Chapter 2 CHAPTER 002
Ari POV:
One would wonder what I did to cause such humiliation. I had that question in my head every single day too. I didn't commit a crime. I was just in love.
Whenever I went to the palace with my father for ceremonies, we would meet in the field, away from the outside world. His slick back hair, his dimpled smile and his eyes pulling me in like a whirlpool.
"I hope one day, you will realize how much I love you and announce our relationship to the world," I had said one day while spending time with him as usual by creek. I had been laying on the grass by his side, feeling content. I had everything I wanted with him by my side.
I was just seventeen, but I knew what it was to love.
Then, one day while I was getting my siblings ready to go out, they began to talk.
"I just hope during the coronation, the Alpha Heir, Riel, would just look at me and choose me." They both grunted.
I chipped in, braiding my older sister's hair as I spoke. "The Alpha Heir already has one lover and that's me."
My sisters, Ava and Dina, laughed in my face. The sound hollowed and loud.
"A lover? You?"
I had held on tightly to the comb I was using, gaze fixed on my reflection in the mirror as they continued to talk.
"Come on, Ava, give her a break. The world is changing fast. I won't be surprised if the Alpha Heir actually gave her a chance."
Dina was more relatable of my two sisters, maybe that was because she was the eldest and Ava was my younger sister. Besides, I knew Ava was close to the Prince and always used that to throw jabs at me, talking about how I could never be in her shoes.
But with Dina's words, I was even more encouraged. So encouraged was I that when I heard while eavesdropping on my sisters' conversation, that Riel, my fiancé, was going to lose the throne to his cousin, I rushed over to the town hall.
"I'm here to see the seer." I announced to the receptionist who looked me up and down through her dark rimmed glasses.
"His office is on the last floor by the right."
I could still remember the clicks of my heels against the tiled floor as I walked towards his office and discussed the next Alpha of the throne. He had been reluctant about opening up until I told him who my father was. The Beta of the Shadowfang pack. I didn't include that I was the Prince's fiancé.
Trusting that I was sent by the most respected man in the pack after the Alpha, the Seer revealed that the Moon Goddess had chosen Riel's cousin. Not him.
I was blinded by my love and infatuation that when I asked how we could twist fate and make Riel the next Alpha, the seer looked me dead in the eyes.
"Someone who loves him wholeheartedly has to sacrifice their womb and their wolf powers to help him." He said in a monotonous tone that meant he was certain I wouldn't be stupid enough to want to do that.
But I did. I had told a downcast Riel about the alternative and he had kissed me like I was the only thing that mattered under the moonlight.
"I promise you, Ari Shimmer. After this, I'll marry you on the day I get coronated. I know it may take long but I'll marry you." And we had made love in the field, whispering promises to each other.
What the Seer forgot to mention was that the sacrifice was going to take away my wolf powers and stunt my transformation. The result had been exposed on Shifting night when I couldn't transform. News had then spread across the pack that the Beta’s daughter couldn't shift. My father was stripped off his position, causing me to bear the brunt of his anger.
All I could hold on to was Riel's promise to make me his Luna.
And now, three years later, I moved through the crowds like everybody else. I acted like I didn't know how the choice had been tipped in his favour. All I cared about was the way his dimples deepened when he heard about the news, his smile bright as day.
On the coronation day, when the Alpha would choose his mate and make her his Luna, I decided to dress well. That night was my night.
"Where do yo think you're going?" My father had asked, his brow raising as he glared at me.
"To the party, father."
He scoffed and began to walk towards me. "You seem to have forgotten your place, Ari Shimmer. And the palace isn't it. You belong here in this house, scrubbing the house from top to bottom before we come back." He leaned in closer, making me flinch.
"That's all wolfless omegas are good for, unless you're ready to have us throw you out and let the Hunters have you."
I shook my head and muttered a quivering no as I let the tears roll down my eyes. I was going to miss this coronation ceremony and my chances of being with the Prince would be gone. Just like that.
Unfortunately, I wasn't one to back down quickly. So when I heard the engine of my father's car retreating, I grabbed a dress and got ready for the party. I also grabbed a mask to help conceal my face, to avoid getting caught.
By the time they would see my face, I'd be the Luna of Shadowfang.
I arrived at the party late, but I didn't miss anything too interesting. I craned my neck to see Riel saying something into a woman's ears, then he disappeared off the stage.
The music wafted through the room as I made my way through the hallway to his chamber. I would show myself to him and together we would mount the stage.
No doubt, the Luna seat belonged to me.
I wanted to knock but realized the door was opened. So I stepped in, my confidence shooting past the roof. I was met with the sound of flesh slapping and moaning filling the room. The smell of sex was also mingling with the heated air that I almost ran to get a good breath of fresh air.
"Yes! Yes, harder, Alpha Riel."
I was too stunned to speak not because the Alpha was fucking a girl. But the girl turned out to be my sister. Dina!
"Dina!" When I finally found my voice, they both glared at me.
And I could never forget the anger in his glare as he approached me.
"What the fuck are you doing here?" He asked as he hurriedly put his pants.
"I...I, actually, why is she here? My sister." I couldn't form words and that was what I hated about myself.
"Fucking hell! Guards!" He called a couple times before some men trooped in. "How did she even get past you all?"
"We are sorry, your highness."
"Now, take this commoner away from here and go lock her up. The audacity to walk in my room without permission."
I was dragged out of the room but I knew what it meant, being locked up in the palace. And it was not good. So I held on to his sleeve as I begged.
"Please, Riel. Don't do this. I really love you and..."
A bright red ring formed around where I touched him and I felt myself drawn to him immediately. I knew what that meant.
Oh, Luna. Finally, an answered prayer.
I looked up into his eyes, hoping for the slightest softness to appear. Instead, he pushed me so hard I hit my head on the ground.
I flung my eyes open as the memories of what happened waned and I was hit with reality. I'd been thrown out. I had to find a way to survive.