I Am The Heiress Of The Moon Crest Pack
••• Charlotte’s POV •••
Hearing I was the female Alpha that Milla had been yelling at the guards to call, Hayden and Milla’s expressions turned into one of shock, and it made me delighted.
Milla was the first to get out of her shocked state and started to argue again, but my guards were efficient. They pulled her off and threw her away from the ballroom’s main entrance.
Hayden came to his mind when he saw Milla being thrown out. He grabbed my hand and asked in disbelief, “You are the heiress of the Moon Crest Pack?”
I smirked at him. “Never thought that a timid orphan she-wolf turns out to be the mysterious, powerful female Alpha, have you?”
“Why did you lie to me for the last three years?” he nearly yelled at me.
I was annoyed with his tone and question. “It has nothing to do with you,” I hissed out.
“Nothing to do with me? NOTHING TO DO WITH ME?! We were mates, for fucks sake!” This time, he yelled at me, which angered me to no end. There were many guests present, and he dared to question me and make a scene!
I tried shaking his hand off, but he was grabbing it too tightly, as if he didn't want to let me go until I gave him a satisfactory answer.
“Hayden, you were right. We were mates,” I emphasized the word ‘were’. “But remember what you told me when I asked you if you have ever loved me?” I asked him coldly.
He wanted to retort but shut his mouth in the end.
“Even if I told you, would you have believed me? Even if I told you, would you have loved me and taken my side when Sofia framed me? Even if you knew, would it change anything?” I continued asking him coldly.
“Of course, it would make a difference!” he hissed.
“Hayden, you told me you only took me as your mate to save the trouble of not having a Luna and to make yourself and your pack stronger. You knew me as a weak and timid orphan back then, yet I still make you stronger,” I reminded him, adding coldly, “So, my identity as the Alpha of the Moon Crest Pack wouldn't matter.”
“Then why did you lie? What was your motive for concealing your real identity if it didn't matter?” he insisted on getting an answer out of me.
I looked at him with amusement and anger. My motive? Did he not know about it? Was he really that ignorant? I purposely concealed my identity to make him love me for me and not because I was a powerful Alpha who he could use to strengthen his pack!
But that still happened, didn't it? Even though he thought I was a weak-ass orphan, he still used me.
I sneered and didn't even want to answer him. What was the point of answering? Nothing would change. Everything was already too late. I didn't love him anymore and had no desire to be entangled with him anymore.
“Charlotte...” he growled low, and his eyes narrowed. Was he threatening me?
“Everyone, please welcome my daughter, the heiress of the Moon Crest Pack, to the stage.” Fortunately, my dad’s introduction came at the right time.
I shook Hayden’s hand off, and he let me go this time. I went to the stage without when bothering to look back at him.
“Good evening, everyone. Thank you for coming to this banquet. My name is Charlotte Adler, and as my dad, Alpha Alrick, had stated, I am the heiress and next Alpha of the Moon Crest Pack,” I said calmly with a soft smile.
“Women will never be strong enough to lead a pack,” a guest suddenly sneered.
I laughed lightly, hearing his words. “If I am not strong enough, then where did my reputation of being a mysterious, powerful female Alpha come from?”
“Alpha Charlotte,” another voice raised from the crowd, but he was polite, not like the guest who sneered before. “Where have you been through in the last three years? We have never heard any news from you since three years ago. You seemed to disappear from the face of the earth.”
I looked at Hayden in the middle of all the guests. He had a complex look in his eyes, but I didn't care about it at all.
I sneered and answered the guest’s question. “I, indeed, had experienced a lot. Not only was I rejected by my mate, but I also had to sever the matebond.”
My answer created a heated discussion amongst the guests.
Ignoring the effect my words had caused, I smiled and said, “I do have a suggestion for all the she-wolves who are present here. As you’ve heard from my experience, mate bonds can be unreliable. Our mates can suddenly decide to reject us or, worse, untie the mate bonds. So, my advice to all the she-wolves here, try to rely on yourselves and not others. Not even your mates.”
Many guests wanted to ask me questions, but Dad took over the mic and told them to enjoy themselves with the provided wine and food.
I went down from the stage, and as expected, many werewolves surrounded me. Some tried to get to know me, and some still wanted to ask questions about my experience, but luckily my dad and Leo were always by my side, guarding me.
Soon, those who wanted to ask about my past began to get the hints that my dad wouldn't allow such questions, and they dispersed.
The banquet became lively, with my dad introducing me to many werewolves from other packs. Leo, as my Beta, naturally kept staying with me.
He took great care of me. He would give me another glass when he saw that my drink was finished. He took food for me so I wouldn't feel hungry. And when he saw I was tired, he would lead me to a sofa so I could rest for a while.
By the time the banquet came to an end, I was so dead tired from conversing with many werewolves and smiling all the time I felt like my jaw wouldn't snap back to its original position.
Leo accompanied me back to the pack’s main house. He was worried because there were still some members who thought I was unfit to be the new Moon Crest Alpha.
I was grateful to him for worrying about me.
“Leo, you don't have to worry about me. I will show them through my actions that I am suitable to be their next Alpha,” I comforted him.
He smiled, knowing that I was confident with myself. But then he frowned. “Lottie... You and Hayden...”
He, obviously, must have witnessed the exchange between me and Hayden, just like every other guest.
“Leo, I don't love him anymore. We have rejected each other and even went further by breaking our matebond. I won't go back to him; that’s one thing I am a hundred percent sure of,” I reassured him.
“That’s good,” he sighed in relief. “I don't want him or his pack to bully you again.”
“Do you think with me being myself now, being the powerful female Alpha, I would let anyone bully me?” I asked with a mischievous smile.
He laughed and patted my head. “I’m glad you are back to being confident. Pretending to be weak doesn't suit you at all. Being confident is the only thing that suits you.”
We talked and laughed while he walked me back. Once I reached my house, I slummed to the sofa. I was so exhausted, and when my body hit the soft sofa, I fell asleep immediately.
In my sleeping state, I felt someone covering my body with a blanket gently. Next, I heard a soft male voice whispering softly and lovingly in my ears.
“I swear from now on. I will protect you with everything I have. I won't let you go anymore. Not this time. Not in the future. Not ever.”
Then I felt a gentle kiss being placed on my forehead.
Hayden? I thought to myself. I let out a bitter smile. It couldn't be him. Hayden would never be this gentle to me, nor would he say all those sweet words or use a loving tone while speaking to me. Those were reserved for his dear Sofia and never for me.
This must all be just a dream...