On My Knees Before the Goddess… and My Alpha

Chapter 1 

 Elara’s POV 

“Again!” I yelled at the children, and they groaned and whined.

“You can't be strong and defend yourself if you only see it as a chore. You need to embrace it as a part of you. Now.” I walked over to one of the students who had her leg in the air but was already shaking and about to stumble. 

I placed my hand on her back, helping her to stand properly, and turned to the rest.

“Again.”  

They nodded and began practicing, more determined than before, and it brought a smile to my face. 

Beeping sounds filled the room, and I rushed over to my bag, grabbing my phone and placing it to my ear.

“Hello?”  

“Ely, why aren't you there yet? He has been waiting for you for hours!” My best friend, Lisa, yelled at me through the phone, and from the screeching sounds I could make out in the background, I could tell she was driving. 

“I have told you multiple times not to drive while picking up a call. I cannot bail you out of jail again. You know I'm in the middle of a class.” 

“Yes, but—" she paused and yelled profanities at a driver who was definitely trying to overtake her, and I face-palmed myself.

“Lisa, call me when you're out of a moving vehicle.” I ended the call and returned to teaching the students how to throw a punch.

The bell rang, and they all fell to the floor, panting and laughing at each other about all the new moves they had learned. 

“See you next Thursday,” I said to them, throwing my fist in the air like I usually did, and they did the same.

They slowly gathered their things, still laughing and teasing each other about who had the worst balance and who threw the weakest punch. 

I pretended not to hear some of the exaggerated complaints about how strict I was, but I caught the way they lingered a little longer than necessary, reluctant to leave. 

It was always like this. They complained through the drills and cursed me under their breath when I made them repeat a stance five times, yet none of them ever missed a class. 

When the room finally emptied, I bent down to straighten the mats and wiped the thin sheen of sweat from my forehead. The mirror stretching across the wall reflected a version of me I had deliberately built over the years. 

My build was firm, and I didn't look weak. Not anymore.

My phone vibrated again inside my bag, and I groaned. I already knew who it was. 

“Don’t start,” I answered as soon as I picked up. 

“Elara, you are unbelievable." 

“No, Lisa. You are unbelievable, and don't tell me that you're still driving.”  

She cursed under her breath and spoke in a cheery voice. “Fine, I won't.”  

"Lisa," I said in a warning tone, and she burst out laughing. 

“I parked, I swear.” 

“I wouldn't want you dead or arrested. Again.” I could imagine her rolling her eyes. 

“Ely, he has been sitting here for two hours. Two. He even ordered you your favorite drink.” 

“You don’t know my favorite drink,” I replied, slipping my arm through my bag strap and heading for the door. 

“Yes, I do. Anything with extra sugar.” 

“That was two years ago.” 

“And you haven’t changed that much.” 

I stepped out of the hall and locked the door behind me. Students and a few teachers passing by greeted me with polite smiles and respectful nods. 

“Good evening, Miss Elara.” 

“See you next week!” 

I returned each greeting with a small smile, aware of Lisa still talking in my ear.  

“You can’t keep doing this,” she continued. 

“You turn down every date I set up. Blond, brunette, tall, short, rich, or struggling artist. At this point, I’m running out of options.” 

“I didn’t ask you to run a matchmaking agency.” 

“You didn’t have to. Your love life is a public concern.” 

I sighed softly. “Lisa.” 

“What?” 

“I’m not interested.” 

There was a pause, and when she spoke again, her voice was gentler. “Is this about him?” 

My fingers tightened slightly around my phone. “It’s not about anyone.” 

“It has been years, Ely.” 

“I know.” 

“Then what are you waiting for?” 

I didn't even know the answer to that question, and I didn't want to know either.

Instead, I replied, “I’m fine the way I am.” 

She didn’t sound convinced, but she let it go. “One day you’re going to tell me why you really refuse every decent man I bring your way.” 

“Maybe,” I said, even though I knew I never could. 

I hailed a cab and got in, then drove to my apartment. 

The house was dark when I stepped in. Lisa still had not gotten home, and the thought of calling her crossed my mind, but knowing her, she was busy at a bar, trying to get a man to pay for her drinks. 

Exhaustion from teaching all day made me yawn, tread to the bedroom, and get under the covers.

My eyes fluttered closed, and I drifted off into a deep sleep. 

“I reject you.” His voice was firm as he said those words, and I instantly felt a sharp pain in my chest that made me stumble and fall to my knees. 

“No…” I mumbled under my breath, refusing to stare at his face, afraid of what I would see.  

“I, Gideon Nightshade of the Claw Stone pack, reject you, Elara Demlow,” he repeated again, this time solidifying our broken bond. 

The pain I felt got sharper, and I forced myself to stare up at him, at the one person I had always trusted no matter what, at my first true friend and the man I had fallen in love with. My mate. 

Gideon's eyes were dull and empty. He was different from the man I had grown to know, and there wasn't any trace of the love he had shown me. 

“Gideon. You can't—”   

“I already have. Leave the pack before nighttime. I don't want to see your face ever again.”  

The pain intensified, and I felt something rise up my chest. Blood splattered out of my mouth and all over his boots, and my vision became blurry.

I reached out to him to help me, but he only stared down at me with disgust. 

“You have always been so weak, Elara. I would never want you.”  

With those words, I lost consciousness. 

I woke up with a jolt, sweating profusely.

A lazy hand was draped over my body, and I couldn't breathe.

I shoved Lisa's hand off and staggered to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water and downing it all in one go. 

I gripped the counter tightly and bit down on my lower lip till I tasted blood. 

The full moon was up in the sky, and seeing it only reminded me of how cruel the moon goddess was in writing my fate.

“F*ck the mate bond, f*ck the moon goddess,” I muttered, and an instant sharp pain filled my entire body just like that day. I fell to the ground and screamed, and footsteps running down the stairs came in my direction.

“Are you okay, Ely?” Lisa said, looking at me, fear all over her face. 

Was the moon goddess punishing me for cursing at her?

My eyes closed slowly, and I fell unconscious. 

Just like that day.

Chapter 2

Gideon's POV

“Let me make you feel good,” a small voice whispered in my ear.

It was nighttime, and everywhere was dark. The moon was the only source of lighting. I lay in bed while her hands roamed my chest. She tried to get on top of me, and that was when I had had enough. I grabbed her hand roughly and threw her to the ground.

She yelped in pain, and I turned on my bedside lamp, and her face came into view.

She was one of the Elder's daughters.

She was in tears and gripped her bruised elbow.

“Leave if you still want your head on your neck,” I said in a cold tone.

She shivered and got up, scrambling out of the room.

Should I get the head maid fired for letting her in? No one else had the key to my room.

I looked out and stared at the moon.

“Disgusting.”

***

“Sir!” Someone pushed open the doors, bursting into my office. I snapped my head up and stared at his face. He was panting, and I was alread