Nora: Rejected Lost Princess

She wanted to be strong for him yet with a contemptuous look in his eyes, his words struck a painful chord inside of her.

“ You think I would accept you?"

Nora Rigby stared at the handsome yet cold looking face of her mate, Carlos Alberto, the future Alpha of Eagle pack.

"I am your mate" she managed to blurt out, hating the question he just asked. Her hands were shaking and she felt as though there were thousands of spears jabbed at her heart.

His cruelty broke her, yet she stood aloof, accepting the inevitable rejection. The last thing Nora expected was to be rejected by the man she had loved and craved for all these years.

How could he reject her because she was wolfless? Filled with anger, she wanted to end it all but couldn't go through with it. Who would have guessed that not only did her mate reject her but he also sent people to kill her!

As she fell down the cliff, she had just one wish for the moon goddess. She wished she could have her revenge.

As she shut her eyes, embracing the darkness. Instead of meeting the moon goddess, she surprisingly opened them only to see herself in a different world…

And a different identity!

“ Welcome back, Princess!"

She was a Lycan princess and she was back to take her revenge with the help of the one person who believed in her.

Karen, her commander.

What would happen when the seemingly weak human came back as the most powerful being in the world of the mystical beings?

With conspiracies roaming all around Nora, what would be the outcome of the Lycan princess story? Find out in this intriguing story!

He Is Mine

Nora Pov

I ran through the woods, breathing heavily. My eyes staring ahead of the huge lavender tree upfront. I didn't care if my heart was about to fall off my chest, I was determined to get there in less than five minutes.

I wanted to be strong for him.

I ran like my life depends on it. Well, my heart depends on it. I hated when he looked at me with such disappointment.

"Hey, weakling! Get the hell out of the way!" I heard a grumpy voice, running past me with speed.

"She looks so pathetic running like that!" Another sneered, veering past me.

"She must be human!" The first one spat out, following his colleague.

"Fuck you both!" I spat out angrily, inside of me.

As much as I wanted to tell them that, I don't want to look for trouble. I don't want my brother to be caught in-between his duty to the pack as the future beta and his duty as a brother to a pathetic loser like me.

If I wasn't so unlucky, I was supposed to be ranked amongst the strongest werewolf in the pack. That's because we were the beta family, the second strongest family in the pack.

But I was so weak, just like a human!

I wasn't human! I hate when they call me that. How could I be human when my parents and brother were werewolves? Maybe I was too weak and that's why my wolf refused to show itself.

I ran as the rest of the pack whoosh ahead of me. So much for the five minutes! I couldn't even get there in twenty minutes. I broke down under the huge tree, trying to get myself together.

At least, I got there in twenty minutes. That's two minutes earlier than yesterday. I was still catching my breath when my ears caught the sound of footsteps approaching and a warm scent traveling through my nose.

He was here…

Wondered why a wolfless person like me could catch up on scent? I wonder the same too. Although I tried to hide that fact so I won't be called a weirdo. Human was already a weird and heartbreaking name for me.

"What are you doing here?"

I was startled by the voice that asked me the question. It wasn't him but my brother. Could I have mistaken his scent for my brother's? I scratched my head repeatedly before looking at my brother with a pout.

" The forest isn't safe for you," my brother Justin said, giving me his hands.

I sighed, looking around the forest. I was sure he was here. I felt his presence and his scent. That particular scent I had felt three days ago. But I had to hide it, from even my brother.

"Come on, Nora. Carlos isn't here. He had left as soon as we saw you," Justin said, rolling his eyes at me.

Caught!

I grinned sheepishly as I quietly followed Justin without another word. Should I tell him about Carlos?

Carlos was the alpha's son and the heir to the throne. I had been crushing on him since I was six years old. At first, we had been friends and he had been nice to me. But, it changed two years ago when I couldn't shift to my wolf.

In Blood Moon Pack, we usually shift at age sixteen and find our mate when we clock eighteen. It is believed that without your wolf, you can't find your mate.

Not until I saw Carlos three days ago and felt drawn to him. A tiny voice in my head had let out the 'mate' word. But I refused to tell him. I wanted to have my wolf first.

"What's on your mind, Nora?" Justin cuts in again.

" A secret, Jay. I will tell you on the night of the moonlight festival," I said, grinning.

" That's tonight, Nora" he reminded me, shaking his head.

" Oops! I guess I will tell you tonight then!" I giggled as we got closer to my house.

Without waiting for my brother, I ran to the house so I could prepare for tonight's activities. I was very sure that he would recognize me tonight.

**

I can't believe I was already late for the ceremony! I blamed my parents for keeping me busy with chores. Not just that, I also wanted to look good for him.

I quickly ran to where the festival was taking place. I was sure he was there somewhere. I searched for almost an hour before I saw him at the farthest and hidden end with my brother.

I sighed in relief.

I badly wanted to talk to him. Tell him that he was my mate. I wanted him to know that I wasn't human and that I would surely get my wolf.

But…

Carlos must have sensed my emotions. I guess he knew we were mates but why was he not accepting me in the presence of everyone? Maybe I should be the one to say it?

I watched him taking a stroll toward my direction. Then he stopped abruptly as if he wanted to greet me.

"Meet me over the cliff. Don't follow behind me!" His icy voice tore my heart. Didn't he know I was his mate?

Before I could utter another word, he had already left me alone. I stood there for another two minutes to recollect my emotions before dashing toward the forest, in another direction.

The cliff was a one minute run for a werewolf but for me, it took me more than five minutes to get there. I could see he was angry, with his emerald eyes boring through mine.

Something wasn't right about his look.

He looked at me as if I was a disgusting creature after throwing me insulting words. That wasn't supposed to be how he would look at his mate. Didn't he know I was his mate?

"I know what you want to say, Nora. I felt it too. Oh… Selene! What was the moon goddess thinking?" His voice cut through my thoughts as he moved a little closer to me.

His luscious lips, perfectly chiseled jawline and the body built of a model made my heart start beating rapidly. I can't believe he was mine! His voice got me wobbling, not until I heard his next words.

"You think I would accept you?"

You Think I Will Accept You?

Nora POV

I stared at him, his cold-looking face, devoid of all emotions. He was staring blankly at me, as if I were some useless piece of trash. But those weren't the eyes that looked at me years ago.

"I am your mate" I managed to blurt out, hating the question he just asked. My hands were shaking and I felt as though there were thousands of spears jabbed at my heart.

How could he ask if he was going to accept me or not? If he wasn't going to accept me then what? He wouldn't…

I felt shaken and I could feel my hands shaking nonstop. My eyes met his. He was looking emotionless as if I was nobody to him. Didn't he feel the slightest bond?

"You think I will accept you?" His voice rang out, making my body shiver involuntarily. But there was a part of me deep down that hated those words.

A part that wanted him to look at me like he did some years back.

Being mates wasn't a child's play. He shouldn't joke like that. And that's when my ears picked the dreaded words. My legs almost gave way to the shock moving all over my body.

"I, Carlos Alberto, reject you, Nora Viking as my mate and future Luna. The moon goddess is our witness!" He said, his eyes boring through mine.

A smirk playing at the end of those gorgeous lips. His words were like knives jabbing through every little pore in my body.

Hatred was brimming through his eyes.

I felt a stinging sensation in my heart as soon as the words left his mouth. I held my heart in fear and humiliation. That was not what I expected from the man I always dream about.

Yes, call me foolish or whatever but Carlos had always been the man who stole my heart with just one look. He still was the man my heart was beating for up till this moment of rejection.

Still, it was that same man that just pierced my heart without remorse. My tears threatened to fall yet I fought it back. I stood there staring at him, tongue-tied for what seemed like an eternity. Then I broke the ice inside me, shattering it into tiny bits of smithereens.

"You…rejected me because I am weak?" I asked, standing up despite the pain.

I grabbed his hands as tears rolled down my cheek. I tried fighting them back again but it was futile this time as it kept flowing like a river.

"I just did. Got a problem with that?" I heard him say, cruelly.

I looked up to see a smirk on his face. His eyes filled with undeniable anger, maybe from being paired with a weakling like me?

A wolf who refused to shift? More like a human in the midst of wolves. Funny right? But that's just how everyone sees me. My mate, not excluded.

I tried to hold him tighter but he looked down at my shaky hands and without warning, I felt a force hitting me painfully and I fell again. He had pushed me forcefully and I hit the rocky ground. I knew I was going to break a bone or two.

Before he could walk out on me, I turned to him. Biting my lips which were at the verge of bleeding, I stared at those eyes. Lifeless, emotionless yet my heart can't stop loving.

"Wait…" I said and he stopped.

I took one last look at him. He wasn't saying anything. He just had his hands, deep in his pocket. He looked as dashing as always. His deep eyes made my heart race. I swallowed hard, coming in terms with the decision I was about to take.

"I, Nora Viking, accept your rejection" I said, the pains of rejection searing through my heart.

Would he regret it? Would he also feel the pain of the rejection? The feeling of being broken, distraught and forlorn. I hope he will change his mind… I hope he will come back. Unfortunately, his next words shattered my world.

"I am glad you know your position. Do you think I would accept a weak human like you as my mate? I, the future Alpha of this great pack paired with a weakling!" He scoffed.

That was it. My heart was officially destroyed by my own mate. Brutally and without the slightest bit of remorse from the heartless prick!

" You…are so…heartless!"

Before I could finish the words from my mouth, I felt myself choking under his tight grip. Those hazel looking eyes that got me hooked for the past three years were staring at me with hatred. Slowly, I saw the color of his eyes changing.

He hated me.

Why? Was it because I haven't gotten my wolf? Was that why he was calling me human just like the others in the pack?

" One more word from you and I won't mind throwing you off this cliff!" He roared, heartlessly.

" I… please…" I tried to speak out but I couldn't, not when he was choking the damn life out of me.

I was becoming breathless and I struggled to get his hands off my neck. After struggling for another two seconds that seemed like hours, he finally let go of me. I fell to the ground with a thud as I gasped for air. I tried to take in as much air as I could.

How could he be so cruel to me? He was different. Heartless. Cruel. Violent and void of emotions.

Then with a chuckle that was followed by a belittling laughter, he looked at me, as I was still trying to catch my breath on the rocky ground. My heart skipped faster than ever yet a pang pierced through it too.

I was on the edge of hyperventilating. I wish all these were just a dream as I tried to stabilize my breath.

But at the same time, I felt hooked… hopelessly hooked to the effect his face was having on me. My sense of smell picked a calming effect from his scent and somehow, my heart wanted him to just say those words I had been expecting to hear.

Mate.

Yes, I haven't gotten my wolf yet but somehow I knew Carlos, the future Alpha of our pack was my mate. The way I was drawn to him, the way my heart raced as soon as our eyes met, said it all.

And his actions earlier said it all.

I was happy that he was my mate. I was happy I got a mate but with the situation right now, I don't know if I should be happy or not. This guy hated me!

"You should have just died instead of being a nuisance to everyone"

Such cruel words…

"No… you… I hate you!!" I screamed, looking devastated.

But I was met with his stiff back and a hateful aura coming back at me from him. I stayed on the ground, crying my eyes out.

How do I live without a mate?

Rejected

Carlos POV

Tonight was the moonlight festival and I was happy my father just announced that I would be crowned this weekend. Just as my friends were congratulating me, I saw her.

Nora Viking, the human girl who can't have a wolf.

A weakling that needed to be protected every single time the rogues attacked. She couldn't even fend one of them off! Even when it was decided that she would be trained, it ended up badly because she fainted on all occasions.

Three years ago, I met her alongside her brother, Justin. He was the son of my father's beta and my future beta too. She was beautiful. Very beautiful, that I instantly fell for her.

But we haven't gotten our wolf then. I didn't know she was my mate. I waited eagerly for her to wolf out… I wish she was my mate. I thought she would be a strong female wolf just like the whole of their family.

I wanted one, just like how my father got my mother, his perfect warrior mate. I wanted mine too. Was that too much to ask from the goddess?

But three years later, I was proven wrong. She was human, much to my chagrin.

It wasn't until I accosted Justin on why his sister was wolfless did he tell me how his parents found her, almost dead and brought her up as their own child. He loved his sister and made me promise never to let her know.

"Don't you mind she isn't a werewolf? A human weakling" I asked him one day.

"Should I mind? She is my sister, Carl. I will appreciate it if you stop calling her a weakling. Even if she doesn't have a mate, I will protect her for the rest of her life. I will kill anyone who hurts her," he said, seriously.

At first, I didn't mind. After all, she wasn't related to me in any way. But not until, my wolf smelled her unique scent. I thought it was all a dream.

It can't be real.

She can't be my mate!

That was a few months ago before I went for my training with Justin, her brother. We were trained extensively on the duties of Alpha and beta. Luckily, we met at the moonlight ceremony which would grant mateless wolves their mates. I was expecting to be paired with someone with a powerful bloodline.

That thinking changed when I saw her and Kylie, my wolf kept howling in my head.

We looked at each other and she smiled at me. Damn it! Did she know I was her mate? That's impossible! She doesn't even have a wolf.

"Down to earth, Carl. Do you like my sister?" I heard Justin ask, tapping me on my shoulder.

"Hell no! Why would you say such a thing?" I vehemently denied it.

"That's because you can't stop staring at her for the past five minutes," Kayden, another of my friends, chimed in.

"Stop saying what you don't know! It's not like we have anything in common," I said, gritting my teeth in anger.

"True. You can't be her mate, right? You are just not worthy of her. I need someone to love and cherish her. But my sister said something about having found her mate…"

" Come on, Justin. I know you love your sister but that's impossible. She doesn't have a mate" Kayden said.

" That's true but she looks so sure. Anyways, I will ask her as soon as we get back home," Justin said, taking a glass of wine from one of the waiters.

I bit hard on my lips as I stared at her. Did she want to tell everyone that I was her mate? Never! I won't let her make me a laughing stock in the pack. Brimming with anger, I took three glasses of wine at a goal before walking towards her.

She was about to say something when I stopped her with a wave of my hand.

"Meet me at the cliff in the pack's border in five minutes. Don't follow me," I said, walking away from her.

I didn't listen to whatever she wanted to say because I just left her, making my way to the cliff. I was going to end it all tonight.

At exactly five minutes, I saw her running towards me. I felt angry at the goddess, I felt angry at Valeria and I just wanted to free myself off this bond.

"I… am… sorry. Am I too late?" She stuttered, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Something moved around my groin and I felt myself reacting to her.

Damn! This fucking mate bond was making me drawn to her already. I pulled down the emotions creeping out and that was trying to stop me from doing whatever I had in mind.

Even Kylie was becoming restless but I shut him off. I wasn't going to be moved by his whining. I don't care if he wanted her, I wasn't going to be bound to a weakling all my life.

I walked close to her, my eyes never leaving hers. I could feel that she knew I was her mate but how? She didn't have a wolf, how could she perceive her mate's scent? Was this a joke by the moon goddess?

"What the fuck were trying to do back there? You want everyone to know you were lusting after me?" I asked, disgusted at her weakness. Disgusted at the fact that she was weak… too weak to be my Luna.

Then I added," Do you think I would accept you?"

I could see her face changing. She looked angry, yes. I wanted to hear it from her mouth so I can fulfill my mission for tonight.

"I am your mate!" She blurted out, her eyes locked on mine defensively.

Good. That's the only thing I need to hear to get it done! I smirked, my hatred evident in my face. I wonder what she will do when I finally do it?

"I, Carlos Alberto, reject you, Nora Viking as my mate and future Luna. The moon goddess is our witness!" I said, waiting for her next reaction.

"Carl… you…"

I could see she was hurt but she was trying to hide it. I don't care because I was damn hurting too! Although it was better than the humiliation of being mated to her for life!

But what I didn't expect was that she would easily accept the rejection. In anger, I berated her and did things I wasn't supposed to do. I saw the hurt in her eyes and damn, I was hurting as fuck!

"You should have just died instead of being a nuisance to everyone! You are worthless even to your own parents! You made them a ridicule in the pack and I won't let you make me too!"

" If I were you, I would just jump off the hill and die!"

I didn't mean those words but I was too angry. I didn't want to do what I would regret so I just turned around and left her on the rocky ground where I pushed her. She was sobbing but I steeled my heart before leaving.

Without turning back.

He Wanted Me Dead

NORA POV

I got home, feeling devastated at what happened. I thought he was different from all the others. My heart bleeding in undeniable pain, I dragged my broken soul inside.

I was about to push the door open when I heard whispers from my parents. A word penetrated into my ears, my hand on the door growing stiff.

“ Do we tell her that she isn't our daughter? She is human. She would never get a wolf. I feel for how she is trying to be what she can never be," that was my dad's voice.

“ I forbid it, Nathan. No one will tell my daughter anything. She is my child and I will protect her at all cost," my mother said, with finality in it.

I wasn't too sure I heard it right, yet I wasn't ready to let it go. So, I pushed open the door as my heart prayed I heard wrongly. They couldn't be talking about me, right?

“ Mum, dad… what's going on?” I asked, my eyes fighting off the wetness around it.

As I watched the faces staring at me in shock and guilt, a pang of pain shot through my already damaged heart.

I heard it right.

“ Nora, when did you get here?" That was my dad's shaky voice, unable to shake off whatever truth they just blurted out.

I couldn't speak anymore. I blinked my eyes while biting hard on my lips. I couldn't believe I just had my heart shattered twice tonight.

“ Nora…”

" I-am I your daughter?” I managed to blurt out.

" Nora, you are our precious daughter and-”

" Daughter?” I asked, letting out a bitter chuckle. My mom took a step towards me but I shook my head, moving two steps back.

" Nora-”

" It's no wonder he rejected me. He was right. I was just a pathetic human!” I screamed, bursting into fresh tears.

" He rejected you? Who is that bastard that dares hurt my daughter!” My father sprang out. I could feel his protective stance yet I suddenly felt hollow.

“ Does it matter, dad? I am never going to be one of you! Never! I will forever remain a lazy, pathetic human. How do I continue living like this?" I was beginning to lose all my bottled up emotions.

“ Nora, please-"

“ I am not one of you and I can never be!"

I needed to leave, away from everyone. I wanted to be gone from the lives of everyone. If I was gone, Carlos would be free of the pain of rejection. My parents would be free from the shame of a disgrace like me.

And my brother would stop fighting people who mocked me. Yes, that was the right decision. Without another thought, I ran away from the house as the voices of my parents echoed behind me.

I was going to end all of these miseries!

***

I found myself running back to the hill, where Carlos rejected me. Maybe I wanted to have a glimpse of him. Or I wished he could just tell me he was joking. Maybe I could stay if he accepts me.

I stood at the edge of the cliff, looking around. I hoped I could catch just one glimpse of him. Sadly, the darkness was all I could see and the cold wind rustling over the tree leaves was all I could hear.

He wasn't coming.

With a resigned heart, I shut my eyes tightly. I think it would be best to just kill myself by jumping off the cliff. Once I was dead, everyone would be at peace. Images of his handsome face kept replaying all over again.

I shook away the thought of death. I still have my parents to think about. How heartbroken they would be.

Just then I perceived a familiar scent and I became happy. It seems Carlos still cares for me. He was back to accept me. Maybe he was just fighting to accept the truth.

“ Carlos, you came back!"

Feeling happy, I turned around only to see two guards walking toward my direction.

I squinted my eyes. They looked familiar and at a closer look, I recognized them as Carlos personal guards. Where was Carlos? I thought he was here.

“ How dare a filthy human like you call our Alpha by his name!" One of the guard bellowed, giving me a disgusting stare while the other spat on the ground.

I clenched my fist tightly while my eyes searched for Carlos. I can't believe he sent his guards to insult me. I was sure they were acting on their own will.

“ Where is Car-" I couldn't finish my words as I felt a piercing pain on my cheek.

“ I warned you, didn't I? A flea like you have no right calling the Alpha's name-"

“ Let's not waste time anymore and deal with this bitch as the Alpha instructed," the second guard cuts in, taking slow steps toward me.

I took another step backwards, afraid of their advances. What did Carlos tell them to do?

“ What are you trying to do?" I asked, trying to calm my frightened mind.

“ Get rid of you of course! Alpha Carlos sent us to grant your wish of dying," the first guard responded.

Did they say Carlos wants me dead? That was impossible. Even if he doesn't want me as his mate, he would never want me dead!

“ Lies! You are lying!"

“ Lies? Do you think we would have the guts?" He asked, chuckling.

That's true. I have been in this pack for the past years yet no one made an attempt to kill me. Unless they were sent by someone powerful, they would never dare.

“ Still in disbelief? What about this?"

I raised my head to see the guard holding an emerald pendant. This was the pendant I gave to Carlos on his eighteenth year birthday when he got his wolf.

It was truly my mate. He wanted me dead and gone. But I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction, or so I thought. The guards surrounded me as I tried to escape.

They suddenly changed into their wolf form and the next thing I know was a sharp pain in my stomach and another tearing in one of my arms as I fell down the cliff.

I shut my eyes, welcoming the death that was inevitable. My heart filled with hatred and revenge.

If only I was human. If only the goddess could give me a second chance in life!

Those were my thoughts as my back hit the hard waters and all consciousness was lost. I wallowed in endless dark abyss, awaiting to meet the Moon goddess.

In A Different World

Nora POV

I tried to open my eyes but the blinding light didn't let me. I stopped trying, letting the tears flow down my eyes. I was truly dead and in the afterlife with the moon goddess.

Why did I give that bastard the satisfaction of seeing me dead? I was totally useless and worthless. Maybe I should hunt him in my ghost form, at least that would teach him a lesson.

“ My princess, are you alright? Why are you crying?" I heard a melodious yet anxious voice in my head and a tap on my shoulder.

Did I just hear someone calling me a princess? Was I the daughter of the moon goddess? That would be great! I could just ask my mother to give me the power to hunt that bastard Carlos!

I quickly flung my eyes open, the blinding light piercing through it.

“ Ah!" I let out a scream, immediately shutting it again.

Even if she was the moon goddess, must everything inside her temple be white? I mean extremely white that I could swear it was all purely diamonds.

Slowly, I opened my eyes as I tried to adjust it to the environment. It worked and behold I was literally swept off my feet by what I saw. Everything inside the chamber smelled luxury, extreme wealth that I assumed only the gods could attain.

Was this truly the abode of the Moon goddess? I looked around and saw around four beautiful girls with their head bowed. Were they goddesses too?

Soon, I heard hurried footsteps and two people with powerful aura rushed into the chamber. The man was looking grim yet a tinge of joy couldn't be hidden from the extremely handsome face.

And the woman was crying, her face looking even more gorgeous despite the fact that she was crying. It also looked oddly familiar. Wait, why does she look so much like the older version of me?

But wait, wasn't I human? I can't meet the Moon goddess unless I was a werewolf. So, if this wasn't the moon goddess abode, where was I?

“ My daughter is finally back!" The gorgeous woman cackled, trying to stop her cries.

The powerful man came closer to me and I saw his face lit up with a smile. He sat closer to the woman as they looked at me lovingly.

“ I am dead, right?" I asked, staring at them.

A chuckle left the man's throat as he took my hands.

“ Dead? Of course not. That fall wasn't too high for a royal lycan to die. You are in your own kingdom, with your own people," his gaze was loving and a hidden relief washing over their faces.

“ My kingdom? Royal lycan?" Confusion was undoubtedly written all over my face.

“ You are our long lost daughter and the rightful Princess of the Golden Lycan Kingdom," The woman's face was beaming with joy as she explained to me.

What?

If this was true, then it means I wasn't human right from the start! The moon goddess must be playing a trick on me. This was too good to be true, so, I pinched myself to see if it was real.

“ Ouch!"

With my little scream, my newly found parents let out a hearty laughter. The more I looked at the gorgeous woman, the more I couldn't deny that they were probably right.

She was the exact older version of myself but her hair was golden with scanty silver strands. She was truly beautiful with those hazel eyes gazing at me with love and care.

“ You are not dreaming, sweetheart. You are alive and a princess. We lost you when you were just three years old and we have been searching everywhere for you,” My new mother explained, squeezing my hands gently.

Then she added,“ If we knew you were in the kingdom of the werewolf, we would have combed everywhere just to bring you back earlier."

Who would have believed that the death attempt on my life by my mate would lead me directly to my real parents?

As I looked around, I saw that these people were quite powerful. I have heard stories of the Lycans' powers and how werewolves are scared of them. If I could be as powerful as them, then my revenge on Carlos was going to come true.

I felt my heart pricking in pain when I remembered my mate wanted me dead. As If the rejection wasn't enough, he wanted me dead too. Wasn't that too cruel?

With a determined look, I turned to my new parents. I wasn't going to allow anyone to trample on me anymore. If I was truly a Lycan, then there must be a way for me to bring out my true powers.

" I want to be powerful and I want to avenge those who wanted me dead!” my eyes filled with determination as they battled to fight off the tears.

I would never be weak again.

“ You will need to go through vigorous training for one year. It would help bring out your Lycan side-"

Training? That was an herculean task for someone as weak as me. I wanted to cry out but the thought of getting my revenge on Carlos strengthened my resolve. I was determined to train, no matter how tough it might be.

“ Welcome home, my princess," my father said, smiling.

“ Welcome home, your highness!" Everyone in the room chorused with a bow.

This was too good to be true and it felt like a dream.

It Wasn't True

Carlos' Pov

I went back home after rejecting the human girl. How could I accept such a weakling as my mate? I think the Moon goddess made a terrible mistake in pairing me with her.

As I moved closer to the palace, I felt my heart about to explode from the pain of the mating bond. Nevertheless, I was glad I had cut off every attachment with her.

I got to my chamber and lay on my bed, trying to put off whatever lingering emotions I was having for Nora. She wasn't worth my thoughts.

If only her parents weren't the beta of the kingdom and her brother was my best friend, I would have kicked her out of the kingdom as soon as I found out she was human.

Why would my father let a human live among us?

“ You are my mate!"

Her words echoed in my ears over and over again. Her broken eyes and shattered emotions tugging at my own heart. I swore it had taken me all my willpower to reject her.

There was something trying to stop me.

Furthermore, It was strange she could feel the mating bond when she wasn't even a werewolf. I wonder if it was possible for a human to feel bonded just like werewolves.

Different thoughts kept running through my head yet I couldn't find answers to any of my hidden questions.

I was growing restless, lying in my chamber. I needed to leave the chambers for fresh air. So, I got out and went toward the palace garden with a heavy knot around my heart.

“ Carl…” I heard my name behind me.

Aria Davis, my childhood friend and the only daughter of Alpha Gregory walked toward me with a bewitching smile, her eyes filled with lust. I began to question the moon goddess on why she didn't pair me with Aria instead of that human girl.

Even if I had no feelings towards Aria, at least, she was stronger and a werewolf too.

“ What are you doing here?" I questioned, walking toward the palace gate.

“ Can't I pay a visit-"

“ Not now, Aria. I don't have time to chit chat-"

“ I just need a favor from you," she cuts me off, walking toward me. She leaned toward me and whispered into my ears.

I frowned at her request, yet, I wanted some time alone so I quickly granted her what she wanted before walking away. After all, what she wanted wasn't of any significance to me anymore.

As soon as Aria went away, I walked back to my room to try and sleep the thoughts away. Perhaps in the morning when I had to face her again, I will no longer feel guilty.

I just need to act quickly.

***

A bang on my door and the scent of Justin woke me up from my deep slumber filled with nightmares of Aria. I was relieved to be woken up yet angered at the intrusion.

“ Stop banging, moron!" I breathe out, frustratingly.

The door was pushed open as soon as I answered and the worried face of Justin got me on my feet. It couldn't be the rogues attack again, right?

“ Are we having rogues-"

“ My sister is missing! We can't find her anywhere!" Justin said, biting his lower lips. He does that often when he feels extremely agitated.

“ Nora? Is she not at the cl-” I remembered at that time that only two of us knew about her being with me earlier.

I cleared my throat as Justin's anxious eyes looked up at me. I could see he was expecting to hear more of my question.

" I mean, isn't she at the house or perhaps the ceremony?” I rephrased my question as I dodged his eyes.

A long sigh escaped his mouth as he dragged me along with him. My heart did a total banging of guiltiness as I began to pray that Nora shouldn't tell them anything.

" If she was at home, I wouldn't be running my legs all around the pack looking for her, Carlos,” he said, scowling at me.

Yeah, that's true. And it's a stupid question from my side. I tend to lose my composure whenever I feel guilty. Luckily, no one had observed this.

Then I heard him say the next words.

" My sister- she heard my parents talking about the secret of origin,” he said, sighing as we walked out of the palace.

I stopped in my tracks, holding him back.

“ She knows she isn't a werewolf? I asked, my thoughts racing differently.

“ Yes. She heard about it and she ran out of the house, crying. My parents have been blaming themselves all night long. We have been searching for her for the past four hours. We need to go to the border and continue searching for her scent. Let's see if she left the pack," he replied.

Was I asleep all those while? If she left the pack already, I was sure the border guards would have stopped her.

“ She also said that she was rejected by her mate. I am sure she is heartbroken and might have…” he said, biting his lips. Then he added with a cold glint." Let's just hope she is fine."

We made our way towards the border where the other guards were waiting. Justin told me some of the guards have been sent to the Cliff and surrounding mountains. Hopefully, they will find a clue.

My mind was in shambles. If she knew she was truly a human, was it possible for her to take a drastic step towards leaving the pack? It would be best if she leaves peacefully without telling anyone she was my mate.

At least, I could still keep Justin as my best friend. Just then, I got a mindlink from one of the guards stationed around the cliff. I turn to look at Justin who had disbelief all over his face.

“ It can't be true!" He said, changing into his wolf form as he raced toward the cliff.

I stood rooted for more than five minutes, lost in my thoughts and with each passing second, my heart received piercing pains all over. Lost in the hurtful words I had told Nora earlier. I also agreed with Justin.

It wasn't true.