Chapter 14 Unmarked
Alpha Moore had decided to throw a lavish welcome party for Alpha Derek, not because he wanted to, but he has to. It's their tradition to respect another Alpha who came into their pack and Alpha Derek had come seeking help.
The hall was filled with a sense of grandeur and celebration. The main ballroom of the Northern Pack’s grand hall was meticulously decorated. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. Velvet drapes in deep burgundy and royal blue adorned the walls, giving the place a regal yet warm atmosphere. Round tables covered with white linen and gold-trimmed napkins were spread around, each adorned with tall floral centerpieces of roses and lilies. The sweet scent of the flowers mixed with the enticing aroma of gourmet food being served by the staff.
Pack members dressed in their finest, mingled with guests from neighboring packs. The men were in sharp suits and tuxedos, while the women glittered in gowns of silk and lace. Soft music played in the background, adding to the elegance of the evening.
Alpha Derek, standing tall and commanding, was dressed in a finely tailored black suit. The suit accentuated his broad shoulders and muscular build, fitting him perfectly. His dark hair was neatly styled back, and a few strands rebelliously fell over his forehead. His piercing eyes, a shade of steely gray, scanned the room constantly, as though searching for something — or someone. His chiseled jaw was tense, and though he maintained a stoic expression, there was an undeniable restlessness lurking beneath the surface. The tie around his neck felt constricting, but he forced himself to remain composed, not wanting to reveal his inner turmoil.
Derek’s heart pounded as he walked into the grand hall filled with the influential and powerful, but none of it mattered to him. The only person he was interested in was Ella. As soon as Alpha Moore greeted him, his mind was elsewhere, waiting for a glimpse of her.
“Alpha Moore, I should thank you for convincing Ella to help us,” Derek said, his voice steady but his thoughts distracted by Ella’s absence.
“We should all be grateful to Ella,” Moore replied, smiling, his tone filled with pride. “She’s an amazing Luna.”
“Yeah, she’s really great,” Derek muttered, the words bitter on his tongue. The idea of Ella being someone else’s Luna felt like a knife twisting in his gut.
Moore chuckled softly. “Alpha Derek, would you mind calling her Doctor South? Or better still, Mrs. Dawn,” he said, the challenge in his voice clear.
Derek scoffed lightly, but before he could respond, Moore’s attention shifted. “She’s stunning,” Alpha Moore said, pointing with his wine glass toward the entrance.
Derek followed Moore’s gaze, and his breath caught in his throat. There she was—Ella.
She moved gracefully through the crowd, commanding attention without even trying. Her long, flowing hair, styled in soft, cascading waves, shimmered under the soft lighting. Each step she took was elegant, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Her dress, a deep, midnight blue, hugged her figure in all the right places. The silk material flowed around her, accentuating her curves, and the delicate lace at the neckline dipped just low enough to draw attention without being too revealing. Her makeup was subtle yet flawless, with a hint of gold shimmering on her eyelids, her cheeks flushed with a soft, natural glow. Her lips, painted a soft pink, curved into a gracious smile as she greeted guests.
Derek couldn’t tear his eyes away. The way her dress clung to her, the way her hair swayed gently with each step—it was mesmerizing. But what captivated him the most was her smile. It wasn’t just beautiful; it was warm, inviting, and completely enchanting.
As she walked through the crowd, exchanging greetings, she exuded the grace of a true Luna. She moved closer, her presence overwhelming him as she stopped by Alpha Moore’s side, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice soft and filled with affection as she looked at Moore.
Moore smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Stunning as always,” he replied, his eyes filled with admiration.
Watching the exchange, Derek felt a surge of anger bubble up inside him. He clenched his fists, his wolf, Leo, growling at the back of his mind.
'Break the arm he uses to touch our mate!' Leo snarled, his agitation matching Derek’s own.
Derek gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on Moore’s hand as it rested possessively on Ella’s waist.
“I’ll get you two some dessert,” Ella said, pulling away gently and walking toward the dessert table.
Derek couldn’t help but stare at her as she walked away, his eyes following the curve of her hips, the sway of her dress. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, revealing the soft skin of her neck, unmarked and tempting. His heart raced as an overwhelming desire surged through him.
“Alpha Derek,” Moore’s voice snapped him back to reality. “Is there anything else you’d like to know about my Luna?” he asked with a smirk, clearly aware of Derek’s growing frustration.
Derek turned back to face him, his expression darkening. “Alpha Moore,” he began, his voice low, “why isn’t your Luna marked?”
Moore’s smirk faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly recovered. “She was infected before I had the chance,” he replied calmly.
“Infected?” Derek’s brow furrowed. “Ella was infected with the plague?”
Moore nodded. “Yes, she was. I saved her among the dying wolves.”
The thought of Ella, weak and close to death, sent a strange, unsettling feeling through Derek’s chest. He hated the idea of her being in danger, especially when he wasn’t there to protect her.
Before Derek could process his feelings, Moore’s voice cut through his thoughts, taunting him. “Marked or not, I’ve tasted every spot on her body.”
That was the final straw. Without thinking, Derek grabbed Moore by the collar, his eyes blazing with fury.
“You’ve gone too far, Alpha Derek,” Moore said mockingly, even as Derek’s grip tightened. “Do you think this is how you’ll win Ella over?”
Derek growled, his wolf surging forward, ready to tear Moore apart. But he forced himself to hold back, his mind spinning. “Alpha Moore, I will make her mine,” he snarled, his voice low and dangerous, before forcefully releasing his grip, causing Moore to stumble slightly.
Derek walked away, his body shaking with a mix of anger, jealousy, and longing. As much as he hated to admit it, he couldn’t deny the truth—he wanted Ella more than anything. His heart heaved with longing, every fiber of his being aching to claim her as his own.
And he would. One way or another, Ella would be his.