Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Jessica

I could feel Derrick's disappointing stares as soon as the slave girl and I stepped our foot into the pack.

All the while the pack members were gathering and cheering me up, my thoughts were how to convince Derrick to work with my new plan without going behind me to get ashley killed.

All through my way back from the journey, I had thought about killing the slave girl, but I kicked against it knowing fully well that all fingers would point at me.

If I am going to be the pack luna, they must trust me enough to be able to occupy that Luna seat, else they could revolt

As soon as the people started going back to their various homes to get ready for the mating ceremony, I sneaked into Derrick's apartment to have a private chat with him.

Luckily he was alone as his servants have all gone out to join the other slaves to prepare for the night.

He was furious as expected as he stares at me angrily.

“I came to explain myself to you,” I said quietly and waited for him to permit me to continue, but when I saw he was not talking, I continued.

“I'm sorry I did not follow your orders as you requested and that is because the person I hired to get the job done did not show up. Secondly, the other plan I made did not work. And haven't thought about the whole plan, I decided that it would be best for everyone to think that we are okay with Alex and his mate before we strike. That way no one would suspect us,” I said hoping for my sake that he was listening to all I was saying.

“I'm disappointed in you Jessica, and not only because of this particular mission but because you always look for excuses to ruin my plans”

“Trust me on this one, I have had that slave girl fooled that I am her friend, I will look for a good opportunity to strike, believe me,”

“I believe you, what about the person you contracted, I don't want tongue waggling unnecessarily,”

“I will take care of her, now I want you to be as friendly as you can to them this evening during the ceremony. That way no one would suspect our plans,”

“If you say so, I hope for your sake that your plans work out perfectly else I will have to do things my way”

“I can promise you that everything would work out just fine,” I said smiling to further buttress the fact that I knew what I was doing.

He throws up his hand in resignation as his look quickly switches from anger to lust.

“Did you miss papa,” he asked as he closes the space between us.

I would use a thorough massage as my body was aching badly from the journey but being that tonight is the party, we can't afford to miss it for any pleasure in the world.

“I should probably be going to my apartment so I can freshen up and join the others at the party,” I said snapping my neck tiredly.

“But I need you now,” he said, his voice laced with lustfulness.

“I'm sure you can wait till, after the party, I promise to be yours all night,” I said sluttingly while kissing his lips.

****

Ashley

We arrived at the party to see everyone was having fun, I was not so thrilled at the glances I was getting from people, most especially guys.

Alexander locked my fingers with his fingers as we moved into the hall. We were received by his uncle who didn't look too pleased to see us together.

Before I could sit down, Alex took off my coat to reveal my red beautiful dress.

The guest was coming to congratulate us and others wanted to start talking business with Alexander but he was very fast to dismiss them.

After a lot of eating and drinking, the moment everyone has been waiting for finally came as Alex's uncle stood up to address the crowd.

“For over three years now, I have been taking care of the throne so that a day like this would come when I will finally hand it over to my brother's son who recently found his slave or should I say mate *chuckles* it's a pity that a great kingdom such as ours would be ruled by our alpha and an ordinary slave, but who are we to question the Almighty goddess? So starting tonight, my brother's son would become your alpha after he has completed his mating right, right in front of everyone present” he said stepping down from the king's chair to seat among the elders.

While he spoke there were mixed reactions from people, who either sighed or cast a hateful look at me, especially when he called me a slave mate.

I felt hurt by his words and Alexander also noticed this as he squeezed my hand under the table.

One of the elders stood up to address the crowd and everyone kept quiet to listen to what he had to say.

“Let's now invite our alpha to be and his mate to start the mating process,” he said.

I stood up and followed Alex to the center of the hall, there were whispers and side remarks as we moved.

We got to where the elder was standing and he smiled at the both of us, his smile was warm and genuine.

“You may now mark your mate alpha,” he said respectfully to Alex.

Alex turned to look at me and I was comforted by his reassuring smile even if I felt scared of the whole mating process.

I have heard it's very painful, and I honestly did not think that I could stand an alpha mark.

“Lean on me Ashley,” Alex whispered to my ears, his breath was heavy and laced in alcohol as he throws his hand around my waist while he teases the spot he is supposed to mark.

I held him for support, and as I felt his two canines pluck deep into my skin, I felt the most intense pain I have ever gotten in my life that I even thought at some point that I was going to pass out.

Alex's strong hand was not going to let me go anytime, after a few minutes, I start feeling relieved from the pain as some pleasurable sensation flowed through my veins.

He removed his fangs after licking clean every blood on the mark, he looked at me in the eyes and for the first time, I felt strongly connected with him.

I could almost hear his pulse, his heartbeat, and his thoughts.

****

Alexander

Mate!

My wolf whispered as soon as my fang plucked into her skin, the sensation was out of this world as her warm blood tickles my lips.

I wish I could remain there forever as it felt serene.

Ashley is my mate?

But how come my wolf is just recognizing her as his mate. Now I know why I have always felt this strong connection towards her.

But will she be willing to stay with me forever? Will she believe me when I tell her that she was the one I have been looking for, that she is my mate?

I wanted to fold her into my hands and hug her tight forever, how I wish my father was alive to see this day, the day I finally get to see my mate.

The cheering from the hall reminded me that I was still in the hall with everyone else.

“Congratulations to our alpha and our luna, long may your reign be,” the elder said prostrating to Alex and me.

I lead ashley to the king's chair and ensured that she was seated on the luna seat first before I sat down.

Jessica walked toward us with a smile and congratulated us, followed by some other pack members.

****

Ashley

I was just smiling at everyone, but deep in my heart, I knew I needed to rest, as I was still feeling exhausted from the long trip.

After some time, Alex held my hand and asked that we returned to our room.

On our way out, he saw a beautiful girl with heavy makeup signaling for him to come. He almost did not want to go meet her but later told me to hold on and that he won't belong as he followed the lady.

I stood there wondering what I was supposed to do, I was fucking tired and needed my beauty rest.

“Hey," I heard Jessica's voice behind me, I turned to see her holding a wine glass and smiling sheepishly.

“Hi,” I replied forcing myself to smile at her.

“Enjoying the party?” she questions, from her demeanor I could tell she was tipsy.

Yeah, thanks I replied as I kept waiting for Alex to come so we can go to our room.

“Trust me you should probably go and wait for him in your room, I don't think he is coming out of there anytime soon,” she said looking towards the direction alexander and the lady just entered.

From the way she spoke, I could tell that she knew the lady Alex went with and that heightens my curiosity.

“Who is she?” I asked subconsciously as my eyes lingered on the door they went through.

“She was alexander's girlfriend for a few months before she decided to travel out of the country, I think she came back just to attend this program tonight. I wonder what they would be talking about right now” Jessica said tauntingly while sipping from her glass cup.

I honestly was getting restless as to why she would say that as I try to come up with excuses as to why alexander wanted to see the lady

“He said he won't be long,” I said, more to myself than to jessica.

“Trust me men will always be men, people often say that a man never forgets the first girl that took his virginity. Although I expect Alex to be more decent than most men, I mean he just marked you in front of everyone, he must like you to some extent," he said dramatically.

I don't know but I felt pained, and this pain hit me differently.

I was almost tempted to scream at her face to stop taunting me and that I did not have any right to Alex, and that we are just pretending, but instead tears flowed freely from my eyes, and that touched her a bit as she stopped to look at me.

“I'm so sorry I didn't mean to hurt you, I only wanted to warn you to be careful around them,” she said trying to placate me.

“I'm okay, I need to go get some rest now,” I said sniffling my nose as I head out of the hall and straight to our room.

I'm so stupid, how can I ever think that I would be good enough for an alpha. Tears became my companion as I tried forcing myself to sleep

Even if it hurts so much, I will do whatever it takes to kill every form of affection I have towards Alex, that way I won't be affected by whatever he does.