Cruz's POV
"Ashi's on her way," I told my Dad, Eric. "I don't understand what's happening, Dad." My voice can't stop sounding frustrated.
I was with my Dad on a pack meeting when Dad received a message from the enchantress through the mind link.
He's the Beta. Every concern comes to him.
Today was the Mapping where the She-Wolves who reached the age of eighteen will know where their mate is from.
Something goes wrong with Ashira's mapping process. That's what I was sure of.
We immediately drove home once we received the news.
"Let's wait for Ashira. She must be looking for answers, as well. Once she's home, we'll talk."
My Dad said and he entered the door to his study. My mom, Ophelia, followed right after.
My Dad is the Beta of our pack. Regal pack. Alpha David's son, Victor, will take over the pack in a few weeks. He'll be given the Alpha title once his 21st birthday comes.
My Dad, as the Beta, will also step down once Alpha David invokes his title as Alpha. That's when I'll take over the Beta position.
I heard a loud thud of a Wolf getting nearer. My sense of smell tells me it was Ashira.
I ran towards the back door. She must have shifted! I took a robe hanging as I'm on my way out.
Ashira's white wolf stopped in front of me. Her wolf is really beautiful. She's not my real sister but I treat her like one.
I prepare the robe and held it wide with both hands. I made sure that the robe will conceal Ashira's naked body from my eyes once she shifts back.
'Close your eyes' her wolf said to me through our mind link. I did.
Like hell, I'll like to see that. I thought, almost rolling my eyes.
I felt her grabbing the robe from my hands.
A few seconds later, I opened my eyes, her being wrapped with the robe.
"What happened?" I asked. Ashira walked past me. She walked inside the house, probably toward my Dad.
"I don't know. Something went wrong with my mapping. I'm yet aware of what that means."
I followed her as we walked inside our Dad's study.
He is already seated on his chair, holding an old book. My mother standing beside him.
My Dad looked at us and my mother rushed to Ashi and held my sister in her arms.
"Everything will be alright," Ophelia assures Ashira. Ashi just nodded and looked at my Dad again.
"The Enchantress called me a 'stealer'." She said to my father. I can hear her voice shaking but she sounds more confused than scared.
"She can't be wrong. You might be." My Dad said as he took a deep breath.
"What does that mean? The way she said it to me, it's like I'm a danger."
We took a sit in front of father. I was just listening to our conversation, trying to understand every bit of it.
"It's not like that. You're not dangerous, Ashi. Being a stealer just means," Eric paused for a second as he waits my Mom get near her. Once she wrapped her arms around Dad, he continued. "You're able to produce a pup even with someone who's not your mate."
My eyes widened by surprise. That's rare! No, that's new! I haven't even learned that. A wolf is destined with a mate. We can only have a child with our mate. So hearing this makes me confused as hell.
I decided to speak when Ashi didn't. "Does that mean she can have more than one mate?"
Ashira is eighteen years old and the main reason why she can participate in the mapping ceremony.
With her age, she'll be able to feel the mate bond once she met the one.
But as per my Dad's words, does that mean that Ashira will be able to feel the mate bond with every wolf?
"No. Of course not. Her mate is the only one who can feel the bond. As well as you." My dad looked at Ashira as he said the last words. "That's something too special to share." Eric held Ophelia's hand as he said that.
"I heard a 'but," Ashira stated, sounding a little more calm than earlier. Maybe the thought that everyone won't fight over her because of her failure-mate bond is making her less worried.
"They will smell it on you." Sabi ni Eric kay Ashi. "Those wolves who's lost their mates will recognize you as a 'stealer'. Once they do, they'll bend everything to get you."
My mom's hand moved to rub on my father's back. I just noticed how my father is shaking. His wolf is getting angry from the thought.
"B-But why? I-I'm confused.."
"They may not feel the mate bond with you but since they lost their mates, they'll be able to know you're a stealer. And even though they are not your mate, they will settle with you because their wolf will be pleasured. Like your truly their mate.
It's as if a second chance to have a mate for those who already lost theirs."
I saw Ashira's body shake. She must be scared. I do. I'm scared for her but my wolf also knows we'll do everything to keep her safe.
"Ashira, listen to me. All you have to do is find your mate and complete the mating process."
The mating process will start with the guy taking his claim over the She-Wolf. It's done by biting on the middle of the neck and shoulder, not too deep but enough to leave a bite mark. After the claim, both should mate. Or have sex in the simplest form.
Some do the claim and have sex right after. Some do the claim first and wait for more time to get to know each other more before mating.
"Will that fix what I am now?" Ashira's breathing unevenly. Every piece of her is not liking the situation.
Eric shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. But.. someone will own your wolf. By then, your wolf will know who its mate is. It won't be confused once someone tries to take you. But you'll be able to resist those who want to steal you."
"She's called a stealer because she can be stoled?" I asked. Not sure if I said the right words.
"Yes. But also, she can steal other mates, Son." Eric said.
"What? I thought she's just in danger for those who lost their mate."
"Yes. That was the danger because she'll be in a lot of trouble once more than one wolf will want her. Since we all know that wolves without mates are a lot. But, she can also steal other's mates. Ashira's wolf can trick some werewolves into believing she is their mate. That happened decades ago and it's tragic."
"Tragic?"
"A stealer fell in love with an Alpha. The Alpha was mateless-yet, at that time. The stealer wants to be the Alpha's Luna, her greed of power and affection towards the Alpha pushed her to do it. So she seduced him. She tempted his wolf and made it believe she is the one mated for the Alpha. But the Alpha met his true mate. The Alpha was confused. Both She-Wolf holds a deep bond with his wolf."
"What happened then?" Ashira asked. Looking attentive.
"As I said, it's tragic. The Alpha decided to let both her mate have sex with other wolves."
"Wolves? That many? Why?" I exclaimed.
"It's to know which one was a stealer." My Dad simply explained. I noticed the silence Ashira was given while spacing out.
"That's absurd," I commented. Looking sideways at Eric and Ashira.
"Then what happened?" Ashira speaks again.
"The story said that the Alpha had his true Luna. And the stealer, well, she got pregnant by some wolf. It's said she was executed with the baby unborn. Some said she escaped. It is an old story so the ending has lost its consistency."
I watched how Ashira reacts to the story. She kept moving her knuckles, probably getting nervous about what she is.
I don't see her differently even after knowing all this. She's my sister. I knew her. She won't have the heart to do something like stealing other's mate.
"Ashira, don't be scared. It's gonna be okay." Ophelia said to her. She glanced up to her and dad than me. She let a small smile before speaking.
"I... I don't know what to do." Is all she said.
I can feel her frustrations and fear. The Beta blood in me is starting to kick in.
"I'll find more information that might help your case. This is rare and none from the Regal pack had encountered this." My Dad said.
I nodded and smiled at Ashi. "Everything's gonna be fine." I tried to assure her but deep inside, my wolf and I are so not sure.
"For now, avoid being with the crowd. Just have Lucy with you at all times. The worst thing to happen is for you to be found by a mateless wolf." Dad warned.
"Do you remember the first pack that showed on the map today?" Ophelia asked.
We all glanced her way. Confusion is present in our eyes. Both me and Dad not being sure what she meant.
"What? Don't you know? The first one to glow up is where your mate is. The mate bond is too strong that even a stealer can never be an exception from the mapping." My mother answered our question.
We looked at Ashira who looked reminiscing what happened earlier.
"It was.. the Prime pack."
Prime pack? That was the strongest pack of all. Their members are over 500 wolves and one-fourth of it are not fighters. The rest are the best in it.
"Having a mate from such a strong pack says you're on the luck's side," Dad said.
"Right." Ophelia seconded. "For now, stay away from the crowd as your father said. When the annual mapping party comes, you'll attend the ball. And you need to find your mate. You MUST find him."
Though her words put a huge pressure, it's the only way to do it for now.
Alpha Aiden's POV'We got trespassers.'My Beta, Nick, informed me through our mind link. Disturbing me from doing my thing.I growled as I pushed the She-Wolf who's straggling above me, kissing me hungrily. My wolf is in heat and it's so thirsty for sex these days... This girl on top of me is just one of many that I had today. Just as playtime. A way to ease my raging libido which is too eager to be pleased.The girl looked at me with a shocked face. Probably puzzled that I pushed her. We already fucked a couple of times and I can't feel any exhaustion. I want more.No, it's not the girl I that I want but... just sex.Still, Nick's news can't be ignored. I'm the Alpha of the strongest pack in this region. It's against me to prioritize pleasure over my responsibilities.And whoever trespassed my territory is brave enough to do so. N
I woke up from soft knocks on my door. Brushing my eyes with the back of my palm, I slipped on a robe and headed to the door.My head felt light when I woke up, feeling exhausted even after a deep slumber. I thought I can't sleep right away after the howl I had heard last night but my wolf is at peace, making me sleep soundly. None slightness feeling I'm near in danger.I was welcomed with a trolley pushed cart with food covered in cloche tray when I open the door. I can smell its delicious scent, almost savoring it. My stomach made a loud growl, making me feel how famished I was.No one was there. They just left the food behind. I pulled the trolley inside my room and closed the door, making sure to lock it again.'Food arrived, sleepyheads!' Someone mind-linked me and I was certain it was Ava. We are from the same pack and already met each other, being able to access the mind link.I guess she sent all five of us from Regal pack the same
"Never forget: You're always a villain in another's story."-jokerblade____________Ashira's POVOne last look at the mirror and I nodded to myself. I'm contented with my reflection. This is the best I can do anyway.I'm completely dressed up, ready to attend the ball. I fix my face with a light foundation since I'm not really a fan of it. I made my eyes in a light smoky black shade, just to emphasize my deep green eyes, and put some mascara on. I needed not to contour my face since its contrast is all in the right places, also-I don't know how to contour. My lips are in the shade of nude pink. My cheeks are naturally rosy and the thin foundation didn't cover it, so no need to put blush on.My hair falls straight in my waist not needing a straightener.I grabbed the invitation card, feeling my own life depends on this piece of paper, and
Thank you for reading this far!***His tight grip hurts my arm, making me flinch along with his dragging. I don't know where we're headed but we had passed the stairs, walking the hallway of the second floor.The loud sound of the music from the party didn't offset my heartbeat. Having him this close made every hair in my body stand, giving me such a newfangled feeling.I am relieved I found my mate but his powerful aura keeps making my knees tremble. I'm not okay with it but my traitor wolf is already submitting to his.'Stop being submissive! He hasn't claim us yet!'I nagged at my wolf but she just shrugged me off, I growled."I-I can walk!" I tried to make my voice tough but it came out in a whisper. I growled to myself, continuously nagged at my wolf.Aiden turned his head and looked at me, he didn't stopped walking nor let my arm go. His expression is somewhat in the middle
A lady in her thirties entered Aiden's office but I can't take my eyes off his back. I was not able to speak back to what he had said. I was left dumbfounded with the words I just heard.I'll never put my claim in you.Those words kept echoing in my ears while I felt numerous needle stabbed on my chest. I felt like I was poisoned by a venomous snake. My body's numb, my head feels hazy and my breathe hitched as I stare at Aiden's back. My wolf is in pain as well but its me who's taking most of the blow.I wanted to curse the bond between us. Not feeling its significance at the moment."My Luna," the lady greeted me with a low bow. She just acknowledged me as this packs' Luna yet my own mate think otherwise.Is he gonna reject me? He doesn't want me?Questions flood in my mind that I feel I'm going insane."Go with Aurea, she will assist you with everything you'll need. I don't want any male near you. Take that as a warning." A
I woke up embracing an unfamiliar feeling of emptiness. Only a faint smell of my mate is present in the house.He didn't come home last night.And there's a void inside of me that screams for my mate, for Aiden.My chest is heaving. Im starting to feel the need of seeing him and holding him. I want to wrap myself around him. This must be the second wave of the mate bond. Even if I don't want to feel this way, I can't control it.My anxiety towards the danger I may or may not be in, crept to me. Should I lock myself in his house until he'll claim me? But he said he would never do that. How should I live then?If some mateless wolf found me and claim me first before Aiden does, then I will be stolen from him. I was worried that might happen to me, I'm too attached with Aiden now. I can't think of myself away from him.Will all these affection fade once I'm claimed by another wolf?A part of me sides with the thought of being stolen
"Let's talk." His deep soft voice was heard behind the closed door.He tried to open the doorknob but stopped when he found that it is locked."Ashira."He called on me when I didn't respond to him. The way my name escaped his lips make me want to open the door and throw myself in his arms. Slowly, another wave of heat rose again within me. Making me groan softly. Damn it. The heat in me is present again.I clenched my hand on my chest, the breath heaving that is making me huff for more air. I hate how I feel when he's around, its confusing me."Open the door." His voice echoed on my head like I must heed on what he was saying. Is he using his power as the Alpha with me?I closed my eyes tight. Not anymore fighting the effects he sent to down my spine.I walked to the door and opened the lock. Slowly, I was met by the most beautiful golden brown eyes and I felt suffocated instantly.Everything around me blurring. Rewindi
Everything was blurry and most of what I can remember is crying on Aiden's shoulder while he hugged me tightly in his arms.I'm too emotional after hearing what happened to his parents and the pack. I can feel his pain while he hugged me close to him. I can feel his pain and the hardships he had after taking over the pack at a young age.The story about Alpha Zeuracious and the stealer also worries me but I set that aside when I heard about Alpha James and Luna Tina.Aiden's character while he's trying to comfort me is what I least expected of him. He's too soft and thoughtful of me right now that he seems like a different person. An attitude that I haven't seen from an Alpha.It must because I'm his mate that he can show me a different side of him. That might be also the reason why I can feel what he had felt. Despite the claim not happening between us, the bond is too strong to let those memories flow to me.Next thing I knew, he was carrying me