Mating ceremony

Chapter 4

Five days later

Nola's reflection stared at her from the mirror. She was cladded in the most beautiful and expensive royal robe, and a light make-up on her face. Her hair was styled in the most beautiful style.

This was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, the day she was finally going to be united with her true mate, but she was scared. Scared of being betrayed again, but then, this was a risk she had made up her mind to take. Just two months ago, she was dressed this beautifully, excited that she was going to marry the man after her heart, but the outcome was a horrible experience she might never get over even in years to come.

"We are done now, my lady," The maid styling her announced. She was soon escorted out of the room, and headed to the royal hall.

***

The royal hall was filled with werewolves from different Packs who have come to witness the mating ceremony of Alpha Bryant.

Alpha Bryant sat confidently and proudly on the throne as he awaited his bride. He was eager to see her, so also his wolf.

Guests were still trooping into the hall, and Miguel was not an exception. He had also come to grace the occasion since Alphas from other Packs were invited and he was not an exception.

"Our soon-to-be Luna is here," One of the guards announced from outside, and three seconds passed before the door opened, revealing Nola standing at the doorway, and Bryant's mouth dropped open in shock, his eyes brightened in admiration as he stared at her. He watched her walk elegantly down the aisle while everyone applauded her.

Alpha Miguel who was at the corner of the hall froze when he saw her. He blinked his eyes to be sure he wasn't dreaming or hallucinating rather, but he wasn't because this person was really the Nola he knew.

"Wh...what is happening?" He mumbled as he watched her walk elegantly up to the throne and sat gracefully on it. He was sure he killed her that day, she was dead before he threw her away, so how come she was here and looking like nothing happened? He asked himself, but could only panic as many thoughts ran through his mind.

Nola on the other hand felt nervous, her heart kept pounding hard, her palms sweaty, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Having to face many people once again was uncomfortable, but her nervousness soon subsided when Alpha Bryant slid his fingers between hers, clasping them together and squeezing her hand gently, giving it the warmth she needed at this point.

The ceremony started a few minutes later.

Everything happened so fast, and just like that, she was now Bryant's mate.

The ceremony has finally come to an end, and since she was tired, she excused herself to go inside while the Alpha was still talking with his friends.

The maids escorted her out of the hall, and just when she was about to take the direction to her room, she heard the voice that rendered her numb on the spot. It was Miguel's voice.

Slowly, she turned to find him standing. He was graced in a royal robe, looking as handsome as always.

The two maids excused her.

"What happened to you?" He asked, his eyes laced with surprise and many questions.

"I mean... What the hell is going on? Tell me what the heck happened?" It felt like he was losing his mind. Was he being delusional or what? He asked himself, but fuck it! He wasn't. It was really Nola. The woman he killed a few weeks ago.

Nola stared at him wordlessly. She had no idea how to react to this. She didn't want to look weak when she met him again, and she didn't want to be at her lowest, but fate led them together while she was still trying to pick herself up once again.

"How are you mated to Alpha Bryant now? What the heck happened? You didn't die?" It broke her heart how he still didn't look remorseful even after realizing that she made it alive.

"I'm sure I killed you... I'm sure you died. How come you are still alive?" Miguel uttered with disappointment in his voice and written on his face.

"What is going on here?" Alpha Bryant came to stand behind her, placing his hand on her shoulder, and Miguel scoffed.

"Are you ok, my lady?" Alpha Bryant asked, and now, she felt a sense of security and safety.

"Hmm. I'm fine," She replied to him.

"Do you two know each other?" Alpha Bryant asked, but she shook her head.

"No... I've not met him before," It hurts to deny the man she used to be madly in love with, but accepting knowing him was also the last thing she could think of doing.

"Oh. This is Alpha Miguel from Silver Moon Pack. Miguel, this is Nola, my mate," Alpha Bryant introduced them to each other, not knowing that this was the same man that has broken his mate and almost killed her. If she had told him that day that she narrated her ordeal to him, then he wouldn't have let Miguel leave Dynamite Pack alive, but what Nola did was a backstory.

"It's nice to meet you, Alpha Miguel," She said to Miguel flatly, then excused herself and walked away.

***

Later in the night...

Nola sat on the bed, hugging her knees to herself and staring into space as tears streamed down her cheeks. She tried to hold them back, but more only managed to find their way down her cheeks and she eventually let them be when she couldn't stop them.

"Are you ok? Why are you crying?" It felt like Bryant's heart was stomped on when he walked into the room from the bathroom and found her in tears.

"Hmm," She quickly nodded her head, wiping her tears.

"Come on. Tell me, did something happen? Are you thinking about what happened? Did someone get on your nerves?" He asked worriedly, sitting in front of her on the bed and cupping her cheek in his palm while staring into her eyes.

"That man... He is the one. Alpha Miguel... He is the one," She stuttered, more tears pouring down her cheeks, but her reply was so vague that he couldn't understand a word.

"What do you mean, my Lady?" He asked for more clarification.

"He is the one I told you about," He froze on the bed, and his eyes darkened as he stared at her.

"Mi... Miguel?" He asked to be sure of what she said, and when she nodded her head, he rose to his feet. Slowly, he clenched his fingers into a tight fist, his fingers piercing into his palms. If not that they were not long, maybe they would've cut through his palm. His throat burned as though he had a lump of hot coal in it. It burned so hot that he felt the heat radiation in his stomach, heating his blood to a boiling point. His eyes blazed with anger, and slowly, he clenched his jaw tightly. He could feel his wolf crawling to the surface and giving in to the anger, ready to destroy that bastard for hurting his woman.

"What do you want me to do, my Lady? Do you want him dethroned, or do you want me to bring his head for you?" Turning to face her, he asked, his voice void of emotions...