Chapter 4

Eleanor's POV

It's been three months since I lost my parents and life has been worse. My parents had no relatives so there was one to take me in.

I learned to fend for myself while being treated like a parasite by the rest of my pack members. Three months since the little peace I had was shattered.

There was no one to share my grief with. No one bothered.

But I didn't care. All I wanted was my mate. I was waiting for my mate. He was going to take me away from all these toxic people.

Mother told me that a mate is someone who would treat you right. Someone who is destined to love you till death just like Father and I.

I had always loved the way my father treated my mother. He treated her like she was the most precious treasure in his life.

Mother told me that my mate would always stand by me, he would always understand me and believe in me no matter what people say about me and I was waiting for my mate to come and claim me and take me away from here.

That was the reason I decided to attend this year's royal ball. A royal ball is an event where unmated werewolves from all around the universe gather and party with the sole aim of finding their mate.

Father told me that sometimes, one's mate might not live in the same pack with them but once their paths cross, they feel the pack.

I was certainly of the opinion that my mate was not from my pack. I don't know if I would be able to bear the pain of my mate being one of those evil beings.

I was so glad when I heard that the annual royal ball was scheduled to be held in my pack. I had no reason to think of how to get to the venue.

I stared at my mother's flowery gown. The one that she had won the first day she met her father. Father was swooned by her looks and I intend to do the same to my mate.

I wore the gown, it was just a simple blue gown with not many designs on it but it had a flower embroidery design on the left chest. I stared at the image in the full mirror. I looked glorious.

I stepped my feet into my mother's heels. The one father had bought for her the day I was born to celebrate my arrival.

She never wore them because she felt they were too expensive and must have caused her father a fortune. I know that Mother would be so proud of me. Watching me dress up for my mate.

I placed the only jewelry that mother had on my neck and I was ready to go.

I stared at my image in the mirror for a while then I was finally ready to go. My dress was not the best but I looked decent.

Walking into the ballroom, I felt as though I had just entered another life. Everything felt so magical. I could feel it already, something major was going to happen tonight that would change my life forever.

I felt jumpy all of a sudden. My head felt dizzy but a scent came across my nose, one I had never smelt before. I sniffed harder to get more of this delicious scent.

As though I were being controlled by magic, my feets started moving on their own. I was getting closer and closer to the delicious scent with every step I took.

The scent was getting stronger and stronger and I knew without doubt that I was closer to it.

I suddenly hit my head on a wall I didn't notice was there. I opened my eyes and instead of a wall, I was met with someone's chest.

I stepped back and cleared my throat to apologize.

"Mate."

Huh

"Mate." He repeated and I raised my head to meet the gaze of the most handsome person I had ever set my eyes on. He was exactly the kind of person I had spent my nights dreaming of spending eternity with.

Wait! He just called me his mate? I have finally found my mate!! I screamed internally.

For a minute, I was lost in his green eyes that spoke of mystery.

"Mate," I said as though I were under a spell. Well, I was under the spell of his beautiful eyes.

I don't know how long I had stared at him, lost in his forest green eyes. The hold they had on me when I felt something claw at my hand.

I looked down at my hand to find his fingers plucking into my skin. I raised my teary eyes to meet the eyes that held adoration in them a moment ago just to meet nothing but disgust, disdain, and contempt.

He pulled me roughly by my poor hands.

Tears filled my eyes as I tried to stop him from hurting me the most by removing his fastened fingers from my arm but he wasn't having it, instead, he increased the pressure of his fingers.

When he finally let go of me, he pushed me so hard that I fell to the ground bringing down the small decorated table that had a tray of wine glasses on it.

In the process of that, the content of the glass spilled all over my light blue gown. All eyes were on me. I didn't need to lift my face to know that I had suddenly become the center of attention.

I could feel their judging eyes boring holes into my skin but I refused to let the tears drop. I had promised myself over the shallow grave I dug for my parents to never let someone else make me cry and I wasn't going to break that promise now.

Mate or not!

I picked myself up from the ground and dared to look into the eyes of the one that was meant to protect me. The adoring look I had seen was gone with no traces.

Chapter 5

Eleanor's POV

"I, Ethan Raymond of Crystal Pack, reject you… what's your name?"

He was rejecting me before we even got to know each other? Right in front of all these people? I wished the ground would open and swallow me and never release me again.

I pursed my lips not only because I didn't want to tell him, I knew that the moment I opened my mouth, I would lose the last bit of control I have.

"What's your name?" He thundered grabbing me by the same arm not caring about the pain he was subjecting me to.

"Eleanor Stefan of the Red Crimson pack." Someone said I didn't need to look at the person to know who said it. Of course, it had to be her.

He nodded and pushed me away from him as though I were a plaque. I landed my butt on the ground again.

"I, Ethan Raymond of Crystal pack, reject your lowly life Eleanor disgusting Stefan of the Red Crimson pack as my mate." He said and I closed my eyes waiting for the pains that usually come with rejection to take over me.

"Complete the rejection process bitch and let me go."

I struggled with the gnawing pain in my chest and I got on my feet. I almost stumbled down due to the excess pain I was dealing with.

"I, Eleanor Stefan of the Red Crimson pack rejects you Ethan Raymond as my mate." I sputtered trying to keep my mouth from screaming in pain.

If he felt any pain due to my rejection, then he was so damn good at hiding it.

I clutched my chest finding it hard to breathe but I wasn't going to give these devils the liberty of watching me breakdown. I struggled to walk, dragging my feet with me.

I stumbled on another table and pulled down its contents. Pieces of broken glasses pierced my skin as I tried to stand up ignoring the laughter of the people who had taken my pain and misfortune as comedy to spice their day.

I stood up. The dress was unrecognizable. It was stained with all sorts of colors. I doubt if I would ever be able to wash the stains off. 

I knew that I looked like a complete mess but believe me that was the least of my problems.

Isn't my life the grandest of them all?

I struggled to get away from the ball walking in pain amid people who didn't care about me.

When I finally got outside, I rushed to the grass and puked all over them. The pain in my stomach is increasing. I felt someone behind me. 

I knew it was him because of his cologne. 

It's painful the way I registered his cologne the moment I saw him and how comforting it is to me now.

The last thing I saw before the darkness took over was him lifting my weightless body and settling me down in his arms.

*I didn't know how long I was out but when I opened my eyes, I was forced to close them back. I opened them slowly and I stared at the ceiling with a blurry vision. It took some time but my eye eventually got used to the light.

I tried to recall what had happened and all the memories flooded back. I grimaced in pain.

I was rejected before I got to know my mate.

I sat up completely ignoring the pain I was feeling.

"I see that you are awake." His deep voice called me from the self-pity I was wallowing in.

I turned to look at him making sure that there was a full-blown scowl displayed on my face.

I watched him pour himself a drink. He took a sip of the drink then he took one step towards me.

"Look I'm sorry for what happened at the ball. I was over my head, I let what people say about you get the best part of me." He said casually and I felt the urge to slap him hard across the face. 

Did he think I was going to forgive him that easily? Especially after the scene he created in front of thousands of werewolves, I hadn't met in my entire existence? Did he think I was that daft?

"Did you expect me to say that poison?" The disgusting look on his face was back and my heart ached.

"You should look at your face in the mirror. It's so freaking funny." He said in between laughter while I tried to wrap my head around what I did that was funny.

He stopped laughing and was back to being serious. 

He grabbed a handful of my poor hair and pulled it forcing me to look directly into his eyes. The forest green eyes that I once adored.

"You do not deserve my poison. I wonder what the moon goddess was thinking of pairing me with someone as weak as you." He said pulling my hair harder and I struggled in vain to keep the tears off my face. 

He finally let go of my hair and I ended up hitting my head on the headboard. I stiffened a cry trying hard to look as unaffected as I could.

"Well, I have a deal." He paused and watched my reaction when he saw none, he continued.

"You are quite a catch. Here it goes, you satisfy my sexual desires and I in turn will protect you.

"He said with a smile. It took me almost a minute to process what he just said and when I did, I choked on my saliva.

"You want me to become your whore?" I asked him disbelievingly.

"Yes at my beck and call and you get protection in return." He said unashamedly and I resisted the urge to puke all over him.

"No," I said firmly, not hiding the disgusted look on my face.

"You don't have a choice."

"That's where you are wrong. I do and I will not give you the liberty to have me insulted at your free will" I said.

I struggled to get myself out of the stupid comfort of a bed and he watched me in amusement. I walked closer to him and stared into his eyes.

"Fuck you, Mr. Ethan," I said, giving him the middle finger. I walked out of the room.

I was done with them all. I was going to do what I wanted. I was going to show him that he is the one who doesn't deserve me. I was going to show him that I was worth more than being a whore to the mate who had rejected me without a second thought.

Even as I sat in the bar drinking, I was filled with the thought of what I was going to do. 

I don't know how many bottles I had managed to drink but it was enough to wipe away the little bit of dignity that might stand in my way.

I stood up from the seat I had confined my ass in an hour ago and I staggered to the dance floor. 

I almost fell but someone caught me. I breathed in his cologne and I knew that there was no going back.

"Fuck me."

Chapter 6

~~Eleanor

"Fuck me" I cursed inaudibly as my eyes met his.

His Auburn hair, deep blue eyes like the depth of the ocean, lips hot and sexy like the color of ketchup which I badly want to taste.

My fingers instinctively tightened around his shirt. I was hot, I felt an attraction with this guy, an attraction that made me wet within seconds.

His cologne sweeping through my nose wasn't helping things. 

I was a little tipsy from the alcohol I drank at my table but I cared less. 

He suddenly pulled me up. I was standing properly now but he wasn't letting go of my waist.

He pulled me closer to his body and I notice the slight smell of alcohol.

I needed him badly. How could just the sight of him get me so wet?

I looked back into his eyes and could see vividly well that he also wanted me, I could feel the list in his eyes

I felt tingles in my lower stomach. But hell, I almost lost it when his lips came down hard on mine.

I reciprocated immediately, letting out a little moan as his tongue slid into my mouth. His mouth tasted like beer, deliciously intoxicating as he worked magic on my lips.

My hands went around his neck and he pulled me even closer, his hands on my butt, squeezing gently as the kiss went deeper.

Another moan escaped my lips. The sensation of having his lips on mine and his hands on my body was driving me crazy. I couldn't think straight.

'This isn't right' something in my head screamed and yeah, I knew it was wrong to do this when I knew who my mate was, but what can I do when he rejected me and my body screams for another guy's touch?

He broke the kiss and before I could process what was happening, I discovered we were in a room. The room was dim with just a little trace of light. I couldn't see his face clearly but he seemed very handsome and graceful. 

Nothing else can explain what happened except for the fact that he teleported with me. He kissed my neck and sucked on it gently, earning me a series of hickeys but I didn't care. I wanted this, my body wants this.

Several moans escaped me as he teased me relentlessly until I melted completely into his arms. He got rid of his jacket and shirt and then pulled me to the king-sized bed. He pulled off my gown and I felt bare in only my underwear. My hands went to what was left of my dignity but he pulled it off gently.

"Don't be shy" he mouthed and I bit my lips hard. His husky voice sounded like music to my ears sending shivers down my spine.

His hand went to my jaw as he tilted my face for another hot demanding kiss.

He kept leaning close until my back touched the soft bed under me. He tore off my bra and took my soft lump into his hot mouth. A gasp escaped my lips and my hands traveled to his hair as his tongue and teeth worked magic on my boobs. 

My body trembled in pleasure and my panties flooded with wetness for him. I was so damn wet and my pussy ached for his touch.

As if reading my mind, he kissed my boobs one last time then proceeded to my flat tummy, then down to my inner thighs. He tore off my panties and replaced them with his mouth.

I squirmed, moaned, and sobbed, begging for completion as he sucked and fucked me with his tongue. He caught my pussy lips between his teeth and I let out a throaty moan.

"Please… please" I pleaded desperately and he peeled off his pants, revealing his huge dick and I gasped at his size. I started having second thoughts about him taking me fully as I stared at his dick. I gulped down nothing as he came back to the bed. He positioned himself between my legs and I bit my lips hard.

"Easy" he whispered seductively as he felt my body so tense. I softened up a little and he entered me with one swift thrust. I screamed in pain and he withdrew and thrust in again.

His thrusts got harder and faster by the minute but I adjusted quickly to his size, the pleasure overcoming the pain.

Loud moans and cries escaped my lips as his thrusts came harder and faster.

I felt my orgasm build up rapidly and he increased his pace, fucking me harder. My legs went around his waist, pulling him even closer to me. My breaths were labored and heavy as he drilled my pussy hard.

I came hard with a scream and his thrust went deeper. He captured my lips in a long and hard kiss as he also got his own climax. 

I felt so fulfilled and tired. I couldn't feel my legs and my eyelids felt so heavy. I felt him pull out of me and cover me with a thick duvet… 

~~Next morning

I stretched on the bed and my eyes flew open as I felt how comfortable it was. This wasn't my room. I was in a strange room but I felt very comfortable. I recalled everything from the previous night and a smile formed itself on my lips.

I looked at my side and around the room but I couldn't find any traces of the strange guy. His clothes were gone and so was he. All that was left in the room was my littered clothes.

I sighed sadly. I wanted to know his name and see his face properly but I guess it's a good thing I didn't get to know him. I had a one-night stand with a stranger and that's what it should be. To hell with my arrogant mate. 

I got up from the bed with shaky legs as I went for a short shower and put on just my gown.

I haven't even taken my slippers when the door banged open. I stood there rooted on a spot as five guards made their way into the room. I was about to open my mouth to protest when Ethan came in with a straight face.

He looked so cold and angry but I didn't care, he can't possibly take me back to his palace against my own will.

"How dare you this lowly bitch cheat on me, your mate?" Ethan yelled and I scoffed.

"You rejected me as your mate, so I don't see why you should be so worked up about having me sleep with other men" I retorted much to his surprise.

However, my statement was altered by a deafening slap that landed on my cheek. My hand went to my face and I looked up at him hurtfully.

Tears threatened to fall but I wouldn't let him see my tears.

"You are my mate, even if I reject you because the moon goddess bonded us together, thus, I have full control over you, Eleanor"