The Alpha Kings Sweet Little Addiction

ZORA

I stood in front of my mate in the pack room, my heart slamming hard against my chest. Everything was moving so fast.

It was the annual mate ceremony, where everyone at the age of eighteen gathered to find their fated mate. It was bustlier, and the hall filled than usual.

At twenty-four and a late bloomer, I attend the ceremony every year in hopes of meeting my mate.

I was prepared for another disappointment when my wolf suddenly purred. My eyes searched the room impatiently until they landed on him. Almost instantly, in the softest of whispers, I muttered, "mate."

But that was impossible, the moon goddess must be playing some kind of joke on me because my new found mate, the man few meters across me is not only the heir to this pack but he was also mated to the daughter of the second most powerful Alpha.

I gulped down as he beckoned for me to come forward. The entire room was silent as people made way for me.

I stood in front of him, head bowed awaiting his response. There is no doubt he is definitely going to reject me after I've waited six years for this day.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw his mate scowling at me in anger. I fixed my gaze on floor, avoiding hers.

Would he accept me and announce me as his true Luna? Especially after the passionate night we had yesterday at the club where I'd given myself to him wholly. We were both drunk, but it was phenomenal!

Besides, she wasn't his true mate to begin with. She was arranged to fill the void of a Lunaless pack. It was what the rumors said. No one actually knew the truth.

But I hoped that would make things easier for him to accept me.

I was selfish, I know, but also desperate. I can't survive another day with my family.

"Look at me!" My mate bellowed.

Slowly, I raised my eyes to meet his, my heart beating fast in excitement. Once I become the Luna, I'd be free from my stepmother and her clutches.

Up close, my mate has the most beautiful green eyes. My wolf purred with satisfaction. This beautiful man was hers.

His gaze hardened as he gave me a once-over, something close to disgust appeared on his face.

I frowned, my excitement dying down almost instantly. Was I missing something?

"You? A disgrace? My mate?" He scoffed and cleared his throat. It was as if he knew my secret.

I swallowed, my heart beating fast for another reason.

"I, Ryker Sébastien Esmond, reject you..." He paused, "What's your name, peasant?"

My heart dropped. He doesn't even remember me? Remember my name?

My heart sank further, I looked at his eyes, waiting for a sign that he was just faking it.

He returned my gaze icily, void of emotion.

"Zora." I answered, my voice breaking. Even though I anticipated the rejection because nothing ever goes my way, it still hurts to hear him talk.

"Full name." He demanded.

"Zora Gwendolyn Hendrix."

"I," he continued, "Ryker Sébastien Esmond, Alpha of Shadow Pack, reject you, Zora Gwendolyn Hendrix, as my mate."

It felt as if a thousand needles pricked my skin, I keeled over in pain, dropping to my knees. My breath came in short, and tears gathered in my eyes. My wolf was screaming in agony.

"Don't keep everyone waiting." He yelled.

I pushed the pain to the back of my mind, blinked back the tears that threatened to fall, and squared my shoulders. I wasn't going to let me see how much he broke me, especially after the sweet promises he whispered in my ears as he took my virginity last night.

"I," I rasped out, and my lips stopped moving.

I cleared my throat and tried again, my voice low as I spoke, "I, Zora Gwendolyn Hendrix, reject you, Ryker Sébastien Esmond, as my mate."

I screamed silently in pain as the bond broke and collapsed to the floor. My breath came in rough and ragged.

"Go back to where you belong, peasant!" Someone kicked me from behind.

"She planned this!" Another suddenly shouted from the crowd, the voice painfully familiar, "She is a witch!"