Chapter 47

nodding and politely smiling at the people who congratulated him.

It was as if the volume had suddenly been turned on as loud claps and hoots rang throughout the hall, jolting me back to the present. Music began to play as the guests mingled, eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves. Not wanting anyone to notice my distressed state, I discreetly wiped away the tears before glancing at our group. Alpha Nicholas seemed to say something to Kole and James, who nodded before making a beeline for the two females standing very close to the platform.

The spark unexpectedly flared once again as the realization hit me like a sledgehammer. The attractive females, who were engaging with the brothers were probably their chosen mates. Pain slashed me from within at that knowledge, disorienting me for a second.

"Are you alright?"

The feminine voice was soft, almost musical in the way that it flowed effortlessly. Glancing up, I noticed that Thomas had left my side and the only ones that remained on the platform were Alex, Marcus, Amelia, Alpha Nicholas, myself, and this female who now stood in front of me, looking concerned. Even Liam was nowhere to be seen.

My eyes refocused on the tall brunette who was to be Marcus's mate - Isabelle Dawson.

"If you're upset about what the Alpha said before, don't be. Everyone knows how he can get."

I frowned, confused at what she was referring to until I realized that she had witnessed Alpha Nicholas threaten to have my throat ripped out if I spoke again in his presence.

"I'm fine." My voice, just like everything else sounded tense and in that moment, all I wanted to do was to find Thomas. But where the hell was he?

"Oh, my Goddess! It's Alpha Ezra! I cannot believe he is here. He never attends any kind of gatherings."

I glanced at the person that Isabelle was talking about and noticed that it was the same man who had stared at me during the Alpha's speech.

"Who is he?"

Isabelle looked at me like I had grown two heads. "Who is he? He's just one of the greatest Alphas to ever live. He's a legend! His pack is the most powerful pack here in the US."

Alpha Ezra who had been talking to someone, turned as if I had shouted his name. He stared with interest before I looked away.

"Wish he'd stop staring at me like I'm some kind of a freak... Wish they'd all stop staring."

A frown appeared on Isabelle's face. "Is that what you think? That these people look at you because you are different?"

I looked away not wanting or caring to contemplate the opinions of monsters but Isabelle it seemed wasn't finished. "They stare because you are the first human to be bonded to a shifter in centuries. You are a beacon of hope to so many of them here."

"Me? Why?"

"Don't you get it? Most of them didn't come here to see our pack join the Carson brothers... they are here to see the miracle – you and Thomas. What you share is so rare and sacred that most can only ever dream about having it. Including myself. You don't know how blessed you are..."

Blessed? The word was acid on my tongue. How could so much grief and heartache be considered a blessing?

"....to be bonded heart and soul to someone is just... I have no words to describe it but seeing you and Thomas gives them hope that someday they might find their own mates in the human world...."

I let her carry on, my eyes searching the place for the one person that I wanted to talk to but it was of no use. Thomas was nowhere to be found.

A loud giggle, however, had me turning to the left to see Amelia with her arms around Alex's neck, whispering something before leaning in for a kiss.

A sharp pain in my gut had me doubling over, the nausea making its way up as I struggled to stand. No... This can't be happening... I shouldn't be feeling this...how...

"Mia, are you ok? You don't look so well..."

Things swam in and out of focus as I struggled to breathe. My chest was left tight, like a weight had settled over my ribs blocking the air flow to my lungs. The noises amplified, my vision blurred, the giggling grated my ears, and the knot under my chest tightened.

"I-I need some air..."

"Wait! Mia! Where are you going?"

Ignoring her calls, I turned blindly and stumbled to the first set of doors that I could find before making my exit from the room.

And once outside... I just ran.