Chapter 2 Chapter 02: First Encounter

Chapter 02: First Encounter

“I heard Alpha Caius will personally pick potential candidates for Luna tonight,” I heard someone say behind me. So, I looked around. I saw two girls holding glasses of champagne in their hands while happily chatting.

“Really? Do we have a chance of being chosen?” one of them asked hopefully. I raised an eyebrow. Why would they want to be the luna of the devil alpha? Are they digging their own grave?

“I think so. We both came from noble families. But back off, sis, he's only mine,” the other one said with a smirk. I was even more confused by what I heard. They must be going crazy. I shook my head and looked away, not wanting them to think I was eavesdropping.

Even though I wasn’t looking at them, I could still hear what they were talking about. So, I started walking away from them. But as I walked, the lights suddenly went out.

Is this part of the masquerade ball? I stopped in my tracks to avoid bumping into someone, but I winced when someone stepped on my foot. Damn it. There’s no light, and they’re still walking around. I groaned, touching my aching, poor feet. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s celebration is quite different from last year. Because tonight, Alpha Caius will choose someone to dance with. And the chosen ones will be the candidates for the future Luna of this pack!” the emcee happily and loudly announced, the spotlight focusing on him.

What madness is this? I thought werewolves would wait for their mates no matter how long it took. If he’s going to choose his luna, what will happen to his mate? I shook my head to dismiss that thought. Why should I even care about what he wants?

He can do whatever he wants. Meanwhile, I need to focus on my mission. It would be better if Caius never met his mate because he was destined to die. I shrugged that thought away and looked back at the emcee.

"But with a twist. Everyone will dance, and Alpha Caius will only give a beautiful hairpin to your hair as a sign that you were chosen," he added.

"Ladies, brace yourselves because tonight might be your luckiest day."

How ridiculous, I murmured, looking around. I saw all the women getting excited. They all looked delighted by what they had just heard.

They were all delusional. I thought about just leaving to avoid getting caught up in the Devil Alpha’s meaningless selection. But then I realized this was actually an opportunity to start my plan. I slowly smiled and adjusted my mask.

As long as no one suspects me, I’ll be safe. Just act natural, I reminded myself. I glanced toward Caius. He was sitting on his throne, looking like a king. Confident and intimidating. I couldn’t help but feel nervous. What if, as soon as I stepped into his territory, he knew I was an intruder?

What if he’s not just trying to kick me out or, worse, kill me because this event is so important? Damn it, Hana. Stop thinking that way. You’ll be fine tonight. I took a deep breath and looked back at him. But my body stiffened when our eyes met.

My eyes widened, and I quickly looked away. Was he really looking at me, or was I just hallucinating? “Ladies, get ready to dance. Good luck, everyone," I heard the emcee again.

“Gosh, I hope I get chosen,” one of the women next to me squealed. I looked at her in disbelief. Just as she looked at me, she spat, “What?” I raised an eyebrow, even though she couldn’t see it. “Nothing, miss,” I replied.

Even though she was wearing a mask, I could tell she rolled her eyes at me. Wow, she’s got some attitude. I ignored her and pressed my lips together when I saw Caius stand up from his seat. He scanned the room with his gaze until his eyes met mine again.

The hell? Why is he looking at me? Does he really know that I’m an outsider? Dear grandfather, did you really send me here to meet my doom? I looked away again, but the ghost of a smile on his lips didn’t escape my notice.

I saw him whisper something to the emcee and then look at me again. Everyone was curious about what he said. As the music started to play, the lights around us dimmed.

Everyone started dancing too, even the men, whether old or young. I was surprised when someone suddenly pulled me and dragged me onto the dance floor.

Well, shit, I can’t dance. Let them deal with me stepping on their feet. The man who was dancing with me now was tall. I barely reached his shoulder.

"Your height is cute," he commented, chuckling. I winced. I know I’m not tall, but it’s rude to make that so obvious.

"Funny," I replied briefly. I could hear him laughing despite the loud music. "May I know your name?" he asked.

I furrowed my brow. I wanted to see his face, but it was too dark, and he was wearing a black mask.

"I don’t think that’s--" I didn’t finish what I was going to say because the lights went completely out. I couldn’t see anything.

"Shit--" the man in front of me cursed. What happened to him? The surroundings became noisy because of the total darkness.

"Looks like you're having fun dancing with him,” a cold baritone voice croaked behind me, sending chills down my spine.

His hand settled on my shoulder, and the touch sent an electric jolt through me. I froze; panic broke out in me. Why was he so close? His scent—familiar, intoxicating—flooded my senses. The hairs on my neck stood up.

This man behind me was different from the one I was dancing with earlier. Who is he? My eyes widened slightly as I felt his hand on my shoulder.

His warm breath touched my ear, making me panic even more. Why is he so close to me? And then, the scent I smelled earlier became stronger now that he was in front of me. Is he the owner of that scent?

"Le-- let me go," I stammered, barely able to form the words as my body betrayed me, longing for his touch even as my mind screamed for space.

He chuckled softly, and instead of backing away, his grip tightened and pulled me closer. The warmth of his body surrounded mine, and I felt his breath, hot and steady, in my ear.

"Are you really clueless or just faking it mate?" What? Mate. The word hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I froze. No, that couldn't happen. I didn't know him.

"You must be mistaken. I'm not your--" I tried to deny it, but the moment I opened my mouth, he gently pulled my hair, and the feeling sent chills through me.

"I see. You're denying me," he said, his voice dark with something I couldn't place. Denying what? It is really true that I don't know him, and I don’t understand what he’s saying.

"I don’t understand--"

"Then, I’ll make you." His fingers gripped my hair tightly as he tilted my head back, and before I could protest, his lips met mine.

This is something I’ve never experienced before. This is all new to me. I’m only a hybrid, half human, half werewolf. I didn’t expect to have a mate like the werewolves do.

His lips were hungry coaxing, and when I gasped in shock, he took the opportunity to slide his tongue into my mouth. I flinched for a moment, trying to regain control of my mind, but my body was on fire and betraying me in the most pleasurable way.

My eyes widened. Am I really making out with a man I don’t even know in the middle of the ballroom? Damn it. I need to regain my senses.

I bit his lips, and because of the sudden pain, he pulled away from me.  "Enough. I’m not fully convinced that you’re my mate," I said boldly. I heard him chuckle darkly.

"Neither am I," he replied softly like he was amused by what I did.  "Anyway, you're right. This is enough for now," he paused, touching my face. I quickly slapped his hand away, causing him to chuckle more.

"You must hate me. But, I’ll see you around, mate." Then, just as quickly as it had started, he was gone. The lights came back on, and I was left standing there, breathless and disoriented. The chaos of the ballroom came back into focus, but I couldn't shake the lingering heat of his touch.

I blinked, stunned, unsure if what had just happened was real.

"Alpha Caius has chosen. Three lucky girls with pins in your hair, please come to the front," the emcee cheerfully said.

Oh right. I had forgotten about this whole thing. I wonder who the unlucky women that Caius chose are?

I just smiled when I saw three women walk up to the stage. I’m a bit disappointed that I wasn’t on the list, so I’ll move on to plan B. I’ll approach his beta instead. However, I’m also relieved because I don’t want to go near that Devil Alpha.

"Oh no, Alpha Caius said there are actually four ladies. But one is a secret for now," the emcee said. My brow furrowed. Now they have a secret?

I shook my head and fixed my hair, which had become messy from earlier. But my eyes widened again when I felt something cold and hard in my hair.

What is this? I took it and looked at it. A hairpin? Who put this in my hair-- I didn’t finish what I was thinking when I saw that the pin I was holding matched the pins the three women on stage were holding.

What?

Alpha Caius stared at me, sneering from ear to ear. What the fuck? I quickly hid the hairpin behind my back. No one saw it, right?

This can’t be true. Is the man who kissed me earlier Alpha Caius? My enemy? And also my mate?

Alpha Caius is my mate. I couldn’t process that idea in my mind. This is not what I expected to happen.

Damn it. You’re screwed, Hana.