty down there was haunting me. 

I had hardly taken a few steps. I saw Angela approaching me. I let out a curse and tried to look elsewhere to avoid her. She was my first pick when I came here, but now things have changed. I find her repelling. This Claiming was starting to feel suffocating. The one I want was a misfit, and all who want me were irritating me. I was beginning to miss Divina. 

I turned back to avoid Angela. I even left Divina a voice message that I was missing her and she must come here. It was a win-win. Only Divina can help me forget this seductress and also Angela would back out after hearing me talk like that. But this girl was deaf! She still kept walking towards me. I paced up and soon I was again, standing at the same place from where I could see Elsa clearly. My heart skipped a beat. She was mesmerizing, and I wanted to r****h her. 

There was no turning back. I wanted her. I was sure about it. Suddenly the world became hazy and my focus was only on her. I jumped. It was only one-storeyed. But I guess I would not have mind jumping from a higher position. 

I could feel all the eyes on me. But I did not give a damn. She was immersed in her work and did not sense me until I was too close. She gave a shocking look and stood there as if she saw a vampire. 

Her eyes were bigger. Her lips were parted a little. She had some paints all over her body, making her look more tempting. The attraction was undeniable. I would lie to myself if I said I did not want her. Maybe I would have walked out if I had not seen her for the second time, but now there was no going back. I needed her like oxygen. One thing I was certain of then, no matter what she was, tonight I was going to claim her.