I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the turmoil raging within me, and calmly tied the bedsheet around my body.
"Cleo, you can't go out like that. At least, get dressed properly. Remember, you are the soon-to-be Luna of this pack. Act like it." He said calmly, but I could hear the authority in his tone.
Despite Alexander's protests echoing behind me, I remained resolute, my steps steady as I made my way out of his quarters and headed down the hall.
"Wow, Young master finally claimed her."
"Why does she look like that... mournful...?"
"Right. She should be excited that she's in line to be the next Luna of this pack and she dare walk around looking that disgraceful."
"Watch your tongue. She's not the same as before."
The whispers of the pack members grew louder as I passed through the corridors of the packhouse, but I refused to let their judgment affect me. With every step, I held my head high, determined not to show any sign of weakness.
As I reached the courtyard, the openness of the space provided a sense of freedom, a reprieve from the suffocating atmosphere of Alexander's presence. My heart raced with anticipation as I approached Alpha Ashur's quarters.
Standing in the courtyard, I took a deep breath and gathered my courage before shouting, "Alpha Ashur come out!!"
Moments passed, tension thickening in the air, and a group started to form in the courtyard until finally, the doors to Alpha Ashur's quarters swung open, revealing the imposing figure of the alpha.
"Cleopatra," Alpha Ashur said, his voice commanding yet tinged with a hint of apprehension. "What brings you here in such a state?"
I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination. "I come to you seeking justice, Alpha Ashur. Alexander has violated me."
His brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. "Violated you? What do you mean, Cleopatra?"
"Your son had sex with me while I was unconscious... Is this a treatment deserving of a woman raised by this pack's own hands?!" I blurted out, locking eyes with him.
Lowering his lids, Alpha Ashur's gaze flickered between his son and me, his expression unreadable. "Alexander, is what Cleopatra says true?"
When I looked back at him, Alexander stood tall, his demeanor unyielding. "Yes, Father. Cleo is my mate, and it was my right to complete the ritual."
The words hung heavy in the air, a palpable tension settling over the courtyard. I felt a wave of disbelief washes over me, the weight of his justification bearing down on my shoulders.
Sighing, Alpha Ashur stepped forward, his voice steady but tinged with disappointment. "Cleopatra, my dear, this union between you and Alexander has been long foreseen. It is a bond that goes beyond mere choice; it is our tradition, our way of ensuring the strength and unity of our pack which you are a part of."
My tears wanted to break free, but I clenched my fists, fighting against the rising frustration within me. "But I didn't consent to this! I didn't want this... Not this way!"
The pack members around us shifted uncomfortably, whispers rippling through the crowd like a gust of wind through leaves. Even Mother Luna, standing at Alpha Ashur's side, regarded me with a mixture of pity and reproach.
"Cleo, my darling," she spoke softly, her voice like a soothing melody. "You've always had a special bond with Alexander. You've grown up together and shared everything. This union is a culmination of that love, that connection."
Her words struck a chord deep within me, stirring memories of a time when Alexander and I were inseparable when our laughter echoed through the packhouse corridors. But that bond felt distant now, overshadowed by the weight of disgust and last night event.
"Cleopatra, my dear, I understand your apprehension. I promise I will have a good talk with my son about how to treat his mate properly... But trust me when I say that this union is for the greater good of our pack. Together, you and Alexander will lead us to prosperity and strength." Alpha Ashur said in such a casual tone that a faint chuckle escaped my lip. "He's your mate now. Let the past be the past"
My laugh grew more hysterical, more bitter, everything blurring into one chaotic mess of emotion. Tears fell silently from my eyes, trailing down my cheeks as I shook my head.
"Cole, how about you take Cleo back to her quarter and have the maid attend to her? As the future Luna, we can't have her running wild like a common feral. We'll deal with this issue privately." Alpha Ashur commanded the son of the maid.
"Yes, sir," Cole said, leaving the staircase and approaching me.
When he was a foot from me, he gazed into my eyes, and for the first time, I felt sympathy from another person. His eyes made me feel seen, heard and understood.
"My lady, come with me please." He murmured in a low voice.
But my foot felt frozen to the floor, and all I could do was stare numbly into his eyes finding comfort in their soft brown color. For some reason, I believed that if I stared into his eyes long enough, the pain in my chest would subside, and the anger dissipate. But it did no such thing.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered, feeling my heart breaking as I saw the hurt in Cole's eyes. "I just... want to see if this works."
Not holding back, I took a step toward him, inhaling his hot breath, and it made me dizzy like a sweet substance that intoxicated me. His lips parted slightly, and I felt my mouth watering as his gaze lingered on mine, drinking in my features.
"My lady?" He whispered, taking a step back.
But suddenly, I grabbed his shirt and pulled him toward me, claiming his lip, tasting the warmth of his mouth slowly at first, and then, growing hungry, I deepened the kiss. When he moaned, it reverberated through me, making heat flare deep in my belly.
My grip on his shirt tightened, pulling him even closer, and I felt his hands trail up my sides, pressing me flush against him, his tongue dancing along my bottom lip teasingly. I whimpered under his touch, opening my mouth more willingly, allowing him access, savoring the sensation of having him so close.
"Cleo!" Alexander's roar echoed from behind me, but it made me kiss Cole harder, biting his lower lip, drawing blood, and then sucking his skin, licking it off with my tongue. "Are you begging for death?!"