Celia POV
"After the mating ceremony with me, you will leave Dark Moon pack and serve me at home. Besides, you have to give birth to a pup for me within a year!"
The man said condescendingly.
I felt a surge of anger and disbelief. How could my stepmother Sarah have sold me off to another pack's Beta?
This middle-aged man, with thinning hair and a protruding belly, seemed dissatisfied with my appearance.
He asked, "How tall are you?"
I took a sip of my coffee and replied calmly, "5.6 feet."
Keaton nodded, saying, "That's acceptable. I'm nearly 5.9 feet tall. Our height difference will be cute when we kiss. You'll have to stand on your tiptoes, but that's okay. I can bend down a bit."
I rolled my eyes at him.
"You're wrong, sir."
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
Just then, a tall, stern-looking man entered the coffee shop.
I immediately seized the opportunity and approached him.
"Excuse me, I really need your help!" I said, grabbing his tie and pulling him down.
I stood on my tiptoes and gently kissed his lips.
"Do you see? You should at least be as tall as him to make a girl tiptoe to kiss you!" I declared triumphantly.
The man seethed in anger, pointing at me.
"You shameless woman! How dare you kiss a man so casually? Just wait, I'll tell everyone about it! You'll be infamous in all packs, and you will never find a mate!"
I smiled, "Do you think I'm afraid of you? Go ahead! This is even better! I don't need a mate!"
After this got out, who else would my stepmother be able to sell me to?
I sneered at Keaton and pushed him away, then turned to the tall man who had stood up for me.
"Thank you for your help! Bye!"
But before I could leave, a cold hand grabbed my wrist, stopping me.
A deep, icy voice reached my ears.
"You kissed me forcefully. Do you think you can just walk away like this?"
I felt a chilling aura emanating from the man as I looked up at his strikingly handsome face.
He had a mature and meticulous hairstyle, with deep, dangerous eyes and a sharpness that sent shivers down my spine.
I shivered subconsciously.
The man, his gaze dark as a storm, was about to speak. His subordinate received a call and approached with urgency.
"My Alpha, there's a change in situation! Kaitlyn's flight encountered severe weather conditions and was forced to turn back. She won't be able to make it to the country tonight, but your mating ceremony is scheduled for this evening. What should we do now?"
I grew increasingly impatient. "Can you let go of me, please?"
The man turned his cold, calculating gaze toward me, his eyes revealing a glint.
"She can replace Kaitlyn."
A sense of unease washed over me, and I asked cautiously, "What do you mean?"
His eyes narrowed, and he uttered a chilling statement, his voice sharp as ice.
"I want you to take responsibility, for kissing me."
I couldn't help but wear a bewildered expression.
"Responsibility? For a kiss? That's ridiculous!" I said, "I gave you my first kiss, and I didn't ask for anything!"
He raised an eyebrow. "First kiss?"
I sighed regretfully, "Yes. I had kept my first kiss for almost 20 years!"
His expression turned cold, and he spoke in a low, menacing tone.
"Take her away, Calvin."
Before I knew it, I was being escorted out by several men in black suits and shoved into a black car.
At a manor in Black Mist pack, the guests were abuzz with speculation.
"I wonder which pack's daughter is so fortunate to become Alpha Leon's Luna!"
"She must be a perfect combination of beauty and lineage. Ordinary women can't attract Alpha Leon."
"Look, Alpha Leon! He's so handsome..."
"Is the girl his mate?"
"She looks average. Wait, why is she wearing such heavy smokey makeup?"
Under the scrutiny of the crowd, the man led me onto the central stage of the ceremony.
The host approached with a microphone, ready to begin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Welcome to Alpha Leon's mating ceremony!"
I stood there, shocked.
I never expected him to bring me here forcefully for a mating ceremony!
The guests below had varying expressions, and whispers filled the air.
"Is she Alpha Leon's Luna? Why is she dressed like a streetwalker?"
"Shouldn't Alpha Leon's woman be a gentle and beautiful lady? She looks like a cheap harlot!"
I was about to say something when I felt a cold blade against my back.
Under the bewildered gazes of the guests, I was forced to exchange engagement rings with Leon.
I quickly stepped down from the stage, just wanting to leave.
However, three extravagantly dressed women surrounded me, blocking my way.
"Which pack's Alpha's daughter are you?"
"You're so ugly!"
"You must have used some dirty methods to seduce Alpha Leon, right? You bitch!"
I tried to bypass them, but they pushed me, and one of them even threw a drink on me.
I was furious.
Next second, I grabbed two of them by the hair and slammed their heads together.
Bang!
The two women collapsed on the floor, unconscious. The third woman stared at me, dumbfounded.
"You..."
I remained expressionless and raised my hand, gesturing for her to step aside. She quickly bowed and stepped away.
Just then, a voice cut through the tension.
"Calvin, take her to change her clothes."
"Yes, my Alpha."
I glared at him defiantly.
"This is unfair! I only kissed you lightly, and now you want me to give myself to you as payment? That's too much!"
The man gestured for his men to step back and then tilted my chin with his long fingers.
His touch was gentle but carried a dangerous edge.
"Little girl, since you dared to act so boldly in public, you have to face the consequences. Understand?"
I furrowed my brow.
This man was definitely crazy!
"Oh, well! Can I at least use the restroom first?" I asked with a hint of attitude.
Leon gave his subordinates a meaningful look, signaling them to watch over me.
After I got into the restroom, I managed to escape through the window. I found a motorcycle on the street and rode it back home.
When I arrived home, it was already late at night.
As soon as I entered, my father, Zander, slapped me across the face.
"Celia, you're shameless!"
