Chapter 2

Mate? How can he be my mate?

The power radiating from him broke my wolf's will. My wolf, the most rebellious and spirited, was quiet, except the occasional whisper of the word mate.

He moved with the fluid grace of someone who had never known challenge, his well-tailored suit emphasizing his impressive build. He grabbed me by my shoulders and pulled me up, helping me stand. His touch was otherwordly. Is this what it's supposed to feel like?

"Miss Williams," he addressed me formally. "Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. Eloise was truly exceptional among the contestants."

I forced myself to meet his gaze, fighting against every instinct that screamed at me to look away. His eyes held a deadly power, reminding me of why his bloodline had ruled for so long.

"Thank you, Alpha Roman," I managed, my voice steady despite the storm inside. "Your presence honors us."

He nodded, then turned his attention to Anna, who had gone completely still beside me. He knelt to her level.

"Young one," he spoke softly, "your mother was one of the bravest warriors I've ever known. Her legacy will be remembered in the halls of our history."

Anna, too young to fully comprehend the power before her, simply nodded. I placed a protective hand on her shoulder, and Roman's eyes flickered to the gesture with understanding.

"The trials are our oldest tradition," he continued, rising to his full height. "They have shaped our society for centuries, ensuring that only the strongest stand beside us to lead. Eloise understood this. She embraced it." He paused, his expression softening slightly. "Over these past three years, I came to respect her deeply. She brought honor to every challenge."

The political grace of his words made them all the more painful. Every syllable was perfectly chosen, every gesture calculated to project both power and compassion. This was why he was untouchable – not just because of his strength, but because of his ability to make even cruelty seem like necessity.

"Your sister changed how many viewed the trials," he added. "Her compassion, even in victory, spoke to her character. It is a rare quality to maintain such humanity in the face of such challenges."

I found myself responding with equal diplomacy, though each word tasted like ash. "She believed in preserving dignity, even in death."

"Indeed." His eyes held mine for a moment longer than comfortable. "The gates remain open for three more days, Miss Williams. Should you wish to honor your sister's memory, know that you would be welcome among the contestants."

The invitation hung in the air between us, heavy with implication. He delivered it not as a threat or challenge, but as a gracious opportunity – the perfect political move. As I looked at him, I realized that he hadn't made the connection.

How was this possible? Did he not know I was his mate?

"You are too kind, Alpha Roman," I replied, matching his formal tone. "I will consider your generous offer."

He inclined his head slightly – a gesture that from anyone else would have been unremarkable, but from him felt like both benediction and dismissal.

"May the Moon Mother guide you in your grief," he said, using the traditional blessing before departing with his entourage.

Only after his overwhelming presence had faded did I allow myself to breathe normally again. Anna pressed closer to me, and I realized she had been holding her breath too.

"He's scary," she whispered, giving voice to what every wolf in our world felt.

"Yes," I agreed softly. "But he's also just a man."

The thought settled in my mind like a seed taking root. For all his power, all his political maneuvering, all his carefully crafted words – he was still just a man. And men could bleed.

I decided to push aside my compelling feelings because of our matebond. If he would ignore it, so would I. Alpha Roman was used to women fighting for him, perhaps that's why he invited me to join the trials. Perhaps he knew that I was his fated mate, but still wanted me to proove myself.

I rolled my eyes, exhausted at the thought.

"Fuck I need a drink.''

---

I dropped off Anna at my mom's. I couldn't bare the look on her face when I told her about Eloise. It broke her.

"Jacky, promise me you won't do something stupid like that.'' My mother made me promise, tears staining her cheeks as I wiped them with my thumb.

"Of course mom.'' We hugged briefly, but I'd need time of my own to deal with my sister's death. I wondered why they'd do that. Kill her off outside of the trials. it was unfair. Eloise was going to win.

I dropped at the store, "One mask please.'' My voice was low, stumped. "The..the cat one.''

I handed the keeper a coin then put on my mask before heading out. Today was the anual fair. Usually held in tradition to the solar eclipse. Thousands of wolves assembled at the streets to celebrate. I stopped at a stand to chung down some shots of tiquelia. Then, I just started dancing with everyone else and let the wind carry me. I wanted to be free. Today, I wanted to forget all about her. My sister. Murdered on national tv. Yet. nommatter how hard I tried, her face was in my head. And so was Alpha Roman's.

I'd seen the look on his face when he gave that nod. It was almost like he knew Eloise would get attacked. Did he.... No. He would never.

Then there is the other elephant in the rroom. The mighty, cruel, feared Alpha Roman was my mate. This was a fate worse than death. Alpha Roman's family were the tales we told children during halloween to scare them. They were beasts. Unlike other normal wolves, they live for more than the usual 300 years and were much stronger.

The thought of it made me drink again. I want to drink until I forget to walk. Till I forget my name. Our drinks were usually a high percentage, about 50% alcohol, given our wolves combats anything alien in our system. This was bound to get me drunk quick.

There was free booze, partying and uncensored sights of people having sex anywhere. This was a werewolf party, what do you expect.

Werewolves were unhinged. One could walk around naked and not give a damn.

That wasn't my style, I liked my privacy. I liked myself too much.

"And ooh..we better like him too.'' Ava, my wolf, said in a mischevious tone.

At the other end of the street was a man, tall, broody, his face covered with the mask, dressed in some expensive suit. He looked....tasty.

"Go talk to him Jacky. He's clearly staring at you.''

Perhaps this was just drunk me. But I did, I walked up to the guy.

"You look lost," I said, approaching him. "The board meeting's that way." I pointed in the opposite direction of the festival.

He adjusted his perfectly-fitted jacket. "And you look like you're trying very hard not to look like you're having fun."

"I'll have you know I'm an expert at not having fun," I replied, fighting back a smile.

"Is that so?" He took a step closer, and the air seemed to crackle between us. "Then why are you smiling?"

"I'm not smiling. This is my 'dealing with mysterious strangers' face."

"Ah, you get that often then? Mysterious strangers at festivals?"

"Only the ones who look like they're auditioning for 'Most Overdressed Wolf of the Year.'"

He touched his tie with mock offense. "I'll have you know this is casual wear."

"Of course it is. The formal version probably comes with a cape."

His laugh was unexpectedly warm, softening the edges of his imposing presence. Even through the mask, I could see his eyes crinkle at the corners. He moved closer, and the festival around us seemed to fade into background noise.

"Dance with me?" he asked, extending his hand.

Maybe it was the tequila. Maybe it was grief making me reckless. Or maybe it was just the way he stood there, power wrapped in elegance, waiting for my answer. I took his hand.

The music pulsed around us, but we barely moved to its rhythm. Instead, we swayed together, caught in our own gravity. His hand rested on my lower back, sure and steady.

"You're different," he murmured, his voice dropping low enough that only I could hear it.

"Different good or different bad?"

"Just... different." His thumb traced circles on my back, sending shivers up my spine. "Like a breath of fresh air in a stale room."

I looked up at him, studying what I could see of his face behind the mask. "You don't talk like the others here."

"Neither do you."

The tension between us stretched taut as a bowstring. His hand moved to cup my cheek, and I found myself leaning into his touch before I could think better of it.

"We shouldn't," I whispered, even as I tilted my face up toward his.

"Probably not," he agreed, but he was already lowering his head to mine.

The kiss started gentle, almost hesitant. Then his arms tightened around me, and the world tilted on its axis. Heat bloomed wherever we touched, and my wolf hummed with satisfaction. This felt right in a way nothing else had tonight.

When we broke apart, both breathing heavily, he rested his forehead against mine. "There's a motel just around the corner," he said softly. "If you want..."

I nodded before he could finish. "Lead the way."

As we slipped away from the festival crowds, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered that I was being reckless, that I didn't even know his name. But for once, I didn't want to think. I didn't want to be the responsible one, the one holding everyone else together. Just for tonight, I wanted to be free.

The last thing I saw before we rounded the corner was the moon hanging low and heavy in the sky, like it was keeping our secrets.

Little did I know, the biggest secret was still hidden behind that silver wolf mask.