Bella POV

I shook off the thoughts I had and channeled my mind to thinking of something better, of something worthy of me celebrating my birthday. It was my special day and I should make it seem so.

I had already done my morning duty, so I needed to do something, but what could I do?

I sighed looking around the room of the quarter. It was quite old and needed some polishing.

Since Mrs. Scott died, I hadn't been given the materials required to make the quarter look like a home. Right now, it looked more like a birdhouse.

I sighed painfully.

Remembering what happened last week, at the library, my heartbeat hastened. I had been deeply hurt by what happened.

Suddenly, I heard my name.

"Bella." Mr. Scott called.

I immediately left the room to attend to him but was met with a surprise.

In his hand was a tray of cake, and I wondered who it was for.

"Come closer." He said, and I did.

He placed the tray in my hand and immediately left.

"What just happened?" I asked myself.

On the tray was a card which I read. He only did this in honor of his wife.

I took the tray in with me to my quarters with a smile on my face. I still felt some discomfort in me.

I finally ate the cake and laid on my bed to rest.

I rested for a short while, then went to the house to do my duty. Immediately, after I finished doing my duty, I walked down to the door to get back to my room, but stopped when passing one of his friends' rooms. I was tired but had to stop hearing my name.

I slightly opened the door prayerfully as I wanted to know what they were saying about me. I knew I could get caught eavesdropping, and if I was caught, I would be punished severely.

"Do not worry, tonight is ours." Mr. Kay said. "I am going to fuck her, then you can have her."

"We both will go into her, and it's going to be fun." Mr. Josh said.

My eyes widened as I listened to this conspiracy of theirs.

"It's going to be fun, we're all going to have our turn with her. What an amazing moment." Another voice said.

"We are going to have real-life porn. With her little thing." Another said, laughing.

"I know we all anticipated that, but let's keep in mind..." Mr. Kay was saying when the third person spoke up.

"We shouldn't let Scott know about this." He said.

"Yes, we shouldn't." Mr. Josh said.

"Come on, away with him, let's enjoy the moment." The fourth person said.

"Don't you have feelings?" Another asked. "Aren't you afraid?"

"Afraid of what?" Mr. Josh asked laughing. "I do not believe in whatever curse they say she has."

My ears tickled as I kept listening to them.

"We won't force her, but do it peacefully." Mr. Kay said.

"But why would you do that?" The person who considered me asked.

"Come off it, guy. It's going to be fun." Mr. Kay replied. "We all will get into her, and if she refuses to comply then we'll have no choice but to take it by force."

They all laughed except the person who considered me, and I was shocked at this.

I closed my eyes as tears threatened to flow down. They were conspiring to have their way with me.

Mr. Kay had the key to my quarter, so it would be easy for them to get in. I also couldn't fight any of them now talking of the four of them. Meanwhile, I wasn't ready to give out my virginity to some rapist.

I needed to do something to escape this, I couldn't just stay waiting for something to happen, though someone considered me.

"Are you okay with this?" Another person asked.

"Of course." Another person said smiling. "I do not care what we all do to her. She is good for nothing, and deserves to be fucked."

I shook my head, hearing this, but kept listening.

"That is good, we are all against one." Mr. Kay said, and I guess they meant the person who was against it. "Tonight, we are going to strike."

Hearing this, I silently walked away. I could still remember the lady who they killed. I rushed out of the house and into my quarter, locking the door behind me.

I walked to my bag, then to the wardrobe, and got everything I needed into the bag. I could no longer live with them. I had chosen to remain a virgin till I got to know who my mate was. I will keep myself for my mate.

I threw in all I would need. From the calculation I made, they were going to strike around midnight, so I needed to leave before midnight when no one would see me.

Done packing all that I thought I should need, I pushed the bag underneath the little table in the room.

I picked up a book and busied myself reading it, but my mind wasn't on what I was reading, so I just hummed a song until I fell asleep.

In the evening, I had a little snack and then went to the house to perform my duty. My mind skipped anytime I saw either men who were in the room or even the man who was against them.

Immediately after performing my duty, I walked out to the quarter.

My heart began pounding immediately after I entered the room. I walked to the tap and drank from it.

"Everything is going to be alright, Bella," I told myself. "You are doing the best you can do to save yourself for the one you are meant for."

I laid on my bed to rest a bit, but I fell asleep, only to wake up minutes later. I looked around and then walked to the little table.

I climbed on it to see if the light was out but it wasn't.

I pulled open the cover and walked to my bed. I sat on it waiting for the light to go out.

Bella POV

When the light was finally out, I knew it would be better to escape before they could execute their plan. I got up from the bed and pulled on my jacket, walked to the table, and pulled out my bag from under the table. I wore a cowboy hat to disguise myself.

I walked out of the quarter with my head bowed as I didn't want anyone to recognize my face. Mr. Kay, along with his friends, might be on their way.

I increased the pace at which I moved, although silently.

I also didn't want to be seen by Mr. Scott or his children so I avoided passing by their windows. If I were ever to be caught by them while trying to escape, no one would come to help me, even though I screamed out.

I continued walking with the guidance of the street lights.

As I walked down into the woods, I heard voices not far away from me, which made me hide behind a tree. I slightly looked up to see who it was but didn't see anyone.

"Where is Kay?" I heard a voice ask. "We don't have much time. This must be done before Scott gets up."

"Do not worry." Mr. Josh said, "He has gone to get her."

Minutes later, I heard Mr. Kay's voice, "She isn't in her room."

"Where could she be?" Someone asked.

"I delayed in coming because I searched everywhere," Mr. Kay said. "Along with Drake, I have combed the surroundings in search of her."

"I guess she is somewhere around." Someone said. "Let's postpone our mission to tomorrow."

With that, they left for the house.

As soon as they left, I ran away immediately. I ran as fast as my feet could take me after observing the environment.

I ran with speed across the woods, not minding the sounds that I could hear. I ignored them all, running for my life without looking back or caring if anyone was trailing behind me.

After hours of running, I passed the pack's border. I didn't know where I was heading, but I knew my step was being led by the moon goddess.

I knew what it meant. I knew that I would probably become a rogue after leaving my pack but I care less. Rogues are werewolves who would kill anyone; they cause trouble for a pack. Many of them had been sent out of their packs for various reasons, some had betrayed their pack, and so on.

Now, I would be considered a rogue, and anyone who sees me would want to kill me, though I couldn't fight. But I found it better than staying in a pack where I am always maltreated.

I continued moving, not knowing where I was heading. I ran for some time then kept walking. The morning sky was already becoming clearer as the darkness began to fade out.

Exhaustion took over me as I hadn't slept, but I knew better than to sleep as I kept moving.

I prayed to the goddess that she wouldn't forsake me on this journey I was embarking on.

"Over there!" I heard someone say.

I looked for somewhere to hide as I wasn't sure who it was. I didn't want to get caught by them.

I looked around but there was nowhere to hide, making me pant lightly.

"Do not make any move." I heard a voice say with authority, but I didn't know to whom it was directed, as I saw myself in a large area. The words were followed by a growl, which made me freeze.

"No!" I screamed in my head.

Fear gripped me as I widened my eyes. I saw someone approach me and I moved back slightly.

"I said do not move." The man said.

I nodded and followed the man strangely.

Suddenly, he stopped and stared into my eyes; I also stared into his eyes. His eyes were beautiful, getting me completely mesmerized. It felt like the whole world stopped as we continued staring into our eyes. It felt like I was under a spell.

I felt warm as I stared into his eyes, this sent a shiver down my spine.

Suddenly, he transformed into a wolf with his gaze still on mine. It shook its body, making a laugh escape from my lips. It jumped, making me fall to the ground.

This time, it transformed back into a man. I looked away a bit shy or scared, I can't tell.

I turned to look at him, and before me stood a wonderful creature. I could now see him. I pouted my lip as I busied myself admiring him.

With a smile on his face, he stared into my eyes. This made me blush even more as I lay still on the ground.

He had long lashes that grew against his cheek. His smile was cute as he looked down on me. He had high cheekbones and a cute jawline which made me salivate. He was in short, so beautiful.

I thought of touching his jaw, but I was down while he was up. I had to get up to do that. Moreover, it was a little bad to do it to a stranger, but my hand wanted to do it. I got up and touched his jaw, making him smile.

He closed his eyes and allowed a soft groan to escape his lips. Opening his eyes, he stared at me smiling.

The word that escaped his mouth changed my life forever.

"Mate!" He called.

I blushed at this word, but realization dawned on me. What did he just call me? Mate?

"What did you just call me?" I asked as the realization of his words dawned on me. "Mate?"

He nodded his head smiling sheepishly.

"Yes, I did."

I shook my head as I thought I had heard another thing. I repeated my question to him again, and he replied with the same answer.

"I just thought to make myself happy," I said. "I'm not your mate. Do not call me that."

He smiled, shaking his head, and moved closer to me; his eyes gleamed with intensity. It looked like he was angry with me.

Bella POV

"I said it, you are my mate. You decide if you want or not. But, you are my mate." He gritted his teeth at me.

How can I be his mate? But he called me, his mate, how possible is that?

I knew there was something about him, something I would like to know. He seems familiar. I felt free with him, but I wasn't sure why. He is my mate. His smell was intoxicating. He had huge arms, I felt like wrapping myself on.

I felt a warm sensation as I looked at him with a smile on my lips. A voice in my head was happy and shouted Mate, but I shook my head. The voice came again and I let out a sigh.

Suddenly, I remembered how the mate bond works.

Has my wolf come alive? It said the word MATE again.

The mate bond drew me close to him and I felt my eyes lost in his. He also stared into mine, with cold and distant eyes. This made me move back a bit. I felt a bit uncomfortable looking into his eyes. I have never seen a man so beautiful as he is, and no man had dared move close to me as they all feared death. But here is a man staying comfortable with me.

"Get away," I said, thinking he would realize that he was making me uncomfortable, but he remained still.

"Do you know how much I have always wanted to see you?" He asked.

"I don't care, I don't care, just get away," I said.

He stared at me and shook his head, but I still insisted that he leave. I no longer dared to want a mate.

He sighed and picked up his clothes.

I blushed as all types of unholy thoughts came rushing into my mind. I had never thought such about anyone, but this was different.

"Alright, let's go. He said and walked away.

I stared at him. He didn't wait for me to follow him, but just said it with a commanding tone, but I wasn't going to obey him; I didn't come here to be a slave.

"I am going nowhere," I said, watching his retreating step.

He was a stranger so why should I follow him?

"I won't repeat myself to you." He said with anger, but it did me nothing as I stood still waiting for his actions.

"I am going nowhere. Trust me," I said confidently.

He turned to me and marched forward, making me tremble. I moved back as he continued moving toward me. I was scared that he would harm me as he wore a cold expression.

He walked up to me in no time and raised me to his shoulder.

"What do you think you are doing? Drop me." I shouted, hitting his arm.

I felt so much pain in my hand as I hit him, but I guess he didn't feel anything as he kept moving.

I stopped hitting him as I felt so much pain in my hands.

"What is wrong, sweetheart? Can't you continue?" He asked with a smirk on his face.

"Do not ever call me that. I am not your sweetheart." I said, angrily.

"I'm sorry but I do not take orders from people like you." He said.

"What?"

"You are a rogue." He said.

"Get this right, I am not a rogue. I am just lost." I said.

"Lost?"

"Yes, I am unable to find my way, so I am lost," I said.

"Oh great, you are lost. What a pleasure!" He snapped at me.

"Just drop me. I can walk by myself, and you know that," I said, rolling my eyes.

"I won't drop you." He said still moving.

"Why then are you talking to me and where are you taking me?" I drawled.

"I am talking to you because you are my mate and I am taking you back to the pack house." He said.

I felt my body stiffen immediately after he said this.

"Don't take me back there." I pleaded and he wore a smirk.

"Just calm your nerves. I'm not taking you back to your pack." These words relieved me.

"Then where are you taking me?"

"Dark pilot pack." He said.

My eyes widened when I heard what he said.

It is the most powerful pack in the world, with its Alpha being ruthless. People who passed the land were always executed instantly. I have heard many stories of how the Alpha killed many people and I didn't want to be part of that.

He isn't known by people as he keeps himself away from people, but now, being with him, I feel terrible.

"Leave me alone, please. I didn't trespass. I don't want to die." I pleaded.

I could feel his body stiffen but he relaxed immediately.

"I'm not ready to die."

"Be quiet." He ordered.

I murmured some words and he held his breath.

"I told you to be quiet." He growled, tightening his grip around me.

I kept shut immediately, not allowing him to complete his words. After some minutes, I thought of it; he possibly could not kill me after all; I am his mate. But what if he doesn't consider me?

I have always thought meeting my mate for the first time would be fun and romantic like everyone that I have heard of and seen, but my own is different. I was carried by my mate like a sack of sand he wanted to bury. Why is my life all about suffering?

"What is going to happen to me?" I asked, fidgeting, but he didn't reply. "Are you taking me to the pack house so that I can be killed?"

Still, he didn't answer me, getting me worried.

"Remember, I am your mate; you can't allow me to be killed."

Still, he said nothing to me.

"Damnit, why don't you answer me?" I screamed, but still no response from him.

Seeing that he wasn't replying, I pouted as he continued walking.