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 message.
I chose not to give a response and head to the bathroom to wash my face. After, I sat on the chair inside the room and placed the tray on the table.
My mouth drools upon seeing how delicious the served food was. I grabbed the spoon and start digging in.
I ate in silence, thinking of what to do today before the ball.
Invitations were sent to me together with the food. It'll be our key to enter the ball. The invite indicates the time the event will start which was 7 o'clock in the evening. I kept the invites safe, making sure it won't be lost or misplaced otherwise I'll be doomed.
I have the dress that Ophelia bought for me so I don't need to buy one from the shops which what it usually should.
It's an olive green dress with slit on both legs. The color Ophelia picked sure compliments the shade of my deep green eyes.
A silver pair of heels comes with the dress. Ophelia being the fashion addict that she is will never style me with an incomplete package. She knew I suck at dressing up.
I also have a silver necklace with the Regal packs's crest as its pendant. Paired with an inch long silver earrings.
I'm sure I'll shine tonight at the ball. Literally. The thought made me want to toss every shining stuff in my luggage. But of course, I didn't.
I also need to make my face presentable. I never do make-ups well but I knew the basics. I guess I can fix myself for the ball tonight.
With all those task aside, Im left with nothing to do for the rest of the day.
I was thinking of shifting into my wolf form and roam the Prime land. I love to have a run, to ease my feelings and feel free, but I'm scared someone will track my scent.
I'm lucky if its my mate I'll find as my mission will be done
but if not, then I'll have a mateless wolf running after me.Despite the last thought, I badly want to shift and run in this territory. It's a huge land, mostly green. The air is fresh, ambiance here is calming that I'd want to rest with nature.
I feel like I can roam around freely without judging eyes stabbed at my back unlike to my pack. Here, no one knew me.
Its like living a new life. Creating new identity.
For the first time in my life, I was grateful for having a mate away from home. Its the first time I felt grateful with this mate thing.
With my inhibitions, I decided to go for that run. Planning ahead for safety routes, I'll probably head to the river. Its mostly woods on the way and less chance of being spotted.
I took a shower and wore a loose shirt with short shorts. I did not bother to wear anything inside since I'll be shifting later. I went out of the guesthouse, making sure to avoid crowds.
I bought a bottled water at a store, making sure the storekeeper is a woman. I'm starting to have anxiety with my wolf's abnormality.
Since the back of the guesthouse is the woods, I decided to start from there. Quite thankful that everyone around me are females. Luck is still on my side since male wolves needed to stay out of the guest's sight before the mapping ball. The idea is to prevent men from distinguishing their mate before the party and breaking the purpose of the ceremony.
As I walked in the woods, one hand holding a bottled water, I looked for a tree big enough to cover me. I need to take off my clothes so I won't rip it when I shift.
I settled as I saw one. Looking sideways, I made sure no one is around. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head, stripping my shorts after.
The cool wind wrapped my naked skin, cold breeze of air coming from lips as I breathe. I called for my wolf, wanting to feel the warmth of fur all over me and shifted in my wolf form.
The feeling is serene. I loved how welcoming the nature is in this land. As I landed in all fours, I'm thirsty to have a run.
I started my way up North. I can smell the river ahead, hearing the currents and chirps of birds clear in my ears. My wolf happily ran fast towards the river.
I run fast and free. At this moment, nothing bothers my mind as if every hard thoughts I have now faded. My wolf is enjoying herself, telling herself that she belonged here. That this is where she should be.
I reached the clearing to be amazed by how beautiful the scenery is. Clear blue waters gushing freely in the river, green grass and tall trees surrounds. I love it!
The river is calling to me, for me to jump and take a swim. I did.
I jumped in the air, ready to fall in the cold water. Just when I was about to land in the water, I shifted back into my human form, making a perfect dismount.
The cold water made my naked skin shiver, almost painful but also relaxing. I swam until I'm out of breathe.
I inhaled deep, letting the air flow back to my lungs, filling it.
Suddenly, I snapped my neck to my right. I can smell a wolf. Someone's here!
I hid myself down the water, crossing my arms on my chest. Feeling visible under the clear water.
Bones snapping and clothes stretching is what I heard next. The wolf just shifted in his human form.
A guy around my age showed himself coming behind a tree. He's wearing a short but left his chest bare. He have blonde-brown messy hair, tall and lean.
"Why are you here?" His voice sounds irritated. With knotted forehead, he eyed me boldly making me wrapped my chest more.
He took a step forward but not too close. My breath is hitching from the cold.
"I..."
"Are you one of the guests?" He cut my words, focusing his eyes on mine.
I nodded. Unable to speak from shivering. Damn I need to get out of the water now or I'll die from freezing!
"Walk out of the water. And wear this." He threw a black shirt on the ground and turned his back on me, giving me privacy.
I hesitated at first but when another cold wind pass me, I pulled myself out of the water.
My moves are quick, needing to get out of the cold. I grabbed his offered shirt and wear it, the hem reaching mid-thigh. The fabric is not helping the freezing feeling tormenting my skin.
The guy looked my way again once I'm dressed. My arms are still wrapped in front of my chest, trying to have a self-warmth which eventually failed. I'm freezing!
"I'm Nick, the Beta of the Prime. This part of the land is off-limits!" His voice raise a bit and hasn't changed, still irritated and a bit tired at that.
So he's the Beta. I only know pack information and the names of those in higher rank position but not how they look. This Nick is good looking. Cruz would be a Beta like him in a few weeks. How I missed that guy.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I promise I won't come here again." I said, trying to control my shaking voice. I'm not scared, just freaking freezing!
Nick sighed, dropping his eyes on the ground before shutting it tightly.
"I'm sorry I raised my voice. I'm just too tired handling everything while our Alpha is out there nowhere."
I was shocked by his change of mood. He just started whining to a stranger, he might not be too strict as he looked.
I saw how Nick's eyes widened, probably realized what he had just said.
"Damn it!" He cursed under his breath. "Pretend you didn't hear that." He ordered but his expression is almost child-like. He looked cute in a way.
"I didn't hear every words you said." I said, grinning ears to ears now. I'm still freezing but I'm starting to enjoy talking with Nick.
He sighed in relief and smiled at me.
"Let me walk you back to the guesthouse." He said, starting to be friendly.
We walked forward to the forest. I'd like to shift back in my wolf form since I'm still freezing but since Nick offered me a company back to the guesthouse, I thought I shouldn't.
"So where is your Alpha?" I decided to ask. I've been curious about it when he mentioned that earlier. Alpha's must be present at the ball tonight. It's a pack tradition and its the Alpha's job to witness every new She-Wolves his pack will have. Also, if the Alpha is mateless yet, he must be there.
"You said you'll pretend you didn't hear it." Nick's eyes are looking at me, widened in disbelief. I chuckled. His face is so funny right now.
"Sorry. I was just curious. It's the mapping party later and Alpha's should be there."
He sighed agreeing at my words. "I don't know where he is. I've been looking for him but I can't find him anywhere. Every works was left behind and I finished all of them in his behalf. That doesn't made me happy." His whines are so childish. If I'm not in the mood for humorous talk right now, I might have said its his job as a Beta. But I just laughed at him.
"That river is my last resort. If he was not there then I don't know where he is. That's his spot. That's why its off-limits. If he's the one who found you, you could be dead right now."
"Well, I guess I'm lucky its you who found me."
"You bet." He said grinning at me.
I laughed again. He's so full of himself but whines because of overworks. I'd like to say it to his face but didn't.
He paused walking and stare at nowhere. I was confused before I realized he must be talking with someone through his mind.
He closed his eyes and sighed a heavy breath before looking down at me. "I need to make a detour. You can go back by yourself?"
I nodded my answer and said my thanks. He nodded at me, his face looking serious again before turning his back at me. Running with his inhuman speed.
As for me, I decided to shift on my wolf saying sorry to Nick's-now ripped-shirt and run back to where I left my clothes.
Nick's POV
I was running South where one of the wolf guards told me they spotted Aiden.
That guy has been gone since yesterday night and blocked everyone from his mind, not letting us send a message.
I was exhausted from all the works he left behind. He never leave his works unfinished but now.
If Aiden is at the South part of the land then he must be in the ruins.
I've reached it and spotted him leaning his back on a big tree near the ruined building. This building used to be the pack building before a war took place between the Ravenous pack. It was a tragic war, many of our wolves died and some home was burned down to ashes. Aiden's father was the Alpha back then.
Aiden was naked and unconscious. Numerous bottle of liquor on the ground everywhere.
I walked to him slowly.
"How'd you find me?" Aiden said with low growl. He then sniffed in the air. "Who're you with?"
"Some guest who got lost." I replied, slightly unsure why he asked. He just shrugged so I let it go.
"What happened to you? The ball will be in a few hours. You can't attend it wasted." I kicked some of the bottles stumbling my way. I swear I sound like a mom now.
"Like I can get drunk." He said. Yeah, well, his immunity with alcohol is way over average.
I sighed. "What's your problem, man!" My tone is frustrated and irritated by his behavior. Lately, he's not in his usual. Something's bothering him and I know it's his wolf.
"I found my mate." He scoffed, sounding unhappy and disappointed.
"Really? Who was it?"
"I never did see her. I just know she's here. I smelled her scent." Aiden's voice is hoarse, tired.
I know he never liked the thought of having a mate. Well, I understood him. Despite what happened in the past, I'm sure he won't like the idea of having one.
"Your howl scared everyone last night." I informed him. Im serious! I felt his pain through our pack bond that I almost peed on my pants.
"That's not me. It's my wolf. It's angry that I'm rejecting the idea of having her. He's frustrated that we didn't catch her. The scent was gone in a blink, we didn't meet her."
Our wolfs can be annoying at times like having our mate. Its hard to control when it wants to be around his female. If my Alpha is having a hard time, then I can just imagine how it feels. Alpha's have the stronger control of their own wolf. But I guess when it comes to mates, Alpha is not an exception.
"You should be at the ball tonight." Whatever is happening between him and his wolf, he can't abandon his role tonight.
He growled, getting agitated by the thought that he was left with no choice.
"I know." He answer in defeat.
I sighed. I wonder how it felt like to have a mate your wolf want but your humanity refuses to have. Its not like the human side of Aiden can shut the bond. His wolf will torment him for sure.
Aiden stood up, no expression can be read in his eyes. This kind of sight from him screams how dangerous he can be.
"You know, not everyone will be like her." I want to cut my tongue as the words slipped my mouth. Damn! I'll be killed with my own clumsiness.
I was expecting for Aiden to beat me to pulp but no reaction came from him.
"She can be all she want but I'll never be stupid like my father." A sharp growl escaped from Aiden's throat before he jumped in the air and land on the ground in his black wolf.
I watched him run away to the center, back from home.
I want to believe with his words but having a mate is like being chained. If Aiden can fight his wolf, then his words may be true. Otherwise, he'll be hell bent on his mate's feet.
"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
Aiden's POV The bond between mates is the best thing any other wolf can ask for. It completes us, filling us with unthinkable happiness. And that's happening to me now. I can feel it. Every bit of me can't ask for more when I'm around Ashira. I'm an Alpha yet I can only control to be away from her for hours. Far from what I expected. I denied to claim her. I want to know her first, to see for myself if she has an ounce of greed for power. Just like how I see my mother. I grew up with her words, 'to be the best'. She came from the top wolf pack of the North and she expects nothing but best from me and my father. When Raekon takes over her previous pack from her brother, Uncle Zeuracious, I saw how bewildered and uneasy she become. For her, only our bloodline can be the best. And it should stay that way. When her brother was thrown off his title as Alpha, she did not like it. I witnessed her thirst to be the first. To be on top. To give the crown back to her own blood. Her hunger
His lips crushed into mine as he put his weight on me. We lay flat on the bed with his body on top of mine. I moaned in between our lips as Aiden deepened the kiss, hungry for more.I can feel my body trembled with his every touch, feeling the ecstatic sensation that's flowing from the contact of our skin."Aiden..." His name came out of my lips in a whisper when he let go of the kiss. His arms support his weight to watch me beneath him. Those golden brown eyes scream possession, desire, and intensity.His gaze moved down to my neck, to where he put his claim."It looks good on you." He whispered, then he trailed his fingers on the fresh wound that made me close my eyes."You shocked me though." I gave him a weak smile, it's true. He just barged inside my room and decided to claim me in an instant. I did not prepare myself for the pain but I'm glad it's not too painful."I'm sorry." He then put his weight on top of me and nuzzled my neck. Gi