Chapter 3 THE CONDITION

"But….but….", Sam stuttered. Esther was frustrated now, "Tell me clearly!!", she ordered. "They have a condition and only if Noah agrees to it will they help us", answered Sam not meeting her eyes. Esther frowned, asking him again, "What condition?"

Sam stuttered, "They…they… I mean the royal…. family is finding a mat… mate for…the werewolf King and only if…you agree to be… his chosennn… mate, will they help us." Esther felt like the ground beneath her was crumbling down, shaking her existence.

For a second, she thought she heard wrong but it was all true when she saw hurt flashing in Sam's eyes. Tears quickly formed in her eyes, this silence was so frightening that Sam could not help but avert his eyes from her. He regretted revealing the condition after seeing her tears.

He had always considered and treated Esther like his sister but the tense situation in the evening made him run his mouth unknowingly. He was all too aware about her situation and how much devastated she would be after learning about the condition but he could do nothing to ease her sorrow and pain except for standing there still and stiff.

He looked at her apologetically and wanted to say something but no words came out from his mouth. He bowed his head and whispered, "Sorry!!" Esther smiled bitterly mocking herself for her ill fate and situation. She thanked him for telling her the condition and then walked away with a blank expression on her face.

She reached her brother's room and knocked on it with trembling hand. Noah opened the door, he panicked seeing Esther's dull and red eyes. Bringing her inside the room he asked hurriedly, "Esther, what happened? Why are you crying, princess?"

Esther came out of her reverie and glanced at her brother before asking in a hoarse tone, "Is it true, Noah?? About the King’s condition….. him finding a chosen mate…." Noah panicked as soon as he heard her before guilt and sorrow flashed in his eyes, "This matter does not concern you, princess besides I myself will not agree to that lousy condition. Brother will definitely find another way. So don't worry, okay??"

Esther looked at him with her teary and red eyes, "Is there really another way, Noah?" Noah became tongue tied as he had a bad premonition in his heart. She smiled sadly, "I agree to it, brother", said Esther while closing her eyes. Noah shouted angrily, "Esther!!"

"Admit it Noah we don't have any other option", saying that she walked out of the room. Noah balled up his fists tightly and hit the wall in anger several times as he watched Esther's sad and lonely back and soon dark red blood dripped on the floor. He felt helpless, not being able to do anything but was reluctant to see his only baby sister give such a big sacrifice for him and the pack.

Esther did not know how she was able to walk inside her room. Closing the door behind, she slid down and sat on the floor with her knees bent towards her chest as she took in protective position. She started crying bitterly, tears rolling down her cheeks. The pain was so much for her to bear, it felt as if someone had cut open her heart and the blood was seeping out endlessly.

She questioned in a sorrowful voice, "Why moon goddess? Why me…. being a werewolf, my wolf hasn't been able to surface. I can neither communicate with my wolf nor can feel her presence anymore. Is this not enough, how much more pain do I have to bear??? What is my sin???"

FLASH BACK

It all happened 5 years ago, Esther had just turned18 years old and it was her upcoming age of ceremony, the most blissful period of her life when she would change into her wolf and then would be able to find her mate. A banquet was held for her birthday and all of the neighboring packs were invited for the celebration.

Since young she had always heard about the power of mate bond in between the mates. She also wanted a true mate to feel those unknown and foreign sparks that would come from his touch, feel the unconditional love and passion and be able to love each other deeply for a lifetime.

Her best friend Josie had been teasing her since the morning about her mate, bothering her with the same question again and again about what she would do if she was lucky enough to find her true mate on that fateful day

Esther seriously had no answer, for she was both nervous and excited thinking about her mate and she had a hard tie dealing with her only best friend. Early that morning she had changed into her wolf. Her wolf "Amara" was a very beautiful with snow white fur and sea green eyes just like her.

Esther had always been praised for her graceful beauty since young. She was one hundred and seventy six meters which was considered quite tall among girls with an hourglass figure, snow white smooth skin, hazel brown waist length hair and the most attractive feature of her was the sea green eyes which was uncommon between the werewolves.

Previously she was a beautiful girl but that day she got a beautiful wolf too. Now, she only had to wait for her mate, her only soulmate. As the celebration was coming to an end Esther smelled a very captivating and intoxicating scent, something that had her wolf stirring inside her, the smell of lemon grass mixed with fresh mint. Her wolf and she both recognized it to be her mate's.

She walked around each corner of the hall to locate the source of the smell. In one of the corners, where the lights were dim she saw him. The man of her dreams standing tall with his towering figure holding a glass of wine. As soon as she saw him, he also turned around looking in her direction.

They both stared at each other intently feeling the pull of the mate bond. The man then advanced his way towards her hastily after putting the glass down on the table. Her wolf Amara was jumping inside her, unable to hold her happiness and excitement.

Her heart started beating crazily and she became nervous not knowing what to do. Subconsciously she also stepped forward and noticed that the man was wearing a mask, the place was not properly lit so she could not see his face. Just when they came close to each other, the lights of the whole hall went out suddenly.

Soon, there was a big commotion in the hall and everyone started running around because they were attacked by the rogues. She got panicked both by the situation and the fear of not seeing his face. Just as she was about to open her mouth, something happened that caught her completely off guard.