Chapter 2 Chapter 2

SARA

There had to be some mistake. I wasn't even supposed to be here. I failed the test. What did he mean?

I got up from the ground, still shaking in fear as my legs wobbled from everything I had been through in a few minutes. I did not in anyway see Alpha Ronan as my savior, if anything, things had just gotten even more worse for me. It was better to fail the test, and get beaten, than to be stuck with this cruel Alpha for life.

I dropped my gaze to the floor, as it seemed disrespectful to look the Alpha in his eyes.

“Look at me!” He barked a sharp command. He had not raised his voice, and yet, the power in it was way more than that of the betas who had been shouting all along.

I raised my eyes then to look at him, and I had to suck in a breath as I finally took him in.

The stories didn't add up. At least not to this kind of looks. He was ethereal. His jet black hair was pulled to the back, and tied at the nape of his neck, so I could see the full outline of his face. Perfectly outlined, and chiseled like the art work of some renowned artiste. His pale blue eyes somehow managed to accentuate high cheek bones. He was clean shaven, exposing a powerful jawline and full lips.

He looked like a work of marble art, perfect, beautiful, and cold.

His cold eyes narrowed to slits now as he observed me. “You lost your wolf didn’t you? That means you were an omega,” he said with disdain..

I could only stare at him. I had never lied to anyone that I wasn’t an Omega, in fact, I had never claimed to be a chosen Luna. I did not want to be here.

I suddenly missed my home. Even though my home was very toxic, and both of my stepsisters, Carla and Andrea loved to torment me, I really wanted to go home. Maybe, my father would explain to the Alpha how all of these was a mistake. I thought of Jason, the beta who had promised that we would get married. Maybe he too would explain to this ruthless Alpha that I wasn’t available. Surely this Alpha would not forcefully take another man’s mate.

“If I lost my wolf,” I began in a shaky voice. “It means I failed the rest, which means I am not your mate.”

Alpha Ronan smirked. “Of course you’re not my main mate, that is why you failed the test. You’re my second chance mate. I have also discovered my mate today. I will wed you both, but you would remain in the shadows, waiting. If my first mate ever betrays me, then you can step in. Although that better happen. As it stands, you are a pathetic wolfless omega, it can’t get any worse than this.”

My heart stopped and his words seemed to drive into my guts like a knife.

I had been called names but somehow, it felt all the way worse that he was the one doing it now.

This couldn't be happening to me right now.

With shaky fingers, I reached behind me and tried to zip up my dress that had been unzipped earlier on.

Alpha Ronan actually laughed at that, and I wished he hadn’t. It seemed to bare me even further and subject me to more ridicule.

“Come closer,” He said coldly, and even though I was too terrified to get near him, I suspected that if I disobeyed, he might order to have me flogged again and I couldn't do that again.

I had every plan of leaving here alive.

His finger reached up and schemed up my bare back, and I stood stone-still, trying to hide my tremors. He then began to inspect me, like I was some kind of package. When at last he stepped away from me, I drew in a shaky breath.

“You may leave now. Our marriage ceremony would be tomorrow. You would also sign a life contract then.”

Life contract?

Don't ask, Sara. Get away from this place.

I waited until he turned and left, before I began running out of there, through the other exit door. I needed to meet with my fiancé , and then go home to my family. I knew that I wasn’t a favorite in my house, but surely they would protect a family member in time of need.

Tears had already clouded my vision as I threw open the door to Jason’s house, and headed right for his study where I knew he would be. Surprisingly, he wasn’t there.

Where was he?

I had to clean my eyes a bit, before I made it to the bedroom, the only other place I could find him.

I heard a woman giggle, and then Jason’s voice, murmuring something I did not hear, in a voice he only reserved for me.

Something about that tone didn't sit well with me. Why was he getting that snug with another woman? Was he…seeing someone else? Is that why he was always busy? No. Not even me could be that unlucky to find my fiance cheating on me on the same day I lost my wolf, and got cut up in a marriage saga with the most ruthless man on earth.

Drawing in a breath, with tears in my eyes, I threw open the door, and stared in shock at my fiance, wearing the traditional black garb for mating marriages, and of all people, Andrea dressed in the traditional red dress. Both of them were not tying their hands with a cord, like in a proper marriage ceremony, except there was no priest.

“Jason.. Andrea?” My mouth hung open, and hurt filled my heart, yet I waited for an explanation. Surely there must be a reason why my fiance was performing the mating marriage ceremony, secretly with my own younger stepsister.

Both of them turned to look at me. Jason looked shocked, while Andrea merely looked annoyed.

“Sara. You’re here. I didn’t expect to see you so soon. I learnt you’ve been chosen as Alpha Ronan’s second chance mate. You shouldn’t be here. I just discovered that Andre and I are fated mates. Surprising, isn't it?”

What?

My eyes went from Jason to Andrea, and back. I could not even begin to process my emotions. How could the man who claimed to love me easily give up on me because of a selection error, and jump so quickly to get mated with my stepsister?! They were so much in a hurry, they hadn’t even bothered to have a ceremony.

Something was very wrong.

Andrea rolled her eyes. “Oh quit being dramatic. Jason and I have always been in love, and what’s more, we discovered we are mates. I suggest you focus on being Alpha Ronan’s second chance.” She smirked. “It’s funny that he’d find his second chance, when he still has his main mate. You do know at the moment, you’re nothing more than a concubine?”

I don’t know what cut more to me, the fact that she was saying something I already thought about, or the cruel way she said it.

“You lying piece of—” I stepped closer to her and I slapped her, hard across the face.

“How dare you!” She shrieked, but it was Jason that came to her rescue, his eyes blazing with anger.

He grabbed me by the hand and slapped me back, three times. “Don’t you dare lay your hands on my mate, ever again.”

The door opened, and my father and step mother stepped in. Everything seemed so odd. Why were they coming into Jason’s bedroom?

Did they know about this?

Andrea who had recovered from the slap suddenly started crying as soon as she saw her mother. “You all are late for my mating ceremony, and Sara slapped me.”

Her mother shot a cold glance my way, but she seemed to have other things on her mind. “Congratulations Andrea, you finally have a mate. And as for you Sara, I do not want to see you near my daughters mate again.”

I ignored my stepmother, and focused on my father. “Papa please – I know you can’t force Jason to be my mate, but please, there has been a mistake somewhere. I do not want to be mated to Alpha Ronan, you know he'll kill me, please.”

No. No. They needed to listen to me. I couldn't go back.

My step mother started laughing, and I couldn’t for the life of me understand why. “Oh Sara. You think Alpha Ronan would even care about you? A weak, wolfless, second chance? I guess you do not know who his main mate is. If you did, you’d know you stand no chance.”

“Enough of all this,” My father finally spoke. “Sara, you would get married to Alpha Ronan tomorrow, and sign the life contract. I do not care if you are unhappy, just don’t bring the family anymore shame. You've done enough.”

I shook my head, trying to anchor myself and believe this was a cruel joke. “Who then is Alpha Ronan’s main mate?” I asked, but no one answered me.

They all just stared blankly at me.

Fear flared in me. “Who is his mate?!”