••• Arabella’s POV •••
“Happy twentieth birthday, Bella!” one of my childhood friends, who had arrived early for my birthday party, wished me all the happiness in the world.
”Thank you,” I replied with a bright smile.
My childhood friends would all gather to celebrate my birthday and… my wedding!
Though they didn't know about the latter yet.
“Bella, you and Shawn are such a perfect couple,” she sighed dreamily.
I was annoyed by how she was sighing because I knew she was thinking of Shawn, but I couldn't feel any happier after receiving her praise.
“You came too early, and I still need to get ready,” I complained playfully at her.
“Go and get ready!” She laughed and shooed me away.
I laughed and went to my bedroom to change and get ready as I thought about my husband-to-be.
Shawn Evander, the Alpha of the Battleclaw Banes Pack, one of the most eligible bachelors at the moment, was my destined mate!
It was the dream of many she-wolves to marry him, but I was the chosen one! The Moon Goddess had chosen me to be his mate!
How lucky was I?
Not so lucky, I guessed, since my parents didn't like him; I sighed with a heavy heart.
My dad, Hayden Fallon, the Alpha King, though I called him the Luna King secretly since Mom was actually the Alpha Queen, especially disagreed with our marriage.
He kept telling me that he saw demonic intentions in Shawn’s eyes, and he didn't think Shawn loved me, which always made me mad.
Everyone knew of my parents’ love story and the spells and curses, and now my dad thought everyone had a ‘demon’ in them.
So, I made a bold decision - I told them I wanted to celebrate my twentieth birthday with my close friends and persuaded them to travel overseas to relax.
What they didn't know was that I had chosen today to be my wedding day, too!
Of course, I had to do it behind their back since they were against it.
But what could they do when they returned, and I was already married to Shawn?
Nothing, right?
I also had to beg my Mom’s Beta, Uncle Leo, as I called him in private, to keep this a secret from them.
I would celebrate my birthday first tonight and then my wedding later on.
I couldn't wait for it!
After putting on my wedding dress, which was just a simple, long white gown, I tried to mindlink Shawn, but strangely, I couldn't reach him.
Was he asleep at the moment?
It couldn't be.
He wanted to marry me as much as I wanted to marry him.
Or had he arrived and was already busy tending to the guests?
I walked out of my room and accidentally heard moans of sexual pleasure coming from the last room in the hallway.
Who would have the courage to have sex in the Royal pack’s main house?
Out of curiosity, I walked toward the room, lightening my footsteps so as not to startle the couple, and peeked through the door's crack only to have the shock of my life.
I saw Abby, my best friend of fifteen years, kneeling in front of my mate and giving him a blowjob!
How was this possible?!
Shawn had told me many times that he disliked Abby!
Shawn pulled her up and kissed her deeply before I heard him complain to Abby, “Fuck, Abby. You are so good with your mouth, unlike Bella, who is so prudish and conservative.”
Abby giggled and nibbled Shawn’s bottom lip, earning her another moan of pleasure from him.
“This is why you are so much better than her,” Shawn said. “Imagine, almost one year together, and she still wouldn't let me taste her.”
“Then you should just reject her,” Abby purred into his ear.
“You know I can't.”
Shawn’s refusal to reject me kind of got my hopes up, but he crushed it with his next words.
“You know I need to marry her to inherit the resources she could only give me as the Alpha Princess.”
He pinched Abby’s nipple playfully as he said, “But don't worry. Once I succeed with my plan, I will reject and divorce her and marry you.”
“I know you are the best, Shawn!” Abby threw herself onto my so-called mate, and they kissed again, making me want to puke.
I couldn't believe Abby would betray me.
She risked her life to save my twin sister when we were fifteen years old, and although she didn't succeed, my family, the Royal family, had appreciated her effort.
And this was what I got from her?
“Slut and asshole!” my wolf, Iris, growled.
Just as I was about to burst into the rooms and tear them apart, I felt my phone vibrate in my purse.
I quickly went away from the door to pick up the video call from my parents.
“Happy birthday, my dearest Ari,” Mom said the moment our call was connected and she saw my face.
“Thank you, Mom,” I thanked her sincerely.
I loved my Mom so much. She wasn't as strict as my dad.
Then, Dad’s face appeared on my phone screen.
“Happy birthday, Ari,” he too wished me.
“Thank you, Dad,” I smiled at him.
No matter how much I hated him for not allowing me to marry Shawn, he was still my dad, and I loved him too.
“Are you still together with Shawn?” he asked next, which made the smile on my face freeze for a split second.
“I wish you would reject him since he’s not good for you even though he is your destined mate,” he sighed.
This time, I knew Dad was right, but my strong self-esteem made me want to prove to everyone that my feelings with Shawn were perfect.
“Don't say that, Dad. Everything is well with me and Shawn,” I lied and pretended to be mad about it.
“I agree with your dad, Ari,” Mom said.
“It’s my birthday today, and you guys are already trying to ruin my happiness,” I complained. “I need to go. My friends have all arrived.”
“Have a good party, then,” Dad said with a scowl.
I quickly hung up the call and went downstairs to meet my friends, who had all arrived.
Shawn joined me after a while, and I noticed he must have taken a shower since I couldn't smell Abby on him.
He pretended to be close and loving with me, showing everyone what a perfect couple we were.
The party went perfectly as planned until it was time to cut the cake.
After cutting the cake, I saw him looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to announce our wedding.
However, I didn't announce it and pretended not to notice his gaze and mingled with my friends instead.
My friends left after the party ended, and he yanked my arm angrily.
“What happened? Why didn't you announce our wedding?”
I yanked back my arm from his hold and told him firmly and hurriedly, “I, Arabella Fallon, the Alpha Princess of the royal pack, the Red Moon Pack, reject you, Shawn Evander, the Alpha of the Battleclaw Banes Pack, as my mate.”
He looked startled at how things turned out before his face twisted with anger.
“I don't accept your rejection,” he growled.
“Really? So what you said to Abigail after she blowjob you and when you guys were kissing and hugging each other must be true then,” I mocked him.
“Abigail can marry you in my place instead,” I suggested and spat out, “Isn't that what you want?”
“So you saw and heard us, huh?” he sneered and shamelessly said, “I won't let you go, and I won't marry Abby. Why should I marry a lowly wolfless Omega instead of an Alpha Princess who could give me many benefits?”
Shameless!
I was about to open my mouth and chewed him out when suddenly my phone vibrated again.
Taking it out from my purse, I was surprised to see my Dad’s name on my phone screen.
“Dad?” I asked once I connected the call.
“Ari, your Mom and I are very disappointed in you,” he said. “How could you disobey us, your parents, and secretly marry Shawn? We are going back now, and you need to explain to us, young lady.”
I was stunned as I heard the disconnected tone on my phone.
How did they know?
Then I saw Shawn smirk evilly, and I realized he must have been the one who purposely told my Dad about this!
“Shawn, you jerk!” I yelled at him and raised my leg fast, kicking him on his balls with all my strength.
He groaned and fell to the ground while clutching his groin, but I couldn't care less about him.
He deserved it!
I quickly mindlinked some guards to throw Shawn out of the house before getting my car and driving around.
Passing by a bar, I stopped my car, gave my key to the valet before entering the venue, and decided to drown myself in alcohol.
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Author’s note: Dear readers, I hope you like the first chapter of Arabella’s story. Much love from me to you all *love*