Chapter 3

CIARA

I stood in front of the mirror after the maids finished dressing me for the ball at the Alpha’s mansion and sighed.

Today was the day of my engagement to Alpha Orion. My grandmother, step-grandmother, had somehow managed to convince my grandfather to agree to this union because Sophie had escaped.

Tears clouded my vision as I studied the silver dress I had been asked to wear. I looked like Cinderella on the night of the ball after her fairy godmother had transformed her rags into a beautiful dress. The dress was beautiful.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts and I watched as my personal maid walked into the room with a smile on her face. She looked every bit like a bride whereas I looked like I was being sent to the gallows.

“Ms. Clara, it is time.” Lydia announced and I nodded, walking towards her as she led the way. I walked down the hallway and walked past a slightly opened door, clenching my gloved hands.

Sophie’s room was still the same way she had left it days ago. Sophia should be the one marrying Orion and not me. Sophie eloped after my grandmother told her she would have to leave James and marry Alpha Orion, her childhood friend. It happened within the same time Lucas broke up with me.

What a matching tragedy.

I walked down the grand stairs where grandfather was sitting on his wheelchair with Madam Grace standing right next to him. I ignored her and stared at Grandpa who was smiling at me.

“You look beautiful lavender.” Grandfather complimented and I smiled. “We should go.” Madam Grace reminded us and I took over control of Grandfather’s wheelchair.

He reached for my hand on the handle and squeezed it. “I know this won’t be easy for you Lavender because you’re in love with Lucas but Sophia is missing and time is running out. We agreed to the Luna coming from this family.” Grandfather said and I just rolled my eyes.

Even if I didn’t want to go through with this, what choice or say did I have in it? I have to do whatever grandfather says or he might change his mind and send me back to my parents in the Blood Moon pack.

“Take the new car lavender.” Grandfather instructed as his personal assistant took over from me and I obeyed.

My thoughts were clouded as we drove towards the pack mansion. I don’t know anything about Orion but I’m very sure he will be one of those rich spoiled brats. How would I even deal with it when he realizes I’m not a virgin? Grandfather would be so disappointed in me and he might send me back..

My thoughts were interrupted by the sudden slam on the brakes by the driver and I realized we were here. So early? I got out of the car with the guard taking my gloved hands and I walked towards grandfather and Madam Grace.

“Help your grandfather Clara.” Madam Grace ordered and I immediately did as I was told. The cameras flashed brightly as we walked down the carpet into the large building. I wasn’t really used to these big parties because I opted to stay back in the house whenever I was invited and Grandfather never minded. Madam Grace was a different story.

“Old man Heartfield.” I heard a much older voice and then I saw the Alpha standing before us.

“Stone.” Grandfather flashed him a bright smile and the Luna hugged Madam Grace gently.

“This is Clara. She is the one who would be getting married to Orion.”

“Isn’t she your Omega granddaughter?” Luna Stone asked, looking at me. I was used to the stares everyone gave me because I was a weak Omega.

“Yes she is my granddaughter.” Grandfather simply said and Alpha Stone looked at me from head to toe.

“Sophia would have been much better if she didn’t run off with James. Orion still loves her very much.” Alpha Stone pointed out, looking at Grandfather again and I felt tears prick my eyes.

“Of course, Sophia is a much better choice. Sadly we don’t know where she is. Clara was the other choice because she is a Heartfield.” Madam Grace added and a tear rolled down my cheeks as I watched them laugh at my expense before Luna Stone and the Alpha finally walked away.

It shattered my heart that they were both looking down on me, despite the fact that I was used to it because other people did it too. It’s not my fault I was born weak now was it?

I opened my mouth to excuse myself and run to the bathroom to cry when Grandfather spoke.

“Stay close lavender, Alpha Orion will be arriving very soon.”

There goes my escape plan.

I walked away from them and stopped by the dessert table to check for something to eat. Anything to keep me busy until alpha Orion showed up.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another Alpha crowning ceremony of the Silver Moon pack. I’m sure half of us were here when Alpha Stone mounted the throne of power to continue our past Alpha’s reign. Now, today, we crown our new alpha and get him his new bride.” The whole hall echoed with applause and I was forced to clap my hands, my eyes fixed on the grand stars from where the new Alpha would be making his appearance.

“Now, Alpha Orion has just returned from abroad and it is the right time for him to take the throne and rule like his father has been ruling us all these years.” The whole hall was filled with applause again.

“Without wasting much time, let’s welcome, Alpha Orion.”

As soon as my eyes fell on Alpha Orion, I felt as if all the air had been knocked out of me. He was the stranger I had slept with!

Was this karma?

As he got closer though, his eyes met mine and his scent reached my nose, flooding my senses and making it impossible to focus on anything else.

“What are you doing here?”

I gulped, realizing that he was suddenly standing in front of me.

“I…” I didn’t get to finish before a voice in my mind yelled.

“Mate!”