"Why can't I be her mate? The Moon Goddess has already bestowed Marissa to me as my mate, why are you against it?" Bryce questioned, completely befuddled by Alpha Kain's reaction.
Marissa, on the other hand, her lips pressed against each other as different thoughts on why her father reacted that was swirled in her mind.
Alpha Kain ruffled his hair in annoyance, causing the other Alphas to be quiet.
They all exchanged glances with each other, and they figured they shouldn't be there, and hence, they all left one degree the other.
Thankfully, the platform for the Alpha was separated from the ceremonial hall, therefore, the pack members would not be able to see what was happening.
"Dad, is there something wrong?" Marissa asked her dad. She was bothered by his actions, and she felt that it was different from the way she wanted him to react.
"Why does he have to be your mate? Is the Moon Goddess playing a prank on me right now?" Alpha Kain collapsed to one of the chairs as he looked up to the ceiling as though questioning the Goddess.
Marissa bit her lower lips in anxiety. This was the first time she would see her father lose his composure, she was interested to know the reason.
"Alpha Kain, I have no idea why you are acting this way, but I have decided to take her as my Luna, and she accepted it as well, and also, I am immune to her curse so I can see her face properly," Bryce informed Alpha Kain, his voice showing how much confidence he had in himself.
Alpha Kain sighed as he turned to look at Marissa who still had a look of confusion on her face.
"He is the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, the biggest pack in the entire Werewolf Kingdom," Alpha Kain announced with tiredness evident in his voice.
Marissa took a step back in shock as she turned to look at Bryce for confirmation.
Bryce nodded, confirming Kain's words. A chuckle escaped from Marissa's mouth as her eyes darted between here Father and Bryce.
"Do you wish to take him as your Alpha, you still have the chance to reject him, I am only thinking about your wellbeing," Alpha Kain questioned her.
"Marissa, think carefully. The Blood Moon Pack doesn't forgive weakness. If you go with him, there's no turning back." Alpha Kain added, hoping his daughter would make the right choice by rejecting Bryce.
He didn't want his daughter to be shackled. It was safe to say that Kain didn't trust Bryce at all.
Kain couldn't be blamed. Bryce and his pack were famous for their ruthlessness. Kain clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he recalled the stories—no, the nightmares—of the Blood Moon Pack.
Tales of entire packs vanishing overnight, their lands absorbed into Bryce's territory, their Alpha's head displayed as a warning. Ruthless was too soft a word for what they were. His daughter wouldn't last a day among them.
He shook his head heavily. His daughter had a soft heart. She would definitely not survive in such a ruthless pack. It would be better if she rejected him, and they all went their separate places.
Marissa was about to speak when someone barged into the Alphas' private spot.
"How could you?" This was the first question the person asked.
Marissa took a good look at the person, and after recognising that it was her friend --- Rose, she was taken aback.
"Why are you here? And why do you look like someone who has been through a lot?" Marissa asked before turning her attention to Bethany who was just making her way into the space.
Bethany had an apologetic look on her face as she bowed at both Alphas.
Bethany held Rose who was snarling, and she turned to give Marissa a pitiful look.
"She heard that you had found your mate, and she found out that it was Alpha Bryce, it hurt her badly, especially when her mate had just rejected her," Bethany explained the situation to them.
Marissa was stunned by the twist. Rose had found her mate, it wasn't the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack as she had wished, and her mate ended up rejecting her.
Now, she was in a bad mood which was further fueled after finding out her friend was the one mated to the man she admired.
"Marissa, how could you? You are aware of how much I idolise him," Rose paused as she pointed at Bryce who had his brows raised.
He was previously in a bad mood due to Alpha Kain's words, and now, there was an unfamiliar woman who was claiming to love him.
Bryce exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "You admire a version of me that doesn't exist," he said coolly. "If you truly knew me, you'd fear me."
But Rose dismissed his words, her senses were clouded, and she could not sense the low, subtle threat in Bryce's voice.
"Why do you have to be mated to him?" Rose questioned as she struggled to break free from Bethany's grip.
Marissa scoffed in disbelief.
"Do you think I have any power on who I am to be mated to? Heck, I wished I was mated to someone insignificant, but clearly our wishes do not come through, do they?" Marissa paused as she tried to process everything which had just happened.
"But we can't change anything, can we not fight because of things which we are not in control of?" Marissa pleaded, and Bethany nodded, completely agreeing with Marissa's logic.
For a moment, it seemed Marissa's words had reached Rose. Her shoulders loosened, and her breathing evened out.
Bethany hesitated but nodded, slowly releasing her grip. But something was off.
Rose's fingers twitched, her eyes darting to Bryce before narrowing at Marissa. Her face twisted—pain, rage, something dark bubbling beneath the surface. And then, like a snake striking its prey, she lunged
Luckily, Bryce's reflexes were quick as he shielded Marissa while pushing Rose to the floor. Bethany was surprised as she rushed to check on Marissa who was still in shock for what had happened.
Alpha Kain was shocked as he yelled, "Guards!"
The guards immediately assembled after his call.
"Drag this lady to the dungeon, she needs to be punished for trying to hurt my daughter," Alpha Kain instructed as he stared at Rose who was sprawled on the floor with disgust.
Bryce had not held back on his strength earlier, so it was speculated that Rose might either have a broken back or leg.
The guards immediately did as they were instructed as they picked her up, and prepared to drag her out.
"Wait a minute," Marissa stopped them, and they paused in their tracks.
Bryce, Bethany, and Alpha Kain were confused on what she wanted to do as they watched her approach Rose who did not have a look of remorse on her face.
Marissa looked at the lady whom she considered to be a friend, and her heart clenched in pain.
"Why?" Marissa asked. The question was heavy, and the atmosphere seemed to turn tense as they all waited for Rose's reply.
"Why do you have to destroy the friendship we have? Why? What do you stand to gain?" Marissa questioned, but this time, tears fell from her eyes.
She truly considered Rose to be a friend. She would never have expected that Rose would be capable of doing something horrible such as trying to attack her.
"Friendship? Do you think I ever considered you to be a friend?" Rose chuckled maniacally.
"You would be a fool to think I considered you to be a friend, why would I be friends with someone who is cursed? I only tolerated you because of the respect I would get from being affiliated with the Alpha's daughter," Rose laughed loudly as she confessed.
Marissa staggered back as if Rose's words had physically struck her. The betrayal sank deep, twisting in her chest like a blade. Her breath was caught in her chest, the air suddenly too thick. Had their years of friendship meant nothing?