Mated

JANE

I woke up to a banging headache.

"Ugh," I groaned, holding my head with both hands. The pain was unbearable. It took me a moment to realize I was in a strange place.

This wasn't my room. The walls were cold to the touch as I tapped my fingers against them. When I tried to stand up, I heard the clinking of chains. Ignoring the noise, I tried again but was yanked back down by the chains. I reached out to feel the restraints, hoping to break them, but my hands couldn't move beyond a certain distance.

"Great," I muttered. My hands were chained. I sat there in the cold, silent room, trying to collect my thoughts and piece myself back together.

This mating ceremony cannot happen! I resolved to do everything in my power to stop it. I had no idea how long I'd been here, but from the stench and how sticky I felt, I knew it had been days—probably just long enough to prepare for the mating ceremony.

I glanced around and saw only a streak of light coming from the dungeon door. I wasn't about to sit and accept my fate. I walked to the door, trying to wedge my fingers into the opening and turn the knob. I was just a step away when I was yanked back with force. The headache pounded in rhythm with my heartbeat.

Closing my eyes, I heightened my werewolf senses to the peak and forced myself to heal using my powers. The effort drained me, but at least the pain subsided.

Keys jingled outside, and I opened my mouth to shout.

"Help!" My voice was hoarse and dry, a testament to how long I had been there. The jingling continued, and hope bloomed in my heart.

The dungeon door creaked open, and I struggled against the chains holding my hands.

"Luna Jane, it is time for the mating ceremony," the guard informed me.

My heart shattered. I stood there, dazed, desperately searching for a way to escape this nightmare. Running away from the clan seemed the only option. If I stayed, my father would surely find me.

I kept silent as the guard unlocked the chains, freeing me from the dungeon, only to cuff my hands together again. He grabbed my elbow and led me to the dressing room.

"Luna Jane." The palace maidens bowed to greet me. I glared at them with hatred and resentment. If I hadn't been bound, I might have done something reckless, perhaps even jumped out the window.

The guard left the room, and one of the maids escorted me to the bathroom. Seeing my reflection in the mirror, I looked like a forsaken creature, abandoned and pushed to the brink of death. The maids, perhaps fearful of my actions or following orders, left the cuffs on even in the bathroom.

One maid gave me a much-needed scrub, and the others took over, drying me off, doing my hair and makeup, all to prepare me for a mate I did not want.

"Alpha Mateo is waiting," they informed me.

A rush of emotions surged through me, uncontrollable as a waterfall. They escorted me outside with chains still on my legs and hands. What a mating ceremony!

We reached the hall, which was crowded with onlookers. I scanned the room, searching for Jack, the one person who could revive my spirit. But he was nowhere to be found. I couldn't even catch a whiff of his scent.

The ceremony began, but my mind was elsewhere. Everything sounded like noise, even to Alpha Mateo, who seemed disinterested. The only person truly engaged was another guy who was standing beside him, the rest were there for the spectacle.

The ceremony ended, and I was supposed to go to Alpha Mateo's home. I turned, looking for an escape, but there was no gap. Guards were everywhere, blocking every corner. There was no way out, and I would be thrown back like a sack of grain if I tried to flee.

Forced to comply, I remained silent and trailed behind Alpha Mateo.

"Not exactly how you envisioned your mating ceremony?" his companion asked, trying to make conversation. I couldn't tell if it was mockery, sarcasm, or genuine.

"No," I replied, my throat dry, tears threatening to spill. But I couldn't break down, not here, not now, not in front of my people.

"He's not that bad once you get to know him. He's just misunderstood most of the time."

"Who are you to him?" I asked, the question rolling off my tongue before I could stop it.

"His second-in-command and sometimes his stand-in brother."

"Alpha Mateo has brothers?" I almost choked on my unshed tears.

"Had. They are no more." I looked at Alpha Mateo's haughty figure and truly felt a pang of sympathy.

"You feel sorry now, but somehow you are involved," he stated.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to understand his words.

"Alpha Mateo would have my neck on a platter if he finds out about this," he added.