CHAPTER ONE

Madeleine’s POV

 

It was almost time.

 

I heaved a deep breath, clasping my palms around the sides of my head to reduce the noise coming from the Grand Mating Ceremony Hall.

 

Everyone was anticipating the full glow of the moon. The hall was packed with stars. Several Alphas sat at the high tables, waving at the large number of wolves whose dreams were to have a word with them. Outside the hall was a long fleet of cars, showcasing how wealthy these leaders were.

 

I stood at the edge of the hall, outside, keeping my gaze focused on the moon above us. The Mating Ceremony would not commence until the moon was full.

 

It was our Alpha's glorious day. The Stone Ridge Pack was about to witness a shift in power. For a long time in history, every wolf of this pack had been wanting a Luna, and many people believed they wouldn't ever get one because of the cold nature of the Alpha.

 

A screech pierced the air all of a sudden, almost deafening me as I heard several thuds coming out of the hall. The priest, together with his guards, came outside, with their lips widened and their hearts filled with joy.

 

“The full moon is here!” the priest clamored as a lot of rejoicing was heard inside the hall. Gently, I made my way into the hall to find my fellow maids. Being punished by our mistress was not something anyone of us wanted.

 

The drummers, the music specialists, the Alpha's entourage, and the special advisers revealed their faces as they made a dramatic entry, the wolves giving them a standing ovation.

 

I stood behind one of my maid friends, covering my lips with my palms. We'd been warned to focus on our duties and not show too much emotion. It could get us in trouble.

 

“The time is almost here. Make sure you comport yourselves as you serve those dignitaries sitting at those high tables,” my mistress cautioned. “The last time I gave you a task, you messed up. I won't tolerate it this time around.”

 

I lowered my head gently as I accepted the large tray from her. On the tray sat different expensive whiskey drinks and many cups meant only for the elite.

 

I waited at a close distance to the hall as I watched everything unfold inside. Who was going to be the Alpha's mate today? According to our traditions, as soon as the moon was full and everyone was gathered and ready, the scent of the Alpha's mate was going to whoosh into the atmosphere. Through that, he would find his own Luna.

 

Who would dare to stand next to the untouchable Alpha Damon Voss and receive the sting of his mate bond?

 

“Hello everyone, and thank you for being in attendance,” the presenter said. “Please be rightfully seated. The Mating Ceremony has commenced. The time has come. Stone Ridge Pack is going to have their own Luna.”

 

The wolves roared with joyful noise, and then I caught sight of Damon Voss, sitting in between many special guards, smiling at the thought of having a Luna to himself.

 

He's always been focused on war and politics so much that he's neglected our need for a Luna for years. I counted the number of guards watching every entrance to this hall, and they were twenty-four.

 

That rang a bell.

 

Today made it twenty-four years since I'd been serving this pack. No one had ever considered me worthy or acceptable for the higher ranks despite my efforts.

 

Well, I think that's what one gets as punishment for being born to an already disgraced Omega.

 

“Everyone is going to watch as the most prestigious Alpha of our generation steps up to this stage to give us his word!” the priest declared and dropped the mic as he stepped back.

 

Everyone rose to their feet and applauded him as he moved to the stage to address us. His voice alone was terrifying enough to keep one away from this ceremony. Many months ago, he openly broke one of the rules he commanded us to follow, and no one dared to question him.

 

And then my gaze caught sight of the pretty girls sitting in the front seats. They must have paid their way to those seats just to be able to see the Alpha more closely and feel his aura. One of them must definitely be his mate.

 

Maids like us had no other option but to watch from the sidelines and hope we wouldn't make a mistake while serving those who were above us.

 

“A big hello to this beautiful pack of wolves!” he roared into the microphone as everyone gave him a standing ovation. “I'm more than honored to tell you that I've changed my mind and decided to give you the female ruler you've always wanted.”

 

“The priest will trigger the mate bond through our special equipment, and once he does that, my scent will go all out in the air,” he said, and then some people sat down.

 

“I don't recall telling anyone to sit,” he corrected quickly, laughing quietly at how swiftly they obeyed him. And then, with that grim smirk, he went on. “My mate is inside this hall. The priest has confirmed that. Step forward and identify yourself so we can make this fast.”

 

I rubbed my palms gently against each other as I kept my gaze focused on those three ladies opposite him. They looked so anxious and impatient, waiting to sniff his scent and determine if it belonged to them. Those ladies were the elite ladies of the pack.

 

They were the ones who had access to the Alpha. They were the ones who would give us plenty of instructions to follow and punish us if we didn't follow them.

 

The priest stepped forward now. I grabbed the tray more firmly in my hands. As soon as he found his mate and marked her, the feast would begin.

 

“Are you ready, servants?” My mistress's voice suddenly filled my ears. I turned around and lowered my head as I said yes. The other maids had their trays in their hands as well.

 

“By the power of the full moon, I call for the alignment of the mate bond of our dear Alpha, Damon Voss. Stone Ridge Pack must experience a turnaround!” the priest called, and the scent drifted out of his tiny little equipment.

 

And then the silence came. The hall was as quiet as a graveyard.

 

The girls stared at one another, waiting for someone to speak up. The full moon outside glowed even more beautifully, indicating that the mate was yet to be found.

 

The priest turned to look at Damon, who shrugged, his eyes roaming over the faces of those sexy rich ladies sitting across from him.

 

The Alpha's scent continued to move in the air until it struck me immediately. I fell face down as the tray fell out of my hands. I could only be grateful that my mistress was not around to scold me for that.

 

I tried to stand up, but something fierce was pinning me down. I could feel the hair standing on end and my voice becoming bolder. Something strong was growing within me.

 

And then my late mother's words filled my ears.

 

“Whenever you feel that primal instinct, especially on your birthday, then you have found your mate.”

 

My eyes glared at the hall before me. What could possibly be going on? 

 

The scent was thick and suffocating. It awoke the Omega wolf within me, and I let out my first growl.

 

Everyone turned around to see where the growl came from, and then they saw me. The priest saw my face, and Damon focused on my figure in the distance.

 

The little Omega lady in the white dress was his mate.

 

He could not believe it.

 

I couldn't believe it either.

 

“I am the Alpha's mate?” I quietly announced to the public as everything descended into chaos. 

 

How could the Moon Goddess disrespect him in front of everyone by merging him with someone as worthless as an Omega?