I sprang up and ran out of the house, ignoring Abuela's worried shouts for me. I ran down the walkway through the familiar paths.

The pack members cursed as I passed, scrunching their faces in disgust, but I couldn't care less.

Goosebumps pricked my skin as I ran. It was the visions again, but like always, I never remember any part of it, except the chill that ran through my spine anytime it happened.

Getting to the familiar lakeside, I finally gave in, letting go, and I bawled my heart out.

"Whyyy?" The sound came out of me. Raw. Guttural. I almost couldn't recognise it.

"Why did you curse me?" I questioned the one above, "I don't deserve this", I whispered.

I felt better after letting loose, a strange calm washed over me, and I sat on my favourite spot watching the waves clash against each other.

Howls sounded in the distance; no doubt they must be celebrating Lilith's engagement, I scoffed. "I had better leave this pack"

A leaf crunched. I turned instantly to find a huge black wolf staring at me. Its red eyes shone brightly, brighter than the sun itself.

"You're beautiful," I whispered, looking at it. It was several times huger than Crux's wolf, my feet moved of their own volition to it, against my better judgement.

My mind screamed at my stupidity, what if it was a rogue, but I just couldn't stop, its eyes called out to me. I got to where it was, rooted to the spots, its eyes following my every movement.

I touched its forehead softly, it purred, leaning into my touch and scrubbing its soft fur against me, "Mate" I heard a loud growl in my head.

I froze, taking a step back from him. The pull was from the mate bond; I couldn't believe it. I've heard of second-chance mates, but it was a one-in-a-million chance encounter; that's how rare it was.

I didn't know if to laugh or cry; howls sounded once more; this time, it was more of a searching howl. They were looking for someone or something. I didn't care.

It stood up fully on its paws, its massive frame almost engulfed me, it looked at me one last time, before turning and running off into the distance, "No, wait", I called after it, "I'll be back." Its voice rang out in my head once more.

I heard only strong males could send their voice into the thoughts of their fated mates. Does he know that I don't have my wolf yet? Would he reject me when he finds out?

I sat by the riverside waiting for his return, but by the time the soft glow of the moon reflected against the water, I sank back into the harsh reality of my life.

Just like every other person, he wasn't coming. With a heavy heart, I returned to the mansion.

"When do you plan on telling Aella about our engagement?" I heard an oddly familiar voice, and cold sweat sprang through my body as I stood rooted to my spot, my hand frozen on the handle of the door to my father's office.

"Soon, after Lilith's engagement", my father's bass-like voice sounded through the door; it had been my favourite sound at one time.

Rage clouded my vision; they just didn't know when to stop. Banging the door open, I barged into his office, "How could you?" I seethed.

"AHH, Aella. Welcome, I was about to call for you, since you are here, I would like for you to meet your future husband, Antares." My father said stiffly, like he didn't just drop a bombshell.

I searched his eyes for a clue that he was kidding or that this was just an expensive prank, but he only faced Antares, and they went back to their discussion.

"You can't possibly expect me to get married to him", I said, looking at the person sitting by the side who was old enough to be, if not older than, my father.

"And why is that?" his eyes bore holes into mine, and he pushed his glasses down.

"He's old enough to birth me", I gritted out.

"That's not a problem, age is just a number. Antares here is not just my right-hand man but also my best friend; he will treat you well. Now, if there's nothing else, close the door behind you." He waved me off dismissively.

"I will not marry him", I said quietly.

"What?" He asked.

"I said," I began, my voice growing louder with each word, "I will. Not. Marry.Him."

He froze, stunned and taken aback. This was the first time I had ever said no to his face, but I had had enough of them pushing me around.

He chuckled softly, Excusee us, Antares, I need a word with my daughter." He said.

Antares stood, his eyes ran through my body, and an uneasy feeling crept through my spine, as his gaze bore holes into me.

The door creaked shut, and I faced father, my heart pounding in my chest, but I steadied my breathing, knowing he could hear it.

"What gives you the impression that your opinion matters?" He asked, his face blank.

"Father, I'm also your daughter"

"Don't refer to me as your father, you disgrace", he spat out, visibly irritated.

"You will marry Antares, pop out his pups and be a good mate in his bedroom till he dies. Is that clear?" He growled, his eyes going faintly yellow, a sign of his wolf.

I whimpered and ran out from the office, out of the house and back to exactly where I came from. I needed to find my mate.

It doesn't matter who he is; we need to leave this pack now. We will figure things out as we go.

The moon followed me as I ran to the river, kneeling by the water. I sobbed at my reflection, sinking my face into the river, drowning out the world.

As I rose from the water, the back dye washing off from my silver hair, I finally asked the question that had been bugging me.

How do I find my mate?

Aella

Still at the riverside, I decided to wait for my mate, he promised to come back. All I had to do was wait, right?

Cutting off some leaves and gathering branches from the trees, I decided to make a bed.

The bed took me roughly one hour to complete. I grinned at my work. Good thing the riverside was clear of bugs and the like.

I lay on the bed, watching the bright shining light of stars. I wondered if my mum was watching me from the bosom of the moon goddess.

My face felt hot, something was biting into my skin, opening my eyes, I winced as my eyes blinked open. The sun had already risen, and its orange rays were hot on my face.

Grimacing, I stood, my face fell as I realized a painful truth, my second chance mate had abandoned me, just like my mother and every other person in my life.

Bracing myself for Andrea and Lilith's scorn, I returned to my father's house, even though they made it painfully obvious that I was an unwanted person in the mansion, they haven't abandoned me.

I knocked two quiet raps on the door. The door croaked open. Abuela's eyes widened as she saw me.

"Oh, child. Where have you been? I was so worried." She hugged me as she spoke.

Warmth enveloped my heart, "I slept off by the river, Abuela," I said, not wanting her to worry.

She stepped aside, and I entered, "Aella," she called quietly.

I turned, "they're waiting for you," she said, her eyes filled with pity.

I nodded with a smile, "I'll be fine." I reassured her.

Walking into the living room with small steps, Lilith sat on her usual chair, scrolling on her phone, sneering as she saw me.

"Guess who decided to come back?" she mocked.

Andrea and Beta Andrew turned immediately, their attention drawn to me by her words.

"Good morning," I said quietly.

"And where are you coming from?" Beta Andrew said coldly.

"I told you she whores herself around; this should be enough confirmation, right?" Andrea chirped.

Beta Andrew's eyes darkened as he approached me. He raised his hands, and I shut my eyes, waiting for the impact. This wasn't the first time he took his anger out on me. He'd done it a year after I got here, and I ended up bedridden the first time.

The impact never came. Opening my eyes, I saw Antares, 'my supposed fiancé', stopping him.

"It's bad luck to hit a bride on her wedding day," he said.

"Bride? What wedding?" I uttered, confused.

"Since you've decided to whore yourself around to the pack, we decided to shift your wedding, before you'll bring shame to dad." Lilith snickered.

"What?" I shouted.

Antares looked at me calmly, without saying a word; something flickered in his eyes, too fast before I could see what it was.

"Your wedding is today." Beta Andrew said.

Tears streamed down my face at the absurdity of my father's words. "Papa," I cried out.

"How could you?" I whispered.

He closed his eyes. "I'm doing this for your own good; one day you'll understand." He said.

"No," I shouted out, "I won't marry a man old enough to be my father," I said, wiping off the tears from my face with the back of my hand.

"As you told me last night. You don't have a say in this," he said.

"What are you going to do? Drag me down the altar?" I bit back, I won't let them take away the only thing I had left.

"How dare you rebel against your parents?" Andrea charged at me, and Antares stepped in front of me, shielding me from her fury.

"No one hits my bride," he said again. I looked at him gratefully. No one had ever protected me from them, but I refused to marry my father's dog.

He reached out his hand towards me, and I took a step back. His hand stopped halfway. "Please," I was pleased looking into his eyes.

"I'm sorry, one day you'll understand." He removed his eyes, stepping back.

"Take her," he said.

Two rough hands grabbed me. I thrashed around. When did they come behind me?

"No, no, no, please. Father, no!" I screamed as they dragged me away. I dug my heels into the floor, but they pulled me; my human-like strength couldn't rival a wolf's.

They dragged me to a part of the house I had never seen. Chains rattled as we entered, the chains bit into my skin as they caged me tightly, sat me on a chair, and left.

I snarled at the makeup artist who entered, tears filled my eyes, but she ignored me, her nose wrinkled and scrunched in disgust as though the very air offended her.

I was primed and dragged out of the house by male omegas, my heart hammered in my chest with each step I was forced to take towards the pack grounds. They were really forcing me to do this.

Getting to the pack grounds, Crux sat at the head table in the open space. Other pack members surrounded him in a big circle; they were here and probably excited to doom me.

I locked eyes with Crux; his face lacked expression. He turned away, ignoring me. Lilith sat by his right hand.

Antares stood at the center of the crowd, waiting. I dug my heels into the ground, thrashing harder as they pulled me.

"I have a mate, I have a mate," I screamed as I sighted the pack elders. Crux shot me a warning look, but I ignored him. They stopped and looked at the elders for their verdict.

"Continue, she'll say anything to get out of this," Crux ordered.

They resumed pulling, towards Antares, who only watched, waiting for his bride.

Looking at their cruel faces, all looking expectant and eager to force the union, I closed my eyes in resignation, biting my tongue. I would rather die than accept this.

As my vision began to blur, the air around me thickened, and the scent of sweet honey dew mixed with musk clouded my senses.

Then I heard a deep, loud voice growl,

"How dare you touch my mate?"

Aella

Our heads snapped towards the door where the sound came from. My eyes almost bulged at the sight of the scarred man who walked in claiming to be my mate.

His towering frame blocking the moon, I blinked twice to be sure of who I was looking at. "It can't be," I muttered to myself.

He walked towards me, one glare from him and the male omegas scampered away, leaving just us in the centre.

His figure towered above mine. I winced as I struggled to raise my head to get a proper look at him. There was no way this scary-looking figure was the cute, cuddly wolf I had met a few days back, and why don't I feel any connection to him?

"Little one", his deep baritone sounded softly as he bent to my level, cupping my face gently. I shrank away from his touch; something flickered past his eyes.

I wrapped my arms around my body, unfazed by my measly attempts to run away from him. He gripped my chin again, softer this time, the coarseness of his hands on my jaw was surprisingly tender.

My eyes met his, and I was instantly drawn in by it; the mismatched shade shone under the moon. His left pupil was grey, while the right one was blue; a scar ran from his right cheek across his face.

It added a hint of mystery to his look. My body relaxed at his touch. Hesitantly, I raised my hand, unsure whether I could touch his face. He nodded slightly, encouraging me to continue.

I ran my hand through his scar, feeling him shudder slightly under my touch, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The world seemed to melt away, and there was only he there.

"You whore," A scream drew me back to reality, and a frown appeared on my mate's face. "Don't be scared, little one", he said again, the tenderness of his voice drawing me in; no one had ever spoken to me in such a tone.

He rose fully, pulling me up to his level and drawing me against his chest, protecting me. "How dare you keep a man outside?" I heard Andrea's voice from behind. Instinctively, I tried to pry myself away from his grip, but he held me tightly, strengthening his grip instead.

"You would not disrespect my mate", he growled at Andrea. She whimpered loudly. I looked up at him in surprise. No one had ever outrightly protected me this way. Who is he? I wondered.

His scent clouded my senses. I couldn't think straight, "release me," I whispered. He ignored me, "please", I added.

He loosened his grip, releasing me from his chest. My knees wobbled, he held me steady, "easy", he said. I felt a sense of loss at the lack of his bodily warmth.

"Thank you", I muttered before turning fully to face my supposed pack and family members. Andrea stood behind Andrew and Antares, who were already in a glaring competition with my mate.

"This is not permitted, Alpha or not, my daughter is engaged to be married", Beta Andrew said.

"You've got guts to engage my mate to someone else, or should I say you're just plain stupid." He sneered.

"She can't be mated to you. She's a wolfless disgrace. I'm certain she can't even feel the mate pull."

I sniffed back the tear that tried to fall from my eyes. He was right. But it still hurts to hear such cruel words from my father, not even after I promised myself not to let anything they do get to me.

"Doesn't make her less of a mate and Luna to me. Speak ill of my mate one more time, and I'll rip off your tongue and feed it to you." He snarled.

Beta Andrew shifted backwards subconsciously. Antares stood rooted in his spot, his gaze fixed on me. I didn't have the time to find out why.

As. The words "Luna and Alpha" resounded in my ears. Remind me of something.

I gasped, "This can't be happening", I muttered.

I've heard the rumours of the scarred Alpha with mismatched pupils, an enemy Alpha infamous for his cruelty and impatience. Rumour has it that his wolf was even worse than he was, the second Alpha ever to be at the threat of going feral. The first Alpha to go feral was ages ago; no one knows why.

"You're Alpha Eros", I whispered, pointing at him as I took a step back, a frown etched on his face as he watched me. Obviously, not happy with my choice to step away from him.

"Little one, don't run from me", he growled, closing the gap between us. "Sorry if I come late, I know you've been waiting for me a whole night at the riverside. "His hot breath fanned me. My heart sank at the proximity.

"You can't be my mate", I murmured lowly that only he heard. He frowned at my words, visibly displeased. My heart drummed. It was said that he killed his father just to take over his pack; he killed anyone who so much as slightly displeased him.

"Aella dear, come this side", Andrea's sickening voice called out. Eros shot her a glare before turning back to me, with a questioning look in his eyes.

"I...I.." I stammered.

"Don't rush", Alpha Eros said.

I exhaled, then began, "I can't feel the mate pull, I have no wolf." I whispered, lowering my eyes.

Having said that, I awaited his thoughts on the issue. Was he going to reject me? I should probably brace myself for a rejection.

Getting my hopes high would definitely end badly for me, and for all I know, he could be mistaken as to who his mate is.

He nodded, putting on a thoughtful look.