XIMENA POV…

“A mate was meant to be your soulmate chosen by the goddess to be your life’s partner, the one person whose soul fits with yours, you get merged together to form one, the one person whom the goddess deems fit to entrust your entire life with.” These were the words of mother.

“To us wolves, a mate is believed to be the turning point of your life, the one person who has the power to elevate your life, the one who brightens up your sad and miserable life, the one person who completes your soul.”

The more I remembered her words, the more unbearable the pain gnawing my heart was.

With shame, I made my way to the house where the whole family was waiting for me.

They stared at me expectantly, their faces filled with joy, I could see the bright glow on the face of my mother, father was glancing at me with pride.

My brothers weren’t left out, they couldn’t wait for me to share the good news, and I felt torn between telling the truth and lying to keep them safe.

The lump in my throat bobbed and it felt like my throat was about to be slit, the same way my heart had just been slit.

I trembled with agony, my aura dimming the excitement in the air. Happiness seemed so far away.

I’m a 23 year old omega, the daughter of the lowest ranking omegas in the park, everyone in the pack who were my age and younger had found their mates at the age of 18 and 19 but I was different.

I had found my wolf at the age of 19 and year after year, my whole family had been disappointed as they waited for me to find my mate.

I come from a family of five with two brothers who were working their ass off not only to meet up with the standards of life but to make something out of themselves because they also had mates to cater for and a family to start in the future.

Goddess knew if there was a person I could lie against, I’d have done it instantly without thinking. I had dashed out of the house while sniffing and everyone knew that was a sign of getting your mate.

Now I was beginning to regret why the goddess had given me my mate now… I was regretting leaving the house, I was regretting all the nights I had spent crying and pleading for a mate.

I was disappointed but it wasn’t close to the pain of rejection that was throbbing in my heart.

The more I thought about it, the more it hurt. “Tell us honey… Who is your mate?” Mom’s excited voice rang out. I doubt she was this excited when my brothers found their mate.

“Don’t be shy… Who is he?” Dad added, a grin on his face, they were standing, their faces filled with joy while anticipating.

“Is he an omega? Is he a guard? Is he a dignitary?”

“We aren’t discriminating, whatever rank he’s in, we are willing to accept him…” Hearing this from my brother almost made tears run down my cheeks.

My eyes were teary now. I felt like breaking into numerous pieces before them but oddly, I wasn’t.

“…” I opened my mouth to talk but all that could escape was a light sob. I didn’t have the heart to break theirs, or disappoint them.

I knew Dad’s shoulders would slump back and mother’s glow would disappear while my brothers would try to cheer me up and encourage me even though deep down they’d be sad for me.

“Tell us honey… Don’t make us wait for too long, we’ve waited so long for this and finally the great day has come…” Mom muttered and dad laughed heartily.

I could see my brother’s mate staring at me with anticipation too. Aarav and Kushim, my brothers, were beginning to notice my dark countenance now and their faces changed.

“What’s wrong? Were you hurt? Who is he? What did he do to you?” They asked, ready to kill for my sake and it only broke my heart even more.

I felt myself plunging deeper into sadness. “No… I…” I was gathering words.

“You can tell us anything… We won’t judge, we will accept him as long as he loves you… It doesn’t matter if he’s a low omega like us too…” Mom grabbed my hands now, staring at me gently and it was the last straw.

The tears trickled down, the tears I had been trying so hard to hold just trickled down my cheeks. Everything is hard. I can’t break their hearts, I’d rather die than take away the glow in mom’s eyes.

“You don’t need to be ashamed… You’re fortunate to have a mate, it’s better than having nothing and being the isolated one of the pack” Aarav pointed out and it felt like a knife had been thrown on my chest.

His words stung, the fate waiting for me was worse than death. I’d be stigmatised, deserted by the pack, I’d be a force that is being driven by the wind, I’d be a feral wolf with my family stopping me from being in the mountains.

“It…” I was about to speak when our neighbour interrupted.

“Did you hear the news? Is it true, you’ve found your mate?” Our neighbour nosy demanded, popping her head through the door, her attention shifted from what she wanted to discuss to me the moment she set her eyes on me.

“Is the news about the fight?” Dad asked, everyone’s attention shifted to her and I sighed heavily. The goddess knew I was extremely grateful for this distraction but I knew it wouldn’t last for long.

“The Alpha just rejected his mate, she’s some silly omega he slapped in the market…“ She announced, laughing softly and they all gasped.

“Wow, at last he found his mate… Ximena here too found hers today…“ Mother’s voice was filled with delight.

“He’s an Alpha, being with an Omega only ruins his image, poor girl, thinking she could be fortunate to be with him. I heard he is going to get a chosen mate from the gamma family if I’m not mistaken.” She announced and I began panting heavily.

Gasps rang out in the air but I began breathing heavily, the air was closing in on me, there wasn’t enough breath, I felt like I was being sucked into a vacuum.

Not my nemesis… The gamma’s daughters have always been my number one bullies in the park… They instigated the whole girls against me and were the first to call me CURSED…

I felt myself get drawn into complete darkness, I couldn’t feel anything, except pain and agony. I felt numb, empty and exhausted but I felt something else.

I felt myself running, running very fast, away from the pain, away from everything, people, my family… The pack.

It felt like I was under the influence of anaesthesia, it felt unreal yet so real, I was running for my dear life, heading to a very familiar but dark place.

“No! Stop! Please! Come back!” I heard a voice mindlink to me, I could hear growls behind me, pleading too but there was no stopping now.

“Ximena, darling please stop running, let’s talk…“

“What’s wrong…“

“Please don’t… Don’t do it!” I heard the distant voices of my brother but it only made me run even faster.

Ximena

I ran nonstop for hours, Xena my wolf wasn’t weary as she ran and it was a big shock to me because I had never ran for up to an hour without being weak.

After crossing the borders of the Shadow pack, I was filled with fear. Lots of vile things lurked in the shadows and where I was heading to was unknown to me but Xena knew the way by heart. She was heading to grandmother.

“Grandmother… I…“ I whispered as I shifted in front of a house where my beautiful and young grandmother stood.

She looked like an angel and it was no secret that she never aged because of the strange powers she had.

The Shadow pack was a pack known for its ruthlessness, insane and deadly wolves. Most rogues come from the shadow pack and not everyone can enter the pack without turning feral.

“Ximena.” Her angelic voice made me feel warmth like no other and I nodded, tears of joy streaming down my face as I walked towards her, naked.

The house had an eerie feeling around it, it was bright, yet dark. She smiled at me as she opened her arms, welcoming me.

“Grandmother.” I whispered, biting my lips softly as the tears streamed down. This was our first encounter and how she managed to recognize me was nothing short of supernatural.

“I… I…“

“Shh, you don’t need to speak, child, I know why you’re here. Come with me.” She whispered and I felt my heart grow bigger, I was perplexed but my joy knew no bounds. I felt series of emotions

She led me into the large house where there were few staff working around and I was bothered. How could my grandmother be so rich yet my family was living on peanuts in the Armstrong Pack?

What happened between mother and grandmother that made mother hate her so much and warn us about her.

Mother said grandmother was a witch of a wolf and we never entertained conversation about her at home but why my wolf brought me to her gave me concern and I was afraid but happy to see her.

“This is your room, I prepared it before your arrival.” My mouth dropped. This room was bigger than our house but how did she know I was coming?

“How did you…“

“We are connected.” Grandmother replied and I raised a brow.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Go in and get dressed, you must be stressed. You should rest too.” She replied and walked away with a smile. With shaky legs, I walked inside.

I gasped with shock. “Xena, why did you bring me here? Grandmother is dangerous… She’s strange too…“ I whispered to Xena.

“She can help you, I didn’t bring you here, she called you here because you were hurt.” Xena replied and I gasped with shock.

Now mother’s words made sense, grandmother was a powerful witch and I was gripped with fear. “She would never hurt you. Don’t be scared.” Xena advised and I nodded because her words had never been wrong, except for when we got mated…

I pushed that thought out of my head, my heart was still in shreds but coming here must be to forget him and I’ll try my best to do just that.

I opened the bathroom and was shocked to see all sorts of soaps, this was the luxurious life I always prayed for and it gave me concern that I would be here alone while mother and father suffered in the Armstrong pack.

I needed to know why mother and grandmother are enemies, I must know why I was here too… Grandmother had answers to lots of things, maybe she could also answer why I was rejected by a man who swore to love me.

I sighed heavily as I grabbed the towel, heading into the bathroom. This was my first time in a bathtub, the feeling was crazy, it was filled with water and I had the most refreshing and relaxed bath ever in my life.

A long time passed before I got out and headed to the room. I saw a nice dress placed on the bed, it was brand new and a tear slipped out of my eyes, this was my first time wearing a new cloth.

All of my clothes were thrifted or hand-me-downs from the rich. I wore the dress and smiled at myself in the mirror.

I looked different, more beautiful, my eyes were different, they were empty, without sparks and I sighed heavily.

I wore slippers and walked out, staring around the house as I tried to find grandmother. I kept walking around, too intimidated and scared to ask anyone for help and my mouth dropped when I saw a portrait.

It was mother, she was smiling at grandmother, her eyes were sparkling, they were filled with joy, she looked young and beautiful, she had no wrinkles on her face.

“She was a very beautiful and cheerful soul.” Grandmother whispered and I almost jumped out of fright.

“I… I have a few questions.” I whispered softly. “Come with me, child.” Grandmother replied and I turned, following her to the place which seemed like the living room.

I saw countless portraits of mom and she looked gorgeous, young and very beautiful, it was almost hard for me to believe.

“Sit.”

“Grandmother… I… I want to know what happened between you and mother.” I whispered carefully. “Your mother left because she didn’t want me the powers I had to offer.” It seemed like there was more to it but she wasn’t ready to talk and I decided it was best to let it go.

“I… I…“ I broke into tears before I could say any word and she moved closer.

“Shhh.” She cajoled as she placed my head on her shoulder, my heart swelled with warmth.

“Why? Why did he reject me… He vowed to love his mate… Why would he just reject me? He rejected me in front of everyone at the market…lI whispered, desperately wanting answers as the rejection echoed in my head.

“It doesn’t matter why anymore, what matters now is you. What do you want? Say all you want, child and it’ll be done.” She muttered softly and I frowned, wondering what she was talking about.

“All you need to do is say the word, do you want him to love you? Do you want revenge? Do you want him to suffer? Should I make him go feral? Should he go crazy? Should I kill him?” She asked and I gasped.

“You… You can do that?” I asked, a part of me trying to figure out which option would be best as I weighed both the good and bad.

“And more child. Just name it, I can kill, manipulate, destroy and make him feral, it takes nothing to do it child.” She replied softly and I gasped, understanding why mother said grandmother was dangerous, she was more than just dangerous.

“No, don’t do it Ximena… Let the goddess fight for you, she will repay him for what he did.” Xena pleaded and a small smile appeared on my face.

“Vengeance is mine to decide, Xena.”

“Kill him, grandmother.” I whispered nervously, trying to balance my raging emotions.

Grandmother stared at me without a word, leaving me to make the decision myself and I nodded firmly.

“Yes, kill the Alpha, grandmother.” I replied sternly as bitterness spread across my heart, turning my fragile pure heart into a dark huge rock.

ALVARO

A YEAR LATER

“Alpha… The Luna is in labour!” Dhruv announced and I jumped to my feet, filled with worry as I darted to her room. It was too early!

“No, Alpha you can’t go in…”

“I must go in! I need to see HER!” I barked, filled with concern the moment I heard her loud cries. He’d be crazy to think I wouldn’t go in there.

I was fretting badly and her agonised sounds made my heart ache.

Dhruv held my hand tightly, refusing to let me inside and when I managed to push Dhruv away, the guards at the entrance stopped me from entering.

“Dhruv, I need to be there! She’s in there, suffering.” I muttered, feeling very scared and Dhruv sighed heavily, holding me tightly.

“Get a grip of yourself, Alpha. It’s wrong for you to be in there, I’m sure the Luna would be fine, please get yourself together.” Dhruv pleaded and the midwife dashed out.

“The Luna has refused to push until she sees the Alpha!” The midwife announced, sweating profusely as she glanced around for me, her worry making it difficult for her to concentrate on anything.

I pushed Dhruv out of the way as I dashed inside. My heart dropped as I saw her laying on the bed with her legs apart, she was naked and was covered in sweat.

Watching her there made me feel pity for her, for everything I’ve done, I regretted the kind of husband I had been to her.

My heart never belonged to her and I always treated her unfairly, putting everything before her but now I want to change for good. I don’t know if I’d be able to love her but I’m willing to try.

“I’m here, Luna.” I whispered as I fell to my knees, grabbing her hand immediately. I was sweating profusely too but I was concerned about her.

“Alpha… I don’t think I can do this…“ She whispered with tears and I shook his head.

“You’re the strongest woman I know, you can do it.”

I encouraged and she smiled faintly, finding comfort in my words.

“Push…“

“Argh!” She screamed as she pushed with all her might and I held on tightly, praying under my breath for the goddess to help her. Staring at her now, I realised how fragile she was and I called myself a big fool for not realizing earlier.

She was never happy in the marriage, she fulfilled her duty to her pack and I was very proud of her for that.

“You can do this Luna.” I whispered pleadingly and she smiled at me, panting heavily as her hand drifted to my face which she touched lightly.

I moved closer, allowing her more access to my face and she just smiled, staring at my dark, hollow eyes.

“I… I can’t…“ She whispered breathlessly and I kissed her hand, holding her tightly.

“You can… You would give birth to this baby and we would be a big family.” It was more of a plea than fact.

“I… I know you don’t love me because your heart belongs to your mate…“ She whispered and I shook my head, wondering why she was talking about a mate when her health was at stake.

“No… Let’s not talk about this now, you should be concerned about your health…“

“I’ve always loved you… Even before you chose me…“ She whispered and I smiled sadly. I hated myself because I couldn’t bring myself to say the same words to her.

“I’m not asking you to tell me the same… I forgive you, even if I try from now till an eternity, your heart belongs to her…“

“Please stop… I’m willing to be a better husband, I’m sorry for how I treated you…“ I pleaded, moved to tears and she shook her head, smiling through the sweat and pain.

“No… You don’t have to be… You tried your best to treat me well and I’m grateful for that… Our child… I want it to be named Juan or Joana…“

“Shhh… We would name it together, nothing is happening to you…“ I pleaded, swallowing the sadness in my throat.

She looked weary, tired and exhausted. Sweat was trickling down her body and it made me worried. “Please do something…“ I pleaded desperately and the midwife shook her head slightly.

“She’s losing blood, Alpha… She’s weak… This doesn’t look normal, she was poisoned…“ The midwife announced and I gasped, turning to her.

“Can’t we find a solution… Please save her… How did this happen?” I thundered, my fears were at the peak now as my eyes turned red.

“Please don’t…“

“Before I go, I want you to promise me something…“

“Get well and I promise you I’d give you my life” I was damn serious and she smiled softly, it was a beautiful smile and it brought water to my eyes.

“Alvaro, listen to me.” She gritted out and I nodded, the tears following freely now.

“This child must be trained with love… The love you couldn’t give me, please give it to this child, and this child must have a complete family, find your mate, you deserve happiness as much as this child deserves a mother. Only your mate can love this child the I’d love it…“

“No…“ I pleaded, my eyes already swollen as I sat on the floor sadly.

“Please, it’s either your mate or nobody… Please try to be happy…“

“I can’t be happy without you” I pleaded and she smiled, panting heavily with pain as she had a determined look on her face.

“Argh…“ Her scream rang out and was eventually overshadowed by that of a baby. The midwife had a smile on her face but my gaze was focused on My Luna who slowly drifted to death, a satisfied smile on her face even though she never touched her baby.

“Argh.” I cried out while Dhruv patted my back softly. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” He whispered as the midwives took the baby while they began dressing Luna.

“Please be strong.” I heard countless whispers but I felt deserted and disconnected from the world. My hollow heart was bleeding.

“Where is she! I want to see my daughter!” I heard the gamma thunder as he walked inside but I was too engrossed in my pain to listen to him.

“You killed her!” He accused me and I raised my head in disbelief, my eyes bloodshot. My lips were too heavy to move.

“You bastard! You killed her!” He yelled as he grabbed my collar, making me rise to my feet. I pushed his hand away furiously, I was too weak to fight or exchange words, all I wanted was space to mourn my Luna.

“You bastard! You don’t deserve to live! I’ll make sure you never regret this! Her child can never be with you!” He announced making everywhere go silent as I whipped my head up.

“What?” I asked, just to be sure I had heard right.

“The only way this child can be with you is if you marry Emiliano! Only Emiliano can take care of the child! You should never be beside the child!” He snarled.