~Eleanor~
Isabella was gritting her teeth nonstop. I could already see how nervous she was. Tsk, stupid thing! I snickered as we walked towards the massive hall. **** “In the presence of everyone in this pack, I, Beta Victor Darkmore, shall answer all questions posed to me by Eleanor Sinclair, my rejected mate,” Beta Victor declared openly the moment he got to the meeting room. I felt my legs weaken, and my earlier conviction almost flew out the window. This is another weakness of mine: the crowd. I rarely have the confidence to stand in front of a crowd. “Don't you understand what it means to be rejected? Why are you still bothering Beta Victor and Beta Isabella's relationship?” Someone in the crowd gloated, and my breath hitched in discomfort. “I have no idea as to how she thinks,” another spat without regard to how I felt. “I agree with you, dear. She's so stupid to be doing what she's doing,” a red-eyed omega added. "I am wondering what she wants to ask now.” “What else? She's here to question the beta's decision to reject her,” Isabella replied, glaring disdainfully at me. Hearing all of the side comments made my heart twist in misery. Why does no one understand what I am going through? Why are they unable to simply imagine how horrible it feels and place themselves in my position? I lowered my head to the side and wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. I could not allow them to think less of me. I sniffed gently before turning and looking directly into Beta Victor's eyes, free of fear or embarrassment. "I would like to know why you rejected me after you marked me. I am curious as to why. You could have done it before the marking ceremony, but you did not. “You choose to mark, defile, and then reject me, despite knowing the consequences. Why would you choose to ruin my life despite everything I have done for this pack? That too with my sister.” I questioned, feeling relieved as the tension in my heart finally subsided. Beta Victor cracked up, staring mockingly at me. “You want to know why?” he asked, still chuckling. Seeing that I said no words, he continued this time, pointing at me and then at himself. “I, Beta Victor Darkmore, will never accept a mate who is not strong enough to stand by me. I will reject any mate who is not confident enough to stand in front of a large crowd. And most importantly, I shall reject every mate who cannot communicate with her wolf and cannot use her abilities. That's the difference between you and your sister, Isabella.” He proclaimed this proudly to the pack members who were present. My doubts turned out to be correct. He knows my deepest and darkest secret, and now everyone knows it. I turned to look at Isabella, my breathing getting heavier with each passing second. It was her, she had told Beta Victor everything about me, despite knowing he was my mate. I wish I could rip their hearts out to see which nasty bug is rotten in them. Wait, what am I even thinking? I don't believe they both have hearts. Gasps and murmurs erupted from the gathering. All had judgmental expressions. Even the omegas were staring at me with disdain. Beta Victor snarled, and a glimpse of evil and wickedness seemed to have flashed through his deep irises. “I announce that Eleanor Sinclair will not be sentenced to life in the dungeon in two days. Instead, she's cursed to become a lone wolf for the rest of her life. And that starts right now,” he once again declared. It feels like someone crushed my brain. A lone wolf—did he just curse me to be a lone wolf for the rest of my life? Or am I misunderstanding something? “That can never happen. I will never watch you curse my daughter to a lonely fate.” Father's angry voice resounded in the entire hall. The place instantly went calm, and everyone was silent, not saying a single word. Beta Victor raised his brows at Father. There was not a single sign of respect in his expression. “Ooh! I just cursed her, and you were watching,” he said, laughing amusingly. “I give you no right to speak to my father like that. Say all you want to me, but don't you dare cross the line? I admit I have made myself a tool for you, but beware; no one has the right to speak to my father rudely. Not even you, Victor Darkmore.” To everyone's amazement, I shrieked, pointing fingers at him. My voice held an uncontrollable fury. Father might indeed have irked me with his silence, but I realized he must have been in a difficult situation; after all, Isabella was his biological daughter. And I was just someone he had picked up from the slave auction. Beta Victor's pupils constricted. He sent a sign to his guards, and before I could understand what was happening, they seized Father with a shimmering silver sword pointed at his neck. “Father!” I yelled, about to rush over, when two guards suddenly blocked my way. “Get out of my way, you loyal losers,” I roared, but they didn't even budge. I turned to face the beta, staring daggers at him. “Don't you dare point a finger at my father? Now order your brainless, loyal dog guards to get their swords away from his neck.” I requested. “Don’t you feel ashamed to ask your guards to point a sword at your wife’s father?” Beta Victor gawked at me, not saying a word, for a complete minute. Isabella rolled her eyes at me as she proceeded to sit on the stool that was brought by one of the guards. “Accept your fate as a cursed, lone wolf for life, at the expense of your father's life and freedom,” Beta Victor suddenly declared as he dropped the bombshell. I looked at the heartless man in front of me. All I could feel for him was hatred, disgust, and disappointment. I've never done anything to make him hate me, but today he has proven to me that not all men are like Cyrus, my childhood sweetheart. Sadly, he's out of town to search for his mate. I gulped hard, looking over at Father, who kept shaking his head pathetically at me. I could imagine him saying, “Don't force this, dear daughter; I'm old now. It's not a big crime if I die. But you are still young. You have yet to see anything. I've accompanied you for ten years. It's time I go meet my wife.” Although I might be imagining things, I won't let that happen. How am I going to survive without my father? How will I sleep peacefully, knowing I'm alive at the expense of my father's death? What guarantee do I have to be sure that Beta Victor won't kill me after killing my father? No, I don't want that. “I, Eleanor Sinclair, accept to be cursed as a lone wolf who shall remain alone for the rest of my life,” I answered, turning around and walking away. I halted when I got to the door and turned behind to see a grinning Isabella. I rolled my eyes at the beta and said, “Maybe because you grew up without your father, you do not understand what it is to experience a father’s love. “Separating me from the man who had treated me like my father never did and threatening me with his life is the biggest mistake you should not have committed. I'll make sure I remember this day for the rest of my life. Also, you've now officially made me an enemy in your pack. The day I get my chance for revenge…” I paused again, my eyes scanning the entire hall filled with heartless people, and I clasped my fist. “...I'll make you suffer the worst humiliation,” I concluded, and without looking behind me or paying attention to the people's outburst, I left the meeting hall looking dejected.~ Eleanor ~ *Ashford's Chamber* The door swung open as Isabella entered his chamber looking stressed out. “Father, you called,” she said, bowing her head slightly as she took a seat and relaxed in the backrest of the rocking chair. “Yes,” Father replied as he stood up from another rocking chair. “What are you and Victor planning again? It wasn't part of the plan to get her to leave the pack. Eleanor is in a dangerous situation,” Father began. “Oh, c'mon, father, she can't possibly remain here after everything. Besides, I heed your plea not to kill her. I don't want that shit interrupting my married life, so yes, Eleanor cannot remain here in Moonshadow,” Isabella mumbled. “Mhmn…” Father agreed silently, not saying a word. “Yes, I do not want you to get yourself tainted, but I also didn't want her to get such a punishment. Besides, she's done nothing wrong to the beta. Cursing her to be a lone wolf for life is too extreme!” Father remarked, and Isabella's eyes widened in shock.
~Eleanor~ “Hey, what are you doing? Why are you taking out the IV drip?” IV drip? Is that what the rubber rope is called? Wow! “I apologize, but I thought…” “Stop the nonsense! What exactly did you think? How foolish are you to attempt to remove the IV? Lay down now!” Her reaction took me completely off guard. The lady wore a pink gown that fell slightly below her knees. She wore an unusual bow in her hair. “Are you deaf?” She yelled, striding closer to me, “I asked you to sleep, you low-life; how dare you disobey?” Kpa! Before I could react, both of my cheeks were slapped. I blinked twice but could not recover my composure. Fuck, that was painful. “You… Why did you hit me? Do you know who I am? How dare you?” I raised my hand to retaliate but was pushed back to the bed by a stronger force. “What are you trying to do? Hit our chief nurse? Who do you think you are? A lowly peasant picked up by the Alpha at the brick of death. You should be grateful to us for saving your ass.”
~Eleanor~ “Open up,” he demanded. I hesitated a little before complying. The smell of the medicine alone was enough to cause vomiting. How can anyone drink something that not only looks bad but also smells terrible? “No, girlie, that's not right. Open up; say, ah!” I almost choked. Fuck, doesn’t this man realize how strange it feels for him to say those words? I gathered all of my courage and finally drank the tonic. Heck, my intuition was correct. It tasted exactly like it smelled: like chicken poop! “Good girl,” he complimented, and I forced a smile, subconsciously leaning away. We were so close, I could hear him breathing. I do not think it is okay for us to be so close, especially since I know almost nothing about him and he seems to know everything about me. “You almost lost your essence as a wolf during the accident. Fortunately, I was there in time to preserve it. When you have recovered to some extent, I will take you to see my world.” I looked up at him, successfully lo
~Eleanor~“This is Royal Deluxe. It is the first restaurant founded by Alpha Nathaniel,” Jenna said, pointing to the massive building in front of us.We had arrived at a parking lot full of various types and colors of cars, and the car had come to a halt in an area where no other cars could be seen. Jenna had mentioned that it was Alpha Nathaniel's private parking lot.“It is huge,” I said, and she nodded.“Over the years, it has expanded and acquired several other chains. Twilight Casino, located beneath this building, is regarded as one of London's most prosperous casinos.”She pointed to a shabby-looking door that appeared to be the entrance to an abandoned warehouse.Sneering, she pointed to the top building and continued her speech, “Above this floor is the game arcade, which is mostly described as a gambling center for the less fortunate who cannot afford the membership fee for the underground casino. The majority of the visitors to that location are rule breakers.”“Wow, Isn't
~Nathaniel~“Have you completed the arrangements?” I asked Edward as he entered the meeting room.“Yes, Mr. Kyle,” he said with a respectful bow.“I have assigned Jenna as Miss Sinclair's caregiver for tonight.” Edward further explained. Gazing back at the men gathered around the table, anticipating my response regarding their contract modification, I nodded. Jenna is someone I can entrust with Eleanor's safety. She is ranked third among the pack's most powerful warriors, possessing excellent combat and defensive abilities.Krm!I cleared my throat and motioned for the meeting to proceed.“Yes, as I have previously stated, our boss believes this contract is not as it appears. Although it appears to be even on the surface, you will benefit the most from this collaboration and we get almost nothing.”I raised my chin and placed my fist under my jaw as I looked at the contract clause he was referring to.“So, how do you want me to handle it?” I asked sarcastically.“Fix the contract te
~Nathaniel~ “Let go of her hand,” I said, looking at him expressionlessly. Although I was annoyed at being called an uncle, I was more irritated by him holding her. “Let her go? Why should I? I saw her from a distance and believed she was my destined mate!” Eleanor stiffened in my embrace and turned sharply to face him. “I beg your pardon? You said what?” she inquired, looking surprised. “Yes, darling, I noticed you from afar. You are my mate. Come to me; he is just an old uncle!” Eleanor blinked and raised her brow before asking, “Didn’t you say you're… What is he talking about?” I could not help but roll my eyes. Is it not obvious that he was intentionally making things difficult for me to flirt with her? How can she ask such a question? “Edward, who is this fargot?” I questioned. Edward quickly approached me, bowed, and replied, “Axel Maurice from the Fourth Duke.” “He is the only prince, a sports acrobat, who has made significant contributions to the sports bureau despi
~Eleanor~I left the arcade feeling upset and hurt. How could he be so heartless? The thought of how miserable those three rejected mates' lives would have been if they had been members of the Moonshadow Pack enraged me.I paused as I walked past the door that appeared to lead to an abandoned warehouse that Jenna had explained to be a casino where socialites gambled. I wanted to see how it looked. Maybe that will help me relax.I opened the door and strode inside. Just a few steps inside, I was dragged out by two burly men.“Sorry, but only members with our supreme membership cards are permitted entry,” one of them explained. I frowned as I remembered Jenna having mentioned it.“Grant her entry,” I heard Jenna say from behind me. I turned to look at her, and she bowed slightly.“She is a VIP member,” she said, throwing a black card with a gold imprint at him.The man examined the card closely. When he confirmed what he wanted, he bowed and led me inside the place with a respectful dem
~Eleanor~“So, what game would you like us to start with?” I asked as I took my seat across from him, Jenna standing beside me.“Mhmm… Heads-up Poker is not a bad option,” Daniel said, and I nodded. Heads-up poker? It was an old game that was popular in the Moonshadow Pack several years ago. Poker was a game I enjoyed playing with Father.Tch! I frowned, recalling the conversation I overheard.“Scared?” Daniel inquired, a taunting smile settling on his lips.“Hah! Why should I be scared to play poker with you?”“Perhaps you are afraid of losing,” he said as he leered at me.I could not help but chuckle internally. Not to brag but this guy did choose the wrong game to compete with him. He appears to be an experienced poker player, but I doubt I am any worse than him.“Well, let's see how it goes then…”****I sat across from Daniel, my gaze fixed on him, attempting to read his every thought.The dimly lit casino was silent except for the gentle hum of the air conditioner and the faint