BEASTLY INFERNO:2

I stood frozen, my eyes still wide from the shock of what just transpired. Ellie's sudden shift in demeanor left me confused and heartbroken. The laughter, the light moments we'd shared—was it all a lie?

The door slammed open, making me flinch, my heart leaping into my throat. A tall figure stood at the threshold, breathing heavily, his eyes wild with something—anger? Desire? I couldn't tell. Behind him, I could see Rita and Nicholas, both with expressions of concern, but they said nothing. The man stepped into the room, and the atmosphere changed. A raw, untamed power surged through the space, making the air heavy, like something ancient and primal had just awakened.

"I finally found you," his voice was deep, his gaze unflinching. My heart hammered in my chest as I instinctively took a step back. Ellie's hand slipped into mine, but I could barely register it. My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Beta," Nicholas said, his voice shaking, "I'm so glad you chose my daughter Ellie as your mate. She'll make you happy, I—"

The Beta growled low, cutting him off sharply, and his eyes flicked to me. The tension in the air crackled, and before I could process his words, Ellie was in front of him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

"I'm so happy!" she squealed. "I, Ellie Bolton, daughter of Alpha Nicholas Bolton and Luna Rita Bolton, promise to make you happy. I offer you my body and my heart—"

Her words caught in the air, hanging heavy between us. But before I could even respond, the Beta shoved her away with startling force, and she stumbled back, clearly shocked.

"Stop this madness! I never said you're my mate."

He didn't even seem to acknowledge her words, his eyes fixed solely on me. Slowly, his finger traced the air, pointing directly at me.

"She is."

My breath caught in my throat. His words hit me like a punch to the gut. The confusion, the exhaustion from the day—all of it became a whirlpool in my head.

"Luna?" I whispered, my voice shaky. "Alpha? Mate?" The words escaped my lips, but they made no sense. I couldn't comprehend what was happening, and a headache started to form at my temples.

Nicholas, still in a daze, tried to protest, "This has got to be a mistake. She's human, not one of us!"

But the Beta ignored him, stepping forward. He reached out, grasping my hand, pulling me toward him with an unnatural strength. I struggled, my limbs stiff, but his grip was unyielding.

"It doesn't matter if she's human, goblin, vampire, or troll," he growled softly, his eyes locking with mine, "She was made for me, and that's all there is to know."

I felt my chest tighten as I struggled to breathe, to process. Everything seemed to slow down, as though I were no longer in control of my body. His touch held me captive, and my head spun with questions I couldn't answer. How could this be? How could I possibly be his mate? What was happening to my life?

Before I knew it, I was lifted off the ground. My feet dangled uselessly as he carried me bridal style, his strength overwhelming. I didn't resist. I couldn't. My mind was too numb to fight, too tired to argue. He moved with a sense of purpose, and though I wanted to scream, nothing came out. We descended the stairs, where a crowd had gathered.

"Alpha," the Beta's voice called out, his tone now calmer, "She is the one."

The man he spoke to had jet-black hair and tanned skin. He was handsome, but I couldn't focus on anything but the whirlwind of emotions tearing through me. The people around us murmured, some whispering in disbelief while others gasped. I caught snippets of their conversations—confused words, accusations, and curiosity.

He has a mate? How is that possible? This can't be real...

I tried to make sense of the chaos. I tried to break free, to ask questions, but my body remained stiff, unresponsive. A wave of nausea swept over me as I glanced at Ellie. Her gaze met mine, filled with a fire I didn't understand. Her expression twisted with anger, betrayal, and something darker—something I couldn't put my finger on.

She stepped forward, her fists clenched, her voice shaking with rage. "What is going on here?" I stammered, my voice thick with confusion. "This is some kind of sick joke, right? My parents are waiting for my call."

Ellie's eyes locked onto mine, and in that moment, I saw the depth of her pain. The hurt in her gaze stabbed through me. But what she said next chilled me to the bone.

"I love him," she spat, "I've been waiting for him for so long, and then you came along and ruined everything. You took him from me!"

Her voice trembled with fury, and I could see the tears brimming in her eyes. But before I could respond, a sickening crack echoed through the room, and I froze. My blood turned cold.

The change was instantaneous.

A massive white wolf emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing with hatred. I barely had time to process the sight before it lunged at me with terrifying speed.

My body reacted before I could think. The Beta shielded me, blocking the wolf's attack, sending it crashing into the wall. The wolf whimpered, and in an instant, it shifted back into a human form—Ellie, now naked and trembling.

Her mother rushed to her, draping a cloak over her trembling form. "I suggest we postpone the meeting," Rita said, her voice calm but stern. "This is my pack, and as Luna, I won't allow anyone to disrespect my family."

She looked at me, her gaze softening with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Neroli. We should have told you. You've been thrust into a world you didn't ask for, and I'm sorry for the pain this will cause. Please, be strong."

She helped Ellie up, guiding her toward the stairs, her words barely audible as they disappeared up the staircase.

Before I could collect my thoughts, a hand landed on my shoulder, pulling me from my stupor.

"You're coming with me," the Beta said, his tone firm.

I stood, my mind still reeling. I shook my head, struggling to free myself from the fog of confusion that clouded my thoughts. "I don't understand! What just happened? Ellie tried to—she shifted into a wolf! This can't be real. I just want to go home!"

Tears streamed down my face, but I couldn't stop them. I was too tired, too drained to fight anymore.

The Beta wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. His scent filled my senses—rich, earthy, and oddly comforting. "It'll get better," he murmured, though I wasn't convinced.

"Here are her things," Rita said, handing my bag to a bald-headed man who nodded and took it from her.

The Beta pulled away from me, his hands gently wiping my tears. "It's time to go."

I struggled against his grip, my body heavy, my mind swirling with a thousand questions. But no matter how hard I fought, he wasn't letting go.

Outside, a black SUV was waiting. I stared at it in disbelief, my heart sinking as the reality of the situation hit me.

I opened my mouth to protest, but the sound of my name stopped me in my tracks.

"Neroli."

I turned around, and there she was—Ellie. She held one of our pictures, and with a cold, calculated look, she set it aflame.

"This is what I think about you and our friendship," she spat, watching the picture burn in her hands. "I hate you, Neroli. You're dead to me."

The flames consumed the photo, and with it, everything I thought I knew. My heart shattered into a million pieces, and I didn't have the strength to protest.

The Beta led me to the car, and as I was shoved inside, I collapsed against his chest, too exhausted to fight anymore.

Life had just taken a turn into the unknown.