The following day, Lunaire woke up to the dead silence plaguing the basement.

Now that she was awake, the dormant pain in her body shot back up. She hissed and groaned as she slowly got up, leaning against the wall.

"Happy Birthday to me," she bitterly greeted herself.

Her brothers cooked her up well-done this time. Most werewolves, even the other omegas, should have been healed by now. But her wolf was weak and would take her longer to recover enough to walk out of that dark basement.

In that deafening silence, Lunaire closed her eyes and spoke in her mind.

"Crystal, are you okay?" worried, she called out her wolf, who hadn't spoken to her in a while.

"I'm okay, Lunaire. I'm trying my best to heal us, but it's hard," she whimpered. But despite her sorry state, Crystal still found the strength to cheer her up.

"Hey, we're sixteen now. Maybe our suffering will end soon," Crystal said with warm excitement.

Lunaire smiled wryly and opened her eyes. She hoped so too. She'd wished for it every year on her birthday, expecting the coming year would be different. But each year since their parents died , it was packed full of disappointments.

This year would be her last ray of light. She'd been waiting for the day their mate would come and take them away from this hellish place. Their soul longed for his healing, protection, and love.

'Please, find us soon.' Their hearts desperately wished.

"We need to go now, or else we will get into trouble again," Crystal whimpered.

Lunaire nodded and groggily stood up, holding on to the wall for support as she navigated her way out of this dark basement up to her crappy room.

She quickly washed up, melding her cries to the rush of water that stung her wounds.

Afterward, she made her way down the kitchen, repeating the same routine she did yesterday and, of course, keeping in mind not to make pancakes for Xavier.

While putting things together in the kitchen, she caught a whiff of a beautiful scent coming from somewhere. Lunaire tried not to mind and poured her full attention into what she was doing but

Crystal kept on jumping in excitement.

While serving breakfast, Lunaire heard Bella whisper something to her friends.

"Have you heard? Alpha Zane came back last night. Gosh, it's only been a week, and I miss him so much! I can't wait to see him again," Bella giggled with a blush on her cheeks, making her want to hurl.

'Alpha Zane. Zane Villain.' Lunaire repeated in her mind. Just hearing his name made her shiver.

Alpha Zane was the nicest kid she had ever met during her childhood. Her brothers were best friends with him. She could still remember how caring he was towards her then, but he changed along with her brothers and the entire pack after that horrible night.

Lunaire clutched her skirt tightly as she remembered the time Zane slapped her in front of everyone just because she spilled some water over his trousers by accident. She was only thirteen at that time.

"Guys! Alpha Zane is here!"

A pack member suddenly ran in and informed them all.

As everyone stood up, waiting for the arrival of their Alpha. The she-wolves gazed dreamily at the doorway, fanning their wild excitement, while Lunaire stood in the farthest corner and looked down, feeling nervous. She wanted to stay clear of them as much as possible.

She gulped when the doors opened. Squeals of hungry she-wolves erupted, and Crystal suddenly started howling inside her mind.

The beautiful scent she smelled strongly hit her nose, making her look up. Her brothers walked into the dining room with Alpha Zane leading the way.

Lunaire gasped as her eyes locked in with his.

'Mate. Mate. Mate!' Crystal rejoiced in her head.

In contrast, Lunaire only stood there, conflicted and confused about what was happening. Her heart was pounding fast. The feeling of exhilaration was forcing its way out of her chest.

Zane looked at her, mirroring the same feelings on his face. Then, in a blink, his stiff and shocked gaze softened.

Lunaire searched, the emotions swirling in his blue eyes. 'Is he looking at me with love?' she dubiously thought.

After what she went through, she felt hopeful but hesitant at the same time.

She studied his face; he looked attractive with his dark brown hair, long lashes, high nose bridge, and tattooed tanned skin. It was no wonder why these she-wolves were dying to be his mate. He was a walking six-foot-tall enigma. Even without their mate connection, she'd feel drawn to him like the other she-wolves if she wasn't so broken.

Lunaire mustered a smile with butterflies fluttering in her stomach and Crystal's howling ringing in her head. However, her smile disappeared, and her fears overtook her joy when his loving gaze switched to his usual look of hatred and disgust.

Zane strode towards her and grabbed her wrist. Sparks instantly burst through her body at his touch, making both flinch. He dragged Lunaire away, ignoring everyone's stares, and pushed her into an empty room.

Lunaire's eyes welled in tears when he turned around and looked at her with a menacing gaze after shutting the door.

"I can't believe the moon goddess gave me a weak, pathetic, and ugly mate like you!" He spat angrily, making Lunaire jump in fear.

"Above all, a murderer!" he hissed.

His direct insults took Lunaire aback. "I'm not a murderer," she muttered in defense, but soon regretted it.

"What did you say?" Zane growled and drew closer.

Lunaire's head drooped low and repeated in a stutter, "I...I said I'm n-not a murderer."

Zane boiled in anger and yanked her hair harshly, making her cry.

Her pained voice made him freeze. His glare mellowed as he stared at her widely in shock.

Zane slowly released her and stepped away.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, which stunned Lunaire.

'What? Did Alpha just apologize to me?' She thought, baffled.

He suddenly sighed and cupped her cheeks. "I've been swarmed with work and haven't been getting much sleep because of the stress," he said softly, his eyes gloomed with regret.

'I'm sorry about whatever I said. I didn't mean any word of it. I'm sorry, my mate," he profusely apologized and softly placed his rough lips on hers, sending her sparks and mixing her emotions into chaos.

'He took my first kiss... My mate took my first kiss,' Lunaire's young heart celebrated.

He slightly broke away from their kiss and looked at her with pleading eyes. "I hope you can forgive me," he said.

However, Lunaire still had her reservations.

'Forgive him, Lunaire. Look into his eyes. He loves us so much. Besides, he's handsome!' Lunaire blushed at Crystal's fangirling over their mates.

"I forgive you," she whispered, bashful.

Zane smiled and sought her lips again, kissing her intimately. Lunaire kissed him back, loving the feeling of his lips over hers.

He broke the kiss and stepped back.

"We need to keep this a secret," he suddenly said, simmering the boiling intimacy between them.

"W-why?" Lunaire asked, feeling crushed.

"Oh no, no, baby, please don't cry. I only wanted to surprise the pack," Zane hushed her, wiping her tears away with his thumb.

"Will...will you keep this a secret?" His eyes begged.

'Anything for our Mate,' Crystal whimpered.

Lunaire nodded and hugged him. "Yes... I will keep it a secret," she said, slightly downhearted.

"Thank you." Lunaire heard him say and planted a kiss on her crown.

"Meet me in my room tonight before midnight, okay?" he added, breaking their hug.

A bright smile appeared on his face as Lunaire nodded and smiled.

"I'll see you soon," Zane whispered, pecking her lips again, and then left.

Lunaire stood alone in the middle of the empty room, frozen and tracing her lips with her fingers. A broad smile marked her lips while staring at the door.

"Omg! I love him," Crystal squealed, making Lunaire chuckle.

She hadn't smiled or laughed like this for years. She smiled for the first time, and the cause was her mate.

Lunaire giddily left the room and did all her chores, trying to stay out of trouble until the clock struck before midnight.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror, smiling as she brushed her hair. She wore a long white nightgown she kept for this special day of meeting her mate.

Her reflection in the mirror revealed the joy brimming in her heart. But it quickly disappeared while her eyes traced the scars all over her body.

'I look so ugly. Why would he want to be with an ugly girl like me?' she gloomily thought.

"Hey, girly, stop being so negative. You're damn gorgeous, and you don't even know it. Don't let those bitches' words get to your head," Crystal cheered her up.

Lunaire could only sigh and left her room.

She stood outside her mate's room, feeling nervous. Her heart was going crazy, acting like she was in love.

Her eyes went wide at that thought. She never a day like this would come. She was already in love with him, the mate bond, the pull, the sparks. Lunaire loved him that she was willing to forgive his mistakes from the past.

'He's now my Mate, my future, my lover, and I am ready to accept him whole-heartedly.'

She smiled, and her face glowed with hope and determination.

Lunaire raised her hand to knock on his door, only for it to swing open.

"Hey," he greeted with a smile.

Her fist froze in the air as she got hypnotized by his scent and looks.

"Hi," she shyly greeted back, slowly taking her fist down.

Zane chuckled and pulled her inside, locking the door behind her.

He scanned his eyes all over her body, which made her a bit insecure. Unlike the girls that usually flock around him, she was chubby compared to their supermodel physiques.

Lunaire looked away, hugging herself. She didn't want to see him look at her in disgust anymore.

Just then, Zane cupped her cheeks and made her look at him. Her cheeks blushed when she locked eyes with his passionate gaze.

"You are so beautiful," he said, drawing her in with his heated gaze.

"I want to mate with you," he feverishly uttered.

Lunaire looked at him with shock.

"Bu-" She wanted to protest, but Zane hushed her, "Shhh," placing his finger over her lips.

"I want you, Lunaire. I want to make you mine," he said, rubbing his thumb over her lips.

Her breath hitched when he said her name, making her go crazy.

However, her self-esteem was too low to believe in his attention toward her.

He was a well-known playboy and experienced, unlike her, who knew nothing about mating or sex.

Zane raised her chin and stared intensely into his eyes, "What's wrong, my love?" he asked concernedly.

Lunaire felt her flutter when he called her love.

'Is this how it feels when someone talks to you lovingly?' she wondered.

"I...um...I was thinking. You have so many beautiful girls running after you. Why-why me?" she answered, fidgety.

Zane looked at her, puzzled. Her words seemed alien to him.

"I mean, why did you g-give me a chance?" she directly asked this time.

A short pause came between them, and he sighed, playing with her long locks.

"Those girls I've been with mean nothing to me at all," he declared. "I chose you because I love you, and you are my mate."

His words, full of emotions, made her gasp.

"You....you love me?" Lunaire exclaimed in shock.

Zane wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. The warmth of his embrace almost melted her down. She felt safe and loved.

"Of course. Don't you?" Zane asked, sounding dark.

Lunaire gulped and nodded.

"Yes... I love you too." she blushed.

Right then, Zane captured her lips, taking her with passion and hunger. Lunaire moaned between their kisses, fueling his desire for his mate. His hand went down to her ass, squeezing it and making her gasp.

"Fuck, you taste fucking amazing...I need you right now," he growled and ripped her gown off my body.

He pushed her onto the bed and hovered over her. He took off his shirt and licked his lips as he stared at her body.

Lunaire crossed her arms for cover, embarrassed with her fattiness, but he peeled them away.

"You're beautiful, Lunaire. Believe me," he whispered and showered her neck kisses down to her shoulders, making her breathe heavily.

Zane then ripped off her bra and squeezed her big molds, pulling onto my hard nipples.

A soft moan escaped her mouth when he took her supple breast into his mouth.

"Z-Zane," she moaned his name, making him stop.

"Say it again," he demanded.

"Zane," she repeated softly.

Her voice chimed beautifully in his ears, which aroused him even more.

"Fuck!" He cursed and then captured her sweet lips.

He pulled her closer and wrapped her legs around his waist. He ground against her core as he suckled her breasts, making her scream in pleasure.

Lunaire never knew this was what making love felt like. Sparks were running through her body as she burned feverishly inside.

Zane's kisses slowly traveled down to her legs, spreading them apart. Suddenly, Lunaire felt nervous and attempted to close her legs, but he held them in place.

"You're beautiful," he said, turning her red from embarrassment.

He locked his eyes with hers as he slid his hand underneath her underwear, invoking a moan out of her lips as he stroked her folds.

"So wet...only for me." His eyes swirled with lust as he growled.

Zane then ripped her underwear, making her squeal as he thrust a finger inside. Her back arched from all the foreign sensation coursing in her vein right now.

"Ahh...Zane," Lunaire moaned, clutching tightly onto the bedcovers.

His chest rumbled as his name repeatedly came out of her mouth, intensifying the thirst he was feeling.

He then unzipped his pants, pulling them down along with his boxers. Her eyes went wide when she saw how big he was.

'How was he going to fit in me? He will kill me,' Lunaire worried.

"Don't worry, baby. I'll stop whenever you want. It'll hurt a bit at first, but it'll go away," he reassured her, sensing her anxious feelings through their bond.

Lunaire gave him a nod, and he smiled. He positioned himself between her legs and slowly rubbed his manhood against her core before thrusting inside her cave.

Lunaire gritted her teeth, enduring the pain. Soft sobs escaped her when the pain got too extreme.

Lunaire clung to his back, digging her nails onto his skin as his pace gradually sped up.

"Ahh fuck...so good," he moaned on her neck.

"Mmmm, Zane," she moaned while he pounded deep into her, sucking onto her nipple.

Lunaire was losing her mind at his every touch. He turned her around and pushed her ass up, thrusting himself from the back.

"Ahh!" she cried out.

Lunaire gasped when he smacked her behind.

"Do you like it, baby? You like it when I spank you?" he asked dominantly, making her quiver.

Lunaire didn't like the spanking, but for him, she nodded. She hissed when Zane kissed her scars.

He grabbed her hair as reins and pounded roughly and deeply into her until he came.

Lunaire collapsed on the bed with him over her. Both were catching their breath. It was the wildest night she ever had.

"Good girl," Zane suddenly whispered, slapping her ass again, which startled her.

Zane fell beside her, and she moved closer to linger in his warmth. She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled to his chest.

"I love you," Lunaire whispered sweetly, waiting for an answer, and looked up, only to see him with eyes closed.

Lunaire faintly smiled and softly kissed his lips.

That night, Lunaire slept soundly and had a good dream for the first time in years.

When morning came, Lunaire woke up smiling, only to find out her mate was no longer beside her.

She abruptly sat up, wrapping the covers around her body as she frantically looked for him.

"Zane," she called out, but there was no response.

She felt a tinge in her chest.

'He just left me after we made love last night?' she confusedly thought.

However, the mere thoughts of the fiery night they shared made her blush. She felt glad that her mate accepted her for who she was and didn't mind her scars.

"I'm so lucky to have a mate like him," she mumbled and buried her face in his pillow as she squealed.

When the rush simmered, reality crept back into her mind. Despite finding her mate, she still had to do her chores. She snapped up and looked at the time.

She was already late.

Lunaire hurriedly looked around, searching for her nightgown, and found it shredded on the floor. She sighed, got out of bed, and walked to Zane's closet.

Grabbing a white shirt, she dressed and headed back to her room. After a quick shower, she went to the kitchen and resumed her chores.

Half a day went by, but it felt like the day was already over. Lunaire had never thought her work was as tedious as this, even though they're just as tough.

It must be because of her mate if she were to point out what made such a difference. Her young and lovestruck heart had been searching for his warmth since she woke up. However, she hadn't seen him since last night. Being apart was the most painful thing she had ever felt.

Lunaire went outside to cool off, taking a short walk near the woods, when someone called her out.

"Hey! You."

She jumped in startle and turned around only to see Bella and her minions smirking at her with an evil glint in their eyes.

She sighed and walked toward them.

"Yes?" she asked, speaking kindly, not wanting to get into trouble.

"Go get my phone from my room. I left it there," Bella flatly ordered, looking at her nails.

Lunaire frowned at her. "Why can't you get it yourself?" she meekly asked.

Bella then threw her a sharp look. "Listen bitch, just do as I say, or else I will get your brothers on you," she threatened, making Lunaire shudder in fear.

She looked away, nodding, and ran inside the pack house.

Lunaire went straight to Bella's room and saw her on her bed. She grabbed it and didn't stay long, then walked back outside.

"Here...your phone," she said, handing Bella her phone.

Bella only rolled her eyes at her and continued talking to her minions.

Sighing, Lunaire moved away from them and continued her walk. She found herself at her favorite spot and on a huge tree stump facing the woods.

The beauty of the scenery captured her heart. Her gaze pierced beyond the sea of trees, yearning for the liberating feeling within its heart.

'What would it feel like being deep inside the woods? Far away from this pack with only me and my mate?' she wondered.

But she shook that thought away and laughed at herself. It was too high of a dream to turn into reality. A weak she-wolf like her would only be stuck here forever.

Lunaire was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't realize she'd been sitting there for long. The sun was almost setting when she snapped out of it.

"Zane must be back by now," she muttered and headed back in.

And just as she crossed the threshold, a girl's dramatic yell thundered in the hallway.

"Omg! We have a thief in our pack!"

People started gathering around while Lunaire scoffed at Bella for screaming without reason.

Suddenly, her wolf Crystal jumped when an addictive scent hit their nose. Butterflies instantly fluttered in her stomach when she saw Zane come down wearing no shirt.

Jealousy erupted from their depths, and a discreet growl boiled up from their chests upon seeing these girls fawn over their mate.

"What is happening here?" he firmly asked.

Lunaire smiled at him when their gazes met but blankly turned away, hurting her feelings.

'Did I do something wrong?' Lunaire thought, perplexed.

"Alpha Zane," Bella cried, running into his arms, making Lunaire growl.

'My mate!' Crystal growled in her head.

Fortunately, no one heard them, but Zane snapped her a glare that took her aback.

"I went to my room and found my mother's memento missing. Alpha, that gold jewelry never left my room; now it's gone. Someone must have stolen it from my room," Bella wept.

"And who do you think might have stolen it?" Zane dubiously asked.

Of course, why wouldn't he? He had been ruling over them strictly but well. How could a thief come about from such a pack?

By now, every member of their pack had crowded the hallway. Even Lunaire's brothers came out of their rooms due to Bella's commotion.

"I... I don't know, Alpha. I didn't catch anyone in the roo-" she answered, looking distressed but paused when her eyes caught Lunaire.

She gasped and pointed her finger at her, turning Lunaire pale. Everyone pinned their eyes on her, filled with judgment, disgust, and loathing.

"You! You went to my room!" Bella accused as she strode toward her, blazing in anger.

Lunaire stepped back, baffled. Shaking my head in hr defense. "No... I swear I didn't steal anything," she cried.

"Stop lying, you bitch!" she spat.

Lunaire's breath hitched, and she looked at Zane in panic, trying to ask for help, but it made her despair seeing his eyes fixed only on Bella.

Bella looked back at Zane, bawling.

"I told her to get my phone from my room. She was the last one who went to my room. That memento meant so much to me, Alpha, but this thief stole it!"

Lunaire couldn't comprehend what was going on. She came to her room to get her phone, but why would she steal her stuff? She didn't need any jewelry for anything.

She looked at everyone with pleading eyes, wanting to say it wasn't her, but their scornful gazes took her voice away.

Then she heard Zane sigh.

"Okay, hang on, Bella, you can't just accuse someone like that," he said and turned to Dustin.

"Dustin, search Lunaire's room," he ordered at her brother, whose glare would kill her.

"A-alpha, I...I swear I didn't steal. I would never," Lunaire choked up, but he never looked at her even once.

'What was wrong with him? Why was he acting so cold with me?' hurt, Lunaire anxiously wondered.

Ten minutes later, Dustin came back with a box in his hand.

Lunaire trembled, aghast as he walked towards Bella.

"Does this belong to you?" he asked.

Bella looked inside the box and cried. "Yes, this is mine," she said, causing everyone to gasp.

"What the fuck? First a Murderer and now a thief? Why can't she just die?" one person muttered.

Her heart squeezed in pain hearing everyone insult her.

Alpha Zane approached, and she looked at him pleadingly, hoping he would come to his mate's rescue. "Alpha, I would never."

However, Lunaire received a sharp sting on her cheek instead. Zane slapped her across the face.

"Disgusting!" he spat.

Lunaire placed her hand over her burning cheek, petrified, feeling the numbness familiar to her.

She looked back at her mate in disbelief when he suddenly pulled her hair and dragged her away mercilessly in front of their pack.

Everyone chanted for her punishment. They all seemed like demons before her blurry eyes.

"Punish her, Alpha!"

"Yes! Punish her for the murder of our beta and his mate too!"

Lunaire wailed, but Zane remained heartless.

"Xavier! Bring out the pole and the whip!" He yelled out, making her gasp in horror.

"No! No! P-please! P-please, Alpha! She's lying. She's lying! I didn't s-steal! I didn't do it," Ari desperately begged him, but he only smirked at her.

"You are a pathetic piece of shit!" he cursed, tightening her grip on her hair and making her scream.

"Shut the fuck up!" He yelled and punched her in the face.

He threw her on the floor as if she was disgusting trash. She fell to the mud face down, and in front of her, she saw Bella standing not far, smirking in delight, enjoying her pain.