Chapter 2
Venus POV
I avoided everyone in the school as much as I could, trying to contain my desolation, but my heart was not listening to me. Whenever I was alone, I ended up crying. Vicky was not just my stepsister, she was also my best friend, and so I didn’t know who to turn to in times of such dejection. Nathan was nowhere to be found and so I couldn’t convey Vicky’s message to him.
When I went back home, I heard my stepmom and Vicky talking about the dress to wear at Alpha’s party in her room. “Wear that red dress,” mom
said.
My father was the wealthiest businessman of the Oak Pride pack. His wealth was second to that of Alpha’s, and both he and Alpha partnered in various businesses. My stepmother, Gaia, was my father’s secretary. Her chosen mate had died a year ago. She was all broken–hearted when my father met her. Love blossomed, and the two got married after a torrential affair. Ever since my stepmom, Gaia, married my father a few weeks ago, my life had turned drastically. Both Gaia and Vicky were the sweetest people on this earth and they both made me feel very welcome. I finally had a friend cum sister who I confided things in. But now…
I dragged my feet across the floor and as soon as I reached my room I bolted my door from inside and crashed on the bed, feeling drained of energy. Half an hour later, my father pounded on the door. “Venus, are you ready?”
Shit. I jumped out of the bed and opened the door for him.
He stared at me with his deep blue eyes that mirrored mine. My father had dark hair, but I had my mom’s hair. He placed his hand on my forehead. “Are you okay, chickee?” he asked. “You look like a bulldozer ran over you.”
I smiled at him through my misery. “I’m fine, dad.”
“Then change into something decent.” He said before closing the door. “We will leave in fifteen minutes.”
Sighing, I quickly changed into a yellow shirt, denim shorts and converse shoes, and walked out. My hair looked like a bird could make a nest in them.
I saw Vicky wearing a beautiful red dress that ended at her thighs. Her red hair was pulled up in a chignon over which she had adorned pearls. She had matched them with red ballet high heels. She was so jubilant that she swirled and asked, “How do I look, Venus?”
“Beautiful,” I replied with a forced smile.
She hugged me tightly and said, “Goddess, I am so happy! Finally, Aaron and I are going to be engaged. Imagine being the Luna of the strongest and wealthiest pack in all of America?”
“I am happy for you, Vicky,” I murmured.
She placed her hand on my shoulders. “Please don’t be mad at me. I just didn’t know who to choose: Aaron and Nathan. I think Aaron is the best choice for me. He is my mate.”
The way she talked about them really freaked me. How could she love two people and choose one? Why not choose both? Polyandry or polygamy were not uncommon in our community.
“Did you talk to Nathan?”
I licked my lips. “I–I couldn’t meet Nathan,” I blurted.
“What?” Her eyebrows scrunched over her light brown eyes.
I shrugged. “He wasn’t there.”
“Damn it!” she gritted. “Please, just call him.”
“Girls!” my father’s voice echoed, cutting our conversation. “Come on, we are getting late.”
Vicky gave me a once over. “Is that what you’ll wear for dinner?” she sneered.
“Yes,” I replied and walked to the driveway where my father was waiting with Gaia.
We arrived at Alpha’s manor in half an hour. As we entered the foyer, the butler announced our presence. Alpha Martin came out immediately along with his wife, Luna Marie.
“Patrick!” Alpha Martin greeted my father as he glanced at me. “How are you?”
My parents, Vicky and I bowed to the Alpha and Luna. “I’m well!” he said.
1/2
4:23 PM
Chapter 2
Luna Marie smiled kindly at me. “Happy Birthday, Venus,” she said, hugging me. “What gifts did you get today? You must be waiting for your wolf
to come out!”
I was waiting to meet my wolf for so long, but I could sense her reluctance to come out because Aaron’s dismissiveness towards us dejected her. It was odd why my wolf was feeling bad about him.
We all exchanged pleasantries while walking inside. This was the first time Vicky had come to Alpha’s manor, and her eyes were wide open as she looked at all the luxury around us. When we reached inside, we saw Eric, Aaron’s younger brother, sitting on a sofa. Without acknowledging her, he jumped up when he saw me and came to hug me. “Happy Birthday, humbug!” he chortled with a bright smile. “You look like a tornado has passed over you!” he remarked. Eric looked like his brother, only an inch shorter. And I was shorter than both of them at just 5’5“.
“It’s nothing,” I muttered. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Vicky watching us. I couldn’t help but clasping my clammy hands because I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible and avoid embarrassment and heartache.
“Where’s Aaron?” my stepmom asked, scanning the house excitedly with curiosity.
“He’ll join us in a few moments,” Alpha Martin said.
I sat down with Eric and Luna Marie as Vicky sat down with mom while dad sat down with Alpha.
My stepmother started, “You have a very beautiful house, Luna Marie.”
Thanks,” she replied with her patent soft smile. “It takes a lot to manage this place and the pack.”
Gaia giggled. “Of course, I can imagine.” She looked fondly at Vicky, who blushed under her gaze. “My Vicky is also perfect at looking after our house. She makes sure that everything is prim and proper. Not only that, she makes excellent food.”
I frowned. Vicky was never interested in those things.
“But I can’t say the same for Venus,” my mom chuckled. “Venus is more like a tomboy! She is sporty and loves to make a mess in her room,” she laughed. “She’s the brightest bulb in the chandelier! And it’s amazing how she finds new ways to be wrong. But I adore her completely.” She placed her hand on her chest, laughing softly.
Her backhand compliments were unexpected, and flustering me. Luna Marie glanced at me without replying.
Suddenly, the door of the main hall opened and Aaron walked in. My breath lodged in my throat. The effect he had on me was electrifying and deeply emotional. My pulse quickened, and my heart seemed to skip a beat. The air around me felt charged as I looked at him.
Aaron Wolfe was the most beautiful man I’d seen in my life. He looked like an Adonis. With high cheekbones and a strong jawline, tall at 6’3“, his presence commanded attention. He had broad and muscular shoulders with an athletic build. His face was strikingly handsome, with chiseled features and he had a rugged edge to his appearance. And his lips… oh, they were so kissable. He had thick, dark, tousled hair in which I wanted to sink my fingers.
His gray eyes dropped to me, and I felt a flutter of anticipation. But then his eyes went to Vicky, who grinned. “Hi!” she waved her hand.
And my insides turned to ashes.
“Hi!” he said to her excitedly, and came to sit next to his father.
Alpha Martin looked at his future heir with pride in his eyes and said, “I’m glad you are here in time, Aaron.”
Aaron beamed. “I had to be.”
Alpha Martin looked from him to my father. “Patrick, I’ve called you here to inform that we have decided that Aaron will marry-”
My stepmom squealed softly. Vicky giggled. Anticipation permeated the air.
My heart plummeted. I lowered my face to my lap, fighting my tears, waiting for the Alpha to drop the bomb.
Alpha paused and then completed his sentence, “-your daughter Venus”
