The Alpha’s Substitute Mate

Isabella

The entire party moved venues, from the garden to the pack meeting hall. The meeting hall was open to the whole pack and its visitors.

I was still standing in the garden and didn’t notice when Arden left me all alone. Queen Selena came and hugged me from behind gigging. You could tell that she was enjoying the occasion more than the celebrants.

“Bella my daughter, you look so beautiful that even Aphrodite the goddess of beauty would marvel at your captivating beauty.” Queen Selena said and pecked me on the cheek

I blushed at her words, she always has a way of making me love her more, she might be an elderly person in appearance but no doubt she was a baby at heart full of love and tenderness.

I smiled and touched her cheek and said

” Thank you, Mum, you are beautiful too.”

I couldn’t believe it, did I just call her Mum? But she has shown me nothing but love since I came to Blood Moon Pack and she showers me with praise more than my biological dad. I also noticed the way her eyes lit up with happiness and she held my hands and said

” Let’s go dear, I will personally dress you up for the official presentation.” With that, we left the garden to the pack house with Violet trailing behind.

We arrived at my room and I got seated on the bed with my arms around my knees. My eyes were fixed on the dozens of new dresses placed on the clothing rack.

Queen Selena went to the clothing rack and carefully started inspecting them one after the other.

She would pick up a dress then look at me and then move back to the dress and the next thing she would shake her head and toss the dress to Violet who would catch it and then place it on the dressing table.

She continued repeating the same act till she picked up a silken red dress and she grinned like an excited child.

” Bella dear, this red dress would fit perfectly on your skin. I bet you would love it.”Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

I stood up and Queen Selena clapped her hands twice and her two personal maids came rushing in, she handed them the dress and instructed them to dress me up.

The maids came and put the dress on me. It fits me perfectly like a glove, enhancing every single curve.

It looked alluring and stunning, I looked more like all those fashion models from the magazine. I couldn’t get over my look so I stood in front of the dressing mirror admiring myself. Then Queen Selena motioned for me to sit and she styled my hair, pulling it into a tight bun, leaving out a little of my natural curls in front.

Soon, I was all dressed and we left the room to the Pack meeting hall.

We entered the large hall and I noticed some members of the pack were dressed in robes and heavy dresses including the King and council elders but Arden strutted in wearing black servitude pants and a white button-down shirt.

The two top buttons of his shirt were open and his hair looked a bit messy, the way he walked in left no room for doubt that a lethal and cruel beast had entered.

I felt the shift in the air as suddenly a pressure weighed down on me and I found it difficult to breathe. I tried to pull my eyes away from him so he wouldn’t notice I was gawking at him but he beat me to it as he turned and held my gaze and I unconsciously took a step back. He had a predatory gaze on his face that made him look both enticing and feral.

The voice of the council elders pulled us away from our staring match and we were ushered up onto the raised platform, seated side by side on the throne gilded chairs. There were white and yellow streamers and balloons and explosions of flowers, tables were covered in embroidered floral silk and different delicacies were well arranged on the table. But before the festivity would begin, they had to do the official presentation.

The official presentation of Arden Vinci, as the true Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. One of the council elders stood up and made a speech. It was a long and monotonous lecture about subjection and obligation and the rules guiding the pack. I shifted in my chair as he kept talking and talking like he was just going in circles.

Even Arden was no longer comfortable from the way he kept clenching and unclenching his hands.

” It is with great honor, pleasure, and loyalty that the title and responsibility of an Alpha hereby be transferred to Arden Vinci as the Alpha of Blood Moon Pack.”

Then the council elder came close and stood beside me and held my hand and said

” Today Alpha Arden has gotten married to her, so she is a full member of the Pack and I hereby present to Blood Moon Pack Isabella Vinci as your new Luna.”

I stood up before the people and waved my hand, I felt my throat close around my words. I knew I had to say something to the crowd as their new Luna and not stare at them like a moron. I needed to pledge my allegiance to my new Pack.

” I, Isabella…Vinci… Do hereby pledge to serve and nurture Blood Moon Pack. And also diligently carry out my duties as your Luna. I’m honored to be your Luna.”

The council elder smiled, turning to the crowd

” Welcome, Luna Isabella of the Blood Moon Pack.” A loud applause echoed around the hall.

That was it.. Just a few words and with that commitment, I officially became a member of the Blood Moon Pack and the pack link was opened to me. Immediately I was flooded with too many thoughts at once. They were mostly complementary and welcoming but it was so overwhelming that I thought my head would explode so I had to close the link and return to my seat.

With all the official presentations accomplished, the party started and Arden left me and went to stay with some group of men. I didn’t know any of them except for his brother Lance.

From the way they were throwing in friendly banter and laughing out loud, I figured out they were probably his friends, age mates, and his fellow warriors. He didn’t even bother introducing me to them, he just left me gaping at the crowd.

I hid my pain and tried not to show I was affected by his attitude. I should try getting used to this lifetime of misery with Arden.

Lance glanced over their heads and met my eyes and he gave me a thumbs up. I supposed that was meant to be encouraging or congratulatory.. Whatever that means I just bob my head.

I didn’t know what else to do, because Queen Selena was busy discussing with some guests and Violet was busy serving food and drinks to the guests. I decided to leave.

I left the party without being seen, walking down the unfamiliar hallways when I realized I was being followed

I clutched a handful of my dress and I felt the presence drawing nearer. I didn’t even have to turn my head. Not only did I feel him through the mating bond, but I also felt his negative energy like an evil black cloud.

He grabbed my wrist in his rough and torturing grip and he snarled at me ” Let’s go.”

I stared at him in shock

“Go where?”