"Man, you're 25 years old and you still don't have a significant MATE?" A guy who stood outside of the main tent spoke with an undertone of pity in his voice and stated. "What it indicates is that this is your very last opportunity."

"Are you under the impression that I don't want to make a decision?" The other man's lips contorted into an acrid grin as he listened. "None of the females have lived up to my expectations," she said.

"Why do you feel the need to be so picky? You're not even a Beta Stride; you're merely a low-ranking member of the Eastern pack's werewolf pack!" The first guy sent a scornful glance in the direction of the second man. "Your appearance is the one redeeming quality about you. Have some shame!"

I turned my head away from the talk and pursed my lips as I entered the building with a few women whom I did not know. At the front door, there was a tall guy standing in the way of the visitors. As he took up a writing pad, his icy glare traveled across each of the females in the room. "Everyone, please give your introduction."

"Hello there, my name is Sophia Wilson, and I am a member of the Northern werewolf society." A proud voice came from the lady who was standing in the front. There were four werewolf packs located on the outskirts of the town, and the Northern pack was said to be the most well-known as well as the most prosperous of the four. When the other women observed a lady who had such a demeanor, they made a mocking sound and then began to reprimand her in a low voice.

But I refrained from speaking out. My arrival to the mating camp that was conducted once a year at one of the werewolf packs marked the beginning of my first time participating in the ritual.

It was the western pack that did it this time. However, I was unaware of any of the information about the pack. I was so clueless that I didn't even know the Alphas' names. The explanation was uncomplicated: I dwelt in the heart of the town, which was home to both humans and werewolves, and the latter were completely oblivious to the existence of the former.

On the other hand, those who resided inside the town had a reputation that wasn't quite stellar. I was afraid that the females who were around me would look down their noses at me and reprimand me for something that I had done. As soon as the notion occurred to me, I lowered my head in an attempt to conceal the fact that I was there.

If it weren't for my mother, I never would have considered setting foot in this location. This mating ritual was very unappealing to me. The ceremony would only serve to coerce the werewolf females, who would be picked by the males of the four most powerful packs in the area, into participating, and they would have no choice but to do so. It was just like being coerced into an arranged marriage, but I had no choice but to go through with it.

After that, I overheard the females chatting to each other behind me.

"Are you aware of who will be taking part this time around

"No, who!" The other girl's voice could clearly be heard to be brimming with enthusiasm. She was interested in hearing the latest rumors

"Alpha Asta Moore!"

The second girl stopped moving when she heard this name for the first time. Even I was taken aback for a few seconds by it. Who doesn't have a connection to this individual? Alpha Asta Moore was the head of the Southern werewolf pack. He was very well-known for his merciless and icy demeanor. However, this was not the reason why I was taken aback.

"Are you serious?!" The second female suddenly let out an extremely loud shout, which attracted the attention of the people around her. She was startled when she realized that she had just spoken it in an extremely loud voice, and a hint of blush came on her cheeks as a result. She simply waved her hand and informed everyone, "Just chatting about some pleasant topics," while nervously laughing in front of everyone.

Naturally, the females sitting next to me simply snorted at what they thought was a funny joke. It was obvious that they had overheard the dialogue, and they just looked down their noses at the second girl for lying.

Right at that moment, the second girl spoke in a hushed tone and asked, "Are you serious? That murderer?" Yes, Alpha Asta Moore was known throughout the werewolf community as a notorious killer who had committed the act of killing his own mother when he was a teenager. Nobody understood the true reason why it happened, and nobody dared to dig more into it since Asta would always get irate if someone brought it up in conversation.

"This is quite close to the truth." The first young lady gave a shrug. "My grandfather was there for the Alpha meeting and he heard all that was said."

I can't believe your father really met Alpha Asta Moore! When it came up again, the second female was even more taken aback.

"Why are you acting so surprised? He is a member of the Western Pack's Beta stride. Naturally, he was required to be there."

They continued to talk to one another, but I paid them no attention at all. The reason for this was because I had a fear of Asta. I had been forewarned of his ferocity by more than one account, and the memories sent chills down my spine. Even just thinking about it caused me to break out in a cold sweat.

Why did he have to show up this year after I had already started my vacation? What if I run across this individual again? I couldn't help but shake at the concept, but I immediately brushed it off and took a few deep breaths to settle myself down. I couldn't help but quiver at the thought. How did this come to pass? There were a lot of young women in this place. There is no way that he would choose me. Despite this, I resisted going into the building.

I turned around and strolled to the end of the line while twirling a strand of my blonde straight hair in my finger. My lips were pursed together as I did this. But who would have anticipated that I would be able to access this location with such ease and without having to endure any kind of embarrassment? I was somehow pushed forward by a number of other girls, and even before I could even open my mouth to say anything, it was already my time. I had no idea how it happened.

I was taken aback for a little period. What led to this occurrence? I had just reached the end of the queue when you came in! I turned around to look behind me while the women in front of me pretended that they hadn't done anything wrong. After taking a step forward, I puckered my lips into a tiny line. "I'm Danika Baker, just turned eighteen. So, I've never been to this place before."

The tall guy cast me a chilly look, gave me a curt nod, and then scribbled something down before returning his attention to me. "In what city do you reside?"

Why doesn't he just ask me this?

I puckered my lips and then separated them slightly. The phrase "from the town" As soon as I mentioned this, almost all of the females let out an audible gasp. Even the towering guy furrowed his brow in concentration.

After seeing such a passionate response, I couldn't help but feel like I needed to bury myself underground and go into hiding! I didn't want to be the focus of people's harsh and condescending gazes, so I tried to avoid being in the spotlight.

But before anybody could say anything, I quickly ducked my head and hurried passed the towering guy, almost as if I were trying to get away with my life! I continued to run and run until I was out of breath, at which point I stopped and leant against the wall. At that point, I became aware that I had gone to the incorrect location. It turned out to be the men's restroom! And now a handful of the males were gazing at me as if I were some kind of crazy person!

Instantaneously, I bent my head. "Please forgive me!" And I sprang to my feet and ran out, only to immediately run into the solid chest of another person. Instantaneously, I retreated a few steps and massaged the top of my head. "Please forgive me!"

After I had apologized, I was going to leave when the other person grabbed my wrist and pulled me around without my will. I was startled. After that, I was finally able to recognize who it was.

When he looked at me, his blue eyes made a squinting motion. His brown hair was shoulder-length and draped over his face as he gently stroked his beard under his chin with his free hand. Because of how tall he was, I was able to touch his shoulders. It seemed as if he had just learned something fascinating since there was a grin on his face.

After viewing his face, my complexion became really pale. I enlarged my eyes, and then I expanded my lips as wide as possible. This was a complete surprise! Who on earth wouldn't recognize someone like this?! This guy's images were featured extensively in the werewolf magazine, which helped to establish his reputation as one of the most eligible bachelors of this year. That would be Asta!

I was so astonished that I didn't even notice someone behind him. By the time I recovered, there was a throng of men and women surrounding us already, talking among themselves like if watching a performance.

But I wasn't concentrating on them. My eyes was still focused at the hand that had held my wrist forcefully. I tried to seize my hand, but this individual was simply too powerful. And the trouble was, I couldn't even utter a word owing to great dread and uncertainty. Every time this man gazed at me, a shiver was transmitted down my spine!

Then I simply took a few long breaths and stood there, dropping my head. My hair fell over my face concealing the faces of the audience. At least, by suppressing them, I might feel a bit at rest.

But who knew that Asta simply didn't want to let me go?! He turned back without any intention of abandoning my hand and remarked to the guy behind him, who was also famous-Beta Asta's Stride, Gary. He wore gold rimmed spectacles that had slid on the middle portion of his nose. The man's thick black hair fell over his eyes and pulled up his spectacles, glaring harshly at me. That was then Asta separated his lips and muttered in a gruff voice, "Take her to my marquee."

I wanted to object, but the confidence inside me was so low that I couldn't even raise my head and dare to view this person's face. I merely bowed my head and glanced at the black boots that both of them were wearing.

Gary didn't disagree, but his eyes had a tinge of scorn when he peered at me. I pretended I didn't notice it and pushed my lips in a narrow line. I was able to continue hearing what others were saying around me, and for a little moment, I wished that I was deaf.

"Asta picked Danika? What a match made in heaven!"

"Right? Who would have guessed that the person who murdered someone would end up preferring someone else who was insane. After all, she was born and raised in the area."

"Everyone from the town has a strange personality. Take a look at how quiet she has been from the very beginning! How ridiculous! It's as if she doesn't even have a voice!"

"If she hadn't spoken to me when I walked in, I really would have assumed that she was deaf," the person said.

I was still confused as to why members of the pack would have such ideas about the werewolves that lived in the town.

Words to the effect of "werewolves residing in the town are the slaves of humans!" were among those that were spread as rumors. Some of these individuals would also harass the werewolves of the village, telling them that they were only giving them a lesson about how one should look down upon humans and not become their slaves.

But these rumors are only widely circulated within a select group of women. It was no longer the consensus among residents that the town's werewolves were insane.

"What're you guys saying? Take a good look at her face. The terror has caused her to become so weak that she is on the verge of passing out. She has a lot of nerve!" Wow, someone really came to my defense! My heart started to fill with a little bit of thankfulness.

However, I was unable to hear the response because the guy who was standing behind Asta violently grabbed both of my hands and took me outside. Throughout the whole thing, I lacked the self-assurance necessary to accurately predict where we would end up. I kept my head down and just walked quicker in order to keep up with Gary's huge strides. He shoved me into the tent and locked it from the outside.

I got inside on my hands and knees after stumbling and falling, but I had no intention of getting back up. I was not capable! I couldn't help but feel a shudder go down my spine whenever I thought about those black eyes that had peered at me with such intensity. I was shaking so badly that I curled up in a corner and my knees went weak.

Why me? What did I do?

According to the stories, Asta was a very vicious person. People who were werewolves only knew one thing about him, and that was that his mother had been a Luna, and that he had ruthlessly murdered her one night. At that time, even his father had passed away, and Luna was the sole one in charge of the Forest Pack, which is the term given to the pack of werewolves that reside in the Southern United States. Therefore, once Luna was murdered, Asta was the one who succeeded to the role of Alpha immediately. Back then, no one could even attempt to challenge him, and even if they did, Asta ensured that those who did so were punished for their actions.

Following that event, all of the groups that had attempted to bring down the teenaged Asta instantly disbanded, and the Alpha gained a reputation for being particularly harsh and brutal.

When I thought about it again, I couldn't help but get a chill down my spine.

Exactly at that moment, someone unlocked the marquee's entrance and walked inside. Who else could it possibly be except Asta? I gently raised myself to my feet and retreated a few paces. My pupils were constricted as they continued to stare at him as my pale face continued to stare at him.

When this person saw my fearful demeanor, he couldn't help but reveal a sneaking hint of merriment in his eyes. "Are you afraid?"

"I-I...I." I wanted to say anything more than just one phrase, and I was hoping it would be something along the lines of "leave me go, you insane guy!" But the fact that Asta was there made me feel so uneasy that I couldn't help but gulp whenever I opened my mouth to speak.

After letting out a light-hearted giggle, Asta stood up and raised his hand. My cheeks were gently stroked by his fingertips. His fingers were warm to the touch, yet this contact did not in any way induce a sense of serenity inside me. Instead, I started shaking much worse than before!

"I find you to be rather fascinating." He laughed once again and kept staring at me as if I were a kid who had just acquired his favorite plaything. I could see he was enjoying himself.

"Le-Let me g-go." I said the words with a voice that was shaking.

"I wouldn't have summoned you here if I'd had any intention of releasing you from this obligation," the speaker said. After that, he retreated a few paces and positioned himself a safe distance away before extending his hand. Since none of us knows the other, let's start the conversation by shaking hands.

When I saw it, I was really taken aback. When I walked inside this chamber, I got visions of being subjected to a variety of horrifying experiences, including rape and murder. But I had no idea that the somebody who had a reputation for being a nasty and brutal person would want to shake hands with me. I was completely taken aback.

My body responded in an instinctual manner as if it were obeying this person's instruction before I had the chance to think any more about it. My hand moved forward on its own own, and it found its way into his. He took a firm hold of my hand and shook it before releasing his hold gradually. This action floored me to the point that I believed I must be dreaming about it.

As soon as Asta caught sight of my look, he burst out laughing and said, "Your thoughts are practically written on your face."

After some time had passed, I was getting close to calming down. I finally felt comfortable enough in my own skin to open my lips and speak without faltering in the slightest. "Why am I in this place?"

"I'm turning 25 this year, which means that this is my very last opportunity to find someone to spend the rest of my life with." The direction in which this discussion seemed to be heading disturbed me. Why did he all of a sudden start talking about his partners? Even though I had a sneaking suspicion that this person wanted me to be his partner, I had no intention of agreeing to this arrangement at all. But I had no idea he could be that forthright. "And I want you to be my partner," the man said.