The Moon's Bond: Two Alphas, One Heart

Chapter One

*First Person's Perspective*

~Keira~

As I hung the last bedspread on the line, I heard giggles from behind, followed by the voice of Rina, another maid in the pack. "Throw that in the trash, Carrie!" With that, I felt the thud of mashed potatoes hitting my back with a splatter. Rumbles of laughter echoed behind me. Their cruel amusement stung harder than the food they threw.

I stopped what I was doing and turned around slowly, my head bent low. "Aw! The trash looks so innocent; should we pity her?" Rina mocked, a smug smile dancing at the corners of her lips.

"I..." The words were cut short as another moldy lump splattered on my face. My fists clenched at my sides, but there was nothing I could do. This was just a normal thing in the everyday life of someone like me. Rina and her minions were maids too, but higher-ranking omegas, while I was nothing but a stray dog. You know it's bad when even little omegas have more power than you in society.

Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes, and I blinked them back. I would never give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry. "Oh my!" she fake-gasped.

"I think she's going to cry," she said, and they all laughed again, more moldy lumps splattering on my body.

"Why don't you pick up the rest of the leftovers? I bet it would taste like heaven to you," one of her friends chimed in, and they laughed some more. I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath.

It will be all over tomorrow. All of this-I wouldn't have to go through any of it anymore.

"Ha ha, very funny," I laughed sarcastically. My voice was steady despite the chaos burning inside of me. "But you know, you all are the real losers since you have to throw food at someone else just so you can feel better about yourselves." Their laughter faltered for a moment, surprise flashing across their faces. This was the first time I had ever tried to talk back or defend myself.

I was just as surprised; where did I suddenly get the confidence from? Maybe it was due to the fact that I knew I wouldn't have to face any of this from tomorrow. Rina stepped closer, her eyes narrowing.

"Are you trying to talk back to me? You stinking piece of trash. You dare to talk back to me?" She grabbed a handful of my hair and twisted it until there was no more room for twisting. It felt as though my scalp was going to be separated from my skull. I screamed for help, but I knew it was useless. Or at least that's what I thought.

"What the hell is going on here?" A deep, commanding voice echoed, cutting through the walls of the laundry room. Rina immediately let go and bowed. "Alpha Neil," she greeted.

"Is this what you all do here? Hurt each other?" he asked. His voice was neutral, but I could tell he didn't like what he was seeing. This made my heart warm a little bit.

"Everyone, get out," he ordered, and they scurried away immediately. My head was still bent downward. He walked up to me and cupped my face in his hands "Are you ready for tomorrow?" He asked and I nodded immediately. He lingered for a few seconds, a soft kiss landed on my lips and a small smile on his lips. He nodded in assurance and then walked away too.

My face cracked, and an involuntary smile appeared on my lips. It felt really good. I had no idea what he was doing here, but I didn't care. He was anticipating for the event just as much as I was. I knew from the first time I set my eyes on him, I fell in love.

I had always dreamed of us being together and starting a family, going for walks, you know... the things couples usually do. And I sincerely hoped that the moon goddess mated us together .

I rounded up for the day, and soon, it was nighttime. I tossed and turned on my worn-out mattress. I guessed it was due to the excitement. Tomorrow was my eighteenth birthday, the day I finally got to meet my wolf. Plus, it was the Moon Calling-the day where all werewolves who have reached the age of eighteen find their fated mates.

I was too excited. I already knew mine, but tomorrow we would become official and then I wouldn't have to be a maid anymore. I wouldn't have to put up with Rina and everyone else calling me good for nothing and useless. I would be free from these shackles and able to start my own family. The people who looked down on me, would be forced to bow down to me as their Luna. Neil and I would finally be able to be together without having to hide in the shadows. Just the thought of it alone made my heart dance. With happiness in my heart, I drifted off into Dreamland.

~~~~

The blaring sound of the general alarm woke me up. I jumped up immediately, rushed to the bathroom to carry out my business, and when I was done, I put on the best of my outfits. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. A smile appeared on my face-the first genuine smile I had had in six years. "Happy Birthday, Keira," I whispered to myself.

I did all of my chores in a rush and hurried to the event hall. I had to stay at the back of the crowd, and it was really difficult to see what was going on, but that didn't matter. He was definitely going to find me wherever I was.

"We've been here for a long time now; the Alpha still hasn't found his mate. Does this mean we won't have a Luna this year too?" I heard someone ask.

I didn't have time to ponder that as a sweet and unique scent hit my nostrils. Out of my will, I began to trace it and eventually found myself in the middle of the hall. I raised my head to see the man towering over me. When our eyes locked, my knees gave out, and I fell to the ground.

Gasps echoed in the hall, and whispers erupted. He was staring down at me with disappointment and disbelief while I was smiling foolishly. The moon goddess had heard my wish and granted it. I didn't know what else to do other than smile.

Suddenly, he began to laugh. "This has got to be a joke, right? The moon goddess is trying to play games with me, right?" he asked no one in particular, turning around to where the elders' council sat.

"This is impossible and hilarious." The color drained from my face as I stared at him. "Somebody say something. This is a joke, right?" he yelled.

"How can I have this thing as a mate? Look at her. Look how funny she looks. Look how weak she is. Her legs can't even hold her up to stand for a long time. How can that be my mate?" He sounded so enraged. So angry.

Tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. I couldn't comprehend any of it. What was happening?

"Neil. What is happening?" I whispered, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "How dare you address me by my name? How dare you?" He growled and lifted me off the ground, only to push me back. "Ow!" I cried.

"I thought... I thought..." The words could not find their way out of my mouth. "I deserve someone better. I am the Alpha, for fuck's sake! This bitch is ugly and weak. I need someone to help me strengthen my empire. A decent woman. Is that too much to ask? Why have you chosen to forsake me like this?" He lamented, facing the sky. I just lay on the ground and watched. It all happened so fast, there was no time for me to process any of it. One minute I was happy, I felt my dreams had come true and the next is...this?

"I don't want to set my eyes on you ever again. Get out. You're banned from this pack." His voice thundered, startling to the point that I fell on my back

He laughed, but it seemed like it was directed more to himself than me. Neil shook his head and made made to walk away, but I grabbed his leg. "You can't do this to me, Neil. We both wanted this. You said... You said you loved me. This was..." And then it all sank in. I was used. He never loved me. I was nothing but a plaything.

He kicked me, and I let go of him immediately. Some guards lifted me and dumped me by the pack's border, leaving me to be killed by rogues. What was I thinking anyway. We were worlds apart, there was no way he could have loved me. I sat there crying my eyes out, my heart bleeding from the rejection and eventually, I slept off without even knowing