The Alpha's Promise ✔️

C H A P T E R 34

Playing Games

"For nothing, not the sun, not the rain, not even the brightest star in the darkest sky, could begin to compare to the wonder of you." -Khalid al Rashid (The Wrath and The Dawn)

ALESSANDRA ROMANO

I will remember this night forever. If there is one thing I am sure of, it's that.

The moon shines bright as if she knows today is a celebration of her. The lunas and I are all covered with a thin white veil that is on the verge of being transparent. Excitement rushes through me as I think of what is to come.

I hear the door creak open and out come the alphas with a blindfold covering their eyes. They are guided by the same women who gave us our veils. Behind them are Chandra Oberoi and his two sons.

Chandra grabs a mic and stands on a platform that is slightly above the extravagant pool.

"I'm sure some of you are wondering why we brought you here," he says.

"The event for this year's Chandani Ball is a mate search. The men have been blindfolded and have to search for their mates. You will all be given one hour. The winners will receive the best rooms in our house for tonight!"

"Please, this is too easy I can sniff out Abia in an instant," the alpha of the Crescent Pack says.

"I agree it is too easy. Luckily for you the veils that the lunas are wearing disguise their scents so you will not be able to find them so easily," Chandra says with a smirk.

"Then how are we supposed to find them?" another young alpha asks.

"Use your heart," Chandra answers.

The women lead us away and each of us is given a spot to hide. I hear Chandra yell in the background that the game can begin. I know Zane will not find me. We are not that close but goddess do I want to spend a night in one of the Oberoi suites. Don't get me wrong, the room I have now is amazing but the suites have a skylight that allows you to see all of the stars. It's nearly impossible to see the stars in Manhattan but that's what magic is for.

I look through the veil and see a bunch of alphas stumbling around. One of them latches onto my arm and let's go once he touches me. It's easy to tell who your mate is through touch, especially if you have been mated for a long time.

"My apologies," he says, before walking away.

I pray that Zane does not end up grabbing some woman thinking she is me. I know it will be harder for him to tell if it is me or not but everyone will think there is some serious trouble in paradise.

At least half an hour passes by before a loud horn fills the air.

"Alpha Karim has found Luna Abia! Only two more winners will be chosen," Aradhya Oberoi speaks through a megaphone.

A minute goes by before the shrill horn echoes through the forest again. Aradhya repeats her words from before but with a different pair of alphas.

My heart drops. I did not think Zane would find me but a part of me wanted him to. I doubt we will get the last spot. I'm busy moping that I do not hear the presence behind me. A hand wraps around my wrist before spinning me until I am pressed against a hard chest.

Pine.

I look up, through the veil, to see Zane staring at me with triumph shining in his eyes. He pulls the yanks the veil off before throwing it on the ground. His face shines under the moonlight and I see something I have not seen in a long time. His smile. His real smile, the kind he would give to his mama.