Alpha Adam Hayes: The 1st mate who rejected her, thinking she was wolfless and not worthy to be the Luna of his pack.

King Logan Knight: The 2nd chance who accepted her for who she was but was destined to kill her.

Both were begging for her attention, asking for a chance.

Who was she going to choose?

Someone who was with her the entire time, or someone who went to lengths to fight for her life?

Change my Fate

Jaque POV

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"Jaque!" my stepmother's voice echoed in the whole house like thunder, jolting me from my spot. I was in my room and had just finished cleaning the second floor of this house. As much as possible, I would like to rest for a bit, but it looked like the word resting for me would only happen when I was already dead.

"What does she want this time?" I muttered under my breath as I got up and dragged myself to the door. "Coming, Lauren!" I answered before she would yell again. Upon coming downstairs, a black ball gown with a sweetheart neckline covered my petite body.

"Here!" I knew that was Lauren even if I couldn't see her face. The sound of her demanding voice was no longer new to me. "Take care of this with your life. Jasmine will wear this for the ball tonight!"

"The ball?" I asked, surprised. No one told me about the ball. Oh, well! What's new in this pack? No one told me about special events like this. Except for preparing the pack's food and doing their laundry, the whole members, including my so-called family, kept me blind for grand occasions.

"Yeah! The ball, I'd!ot!" Jasmine chimed in. I held the heavy gown tight while tilting my head to the side. Contouring a vexing look, Jasmine scowled at me. "What? Don't tell me you're planning to go!" she burst out laughing while she covered her mouth dramatically.

"No! I'm not!" I defensively uttered. Who was I to attend such extraordinary events? I was just a nobody first daughter of Louis Davis, beta of Blood Moon Pack. "I just want to know why the pack is having a ball tonight?"

Before Lauren could answer, Jasmine already butted in. Waving her hand back and forth on my face as she ambled to my side, "Adam, the future Alpha of this pack, and my future husband!" she tittered. "Is having a masquerade ball. And he's now going to declare to the pack his mate and Luna, who, by the way, ME!"

Everything that Jasmine bubbled didn't register in my mind. However, there was only one sentence that caught my attention. "Adam is back?!" again, that significant news and the reason why I was still in the Blood Moon Pack was hidden from me. "He's back from the Alpha training?" I couldn't hide the excitement in my eyes as they glistened. My voice also gave me away, making the mother and daughter duo raise their well-trimmed brows at me.

"Be respectful, Jaque!" Lauren roared. "Alpha Adam for you. Don't you dare drag this family down with your ill-mannered attitude!"

Ill-mannered?! I was curious: Did they even know the meaning of that word?

"Huh?! Mommy, where do you think she got that disgusting behavior? From her mistress human mother, of course!"

Now, that's out of the line. I promised myself before. They could throw stones at me, but they should never speak ill about my mother, who passed away with a broken heart because of them, including my father.

"Don't talk about my mom that way, Jasmine!" my voice was calm but stern. Something they had never heard from me before, even Jasmine stepped back. A hint of fear and shock flickered in her eyes.

"Mommy!" scared now, huh?!

"How insolent!" before I could react, her palm already collided with my cheek, leaving some stinging pain. I wanted to touch my cheek that was slapped, but I couldn't afford to drop this heavy gown in my hand. Even a single inch of its hem on the floor could cost me my one-day meal.

"Hmp! That serves you, b!tch!" Jasmine crossed her arm over her chest. "Put my gown in my room. Spread it on my bed, id!ot!"

I turned around before they could see my tears. I never shed tears in front of them since my dad brought me here when I was ten. After putting the gown on her bed, I went to my room at the far corner and plopped myself on my single wooden bed. I would like to burst out, but upon thinking of Adam coming home, my heart fluttered. I had never seen him for three years now. He was my crush since my childhood days.

My dampened mood brightened as I got up and walked excitedly to my small closet. I opened it wide and took out a big brown box. I carried it on my bed and dropped the cover to the floor. My eyes sparkled as I pulled out a beautiful dark velvet off-shouldered bridesmaid's dress. Its design was simple yet striking. It's my mom's and she wore this in her best friend's wedding. I remembered pretty well her story about this dress. That's how she met my father. According to him, he was blown away when he saw her walking down the aisle.

I already made my decision. I was going to attend the ball no matter what. Besides, it's a masquerade ball. I would just get some materials from the stock room and make myself a mask. Inside the box was also a pair of red-strapped sandals, hoping they also fit.

I locked the door to my room before stripping off. I looked at myself in the rectangular mirror attached to the wall. I smiled at the woman staring back at me. I couldn't imagine how time flew this fast. I didn't want to brag, but I would give the merit to my mom. I looked exactly like her, except for my eyes. While she had hazel brown almond eyes, I had moss-green thin almond orbs. I got that from my dad. The only similarity I got from him, I guessed.

As I wore her dress, I felt her presence. The scent she still had mixed with the smell of fabric being stucked in a box for too long wasn't bad at all. It was actually hypnotizing.

"Mom!" I mumbled in the air when I saw my reflection. I felt like she was speaking to me, remembering everything she taught me when she was still alive.

Flashbacks of her memories transitioned into slideshows in my mind while tears rolled down my face.

"Sweetheart, be strong and always remember, I'm here for you no matter what?"

"My sweet pea, you're half she-wolf and half-human. It doesn't matter if you're wolfless someday. You have your own strength. Don't compare yourself to them!"

"When the right time comes, you will also meet your mate. Do not reject him no matter who or what he is. He's the only one who can protect you from this cruel world!"

I wiped the tears from my cheek. Lauren's fingerprints were still there, but it wasn't that painful anymore. The pain I felt now was for my mom, who was blinded by my father's sweet talks and gestures.

"Mom, I promise, I won't let you down!" I told myself as a thin smile formed on my face.

Tonight, I would change my fate in this pack and this world.

The Masquerade Ball

Jaque POV

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I woke up, jolting on my bed when I heard my alarm on my bedside table ring, followed by my best friend's call on my phone.

"Hah?! I said just an hour's rest!" I grumbled while groping the alarm. My eyes were still shut, and as I opened them and checked the time, I hastily got up and took my phone. "Hello, Kelly!"

"Finally, you answered. I've been texting you, girl!" Kelly grunted. "Where are you? You're late for school, baby!"

I groaned. "I know. I was just tired!" I muttered while taking out my PE uniform from the drawer. "I woke up early to clean the whole house!" dragging my feet to the bathroom, my slippers were scratching the floor.

I heard a sigh from the other line before Kelly spoke. "I know. That so-called family of yours is horrible. Hurry up now. I asked Andrew to pick you up. Maybe he's on his way!"

"Okay! I just uttered before ending the call. Andrew was Kelly's elder brother and the future beta of this pack. Just like Adam, he was also as handsome as I could remember, but their attitude was different from each other. While Adam was a bit temperamental, Andrew was calm and cool. I thought that's the main reason why Alpha Drake chose Andrew to replace my father someday.

It only took me less than 30 minutes to ready for school. I guessed being an ultimate servant of this house gave me that training. Most of the time, I was called to do stuff even at midnight, just like today when Lauren ordered me to clean the whole house at 5 AM. She didn't care that I had classes at 9, and it was even our exam week.

When I arrived in front of the house, Lauren stopped me. "Hey, Jaque! You don't have to wait for us tonight!" she uttered while holding a pair of pointy-toe pumps covered with crystals. "We're gonna be late!" I just nodded as she walked into the house. I could tell that pair of shoes were for Jasmine. They were indeed preparing her for the Luna title.

"Hmp! In her dreams!" I might be a little bit fierce to speak that out loud, but only when no one was listening. I strode to the gate, and just in time when I saw Andrew's Range Rover parked in. I waved back when he raised his hand on the window.

"Hop in. Hurry up, now. I have to go to the pack house after!" I groaned at his demanding aura today.

"What's up?!" I asked as I buckled up without looking at him. My focus was on the road.

"Too many things to do. Adam just arrived an hour early!" shifting my wide gaze at him made him chuckle. "What's the matter now, Jaque? Is there something wrong with my face?"

"No! There's absolutely nothing wrong. Alpha Adam is already here in the pack?!" asking for confirmation, and Andrew just nodded. How I wished I could skip classes today.

Upon arriving in front of the main gate of Blood Moon High School, I hastily got out of Andrew's car and ran to the entrance. I showed the guards my student ID before going to my 2nd period. It was a good thing I had my exam in my 1st period yesterday.

"Hey!" Kelly called me. She was already inside the classroom reviewing our lesson when I arrived and sat beside her. "Are you going to the ball?" she whispered.

"How come I didn't know that, and you do?" I asked, raising my brows at her.

"Andrew told me. Don't tell me your family didn't tell you about it!" she gasped.

"Like you don't know what am I to them. I'm not their so-called family, I am more like their servant!" I hissed and glanced at the entrance door. Our professor was here.

"Yeah! You're right!" Kelly sighed and sat straight. "So, are you going?" she questioned again without looking at me.

"I am, and it's a secret. It's only you who knew about my plan. Don't tell anyone about it!" I sideglanced at my best friend and saw the spark in her eyes.

"Prison break, huh?! I'm so in. I'll pick you up at 8!" she sneered.

"Why eight?" I asked, surprised. The ball would start at 7.

"Girl, dramatic entrance is the best!" yeah! she was right. So, the plan was set. Kelly and I would go to the masquerade ball at eight!

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Ten minutes before eight, Kelly's red Porsche stopped in front of the gate. I held the hem of my dress high while carrying my strapped sandals. I was wearing sneakers temporarily and planned to take them off in the car. I was pretty sure Kelly was doing the same thing since she was the driver.

"Girl, you're simply beautiful!" Kelly excitedly said while staring at me from head to toe. I was wearing nothing special, only the pearl necklace and earrings I inherited from my mom. I also tied my auburn hair in a bun, leaving some strands dangling on both sides of my ears.

"You're strikingly beautiful as well!" I told her the truth. Kelly liked baby pink since we were little, and now she was wearing her branded color; a romantic floral applique tulle mermaid dress. Her long blonde hair cascaded beautifully on her back. Just like me, her only jewelry was her pearl earrings and a heart-shaped diamond necklace, which were both in baby pink.

"C'mon, babe!" she pushed the start button while I fastened my seatbelt. "Let's enjoy and meet our mates tonight!" I screamed in delight as her Porsche hit the road, feeling hopeful that this masquerade ball would change my fate in this pack.

"I can't wait to see Adam again!" I shouted out loud, letting my voice spread in the air.

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With Kelly's adept skill in driving, we arrived at the mansion at exactly eight. The ball, as expected, had already begun, but there were still some guests coming in the entrance. Lines of swanky cars were parked on the wide lawn and the side of the road. Kelly and I put on our shoes and masks first before we got out of her car.

"I've got an invitation from Andrew. I'll just tell the guard that you're my plus 1!" she whispered while we ambled elegantly to the door. When the guard saw the invitation, he let us in just like that.

My heart was racing fast upon seeing the guests inside. They were all sophisticated and glamorous. All had their own titles to be proud of. The huge and wide living room of Alpha Drake's enormous home was filled with werewolves and humans combined. A classical symphony from the orchestra pervaded the whole mansion, but nothing compared to the scent that suddenly hit my nostrils.

Freshly wet forest grass with a delicate balance of green, earthy, and slightly sweet notes; it was so addictive. I couldn't get enough of it.

"Where is that scent coming from?" I whispered and glanced at Kelly, who was wearing a light pink mask with a side feather and flower. But her expression looked like she was caught by someone else. She tapped my shoulder and left me in the middle of the crowd.

I, on the other hand, rummaged through the whole living room with my sight. I was searching for that scent that's giving me a frenzy now. "Where could you be, mate?" as I stepped closer, the aroma was getting stronger. Some guests were now staring at me.

I gradually lifted my head on the bifurcated stairs and finally saw the most gorgeous man alive. His strong hands were firmly holding the handrails. Though half of his face was covered with a black mask that had a frame of gold, his eyes gave him away. He was also staring at me.

I had no idea when I arrived upstairs, but I gasped in mixed emotions when his soft hand caressed my cheek and uttered the word I had been longing to hear since I turned 18 last month.

Mate!

"Hi...Hi!" I replied, my heart pounding erratically. His touch gave me a whole different world, a world of possessiveness and protection, of lust and love.

He didn't say anything. He was just gazing at me, smiling. My mouth went ajar when he licked his lips. Goddess, this was happening. My first kiss was my mate. As his lips brushed mine, I felt butterflies fluttering in my stomach. He slid his tongue inside my mouth when he noticed I wasn't responding, not until he deepened his kiss that my hands seemed to have their minds on their own. They gradually wrapped around his head while tugging his silky soft black hair.

"Wanna get some privacy, my queen?" he mind-linked me, which meant he was from my pack. There was only one guy I had never met in this pack for a long time, and that was Adam.

Was this guy Adam? Was Adam my mate?

I nodded, still flabbergasted by my theory. Without any words, he carried me bridal style and brought me to one of the rooms on the second floor, ignoring the puzzled gazes of some of the guests. He opened a room from the corner with his foot while his gorgeous smile never left his mysterious face.

As he gently put me down, our mate bond erupted like an explosion, its heat scattered in the whole wide room. The heat of lust and longing. We were both in a hurry. He unzipped my dress while I unbuttoned his suit, then his shirt. He gasped when my dress dropped on the floor, making me half-naked in his sight.

"You're beautiful!" he uttered as he began kissing my neck while I busied myself from unzipping his trousers, my hand accidentally touching his hard-on.

I moaned when he sucked my breast. My brasserie and panties were already on the floor. My mate was a pro, and I was a f*cking beginner having my 1st time.

I gasped when I felt his d*ck on my stomach, and when he lifted my legs and wrapped them around his waist, I knew we should finish what we had started, there's no turning back.

Also, I wanted this. I knew even with his mask on and the darkness that covered the room, the one on top of me now was Adam. I could feel it in my heart.

Adam was my first and my mate!

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I woke up, still feeling drowsy and exhausted. That night was beyond words. It was magically amazing. I glanced at the man beside me. A gasp escaped my lips when I finally saw his face, and when he groaned and opened his eyes, I held my breath.

"Good morning, Adam!" I whispered, my voice was full of love.

"Good morning, my mate. My lovely....Jaque?!"

Why did he look surprised?!

A Strong Luna

Jaque POV

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He suddenly got up, not minding that he was naked.

He paced back and forth in front of me, feeling confused and stressed.

"Adam, what's the matter?" I asked, a bit worried. I sat up and clenched the duvet tight to cover my bareness. My gaze was fixed on him.

He abruptly stared at me, his mouth hung ajar. He shook his head when he saw a blood spot on the mattress.

"Jaque!" he muttered. I could barely hear his voice, but it sounded gloomy. "I...I didn't expect this!" what?!

I got up still holding the duvet and ambled towards him, but he stepped back. Was he avoiding me now? "Adam, we're mates. This is bound to happen. What do you mean you didn't expect this?"

He messed his hair, feeling frustrated. A loud groan escaped his lips as he lifted his head like he was asking for an answer from the ceiling. "Why? Why her?"

Why me?! Was that what he meant?

"Why me what?" I questioned. My tone sounded a bit straightforward.

It took him a while before he dropped his ridiculous answer. "Jaque, what happened to us last night was a mistake!" was he f*cking kidding me?

"Mistake?!" my tears were about to leak. Except for my mom, no one had ever seen me cry yet.

"Yes, mistake!" he was confident with his words. He stood straight and fixed his gaze at me. "I thought you were Jasmine!"

"What?!" he thought I was my stepsister?! "You thought my stepsister was your mate, and you f*cked last night?!" my mouth went agape with the sudden realization.

Was he expecting Jasmine last night? Was he regretting everything that happened to us?!

"Jaque!" he stepped forward and raised his hand to touch my face, but I moved to the side. He pursed his lips and surrendered. "I'm sorry!" he shook his head, pain was displayed in his blue ocean orbs. "I have to reject you!"

I wobbled as I stepped backward. I felt a sudden dizziness that I held the headboard as my support while clenching the duvet tight. I shook my head countless times. If this was a f*cking nightmare of the day, I would like to wake up now.

"Adam, what do you mean?!" I asked him, my now teary orbs were begging for an explanation.

"I always want your stepsister Jasmine to be my mate and my Luna, not you. Not a half-bred human and wolf. I want my Luna to be strong and beautiful!"

"Strong?" a slight chuckle escaped from my mouth while repeating his words. "Beautiful?!"

"You are beautiful, Jaque. But I want Jasmine. I hope you understand!" his face was stern. "I, Adam Hayes, future Alpha of Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Jaque Davis, to be my mate and my Luna!"

My chest tightened as the string of mate-bond snapped. I looked down at the cold floor, promising myself not to cry, but a snob was so stubborn that it escaped at once... and my voice, as it let out a muffled whimper.

"Adam, please... don't do this!" I beseeched, even I couldn't hear my small voice anymore. I felt like I was drowning.

"Jaque, I can't sacrifice this pack for your sake!" now, there's a hint of anger in his tone. "Don't be selfish!"

Was I selfish? All my life, I had lived for others' happiness and satisfaction. The moon goddess gave me the gift of a mate and even blessed me to be with the mate I ever wanted since we were children.

But this mate didn't want me. He wanted someone else. Only because for him, I was half-human, not strong, and not beautiful enough to his liking.

Did I deserve this? I shook my head while it hung low. The tears I was trying to control fell freely to the floor. I pursed my lips tight, trying to control another whimper.

"Okay, I can't do this right now!" his aggressive tone made me step back and glance at him. "If you're not ready yet to accept my rejection, I will give you time to think about it!" he turned around and was about to head to the bathroom when I spoke, giving him my final words.

"I accept!" my voice was almost broken.

He turned back around and faced me. His mouth hung open, and his eyes meant something I couldn't define. "You accept?!" he asked like he didn't expect it.

I stepped forward and stood straight in front of him. Although my legs wobbled, I didn't show it. I wanted him to know that I was not weak even if I wasn't a pure-blood she-wolf.

"I, Jaque Davis, member of Blood Moon Pack, accept your rejection to be your mate and Luna of this pack!" my gaze was glued on him, who at the moment, couldn't utter any words.

I picked up my clothes on the floor and put them on, keeping a word to myself not to step into this room again. When I was done, I saw Adam still standing with all of his glory near the bathroom door. He was just staring at me. I clenched my sandals tight and lifted my head, "See you around, Alpha!" hopefully, those were the last words I would speak to him today. For I didn't want to see any signs of him the whole day or weeks.

It was a good thing that when I went downstairs, there was no one around. If not, they would see who Adam had s*x with last night. I didn't want to be the center of scandal or limelight.

However, just I was about to open the main door, a grip stopped me. It was Adam with his black shirt and black short pants on.

"Jaque, I don't want anyone to know that you're my mate, and I rejected you!" he whispered while glancing around.

What about the fact that we f*cked and you're my first? I wanted to burst that out loud on his face, but what could benefit me except for more embarrassment and pathetically stupid daily life of bullying.

"Okay, I understand, Alpha!" I just uttered. My tears were gone. I guessed I wasn't weak after all.

He was about to say more, but I had already turned my back on him.

As I stepped out of the Hayes Mansion, I promised myself to step out of Adam's life for good. Though it was hard, I had to accept the fact that I wasn't meant to be protected by my mate. I wasn't meant to be loved by him. I was meant to protect myself, to love myself, and to not have a mate at all.

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It took me 20 minutes to walk to our two-story home, and upon opening the door, I heard loud voices at the dining room.

"Where can she be?" that was Lauren, and she was upset. "Louis, that daughter of yours from your mistress is too much!" she was talking about me.

"Daddy, don't tell me you're not going to punish her. She went out last night. What if she went to the ball? What if she was there?!" Jasmine's tone was frantic.

A sneer appeared on my lips while listening to these nonsense blubbers. To add more bruise to their so-called wounded pride, I ambled to the dining table with my head high.

It was my father who noticed me first. He accidentally dropped his cutlery to the floor.

"Jaque?!" his eyes were almost popping out. What, daddy, did you see mom's ghost from me?!

The mother and daughter duo followed his gaze and were also shocked when they saw me wearing a dress and holding a mask in my hand.

"You left the house last night?! How dare you disobey us!"

PAK!!!

Lauren's palm hit my face, making my head move to the side. That was more painful than the slap yesterday, but it seemed like I was already immune to physical pain.

"Lauren!" my dad roared, trying to stop his mate from attacking me. Lauren backed out for a while, but it was Jasmine who pursued me this time.

"You b!tch! How dare you? How dare you go to the ball?" she pulled my hair like she had gone crazy. I screamed in pain and tried to stop her, but her grip was so strong.

"Jasmine, that's enough!" Jasmine just stopped when my father got up from his seat and slammed the table.

I was a mess. I curled myself like a ball on the floor, crying for every unfortunate thing that happened to me in this house and this pack.

"Jaque, this is all your fault!" my father, my own blood. "If you just stayed home last night, you wouldn't be in this mess!" a chuckle escaped my lips, making them hear.

What could I expect from someone like you? A cheater, a liar, a manipulator? You lied to my mom for not having another woman. You cheated on us when we found out you got Lauren pregnant. You manipulated her to keep her mouth shut till the day she died. She was your fated mate, but because she was a human, you chose Lauren over her.

You, Louis Davis, and Adam Hayes were cut from the same clothes.

The mere reason for staying in Blood Moon Pack was gone, and all I could feel now was hatred. Graduation day was approaching. The final exam had just finished. I had already decided.

I was meant to leave this pack!