Raindrops pattered relentlessly against my broken roof and weary skin. The ongoing storm intensified over the past few days, making it nearly impossible to fix the damage. I tried my best to secure the loose fixtures, but the relentless wind undid my efforts.

This morning, a rare act of kindness from Miss Olivia lifted my spirits. She brought me much-needed food, understanding the hardship of walking all the way to my small house from the pack house. The storm and thunder reminded me of painful memories—when my parents vanished and the first brutal beating I endured. Each strike seemed to resonate with the booming thunder, etching the trauma deeply into my mind.

Seeking solace, I closed my eyes tightly, hoping that the rain would cease when I woke up.

~

During the night, a stirring sensation awakened me. It was an unfamiliar warmth and tranquility that enveloped me. My heart raced with anticipation, yet I couldn't fathom the reason behind this restlessness.

Despite the cold rain still pelting my skin, I felt a strange heat building inside me—a surge of energy and newfound power. Restlessly, I paced around my small dwelling, trying to make sense of these overwhelming sensations.

Remarkably, I realized I could see clearly in the dark, my senses heightened to an uncanny level. The sound of raindrops and leaves dancing in the wind reached my ears distinctly. My sense of smell intensified too, allowing me to identify the scents of distant pack members. I could even differentiate Miss Olivia's cinnamon and sugary fragrance from Stewart's odorous blend of alcohol and mud—the very same man who incessantly beat me.

Confused and agitated, I heard a voice calling my name, but no one was there. The voice claimed to be in my head, telling me that we were one—my wolf. The revelation shocked me; I was already past the age when wolves typically manifested themselves.

The voice explained that it had been with me since childhood, though unable to reveal itself due to the Moon Goddess's restrictions. My wolf, a presence I had never known, acknowledged the difficulty of explaining the situation. Frustrated and puzzled, I pouted at the perplexing revelation.

In my head, I stuttered, trying to comprehend the inexplicable, "But how is this possible?"

The wolf replied with a knowing tone, "I'm afraid I don't know how to explain it either."

Lost in a whirlwind of emotions and revelations, I grappled with the newfound connection to my wolf, wondering what this meant for my life.

Tornadoes of emotions swirled within me as I tried to comprehend the extraordinary reality unfolding before my eyes. I wasn't just happy; I was overjoyed—I had a wolf. The realization that I wasn't wolfless anymore brought immense elation.

My wolf had instructed me to shift, but then a captivating scent interrupted the moment, filling my senses with its addictive freshness. I couldn't recall ever encountering this aroma before. Driven by an irresistible pull, I ventured outside into the pouring rain, paying no mind to the scrapes and discomfort my bare feet endured.

Curiosity and nervousness filled me as my wolf remained mysterious, refusing to explain the enigmatic connection. Following the scent, I eventually arrived at the imposing pack house, my heart pounding with anticipation. Somehow, I sensed that my life was about to undergo a drastic transformation.

The door swung open, and a tall, impressive figure emerged. His grass-like eyes locked onto mine, scrutinizing every aspect of my being. I couldn't look away from this stunningly attractive man who seemed to demand attention. His emerald eyes drew me in, captivating me, yet daring me to break the gaze.

Then, my wolf revealed the word I had never expected to hear—mate. Gratitude and joy swelled within me, as I envisioned a future free from suffering. But my elation was short-lived, as reality crashed down on me. The Alpha stood beside him, and my hope quickly faded.

My mate was an Alpha—a powerful figure in the pack.

And I was an Omega—a powerless and vulnerable member of the pack.

Sickness overcame me as memories of relentless beatings from my Alpha flooded my mind. He had subjected me to unimaginable cruelty, using silver and poisonous substances like wolfsbane. Fear replaced all other emotions, and my heart sank heavily.

"What are you doing here?!" My Alpha bellowed, and his command to remove me from his sight sounded like a death sentence.

I took a step back, my eyes still fixed on my mate. However, his once curious and examining gaze now appeared vacant, devoid of the connection I felt. Tears welled up as Beta Harvey descended the stairs, and I saw an opportunity to escape.

Without hesitation, I ran. The fear propelled me forward, fleeing from the potential danger that awaited me in the pack house. My heart raced, carrying me as far away as possible, seeking a semblance of safety in the unknown.

I continued running, feeling the surge of newfound speed coursing through me. In a matter of minutes, I reached my dilapidated house, my heart still pounding with the intensity of my recent discovery. The tears that flowed uncontrollably surprised me—I rarely cried, as I knew showing vulnerability only made matters worse. In this world, crying invites further pain and torment.

"I can't believe he's my mate," I told my wolf, who responded with a whine of understanding. She reassured me that our mate wouldn't hurt us, but I couldn't accept it so easily. I chose to build walls, keeping my feelings guarded, as she couldn't possibly grasp the depths of my fear and uncertainty. I needed her in my life, and I couldn't bear the thought of her hating me.

The emotions overwhelmed me, and I cried until I couldn't cry anymore. My mind finally quieted, and my wolf yapped happily, sensing my need for solitude. As I apologized to her for pushing her away, she suggested something unexpected.

"Why don't you try to shift?" she softly inquired, mindful of my fragile state. I couldn't believe she suggested it. Shifting? It was a dream I had never dared to entertain.

Letting my wolf guide me, the transformation began. The pain was excruciating as my bones cracked and my skin stretched. I fought to keep my eyes open, a tear escaping despite my resolve. The agony made me want to scream, but it emerged as a growl.

In the midst of the ordeal, the pain finally ceased, and I found myself in my wolf form. It was incredible—my senses heightened to a whole new level. I felt a sense of awe and happiness, though I could only express it as a purr.

My wolf urged me to go for a run, but something caught my attention and confused me. I spoke in my mind, "I'm a... grey wolf?" I had never heard of such a thing. Wolves were usually black (Alphas), had various shades of brown, or were hybrids of colors. White wolves possessed healing powers, but grey? It was unheard of.

"Chloe," my wolf whispered, and the name struck a chord within me. I had heard that name before.

Where was it? The name Chloe lingered in my mind, but my wolf remained silent for a while, choosing not to elaborate. Deciding to let it go, I agreed to go for a run, hoping to distract myself from the tumultuous emotions swirling inside me.

As I ran, the persistent pull of my mate remained, but I forced myself to ignore it. It seemed he didn't care much either, for he hadn't come after me to confront or save me. The thought brought a mix of relief and sadness, but I pushed those feelings aside, embracing the freedom I felt while running.

With every stride, a sense of liberation washed over me. In that moment, I didn't feel weak or powerless; I knew I could fight back if needed. I had my wolf by my side, providing a newfound strength I had never known.

However, the euphoria didn't last long. Suddenly, an unsettling sensation consumed me—his presence was near. Fear replaced the exhilaration as I tried to locate him. The once-pleasurable rush of adrenaline was replaced by apprehension.

I sensed him approaching, and my instincts shifted to a defensive stance, bracing for impact and expecting pain. My growls aimed to ward off the danger, but it seemed futile. His proximity seemed to warm something inside me, conflicting with my desire to remain guarded. My body seemed to betray my will, yearning to lower my defenses in his presence, but I resisted with all my might.

As he drew nearer, I felt a conflict within me, torn between wanting to flee and facing the unknown. Unable to decide, I started running again, hoping to escape from his reach. Fear enveloped me—I didn't want him to come after me, to notice my absence. I simply needed to be away from him.

I rushed back to my small home, my heart still pounding from the intense run. I quickly put on some clothes, but the feeling of being watched persisted. Could it be that he had followed me? Panic and uncertainty consumed me as I paced back and forth, waiting for his arrival.

The pull intensified, signaling his proximity. My wolf urged me to calm down, but how could I in this situation? I was about to face the Alpha, my supposed mate, and my emotions were in turmoil. Was he here to reject me? The thought sank into my heart like a sharp blade, causing pain to bloom.

"He's here," my wolf informed me, breaking my thoughts. The overwhelming scent of him wafted through the air, intoxicating me and weakening my knees. I had no strength to stand, so I sat down on my bed, trembling with anticipation and anxiety.

The door opened, and my head jerked towards the direction of the sound. There he stood, his golden eyes glowing as they locked onto mine. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt an inexplicable sense of shame about my humble abode. It was ridiculous; I shouldn't care what he thought of it.

We held each other's gaze for what felt like an eternity, but my insecurity pushed me to break the eye contact. My mind raced with thoughts of his possible rejection, trying to prepare myself for the pain.

"Why are you here?" I managed to ask, my tone was more accusatory than inquisitive. My wolf rolled her eyes at my attitude, knowing that I shouldn't antagonize him.

The glint in his eyes shifted, and I realized my mistake in tone. A smirk crossed his face, but it wasn't a happy one. The sight sent shivers down my spine; he appeared incredibly handsome yet terribly dangerous.

He seemed like someone not to be trifled with, and his muscles only reinforced that impression. I felt a mix of fear and fascination, unsure of what to make of this enigmatic man.

Instead of answering my question directly, his eyes roamed around my cabin before returning to meet mine. I struggled to decipher the emotions in his gaze, but one thing was clear—disgust.

Confused and hurt, I didn't know what his reaction meant. Then, unexpectedly, he uttered, "We leave tomorrow," before turning away.

Wait, he wasn't rejecting me? He planned to take me out of this place? But did he know I was an omega? I doubted it.

Before he could leave, I rushed after him, calling out, "Wait!"

Thankfully, he halted, but he kept his back to me.

"Why?" I inquired, my confusion evident in my voice.

"Unless you want to stay here, either way it's fine for me," he nonchalantly replied, seeming unfazed by my revelation.

"Don't you know I'm an omega?" I spoke up, hating the weakness that tinged my voice.

This time, he took a step towards me and turned to face me, wearing a sick, cold smile that contradicted his stunning features. "Exactly why I'm bringing you with me," he laughed, but there was no humor in it—only cruelty. "This trash in a place doesn't have the right to hurt you."

His approaching steps echoed like thunder in my ears, causing my heart to race erratically. I instinctively shied away from him, but it all happened too fast. Before I knew it, I was pinned against the wall, my arm held up firmly. Panic and shock filled me, and I tried to move, but his grip was unyielding.

As I looked up into his eyes, I was taken aback by the intensity of his anger. "Only I do," he spat bitterly, laughing sarcastically. "You? My mate?" He scoffed, tightening his grip, making me wince from the pain.

"T-that hurts," I managed to say weakly, my heart aching as my wolf retreated in fear. I had expected him to hurt me, but I hadn't anticipated the excruciating pain he was causing. Was this really happening?

A sadistic smile adorned his lips, and I shivered with fear. His grip tightened further, his nails digging into my skin. I tried to resist and push him away, but it was futile. Tears threatened to form, but I fought to keep them at bay. I couldn't give him more reasons to hate me or appear weaker than I already seemed.

"Oh, sweetheart, this is nothing," he taunted before finally letting go. I quickly brought my other hand to rub the injured one, trying to alleviate the pain. But then, I noticed that my hand was bleeding and starting to turn blue. The pain came late, but it was just as agonizing.

My mate had broken my arm.

He turned around and began walking away slowly. Watching his back, I couldn't help but muster the courage to call out to him, needing answers.

"One question!" I shouted after him.

For the second time, he halted at the door and turned around to face me.

"Will you reject me?" I asked, my voice trembling, determined to hold back the tears. Don't cry, please, Willow, don't cry.

His green eyes felt like orbs of ice that pierced through my very soul. A sadistic smirk crept upon his lips, and he placed his arm on my right side, blocking my escape route. "Reject you? That's an easy escape, don't you think?" His voice was as cold as his eyes, his heart, filled with venom, hatred, and disgust. "The moon goddess gave me you, and I'll simply pay her for her kindness." His tone dripped with contempt. "If she thinks that I can ever accept an Omega as my mate, she's damned wrong."