Cruel Twist Of Fate

Chapter Two

Madison Frost

The driveway was full when I arrived. With three packs surrounding the neutral city, it would make sense for the uppers from the other two packs to attend this event. It’s not every day a pack is handed down to a new alpha.

I walked between the cars parked on either side of the long driveway. It’s a good thing I couldn’t drive; I wouldn’t have been able to find a spot to park. The front of the mansion came into view on top of the hill. This place will be my home from today on. I smiled, lost in my thoughts.

I gasped when someone grabbed my wrist, scaring me. I was tugged roughly, stumbling into something hard. I braced myself with my hands and felt the sharp breeze behind me from a car speeding by.

I panted as I looked up at the man holding me close. His mossy green eyes captured my attention, and I couldn’t look away.

“Alpha, are you alright?” a man exclaimed.

Alpha? The word snapped me back to reality, and I took a step back.

“I’m so sorry, alpha,” I rushed, lowering my head in respect.

“Miss, you should really be more careful,” the man scolded.

“Of course,” I stammered, not daring to look up. “Thank you, alpha.” I bowed. “Have a good evening.”

I looked before stepping out from between the parked cars. I quickly moved between another set of vehicles, away from the traffic and the mystery alpha. Rushing down the stone path, I stepped into the backyard.

Members were everywhere, filling up the event space. There was a dance floor, a stage and even white tents. Fairy lights lit up the area as the sun set. It was truly a perfect evening. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and soon the stars would be out to pay witness.

I was so proud of my mate. He would continue his father’s success, and I have the honour of standing beside him. I smiled, thinking of our son, and how this will be us one day. He would take over for his father with his fated mate.

I stood off to the side, watching the stage. I pulled out my phone to check the time. I hadn’t received a message from Scott all day, but I knew he was busy. I offered to help, but he declined, saying that his mother wanted to organize the event. I would have plenty to plan after he claims me in front of the pack.

Not many people know about us, only his parents and best friend, Kane Russell, his beta. I agreed to keep our mate bond a secret because the most important people in his life knew. He wasn’t ashamed that I was his mate; he wanted it to be a surprise.

“Who is that?” Someone claimed, and I looked up from my phone.

“Frost?” Ryan stammered, and the warriors surrounding him gawked. I recognized most of them from training, but a few I hadn’t seen since high school.

“Ryan,” I greeted with a smile.

“How can that be, Maddy?” One mumbled.

“Damn, Frost,” he hissed as his eyes trailed my body.

“Ryan, shut up,” I snapped, crossing my arms. I could feel myself blushing.

“No need to be shy,” he chuckled, standing beside me. “I never expected that this,” he pointed at the dress-covered body, “was what you were hiding under your flannel.”

“f**k off,” I grumbled, shoving his shoulder.

“Mads, I’m just playing,” he teased, bumping my shoulder with his. I rolled my eyes.

The guys would always bug me for being a tomboy. They were just jealous that I was a better warrior.

He leaned in, “You do clean up nicely. Are you wearing makeup?”

“Is it that obvious?” I asked, glancing at the guys gathered around us. Playing with my hair, I pulled it over one shoulder, feeling nervous.

“What? No, you look good,” he rushed. “Right, guys?”

“Like an actual girl,” Jacob, a warrior, blurted.

Ryan punched his shoulder. “Dude!”

“Ryan, it’s fine. I know I’m not girly,” I shrugged, defending him.

“But, you could be,” Steve whistled, and my face heated.

“That’s enough,” he scolded. “She’s a warrior, not some piece of meat.”

“Thank you,” I mouthed to him.

“Do you want to get a drink with us?” He offered.

I shook my head. “I’m fine. You guys go ahead.”

Ryan and a few others nodded before leaving me.

I exhaled with a hand on my chest. I liked it better when I was just one of the guys, not a piece of eye candy.

“Am I really that pretty with makeup?” I asked my wolf. She barked, but I still had my doubts. My father always told me that men would f**k anything. Be cautious.

His words are what kept me away from dating, until Scott. He’s my fated mate—the person I can trust with my life. It was easy for me to let him in. We haven’t gone all the way yet. I told him that on the night we marked each other, I would give him all of me: body and soul.

He never pushed, always respectful of my boundaries. Whenever I said no, he would stop and we would cuddle. I really won the mate lottery, I thought as I moved through the crowd. It was almost time for the announcement, and I wanted a front row seat to my mate’s takeover ceremony. My heart was gushing with pride and love. I was practically bouncing on the balls of my feet.

When my father and Beta Bennett entered the stage, the pack members went wild. I cheered with them, shaking with anticipation. This was it. Alpha Simon and Luna Sophia followed, dressed to perfection. I know I didn’t compare to her right now, but I was trying. Other people were seated on the opposite side of the stage. I didn’t recognize anyone and concluded they must be from another pack.

Alpha Simon stepped to the mic, and the crowd quieted down.

“Good evening, my loyal pack members. I want to start by thanking you for joining me in celebrating this joyous occasion with my mate. Our son, Scott, will be taking on the role of Alpha of the Cypress Ridge Pack from this day forward.”

The road cheered, and so did I. My excitement was about to explode. I couldn’t wait for my mate to see me and accept me in front of everyone.

Alpha Simon raised his hand. “Okay, settle down,” he chuckled. “Scott will also be announcing his Luna.”

People around me gasped.

“He found his fated mate a few months ago. She is a lovely woman who will not only be a wonderful mate, but an exceptional Luna,” the alpha continued, and my heart swelled.

I glanced at the Luna, smiling, but she never spared me a look.

“Without further ado, Alpha Scott Cypress,” he announced, and everyone clapped.

Scott entered the stage, wearing a navy blue suit. His dirty blonde hair had been cut since I saw him this morning. The sides were short, fading into longer hair on top. My heart pounded as I took in his handsomeness. I bit my bottom lip as my wolf howled her approval in my head.

Scott hugged his mother and shook his father’s hand before stepping up to the mic. His dimpled smile had me weak in the knees, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much today.

“Cypress Ridge, I’m honoured to take on the title of Alpha. We are a strong and loyal pack. Nothing will stop this pack from succeeding.”

The pack went wild, and the ground shook with their excitement. Everyone was overwhelmed by our new alpha, but I couldn’t be prouder as I watched my mate.

He raised his hands, and everyone calmed down. “Now, it’s time I introduce you to my fated mate and Luna.”

A couple of loud cries sounded before a few women stormed off, crying. Scott cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. Being the strongest male in the pack, it's only natural for women to want his attention. I was just waiting for him to announce my name.

“Anyway,” he dragged out, and there were chuckles from the pack. “Our bond was forged by the Moon Goddess.”

My stomach became uneasy when his eyes never met mine. He was talking about me, but not looking at me. His wolf would have sensed me in the crowd. Why wasn’t he looking at me?

He looked to his right and extended his hand. A woman in a long, sparkly gold dress stepped out of the shadows and took his hand. He pulled her against him, leaving me stunned as he smiled down at her.

Alpha Simon took the mic while my fated mate held another woman in front of the entire pack.

“Miss Raelyn Grimm of the Grimm Mountain Pack, everyone! The new Luna of Cypress Ridge,” he announced as the couple kissed.