Tangled With The Fated Mates

Mated To The Alpha

Claudine felt this sudden burst of wind brush against her, leaving her with an eerie shiver down her spine. Though she couldn't see the source, she sensed this unexplained presence. Puzzled yet intrigued, she turned to Ezrianna and asked, "Did you feel that? There was this sudden surge of electrifying energy, and for a moment, it felt like someone was right here with us."

Ezrianna, wanting to guard Denzel's identity, downplayed it. "It's just the wind, silly."

"No, it's more than that," Claudine insisted, shaking her head. "I felt a presence, a warmth that's making me feel like I'm on fire."

"On fire," Ezrianna jinxed the words with Claudine, adding, "you feel like you might explode if you don't find whoever it is."

"Yes, exactly! How do you know? Do you have any idea who it could be?"

As Ezrianna was about to reply, a sudden rush of wind enveloped them, leaving both girls bewildered. The cause, an unseen figure, continued to dart around them in a swift, blurry dance, drawing their puzzled gaze. Abruptly, the motion ceased, and Ariella gracefully unmasked herself.

"Claudine, how dare you come to the Founder's Day ball?" she demanded, swiftly tearing away Claudine's mask with a flicker of her hand. It was the first time Claudine witnessed Ariella's magical speed in action.

Wide-eyed and exposed, Claudine stammered, "Ariella, I thought I could join the celebration too. It's the town's Founder's Day, after all."

Ariella's eyes glinted with a mixture of anger and superiority. "You should know your place, Claudine. You're just a charity case, adopted into our family. This, this is not your world. You don't get to show up dressed to the same event as I, get it? I won't let you tarnish my family's reputation just because we decided to help you."

The words hung in the air, but instead of shrinking away, Claudine squared her shoulders, meeting Ariella's gaze. "Screw you, Ariella. I won't let you dictate my worth. I may not share your blood, but I have every right to be here. I won't allow you to taunt me just because your family adopted me."

Ariella grew furious when Claudine stood up for herself, and she responded by delivering a hard slap. Claudine tumbled to the ground, feeling embarrassed, biting her lip to hold back tears. Arielle's glowing lunar eyes widened as she advanced, showing an apparent desire to cause more harm.

Ezrianna, quietly observing, felt a protective surge. Raising her hand, she cast a spell creating an invisible barrier between Claudine and Arielle, pushing the latter back.

"That's enough!" she declared sharply, maintaining the barrier. "We're all part of this town. No one should be treated this way. You should feel ashamed."

Ariella shot a glare at Ezrianna. "Stay out of family matters, witch."

Undeterred, Ezrianna replied firmly, "When it involves hurting someone I care about, it becomes my concern, wolf."

Ariella shot a venomous glare at Ezrianna. "Stay out of family matters, witch."

Undeterred, Ezrianna responded calmly, "When it involves someone I care about, it becomes my concern, wolf."

Tension hung in the air, threatening to escalate as Ariella made a move towards Ezrianna. However, Mrs. Zayender materialized out of nowhere, deftly pulling her daughter back. "Save the drama, sweetheart. You wouldn't want Denzel or Reid to witness you in such a state. A Luna should carry herself with dignity."

Ariella sighed in frustration. "Mom, you should've let me handle it. Denzel's gone, and Reid is nowhere to be found."

Mrs. Zayender raised an eyebrow. "They could return at any moment. Besides, one of your father's Alpha friend's sons is eager to meet you."

Ariella adjusted her dress with a reluctant nod. "Fine, let's go."

Mrs. Zayender cast a disapproving look at Claudine still on the ground. "Claudine, get up and compose yourself. And as for you," she turned to Ezrianna, "the next time I catch you near my daughters, I won't be so lenient."

With that, Mrs. Zayender and Ariella swept away, leaving Claudine and Ezrianna alone. Claudine deftly rose to her feet.

"Thank you Ezzy for standing up for me," Claudine said, wiping her eyes clean. "I'm sorry if I almost endangered you."

"Oh, please, they would've been dead if they had come at me. I could obliterate them with the wave of my hand."

Claudine couldn't help but smile at Ezrianna's bravado, the tension from moments ago gradually dissipating. A police vehicle rolled to a stop before them.

"Ladies, it's time to go home; the ball has been canceled," the police officer informed.

"Sure, we were about to leave," Ezrianna replied.

As they made their way back, Claudine expressed her curiosity about Denzel and Reid. What made Ariella regard them with so much reverence?

Ezrianna, thoughtful, began unraveling the mystery for Claudine. "Denzel is an Alpha of the Blackmoon pack, one of the most powerful and respected werewolf packs in our region. Reid was his beta, his second in command, until he got banished. Ariella holds them in high regard because of their status and strength."

Claudine listened, intrigued. "But why? What's so special about them?"

Ezrianna continued, "They are leaders. Ariella sees them as powerful figures to admire. Claudine, I feel there's something you should know about Denzel."

"What about him?" Claudine asked.

"The electrifying energy you felt earlier, it was Denzel. Werewolves emit a unique energy, especially to their mates, and that could be what you sensed."

Claudine's eyes widened with realization. "So, you think... I might be Denzel's mate?"

Ezrianna nodded. "It's a strong possibility. The connection you felt could be a sign. Often there's a magnetic pull when someone is close to their destined mates."

"But I'm human."

"It's not unheard of; werewolves could be mated to humans."

"No, no, no, it can't be," Claudine refuted the idea strongly as they took a bend into another street. "I don't want to be mated to anyone. I just want to live a normal life, Ezzy. Ariella's going to kill me if she hears about this."

"What happened to not letting her dictate your worth?" Ezrianna asked.

"This is different," Claudine said.

"How? How's this different from her not wanting you to attend the ball? The moon goddess gave you Denzel as a mate, not Ariella."

Claudine sighed, conflicted. "I just wanted a normal life, you know? No werewolf drama, no magical bonds."

Ezrianna nodded in understanding. "I always wanted to be in a coven, not alone in a forest surrounded by a pack of werewolves, but here I am. In life, Claudine, we don't always get what we wish for, and sometimes we get what's just best for us, even though we don't know it immediately."

Claudine looked at Ezrianna with a thoughtful expression, absorbing the wisdom in her words. "You said Reid was Denzel's former beta. Why did he get banished?"

"Well, according to what I was told, he tried to usurp Denzel, but his plans were discovered before he could act on them," Ezrianna explained.

Claudine's eyebrows furrowed with curiosity. "So, there's some serious drama in the pack. I never thought werewolves would be this complicated. I used to think they were always so united. "

Ezrianna chuckled, "Werewolves do have their fair share of drama, that's for sure. Like every other being, they have disagreements. But you're strong, Claudine. I'm certain if Denzel accepts you as a mate, you'll figure things out. Luna Claudine of the Blackmoon pack."

Claudine felt a tingling sensation at Ezrianna's final words. She felt important. "What do you mean by Denzel accepting me?"

Ezrianna met Claudine's gaze with a mysterious smile, "Well, you see, the connection between mates is not just about feeling the pull, but it's also about mutual acceptance. Denzel may sense the bond, but whether he chooses to accept it is something only time will reveal. The intricacies of werewolf relationships are as complex as the phases of the moon. We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?"

"I guess," Claudine replied. "You said it's mutual acceptance, right? So, can I choose not to accept him?"

Ezrianna nodded, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "Oh, absolutely. The moon goddess might have her plans, but she also believes in free will. You're not bound by some mystical force against your wishes. If Denzel is your mate, it doesn't mean you're obliged to accept him. It's a partnership, a choice made by both parties."

As they strolled through the dimly lit streets, the moon casting an ethereal glow, Claudine voiced out the thought she had been holding. "Ezzy, why would Reid want to overthrow Denzel? Is it possible that Denzel was not a good Alpha to the pack?"

Ezrianna pondered for a moment. "It's hard to say since I'm not part of the pack. However, I doubt that Denzel is a bad alpha. Hey, but let's not get too caught up in their drama; we have enough of our own."

Just as they turned a corner, a shadowy figure emerged from the darkness. A tall, imposing figure with a brooding intensity stood before them. The air crackled with tension as he locked eyes with them.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he said, his voice a bone chilling whisper. "Two little girls wandering the streets alone."

Claudine's heart raced as she faced the unexpected confrontation, unsure of what was going to happen next. She was acutely aware of the murder that caused the ball to be canceled, and the possibility of encountering the perpetrator sent shivers down her spine.

On the other hand, Ezrianna showed no hint of fear. "You'd be foolish to stand in our way," she retorted, her words laced with a quiet confidence.

The figure stepped closer, revealing his face. He had scrawny features, his sunken eyes fixating on Claudine. "Oh, I'm not standing in your way, witch," he said, a sinister grin playing on his thin lips. "I'm merely here to retrieve Claudine for Mrs. Zayender. It's time to go home, Claudine. My name is Angelo."