AVA

As I gradually stirred from my slumber, I opened my eyes to the familiar sight of my bedroom. The soft glow of morning light filtered through the window, casting a warm hue on the walls. I sat up, rubbed the sleep from my desk, and gazed over to my desk, where my calendar lay open. My heart sank as my eyes landed on the bold, red circle drawn around today's date—my birthday.

I sighed heavily and said, "Happy Birthday to me," under my breath. The words were full of sarcasm.

Another year had passed, and yet again, nothing was positive about it. Instead, it reminded me of my tragic loss. I was still here, but my mother was not.

Alone and isolated, I had no one to share this day with. The only company I had was the bleak four walls surrounding me. I felt like an outcast, a girl forced to navigate life with no sense of belonging.

My thoughts drifted back to the memories of my mother, and I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt wash over me. I couldn't help but think she would still be here today if I had done something different. Despite knowing deep down that it wasn't my fault, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was somehow responsible for her passing.

I pushed those thoughts aside, forcing myself to focus on something positive. As I scanned my room, my eyes fell upon the modest surroundings that constituted my living space. A small single bed was pushed against one corner of the room, and the walls were peeling from years of neglect. My clothes were crammed into boxes, and the only decoration in the room was a full-length mirror.

As I sat there in contemplation, I realized that I needed to find a way to move on from the past and make a better life for myself. I deserved to live a life filled with happiness, and it was up to me to make that happen.

The attic was a dimly lit space, filled to the brim with piles of old and unwanted belongings carelessly stacked on each other. There was no order or organization—just an assortment of items no longer in use.

It was as if the attic was a dumping ground for anything that no longer had a place in the house. The stale air was thick with the scent of dust, and the cobwebs that hung from the ceiling gave me the creeps. I couldn't help but wonder why they had stored so much unnecessary trash up here, as most of it was utterly excessive.

As for showering, I had no choice but to use the bathroom everyone else used. It was always an uncomfortable experience for me, trying to time it just right so that I could avoid bumping into anyone else. I didn't want to draw any attention to myself, especially since I already felt like an outsider.

I dragged myself out of bed and into the day, weighed down by the persistent feeling that nothing was changing in my situation. It was a constant cycle of cleaning up after everyone, doing their laundry, and cooking their meals.

My life felt like a dead end.

But today was different—it was Saturday—everyone was home. I quickly got to work, making breakfast and cleaning the house from top to bottom. It was gruelling, especially since they watched my every move while I cleaned. It was as if they were waiting for me to make a mistake so they could criticize me.

Finally, after hours of cleaning, I finished all my daily chores. Fortunately, cooking dinner today was missing from my to-do list, so I had the rest of the day to myself. I returned to my room, keeping my head down and avoiding eye contact with anyone on the way.

But as I walked past Caleb's room, I heard my name mentioned. Curiosity getting the better of me, I stopped outside the slightly ajar door and listened intently to what they were saying. I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but I couldn't resist the urge to find out what they were saying about me.

Their crude conversation made me uncomfortable, and I tried to ignore it, but their words were too vulgar.

"I'm going to fuck her tonight, and when I'm done, she's all yours," Josh said confidently.

"Right on that, Josh! I wanna tap her ass," another voice chimed in. As I listened further, I could feel my face turning red with anger and disgust.

"We could spice it up by taking turns with her at the same time. Ya' know, for added excitement, I wanna see the bitch beg for us," someone suggested, and the group laughed.

"The fuck, bro! You porno-addict, that's sick!" another voice said, trying to diffuse the situation.

But Josh was persistent. "Come on, man; let the guy have some fun.," he complained.

The others seemed hesitant at first but soon warmed up to the idea. "Josh is right, dude. It could be fun," someone else suggested.

"You fucking want an orgy with your friends while gangbanging that poor girl?" He scoffed. "I can't believe you."

"And why the hell not? It's fun!" Josh retorted as I heard hoots and claps accompanying them.

"Yeah!" another person agreed. "Let's fuck that swot! I wanna pop her damn cherry, bro!"

While listening, my heart raced erratically. Hearing these guys discuss their plan, as though I were a commodity to be traded, made the hair on my nape stand on end.

"Guys, chill out," Josh interrupted. "We'll all get our turn. If she protests, we'll have to force her to give us what we want."

As soon as I heard him, my stomach churned in fear. I wanted to confront Josh and his friends and warn them against such a horrendous thing, but I knew it wouldn't do any good. They wouldn't listen, and I didn't want to endanger myself. Instead, I quietly walked away from the door and retreated to my room, feeling violated and helpless.

I wasn't just going to let them take away the only precious thing I had left. I was saving myself for my mate when I found him. They could ruin me if I just sat and did nothing.

As I stood frozen in the hallway, I heard Josh calling out Caleb's name. My heart raced as I listened to their conversation, not daring to move an inch.

"You alright with that, Caleb?" Josh asked, his tone low and conspiratorial. I held my breath, waiting for Caleb's reply.

"What the hell you want to do with her is none of my business," snarled Caleb angrily. "My mom would still be alive if that whore hadn't killed her."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I realized what they were discussing. It had been two years since Luna Caroline had passed away, but the wounds were still fresh. Like how his father, Alpha Benjamin, despised me, Caleb hated me to the core.

"Good," Josh said, and I knew I had to act fast.

I hurried back to my room, my mind racing. With the danger looming over me, I couldn't stay here any longer. I quickly grabbed an old duffel bag from under my bed, throwing in only the essentials I would need. I knew I had to travel lightly to scurry and stay ahead of them.

As I waited for nightfall, my nerves were on edge. Before they executed their plan, I had to leave. I sat in my room, nervously thrumming my fingers against my thighs, my heart pounding. I couldn't stay here any longer, not with the threat that now hung over me.

When the sun finally set, I threw on an oversized hoodie and pulled the hood up over my head. I took my bag and entered the corridor with my head bowed to blend in with the shadows. My senses alerted me to any sign of danger as I moved quickly, my footsteps light and silent. I wasn't taking any chances—Josh and his friends could be anywhere, and I knew they wouldn't hesitate to do whatever it took to get to me.

The harsh truth was that if they tried to take me away by force, no one would step in to help me.

I was an outcast, a lonely soul, and no one cared for me. Their apathy was evident, as they wouldn't glance in my direction.

Covertly, I sneaked out of the premises without anyone noticing my absence. My feet led me down a path to the woods, but a conversation in the distance stopped my progress. I crept closer, pressing myself against a tree, and cautiously peered around it to determine who was the source of the disturbance.

"Where is he, and why is he taking so long?" An irritable voice complained, releasing a cloud of smoke into the air.

A second voice, which I recognized as coming from Josh, my tormentor, responded, "The fuck do I know?"

The sound of approaching footsteps and raised voices caused me to draw back. However, I paused for a moment when I overheard them discussing me.

"So, where is she? Did you find the bitch?" Josh demanded impatiently.

"We've looked everywhere in this house and still can't find it. There are no signs of the bitch anywhere, bro." someone responded.

"Damn it! Where the fuck did that slut go?" Josh cursed, his hands flailing upward.

"What are we going to do now, bro? That slut might be hiding anywhere," another person asked.

Josh audibly respired. "She's just around here somewhere. Let's split up and look for her. We'll meet at the cabin before sundown."

After Josh gave the order, everyone went in separate directions.

I ran as soon as I realized they were out of sight. My legs pounded against the ground as I ran as though my life depended on it, which, in reality, it did. If their plan worked, I would be a hollow shell of the person I used to be, without hope or joy.

My legs burned as I stormed into the woods, driven by fear and desperation. The night was alive with the sounds of creatures—wolves howled, owls hooted, and indistinguishable noises echoed through the trees.

Every hair on my body stood on end, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. But as scared as I was of the woods, I was even more terrified of being caught. That fear was all the motivation I needed to keep moving and running without a glance backward.

Hours passed, and I found myself far beyond the borders of the pack's territory, panting for breath and unsure of where to go next. I had heard that the unmarked territory was full of dangers I didn't even know about, like rogue wolves that killed for no reason. I recognized how scary they could be because they were the ones who killed my mother years ago.

So, I moved carefully and tried not to be heard or seen as I made my way through the new area. The rogues were volatile, unwilling to follow anyone's lead and always causing trouble. Their unruliness had gotten them kicked out of their pack, left to fend for themselves in a world that saw them as dangerous outcasts.

And now I was one of them. A rogue by circumstance. A threat to anyone who would be crossing my path.

Despite being innocuous, I knew anyone who saw me wouldn't hesitate to kill me on sight. As a result, I kept moving—walking and sprinting—until the morning light replaced the darkness.

My heart pounded as I continued running. It was then that I froze as a voice cut through the silence.

"Someone is over here."

Panic set in as I frantically searched for a place to hide, but there was nowhere to go—I was standing alone in the middle of an open field.

'Shit! What am I going to do?' I nibbled my teeth as I stood like a rock in my spot.

"Stay still," a commanding male voice boomed behind me.

When I saw the enormous brown wolf walking toward me with authority and power in every step, my eyes grew wide with fear. Gripping my bag straps tightly, I followed its movements with wary eyes.

"Who are you?" I gulped as I hugged my bag to my chest. Extending my hand, I stepped back and warned him, "Don't come near me."

"I said don't move," he warned as his foot padded toward me deliberately.

As the wolf circled me, I couldn't tear my gaze away from its ocean-blue eyes. I was completely mesmerized. As our eyes met, I was under a spell, and the world around me faded. Something was echoing in my mind, some primal understanding I couldn't grasp.

I felt a surge of heat, and a shiver ran up my spine as the wolf stared at me intently. The wolf tilted its head inquisitively, and I couldn't help but find the simple gesture adorable. Despite my fear, I couldn't shake the strange sense of connection between us, as if, for a moment, we were the only two creatures in the world.

The wolf lunged at me, sending me tumbling to the ground. But when I looked up, I saw a man—a naked man—straddling me. My face burned with heat as my gaze flickered across his sculpted features, unable to look away from his chiselled jawline and full lips.

His deep blue eyes gazed down at me, frowning with confusion. I couldn't help but notice how his black hair fell messily around his face or how his long lashes brushed his cheeks.

It was as if time had frozen, and nothing else mattered at that moment but him. His prominent cheekbones, chiselled jawline, and full, lush lips caused my throat to dry.

Dear Moon Goddess! Help me! He was flawless in every way.

Without thinking, I reached up to touch his hair, running my fingers through the soft strands. He closed his eyes and let out a low groan, and as he opened them again, they were rimmed with gold.

The man's lips parted, revealing his sharp canines as he emitted a low growl. With a deep intensity, he spoke a single word, only four letters long, that made me tumble into discombobulation.

"MINE."

***

AVA

With eyes wide open, I blinked in bafflement. Did I just hear him say 'Mine'—that I was his possession?

"What the hell are you talking about?" I hissed. My mind finally cleared as his words registered in my brain.

"Mine..." he groused, his nose flaring as he whiffed my hair.

"Get off me, you brute beast! I told you that I'm not yours!" I insisted as I wiggled my way out of him, trying to push him away.

His expression twisted into a furious scowl, and before I could react, he pinned my hands above my head. I struggled against his hold, but it was like fighting a brick wall. He leaned in close, his breath hot on my skin as he spoke through gritted teeth.

"Mine! You're my mate!" he growled.

My heart stuttered at the word, and suddenly everything made sense. I recognized how the man's eyes crinkled at the corners, the sound of his voice, and the scent that clung to him like a second skin.

He was my mate, and I was his.

'Oh, Goddess! I found my mate!'

The base of my spine tingled with warmth, and I felt a chill travel up my body. In my mind, I kept hearing the word "mate" repeated over and over again. It was barely audible, but I could make out enough to know that my wolf was emerging from its den.

As if sensing my realization, a jolt of electricity shot through my body, leaving me gasping for breath. The mate bond drew me towards him, sucking me in as I again became lost in his eyes. As I stared into his piercing eyes, I forgot about everything else around us. But something dark and dangerous lurking beneath the surface of this stranger's beauty and power sent a chill down my spine.

The weight of his naked body on top of mine made me squirm uncomfortably. My heart raced as I realized I had never been in such an intimate situation. The fact that he was my mate didn't make it any less awkward. I bit my lip nervously and tried to think of something to say to break the tension.

"Er, uu, them..." I muttered, feeling a blush creeping up my neck.

He must have sensed my unease because he quickly got off me and pulled on a pair of shorts. I quickly turned away because I didn't want to see more of his naked body. But as he turned around, I couldn't help but catch a glimpse of his muscular backside. I immediately turned my head, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment.

'He has a nice ass, though,' I thought, my mind wandering to places it shouldn't be.

He turned to face me, and his eyes narrowed. I averted my gaze away from him and nipped my inside cheek.

'Goddess! What am I thinking?' I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts, but the image of his toned body burned into my mind.

I had never felt this way before, but I couldn't deny the attraction I felt toward him. As he walked away, his back muscles rippled with each step, I couldn't help but imagine all the sinful things I wanted him to do to me.

"Let's go," he said, interrupting my thoughts.

I scrambled to my feet, feeling a little dizzy as I tried to shake off the lustful thoughts clouding my mind. He didn't even offer to help me up, striding away from me as if nothing had happened. I sat there momentarily, staring at his retreating figure in disbelief.

How can he be so insensitive and rude after what just happened?

"Oh, who said I was going with you? I don't know where you're taking me, so I'm not going with you." I protested, planting my feet firmly on the ground, determined not to let this stranger take me anywhere, even if he claimed to be my mate.

His gaze turned steely, and I could see the anger simmering below the surface.

"You are going with me, Mate. Don't make me repeat myself," he growled through gritted teeth, the veins in his arms bulging as he tried to control his temper.

"I said I'm not going anywhere with you," I reiterated, my voice rising in defiance as I glared at him.

He stood there for a moment, his jaw clenched tightly, before turning to exchange a few words with the other man standing nearby. I watched as they spoke in hushed tones, wondering what they could discuss about me.

As he tried to control his wolf, all of a sudden, his eyes started to flash from blue to gold. I took a step back, wary of what might happen next.

After a few seconds, his eyes changed to their usual blue colour, and he walked purposefully over to me. I attempted to retreat, but he moved too quickly and threw me over his shoulder like a potato sack.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing?" I shouted, pounding my fists against his broad back. "Get me down, you monster! I'm not coming with you!" But he didn't seem to budge, and I soon gave up, wincing at the pain in my hands.

'Oww! Why does his skin have to be made of metal?' I cried mentally as I rotated my wrist, feeling the pressure in my wrist.

"What made you silent? Aw, sweetheart, did the cat get your tongue?" he taunted, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.

"I'm not your sweetheart, so don't call me that!" I snapped, my tone sharp and defensive.

He slapped my buttocks and rested his arms on their undersides. "I'm sorry, but I don't take orders from rogues," he retorted, his voice laced with venom.

Turning to face him, I argued back, "I'm lost! And I'm not a rogue!" I wiggled my body to escape his hold, but he held me tightly. "Get me down, will you?!"

"Lost?" he repeated skeptically. "So, wandering around in our pack's borders doesn't make you a rogue?" The man gruffly chuckled.

I let out an exasperated sigh. "Yes! I just happened to stumble into your pack's territory since I lost my way in the woods.

"I damn well know what that fucking means. You don't have to tell it to me as though it came from a fucking dictionary, swot," my claimed mate cut me off as he rolled his eyes.

My cheeks blushed at his statement. I was so taken aback by it that it was the first time I found myself lost for words. Sighing exasperatedly, I struggled to move out of his grip. He noticed my eagerness to flee when he grasped me tightly.

Huffing out loud, I pleaded, "Will you put me down? I have a pair of legs and feet. And I'm perfectly capable of walking on my own."

"And have you running away from me? Nope," he replied curtly, his hold on me unrelenting.

'Jerkass!' I thought to myself.

"Fine! If that's the case, where are you taking me then?" I asked, my voice laced with resignation.

"Back to the pack house," he answered, and my body stiffened with apprehension.

"No!" My body tensed as soon as I heard it. Josh and his group of friends might still be there! I couldn't afford to be back there!

Alarmed by it, I tried to wiggle from his grasp as I pleaded, "Please don't take me back there. I'm begging you."

"Relax, sweetheart. I'm going to take you back to the wolf pack up north," he assured me.

I felt a glimmer of hope as I realized he wasn't taking me back to my pack. However, as the realization of where he was taking me to set in, my heart began to race with fear.

The North Pack.

It was a legendary pack known for its immense power and feared alpha, who was said to be merciless and ruthless. The North Pack's Alpha had a reputation for executing trespassers without a second thought, and the stories of his many victims had spread far and wide. I couldn't bear the thought of becoming one of them.

Despite his fearsome reputation, I had never seen or heard what the alpha looked like. He was considered reclusive and kept his appearance hidden from outsiders whenever he left the pack. The unknown only added to my growing sense of dread.

"Please allow me to leave. I didn't intend to intrude, nor am I looking to cause any trouble. Please, I beg you! Don't bring me to your alpha, please. I don't want to die! He'll kill me!" I begged, my voice trembling with fear.

As soon as I mentioned the alpha, the man stiffened momentarily before eventually relaxing.

My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that I was sure he could hear it. I was dangling over his broad shoulder like a rag doll, my legs and arms flailing helplessly. I had never felt so helpless in my life.

"Please," I begged, my voice shaking. "I'm not ready to die."

"Be quiet!" he barked, his voice laced with venom.

Tears stung my eyes as I tried to plead with him. "Please-"

"I said to fucking be quiet!" he growled, his grip tightening around me.

I fell silent, too scared to even breathe. I didn't want to anger him any further. My mind raced with various scenarios, but none were worth pondering. I was at the mercy of a stranger taking me to meet the most feared alpha in the world.

I couldn't help but feel like fate had betrayed me as we walked. Meeting your mate was supposed to be the most magical moment of your life, filled with love and joy. But instead, I was being carried away like a criminal to meet my fate.

"What will the Alpha of the North Pack do to me? Will he kill me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Fear gripped me so tightly that I could scarcely breathe.

"You can't let him kill me. You're my mate," I pleaded, desperate for reassurance.

But he still didn't answer.

He didn't answer me. Instead, we walked in silence, with only the sound of our footsteps echoing through the trees.

"Hey, stranger! Can you please answer me?" I shouted, my fear and frustration boiling over.

And yet, there was still no response.

I pouted, feeling like a child throwing a tantrum. I knew it was useless, but I couldn't help it. Eventually, we emerged from the woods and began walking up a flight of steps. My heart was in my throat as I realized we were getting closer to my fate.

The world spun around me as the brute marched me into a village. A few faces looked in my direction, their expressions a mix of curiosity and fear. I struggled to keep my bearings, feeling nauseous and lightheaded from the rough handling. He treaded toward an old hut, dragged me up a flight of stairs and into a room, dropping me unceremoniously on the floor.

I took a moment to steady myself, focusing on the cold, hard ground beneath me. Gradually, my vision cleared, and I looked up, my eyes settling on the man who had taken me. I glared at him, my mind racing with fear and confusion. I had expected to face the alpha, not to be manhandled by some stranger.

"Hey, mongrel! Why did you bring me here?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the quivering in my stomach.

"Because you're my mate," he said, his voice low and hoarse. "You'll stay here from now on."

I shook my head in disbelief. Contesting with him, I answered, "What? No! I'm not going to stay here! I need to leave!"

Quickly, I bolstered through the door, but he slammed it and pushed me up against it before I could get out. I gasped as his body pressed against mine, sending shivers down my spine. His hot breath tickled my neck as he leaned closer, taking in my scent.

"If I were you, I'd accept it sooner," he whispered, his lips brushing my earlobe. The sensation sent a jolt of electricity through my body, leaving me breathless and wanting more. I struggled to resist, but I couldn't deny the primal desire that was building within me.

"I won't let you keep me here," I retorted, my fists clenching in anger.

"Oh, sweetheart. You don't know me well yet," he said, his eyes piercing into mine as he stepped away. "I can, and I will if I want to."

He pushed me aside and slipped out the door, locking it from the outside. I tried the doorknob, but it was no use. I banged my fists against the door, shouting for him to let me out.

"Let me out of here! Now!" I banged my fists against the door. "You can't keep me here!" I yelled, hoping that someone, anyone, would hear me.

As my frustration grew, I sank to the floor, resting my back against the door. I covered my face with my hands and took a deep breath to calm myself down.

He brought me here for no apparent reason. What was his problem with me, anyway? And why was he treating me like this?

Shouldn't he have been more loving and understanding if he was really my mate? I had always imagined that finding my mate would be the most beautiful moment of my life, but this was far from it. Instead, I was trapped in this strange place, locked in a room by a man who claimed to be my destined mate. It felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on me.

I couldn't believe it.

All my life, I had been waiting for the moment I would finally meet my mate. I had always imagined it to be the most romantic and magical moment of my life, but this was far from it. When he declared me his mate, I thought he would ask me to go with him and shower him with his love and warmth. But instead, the man brought me back to the North Pack—his pack, which was against my will.

He then locked me in a room like I was more of a prisoner than his mate!

Did he even care about what I wanted?

Did he care about how scared and confused I was feeling?

I only wanted to return to my own pack and forget this had happened. But I couldn't deny that he had claimed me as his mate. Was that enough for me to stay with him and accept my fate? The uncertainty and confusion consumed me, leaving me with more questions than answers.

After all, he is my fated mate. That should mean something.

It had to mean something, right?

***

AVA

"Ugh! I hate you!" I yelled, swatting my hands on the edge of the bed.

I took in my surroundings as I stood alone after my unpleasant roommate left. The room looked like it belonged to a man, and the smell made it clear that it was his personal space.

The room was entirely devoid of colour, with only shades of grey and black undertones covering the walls. It lacked any personal touch, giving off a gloomy and sterile ambiance. The occupant seemed to prefer simplicity and minimalism, as evidenced by the few abstract paintings scattered around.

Even though it didn't have any decorations, this room was much better than the one I had been in before. It was the most pleasant space I had experienced, and I felt grateful not to be responsible for cleaning it.

This room might have looked depressing, but it was nowhere close to how sombre my 'room' was. It was the most pleasant room I have ever had the pleasure of being in, and I did not have to clean it.

"Um, hi..."

Right then, I heard a voice behind me, and I turned to see a stunning girl standing in the doorway. She was of average height, about 5'4, with curly dark hair, caramel skin, and beautiful honey-brown eyes. Her white summer dress made her appear as though she were an angel.

Feeling self-conscious in my baggy clothes, I awkwardly waved and greeted her. "Er... Hi."

With a polite smile, the girl announced, "The al—I mean Jay—sent me to keep you company."

"Jay?" I asked, my confusion evident.

'Is that his name?' I pondered.

"Mm--mm, yes." Her hair was falling into her eyes, so she tucked it. "He brought you here, right?" she responded, eyeing me strangely.

Jay. At least now I had a name to attach to the man who left me stranded in this unfamiliar room. I couldn't help but feel annoyed as I recalled his earlier behaviour.

"Ah, yes...I guess." I muttered, mentally facepalming at my own forgetfulness.

She walked towards me and extended her hands. Smiling, she responded, "By the way, I'm Katie."

"Nice to meet you, Katie," I said, grabbing and shaking her hand. "I'm Ava."

She dropped her hands to the side and looked around the room. Drawing a sigh, she asked me, "Well, Ava, would you like a tour of the house?"

Uncertain but grateful for the offer, I hesitantly responded, "Sure."

"Great!" Katie exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly.

As we strolled through the house, I couldn't help but feel the curious gazes of the pack members on me. I could almost sense their unspoken questions about why I was there. Like them, I wondered why this 'Jay' guy had brought me here. It was customary for mates to move in together once they found each other, but Jay hadn't even bothered to explain anything beyond those certain formalities aside from being my so-called mate.

While I walked through the pack members, I could feel the weight of their stares on the back of my head. Their whispers were barely audible, but I knew they were talking about me.

Trying to ease my discomfort, I turned to Katie and asked, "Hey, Katie, can I ask you why I'm here?"

"Everyone does," she replied, her smile a little uneasy. "You're the lu—I mean, you're Jay's mate."

What the heck? She must have been trying to keep something from me. All of them were, but I don't know what it was or why they were so secretive about it. She would begin to speak, only to pause in the middle of her thoughts and change her response.

'What is going on here? It's weird?' I asked myself as my eyes peered around the area.

"Anyway, speaking of your leader, where is the Alpha?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Um, he's away," Katie answered, avoiding eye contact. Her lie was transparent.

"You're lying," I noted, feeling a hint of frustration. Why couldn't anyone just tell me the truth?

"I'm sorry, but it's not my place to say anything about what you've asked," she said, her apologetic smile doing little to quell my frustration.

I was about to press further when Katie changed the subject. "Have you eaten? We can go to the kitchen and grab some food."

My stomach grumbled at the mere mention of food.

"Oh--okay. I can eat," I replied, trying not to sound too desperate. In reality, I was starving, and I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday morning.

As we entered the kitchen, the chatter and clatter abruptly ceased as all eyes turned to me. I could feel their eyes on me and moved uncomfortably, trying to hide behind Katie's frame.

"Don't mind them," Katie chimed in cheerily, trying to defuse the tension. She then yanked my hand and introduced me to the she-wolves in the kitchen, saying, "Everyone, this is Ava."

"Is she the one?" A haughty-looking girl sneered, giving me a judging head-to-toe look.

Katie stepped in before I could respond, introducing me with a gracious smile. I offered a timid wave, already feeling like an outsider.

"She seems ordinary and unsettling. Is she even a werewolf?" the girl snarled, shooting daggers my way.

I bristled at her harsh words. Who did she think she was?

"Stella, you know you shouldn't talk that way to Ava," Katie chided, her tone firm but gentle.

Stella spat back, "I can do whatever the fuck I want," her eyes blazing with hostility.

My stomach churned with unease as she rose from her seat and stalked towards me, circling me like a vulture eyeing its prey.

"Miserable human!" she sneered, disgust etched on her face.

I gritted my teeth, determined not to back down.

"For the record, I am not human," I muttered, hoping to catch her off guard.

"The heck was that? Oops, I couldn't quite catch that," she taunted, her voice dripping with venom.

"I said, I'm not a human," I repeated, this time with more conviction.

Stella raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. I could tell she didn't believe me, but I refused to let her intimidate me.

"You're weak and pathetic! You can never make him happy the way I do, Bitch!" She spoke softly and leaned in to whisper in my ear. "I deserve him more than you do! So go back to the shit where you came from, a'right?" Her voice was sharp and venomous.

I couldn't believe it—he had slept with this whore.

As Stella's words sank in, a wave of shock and betrayal washed over me. I was frozen as I tried to process what she had just disclosed. The very thought of it made me sick to my stomach.

How could he do this to me? I had been saving myself for my mate, and he couldn't keep it in his pants.

The pain of betrayal mixed with the rage boiling inside me. It was like something had taken over, and before I knew it, I had shoved Stella to the ground and unleashed my fury on her.

But my lack of fighting skills became apparent quickly as she flipped us over, and I was now the one on the receiving end of her powerful blows. Each hit felt like it was driving me closer and closer to the brink of unconsciousness, and I knew I was no match for her.

I tried to defend myself, but it was no use.

My wolf refused to come out, leaving me helpless in this fight. I was coughing up blood as she continued to pummel me with her fists, each hit sending waves of pain shooting through my body.

Trapped beneath her, Stella flipped me onto my belly and twisted my arms behind my back. The pain was excruciating, and I could feel my wrist giving way under pressure.

"Pathetic," Stella whispered before I heard a sickening snap in my bones.

The pain was indescribable, and I screamed out in agony. Tears blurred my vision as she got up and left me writhing in pain.

As I lay there, feeling helpless and alone, I couldn't help but wonder how it had all come to this.

Was it worth saving for a mate who couldn't keep it in his pants?

Was this what I deserved for believing in true love and loyalty?

"Oh, Goddess, Stella! What did you do?" someone shouted.

"What should I do then? Stand there and let her hurt me? The bitch attacked me! I had no choice but to defend myself," Stella retorted.

"But you didn't have to break her arm!" the woman countered, her voice laced with apprehension.

Katie dashed toward my spot and helped me sit upright. Biting my lips to stop myself from wincing, I held my broken arm close to my chest as tears streamed down my face. Despite the pain, I gripped my left hand with my right and snapped the bone back into place.

As my hand healed instantly, everyone looked at me in shock and wonder. I possessed rare powers that I had never revealed to anyone.

I could heal at a rate that had never been seen before and use my abilities to hurt others. Due to my fear and anxiety that others would attempt to take advantage of my talents, I avoided revealing them in public.

According to the ancient texts I had read, a powerful healer was born once every hundred years to bring peace to the world. I was born with the power to heal and protect.

"Good Goddess! How did you do that?" Katie asked, her eyes wide with amazement.

"Don't all werewolves heal?" I said, trying to play it cool and keep my secret hidden.

She squeaked, "Uh-huh! But we don't heal as fast as you do, Ava!"

I massaged my arm, feigning as though it still hurt and replied, "It's not that fully recovered—"

"What the hell is going on here?" An authoritative voice cut through the noise of the whirlwind of chaos I'd just started.

"That bitch attacked me! I was just trying to ask, and she punched me!" Stella's finger pointed accusingly in my direction as she darted into the protective embrace of my mate's arms.

'Huh, so the slut is a goddamn liar too? Well, that's just great!' I groaned mentally.

"It hurts, Jay!" Stella faced me again, grinning triumphantly, before burying her face in his chest.

My heart sank as I watched her cling to his arms with no resistance from him. A pang of jealousy shot through me as I stared at them; he wasn't even hugging her back, just staring at me with an unreadable expression.

I felt defeated and humiliated, wanting nothing more than to cry. But I refused to let anyone see my tears, so I gathered what little dignity I had left and quickly rose to my feet, rushing out of the room.

'Just what are you expecting, Ava? You've just known the man for less than a day!'

No, this was not another fairytale story. Sadly, this was how reality panned out. I have to admit that Stella had a point. Despite how hurtful it sounded, I had to accept it was true. I'm a she-wolf without a wolf.

Basically, I'm useless to any packs.

A sudden commotion interrupted my thoughts as I stepped outside to clear my head. A man burst through the door, cradling a small boy in his arms, his body covered in blood.

"God! What happened?" I asked, but he ignored me, rushing into the kitchen. Without hesitation, I followed him, pushing through the crowd gathered around the injured child.

"Oi! What the hell are you doing? The boy is in critical danger and needs a damn help, woman!" The man shouted at me.

"I can help him," I declared with conviction, leaning over to listen for his faint heartbeat.

Time was running out, and he wouldn't make it if he didn't receive medical attention soon.