Chapter 2: Mate

Maya's Pov The entire ballroom gasped and every head turned to where I was standing. Hundreds of eyes glued themselves to me. Panic exploded in my chest. The new Alpha is my mate.And I am the pack runt. The pressure was too much. The shock, the terror, the whispers starting to break out around me, it was suffocating. I didn't wait to see what he would do next. I didn't give him a chance to speak to me, or worse, to reject me in front of everyone. I turned back, shoved my way through the crowded doors, and ran out as fast as my legs could carry me. My feet pounded against the cold ground. I couldn't stop running. My heart was beating so fast inside my chest that it hurt, and the cold night wind slashed against my skinlike tiny knives. "Stop. Mate, please, just stop." Ezra’s deep voice echoed behind me. He was faster than me, so much faster. Before I could even turn my head, strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. He pulled me back hard against his hard chest and I gasped, my breathing heavy, but he didn't let go. He spun me around in his arms so I was facing him. "I got you," he whispered, his voice hoarse. Before I could say anything, Ezra cupped my face with both of his hands and leaned down and began kissing me everywhere. He kissed my forehead, my cheeks, my nose, and finally my lips. His kisses were hot, wild, and desperate. "You're so gorgeous," he breathed out against my skin, kissing my eyelids. "You're perfect. Thank the Moon Goddess-- thank you for giving her to me." My heart melted and sparks flew everywhere he touched me. It felt like fire under my skin, making me weak in the knees. "Ezra, wait," I choked out, placing my hands on his chest to push him back just a little bit. "There’s something I need to tell you. You don't understand, I'm a--" "Shh," he said, giving me another kiss that took my breath away. He pressed me against the trunk of a giant oak tree, his body heavy and warm against mine. "It doesn't matter. Nothing you say matters." "Ezra, you don't understand. I'm just a runt. And you've already chosen Hope as your mate and Luna” "I don't care about any of that," He growled softly, kissing down my jaw and making me shiver. He looked down into my eyes with a look of deep sorrow and desperation. "Listen to me, Maya. My parents forced this political arrangement with Hope. They threatened my title. But Hope means nothing to me. Her presence is just politics. My heart and my soul belong only to you." ​Tears blurred my vision. "You really don't want her?" ​"Never," Ezra promised, wiping a tear from my cheek. "You're my true mate. The Moon Goddess gave you to me. I will find a way to break the arrangement with Hope and make you my official Luna. I love you." He didn't give me a chance to finish and leaned in and kissed me again, deeper this time, pulling me completely into his heat. His hands slid under my shirt, his fingers hot against my bare skin. Every place he touched turned to fire making me moan. He lifted me slightly, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, burying my hands in his dark hair. We lost control right there under the trees. He laid me down gently on the soft grass, his eyes dark with desire. He moved over me with so much passion, his body pressing down, making me forget my own name. His skin was hot against mine as he pulled off my dress and then my panties. When he pushed himself inside me, a sharp breath escaped my throat as the pain hit me hard. "It's okay; just hold on for me." He said, and I nodded as I felt him settle inside me, but the pain was gone as soon as he broke my hymen, and after that, pleasure overtook all my senses. Every touch, every thrust made me scream his name. It was intense, fast, and overwhelming. His hands gripped my hips, pulling me closer, matching his deep thrusts until I was gasping and l scratched him as pleasure crashed over me. He groaned loudly against my neck, shuddering as he came inside me, holding me like I was the most precious thing in the entire world. He leaned down, his sharp teeth hovering over the sweet spot on my neck. His breath was hot, and his wolf was demanding to mark me forever. His eyes darkened. "What's wrong, my love?" "Not yet," I murmured, my voice shaking slightly. "Let's-- let's do it later. Please?" Ezra looked at me for a second, then a smile broke across his face and he leaned down and kissed my forehead, then my cheek, and finally the back of my hand. "Whatever you want," he promised softly. "We'll do it later." We explored each other's bodies until the early hours of the morning and he took me back home because we still have to talk to our parents before staying together and all of that. *** I sat up and stretched when I woke up in the morning with a huge smile spreading on my face. My whole body felt warm, and for the first time in my life, my wolf was purring softly in my head. I was happy. I spent my whole life being looked down on because I was small and weak. But last night changed everything. Ezra accepted me. He loves me. Today is going to be a really good day. I hopped out of bed, took a quick hot shower, and put on my favorite sundress and practically ran downstairs to the kitchen, eager to see my family. "Mom? Dad?" I called out, walking into the empty kitchen. Nobody answered. The house was quiet and there was a small piece of paper sitting on the kitchen counter next to the fridge. I walked over and picked it up. It was in my mother's handwriting: The Alpha called an urgent pack meeting at the Main Hall. Your father, your brother, and I had to go early. Join us as soon as you wake up. My heart did a little happy flip. An urgent meeting? That means Ezra will be there and they are probably discussing our mating and when our mating ceremony will take place. My wolf wagged her tail inside my mind, eager to see our mate in the daylight. I didn't even bother eating breakfast. I practically flew out of the door and l made my way towards the pack house. I couldn't wait to see him again and feel his arms around me. When I reached the doors of the pack hall, I pushed the doors open with a big smile, ready to find Ezra. "Hey, guys, sorry I'm--" The words froze in my throat. The entire room went silent. My parents were standing near the front, along with my brother, the Alpha, and all the high-ranking members of the pack. Every single eye turned to look at me, but nobody said a word. The air in the room felt heavy and suffocating. My eyes slowly moved to the center of the room. Ezra was standing there but he wasn't alone. Hope the gamma's daughter was in his arms. Her head was thrown back as tears of satisfaction fell from her eyes. Ezra’s sharp, elongated teeth were buried deep into the side of her neck. He was marking her.