Consequences

Khalshara's point of view 

Luna Grace's gaze seared into me, her eyes blazing with contempt. I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to look away. The scent of polished wood and stale air filled my lungs. They were reminders of the oppressive atmosphere that had suffocated me in the pack for eight years. 

Yet, I try my best to stay positive at all times. However, the flickering candles cast eerie shadows, echoing the suffering I've endured all those times. At this point, all I want is to turn nineteen soon, so I can be mated during the mating ceremony.

That, I think, is the only way to escape this hell called home. Only that I will have to wait a few months, if not a year, before I can get my wish. Whenever the mating ceremony was conducted, only she wolves that were nineteen were allowed to join in the ceremony. Any shewolf that is not up to nineteen is not considered of age.

Luna Grace settled into her armchair, where she sat with undeniable poise and elegance. She cleared her throat with a low, husky cough, the sound echoing through the silent room, drawing me out of my thoughts.

Her voice dripped with sarcasm, each word stinging like the pain on my face. "Are you thinking of more lies to justify your slutty behaviour?"

The armchair creaked as she settled back, eyes narrowing into slits. I know nothing I say will make her believe I didn't seduce Brandon. Or even have it in mind to do so because she already had that notion in mind. Still, I wasn't ready to let her frame me for something I didn't do.

"I don't need to think about anything because I didn't do what you're accusing me of."

A hysterical laugh erupted from her mouth at my response, "Well, well, Khalshara. I still need to let you know that Brandon is not someone you should dream of getting mated to, whether you're interested in him or not."

"Why is that? Is he mated already? Because I know so well that he is not," I responded while pondering what her reason might be.

It's not like my stepmother could date Brandon or even be mated to him when she already has her fated mate. Except she's only doing this with the interest of someone at heart. And that someone can't just be an ordinary person based on my stepmother's stingy personality.

For someone who only strives for the best for herself and her children. That means she's doing it for one of her children.

Linda! 

The pieces clicked into place, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Wait! Linda likes Brandon?" I exclaimed, my voice barely above a whisper. My heart raced as I searched Luna Grace's face for confirmation.

I knew it! 

I mean, I suspected it may be so.

Apart from Matilda, my twin stepsister was the only person that came to mind when I thought deeply about it.

While growing up with my stepmothers, I noticed how Linda always tried to make Brandon notice her. Even though she lashes out at almost everyone, she always throws a smiling face at him. In fact, she threatens him, especially because her attitude towards him has always been soft and calm.

"You are right! My girl has her eyes on him," Luna Grace confirmed my suspicions. "That is exactly why I want you to know that Brandon is off limits! You both can never be mates and would never be mates."

What a funny thing to say!

It seems my stepmother must have forgotten that she is not the moon goddess and can't choose for Brandon. Except, of course, he decides to defile the moon goddess by having a chosen mate.

Still, I asked, glaring intently at her, "Why can't we be mates? As we all know, the moon goddess is the one that chooses for our kind. What if she decides to mate Brandon and me together?"

"Impossible!" Luna Grace seethed, her face contorting with anger. "If that should be the case, then you have to reject him!"

"What?!" My cheeks flamed with anger. "You and I know very well what the pain of rejection does to weak wolves like me."

The facts remain the same. Even though Brandon isn't an Alpha but a Beta, I'm still weak compared to him. As a beta, he shares almost the same strength as an Alpha. I doubt if I'd be able to endure the writhing pain of rejection from a wolf stronger than me.

"So?" Luna Grace's eyes sparkled with amusement; her lips curled into a lazy smile. 

My eyes widened at her response, "So?" I repeated, eyes flashing like hot coals.

As an omega and the weakest in the pack, getting rejected by a stronger wokf would be devastating. Though, I've never felt such pain, but I've seen it before during some mating ceremony. Some Alphas gets unlucky by being bonded to lowly omegas like me. Due to their rank, those Alphas reject their mates and choose mates who are stronger than their fated mates for themselves.

I've watched countless times how the rejected wolves cry in pain. One could tell how unbearable the writhing pain was because some people sometimes lose consciousness and stay in a coma for days. I recall speaking to a maid bonded to one of our pack's Alphas. 

In her words, "as an omega, it is better to be unmated than to be bonded to an Alpha who'll end up rejecting you Khalshara. The pain is not something all omegas can endure. I'm telling you this because I've been there before." She had said.

Her experience from the broken bond left her traumatized even till today. If an Alpha rejection can cause such pain, I don't even want to imagine what a beta's rejection would do to a half human like me. 

So, I lashed at my stepmother because, as a Luna, she was fully aware of it. "You don't mind condemning me to a life of trauma and loneliness just because of your daughter's happiness. What sort of person are you?!"

"You know I wouldn't have the chance to be mated again if I was rejected. Yet, you want me to reject him?" My voice thundered through the room while Luna Grace slouched in her chair, legs stretched out.

"Yes Khalshara. I don't care what sort of pain you have to endure or if you ever get mated again. All I want is for my daughter to get what she wants!" Her voice dripped with languid indifference.

"Your mother didn't succeed in taking away my husband. So, I will make sure you also don't succeed in taking my daughter's."

I knew Luna Grace hated me. But I've never thought it would be this deep. She of all people knew that it's only Alphas and Betas that have the privilege of being mated twice. An Alpha can decide to defile the goodness bond and still choose for himself another mate.

But not lowly wolves like us. In fact, getting a second chance mate is impossible for wolves below the hierarchy. Yet this woman wants to condemn me to such.

All I can pray and wish for now is for the moon goddess to shine her moon abundance on me. And give me a mate who won't reject me.

Luna Grace arose from her armchair and sauntered towards me, her stride unhurried. She crouched before me, her eyes leveling with mine. Her gaze narrowed as she moved her mouth close to my ears. "Know your limits, Khalshara. Don't touch what doesn't belong to you, or you'll regret ever crossing me!"

As Luna Grace's whisper faded, I felt a chill run down my spine. 'You'll regret ever crossing me!' My stepmother's voice echoed in my mind once again.

The sound of Luna Grace's footsteps disappeared, leaving me to ponder on what would happen if the moon goddess really decided to bind me with Brandon.