Poor Luna: My Cruel Alpha

AVA

"You ungrateful slave!" Alpha Benjamin howled at me, hitting my bare back with his black, sharp knout.

A thousand ice needle pricks hit my skin as the blade stuck shut against my spine. This time, Alpha Benjamin struck me with the bullwhip at the side of my waist. I tilted my head and slumped my back, biting my upper lip to keep from screaming.

"Is this what you call a meal, huh?" He yelled at me, tossing the serving dish I had just prepared for the pack's dinner. "You've just burned the meat, you dumb Omega! Have you any idea how much those things cost?" Alpha Benjamin seized my chin, forcing me to face his grim, spiteful expression.

"I'm sorry, Alpha. It won't happen again," I said quietly, my voice breaking into an audible creak.

He drew out an airy breath, scoffing at me. Holding a tight grip on his knout, he austerely warned, "Of course, I'll make sure it won't happen again! You've already caused a lot of trouble in my pack, Ava! And for the rest of your fucking life, you will pay for all the crimes you've done to me!"

Alpha Benjamin beat me again, flogging his bullwhip on my back, arms, and legs. My body shook as the stinging pain in my posterior became unbearable.

My name is Ava Carter. I'm a pack member of the Crystal Blue Pack, or, more specifically, an omega slave of the pack. Heck. I wasn't even sure if I could call myself part of the Crystal Blue Pack, which tortures its members to satisfy their malign gratification.

"You're the curse in the pack! It's all your fault, bitch! You've ruined everything!" he shouts, his eyes longing to slay me.

Alpha Benjamin didn't use his bullwhip on me. Instead, he hit me in the face with his fist, which threw me onto the slightly damp kitchen floor.

"Please, stop! I promise I won't do it again, Alpha!" I begged him as he continuously hit my face and kicked my limbs. The bones in my arms broke under his relentless attack as he treated me like a worthless sack.

I was Alpha Benjamin's punching bag. Worse yet, I wasn't even his only human speedbag. Any time some highranking members were in a fury, they would use me as their body bag to take their aggression out.

Having to spend every day with people you foolishly thought would help ease your pain was mental torture. Each day I had to live in the pack house was another day of suffering.

It never got better. And I'd already given up hope of it happening.

And just like now, Alpha Benjamin's punishment grew intolerably severe. He continued to pound and beat my body with whatever he could get his hands on. Goddess! I even wondered how I had overcome the beatings every day. But I had to endure it.

If I had let death take its toll on me, I would probably be dead by now.

"Alpha, please stop! It hurts so much!" I cried at him, raising my quivering arms.

"And just as it should be, slave! This is for all the damnation you've inflicted on my family!" He grabbed a section of my hair and yanked me back before slamming my body into the wall.

I couldn't take the pain any longer and let out a piercing scream. As the excruciating pain cramped my muscles, I felt my body collapse, hearing a whack from my distended arm on the ground. A loud smacking sound reverberated on the kitchen floor as the shattered tiles fell from the wall.

"You will not leave this room until you've compensated for every meal you've wasted away, Ava!" he growled in his Alpha's voice. "I'm warning you, right now, slave! If you don't fix this mess, you know what will happen next."

He slapped my bruised cheeks before leaving me alone in the kitchen. "I need the pack's dinner by nine, Ava! Don't make me wait!"

Despite my best efforts, I was still too weak to stand, so I crawled to the counter and used it as a foothold. As though nothing had happened, I resumed my pack duty and continued cooking for the pack members.

There was no one else in the kitchen to help me cook. It wasn't because I was a loner or refused anyone's help.

On second thought, though, maybe I was a loner. Yet, it wasn't by choice, in my defence.

Because I was the weak one, everyone took advantage of me. I was the lowestranking member of the Crystal Blue Pack. I wasn't always frail, though, at first. But as time passed and the beatings of Alpha Benjamin and the pack members became more severe, I lost communication with my wolf.

Her name was Shiela.

I'd gotten her the night I'd turned sixteen. She was there for me in the first few months. After she became furious with me for allowing the members of Crystal Blue to beat me to death, she vanished without a trace.

I could still recall our last conversation before she left me. The agony of realizing it would be my last time with her was as fresh as if I were experiencing it again.

"You never stood up for yourself, Ava! How can you let them hurt you like that?" Shiela argued. "Why don't you fight back?"

I shook my head. "I can't, Shiela! You know why! I owe Alpha Benjamin and the Crystal Blue Pack!"

"But it's not right anymore, Ava! Their beatings have already gotten out of hand! Why can't you see that?!"

"I have, Shiela! Don't you think I know that? Every time they hurt me, all I can do is keep my mouth shut and endure it!"

"So why don't you defend yourself?" Shiela growled.

My patience ran out, making me burst out, "It's because of her, okay?"

Following that incident, Shiela never contacted me again. I tried to communicate with her in my mind, but she abruptly left without saying goodbye. After she abandoned me, I became wolfless. I had no wolf to protect me whenever someone beat me up on a whim.

There was nothing I could do but rely on myself to protect myself from the Crystal Blue Pack's brutality.

But there was a time when I felt at least a little bit of comfort.

As soon as I was old enough to understand, the ones who adopted me told me that my parents had abandoned me in a basket on the edge of the pack's territory. The border patrol found me and took me back to the pack house.

It was Luna Caroline who raised me like her own child. Before having me, she had one son. She had gotten pregnant after a year. Unfortunately, Luna Caroline lost the child. The Alpha took her to a healer from a distant pack and informed her that her miscarriage affected her ability to conceive any more children.

That might have been one of the factors that convinced her to take me in.

Back then, living with Alpha Benjamin, Luna Caroline, and their son Caleb made me very happy. It was Luna Caroline who gave me their last name, Carter. She loved me like a mother and treated me like a part of their family—the Carters.

They were loving, kind, and gracious to every member.

The Alpha's family always prioritized the Crystal Blue Pack members. Everyone was given the same respect. But, like my joy, that brief period of peace did not last long. When I turned six, Luna Caroline passed away, and along with her was my joy.

In the wake of her death, Alpha Benjamin and the Crystal Blue Pack blamed me for killing her. Until now, her face still remained in my mind. Memories of her lifeless body and blank, frozen expression plagued me every night.

"Stay here, Ava! Don't go out until I say so, okay?" Luna Caroline instructed me as she hid me in the secret passage of the packhouse.

"Don't leave me, mama!" I cried out, afraid of the bad wolves who were hurting us.

She leaned toward me and kissed my forehead. "I'll be back, honey. I promise."

Before I could speak, Luna Caroline transformed into her wolf and stormed out of the tunnel. The croaking and hissing noise grew louder as I stood in the hidden passageway beneath the shaded walkway. I couldn't bear to be in the tunnel alone, so I fled to track Luna Caroline down.

"Mama! Mama! Where are you?" I burst into tears, running back to the packhouse.

I saw Luna Caroline fighting two black wolves with her white wolf. Wanting to get close to her, I shouted her name, catching her attention.

She turned to me as she transformed into her human form, carrying me away from the fight. "Oh, dear! I told you to stay there! What are you doing here? It's dangerous for you to be out here!"

"I don't want to stay there anymore, Mama! It's scary! There are many evil monsters inside." I bawled out of tears as I hugged her.

Luna Caroline held me close and calmly whispered, "They won't hurt you, baby. Mama is here to protect you."

I was initially reluctant, but a carnivorous wolf stopped us when we headed back to the doorway of the secret passage.

Alarmed, she pushed me to the corridor where the entryway to the tunnel was located. "Go back to the tunnel, Ava!"

I was about to return inside when the wolf suddenly rushed toward her. Turning back in Luna Caroline's direction, I rushed to her side, yelling, "Mama! The monster!"

A second was all it took for one of the rogue wolves to rush at her and sink his teeth into her neck.

I could only watch in bafflement as the life in her once bright eyes slowly left her face. As I ran to her motionless body, I screeched in anguish. The rogue wolves ran away when she hit the floor with a thud, blood gushing from her neck.

"Mama! I'm sorry! Please come back." I sobbed as I embraced her bloodcovered body with my small hands. "I'll listen to you, promise."

"Ava..." That was the last word I'd heard before her eyes froze shut.

I couldn't blame them. They were right. I killed Luna Caroline. It was my fault that we lost her. She died because of me. And carrying that burden painstakingly every day was killing me.

To my shame, it all went downhill for me after a warrior present at the time told Alpha Benjamin what had happened. As though it had happened yesterday, I could still see the rage in his eyes when he knew I'd brought Luna to her demise. Because I had stolen his mate, I was held responsible for what had happened.

From that point on, he became distant and cold. After Luna Caroline passed away, he became very vengeful and beat me over the smallest things, like when I forgot to clean a room in the house. As my punishment for Luna's death, I had to clean the entire pack house with at least fifty pack members and cook for them.

But even with all the work they'd thrown at me, I never once whined because I knew I deserved their cruel treatment.

After all, I was Alpha Benjamin's constant reminder of Luna Caroline's death. If I had just listened to her, the Crystal Blue Pack's Luna and the woman I once called Mom would still be alive.

I would still have my mother, and the pack wouldn't treat me with indifference. Yet I knew I couldn't bring back the past. All I could do was pay for the sins I'd caused.

And no matter how long it would take, I'd have to live with the guilt of my actions until they forgave me.

AVA

My heart pounded as I pleaded with my mother to stay, tears streaming down my face. I sniffled and trembled with fear as I stammered, "Mama, don't leave me, please!" Sniffing my runny nose, I insisted, "I'll go with you! I don't want to stay here! It's scary!"

"I'm sorry, darling. You can't come with me." She hugs me tightly and kisses my forehead while cupping my cheeks. "You must stay here and don't leave the tunnel until I say so, Ava," Mommy Caroline instructs me, her voice laced with calmness.

She closed the door softly and walked away, but I stayed in the tunnel and hugged myself as my eyes darted around the creepy area. My terror grew with each passing moment of being alone in the dark, cramped space, which only amplified my fear.

All of a sudden, screams echoed outside the door, causing me to panic. What if something terrible happened to mommy? Should I stay put or try to help her?

I need to help her! She's alone in the packhouse with bad wolves surrounding her!

The thought of my mother being in danger was almost too much to bear, and I wrestled with deciding what to do. Eventually, I bolted into the corridor, hoping to help her somehow. I arrived just in time to see her surrounded by a pack of black wolves, yet she remained composed. While the pack warriors around her lay dead, she had already transformed into her white wolf form and was defending herself.

"Mama..." I muttered as I stepped closer.

She transformed into her human form and pleaded, "Go back, Ava! Don't go here!"

"No! I'm staying!" My fear kept me rooted to the spot, my eyes widening in terror as I watched the scene unfold.

As she pulled me towards the tunnel, a sudden attack shook us. A wolf pounced on her from behind and clamped its teeth on her neck. The piercing scream of terror escaped my lips as I stood frozen with fear. I heard the sickening sound of bones cracking as the wolf snapped her neck and retreated, leaving her lifeless body to hit the ground with a thud.

Mama Caroline's eyes stared back at me, devoid of life, as I ran over to her and held her close. Blood soaked my clothes, but I didn't care as tears streamed down my face.

"NO!" I screamed, shaking her body with all my might, tears cascading down my face. "Please come back to me, Mommy!" I begged, clutching her body and crying even harder.

Right then, Papa came with his pack warriors. One pack soldier went toward him, whispering something. The clarity in his eyes changed into a foreboding grimness as he saw me holding Mommy Caroline's dead body.

His muscles tensed in rage as he rushed over us, snatching her body from mine. Papa got down on his knees and wrapped his arms around Mama's lifeless body. He cried out in pain as he did this. "NO! Caroline! Please come back to me!" While tears flowed down his cheeks, he brushed her pale skin and begged, "Come back, Caroline! You're not dead! You can't die!"

"Papa..." I crawled toward him, reaching for his arms. However, the moment I came closer to him, he glared at me, shoving me away.

"Get out, you spineless child!" Papa shouted. "This is your fault! You killed her!" Standing on his feet as he carried her, he said, "Get away from me! I don't want to see you here!"

"Papa! I'm sorry!" I sobbed as I moved up.

He turned to the pack warriors and commanded them, "Take the kid away from me right now!" Gritting his teeth, he growled, "You will pay for this, child! I swear in my soul that you won't get away with this!"

"It not me, Papa! I didn't do it!" I wailed as I rubbed my tears away.

"It's your damn fault!" He came to me, lifted his hand, and hit me in the face. "You're the curse in this pack!"

The pack warriors grabbed my arms and dragged me outside of the packhouse. They threw me inside the dark dungeon—much like the tunnel where Mama had brought me. Papa was behind the warrior, watching me gravel while the warriors cuffed me.

Crying relentlessly, I begged, "Papa, please! Don't do this! I didn't kill Mama! Please!"

"Tie her tightly! I want her on all fours!" He commanded as he moved forward with a whip in his hand.

As soon as I saw what he was holding, I cowered in fear. "Please! It's not my fault, Papa! I didn't do it!"

"Shut up, child! I don't need to hear your explanations!" He hit my arm with a whip.

"Papa, no! Please no! It hurts!" I screamed, my voice shrilling loudly as the first pain of the lash struck my skin.

"You ungrateful wench! You'll pay for what you did!" Another whip slashed my backside.

"I didn't do anything! No! It hurts, Papa!" I screamed, drenched in sweat.

Gasping for air, I sat in bed and felt my body shudder. As if the nightmare were still hunting me in damnation, my entire body was still trembling with fear. The room was pitch black, except for a faint light filtering through the window, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

I shivered and pulled the covers to my chin as the darkness filled my cold, tight room. The nightmare had been so vivid and terrifying. As though it had just happened yesterday, I was back to that day when Alpha Benjamin accused me of my mother's death. No matter how hard I tried to defend myself, they wouldn't listen. He was screaming at me, blaming me for everything that had happened.

After realizing it was already morning, I checked my phone and saw the glowing number three a.m. I couldn't get to sleep since my heart was beating so fast. In an attempt to control my breathing, I sat up, hugged my knees, and tried to relax.

As the hours ticked by, I lay in the darkness, lost in my thoughts. When the alarm finally rang at five, I stumbled out of bed and began my morning routine. I dressed quickly, trying not to think about the nightmare that still lingered in my mind.

Everyone else in the house would soon be up, rushing off to school or work. But I was different. I wasn't allowed to attend school and had to educate myself at home. It was a lonely existence, and the only time I felt alive was when I was lost in a book at the library.

Living in the dungeon, away from everyone else who looked at me with hate and disgust, my life was a constant struggle. The walls were old and dilapidated, and the ceiling leaked whenever it rained. My only solace was the small window that let in a sliver of light but also allowed in the chilly air that made me shiver in my thin clothes.

Learning to read was a challenge that I had to face alone. I scoured through old books and papers, squinting to decipher the words. My clothes were a patchwork of rags that I scavenged from the trash cans of the others in the pack house.

It was humiliating, but it was all I had.

As I cooked breakfast for everyone, the sizzle of bacon and eggs filled the air, making my mouth water with hunger. I ate whatever scraps were left, never daring to ask for more, as the others in the pack house always made it clear that I was not welcome.

"Hey, slave! I'm done! Clean the mess up!" Brittany shouted across the room. She was the worst of them all. Once in a while, she'd deliberately make a mess so she could mock me.

"Coming!" I answered as I scrambled back into the dining area.

I could only sigh when I observed the disorder she had created. Brittany spilled her juice on the floor so she could watch me clean it up on my knees.

"What are you doing standing there, slave?" She raised her eyebrows and smirked haughtily. "Are you deaf? I said clean that shit up!"

I didn't respond to her and went to get a mop from the cupboard. Trying to hide my anger and frustration, I lowered my head as I returned to the dining hall. I cleaned up the spilled juice as soon as possible and headed back to the kitchen.

Even after I was publicly shamed, she persisted in making a mess, which I had to clean up repeatedly.

"Oops! Sorry. I must have a clumsy hand." She laughed as she let her juice spill again on the floor.

'Oh! Yeah, that's just great!' I grumbled inwardly as I made my way back to the spilled juice and mopped the wet floor for the third time.

She believed her relationship with Alpha Benjamin's son authorized her to treat others contemptuously. But little did she know I was biding my time, waiting for the moment when I could finally stand up for myself and show her that I was no longer afraid

"Pathetic Omega! " Brittany hissed, hurling the juice in my direction.

The juice hit my face, and Brittany's snickering laugh echoed through the kitchen. I wiped the sticky juice from my face with the back of my hand, feeling the wetness soak through my clothes. I could feel my face reddened with anger, but I forced myself to remain calm. I grabbed a nearby cloth and began wiping the juice off the floor, trying to ignore the burning sensation in my eyes.

As I cleaned up the mess, I couldn't help but reflect on the unfair situation. Brittany always acted entitled, as if she was better than everyone else. She had a way of getting what she wanted, and it made me sick. But I knew that complaining would only make things worse.

Once everyone had finished eating, I quickly cleaned up the kitchen and headed upstairs to my room. I stripped off my sticky clothes and took a refreshing shower, feeling the water washing away the remnants of the juice from my hair and skin. I dressed in my usual attire, which was comfortable and practical for my daily activities.

As I read, I gathered my hair into a messy bun to keep it out of my face. With a deep breath, I left my room and headed to the library, hoping for a quiet and peaceful day.

I found a secluded spot at the back of the library, hiding from the critical gazes of others. I picked up a book, opened it, and immersed myself in its world. The hours ticked by in silence. I was interrupted only by the occasional sound of turning pages.

Suddenly, the noise of a chair dragging along the floor broke my concentration. I saw Josh, my brother's best friend, sitting before me. My heart skipped a beat. I had been crushing on him for as long as I could remember.

He had piercing silver eyes that sparkled like diamonds, sandy blonde hair that appeared to have received a sun kiss, and a straight nose that complemented his strong jawline. Girls couldn't get enough of his good looks and never stopped gushing over him.

I pretended to read, but my cheeks were ablaze with heat, trying to suppress the blush that threatened to give me away.

"What book are you reading?" he asked, breaking the silence.

I turned my head and looked around the library to find the person Josh was talking to. Was he talking to me? Or was Josh asking someone? Then, as my head jittered around, a soft chuckle escaped him as he pointed the finger at me, his smile showcasing his charming dimples.

"Yeah, I'm talking to you," he said, his eyes lingering on mine as he licked his lips.

"Um, Shakespeare," I whispered, feeling my cheeks warm under his gaze.

"Cool," he replied with a boyish grin, leaning forward and resting his hands on the table.

"So I hear that tomorrow is your birthday," he continued, his face inching closer to mine, and I felt a flutter in my chest in the proximity.

"Er, yeah," I stuttered, feeling awkward, but I couldn't take my eyes off his silver, grey eyes.

Josh's question caught me off guard as he sat beside me, his warm presence making my heart race. I tried to avoid his piercing gaze, but his charm was too much to handle.

"So... What are you doing tomorrow?" Josh's voice was smooth like honey, and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Nonothing," I stuttered, my cheeks turning a deep shade of red.

"How about I take you out... on a date?" Josh's suggestion surprised me, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Was he really asking me out?

"I don't know," I murmured, fidgeting with a strand of hair that fell over my face.

"Come on. Go out with me." His smile was like a magnet, pulling me closer to him.

"Sure," I said, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

Suddenly, I heard laughter beside me, and I turned to see a group of people holding up a phone, laughing uncontrollably. My heart sank as I realized they were making fun of me. I looked back at Josh, hoping he wasn't a part of it, but he struggled to hide his laughter. It was all a joke. I was just a joke to them.

"Really, you should have seen the look on your face. Don't think for a second that I'd ever consider dating a schlub like you," Josh said with a mocking smirk.

Josh's cruel words echoed through my ears as I stood frozen, feeling the weight of humiliation crushed me.

"Sucker!" the other guy said behind me.

"Dream on, slut! He's never going to like you!" the other girl derided.

"Aww! You gonna cry, bitch?" The girl pouted, taunting me.

Everyone laughed with Josh in the center. He gave his friends a highfive, taking pride in bullying me.

My hands trembled as I tried to hold back the tears that were about to fall. With every step I took, the joshing laughter of Josh's friends seemed to get louder, making my heart race faster. I quickly gathered my belongings, my backpack feeling heavier than ever before.

The tears that had gathered in my eyes now fell freely down my cheeks as I bolted out of the library. My vision blurred, but I didn't stop wiping my tears. I just needed to get out of there, away from their cruel taunts and laughter.

AVA

As I gradually stirred from my slumber, I opened my eyes to the familiar sight of my bedroom. The soft glow of morning light filtered through the window, casting a warm hue on the walls. I sat up, rubbed the sleep from my desk, and gazed over to my desk, where my calendar lay open. My heart sank as my eyes landed on the bold, red circle drawn around today's date—my birthday.

I sighed heavily and said, "Happy Birthday to me," under my breath. The words were full of sarcasm.

Another year had passed, and yet again, nothing was positive about it. Instead, it reminded me of my tragic loss. I was still here, but my mother was not.

Alone and isolated, I had no one to share this day with. The only company I had was the bleak four walls surrounding me. I felt like an outcast, a girl forced to navigate life with no sense of belonging.

My thoughts drifted back to the memories of my mother, and I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt wash over me. I couldn't help but think she would still be here today if I had done something different. Despite knowing deep down that it wasn't my fault, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was somehow responsible for her passing.

I pushed those thoughts aside, forcing myself to focus on something positive. As I scanned my room, my eyes fell upon the modest surroundings that constituted my living space. A small single bed was pushed against one corner of the room, and the walls were peeling from years of neglect. My clothes were crammed into boxes, and the only decoration in the room was a fulllength mirror.

As I sat there in contemplation, I realized that I needed to find a way to move on from the past and make a better life for myself. I deserved to live a life filled with happiness, and it was up to me to make that happen.

The attic was a dimly lit space, filled to the brim with piles of old and unwanted belongings carelessly stacked on each other. There was no order or organization—just an assortment of items no longer in use.

It was as if the attic was a dumping ground for anything that no longer had a place in the house. The stale air was thick with the scent of dust, and the cobwebs that hung from the ceiling gave me the creeps. I couldn't help but wonder why they had stored so much unnecessary trash up here, as most of it was utterly excessive.

As for showering, I had no choice but to use the bathroom everyone else used. It was always an uncomfortable experience for me, trying to time it just right so that I could avoid bumping into anyone else. I didn't want to draw any attention to myself, especially since I already felt like an outsider.

I dragged myself out of bed and into the day, weighed down by the persistent feeling that nothing was changing in my situation. It was a constant cycle of cleaning up after everyone, doing their laundry, and cooking their meals.

My life felt like a dead end.

But today was different—it was Saturday—everyone was home. I quickly got to work, making breakfast and cleaning the house from top to bottom. It was gruelling, especially since they watched my every move while I cleaned. It was as if they were waiting for me to make a mistake so they could criticize me.

Finally, after hours of cleaning, I finished all my daily chores. Fortunately, cooking dinner today was missing from my todo list, so I had the rest of the day to myself. I returned to my room, keeping my head down and avoiding eye contact with anyone on the way.

But as I walked past Caleb's room, I heard my name mentioned. Curiosity getting the better of me, I stopped outside the slightly ajar door and listened intently to what they were saying. I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but I couldn't resist the urge to find out what they were saying about me.

Their crude conversation made me uncomfortable, and I tried to ignore it, but their words were too vulgar.

"I'm going to fuck her tonight, and when I'm done, she's all yours," Josh said confidently.

"Right on that, Josh! I wanna tap her ass," another voice chimed in. As I listened further, I could feel my face turning red with anger and disgust.

"We could spice it up by taking turns with her at the same time. Ya' know, for added excitement, I wanna see the bitch beg for us," someone suggested, and the group laughed.

"The fuck, bro! You pornoaddict, that's sick!" another voice said, trying to diffuse the situation.

But Josh was persistent. "Come on, man; let the guy have some fun.," he complained.

The others seemed hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the idea. "Josh is right, dude. It could be fun," someone else suggested.

"You fucking want an orgy with your friends while gangbanging that poor girl?" He scoffed. "I can't believe you."

"And why the hell not? It's fun!" Josh retorted as I heard hoots and claps accompanying them.

"Yeah!" another person agreed. "Let's fuck that swot! I wanna pop her damn cherry, bro!"

While listening, my heart raced erratically. Hearing these guys discuss their plan, as though I were a commodity to be traded, made the hair on my nape stand on end.

"Guys, chill out," Josh interrupted. "We'll all get our turn. If she protests, we'll have to force her to give us what we want."

As soon as I heard him, my stomach churned in fear. I wanted to confront Josh and his friends and warn them against such a horrendous thing, but I knew it wouldn't do any good. They wouldn't listen, and I didn't want to endanger myself. Instead, I quietly walked away from the door and retreated to my room, feeling violated and helpless.

I wasn't just going to let them take away the only precious thing I had left. I was saving myself for my mate when I found him. They could ruin me if I just sat and did nothing.

As I stood frozen in the hallway, I heard Josh calling out Caleb's name. My heart raced as I listened to their conversation, not daring to move an inch.

"You alright with that, Caleb?" Josh asked, his tone low and conspiratorial. I held my breath, waiting for Caleb's reply.

"What the hell you want to do with her is none of my business," snarled Caleb angrily. "My mom would still be alive if that whore hadn't killed her."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized what they were discussing. It had been two years since Luna Caroline had passed away, but the wounds were still fresh. Like how his father, Alpha Benjamin, despised me, Caleb hated me to the core.

"Good," Josh said, and I knew I had to act fast.

I hurried back to my room, my mind racing. With the danger looming over me, I couldn't stay here any longer. I quickly grabbed an old duffel bag from under my bed, throwing in only the essentials I would need. I knew I had to travel lightly to scurry and stay ahead of them.

As I waited for nightfall, my nerves were on edge. Before they executed their plan, I had to leave. I sat in my room, nervously thrumming my fingers against my thighs, my heart pounding. I couldn't stay here any longer, not with the threat that now hung over me.

When the sun finally set, I threw on an oversized hoodie and pulled the hood up over my head. I took my bag and entered the corridor with my head bowed to blend in with the shadows. My senses alerted me to any sign of danger as I moved quickly, my footsteps light and silent. I wasn't taking any chances—Josh and his friends could be anywhere, and I knew they wouldn't hesitate to do whatever it took to get to me.

The harsh truth was that if they tried to take me away by force, no one would step in to help me.

I was an outcast, a lonely soul, and no one cared for me. Their apathy was evident, as they wouldn't glance in my direction.

Covertly, I sneaked out of the premises without anyone noticing my absence. My feet led me down a path to the woods, but a conversation in the distance stopped my progress. I crept closer, pressing myself against a tree, and cautiously peered around it to determine who was the source of the disturbance.

"Where is he, and why is he taking so long?" An irritable voice complained, releasing a cloud of smoke into the air.

A second voice, which I recognized as coming from Josh, my tormentor, responded, "The fuck do I know?"

The sound of approaching footsteps and raised voices caused me to draw back. However, I paused for a moment when I overheard them discussing me.

"So, where is she? Did you find the bitch?" Josh demanded impatiently.

"We've looked everywhere in this house and still can't find it. There are no signs of the bitch anywhere, bro." someone responded.

"Damn it! Where the fuck did that slut go?" Josh cursed, his hands flailing upward.

"What are we going to do now, bro? That slut might be hiding anywhere," another person asked.

Josh audibly respired. "She's just around here somewhere. Let's split up and look for her. We'll meet at the cabin before sundown."

After Josh gave the order, everyone went in separate directions.

I ran as soon as I realized they were out of sight. My legs pounded against the ground as I ran as though my life depended on it, which, in reality, it did. If their plan worked, I would be a hollow shell of the person I used to be, without hope or joy.

My legs burned as I stormed into the woods, driven by fear and desperation. The night was alive with the sounds of creatures—wolves howled, owls hooted, and indistinguishable noises echoed through the trees.

Every hair on my body stood on end, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. But as scared as I was of the woods, I was even more terrified of being caught. That fear was all the motivation I needed to keep moving and running without a glance backward.

Hours passed, and I found myself far beyond the borders of the pack's territory, panting for breath and unsure of where to go next. I had heard that the unmarked territory was full of dangers I didn't even know about, like rogue wolves that killed for no reason. I recognized how scary they could be because they were the ones who killed my mother years ago.

So, I moved carefully and tried not to be heard or seen as I made my way through the new area. The rogues were volatile, unwilling to follow anyone's lead and always causing trouble. Their unruliness had gotten them kicked out of their pack, left to fend for themselves in a world that saw them as dangerous outcasts.

And now I was one of them. A rogue by circumstance. A threat to anyone who would be crossing my path.

Despite being innocuous, I knew anyone who saw me wouldn't hesitate to kill me on sight. As a result, I kept moving—walking and sprinting—until the morning light replaced the darkness.

My heart pounded as I continued running. It was then that I froze as a voice cut through the silence.

"Someone is over here."

Panic set in as I frantically searched for a place to hide, but there was nowhere to go—I was standing alone in the middle of an open field.

'Shit! What am I going to do?' I nibbled my teeth as I stood like a rock in my spot.

"Stay still," a commanding male voice boomed behind me.

When I saw the enormous brown wolf walking toward me with authority and power in every step, my eyes grew wide with fear. Gripping my bag straps tightly, I followed its movements with wary eyes.

"Who are you?" I gulped as I hugged my bag to my chest. Extending my hand, I stepped back and warned him, "Don't come near me."

"I said don't move," he warned as his foot padded toward me deliberately.

As the wolf circled me, I couldn't tear my gaze away from its oceanblue eyes. I was completely mesmerized. As our eyes met, I was under a spell, and the world around me faded. Something was echoing in my mind, some primal understanding I couldn't grasp.

I felt a surge of heat, and a shiver ran up my spine as the wolf stared at me intently. The wolf tilted its head inquisitively, and I couldn't help but find the simple gesture adorable. Despite my fear, I couldn't shake the strange sense of connection between us, as if, for a moment, we were the only two creatures in the world.

The wolf lunged at me, sending me tumbling to the ground. But when I looked up, I saw a man—a naked man—straddling me. My face burned with heat as my gaze flickered across his sculpted features, unable to look away from his chiselled jawline and full lips.

His deep blue eyes gazed down at me, frowning with confusion. I couldn't help but notice how his black hair fell messily around his face or how his long lashes brushed his cheeks.

It was as if time had frozen, and nothing else mattered at that moment but him. His prominent cheekbones, chiselled jawline, and full, lush lips caused my throat to dry.

Dear Moon Goddess! Help me! He was flawless in every way.

Without thinking, I reached up to touch his hair, running my fingers through the soft strands. He closed his eyes and let out a low groan, and as he opened them again, they were rimmed with gold.

The man's lips parted, revealing his sharp canines as he emitted a low growl. With a deep intensity, he spoke a single word, only four letters long, that made me tumble into discombobulation.

"MINE."

AVA

With eyes wide open, I blinked in bafflement. Did I just hear him say 'Mine'—that I was his possession?

"What the hell are you talking about?" I hissed. My mind finally cleared as his words registered in my brain.

"Mine..." he groused, his nose flaring as he whiffed my hair.

"Get off me, you brute beast! I told you that I'm not yours!" I insisted as I wiggled my way out of him, trying to push him away.

His expression twisted into a furious scowl, and before I could react, he pinned my hands above my head. I struggled against his hold, but it was like fighting a brick wall. He leaned in close, his breath hot on my skin as he spoke through gritted teeth.

"Mine! You're my mate!" he growled.

My heart stuttered at the word, and suddenly everything made sense. I recognized how the man's eyes crinkled at the corners, the sound of his voice, and the scent that clung to him like a second skin.

He was my mate, and I was his.

'Oh, Goddess! I found my mate!'

The base of my spine tingled with warmth, and I felt a chill travel up my body. In my mind, I kept hearing the word "mate" repeated over and over again. It was barely audible, but I could make out enough to know that my wolf was emerging from its den.

As if sensing my realization, a jolt of electricity shot through my body, leaving me gasping for breath. The mate bond drew me towards him, sucking me in as I again became lost in his eyes. As I stared into his piercing eyes, I forgot about everything else around us. But something dark and dangerous lurking beneath the surface of this stranger's beauty and power sent a chill down my spine.

The weight of his naked body on top of mine made me squirm uncomfortably. My heart raced as I realized I had never been in such an intimate situation. The fact that he was my mate didn't make it any less awkward. I bit my lip nervously and tried to think of something to say to break the tension.

"Er, uu, them..." I muttered, feeling a blush creeping up my neck.

He must have sensed my unease because he quickly got off me and pulled on a pair of shorts. I quickly turned away because I didn't want to see more of his naked body. But as he turned around, I couldn't help but catch a glimpse of his muscular backside. I immediately turned my head, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment.

'He has a nice ass, though,' I thought, my mind wandering to places it shouldn't be.

He turned to face me, and his eyes narrowed. I averted my gaze away from him and nipped my inside cheek.

'Goddess! What am I thinking?' I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, but the image of his toned body burned into my mind.

I had never felt this way before, but I couldn't deny the attraction I felt toward him. As he walked away, his back muscles rippled with each step, I couldn't help but imagine all the sinful things I wanted him to do to me.

"Let's go," he said, interrupting my thoughts.

I scrambled to my feet, feeling a little dizzy as I tried to shake off the lustful thoughts clouding my mind. He didn't even offer to help me up, striding away from me as if nothing had happened. I sat there momentarily, staring at his retreating figure in disbelief.

How can he be so insensitive and rude after what just happened?

"Oh, who said I was going with you? I don't know where you're taking me, so I'm not going with you." I protested, planting my feet firmly on the ground, determined not to let this stranger take me anywhere, even if he claimed to be my mate.

His gaze turned steely, and I could see the anger simmering below the surface.

"You are going with me, Mate. Don't make me repeat myself," he growled through gritted teeth, the veins in his arms bulging as he tried to control his temper.

"I said I'm not going anywhere with you," I reiterated, my voice rising in defiance as I glared at him.

He stood there for a moment, his jaw clenched tightly, before turning to exchange a few words with the other man standing nearby. I watched as they spoke in hushed tones, wondering what they could discuss about me.

As he tried to control his wolf, all of a sudden, his eyes started to flash from blue to gold. I took a step back, wary of what might happen next.

After a few seconds, his eyes changed to their usual blue colour, and he walked purposefully over to me. I attempted to retreat, but he moved too quickly and threw me over his shoulder like a potato sack.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing?" I shouted, pounding my fists against his broad back. "Get me down, you monster! I'm not coming with you!" But he didn't seem to budge, and I soon gave up, wincing at the pain in my hands.

'Oww! Why does his skin have to be made of metal?' I cried mentally as I rotated my wrist, feeling the pressure in my wrist.

"What made you silent? Aw, sweetheart, did the cat get your tongue?" he taunted, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

"I'm not your sweetheart, so don't call me that!" I snapped, my tone sharp and defensive.

He slapped my buttocks and rested his arms on their undersides. "I'm sorry, but I don't take orders from rogues," he retorted, his voice laced with venom.

Turning to face him, I argued back, "I'm lost! And I'm not a rogue!" I wiggled my body to escape his hold, but he held me tightly. "Get me down, will you?!"

"Lost?" he repeated skeptically. "So, wandering around in our pack's borders doesn't make you a rogue?" The man gruffly chuckled.

I let out an exasperated sigh. "Yes! I just happened to stumble into your pack's territory since I lost my way in the woods.

"I damn well know what that fucking means. You don't have to tell it to me as though it came from a fucking dictionary, swot," my claimed mate cut me off as he rolled his eyes.

My cheeks blushed at his statement. I was so taken aback by it that it was the first time I found myself lost for words. Sighing exasperatedly, I struggled to move out of his grip. He noticed my eagerness to flee when he grasped me tightly.

Huffing out loud, I pleaded, "Will you put me down? I have a pair of legs and feet. And I'm perfectly capable of walking on my own."

"And have you running away from me? Nope," he replied curtly, his hold on me unrelenting.

'Jerkass!' I thought to myself.

"Fine! If that's the case, where are you taking me then?" I asked, my voice laced with resignation.

"Back to the pack house," he answered, and my body stiffened with apprehension.

"No!" My body tensed as soon as I heard it. Josh and his group of friends might still be there! I couldn't afford to be back there!

Alarmed by it, I tried to wiggle from his grasp as I pleaded, "Please don't take me back there. I'm begging you."

"Relax, sweetheart. I'm going to take you back to the wolf pack up north," he assured me.

I felt a glimmer of hope as I realized he wasn't taking me back to my pack. However, as the realization of where he was taking me to set in, my heart began to race with fear.

The North Pack.

It was a legendary pack known for its immense power and feared alpha, who was said to be merciless and ruthless. The North Pack's Alpha had a reputation for executing trespassers without a second thought, and the stories of his many victims had spread far and wide. I couldn't bear the thought of becoming one of them.

Despite his fearsome reputation, I had never seen or heard what the alpha looked like. He was considered reclusive and kept his appearance hidden from outsiders whenever he left the pack. The unknown only added to my growing sense of dread.

"Please allow me to leave. I didn't intend to intrude, nor am I looking to cause any trouble. Please, I beg you! Don't bring me to your alpha, please. I don't want to die! He'll kill me!" I begged, my voice trembling with fear.

As soon as I mentioned the alpha, the man stiffened momentarily before eventually relaxing.

My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that I was sure he could hear it. I was dangling over his broad shoulder like a rag doll, my legs and arms flailing helplessly. I had never felt so helpless in my life.

"Please," I begged, my voice shaking. "I'm not ready to die."

"Be quiet!" he barked, his voice laced with venom.

Tears stung my eyes as I tried to plead with him. "Please"

"I said to fucking be quiet!" he growled, his grip tightening around me.

I fell silent, too scared to even breathe. I didn't want to anger him any further. My mind raced with various scenarios, but none were worth pondering. I was at the mercy of a stranger taking me to meet the most feared alpha in the world.

I couldn't help but feel like fate had betrayed me as we walked. Meeting your mate was supposed to be the most magical moment of your life, filled with love and joy. But instead, I was being carried away like a criminal to meet my fate.

"What will the Alpha of the North Pack do to me? Will he kill me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Fear gripped me so tightly that I could scarcely breathe.

"You can't let him kill me. You're my mate," I pleaded, desperate for reassurance.

But he still didn't answer.

He didn't answer me. Instead, we walked in silence, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing through the trees.

"Hey, stranger! Can you please answer me?" I shouted, my fear and frustration boiling over.

And yet, there was still no response.

I pouted, feeling like a child throwing a tantrum. I knew it was useless, but I couldn't help it. Eventually, we emerged from the woods and began walking up a flight of steps. My heart was in my throat as I realized we were getting closer to my fate.

The world spun around me as the brute marched me into a village. A few faces looked in my direction, their expressions a mix of curiosity and fear. I struggled to keep my bearings, feeling nauseous and lightheaded from the rough handling. He treaded toward an old hut, dragged me up a flight of stairs and into a room, dropping me unceremoniously on the floor.

I took a moment to steady myself, focusing on the cold, hard ground beneath me. Gradually, my vision cleared, and I looked up, my eyes settling on the man who had taken me. I glared at him, my mind racing with fear and confusion. I had expected to face the alpha, not to be manhandled by some stranger.

"Hey, mongrel! Why did you bring me here?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the quivering in my stomach.

"Because you're my mate," he said, his voice low and hoarse. "You'll stay here from now on."

I shook my head in disbelief. Contesting with him, I answered, "What? No! I'm not going to stay here! I need to leave!"

Quickly, I bolstered through the door, but he slammed it and pushed me up against it before I could get out. I gasped as his body pressed against mine, sending shivers down my spine. His hot breath tickled my neck as he leaned closer, taking in my scent.

"If I were you, I'd accept it sooner," he whispered, his lips brushing my earlobe. The sensation sent a jolt of electricity through my body, leaving me breathless and wanting more. I struggled to resist, but I couldn't deny the primal desire that was building within me.

"I won't let you keep me here," I retorted, my fists clenching in anger.

"Oh, sweetheart. You don't know me well yet," he said, his eyes piercing into mine as he stepped away. "I can, and I will if I want to."

He pushed me aside and slipped out the door, locking it from the outside. I tried the doorknob, but it was no use. I banged my fists against the door, shouting for him to let me out.

"Let me out of here! Now!" I banged my fists against the door. "You can't keep me here!" I yelled, hoping that someone, anyone, would hear me.

As my frustration grew, I sank to the floor, resting my back against the door. I covered my face with my hands and took a deep breath to calm myself down.

He brought me here for no apparent reason. What was his problem with me, anyway? And why was he treating me like this?

Shouldn't he have been more loving and understanding if he was really my mate? I had always imagined that finding my mate would be the most beautiful moment of my life, but this was far from it. Instead, I was trapped in this strange place, locked in a room by a man who claimed to be my destined mate. It felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on me.

I couldn't believe it.

All my life, I had been waiting for the moment I would finally meet my mate. I had always imagined it to be the most romantic and magical moment of my life, but this was far from it. When he declared me his mate, I thought he would ask me to go with him and shower him with his love and warmth. But instead, the man brought me back to the North Pack—his pack, which was against my will.

He then locked me in a room like I was more of a prisoner than his mate!

Did he even care about what I wanted?

Did he care about how scared and confused I was feeling?

I only wanted to return to my own pack and forget this had happened. But I couldn't deny that he had claimed me as his mate. Was that enough for me to stay with him and accept my fate? The uncertainty and confusion consumed me, leaving me with more questions than answers.

After all, he is my fated mate. That should mean something.

It had to mean something, right?

AVA

"Ugh! I hate you!" I yelled, swatting my hands on the edge of the bed.

I took in my surroundings as I stood alone after my unpleasant roommate left. The room looked like it belonged to a man, and the smell made it clear that it was his personal space.

The room was entirely devoid of colour, with only shades of grey and black undertones covering the walls. It lacked any personal touch, giving off a gloomy and sterile ambiance. The occupant seemed to prefer simplicity and minimalism, as evidenced by the few abstract paintings scattered around.

Even though it didn't have any decorations, this room was much better than the one I had been in before. It was the most pleasant space I had experienced, and I felt grateful not to be responsible for cleaning it.

This room might have looked depressing, but it was nowhere close to how sombre my 'room' was. It was the most pleasant room I have ever had the pleasure of being in, and I did not have to clean it.

"Um, hi..."

Right then, I heard a voice behind me, and I turned to see a stunning girl standing in the doorway. She was of average height, about 5'4, with curly dark hair, caramel skin, and beautiful honeybrown eyes. Her white summer dress made her appear as though she were an angel.

Feeling selfconscious in my baggy clothes, I awkwardly waved and greeted her. "Er... Hi."

With a polite smile, the girl announced, "The al—I mean Jay—sent me to keep you company."

"Jay?" I asked, my confusion evident.

'Is that his name?' I pondered.

"Mmmm, yes." Her hair was falling into her eyes, so she tucked it. "He brought you here, right?" she responded, eyeing me strangely.

Jay. At least now I had a name to attach to the man who left me stranded in this unfamiliar room. I couldn't help but feel annoyed as I recalled his earlier behaviour.

"Ah, yes...I guess." I muttered, mentally facepalming at my own forgetfulness.

She walked towards me and extended her hands. Smiling, she responded, "By the way, I'm Katie."

"Nice to meet you, Katie," I said, grabbing and shaking her hand. "I'm Ava."

She dropped her hands to the side and looked around the room. Drawing a sigh, she asked me, "Well, Ava, would you like a tour of the house?"

Uncertain but grateful for the offer, I hesitantly responded, "Sure."

"Great!" Katie exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly.

As we strolled through the house, I couldn't help but feel the curious gazes of the pack members on me. I could almost sense their unspoken questions about why I was there. Like them, I wondered why this 'Jay' guy had brought me here. It was customary for mates to move in together once they found each other, but Jay hadn't even bothered to explain anything beyond those certain formalities aside from being my socalled mate.

While I walked through the pack members, I could feel the weight of their stares on the back of my head. Their whispers were barely audible, but I knew they were talking about me.

Trying to ease my discomfort, I turned to Katie and asked, "Hey, Katie, can I ask you why I'm here?"

"Everyone does," she replied, her smile a little uneasy. "You're the lu—I mean, you're Jay's mate."

What the heck? She must have been trying to keep something from me. All of them were, but I don't know what it was or why they were so secretive about it. She would begin to speak, only to pause in the middle of her thoughts and change her response.

'What is going on here? It's weird?' I asked myself as my eyes peered around the area.

"Anyway, speaking of your leader, where is the Alpha?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Um, he's away," Katie answered, avoiding eye contact. Her lie was transparent.

"You're lying," I noted, feeling a hint of frustration. Why couldn't anyone just tell me the truth?

"I'm sorry, but it's not my place to say anything about what you've asked," she said, her apologetic smile doing little to quell my frustration.

I was about to press further when Katie changed the subject. "Have you eaten? We can go to the kitchen and grab some food."

My stomach grumbled at the mere mention of food.

"Ohokay. I can eat," I replied, trying not to sound too desperate. In reality, I was starving, and I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday morning.

As we entered the kitchen, the chatter and clatter abruptly ceased as all eyes turned to me. I could feel their eyes on me and moved uncomfortably, trying to hide behind Katie's frame.

"Don't mind them," Katie chimed in cheerily, trying to defuse the tension. She then yanked my hand and introduced me to the shewolves in the kitchen, saying, "Everyone, this is Ava."

"Is she the one?" A haughtylooking girl sneered, giving me a judging headtotoe look.

Katie stepped in before I could respond, introducing me with a gracious smile. I offered a timid wave, already feeling like an outsider.

"She seems ordinary and unsettling. Is she even a werewolf?" the girl snarled, shooting daggers my way.

I bristled at her harsh words. Who did she think she was?

"Stella, you know you shouldn't talk that way to Ava," Katie chided, her tone firm but gentle.

Stella spat back, "I can do whatever the fuck I want," her eyes blazing with hostility.

My stomach churned with unease as she rose from her seat and stalked towards me, circling me like a vulture eyeing its prey.

"Miserable human!" she sneered, disgust etched on her face.

I gritted my teeth, determined not to back down.

"For the record, I am not human," I muttered, hoping to catch her off guard.

"The heck was that? Oops, I couldn't quite catch that," she taunted, her voice dripping with venom.

"I said, I'm not a human," I repeated, this time with more conviction.

Stella raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. I could tell she didn't believe me, but I refused to let her intimidate me.

"You're weak and pathetic! You can never make him happy the way I do, Bitch!" She spoke softly and leaned in to whisper in my ear. "I deserve him more than you do! So go back to the shit where you came from, a'right?" Her voice was sharp and venomous.

I couldn't believe it—he had slept with this whore.

As Stella's words sank in, a wave of shock and betrayal washed over me. I was frozen as I tried to process what she had just disclosed. The very thought of it made me sick to my stomach.

How could he do this to me? I had been saving myself for my mate, and he couldn't keep it in his pants.

The pain of betrayal mixed with the rage boiling inside me. It was like something had taken over, and before I knew it, I had shoved Stella to the ground and unleashed my fury on her.

But my lack of fighting skills became apparent quickly as she flipped us over, and I was now the one on the receiving end of her powerful blows. Each hit felt like it was driving me closer and closer to the brink of unconsciousness, and I knew I was no match for her.

I tried to defend myself, but it was no use.

My wolf refused to come out, leaving me helpless in this fight. I was coughing up blood as she continued to pummel me with her fists, each hit sending waves of pain shooting through my body.

Trapped beneath her, Stella flipped me onto my belly and twisted my arms behind my back. The pain was excruciating, and I could feel my wrist giving way under pressure.

"Pathetic," Stella whispered before I heard a sickening snap in my bones.

The pain was indescribable, and I screamed out in agony. Tears blurred my vision as she got up and left me writhing in pain.

As I lay there, feeling helpless and alone, I couldn't help but wonder how it had all come to this.

Was it worth saving for a mate who couldn't keep it in his pants?

Was this what I deserved for believing in true love and loyalty?

"Oh, Goddess, Stella! What did you do?" someone shouted.

"What should I do then? Stand there and let her hurt me? The bitch attacked me! I had no choice but to defend myself," Stella retorted.

"But you didn't have to break her arm!" the woman countered, her voice laced with apprehension.

Katie dashed toward my spot and helped me sit upright. Biting my lips to stop myself from wincing, I held my broken arm close to my chest as tears streamed down my face. Despite the pain, I gripped my left hand with my right and snapped the bone back into place.

As my hand healed instantly, everyone looked at me in shock and wonder. I possessed rare powers that I had never revealed to anyone.

I could heal at a rate that had never been seen before and use my abilities to hurt others. Due to my fear and anxiety that others would attempt to take advantage of my talents, I avoided revealing them in public.

According to the ancient texts I had read, a powerful healer was born once every hundred years to bring peace to the world. I was born with the power to heal and protect.

"Good Goddess! How did you do that?" Katie asked, her eyes wide with amazement.

"Don't all werewolves heal?" I said, trying to play it cool and keep my secret hidden.

She squeaked, "Uhhuh! But we don't heal as fast as you do, Ava!"

I massaged my arm, feigning as though it still hurt and replied, "It's not that fully recovered—"

"What the hell is going on here?" An authoritative voice cut through the noise of the whirlwind of chaos I'd just started.

"That bitch attacked me! I was just trying to ask, and she punched me!" Stella's finger pointed accusingly in my direction as she darted into the protective embrace of my mate's arms.

'Huh, so the slut is a goddamn liar too? Well, that's just great!' I groaned mentally.

"It hurts, Jay!" Stella faced me again, grinning triumphantly, before burying her face in his chest.

My heart sank as I watched her cling to his arms with no resistance from him. A pang of jealousy shot through me as I stared at them; he wasn't even hugging her back, just staring at me with an unreadable expression.

I felt defeated and humiliated, wanting nothing more than to cry. But I refused to let anyone see my tears, so I gathered what little dignity I had left and quickly rose to my feet, rushing out of the room.

'Just what are you expecting, Ava? You've just known the man for less than a day!'

No, this was not another fairytale story. Sadly, this was how reality panned out. I have to admit that Stella had a point. Despite how hurtful it sounded, I had to accept it was true. I'm a shewolf without a wolf.

Basically, I'm useless to any packs.

A sudden commotion interrupted my thoughts as I stepped outside to clear my head. A man burst through the door, cradling a small boy in his arms, his body covered in blood.

"God! What happened?" I asked, but he ignored me, rushing into the kitchen. Without hesitation, I followed him, pushing through the crowd gathered around the injured child.

"Oi! What the hell are you doing? The boy is in critical danger and needs a damn help, woman!" The man shouted at me.

"I can help him," I declared with conviction, leaning over to listen for his faint heartbeat.

Time was running out, and he wouldn't make it if he didn't receive medical attention soon.

AVA

"Please give me some space," I said, trying to create some distance between myself and others so that I could focus on healing the wounded child.

"Can you heal him?" the man worriedly asked.

"I have to check his vitals first, but I guarantee you I mean no harm to this boy," I retorted as I placed my hand on the boy's arms.

He gave me a nod and replied, "I'll hold on to your word, then." The man turned his back and instructed the onlookers to move out of the way.

As they moved back, I looked at the boy's wounds and gasped in horror. His left hip had been brutally bitten, with a chunk of flesh missing.

"Oh, dear! What happened to you?" I couldn't help but take pity on his state. He could die any minute if I didn't do something about his injuries immediately.

"Help! Please, it hurts!" the boy cried.

I patted his forehead and gave him a comforting smile. "Don't worry, kid. I've got you." Extending my left hand to him, I requested, "Hold my hand and close your eyes, okay?"

He bobbed as he jerked his head to the frontside and slipped his hand into mine.

I quickly put my hands over his wound and focused on improving him. I could feel a warm, tingling feeling in my hands as a yellow glow came from under them and wrapped around the boy.

Gripping his hand tightly, I watched in disbelief as the wound slowly closed, proof that my healing abilities were successful. I hadn't used them since I accidentally healed Caleb when I was only six years old. I had been too afraid to use them from then until now.

'Thank Goddess! It worked!' I couldn't help but be grateful to her.

Looking at the boy's peaceful face, I saw he was no longer in pain. But as I continued pouring my energy into him, I felt my life force draining away. I attempted to stop, but it was as if my hands were glued to the boy's hip.

Despite my efforts to pull away, the healing power only grew stronger, draining all of my energy and leaving me on the brink of unconsciousness. As black dots danced in front of my eyes, I knew I was being sucked into the veil of the void.

As I poured every ounce of my being into healing the injured boy, I didn't realize the toll it would take on me. My vision grew hazy, and I felt like slipping into an endless void. But just as I thought it was all over, a pair of strong hands wrapped around my waist and yanked me away from the boy. The sudden separation caused a surge of energy to burst, knocking us all off our feet and onto the ground.

As I blinked away the blur in my eyes, I was securely held by someone beneath me.

But who was it?

I couldn't quite make out their faces, and soon the darkness beckoned to me once again, and I succumbed to its embrace.

When I finally came to, I found myself in an otherworldly space. It was as if I were standing in a vast expanse of pure white, with nothing and no one around me. I couldn't help but wonder if I had been transported to the afterlife and somehow ended up in purgatory.

Did I die? Was this some sort of hallucination?

My gaze fell to my body, and I was startled to see that I was clad in a long white gown. And then, as if by magic, a woman materialized before me. She was also dressed in white and positively radiated an ethereal glow.

"Hello, Ava," she greeted me with a kind smile and a graceful bow. "It's a pleasure meeting you finally, dear one."

"Who are you?" I straightened my back and looked around at the pure white foliage surrounding me.

"We've been waiting for you," she continued.

But instead of responding to her, my mind was spinning with questions. "What is this place? Why am I here? What happened?"

The ethereal woman's lips arched into a sweet smile. She stepped closer to me and held my hand. "You're in limbo between this world and the next. Those deserving a second chance are welcome here. Once I have enlightened you on your life's purpose, I'll send you back to the place of the living."

"Um, ohkay," The words came out of my mouth with ambiguity.

Then the woman added, "You're not dead. Your body is just unresponsive, as if you're in a deep sleep that you can't wake up from,"

Despite my confusion, I nodded again, eager to understand why I was in the middle of death and life.

"My guess is that your power nearly killed you when you healed that boy," she said, her words more a statement than a question. My heart was racing, wondering how she knew what had happened to me.

"Wait, how did you find out?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"All knowledge is mine. You and your people aren't the first to face adversity like this." The woman gave me a knowing grin.

My brows furrowed. "Then you know about me?"

"I'm what? An angel?" I asked, still trying to wrap my head around it.

She jerked her head back and forth. "That's right. It is also why your wolf is as white and pure as your heart. It stands for the good in you. Aside from yourself, there is no other white wolf anywhere."

"But I've never seen her. She left me." I murmured.

"Oh, let me help you with that," she said kindly, stepping closer to me. She placed her hand on my forehead, and suddenly I heard a voice in my head.

"Ava!"

It was her—my wolf.

"Do not forget, Ava, that you are no longer a part of that horrible pack. You are not to blame for your mother's untimely passing. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you'll have full control of your abilities. Whatever your future holds, I hope you'll live it with your purpose, Ava." She embraced me and then disappeared.

As I opened my eyes, I gasped for breath. I bolted upright from the ground where I'd been lying and found myself lost in Katie's warm, honeybrown gaze. She had a look of concern etched on her face as she pulled me into a tight hug, relieved that I was still breathing.

"You scared the hell out of me," she said, holding me close.

"I'm sorry," I replied sheepishly.

"We thought you had died! Your breathing almost stopped, Ava!" She continued, her eyes never leaving mine.

"I'm fine," I assured her, feeling better than I had in a long time. "I just lost consciousness after healing the child. Where is he? Is he okay?"

All of a sudden, Katie hugged me. "Yes! You saved him, Ava! The boy is fine now. But you don't have to worry about him anymore since the pack warriors took him to the clinic."

"That's good. At least he's safe now." I sighed in relief.

For the first time, I felt I had a purpose—something worth living for. I couldn't believe I would be able to help the kid. At first, I doubted my abilities, but as soon as I saw his wounds closing up with my power, I knew all of it was real.

After my conversation with the mysterious woman, my guilt over my mother's death was lifted, and it felt like a huge burden had been removed from my shoulders. I couldn't keep living with the guilt of something I didn't do.

And I swore that I wouldn't be the one responsible for the end of the world.

I scanned the room, hoping to see Jay, but he was nowhere to be found. Disappointed, I turned my attention back to Katie.

"By the way, Ava, what happened—" she began, but her words were drowned out by a piercing scream that came from deep within me.

"Gahh! Fuck!" I heard myself repeatedly scream, writhing in agony as I clutched my stomach. This was a kind of pain that I had never felt before, and I had no idea what was happening to me.

"Oh, shit! Are you okay?" Katie's voice was laced with concern, but it was clear that there was little she could do to help me.

Another wave of pain hit me, and I collapsed onto the floor as I felt a knife stabbing my spine. Bones were breaking inside me, rearranging themselves in a way that felt like torture. I knew at that moment that I was transforming into my wolf.

It was nothing like I had imagined before. When I met my wolf, I would've thought I'd be able to transform into her. However, she suddenly left me without even giving me a word. With that, I'd never expected to be in this state now or at least transform in front of the crowd.

I had heard it was painful, but this was beyond anything I could have prepared for.

My body contorted and shifted, with fur sprouting from my skin. My small nose elongated into a snout, and I found myself on all fours, towering over Katie. I looked at my white fur and stretched out a paw, still trying to get used to my new form.

"Oh, my God! Is this...your wolf, Ava?"

When I turned around, Katie had a look of awe on her face. I cocked my head to one side, growling, and sat glumly on the floor. She slowly approached me and ran her hands through my whitecovered fur. She beamed at me as I purred loudly with pleasure.

"What's going on?" a voice demanded.

I turned to see the man I had seen with my mate. He was staring at me in disbelief, mouth agape. I was a massive wolf, standing just as tall as he was.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Katie said, beaming with pride.

The man parted his mouth. "Is that—"

Suddenly, my mate appeared in the doorway. "What is this commotion again?!" He halted in front of me, clearly taken aback by my wolfish appearance; however, his expression of surprise soon faded.

He walked over to me, and my wolf began to purr with delight.

'Mate! He's our mate!' She was even more excited than I was.

"Everyone, out! NOW! " he ordered, and they left the room immediately.

AVA

As my mate and I stood in the room, the air between us felt tense. His eyes roamed over my wolf form, taking in every detail as I tried to stand on my ground. But when he took a step forward, my wolf instincts kicked in, and I backed away.

'What the hell?' I asked myself as I got curious about my wolf's unsettling gestures.

"Aren't you eager to meet our mate?" I asked in my mind, addressing my wolf's sudden retreat.

"Yeah! But he cheated on us! And I don't like cheaters!" My wolf, Alana, answered with a huff, her anger still simmering from the earlier encounter with Stella.

I didn't bother responding, knowing we were both hurt and vulnerable. Stella's words had cut deep, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there might be some truth. But I wasn't about to let anyone see me as weak or vulnerable, especially not my mate.

So when Stella pushed me too far, I lashed out with a ferocity that surprised even me. For once, I stood up for myself and refused to be harassed by my bullies.

But as I looked at my mate now, I couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. I didn't want him to think I was violent or unruly, and I knew my actions could have severe consequences if the alpha found out.

And at this point, nobody could do anything to me that I had not already experienced. In fact, if the alpha were still in the picture, I would be dead and buried by now. I was digging my own grave if I attacked one of his pack members.

As if sensing my thoughts, my mate's expression softened momentarily before he masked it with a cold stare.

"Change back. Now," my mate ordered me, his voice filled with authority as he threw a blanket over my wolf form.

I felt the power in his words as I slowly shifted back to my human form, the blanket covering my naked body as I lay on the ground. When I looked up, my mate was already leaving the room, leaving me to process everything that had occurred today.

I knew I had a lot of work to do now that I had Stella back, but I was determined to do whatever it took. For the first time in a long time, I felt a glimmer of hope that maybe I could be something more than what everyone else saw me as.

Shortly after, Katie returned and found me collapsed on the floor, trembling from exhaustion.

"Oh, my God! Ava!" She lifted me from the ground and used her lap as my headrest.

"Katie...I" My sentences paused as I suddenly felt drained from the change. While I stared at her in a daze, the sounds surrounding me began to muffle, and my sight blurred. I sank into the darkness as I was dragged into the abyss.

When I opened my eyes, I was surprised to find myself in bed.

'How did I end up here? I was outside the kitchen...' Confused and disoriented, I sat up and tried to piece together the events that led me to this unfamiliar place.

'What happened? Who brought me back to the room?' As my mind raced with possible scenarios, I gradually adjusted to the bright sunlight streaming through the open drapes.

As my mind kept racing, creating scenario after scenario of where I might be, I quickly stood in bed. It took a while for me to adjust to the brightly lit room because the drapes were open, and the sunlight was peeking through the windows.

'Where exactly am I?' I asked myself while my eyes were squinting.

Looking around the room, I was relieved to discover I was in "his" room. It was all starting to make sense, though I still couldn't quite believe that everything that had happened the day before was real.

It all felt like a dream, from meeting my mate to getting into a fight, healing someone, and transforming into a wolf. It was a whirlwind of events that felt almost surreal.

Lost in thought, I heard a voice clearing her throat in my mind.

"Ahem."

My heart leaped with excitement as I realized it was my mate.

"Bejeezus!" I reacted in surprise.

Alana, my wolf, rolled her eyes at my childish excitement, but I couldn't help it. I never expected to see her again or to shift into a wolf after she stopped communicating with me.

"I'm really sorry, Alana," I cried, feeling guilty for everything I'd put her through and endured.

"Don't be, Ava," she said in a sarcastic voice. "I've already come to accept who you are. I mean, it's not your fault that you're a spineless idiot."

"Well, thank you very much for rubbing it in me, Alana," I huffed out, dismayed by her comment.

"What? I'm just telling the truth. No offence to you, Ava," Alana retorted.

I was offended, but I knew she was right. I'd never stood up for us, never stood up for myself. Sometimes she tried to take control so she could defend us, but I always pushed her away and took the beatings.

It was hard for her, and we had both been through a lot. We might not have visible scars thanks to my healing abilities, but our internal wounds ran deep. We needed to work on healing together to come out triumphant.

"Anyway, I'm really disappointed, Ava." Alana opened up.

My eyebrows shot up. "About what? Me again?"

"No, not you. But with our mate!" she grumbled. "Why is our mate a dick? I just can't accept this!" Alana muttered with a pout.

"I feel you," I replied with a sad sigh. "I can't understand why the Moon Goddess gave him to us."

"Plus, he doesn't want us, but his wolf, Jax, does. That's why he brought us here because his wolf made him." Alana sighed.

"I understand your point, Alana, but I don't want you to have your hopes up only to be disappointed," I tried to reassure her. "We don't need him if he doesn't like us."

"But he's our mate, Ava. Our other half. We need him," she argued.

"I know, but we don't necessarily need him to be happy or complete. We can find our own happiness," I replied.

Alana let out a sigh and looked down.

"You know I love you, Alana, and I don't want to see you get broken again," I confessed. "When you left, I was utterly devastated because I thought you wouldn't return to me anymore."

"Ava. I love you too. I'm sorry if I did that." Alana sighed and continued, "I guess I've gotten scared and exhausted seeing you being beaten up by those people..." she said with a bitter smile before retreating to her hiding spot.

Feeling relieved that I had eased some of Alana's frustration, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. After a quick shower, I changed into some comfortable clothes I had brought with me. As I lifted the oversized shirt over my head, my stomach grumbled. When Katie diverted my attention, I realized I had forgotten to eat yesterday.

I rummaged through my bag and found a sandwich I had made a few days ago. I was about to bite when Katie walked in with a food tray.

"Oh, you're awake! I brought you breakfast. Please don't tell me you were about to eat that," she said, looking at my sandwich disgustingly.

"Hey! This sandwich is really good," I argued.

"Maybe it was a few days ago," Kate replied, placing the tray on the bedside table.

"What? No!" I pouted, but she just laughed. I extended my arm to show her my sandwich and said, "This still tastes good!"

"You're such a child," she teased, shaking her head.

"Well, I am a child," I defended myself.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she asked, "Really? How old are you?"

"I'm 18," I replied, and her eyes widened slightly.

"Oh. You're very young. I'm 25," Katie said, and I gaped at her.

"No way, you look so young," I said.

"Good genes, I suppose," she said with a smirk. "Anyway, give me your disgusting sandwich and eat this hearty and healthier meal." Katie handed me the tray.

Taking it from her, I smiled. "Thanks, Katie. I really appreciate you doing this."

"Nah! Don't mind it. Eat up." She gestured with her hands in dismissal. "You must be hungry."

As we ate, we chatted about various topics. I opened up to Katie about myself, except for the part where I was the punching bag of my old pack. My answers were mostly vague, as I didn't want her or anyone else to know what I had been through.

Perhaps one day, I could tell her everything, but not today. After finishing breakfast, we went into town together. I still received strange looks from everyone, but I ignored them. They were likely just curious about the new girl in town.

After strolling around for a while, we decided to grab some drinks and relax on a bench beside a fountain in the park. I sat beside Katie, and we were having a good time laughing and teasing each other when something caught my attention in the distance.

I squinted my eyes and focused on the figure, and instantly, a chill ran down my spine. My drink slipped from my hand and fell to the ground, and I turned away for a second to collect myself.

Katie sensed my discomfort and asked, "Hey, Ava, are you alright?"

As I gazed back in the direction where I saw the figure, there was no one there anymore. Maybe, it was my imagination, and I couldn't have been more relieved.

"Hmm?" I replied, looking at her. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Katie asked as she looked in the direction I was looking at before. Her eyes scoured the surroundings as she added, "Did you see someone you know, Ava?"

.

As I glanced again at the same spot, I saw the same person waving to me with a condescending smirk before disappearing into the crowd.

Oh hell.

Shaking my head, I gazed back at Kate. "No. II just thought I saw someone I know."

AVA

"Hey, Ava, are you sure you're fine?" she asked, her brows furrowing in apprehension.

I shook my head and replied, "Yyeah. I'm fine, Kate." Getting on my feet, I stood straight from the bench. "I'm not feeling well, I think." My lips pressed into a thin, white line.

She gave me a slight bob and smiled. "Ohokay. Let's head back to the pack house. Jay might be looking for you." She grabbed my empty juice drink and discarded our drinks in the trash.

On our way back to the pack house, my mind was consumed with thoughts of Josh's unexpected presence. Despite my inner turmoil, a part of me hoped that his appearance had nothing to do with me. However, the weight of my instincts suggested otherwise.

As we walked back to the pack house, my mind was racing with thoughts of Josh's sudden appearance. Why was he here? Was it just a coincidence, or did he come for me? Although I wanted to believe that his visit was for something other than me, my gut told me otherwise.

As soon as I stepped inside the pack house, my heart started pounding with fear. A group of familiar boys was gathered in the foyer. Their attention was solely focused on Stella, with whom they were shamelessly flirting. I wanted to escape the situation, but I knew I couldn't.

The moment the door closed behind me, the boys' eyes shifted to me, and their expressions turned hostile. I could feel their anger and resentment toward me, making me take a few steps back in fear.

Suddenly, Caleb appeared out of nowhere and hugged me tightly. "We've been searching the town for you, Ava. Since you disappeared, dad has been worrying nonstop."

'What the hell?! Why is he here? Besides, Caleb doesn't act like this to me!' I was in disbelief, wondering if this was some kind of twisted prank.

As I retreated from Caleb, I heard him say through the mind link, "You're fucking dead after this, Ava. Dad will kill you."

His phony smile filled me with dread. My wolf was clawing at my mind, urging me to fight, but I tried to calm her down.

Before I could gather my thoughts, an authoritative voice interrupted the tense atmosphere. It was Jay, and I couldn't help but admire the confidence and power that oozed from his voice.

"What the hell is going on here?" Jay's piercing eyes narrowed at us.

"It's none of your business. I'm here for my sister, and I'll take her home," Caleb sneered, grimacing at Jay.

I could see the shock on some of the onlookers' faces. It was strange how Caleb spoke to the pack members as if he owned the place, despite not being a part of this pack. It then hit me that I had not seen the Alpha since I arrived. I didn't even know what he looked like.

Now that I think about it, it was definitely weird.

The Alpha should have shown up by now, but I haven't spotted him anywhere. Heck, I had no idea what he looked like. In a short amount of time, Jay had closed the gap and had Caleb by the scruff of the neck.

Jay's grip on Caleb's neck tightened as he spat out his words. "Have you got any idea who you're talking to, mutt?"

Caleb attempted to pull his hands off, but his grip only tightened. I saw the redness spread across Caleb's face and knew I had to intervene before he killed him. Even if he was a complete jerk and had hurt me more times than I can recall, I couldn't watch while he was murdered.

I quickly stepped in, not wanting anyone to get hurt. Although Caleb had hurt me before, I couldn't just stand by and watch him be killed. I pushed them apart, and to my surprise, a golden glow emanated from my hands, sending them both flying in opposite directions. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down before doing something I would regret later.

As I opened my eyes, I saw everyone looking at me. I immediately hurried over to Jay's side and kneeled down to see if he was okay because of our mate bond. His hand rubbed the back of his head, and when he brought it back around, it was covered in blood.

"Oh, Goddess! Are you okay?" I asked, scanning his body for any other injuries.

He sat against the wall, rubbing the back of his head, and when he brought his hand back around, there was blood.

"My goodness, I'm so sorry, Jay! Let me fix this. I'll hear" I started, but Caleb cut me off.

"What, you were more concerned about that total stranger than making sure I was all right? I'm your brother, Ava! For fuck's sake, he nearly killed me!" Caleb yelled at me from behind.

Jay stood up with a growl, poised to attack. Caleb and his friends flanked him, ready to defend themselves. The tension was palpable, and I could feel my heart racing as I watched them.

"No, Jay! Stop!" I shouted, stepping between them.

"Shut up!" Jay snarled, his eyes shifting from blue to gold as he struggled with his wolf. "Nobody tells me what I should do!"

"Hey, weirdo, you better listen to Ava! " Caleb warned him. "It's only going to make things worse for you."

'Why couldn't he just shut up?' I sighed inwardly. Caleb always had to put in his two cents, even in the middle of a potentially deadly fight.

Suddenly, a loud growl shook the entire pack house. My eyes widened in fear and shock as I watched Jay transform into a massive brown wolf. He snarled at Caleb, ready to pounce, and I knew I had to act fast.

"Please," I begged, stepping before him with my arms outstretched. I hoped his wolf would listen to reason and not harm anyone.

Jay growled again, but I stood on my ground. He gave Caleb a final menacing look before leaving the room in his wolf form.

A few seconds later, he returned, now wearing dangerously low shorts. I couldn't help but notice his toned abs and defined vline, but I quickly pushed those thoughts aside. There were more pressing matters at hand.

"What are you doing here, Caleb?" I asked, turning to face him.

"Dad sent me to find you," he replied simply. "I'm bringing you home, Ava."

My lips pursed. I swallowed the lump as I asked again, "How did you know I was here?"

"Of course, I asked the people around her. I'm not dumb like you, you know?" he said, rolling his eyes.

"Why does he want me to return? He hates me," I stated, my voice laced with confusion.

"Don't be ridiculous, Ava. Dad is worried about your safety," Caleb said, giving me a knowing look.

I knew what that expression meant. Caleb was attempting to intimidate me, but it was futile. I had decided that I wouldn't return to that hellhole. Josh would go ahead with his grim plans for me, and Alpha Benjamin wouldn't give a damn.

"I'm not going back there, Caleb," I said firmly.

"That's not really up to you," Caleb said, grabbing my hand firmly and pulling me closer to him. My body tensed up, and I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. I looked up at him, and for a moment, I could see a hint of frustration in his eyes.

"Let...her fucking go!" Jay growled fiercely behind me, his voice deep and menacing. I could feel his breath on my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"Stay out of this, wimp," Caleb responded, his eyes darting nervously between Jay and me. "This is between my sister and me!"

"Who the fuck do you think you are? Entering my pack and instructing me on what to do?" Jay said, his voice rising with each step he took toward Caleb. He was towering over him now, and I could see the muscles in his arms bulging as he clenched his fists.

Caleb shook his head and backed away from me as soon as he saw Jay, his eyes wide with terror.

'What the hell?' I shouted in my head. My mind was still trying to wrap around the revelation I'd discovered.

'Wait. Does this mean Jay is the Alpha of the North Pack?' My mouth gaped open as soon as I realized that. Holy shit! That's why, when I asked Kate about their Alpha, she was adamant about talking about him. More so, Stella was agitated when she knew Jay was my mate.

My mate's the famous Alpha of the North Pack.

"So you're Benjamin's son?" Jay asked, his voice still tinged with anger.

"Yes. He sent me here to get my sister," Caleb answered cautiously.

"Ava's your sister?" Jay asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow. "You don't look like siblings." He crossed his arms and scrutinized the both of us.

""Whatever we have going on between us is none of your concern...Alpha," Caleb replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Are you sure you're only here for Ava?" Jay asked again, his eyes piercing through Caleb's.

"Yes, I am. I wouldn't be here if my dad didn't instruct me to return her to our pack," Caleb replied, this time with more confidence.

"Well, if that's the case, she isn't going anywhere. Don't make me change my mind and kill you, so get off my property immediately. Also, tell Benjamin that I plan to see him soon. We'll talk about...certain things," he responded, his menacing voice resonating through the air.

"I'll inform, Father." Caleb gritted his teeth, and his fists were clenched tightly.

"Get out now. I don't want to see you here, creating another commotion." Jay dismissed them and turned to walk away.

Caleb glared at me before he and his friends stormed out of the pack house, embarrassed by what had just happened. I knew this wasn't over.

'They're going to want revenge.'

A sense of dread settled in my stomach as I watched them leave. I knew Caleb and Alpha Benjamin wouldn't let me go this easily. Despite North Pack's undisputed power, Alpha Benjamin would do anything with his willpower to get what he wanted. He wouldn't hesitate to do that if he had to pull some resources.

I knew they wouldn't stop until they got what they wanted from me.

JAYDEN

'Fucking Hell!'

I let out a frustrated sigh as I leaned back in my chair, my mind still consumed with thoughts of my mate. It was as if the moon goddess had a twisted sense of humour, bringing us together at the most inconvenient time possible.

Her presence alone made me feel weak in the knees, but I knew I couldn't let my guard down. My pack depended on me to make the right decisions and keep them safe, and I couldn't afford to let my emotions cloud my judgment.

But despite what I initially thought of her, she turned out to be more than I could have imagined. Her strength and determination had left my pack speechless, and I found myself drawn to her in ways I couldn't explain.

As the pack discussion in the meeting room continued, my mind drifted back to her. I did not wish to approach her too closely, but my wolf had other plans. My wolf growled at the thought of me with other girls, but I couldn't deny my physical needs.

Even so, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to our connection than physical attraction. I wanted to protect my mate from the dangers of our world, but at the same time, I was drawn to her. Her beauty and innocence were a deadly combination that was difficult to resist.

Hell, I never even thought in a million years that my soul mate would turn out to be 'the angel.'

She was destined to bring peace to our world, but with that came the potential for destruction. It was a risk I couldn't afford to take lightly and only added to the weight of the responsibility I now carried as her mate.

I mean, she was attractive, but she always concealed her curves with these baggy clothes. I wanted to see her bare chest and thighs through her baggy tops and bottoms, but I also wanted to keep a safe distance from her.

She was very young. Some people might think that she is too young for me. She was only 18, and I was 25. I was seven years older than she was. For some reason, the moon goddess saw fit to match me up with a much younger woman.

"We need to figure out what to do about those rogues, Alpha?" my beta asked, breaking my train of thought and returning to the discussion in the meeting room.

We were talking about the recent rise in attacks on our pack by the rogues, which we thought were just the start of a bigger, more dangerous plan.

"Like always, we'll handle it the same way," I responded confidently.

Sitting at the table with me were the elders of our pack, along with my beta, Mason, and my third in command, Dylan. Our monthly meetings were always important, but today's felt particularly urgent.

For weeks, we had been dealing with a series of rogue attacks that seemed coordinated and strategic. Our enemies might have discovered that the angel was among us and used these attacks to distract us from their true plans.

In order to keep the threats at bay, I only let a select few members of my pack know that Ava was my mate. After all, she was my mate, and her passing would also mean the end for me.

Her death might drive me crazy, and I didn't want to take that chance. If my enemies ever found out that I had found my soul mate, she would be the perfect weapon against me.

"We can't win the war without her, and you know it, Alpha," one of the elders said. "We need her on our side."

"We have been engaged in these conflicts for a long time before I discovered her, and we will do so even if she is not at my side," I retorted sharply.

'Did they think they needed to say I was an incompetent Alpha?' I scoffed inwardly.

The elders exchanged uneasy glances, but one of them spoke up again. "Her role in bringing an end to hostilities has been prophesied. While we do not doubt your ability to lead, Alpha, we must take all necessary measures to avoid needless casualties."

Although I knew that my pack's elders were right about the need for Ava to be trained and ready for the frontlines of the war, my wolf was hesitant about the idea. He was unwilling to accept the thought of our mate in danger, but we both knew it was the only way to ensure our pack's survival.

I told the elders, "Since she has not yet mastered her abilities, we will see to it that she receives the necessary training before being deployed to the front lines."

"Considering Elder Victoria's extensive knowledge of angelic lore, we have no doubt that she is the ideal teacher for the girl," said another elder.

"Soon, she will begin training, but for the time being, she will spend time getting to know the pack and its members. The meeting is adjourned," I announced and stood up.

As I left the room, Mason quickly followed behind, and we began the short journey back to the rest of the pack. The Crystal Blue pack was supposed to see me today, but their Alpha hasn't arrived for our meeting.

"Mate is in trouble," my wolf's voice repeated in my mind.

I sprinted back to my pack, my heart pounding and my legs burning from exertion. When I smelled the scent of strange people, I knew that the Crystal Blue Pack had again crossed into our territory.

As I arrived at my house, my eyes quickly found Ava, but they also found someone else standing too close to her. My wolf growled fiercely, threatening to break free inside me and attack the intruder. I struggled to contain my primal instincts and spoke up to assert my dominance.

But the stranger refused to back down, pushing me to the brink of unleashing my fury. "What the fuck are you doing here? Get out of my borders!"

How dare he come into my pack and disrespect me like that? It took every ounce of selfcontrol to keep me from tearing him apart.

"No! Please don't do anything!" she protested.

Obviously, Ava had to intervene to prevent me from suffocating the moron to death. If anyone else had done the same thing, I would have killed them. She was my mate, though, so my wolf would never allow me to harm her in any way. Not even a strand of her hair.

Ava started interrogating him as soon as I could collect myself. "Why are you here? I told you that I'm not going back!"

"Dad is furious, Ava! You have to go back with us!" the mutt hissed.

When I realized it was him again, I wished to kill him more than anything else. It was him, Ava's socalled brother, Caleb. I knew why he was here. He really never cared about Ava like he acted last time. For starters, I already know how his pack treated her.

The moment I stumbled upon her, I began investigating her thoroughly. They were going to get what they deserved for touching her inappropriately. Though I have been called a cold, heartless monster, my pack would never tolerate anything like that from any member.

"I told you that I'm not coming back there!" Ava countered, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Ava, don't make me force you! You're fucking disobeying our father's orders!" her fake brother threatened her.

What she has endured is terrible, and no one else deserves to suffer something similar. I was amazed by her resilience in the face of such extreme cruelty. She did that, and I respected her for it. The fact that the knucklehead was trying to bring my friend down with him was the final straw as if I were going to sit here and let him return her to those horrible people.

Caleb yanked on her arm and scowled. "Come with me! We're going home!"

"Stay away from me! I said I'm not coming back, Caleb!" Ava shoved his hand away from her arm and snapped back, "Why aren't you listening? I'm not returning to the packhouse!"

"I don't care what you want! You'll go back with us!" he shouted.

With a deep growl, I confronted her brother, who had dared to enter my pack and question my authority. "Who do you fucking think you are, barging into my pack and giving me orders?"

He visibly gulped when he realized he was standing before the alpha, but it was too late for him to back down. I didn't like people knowing who I was, just like my father had taught me when I was young. I continued to hide behind a cloak even after I had taken over as alpha, ensuring that no one outside of my pack knew what I looked like. It was a useful tactic, especially in situations like this.

Had he known I was the alpha from the beginning, he would have begged for my mercy instead of trying to take his "sister" away from me. But I was not going to let that happen.

Ignoring my warnings, he argued back, "Mind your fucking business! Ava belongs to the Crystal Blue Pack! She's not under your command, Alpha!"

"I don't fucking care! She will stay here, and you can't make her leave the pack. Don't make me change my mind and rip you to shreds, so get off my territory. As for me, I'll be seeing your dad very soon, so be sure to pass that along," I declared, dismissing him with a wave.

Caleb clenches his teeth. He disregarded me again and glared back at Ava. "We're not done yet, Ava. I'll make sure you'll come with us!"

"Are you deaf, mutt? I said, get out of my territory!" I yelled at him, facing the wimpy werewolf headon.

Ava's brother gave me a stern look before he stormed out of my property, leaving with his team of boy wolves. As I stared at him, my wolf couldn't contain his anger. He wanted to shred him apart and mutilate him.

I had plans for his father. And that involved making him pay for his past actions.

I knew he and his pack would be back, as boys like them always tried to prove their bravery by standing up to the alpha. But I was not afraid. In fact, my teeth were itching for a fight.

Plus, I hadn't killed anyone in a few days and eagerly anticipated their return. They may have thought they were brave, but he and his friends didn't know what they were getting into.

After all, I would make sure that his stupid father would pay the ultimate price for his crimes.