MATES SERIES: REMNANTS OF A BETRAYED BOND (BOOK 2)

-RAINA'S POV-

“You’ve been avoiding me,” an angry voice came from behind after I descended the glass-bifurcated stairs of the exquisite Saturn Striders Hotel.

“Alpha Kain,” I acknowledged when I swung around to the six-foot man with hands crossed that made his biceps appear larger and ready to crush me for neglecting his messages. I said coolly, “I didn’t know that you were coming.”

“You would if you had replied to my recent messages.” He dropped his hands to his side and his vexation toned down.

The seventeen-year-old Alpha of an external pack licked his lips as his steps approached me with a cocky swagger. His nomad eyes lit up as he roamed them over my body and I took a deep breath. I was not afraid of him, but he has been one of those guys who constantly expressed an interest.

 “May I have the pleasure of enjoying your company or am I too late?” He stood too close to me with a taunting smirk as he gazed at my rose-mauve-coated lips. “I’ve been looking for you all evening.” He took my left hand and raised it to his lips. “I used this opportunity just to come and see you.” He kissed my knuckle. “You are quite the beauty.”

Tonight was Valen’s eighteenth birthday party. It was the event of the year since Alpha Females gathered from around the globe for the main reason that we expected him to scent his mate tonight. We all wanted him to make the announcement. Each of them was wishful to be his future Luna Queen.

Especially me. I turned sixteen two months ago, but I won’t have my wolf until two years’ time. Therefore, if I were his mate, he would be the one to know because he was at the age of maturity. Nevertheless, werewolves could like or even fall in love with others until that time. It wasn’t wise, but I could not help that my heart yearned for him. Not Alpha Kain.

Valen was my childhood crush. The man I crammed my brain with thoughts of. I wished he was mine. I've prayed countless times that the moon goddess would grant me this one desire of my heart. It was the hope I clung to for tonight. Every second that dreadfully went by ticked on my heart with anxiety.

Alpha Kain was my espresso brown-haired friend and a visitor to our pack tonight. He wanted more, but that was his problem. He did not back down from my rejections.

“What’s this, Alpha Kain?” Vaheed, one of my best friends, jumped from the top of the stairs and flashed between us, shoving the guy back. Harlequin-green eyes dilated full black and his warning was a barbaric growl, “Do not touch her! Get the fuck away!” Then he turned to me and brushed the fringes of his medium-length black hair slick back. He gently touched my right arm to ask with concern, “Did he hurt you?”

“No,” I shook my head and assured him, “He’s a friend. Not a stalker.”

Vaheed growled in response to demonstrate his dislike of my friendship with the Alpha. Treading away, I glanced over my shoulder to give Kain an apologetic expression.

The party was in full swing when Vaheed grasped my hand and led me into the luxuriously decorated grand hall. My electric blue eyes combed through the grinding crowd in search of my other two best friends, Azara and Venus.

“You’re finally here,” Azara hugged me while dancing. Her auburn orbs sparkled with glee and her bouncy, cinnamon, soft, kinky hair slapped against her forehead when she bobbed her head to the rhythm.