Mercedes held her breath when the attention of the three werewolves was on her now. She was in the spotlight, but she was not afraid. But she was still cautious, but deep down she believed that these wolves killing her would be the best thing that would happen to her, rather than living on the run for the rest of her life. Initially, she thought starting a new life would be easy, but in a few moments, a realization dawned on her. Like that man who chased her, her past would be on her tail, following her everywhere she went. So she stood her ground. Running was clearly not the solution, so she had to face whatever came on her head-on.

I mean, what could be worse than what she has had to face in the past few days till now?

The three wolves analyzed her but never approached her. They looked much calmer than before and none threatening. Even she could not understand how they were not doing anything but just staring at her. The gush of wind blew, and their thick fur moved along with it. Mercedes envied how unmoved they were. That the cold was not affecting them as it was hers.

Simultaneously, they too retreated to the shadows. Mercedes was left standing alone, and she sighed in exhaustion. She found herself back on the ground with a loud groan. All the adrenaline in her system began to vanish, leaving her body frail. Her body was freezing and numb. Her mouth was dry, and she desperately needed even a drop of water. The exhaustion weighed on her body and she was unable to move. She stayed down and marveled at the night sky littered with stars. She thought of counting them, but she didn't even have the strength for that. Everything was taking a toll on her, and she needed to rest. Her eyes eventually became heavy and she gave in. There was nothing she could do. She had nowhere to go anyway, so she spent the night on the forest floor all alone. She didn't even care about what could happen at that time.

Mercedes cracked her eyes open. The sun welcomed her to another day. She stood down for a second to assess where she was along with trying to remember the events prior. It all came rushing and hit her like a ton of bricks. She quickly sat up, but she was no longer on the forest grounds. She was in a hospital bed, or she assumed it was a hospital by seeing hospital-related charts on the wall. Fear consumed her when she saw herself in a hospital gown and out of the clothes she had on. She was confused, and she had questions that needed answers. She carefully got down from the bed and headed for the door.

But she was too weak, and she fell forward, on her knees. The door opened, and she saw long slender legs, clad in gladiator sandals. She looked up and saw a woman a little bit older than her in a white coat, black bobbed hair, piercing blue eyes that creased on the corners, and the brightest smile anyone has ever given her. The surprises never ended. It was one thing after another.

" Hey there. "I see that you are already awake." Mercedes willed all the strength she had and stood up to the women's height. She was on the downside. The woman was taller than her. She did not say a thing, not really knowing what to say to a stranger or doctor.

" Oh, I'm sorry," she giggled. " Where are my manners? "My name is Crystal Perez. "Doctor Perez," she clarified, offering her hand for a handshake. Mercedes took a second and linked their palms together, not wanting to be rude to the first person to talk to her with a smile on their faces. " Uh... I-I Mercedes," she responded. She was also amazed by how beautiful the woman in front of her was. Her silky black hair, small button nose, and long elegant neck. She started to feel insecure. She hadn't even showered for days, and she surely had a bird's nest for hair. She inwardly groaned and cringed, imagining her awful appearance.

" Alright, Mercedes. "How are you feeling now?" she asked, helping her back on the bed and laying her down.

" Like I have been run over by a truck over and over again." She was not going to say that out loud, but it just came out. Crystal smiled. " I feel you." She examined her, and she silently jotted something on her clipboard. She was very focused on what she was doing, but Mercedes interrupted her. " I'm sorry Doctor... Crystal, but can you tell me where I am?"

Crystal paused and looked at her. " You are in a clinic. "You were found in the forest, and you were brought to me for treatment." Crystal made sure to answer as cryptically as she could. She could not afford to let it slip that she was in the White Claw Pack clinic. She saw that Mercedes was going to keep asking questions, so she quickly decided to divert her attention.

" You were in pretty terrible shape when they found you. Barely breathing and your heart rate was low," she informed her, scanning her expression to try and read her. But she was blank. Her eyes were just empty, and she could not figure out what she was thinking. Crystal wanted to inquire about the scars that marred her body, but she felt that she would be overstepping, or maybe it was a sensitive topic.

" Thank you for saving me. "You shouldn't have, but thank you," Mercedes said to her, leaving her confused. She was wondering if Mercedes wanted to die. Was she suicidal? She was told to try and gather as much intel she could about who Mercedes was and what she was doing outside pack borders being chased by a rogue. Crystal just had to find out anything that could help. She really felt sorry for Mercedes. She looked so young by she was already looking lifeless. The scars attested to her struggles.

" No need to thank me. "I must save lives," she smiled tenderly and placed her hand on Mercedes's, and extended her support. A strange emotion went through Marcedes. She was experiencing new things. She had just met a person who was nothing but sweet to her, and it almost felt unreal. Everyone saw her as nothing and just treated her like shit. It was strange for a person to talk to her for longer than a minute.

" What happened out there, Mercedes? "Why were you in that state?" she asked with her tone laced with worry if only her mother treated as half as Crystal treated her in the last couple of minutes. But there was no use in thinking about it now. " I-I don't know," she replied in a daze. " I had a long day, and I was trying to get away from something, but... someone followed me." I had to run into the woods. I-I-saw something that I won't ever forget. I didn't know it was possible in real life. "Last night's events were a bit hazy," she concluded. Mercedes purposefully left out the part of seeing a human turn into a werewolf because who in the world would believe that? She still couldn't believe it herself.

She was afraid if she said it, they would immediately send her to the psychiatric ward for evaluation. So she couldn't risk that. She would keep that fact to herself. " Did you see that person's face?"

Mercedes shook her head. " No, no, I didn't get a good look at his face, but there was one thing that stuck out. He had a big scar-like he had been attacked by an animal. " Without realizing it, Mercedes was disclosing what had happened to Crystal. Crystal listened tentatively to what she had to say. She surmised that it was a rogue werewolf who followed and tried to hurt her. She was rescued by the border patrol.

She smiled. " Well, I am glad that nothing happened to you. All we have to do now is get you patched up and good to go. "Do you have any place to go after here?" Mercedes went quiet. She didn't want to tell Crystal that she did not have anything or anywhere to go. Crystal looked at her expectantly to tell her something and she decided to lie.

" Yes. I am going to... my aunt's house upstate. She is expecting me in a few days. " Crystal saw through Mercedes's lie, but she did not say anything just so she would not make her more uncomfortable than she already was. " Okay then. I'll prescribe you some painkillers for the pain you are feeling. And if you want to, you can continue taking rest. I have to go make some rounds, but I will send someone with food for you.

Mercedes nodded her head in appreciation and laid back comfortably on the bed. She closed her eyes with a small smile on her face. Whatever comes from now on, she will deal with it later. For now, she will just enjoy the small peaceful time in her life before it becomes all chaotic.

For the past several months, rogues have been attacking packs but never taking over the land. It looked like they were in pursuit of something or someone. No one knew anything. The Werewolf Counsel had summoned all Alphas to come together to try and stop the attacks. There were already so many casualties and fallen packs. And if no one stood against those rogues, the werewolf's existence would be under threat.

Felix was in his study managing paperwork for his pack's affairs. He was the Alpha of the White Claw Pack, and he was responsible for everything that concerned his pack. And now his main aim was to protect all his pack members from the feral rogues. The rogues attacked many surrounding packs, but he managed to save many of them and claim their lands to expand his pack. If the Alphas were not dead, he offered them to remain in their position, but he had the ultimate control.

Last night an incident happened by the park borders. A human girl was about to be attacked by a rouge. He was surprised that she even got that far because the pack was a distance from the road and out of sight unless a person felt like taking a really long hike in the forest, which was unlikely.

For centuries, the werewolves have been living in the shadows and undetected. Some werewolves lived in plain sight among humans, so long they did not disclose their identity. If a werewolf wanted to disclose its identity to a human, they had to seek permission from the committee. But the exceptional cases were if it was about mates. Each werewolf is born with a mate. Their other half was chosen by the Moon Goddess, the creator of all werewolves. When he or she comes of age and shifts for the first time, they are likely to sense their mate.

A soul-binding bond between 2 individuals. The thing is, even though it is fate, a person can choose to accept or reject it. But it's not an easy thing for both parties, and it sometimes leads to insanity for both parties, because denying what is meant to be has consequences.

Felix had everything. He was an excellent alpha, and he made a name for himself. He had his pack's love and respect and the admiration of many. But that was nothing compared to the joy of having a mate. When he first turned, he anticipated finding his mate. He was so sure that it would not take long, but it did. He had to watch his best friend Jake and Beta find a mate and then everyone else. He never lost hope, and he searched for her in different packs and even tried human territory, but to no avail. He had a lot of questions but no one was going to give him the answer he needed. All his achievements and victories did not mean a thing without his mate, but he had to keep going strong because he had a duty to protect and lead his people.

While doing paperwork, he awaited the results of the girl who was rescued. He had not yet seen her, but he made sure she was in good hands. As soon as she recovered, he was going to call his old friend Alexa, a witch, so that she could erase her memory of werewolves. He couldn't take the risk of letting her go with what she had seen. For now, she had to stay in the pack clinic until the deed was done.

Felix heard a knock on the door and then it swung open. Jake entered and went towards him. He raised his head from the paperwork and gave Jake his attention. " Are you still in your study? Won't you go see our patient?" he asked curiously. Felix sighed and laid back in his chair. " I have been busy, and I have not had a chance to get out of here. Besides, there is no need for me to grace the presence of a human trespasser. I have you for that." He smirked at Jake.

" What would you do without me?!" Jake exclaimed sarcastically and took a seat." So, how's the situation? Is she alright?"

" You mean is Mercedes alright. And yes, she is fine, just has a little bruising here and there," he replied. Felix's eyebrow rose in question. " Her name is Mercedes? As in a Mercedes-Benz car?"

Jake gave him an incredulous expression. " No, not a Mercedes-Benz car, but a name. Haven't you heard of the name before?" He shook his head. " No, I haven't. But it is a nice name."

" By the way, Crystal had a chat with her and asked her some questions about herself, but she did not divulge much. She said nothing about werewolves to Crystal," Jake said. She is different. If it was someone else, they would have already opened their mouths and ranted about what they saw. But then again, humans find it hard to believe supernatural or paranormal activities without proof. Everything needs proof, even your own identity. But still, the risk was too great. The last thing they needed was nosy humans out to prove a theory of supernatural existence.

" She might still he in shock and taking it all in. For all she knows, she could have just been hallucinating everything. If she is a smart one, she didn't risk being dragged to the looney bin." Jake chuckled at what Felix said.

" But there is something strange about this," Jake stated in thought. Felix looked at him in confusion. " What do you mean by that?"

" I mean that girl, Mercedes, shouldn't have made it that far while being chased by a werewolf," he paused and looked at Felix, whose wheels were already turning. " Do you-" Felix cut him off. " No, I didn't think so. Did you not say that she was completely human, with no trace of supernaturalism?"

" Before you dismiss the thought, Felix. Take into consideration that there are late bloomers. Maybe she is something, but she isn't aware of it. But what I'm sure of is that no normal human can outrun a werewolf with such speed."

" I think we should let it be. We have too much on our plate already to be concerned about her. As long as she does not create any problems while she is here, she can be whatever it is that she is. Although I still think she is just a human," Jake nodded his head and surrendered. There was no use prolonging the conversation if Felix was shutting it down. Maybe he was right. He should not put too much thought into her. In a few days, she will be gone. But there was something about her, he could not put a finger on. The rouge that was after she let her run from him. He did not want to harm her or else he would have on the second he got the chance. But he did not, and he even risked crossing the White Claw pack borders. He wanted something with her. Even though he had no clue what it was, his gut told him it was important.

One thing about Jake is that he is an analytic man who thought about everything to a T. And if something didn't add up, he strived to connect the pieces of the puzzle. He was pulled out of his mystery-solving thoughts.

" By the way, why is Crystal still working? I thought I told her to focus on herself other than others, because she is expecting." Jake smiled at the mention of his mate and the pup they were awaiting. Crystal Perez is his mate. He found her in the neighboring packs that they rescued. She is an omega. The lowest rank in the werewolf hierarchy. She was not in the best of conditions. Her whole life she had been no more than a mere slave to all the pack members, and she was even sexually abused by most of the males, including the Alpha of the pack.

That caused her to have internal damage and be unable to conceive. All that did not make Jake love her any less than she deserved. In fact, he loved her more. For all those times she felt unloved. When they decided to start a family, they faced difficulties. Jake made sure to assure Crystal that he would continue to love her as he did even if they never got to have their own child.

But then a miracle happened. The Moon Goddess blessed them with the pup they had been longing for, and they couldn't be happier.

Jake wished that fortune could smile upon his dear friend Felix. He knew he felt obligated to share in their joy, but it broke him. Everyone was happy but him. He had to watch and celebrate other people's happiness but received none of his own.

" You know Crystal. She loves her work bloody too much, and I could get her to sit in. She says she won't be able to cope without anything to do, and it will take her thoughts where she doesn't want them to go if she does not keep her busy. So I told her she could continue to work so long as she doesn't overwork herself. And when she starts to swell, she will retire for the remainder of her pregnancy."

Felix noticed the spark that shined brightly in his orbs when he spoke of his mate. Envy and pain coursed through his veins, but he mastered the art of masking his emotions. He knew that pitied him, but as long as he didn't look pitiful they would not openly express it.

" And you? Are you ready to be a father?"

" Who is ever ready for anything in life, much less fatherhood? I have been longing for this for a while, so I would like to believe that I am ready for what is to come with fatherhood." Jake expressed his joy and Felix faded into his words, lost in thoughts. He kept asking himself if he had done anything to anger the Moon Goddess for her to forsake him. It was killing him, and it would only be a matter of time before he snaps and loses his head. His sanity was hanging on by the thread.

" Well, take it from me. You will become a great father to your child and Crystal is the luckiest to have you by her side. Take care of her," he said to Jake with all sincerity.

" Your day shall come too. Do not lose faith in the Moon Goddess. She does not forsake anyone. You will find your mate, and you will have everything you want in her," Jake declared. Felix laughed humorlessly. " From your lips to Goddess' ears, my friend."