Ava's POV

I searched the training field for Fernandez but I couldn't find him. I asked my uncle and a few warriors about him but no one had seen him.

I blamed myself. Maybe I was too harsh on him that's why he skipped training.

I walked towards the river giving up hope of seeing him for the rest of the day, till I saw him throwing rocks into the river.

"Fernandez, "I called out hurrying towards him. "Fernandez," I called him again.

He turned in my direction. "At your service my queen," he said so formally and I hated myself more.

I punched him lightly on his arm. "Why the formality?"I asked. He looked away.

"Nothing," he said.

"C'mon Fernandez, I'm sorry." I apologized.

He shook his head. "You shouldn't apologize, you're the queen and have every right to yell at someone inconveniencing your space."

"Stop that Fernandez, what I did was wrong. You've been my best friend for so long and I shouldn't have reacted that way to you. I'm just so tensed up."I said and shrugged at the last part.

"Maybe you should take a break from the men's world. You know, the training, fighting, and war," he suggested.

I raised a brow. "And do what?"

"Be the queen, Ava. The queen you ought to be," he said.

"Smiling gracefully and barking orders? letting my people fight and die for the pack while I sit in the protective walls of my chambers?" I scoffed. "A fat chance of that happening."

He smiled. "You really are an enigma, Ava and an inspiration to all," he said.

I smiled wondering what good I had done in my life to get such a friend.

"Forgiven?"I asked.

He held my hand in his. "I never held a grudge,"he said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found uncle Phil handing a piece of paper to Daniel, the messenger of the pack.

"What are you giving to him uncle?"I asked.

He turned to me. "Oh, Ava, we've run out of supplies and he's going to get them," he said.

"I'll accompany him,"I said. There was no need to hide here anymore since the blood moon now knew where we were.

"No," he replied sternly.

"Why?"I raised my brow in question.

"You're to stay right here where you'll be protected," he answered.

"I'm no longer a child that needs protection uncle. I cannot stay confined anymore to this forest."I argued.

"Yes you can handle situations but in a few weeks you'll be the alpha of this pack and if anything happens to you, it will be on my neck," he explained.

I understood his point of view but he should understand mine. I should have been dead long ago on the battlefield if really it was my time to.

"If you don't allow me to take decisions while I'm not yet alpha, there's no guarantee you'll let me take one when I become the leader," I said and I hit a spot on him.

"But," he still wanted to protest. I kissed his cheek. "I love you uncle." and with that, I was gone.

Daniel drove us to the store in uncle's old pickup truck and we engaged in little conversations, especially about the weather.

Every now and then, color rose to his cheek and I had this thought he felt delighted being in the same truck as me.

We arrived at the store and I inhaled the air and felt peaceful as a mixture of cinnamon, cilantro and onions waft into my nose.

People were walking down the streets going about their business like nothing was happening. Like there was no supernatural amongst them.

It felt good to be in the midst of humans again. It made me forget momentarily the beastly environment I grew up in.

Not that I didn't love them, I love my pack with everything I own, they were the only family I know.

Daniel and I walked into the store. One of the two stores in town he told me, that knew wolves lived among them.

"Hey Daniel," the storekeeper greeted. Daniel flashed a smile and went over to him. "Who's the young lady with you?" he asked as Daniel handed over the paper to him.

"Oh," Daniel looked in my direction. "She's the alpha of our pack," he said.

The man looked amazed. "Wow, a female alpha?"

I flashed a smile, surprise surprise.

Daniel nodded. "Yeah, long story. Could you get those stuff for me, I'm in a hurry," he said.

"I'll do so immediately," he said walking away.

Daniel stood waiting for him while I wandered off from the counter into the display area.

My eyes caught hold of a teddy bear that was placed on the shelf, which reminded me of the one my mother got for me on my fifth birthday.

My eyes watered as the memories came flooding in.

"Permit me to ask, who do you wanna get that for?"

I heard an awful yet husky familiar voice behind me. The silky, masculine voice made the hairs at the back of my neck stand to a still.

Skye's POV

I was at the other end of the store when I noticed her walking toward the display area. I totally ignored her but my wolf took control.

I had no way of taming him when he likes something badly especially since this one thing is his mate.

I couldn't hold myself anymore from walking towards her. I told my wolf countless of times she was an enemy but he wouldn't listen.

A descendant from the lineage of the crescent, an enemy for over a century but he disagreed.

I did not want to be nice, in fact, I wanted to be the most hostile man she has ever met, but my wolf took the better part of me.

She stared at me with those silvery eyes of hers before narrowing them at me.

"And if a thought crosses your mind that it is you then wake up from that thought." she fired at me.

I smirked. "I wasn't thinking of me but of you. It's nice and cuddly," I said touching the bear. "I could get it for you if you want it."

Her defiance that I've come to love, builds up again.

"And what makes you think I'll accept anything that comes from those bloody hands of yours?"

"Because you'll have no choice in the matter," I said.

She eyed me with disdain and turned to walk away. I held her back grabbing her arm.

"Let go of me," she said through clenched teeth.

"I recall clearly telling you, I was letting go of you that one time,"I said.

She turned to jab me in the chest but I caught her in time forcing her to lay back on me. With her perfumed hair under my chin, I was forced not to bury my face in the silkiness of her hair.

"Let go of me you vulgar barbarian, you have no rights over me," she said struggling.

"I believe I have a few over you."

"What?!" she sounded shocked.

"You're mine," I said with my wolf finally having total control of me.

Her struggling ceased as I got hit on the back.

"Let go of the Queen!"

I turned to see a brown head holding a tool he had hit me with and attempting to do it again. I caught his wrist in a painful grasp as he winced.

Had she not stood between us to intervene, he would have been thrown through the shelves in the store. My wolf was ready to make sure that happens.

"That's enough," she said in an authorization. "Let go of Daniel," she said looking over at him. I let go of his wrist and

I watched in anger as they left the store.

Ava's POV

I rubbed my hands on my shoulders feeling the air more chillier than usual. Daniel had paid for the supplies and we were heading back to camp. Uncle was planning on getting a house in town and I couldn't wait. I didn't want us to keep staying in shabby cabins in the forest. We arrived back to the woods and saw uncle pacing about.

"What took you so long?"Uncle barked at Daniel. He shivered. "The Queen was hassled by the alpha of the blood moon pack," he said.

Uncle's face hardened as he turned in my direction throwing questions at once. "Did he hurt you? did he say anything to you?"

"He said the queen.."Daniel began but I interrupted him knowing what he had to say.

"He called me a weakling. The usual taunts of the blood moons." I said signaling for Daniel to leave. He walked away.

"I warned you not to leave the camp," he said.

"I'm glad I did, "I said shrugging off.

"Ava," uncle's voice sounded low in a warning. I shrugged off again.

"I wasn't hurt, was I ?"I questioned.

"I forbid you from leaving the camp till further notice." he declared.

"Uncle!" I yelled.

"You were not hurt this time, what about next time?" he asked.

"I'll be fine. I can take care of myself."I assured him.

"I have made my decision. You stay with the pack," he said.

I frowned at him and walked away. "Ava, wait up." I turned to look behind me and saw Fernandez running towards me. I placed my hands in my pocket and kept walking, a little slower than before. He walked beside me falling along with my strides. "You don't look fine, Ava," he said.

I heaved in. "I'm fine," I said looking away.

"You're not, Ava. I've known you since we were kids, I can tell when you're sober," he said.

I sighed as I kicked a small rock that was in my way. "I'm fine,"I said again.

I was heading to the river. A good swim was what I needed to clear my head. "I've noticed since your fight with the blood moon alpha, you've not been yourself," he said driving straight into the bone of contention. I stopped in my tracks.

"This has nothing to do with that scoundrel,"I said looking away. Of course, I was lying. It had everything to do with him and Fernandez wasn't wrong about what he said.

"What's wrong Ava? you definitely don't look fine but worried. If you don't confide in me, then who will you?" he coaxed me and I had no choice but to tell him. He was right. I couldn't bring it upon myself to tell my uncle and I needed to let it off my chest.

I sighed. "It's the alpha of the blood moon pack." I said. He looked curiously and also suspiciously at me.

"What about him?" he asked.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone." I said to him.

He placed his hand on his chest. "I promise." he said.

I looked about hoping no one was eavesdropping.

"He's my mate." I dropped the bombshell watching his face turn pale.

"You're his what?!" he yelled out. I covered his mouth with my hand shushing him up. "Don't yell." I hissed out irritated by his outburst.

He took my hand off his mouth. "Tell me you're kidding Ava." he said.

"I wish I was." I said sighing.

"You are, right?" he asked again and I frowned at him resuming my walk to the river.

"I would not be so tensed up if this were a joke."I said.

He followed me. "I still can't believe it." he said in bafflement.

"It's the truth Fernandez,the horrible truth." I said. "You're not gonna accept him are you?" he asked.

I could feel his eyes boring at the back of my neck as I took off my jacket. I stopped and turned to him. "He's an enemy from the lineage that killed my mother and wiped away most of the pack. I would never forget that day."I said staring straight into his eyes.

~~~~~~~

Skye's POV

I dismissed the ladies I had earlier sent for the night to fill the emptiness of my bed. I was no longer in the mood to have them by my side. Meeting Ava today and still having her scent on me,I couldn't get her off my mind. I needed to but I just couldn't. I was still looking out the window when Robin walked in.

"The ladies have been dismissed from the house Skye."he said.

I nodded waving him aside. "I've noticed my alpha is always in a deep thought. What troubles you?you never can tell,I might be of help."he said. "What goes on in my mind is not something that you can help me with Robin."I answered him. "We've shared many secrets together, Skye. I'm not just your beta but also your best friend." he said.

I looked away from the window,walking towards the table that stood close to the wall.

"The crescent girl, I want you to find out everything about her. I mean everything and leave no stones unturned." I said.

"Why? what for?" he asked at once in a baffling tone. "Do as I have said."I said in authority.

"But, Skye," he protested.

"It's an order." I said more vehemently than I intended. He nodded and left.

Why I was so interested in this enemy from the crescent pack alarms me. Every part of me wanted her even when I try not to. My wolf demands for her presence every now and then. How could I be mates with an enemy?Why is the universe against me?why are they bringing torture to my soul? I groaned. My cellphone beeped and I picked it up to see a message from Natasha.

With all the chaos and my thinking,I'd forgotten she was a part of my life. I dropped the phone and laid on the bed,my hands folded behind my head. I wanted to forget her but I couldn't. I closed my eyes in slumber and all I could see was her spiky silvery coloured eyes.

Ava's POV

A week had gone by and I haven't come across the mighty alpha of the blood moon pack. Not like I cared, but mainly because I stayed around the camp training and doing things to get him off my head.

Uncle stuck to his words about me staying with the pack and I couldn't do anything about it.

But today I didn't obey. I wandered off the side of the river where the pack was.

The snow that fell the previous night became too steep for my feet to bear. My wolf was eager to come out.

For years, I've kept her hidden inside of me but today I couldn't. She loved the snow and being the only pure white wolf of the pack,she blended well with it.

Falling to my knees, my bones cracked with a howl escaping my lips. It was more painful than I remembered and I was quite sure it was because I never transform into my wolf form often.

The hairs on my body stood out and grew out more, and sharp claws sprung out of my fingers and toes.

Longer canines sprouted from my mouth and in an instant,I was in my wolf form.

The flawless white epitome of beauty to behold.

I leaped across the snow feeling happy and contented. She was finally out and free.

As a child, whenever I transformed, my mother always dotted black inks on the left side of my fur making me blend in with the others since I was the only pure white wolf without a spot.

I always wondered why she dipped me in ink and till now, I haven't come to understand why she did so.

Many of the pack members were spotting brown and white furs when they transformed. Others had a mixture of dark brown and very little white furs.

Mother had black fur with streaks of white covering her back to her tail and white fur from her chin to her paws.

And father?

I didn't even know him and I wished I did. Mother never spoke of him to me.

I was in another territory on the other side of the river. I had been engulfed in my thoughts and the freedom my wolf had that I didn't know how far I'd gone.

I was far away from camp and the protection of the trees. I was in an opening filled with snow. Opposite me was a lake that was forming into ice.

I lay flat in the snow enjoying the feeling on my fur and not caring that I was in another territory and I could be in danger.

My ears pricked, picking up movement from the other side of the opening. I stood up standing on guard waiting to see who the intruder was.

There a blood moon stood staring at me. Something about his eyes seemed familiar.

He charged towards me.

A vivid memory flashed through my head. A strong resemblance to the same wolf that killed my mother.

My blood ran hot. This will be no one but the alpha. Was he coming to do to me what his father did to my mother?

I charged toward him too, ready to attack. We met in the middle and I struck him with my claws.

He had a look of surprise on his face and with another attack from me, he put on a defense.

In a few minutes, he had me pinned underneath him. I threw him off me but in no time,he was on me again.

"My training had started long before yours my queen." He said into my head.

"What? how did?... Get out of my head!"I screamed back snarling at him.

"I love this situation, but I'm afraid I won't and besides, you ventured into my territory," he said having a smug look on his wolf face.

Skye's POV

With all her might, she threw me off her making me laugh. She had this wild violence in her that kept me glued to her.

My wolf excitement infuriated me the more as he wagged his tail. I had to force him to keep it in check.

He was so happy to see her in her wolf form that I almost missed it.

She was white. Pure white. Something that hasn't been seen in centuries.

She noticed me staring intently at her and backed away, retreating into the woods.

"Afraid of a blood moon?"I teased knowing her anger was the only way to make her stay back.

She turned in my direction and gave me a deadly look.

"Fear?" she scoffed. "My fears of the blood moon pack died ten years ago. All I feel is nothing but hatred for your pack." She hissed.

"I should probably not let you live but on occasions,I find myself not doing so. My wolf fancies you much to my disliking."I said. I was now a few inches close to her.

"It is very obvious I detest both of you. "she spat out angrily.

I chuckled. "I can tell your wolf and mine have similar interests."

"My wolf is under my control and does my bidding. "she refuted.

"We're going to find that out soon,"I said smugly.

"What do you mean?" she questioned.

"I wonder how she'll feel when my wolf kisses her."I teased triggering her to anger.

She smacked me with her paw.

"I'm not one of the cheap sluts in your pack."she hissed out.

"Feisty."I found myself saying instead of getting angry that she raised her paws on me.

This soft side was all my wolf's doing.

She walked up to me breaching the space between us.

"Let me make this clear, I'll never accept you as my mate. I'll rather die than..."

On impulse,my wolf licked her face leaving her speechless and flamed. She flared up attacking me, snarling and scratching.

Behind her, the crescent pack charged out of the forest. She turned to see them. Two were in their wolf form. They probably shifted to find her.

They howled as the pack yelled. "Finish him!"

"Tear him to pieces!"one yelled.

She turned to look at me and for a moment I thought she'll do so but she whispered in my head.

"Go," she commanded.

I refused to be intimidated by her clan but she snarled baring her teeth at me. With a more authoritative voice, "Go."she said.

I turned away retreating back into the woods.