Chapter 2

• The young woman in her very early twenties, whose head was bowed, in fear and confusion instinctively lifted her quizzical gaze to meet his, "No..." She whispered in fright as Alpha Randall locked gazes with hers, causing his expression to turn sour immediately.
• "Reyana?" He called her name, his tone bearing anger and disgust as he shot her a deathly glare.
• It was at that point that Reyana knew she was doomed for life.
• ***
• "You can't keep on doing this to yourself, Reyana. You've been indoors for two days now. You can't hide forever," Aldric pleaded with her girlfriend for the umpteenth time.
• "Aldric, I am scared. Can't you see? What have I done to deserve this from the moon goddess? What is my offense?" She sought for tears to shed but none was forthcoming. She had been crying for the past two days now.
• "I prayed all my life to be mated to a man who'd love and cherish me... A man as loving as you. Can't the moon goddess see how much we love each other? This isn't fair," her sobs grew louder.
• Aldric walked towards her on the small wooden bed and engulfed her in a warm hug. His heart clenched with sadness, feeling every ounce of Reyana's fear as if it were her own.
• "Alpha Randall hates me down to my very essence. He is a cold-hearted beast void of warmth and humanity. What would become of me, Aldric? He'd kill me!"
• Reyana suddenly froze as she detangled herself from Aldric's hug. Her hands visibly trembled as her eyes reflected the terror she felt.
• The musky scent of cedarwood and smokey vetiver filled her nostrils. His scent bore his ruthlessness and dominance and it sent chills down her spine.
• "He's here," Reyana's trembling voice sounded almost inaudible as she desperately looked around her small chamber, wishing there was an escape route but there was none.
• Aldric didn't have enough time to react to her words when the small wooden door flung open with a loud bang, revealing the object of her terror – Alpha Randall.
• Reyana felt the entire room pressing down on her. As Randall's gaze bore heavily on her, she felt a chill settle deep in her bones, a coldness that seemed to seep into her very soul. It was as if the air around her had turned to ice, freezing her in place as she stared up at the man who stood before her.
• The man standing before her was not meant to be among her kinds. He was a walking nightmare. His tall, imposing figure made her feel so small and insignificant. Every inch of him reeked of power and authority, making Reyana feel so vulnerable before him.
• His muscular body hinted at the power that lay beneath his clothing. His face was striking, his full, inviting lips always set in a firm line, with features that seemed to have been carved by the hands of the gods themselves.
• Her breath caught in her throat, fear paralyzing her limbs as she dared not meet his gaze, her eyes fixed to the floor.
• Randall felt utmost satisfaction watching her tremble at his presence. He took slow, calculated steps towards her. His towering frame closed the distance between them, as his muscular body pinned her against the wall.
• He lowered his face to the crook of her neck, sniffing in her intoxicating scent.
• "Mate..." He muttered in a mocking tone, his warm breath fanning her neck, "Isn't fate so cruel? Hmm?" His icy voice sent shivers down her spine but she dared not utter a response.
• "You have to reject her. You know I am madly in love with her. She's all I've got! You can't possibly accept her as your fated mate!" Aldric's pushed Randall away, his voice cracked with frustration and raw anger.
• At that moment, the boundary between Alpha and Beta blurred for Aldric as he almost forgot the fact that he was talking to Randall, his Alpha. His agony was obvious in his eyes as they held torment and agony his words could not tell.
• "Watch your tone, Aldric!" Alpha Randall's command boomed, his voice thundered at his Beta, giving no room for argument. "Do you know what it'd mean to reject my fated mate? Do you even realize the consequences of it all?" He asked, his sea-green eyes boring deep into Aldric's hazel eyes.
• Aldric only looked away with his whole body trembling. "You can't do this, Alpha... She is my life, Please," he said in an almost inaudible tone, as he allowed tears to flow freely from his eyes, "I know how much you hate her. So, why hold onto her?"
• "I can do whatever I damn want, Ric. I am your Alpha, and finding my mate is of great advantage to me and the pack. Get that right."
• "But what about the prophesy, Alpha? I thought Visha was the prophesied one. You said that yourself," Aldric said in a whisper, looking around to make sure no one was in sight.
• "What I do or don't do about my fated mate isn't any of your business, Ric. She is mine."
• He observed Reyana for a few more seconds before turning around to leave. Just then, he heard a weak voice from behind him mutter the words he never thought she'd have the courage to say.
• "Reject me."
• "What did you just say?" Alpha Randall slowly turned around to face her. He took a few steps towards her and stopped midway. Her eyes were still fixed on the floor.
• "What did you say?" He counted his words through gritted teeth, hoping she wouldn't dare repeat those words.
• "Reject me," she mustered up all the courage she could, nervously licking her small, plump lips as she stared right into his icy green eyes.
• She saw his eyes turn dark before he finally spoke.
• With the speed of light, Randall charged towards her, slamming her hard against the wall as his large palm wrapped around her slender neck.
• Reyana let out a weak whimper as she struggled to free herself from his deathly grip, her eyes welling up with fresh tears.
• "You think I'd let you go that easily? Not when the Moon Goddess has given me the perfect opportunity to punish you for what you did to Valerie!" He spat angrily, tightening his grip on her neck, his face void of expression.
• "Pl...ease..." She attempted, but she felt life gradually leaving her.
• "I own you, Reyana. You are mine... Mine to torture... Mine to claim... Mine to punish... and nothing will ever save you from me. Not even death!"