THE IMPOTENT ALPHA

KARINA

He's not really looking at her? Is he?

I've been asking myself the same question for over five minutes. And the answer remains YES. He's indeed looking at her.

The smiles on my face were beginning to fade so fast and my hands were getting sweaty. My mate, Alpha Chase, was up here on the podium addressing the crowd in this hall-filled, beautiful ceremony.

It's the annual Alpha ceremony, held on one of the crescent moon nights here in our Pack. Every single person who makes up our Pack is right here tonight. And of course, our well-wishers and allies. They're all literally looking at us, because well, we're standing on a podium.

That's why I find it very reckless and mean that he's boldly staring at her while reading out his speech. The tiny smiles stained on his face weren't so subtle either.

I'm standing right next to him and he's not in the least way acknowledging my presence. He couldn't even bother holding hands with me. I had to link my hand to his, just to avoid looking really stupid and unloved. But deep down, that's exactly how I feel.

Unloved. Stupid. Scared. Hurt. Miserable. More tonight than ever.

On our way here tonight, I wasn't hoping that something so magical would happen here that would suddenly make him start loving me better. Or make him treat me a little nicer like I deserve. But at the very least, I'd hoped it'd be a normal night where I get a break, drink, and have fun with other prestigious women here. A night where I can briefly forget that I lived with a man who doesn't love me in the slightest.

But I got the shock of my life when we walked in and halfway through greeting the guests, Chase's eyes stayed in a certain direction. On a woman. Dressed so sluttishly elegant in a red, silk, backless, and thigh-slitted dress. With a woolen shawl over it and her blonde hair in a messy bun. When I got to see her face, my whole world exploded in front of me.

Ashley Renn. Chase's first love. The only woman who ever brought out his soft side. People say they were the iconic teenage couple. Chase would shut down the malls just for her. He'd flaunt her at events and literally everywhere. He was very smitten by her and showed it in everything he did. He loved her loudly and extravagantly. And they had the whole Pack swooning over them. Everyone loved them.

But then she dumped him for whatever reason and left. It was around that time that I returned to the Pack after graduating from college in a different Pack.

Chase was single when I met him. He was a cold, laconic but sweet man. Sweet, when he wants to be. But for some reason, I was head over heels for him just like every other girl was.

I heard of his ex and did my research. Seeing what a gorgeous girl she was, I was convinced I could never win Chase's heart because I didn't look anything like her.

I was shocked out of my mind when Chase proposed to me, asking me to be his chosen mate. That day, in that quiet leisure park, remains the happiest day of my life.

But the days, months, and years that followed were sad and heartbreaking. The man I loved had a heart made out of stone. And I was suffering from the pain of an unrequited love.

Even though I was suffering, I never showed it. I maintained a spotless image as the perfect Luna in a perfect union with her mate. But tonight, I fear I might break down into tears in front of everyone if we stand here much longer.