Chapter 3

Diane’s POV

I was forced to wear a dress today.

The council had summoned me. I suspected that it had to do with the mating between Maxwell and me.

Alpha Maxwell was known to be a cruel man. The world feared him and after he rejected me without a second thought, I confirmed that theory. Growing up, he had always been my bully but I expected him to make a better Alpha yet when he rejected me, he confirmed that he had not changed a bit.

The funniest part was that I had felt my heart ache when he rejected me. These feelings were completely new to me. My heart had burned with agony and I had cried into Dave’s hand. My actions had confused me and I kept asking myself why it hurt or why I cried.

That was when Dave told me that it was because he was my mate. The only way for me to feel better was if he were to accept me.

I gritted my teeth. I had been right to hate the mating ceremony. Why did I have to be left at the mercy of someone else? Why did the decision of my partner have to determine my fate?

I should have not accepted to be mated when the goddess came to see me. I should have held my ground. Now I was trapped and it was always making me feel miserable.

I only hoped that the Alpha would accept me this time or that the pain of rejection could kill me.

I stared at my reflection in the looking glass. I wore a black dress that hugged my chest and a very full skirt that flowed to the floor. My blond hair was tied behind my head and I believe that I looked beautiful.

My face reminded me of my mother and my pale green eyes reminded me of my father. I smiled. They never left me. They were with me till this day. I smiled and stepped out of my room.

Dave smiled when he saw me descending the stairs from my room to the main lounge. He was going to escort me to the council. He was ready to follow me anywhere. If I told him that I wanted to go to the gates of hell, then he would gladly follow me.

He led me to the carriage and I helped him in. The coach was at the front driving the carriage. Dave sat beside me and smiled before looking out the window.

“What will you do if he accepts me?” I asked him.

Dave looked at me before asking. “I wonder why you are even bothering to ask. I’ve told you before that my life belongs to you. I would only stop serving you if death separates us,” he answered.

I smiled too. I knew that this would be his answer but I just needed to be sure. He was all I had and I saw him as family. Maybe a big brother and I needed him by my side forever. Whoever was going to be mated to me would have to be prepared to take him in too.

We soon reached the new pack house. The carriage came to a stop and a butler led us immediately to the council house within the pack house.

Maxwell was already waiting inside along with the councilmen. I bowed politely to them and took my place in the center of the room.

Alpha Maxwell smiled the moment he saw me and began to approach me.

“My beautiful queen has arrived,” he began and stopped before me. He towered above and suddenly leaned over before wrapping me into a warm hug.

Normally, I would have pushed him away. I should have pushed him away but my wolf wanted him and I could not resist the feeling. Was this how having a mate felt?

“Do you want to know the reason why I brought you here?” he demanded.

The councilmen all stared at us with knowing stares. I seemed to be the only one in the dark. Dave remained standing by the door as he watched.

“I want to complete our mating ceremony. Forgive my actions the other day. I was not in my senses, but now I see you and I want you. What do you say we get married right here? In the presence of the councilmen and the moon goddess herself?” he demanded.

I became short of words. “I-I should… I—” I stuttered as I tried to speak.

“She said yes! She has agreed!” he exclaimed and the councilmen applauded for us both.

I stared at them nervously. It was overwhelming like it was all happening too fast.

“Let us say our vows and complete the mating ceremony,” Alpha Maxwell added. I caught a wicked glint in his eyes as he ran them hungrily over my body.

Yet I did not back down or try to stop him. Maybe this was what I needed and I would be fine.

The head of the councilmen stepped forward and began the wedding ceremony. I found myself lost in thoughts as he said the words. I asked myself over and over again, was this the right decision to make? What if I regretted it in the future? What if it only brought me pain?

I exhaled sharply just as the councilman was asking Maxwell the most important questions.

“Do you accept to take this young wolf—Diane Gray—as your mate? For better or worse, in pain and happiness and till death do you part?”

Maxwell gazed into my eyes and his smile never faltered. “Yes, I do,” he answered.

The councilman turned to me. “Do you accept to take the great Alpha Maxwell as your mate? For better or worse, in pain and happiness and till death do you part?” he demanded.

The world seemed to spin. I became nervous and I suddenly found it hard to breathe. I wished that my parents were to support me. I threw a glance at Dave and he had a smile on his face. Maybe that was encouragement enough.

I turned to face Maxwell and met his glinting red eyes. He was waiting for my response with a big smile.

So I cleared my throat and accepted it. “I do.”

The councilman smiled and stared at us both. “I pronounce you mated!” he yelled.

They all clapped their hands and Dave did too. For the first time, I smiled sincerely.

Maxwell suddenly grabbed me by my waist and pulled me closer to his chest. He held me in place and planted a hot kiss on my lips.

I gasped inwardly. It was the first time that I had allowed a man to kiss me.

His lips felt warm and sweet as he moved them against mine. He sucked on my lower lip and provoked electric sensations within me. I felt strange sensations at the depth of my stomach which left me wanting more.

Maxwell broke away from the kiss. “I shall now take my bride away to consummate our marriage,” he announced.

I was still feeling overwhelmed as he took my hand and led me away. We passed Dave and Maxwell waved at him. Dave bowed in submission to his Alpha.

Maxwell smiled and led me out of the council house. I threw a nervous glance at Dave and he gave me a big smile. It warmed my heart and gave me the courage to keep going.

We soon entered the west wing. This was where his main chambers were situated. He led me through the grand hallway until we entered a lounge. The lounge led into a room.

Maxwell took me into the room and poured himself a glass of wine.

“Now, where were we?” he began and snapped his fingers. “Ah! The mating ceremony. Take off your clothes now!” he ordered.

I stared at him in disbelief. “I’m sorry, what?” I demanded.

Maxwell stopped in his tracks and tilted his head at me. Then he raced to me and grabbed me by the neck before slamming me hard against the wall.

“When I give you instructions, you obey them immediately! No questions asked!” he exclaimed.

My eyes went wide with shock. My body started to tremble. But the stubborn part of me wanted to resist.

“I’m your mate! Not your servant!” I shut back.

Maxwell chuckled. “You see, that is where you have it all wrong. You’re not my mate! I rejected you the very first day I set eyes on you! This is just for show! I’ll keep you here and use you to satisfy my needs, my desires! While I wait to find my true mate!” he exclaimed in my face.

I stared back at him too shocked to speak.

“Now, take off your fucking clothes!” he yelled.

But I was too shocked to move. The news was too much to take in. So Maxwell approached me himself and wanted to tear open away my clothes from my body roughly.

Maxwell had an evil smile and he began to approach me. I tried to retreat but the back of my legs hit the bed and I fell back on it.

Maxwell took it as his cue. He came while I continued to stare back at him too stunned to move.

He parted my legs and wanted to get down but I refused. I gasped at the pain that scattered across my legs because of the roughness. I could not even fight him off. I didn’t everything possible not to let him have his way.

Only one question replayed itself in my head as the cruel Alpha and my bully continued to thrust into me over and over again.

What have I gotten myself into?