Chapter 13


    13. The Alpha’s Announcement YILEYNA


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    “Maybe I was wrong…” Raiden murmured, confusing me. I pulled him to the side as the next song


    began and more people began to join in with the dancing “Hi, Theon.” I said as I collected my bunny


    from the ground, dusting it off. His eyes snapped to me, and I saw the tick in his jaw as he clenched his


    teeth. “Yileyna.”


    My stomach fluttered, as it always did when he called my name. He looked handsome, in full ck, his


    sleeves pushed up and his pants hugging his thighs. A white belt with a silver chain on it was around


    his hips, only emphasising his incredible body.


    “It’s a pleasure to see you, Theon.” Raiden offered, smiling respectfully.


    No one needed to announce it for me to know that everyone already saw him as their soon to be Beta.


    “Wish I could say the same.” Theon’s cold reply came. I looked between the two men, the humour that


    had danced in Raiden’s eyes moments earlier was gone, reced by curiosity and a hint of something


    else.


    “Well, enjoy the evening. Yileyna, it was an honour to dance with you tonight.” He gave me a charming


    smile and took my hand. He raised it to his lips, kissing it softly. “Enjoy the rest of your evening…” I


    replied, trying not to let Theon’s re affect me.


    Charlene’s words came back to me, If there was any truth in what she said, then… My heart skipped a


    beat and I was unable to stop myself from reaching up and pecking Raiden on the cheek.


    “Thank you as well, for being such a pleasure to dance with.”


    My heart was going crazy, and I dared not look at Theon. My eyes were fixed on Raiden’s blue ones. A


    smile crossed his face and he nodded. “Anytime, beautiful.”


    He gave Theon a final nod before walking off, and I dared to gather my courage to look at the amber-


    eyed man next to me.


    “Hey.”


    Wait… didn’t we already greet one another? I fiddled with the strands of hair that framed my face,


    almost dropping my rabbit. The silence was deafening.


    “Didn’t I warn you to stay away from men like him?”


    I looked at him, surprised.


    “I don’t need to stay away from anyone if I don’t want to, besides, he’s nice.” I stated, trying not to pay


    attention to the way I was feeling.


    Was it just me or was he acting like a jealous, possessive male? Maybe I was delusional and it was just


    my wishful thinking that was confusing me.


    He grabbed me by the wrist, making me gasp at the power in his grip, as he turned and dragged me


    along with him away from the glitteringnterns and music.


    “Theon! You’re hurting me!”


    He didn’t reply, pulling me around a corner roughly and down a dimly lit alleyway. “Theon! Stop it! What


    is your problem?!” I snapped. He turned, his eyes shimmering with irritation as he grabbed my arms


    and mmed me against the stone wall behind me, making me gasp at the brutal force that he had


    used. One of his hands was still wrapped around my wrist, pinning it to the wall next to my head. He


    didn’t reply, simply ring at me as if he wanted to burn holes through my head. His heart was beating


    a little faster than usual, and my gaze dipped to his lips.


    “My problem is that your stupidity knows no bounds.”


    “Or is it that maybe you want me.” I whispered softly. “I’m not stupid, Theon… Otherwise, care to


    exin why seeing me talking to Raiden really pissed you off? I’m not Charlene. You’re not my


    bodyguard. What I do is none of your concern, you need not get pissed off.” Call me crazy, but I


    couldn’t just let him get away without exining himself. “Was that your aim? To piss me off?” His


    husky voice was making me breathless, I tried to focus on anything but how close he was now


    standing. How could someone irritate you yet at the same time make you want them so badly?


    “Not exactly…”


    His scent invaded my senses and my core clenched when he stepped even closer, my breasts that


    were already sticking out thanks to him keeping my arms captive against the wall now pressed against


    his chest.


    “Then… was the aim to make me jealous?” My eyes flew open at his words, gasping when he released


    one of my wrists and instead wrapped it around my neck. “Did it work?” I braved, my heart thumping,


    watching him as his gaze dipped to my cleavage before slowly running back up to my lips. Say


    something… I could smell my arousal… which meant he sure as hell could.


    We were too close… I could feel his body barely centimetres away from mine. The bulge in his pants


    pressing against my lower stomach only made my core throb. The urge to reach down was


    overwhelming, but instead I wrapped my hand around his wrist as he held my neck.


    “I warned you that I’m a beast and I will destroy you. You’re ying a game far bigger than you could


    ever imagine.. Keep tempting me and I’ll ravish you in a way… that you never could even imagine in


    your wildest dreams.”


    I slowly ran my hand down his forearm, trying toprehend what was happening.


    He wanted me, even if it was just a desire he wanted to satiate… A pang of hurt wed at my chest


    and reality hit me hard.


    No. No. He was right, he’ll destroy me… but… I still needed something. No. I wanted him, I wanted to


    feel what he could offer, even if it was just once, before he realised that he made a mistake.


    “Then show me. Show me exactly what you can offer…” I whispered, running my hand down his waist,


    feeling his hard, muscr body through his shirt.


    The slight racing of his heart made my own speed up. Our eyes locked as his hand tightened around


    my neck. We knew this was reckless, I could see the battle within his gorgeous amber eyes, as he


    fought himself. Which side would win? Logic? Or Lust?


    His thumb caressed my neck, making me sigh. “I’m d you aren’t wearing a ne, because the


    only thing that looks good wrapped around your neck is my hand.” 3 Goddess… His words sent


    another sizzle of pleasure through me. How could he make me so crazy with just his words?


    I ran my tongue along my upper lip sensually. A wanton moan escaped them when I felt him throb


    against my lower stomach and a low growl escaped his lips. “Fuck, Theon…” I whimpered the moment


    he crushed his body against minepletely, closing the tiny gap that had separated us moments


    earlier. He leant down, his lips near my ear, the warmth of his breath making me giddy with anticipation


    when he tensed, freezing. His heart thudded, and I knew reality must have settled in.


    Don’t pull away… I couldn’t let him… I didn’t want to be alone tonight.


    In a futile attempt, I ran my hand over his package, my pussy clenching at just the light feel I had


    managed of hisrge shaft. I heard him suck in a sharp breath as he moved his head back, looking


    down into my eyes.


    “The king has summoned us. We need to get to the banquet now.”


    He let go of me, turning away, his voice once again cold and emotionless before he walked off, not


    even waiting for a reply. The absence of the warmth of his body made me feel strangely cold.


    He had left me alone in this dark alley, feeling… empty.


    —–


    I headed for the banquet field, wondering why the king had summoned us and feeling confused. It was


    clear that there was something from Theon’s side. I wanted him, he wanted me, but all we did was


    sh… I wasn’t a fool, I knew Theon didn’t seem like the type to want anything more. But… I couldn’t


    deny how I felt in his presence…


    I looked around the tables, unsure where to sit. Once upon a time, I sat at the Alpha table with my


    family.


    I saw Charlene watching me and gave her a small smile and forced a smile.


    “Sit down, dear.” Raiden’s mother, Andrea, said to me.


    She was probably one of the only ones who weren’t entirely hostile to me, for saving their son, I guess.


    Although even then they kept it neutral.


    I sat down at one of the long tables covered in white cloth, with flowers and wine set in between the


    luxurious tters of food.


    I looked around slowly, scanning the area until I spotted the king was talking to Raiden’s father,


    Gamma Henry, as well as Gamma Grayson.


    “Do you know what’s happening?” I asked.


    Andrea smiled sympathetically.


    “Oh, nothing at all.”


    She was lying…


    I nodded, not saying anything else, as Rhys shed me a smile. “You look beautiful.” Hemented,


    blushing lightly.


    “I said the very same thing.” Raiden’s drawling voice came as he pulled the seat next to me out and sat


    down.


    After what happened with Theon, I didn’t want Theon to see me sitting next to Raiden, but there was


    nothing I could do ore up with that would be a good enough excuse for me to leave the table.


    I forced a smile and he frowned slightly, looking concerned.


    “Are you ok?” He asked quietly as the king walked to the Alpha’s table that stood on a dais, a table


    where his two Gamma’s and usually the Beta family would sit…


    I nodded in response to Raiden, reaching over and helping myself to part of themb joint. A pleasant


    hum of chatter filled the room as everyone began to eat. I picked up my knife when Raiden’s hand


    closed around my forearm.


    “What is this?” His voice was sharp, yet full of concern, and I looked down to see the clear handprint


    Theon had left on my wrist.


    My heart thundered, and I wondered if there was a mark left on my neck as well.


    I didn’t dare look up at him, hoping my hair covered it, if there was any. I pulled out of his hold, slipping


    my hand under the table. Andrea was watching us curiously. “It’s nothing… I just…” “Can I have


    everyone’s attention.” Alpha Andres’s voice boomed around us, and I felt a wave of relief wash over


    me, turning to look at our Alpha. “Tonight, we pray to our goddess and celebrate everything she has


    blessed us with; power, prosperity, and peace.”


    Everyone had fallen silent, listening to the king. Peace? Did everyone forget that there must be more to


    the attack that happened two months ago? “However, two months ago, I lost a dear


    friend, William De’Lacor. A loyalpanion, a brave warrior, a strong Beta, along with his mate, Hana,


    in that attack…”


    And a loving father… Did you forget that one, Alpha Andres?


    It hurt the way he talked about my dad as if he was nothing to me. Why didn’t he pre-warn me that he


    was going to mention Dad tonight?


    I saw Charlene try to stand up but her mother pulled her down, she nced at me and I forced a smile.


    “With a heavy heart, I have finalised on a new Beta, someone strong, smart and efficient.” Alpha


    Andres continued.


    A murmur rippled through the crowd of seated people, and I knew that through the open mind link,


    those who weren’t close enough to hear would receive the news. I felt a few heads turn toward me, but


    I kept my gaze ahead.


    “A new Beta.”


    “She doesn’t even have a wolf?”


    “Someone else?”


    “I hear it’s the young warrior, Theon…”


    “I present to you, your new Beta! Beta Theon. A man who has proven himself worthy countless times!


    Someone I can trust and someone I know can hold this kingdom together by my daughter’s side!”


    My heart squeezed as Theon, who stood to the side, remained passive. Despite the cheering, he didn’t


    go onto the dais. Our eyes met, but from this distance, I couldn’t make out what he was thinking. It hurt


    so much…


    Everyone began cheering with approval, but it all became a haze, the remarks and pping bing


    a loud, painful echo in my mind.


    Will you not acknowledge the daughter of the Beta you so loved? At least you could have let me know


    that today I was to be stripped of my future? Yes, I knew it wasing, but still…


    “..leyna? Yileyna?”


    Someone was calling me, but I couldn’t understand who it was. My eyes were fixed on the Alpha.


    Maybe, just maybe, he’ll still say something… 1


    “Come sit in your spot, Beta Theon. We will hold the ceremony thising week…”


    I stood up, unable to sit here any longer.


    “Yileyna!” Raiden whispered, trying not to cause a scene as he took hold of my hand gently. I tugged


    free, doing my best to walk out of here with my head held high. Give me strength, Goddess. Mom…


    Dad… You’re still watching over me, right?


    My vision blurred with unshed tears as I kept going, ignoring everyone around me. The moment I was


    out of sight, I broke into a run, only for Raiden to call me once again. The sound of his footsteps as he


    jogged to catch up to me. “Yileyna, wait!”


    “Leave me alone. What do you want?” I asked, quickly blinking away the tears as I stopped running,


    not wanting to cause a scene. “The marks on your wrist…” He walked over to me swiftly, taking hold of


    my hand.


    “It’s nothing Raiden, please just go away.” He was concerned about the bruises? But didn’t he realise it


    was the pain inside of me that was destroying me? “I’m sorry… I…” He trailed off, his gaze falling to my


    neck and his concern vanished. His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, cupping my cheeks tenderly.


    “Did Theon hurt you, Yileyna?” “No, he didn’t. Raiden, please-”


    I saw someone approaching from the corner of my eyes and stopped mid-sentence, turning my gaze to


    see Theon. His face was emotionless, his eyes hard as he looked at us both.


    It hurt to see him after knowing he was the one to take my birth-right, but at the same time, a part of me


    needed him, needed something from him. His touch or just something…


    “Theon-”


    He turned without another word, walking away, anger rolling off him in waves. Please don’t turn your


    back on me… But he didn’t look back, not even once.