Chapter Two Hundred and Eleven
**BETA PHIL’S POV**
EARLIER… (MATE BALL)
I wasn’t born into any of the ‘noble‘ bloodlines. None of my ancestors had ever been part of the Alpha, Beta, or Gamma clans, so I never thought I could ascend to such a position. But if my mother were alive today, she would wear that same warm smile–the one that said, ‘I told you so.‘ She had believed in me, even in times when I didn’t share that belief.
Pack members stepped forward to congratulate me. I couldn’t recall the last time I had felt this happy.
Then, I caught the scent.
Many years ago, I would have been overjoyed; many years ago, the thought of finding my mate–my other half- consumed me. But those prime years were gone, and now I saw how people were overly obsessed with the ideology of having mates. We didn’t need mates to be complete; it was all a matter of the mind. I never needed one.
So why now?
Why now when everything was finally falling into place?
Abandoning my half–drunk glass of champagne, I rose and followed the scent. That’s when I saw her. She had also come to a stop, and then our eyes met.
She wore a black top and an equally black skirt, with fishnet tights beneath and black shoes to match. Her skin was naturally pale, but I could tell the whiteness of her face was enhanced by makeup. Her eyes were painted black, and she had multiple piercings–on her nose, lips, eyelids, ears, and even her belly button.
I never considered any of that as ‘good looking‘, but this time, I could almost overlook it. Her dark brown eyes were huge and sad. She could pass for seventeen, but of course, she had to be eighteen to find her mate.
Then she took a step forward. I turned around and walked away.
*Present*
I still think about it.
How she would have felt when I walked away.
I took the Luna’s advice, and the next day, I set off for the Riverdale Pack. They were a small pack, not too far from the Nightshade pack. I informed Alexander of my whereabouts, but he had no idea what I was going for. Perhaps Kaida had already told him about my mate, but he hadn’t asked why I was visiting the pack.
Now, I stood before the small cottage where Selene Ashford, my mate, lived.
I walked up the front steps and knocked once. The sound of approaching footsteps told me someone was coming.
A woman, appearing to be in her late thirties, stood by the door. She had black hair, just like Selene’s, but her eyes were a golden–brown.
“I’m Philip Dawson.” I introduced myself, and immediately her eyes lit up in recognition.
“Yes, of course you are. And I’m Rebecca Ashford. Selene’s mother.” She introduced. “Please come in.”
I walked into the small cottage, which I could barely fit in.
“Selene, you have a visitor. It’s Beta Phillip,” Rebecca called out. “She’ll be out in a few minutes. In the
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+25 BONUS
Chapter Two Hundred and Eleve
meantime, get you anything? Coffee? Tea?” she asked and I was about to turn her down but thought better
of it.
“Coffee would do. Thank you.‘
“I’ll get it right away. Please, make yourself at home,” she said before walking away.
I took a seat on the small, worn–out couch. When she entered, it wasn’t Rebecca who returned with the cup of coffee.
Selene walked forward, and once again, I found it hard to look away.
Today, she looked completely different. All the rings were gone; she’d cut her hair, and now it stopped just beneath her jaw. Her face was bare of makeup, and she wore a bright yellow dress with flowery designs. She looked even more beautiful, and I couldn’t deny how dangerously attractive she was.
“I didn’t know how you liked your coffee, so I prepared it the way I’d prepare mine,” she said with a small smile. Her voice was soft, perfectly fitting her angelic face.
I accepted the coffee with a ‘thanks‘ and took a sip. ‘It’s perfect,‘ I said, and she smiled wider.
“I’m glad you like it,” she said.
“Can I ask a question?”
“Of course.” She said it with that beautiful soft voice.
“How old are you?” I asked, hoping it didn’t sound rude or too forward. She didn’t seem bothered.
“I’m nineteen.”
Nineteen. A year older than I’d thought. But still, not old enough.
