Chapter 3 - Heartbreak

“Good morning,” I greeted merrily as I stepped into the dining room.

Today was the day of the prom, and I couldn’t get more excited, but it died down at the scene in front of me as my steps faltered to a stop.

Inside the dining room, only the Alpha and Luna were present. Usually, the Beta’s and Gamma’s families were present too. How unusual...

“Good morning, Alpha and Luna,” I greeted them.

“Sit down,” he said in his Alpha’s tone.

My body moved at his command, and I sat on his left. What’s with the serious atmosphere?

“Make sure nothing will go wrong today. Don’t make us lose face to the other packs,” he said as he sipped his coffee.

“Don’t worry, Alpha. I’ll make sure the ball will run smoothly,” I answered with my head down.

“Are you excited about your birthday tomorrow?” he asked, and his tone changed to his usual father's tone, which caused me to lift my head up and look at him.

“Yes, I can’t wait for your surprise.” I grinned at him as the unsettling feeling in me changed to one of excitement once again.

“I’m sure you'll be stunned tomorrow,” he said, and I swore I saw a vicious glint in his eyes, but it disappeared a second later.

“I can’t wait,” I smiled at him, and he smiled back.

Goddess, if only I knew the kind of surprise they had in store for me, I wouldn’t have said those words.

“Good.” He nodded in satisfaction, and that vicious glint flashed through his eyes for a second again.

I was about to ask him if there was anything wrong with the pack, but he and Luna Rose stood up to leave.

“Remember, don’t embarrass the pack and enjoy your night, as tomorrow everything will be different,” he reminded me before leaving with Luna Rose, who had been quiet throughout our entire exchange.

Of course, tomorrow, everything would be different - I was turning into an adult! That thought made me happy once again.

How naive was I at that time to think that was what the Alpha meant when he said everything would change...

“What was that about?” I heard Greg’s voice, and he was striding toward me.

Greg was one of the most good-looking werewolves in our pack. Standing at 6 feet tall with muscles looking just excellent for his height, dark blonde hair the length of his nape, and deep blue eyes.

It wasn’t a secret that many girls went ga-ga over him; added to the fact that he would be the next Beta, he was a catch for sure. It was just my secret that he didn't know. I had tried to show him my feelings on multiple occasions, but he didn't seem to catch the hints.

Although I had in mind that I would talk about the mate subject tomorrow. I would tell him about my feelings on our birthday, and hopefully, I would then be his chosen mate. Or better yet, maybe I was his destined mate! Yeah... Keep on dreaming, Aleena!

“Huh?!” I was confused by his question.

“Alpha suddenly ordered us to leave the dining room so he could talk to you. He sounded very serious,” Greg explained.

I repeated the Alpha’s words to him. Nothing was wrong with our talk.

“That’s weird,” he said as he took his place on my right and began piling his plate with food.

“Maybe there’s a problem with the rogues.” I shrugged, not telling him about the vicious glint in Alpha's eyes.

He nodded in agreement as he began wolfing down his food, and I followed suit. We chatted happily throughout breakfast and went to check the ballroom, making sure everything was in order until it was time for us to get ready.

The maids helped me with my bath, gown, and makeup, and I was finally ready an hour before the prom.

I was standing in front of the mirror, checking my reflection, when I heard a knock on the door. The maid opened the door, letting Greg come in.

“You look beautiful, Aleena,” he said as he studied me.

“You look handsome yourself,” I returned his compliment with a slight blush.

“Let’s go. We need to get there now,” he said before he turned to leave. I was sad that we wouldn't be walking arm-in-arm, but we weren't mates, so we couldn't do it.

We walked toward the ballroom and saw the Alpha, Luna, Betas, and Gammas. As we were the main families, we would be stationed at the front to greet our guests.

Around thirty minutes later, the other packs started arriving. They all arrived together - in large buses for each pack. The guests of the prom would consist, of course, all the Alphas, Lunas, Betas, and Gammas. As for the students, they mainly consisted of the students in the last grade, just like Grey and me.

The Crimson Blood was the last to arrive, and oh wow... They all wore all shades of red, even the males too, and they looked stunning! Not even a little bit strange.

The Alpha and Luna came to us to greet us, but the one who caught my eye was the Beta. He was alone, still unmated, and looked no more than 25 years old with piercing onyx eyes, which actually looked more gorgeous than Greg’s ones, and slicked black hair. He was the definition of “Dark and Dangerous” looking dashing in his blood-red tuxedo with a black tie.

I had met him before, but never had I noticed him like now; it must be because I was still naive then and only had eyes for Greg.

I searched for his name in my mind and found it - Beta Kyson Night.

We welcomed them, yet Beta Kyson only nodded briefly and went inside without even waiting for the two Alphas and Lunas. How impolite, I thought to myself.

“I’m sorry, you know how Beta Kyson is,” the Luna of Crimson Pack, Luna Christine, apologized to us.

Alpha Andre chuckled and replied, “Don't worry about it; we do know how he is.” He looked back toward the Beta, and I swore that vicious glint appeared again! What is going on with Alpha Andre today? He seems so hostile!

“Shall we all move inside?” Luna Rose invited all of us in, and the Alphas agreed.

We all began walking inside, with the two Alphas in front, followed by the two Lunas, then Beta Erick and his wife, and lastly, Greg and me.

I looked at the two Alphas and Lunas and realized how different they were. Alpha Liam and Luna Christine looked so young compared to our pack’s Alpha and Luna. They actually looked as young as Beta Kyson.

“You two go and have fun,” Alpha Andre dismissed us as we reached the ballroom. We nodded and separated ourselves away from them.

Greg and I mingled, chatted with our friends, and made new friends from other packs. This all went on until five minutes before midnight. Greg suddenly took two drinks, offered one to me, and led me to a quiet corner.

My heart began thumping. Is he going to ask me to be his mate? And then we heard the chime of the clock from far, indicating it was midnight.

“Happy birthday!” he cheered and clinked our glasses together.

“Happy birthday!” I returned his wish.

I waited until he finished his drink, but the mate subject still didn't come out of his mouth. I felt my heart fall, but I still decided to be brave and asked him myself.

“Greg... Actually, there’s something I wanna say to... to ask you,” I began speaking shyly.

I was about to continue when I saw him suddenly look up, sniff the air, let out a low growl, and bolt away so fast.

What is happening? I began running to follow him. Is there an enemy here? But when I saw him, my heart broke into pieces. I ran away from the ballroom to the garden outside.

How could it be? How could my first love, the one I’ve been loving for so long and wanted to be my mate, find his mate today? How unfair it was! I let myself cry over him when I heard a rustle, and Beta Erick came to me.

“What happened to you, Aleena? Why are you crying?” he asked and reached out his hand toward my face. I instinctively stepped away from his touch.

“Why are you shying away, Aleena? I know you want me,” he said with a predatory look in his eyes as he stepped toward me.

I gaped at him. When did I ever say I wanted him? Is he crazy? He’s mated and Greg’s father, for Goddess’ sake!

Before I knew it, I was cornered to a wall, and my wrists were pinned against it.

“Let me go!” I yelled and struggled to get free.

“You smell good, Aleena,” he said as he sniffed my neck. His free hand began running all over my clothed body before he ripped one side of my dress.

No, no! It couldn't be! I kept struggling, but my attempt was futile until I remembered something. I lifted my leg and kneed him. He backed away as my attack succeeded while bending over, his hands covering his groin.

I took the chance to flee as fast as I could and bumped into the last person I wanted to see.

“Aleena, meet my mate,” Greg said, but he turned serious as he looked at the condition I was in. “What happened to you?” he asked with a low protective growl.

“Nothing. I fell into the bushes just now, and I want to go home now,” I lied to him and began walking away, but he caught my arm.

I was about to yank his hand away when he suddenly sniffed me. “Why is my father’s scent all over you?”

“Oh, he was the one who helped me when I fell into the bushes. Please, Greg, I need to go back to my room. I can't show up in the prom anymore while looking like this,” I made up an excuse and begged him.

He looked at me with suspicion but finally let me go, and I fled without saying anything anymore.

When I reached my room, I took a bath, erasing the Beta’s scent all over me, and quickly went to bed.

Heartbroken, I cried myself to sleep while thinking about what had happened - the way Greg was kissing his mate passionately and the vile things that Beta Erick might have done if I hadn't managed to escape.