Sinner

[Hyacinth]

By having a one-night stand with a wolf that is not my mate, I committed adultery against my future mate and husband, even if I don’t know him yet. 

Sex outside of the mate bond is a sin for wolves in my pack. We mate for life, “gifted” as we are by the Moon Goddess with one perfect mate made just for us. I’ve always thought this idea is ridiculous. Shouldn’t we be able to choose who we love and who we make love to? 

Maybe I only think this way because I know I’ll never have a mate. You need to have a wolf to have a mate and I don’t have one. 

Nobody knows why. Most people just say I’m cursed. 

This is why I knew I was in serious trouble when I woke up in a room with a large, strong, masculine arm draped across my chest.

As if dumped into an ice-cold pool of water, I fear I already know what happened last night.  Picking myself up off the floor, I say a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess, grateful that the stranger didn’t wake to see my shame as I wrap myself up in the sheet at my feet.

Pulling the sheet up around me I run across the room and push my way out into the hallway, determined to place as much distance between myself and what happened here as I possibly can.

If I am lucky, the only person who will know is Ashlynd. 

[flashback–Last Night]

“You look so pretty tonight,” Ashlynd places a diamond and emerald star necklace around my neck. I feel so special in this moment, so loved.“ Mother was right to suggest I bring you as my plus one. How often will you ever get the chance to go to a ball?”

“Thank you, Ashlynd, for all your kindness.” She has always been so kind to me, but taking me to the Alpha Beta Ball is more than I could have ever hoped for. Father never let me attend this ball and I don’t feel like I deserve it.

Twirling me to stand before a mirror, she gives me a moment to take in the effect of my transformation. My makeup is perfect and the dress makes me look like a princess. 

Suddenly Ashlynd’s phone rings. 

“It’s Mom,” she rolls her eyes. Excusing herself, she walks out of the bedroom into the main living space of the hotel room. While I wait, I try on shoes and find a pretty silver pair. Excited to show Ashlynd, I head to the door but pause when I hear the frustration in her voice. 

…” I’m not sure this is going to work,” I see Ashlynd is pacing back and forth. She looks worried.

There is a pause. Ashlynd nods her head as she replies.  “If you say so, Mother. If it worked before…” 

Looking over, she sees me and hangs up in a hurry. 

“Oh you found the silver pair,” she smiles, putting her phone back in her pocket. Why is she nervous about me overhearing her? What is she trying to hide? “Those look great! Here," she sprits a bit of her favorite perfume on my neck and then pushes me towards the door. "Now we are ready! Come on, let’s go. We have a party to go to!”

Giddy with excitement, we rush to the elevator. The party is already in full swing by the time we get to the lobby. Young wolves from every pack in the area are moving in and out of the ballroom, laughing and talking, having a good time. 

While Ash walks over to the snack table, I look around. The ballroom lights are colorful and bright, the music lively, and the dance floor full of wolves having the best night of their lives. Some are even walking hand in hand, basking in the glow of finally finding their fated mate. I feel a small stab of jealousy. I wish that could be me as well. 

“Here Sis,” my sister hands me a cup. “This punch tastes amazing,” Ashlynd takes a big gulp from her cup.  

“Try it!” she grabs a cup from the table, she pours some from her cup into my glass, and stirs it with her finger. “Drink up!”

...

Now that I think about it, her actions were a bit unnatural. I should have been more cautious.

Leaning heavily against the wall, I pick myself up and tuck the sheet more tightly around my body as I slowly make my way down the corridor. This shouldn’t be so difficult. Something is wrong with me. My legs are not working as they should.

What happened last night? Was I drugged?

Worried about being discovered, I don’t have enough time to consider what any of this means as I move on unsteady legs down the narrow hallway. My eyes blurry, I search for the right room number which is how I trip over a bump on the rug and stumble into a food cart sitting just outside of room 208.

Three doors down, the door to room 211 opens and Ashlynd peeks her head out to find me as a tumbled heap on the floor, covered in blood, dirt, and someone else’s leftovers. 

Twisting her pretty pink lips in worry, she pushes a strand of blonde hair out of her bright blue eyes and hisses. “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!”

“Ashlynd, I…” try to speak, but my tongue feels heavy, and cottony. “I need help I…”

She wrinkles her nose as she approaches me. “What on earth happened to you? You disappeared! I was so worried and I didn’t know what to do.”

Although her words sound concerned, there is something about the way she is looking at me that chills me. Why is she suddenly acting so strangely? Shouldn’t she care that I am hurt?

That’s when I hear something that makes me freeze in place with fear.

“Ash,” my father’s voice calls out into the hall. “Did you find your sister?”

Mortified, my legs give way as my body trembles. I know it doesn’t matter how much I beg. I committed adultery against my future husband and mate. This is a sin he will never forgive. 

Our eyes meet, and with just one look I can see that Father knows everything. He reaches down to grab my arm and drags me into the room, not giving me a chance to catch my footing. 

“What is going on here, Hyacinth?!” 

“Father, please believe me,” I beg, crying. “It’s not what it looks like. Somebody did this to me. I don’t even remember what happened…”

The sound of his hand hitting my face echoed through the hall. “Be grateful that I have not thrown you out before now for being as pathetic and useless as you are.” 

My face is still stinging from his slap. I try to stand on unstable legs.

“Contact Beta Reed,” he looks over his shoulder to command his guard. “Tell her I request an emergency meeting of the Tribunal of Elders.”

Looking me up and down one last time, my father shakes his head. “What a disgrace. If your mother were alive right now she would be so ashamed.”