Chapter 5 Heart Broken

• Ann found herself at Mia's house, observing Mia tear through her closet in search of something. Today marked the coronation of the new Alpha, scheduled for 5 pm, and everyone needed to be there before then to witness the event.
• Mia had convinced Ann to let her do her makeup for the ball following the coronation. Ann initially resisted, but Mia's persistence eventually won her over, leaving Ann now seated in her room, watching her friend's frenzied search.
• "We don't have all day, Mia," Ann reminded her. It was already 3 pm, and they hadn't even begun dressing.
• Mia then retrieved another box from her closet and placed it beside Ann on the bed with a broad smile. "Should I be worried?" Ann teased, prompting Mia to roll her eyes.
• "Not at all. I got you a new dress. I know you don't like me buying things for you, but consider it an early birthday gift," Mia explained, smiling warmly.
• "Mia, you really didn't have to. Thank you so much. You're so sweet, but my birthday's not until December, and it's only August," Ann replied gratefully.
• "Just put on the dress already," Mia insisted with a playful eye roll, causing Ann to chuckle.
• Opening the box, Ann was struck by the beauty of the dress inside, a stunning black gown with delicate sleeves. "Hurry up, Ann. I need to do your hair and makeup," Mia called from the bathroom.
• An hour later, Ann barely recognized herself in the mirror. The dress fit her like a glove, snug at the waist and flowing gracefully to her knees. Her blonde hair was elegantly curled, cascading over her shoulders and back. Dark eyeliner and mascara accentuated her eyes, while bold red lipstick highlighted her lips. She felt transformed, and in a good way.
• During the ride, Ann couldn't shake the unsettled feeling in her stomach. She tried to reassure herself, but uncertainty persisted.
• Thirty minutes later, the car pulled up to the Harper mansion. Ann struggled to contain her awe as she stepped inside. It was grander than anything she had ever seen, exuding true royalty that matched the occasion. The halls were already bustling with guests, including Ann's family, whom she consciously avoided.
• As the Alpha, his Luna, and the Crown Prince entered in their majestic robes, they all rose from their seats in respect of the royal family. The aura they emitted was strong enough to bring any regular werewolf to their knees as they all stood proud and emitted power and confidence.
• "Welcome, my esteemed subjects. Today marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It has been my honor to serve you, but now, I pass the torch to the new Alpha, my son, Darius Harper. May you embrace him as you have embraced me. Thank you," Darius's father delivered his retirement speech with pride, his resemblance to Darius evident except for his brown eyes, in contrast to Darius's piercing green ones.
• Ann's gaze shifted to Darius, sending a shiver down her spine. He looked every bit the alpha and royalty, far from the guy she knew from school or lunch.
• "We are gathered here to inaugurate our new Alpha, Darius Harper. Repeat after me," the eldest council member prompted, " Alpha Darius Harper, you must repeat these vows with me: I promise to protect the people of the Goldenblade pack till my last breath, to be fair and just in all my rulings, and to promote peace and tranquility. I promise to accept the blessings of the Moon Goddess and work with the council to make Goldenblade stronger and better," the oldest council member solemnly declared. Darius echoed each word with honesty and confidence, his voice resonating throughout the room.
• "By the power invested in me by the Moon Goddess, I hereby pronounce you the new Alpha and ruler of the Goldenblade pack, Alpha Darius Harper," announced the council member. The room erupted in applause as everyone rose from their seats, filling the once silent room with a thunderous roar of approval.
• The festivities commenced shortly after, with guests enjoying themselves in lively conversations, delicious food, and refreshing drinks.
• Standing with Mia and their friends Kyle, Victor, and James, who happened to be Mia's mate, Ann overheard Kyle speculating about Darius's choice for Beta.
• "Maybe he'll choose me. I'm the most qualified," Victor boasted.
• "Not a chance, even if he were drunk," James scoffed at Victor.
• "So, Ann, you clean up nicely tonight. Maybe you should do this more often," Kyle remarked, teasingly.
• "Are you flirting with me, Kyle? Don't you have a mate?" Ann teased back.
• "I almost forgot about that sharp tongue of yours," Kyle chuckled, but suddenly, Ann felt a tightness in her chest, as if the air had been knocked out of her.
• Concerned, Kyle placed a hand on her arm. "Are you alright, Ann? You don't look well."
• "I need some air," Ann managed, slipping away and stumbling outside, bumping into people in her haste.
• The room had felt suffocating, but even outside, she struggled to breathe. A pungent scent overwhelmed her senses, causing her to pause and catch her breath.
• Footsteps approached, and she turned, her heart sinking at the sight before her. "Fuck no " A voice trailed off in despair.
• They stared at each other for a while, and Ann could see his expression go from surprise to disgust in a few seconds, her heart clenching hard but unable to look away.
• "This cannot be happening," he whispered to himself loud enough for Ann to hear. Darius tugged at his hair angrily, yelling in frustration.
• Ann took two steps towards him, stretching out her hand to give him a comforting touch, but he flung her hand away as if her touch burned him. "Don't ever touch me. I don't know what messed-up game the moon goddess is playing on me, but I'm not doing this."
• "What do you mean by that? Are you rejecting me?" Ann asked, her eyes following his every move.
• "I don't need a mate, and I definitely don't need you. Do whatever you please; I have no use for you," Darius's eyes bored into hers, his fury evident.
• "Darius, don't do this..." Ann rushed to hold his arm, but he pulled away roughly, making her fall to the ground. "I said not to freaking touch me! Are you deaf or just plain stupid!?" he shouted, turning away from her and burying his hands in his hair.
• Just then, his parents, friends, and Mia walked over. Without saying anything, Darius's father understood what was happening. "Calm down, Darius. We'll figure this out inside," his father, Adar, spoke softly.
• "There's nothing to figure out, Father. The moon goddess made a mockery of me, and I won't be subjected to it," Darius spat, pacing the yard.
• "I understand this is all new and overwhelming, but you must be rational, Darius. A mate is a blessing, son," Adar explained, prompting a dark chuckle from Darius.
• "I never wanted a mate, but I was willing to accept one to make things work. Yet the mighty goddess decided to give me a weak, pathetic outcast, an ordinary, as a mate. Look at her, Father!
• What the hell am I supposed to do with her?" he ranted, pointing to Ann, who looked like she'd been punched in the gut.
• "Dude, that's not a nice thing to say. I know you're upset, but that doesn't give you the right to say such horrible things," Victor said, a frown resting on his face.
• "Go fuck yourself, Victor. You weren't given an outcast for a mate," Darius retorted, deepening Victor's frown.
• "Darius, you're causing a scene. Let's take this inside," Kyle said in a low voice as people began to gather around them.
• "I'm ending everything here once and for all. I've made my decision: I want nothing to do with her. If any of you want her, please relieve me of the burden. I'm not doing this shit," Darius roared, walking away from the gathering, leaving everyone speechless.
• "Bring her to the courtroom. I'll deal with the crowd," Adar whispered to Victor, who immediately led Ann away. "Everyone, let's..."
• The ex-alpha's voice faded as they entered the courtroom and closed the door behind them.
• "I am so sorry that happened to you, Ann. He isn't thinking straight. Once he calms down, he'll come around," Kyle said, squatting in front of her.
• "Don't lie to me, Kyle. We both know Darius was serious tonight," Ann whispered, her voice carrying the weight of her
• Ann finally pulled away from Mia when the clock struck midnight. They had spent an hour in the courtroom.
• "It's late. I have to return home," she murmured in a low voice.
• "Do you want to face your family now? You can crash at my place for tonight," Mia suggested, but Ann declined with a shake of her head. "I want to sleep in my bed tonight."
• They shared a moment of eye contact. "I'll drop you off," Victor offered.
• The drive to her house was quiet. Ann bid her friends' goodbye as she stepped out of the car and walked into her house. She expected everyone to be asleep but was greeted by the sight of her father and stepmother having a heated discussion in the living room.
• They both looked at her as she entered the house. Her father's face was red with anger, though she had no idea why. In no mood to talk, she tried to walk past them but stopped when her father began to speak.
• "I have done everything a father should do, but I've gained nothing from you but disappointment, insults, and shame. All I ask is for you to be normal. Is that too hard to do?" he explained bitterly.
• Ann turned to face her father, who took two steps toward her. "Why are you such a disgrace? Being the mate of the Alpha should have solidified our relationship with the Harpers and increased our status, but you had to ruin it with your bad luck."Ann swallowed the lump in her throat as anger rose within her. "Have you ever truly loved me? I was always just a charity case to you. You have no right to talk about disappointment and shame when you failed as a..." A ringing slap cut off her words, her head almost twisting with the force, the iron taste of blood filling her mouth.
• "Don't you dare finish that sentence. I should have ended your life when I had the chance and saved myself from the burden of your sins. You will fix things with the Alpha one way or the other, or I will cease to be your father, and you will cease to be related to me," he warned, before storming out of the living room, with Margaret trailing behind him. For the first time, Ann saw a new emotion in her stepmother's eyes, but it vanished before she could discern what it was.