Arya's POV

I've always known I wasn't part of the family.

I was maybe an outcast.

But not blood.

Laura never stopped shoving it in my face ever since the demise of our mother, when we were ten.

She told Dad that I killed her because I was last seen with Mom when she gave up the ghost.

“It's Arya, Dad; she crept in on me and yelled at me for having fun with Brad," Laura said in a childlike tone.

She knew the alpha would be on her side; I had no chance of defending myself now.

“Care to explain what might be happening?” The Alpha turned to me.

I slowly got up; pain shot through my body, but I'm used to it already.

My gaze was lowered. I dared not look at him directly.

"I...I made a mistake, sir," I said carefully.

“It is always a mistake with you, Arya.”

He said. “I should have thrown you out the day I met you.”

Those words were like his mantra that he said to me.

Sometimes I wondered why he never really threw me out; I would have been happily dead rather than this unending suffering.

“Always causing trouble. No food for you tomorrow!” He ordered ruthlessly.

“Get ready, Laura; we'll be leaving soon."

Then he walked away. I bowed, not resisting at all.

Brad was still standing there, looking at me with pitying eyes.

My heart throbbed, shattered into a million pieces. The only person I love has been taken away from me.

“What are you doing standing here?” Laura's voice: “Go get my clothes ready. I want to look good tonight.” She squealed.

My pace quickened, and tears burned my eyes, but I wiped them off.

Pain was normal to me after all.

I plummeted on my bed immediately after I got to my room.

Lilith walked behind.

She sighed, then sat beside me holding a bowl and rag.

“I can't believe Brad did this to me.” I let out a sigh as she cleaned my wounds.She had become my personal nurse ever since.

“I'm sorry you had to go through all that.” She said softly.

“It's not enough that I've never gotten a mate, but the only guy I cared about was snatched right in front of me. It's not fair.”

I gulped down the bile forming in my chest.

Lilith sighed, putting down the bowl; her gaze softened."

I have to go now. Madame Grace might look for me.” She got up.

I understood her.

We're merely maids here; our feelings didn't matter.

I got up too quickly, and pain erupted from my ribs; I groaned.

I was still suffering from the pain she caused me last week.

I got to the laundry room to iron Laura's clothes.

According to what I heard, there was a festival happening downtown where Alpha and his family will be in attendance.

The festival happens twice in a year, first was to meet with your mate.

The second was to form a mate bond.

However, if you missed the first time, you'll have the chance to meet with your mate the second time.

Of course the alpha didn't want me there.

A sizzling sound came from the pressing iron.

I lifted it up to find the piece of linen was burnt.

“Oh no, no, no. Laura would kill me for sure.”

As if she heard me, she burst into the room and stared at her dress, her eyes reddening.

“You fucking burnt my dress!” She yelled before stomping in.

“I can explain…” I pleaded with her.

“How will I go to the festival? How can I find my mate?” She glared daggers at me.I knew those looks, a dangerous glare that told me whatever she was thinking, I'm not coming out alive.

“I can fix it,” I fidgeted. “Don't tell on me.”

"Oh, I won't tell on you." She tossed the dress, snatched the hot iron, and grabbed my arms.

“What are you doing?” I panicked.

Before I could beg for mercy, she pressed the hot iron on my bare skin.

It burned, sizzling. A scream tore out from me before I could stop it.

Her grip was strong on me.The iron stayed on me for a minute. Maybe two.

By the time she let go, a raw, deep red scar marred my skin. Taking the shape of the hot iron.

“That should teach you never to mess with my clothes.” She barked at me. "They are worth more than your pathetic life.”

“What did I ever do to you to deserve all these?” I sobbed quietly.

“Are you talking back to me?” I lifted my head. "We are sisters. Sisters are meant to look out for each other.”

“Did you say sisters?" she scoffed. "You were never my sister, Arya. I don't know what Mother had fed you before she died, but you will never be my blood.”

I shook my head.

“You didn't know? The alpha said you were picked from the lake. Mom went into premature labor." Laura informed, her grin widening.

“That can't be true. Mom said we're Fartenel twins.” I said in denial.

“Oh please!” She raised her hands. “You were someone else's trash. An outcast that suddenly made their way into the pack house.”

Mom told me she gave birth to me. I knew I looked different compared to her and the alpha.

Laura had olive skin, blond hair, and blue eyes.While I had dark hair, hazel eyes, and shorter hair.

Our mom was a sex slave to the alpha, who managed to get pregnant for him. The former Luna, his wife, had died. Alpha Roman took my mother in; however, after our birth, he said I looked nothing like him and treated me differently.

“You liar!"

Laura scoffed again. "Just wait until… What is that?”

Something caught her attention.She was staring at my neck.

My scarf!

Where did it go?

I quickly covered my neck, but it was already too late.

Laura snatched my right hand, pressing the wound she had just inflicted, and I groaned as it stung.

“You're hurting me.”

She turned deaf ears.

She pushed my head, tilting to the left, revealing the mark.

“You've been marked?” She gasps, shocked, “By whom?"

I thinned my lips and bit my tongue. I can't tell her that.

It was a taboo.

If the alpha finds out, who knows what he will do?

“It's nothing." I forced it out despite the pain from my arms.

“You piece of shit, you've been sleeping with the guards, haven't you?”

“No!” I said too quickly.

“Then who?” She persisted.

Suddenly, my neck tingled, burning—painfully.

It had happened before, and that was why it was still raw.

Occasionally, the mark burned, renewing itself—raw and more steep.

“I can't tell you that.” I muttered.

“I'll tell Dad if you don't tell me who marked you.” Laura retorted.

“Haven't you done enough?” I raised my voice, "You want to take everything from me? Do it. I don't care anymore.”

I don't know what came over me to speak to her that way.

Maybe it's the fact my life was literally over; maybe it's because I wanted to prove something for myself, like Mom always told me to.

“That's enough, both of you.”

That voice—I recognized that voice.

I turned and saw him.

Levi.

The mark burned again, more intensely than before.

Excruciating. my legs weakened, barely able to hold my weight.

“I think it's time to sell her to the slaves, since she has began whoring around,”Alpha Roman said.

“No..” I said weakly.

My eyes blurred, then suddenly everything went dark.

Arya's POV

Sunlight slipped through the curtains and landed across my face.

My eyes flutter open. My head is pounding.

I groaned, sitting up only to find a man towering over me.

I jumped back, holding the duvet over my chest.

“Finally, you're up.” He said, tearing his gaze from me. And backed up.

“Levi?” I whispered.

He turned his head to me, I hitched.

He was more grown than in the last seven years I saw him.

He was fully jacked, all muscles, with a chiseled jaw and honey brown hair.

I can't believe he returned after all these years.

I thought he died or something because no one ever spoke about him, not that I could ask about it.

Although I still had dreams of what he did the night before he went away to the alpha's academy.

“How are you feeling?” His voice softened, and his gaze lingered on me.

“A little lightheaded," I barely said.

“I'll go get you something to….” Before he could finish, Alpha Roman barged into the room. Levi’s room.

“Where is she?” He thundered; troops of men followed behind him.

“Take her away; she's done more harm than good.” Alpha Roman ordered.

“What do you mean by that, Father?" Levi demanded.

“Stay out of this, son; it's time we take her away. The vampire clan will be willing to have a non-wolf as a blood host. Or whatever they planned to do with her.”

Levi stepped in front of his father, slow and deliberate, hands in his pocket.

“She isn't going anywhere, Father. I'll handle this.”

“Don't interfere with what you don't know. Arya is a shame and disgrace.” He roared, “She's a curse brought upon our land, and if we don't take her out, the gods will punish us.”

I am a…curse?

“Why else doesn't she have a wolf?” Roman asked, "And don't say she's a late bloomer.”

“You're right, she has no wolf because she doesn't smell like one.” Levi agreed, “However, I don't permit you to take her away to the vampires.”

“And who the hell do you think you are to go against my order?” Roman's veins bulge in his head. “This is my pack; whatever I say goes.”

Levi was oddly calm in such an intense situation; I could barely breathe in such a tense atmosphere.

My heart beat was accelerating.

“I will take care of this, Father; you have my word."

“Your words mean nothing," Roman bellowed. "Seize her!”

As the guard walked past Levi, just as he was about to reach me, Levi grabbed his head, ramming it against the wall.

I shrieked, closing my eyes. Warm liquid sprayed on my face

A thud made me open my eyes, and a smear of his blood was on the wall and some of it on my face.

“Are you willing to listen to me now, Father?" Levi said, his voice cold.

The alpha told the remaining of them to leave. “You don't know what you're doing.” He began, “The vampires would stop their carnage on our pack once we give them a ‘wolf’ to feed on.”

“Give them someone else, not Arya.” He said.

Roman turned to me; I averted my gaze in submission.

“Do whatever; she is doomed to die either way.”

“That won't happen," Levi countered.

“Oh yes, it would. You know what is coming; a weak being like her would never survive such an apocalypse.”

He turned and left.

The room fell quiet for a minute, then Levi turned to me.

My hair stood erect, and my heart slammed in my chest.“I should get going….”

“Sit where you are.” He ordered, and I plunged back to the bed.

His gaze traveled to the dead guard. “I'll have someone take care of him later.”

I nodded.

Levi was different, not just in appearance but in his aura.

He was intense, and it got me in a chokehold.I wanted nothing but to leave here and return to my small room—where I found comfort.

The air became thin, and my heart pounded.

Heat beamed my face, and the tingling sensation from the mark made it worse.

Suddenly i felt like sixteen again, the night he left to the academy.

“Should I say something? Conversation, maybe? This is too awkward.” Thought spiraled through my head.

Levi and I didn't speak much before.

And now that he'd returned years later, it felt so discomforting.

"How many years has it been?” I asked nervously; my voice cracked.

His eyes stayed on me for a moment.

“What happened to you?” He ignored my question and stared at my arms where Laura had inflicted.

“It's… a burn from a hot iron.”

“Who did that to you?” He asked.

I froze

If I told him the truth, he would kill Laura for sure.

He was possessive that much, even when we were kids.

“It was an accident; I burned myself.” I chuckled.

He looked displeased but didn't say anything.“We leave at dawn.”

He said and turned, but I stopped him.

“Where to?” I blurted.

He turned to me, his eyes commanding even with no words.

This felt all too familiar.

Like when we were teens, Levi always told me what to do, to which I couldn't object.

He never allowed anyone to bully me or talk to me whenever I thanked him. He'll disregard it and say, "You'll thank me later.”

I never got to thank him before he vanished.

Lilith brought me a good meal after Levi left. She cleaned up the blood.

I offered to help her, as it has been my job for years, but she refused.

I didn't leave the room for the rest of the day.

And in return, I slept in peacefully.

No one yelled at me or told me what to do.

No Laura.

No, Madam Grace.

For the first time in my twenty-third year of living, I felt peace and serenity.

I could get used to this if Levi doesn't vanish again.

Like he did seven years ago.

A tapping sound woke me.

I peered around; darkness swallowed the room.

I sat up on the bed, holding onto my duvet like my life depended on it.

The moonlight illuminated the large dark room.

The air was chilly, too.

The knock came again, louder. Aggressive.

"Who… who's there?” I was forced out in fear.

If a wolf attacks me, I have no defense.

Oh God, who could it be?

The door flung open, and Alpha Roman stepped forward.

“Come with me.”

Levi's POV

I wished I hadn't returned back to the RedRiver pack.

However, I knew undoubtedly that I would be back to claim what was mine, the pack and her.

My need for Arya was getting out of hand; seven fucking years, and she still consumed every thought I had.

I dreamed of her. I fucked her in my dreams. made her scream until her voice croaked.

Those dreams will come true now that she's within my reach.

I wanted nothing but to claim her as my mate.

Of course she doesn't know that; only I do.

And no other person deserves her, and that is why…

Brad winced under my feet, his face disfigured, bloated, and unrecognizable.

That's what he gets for hurting Arya.

“Stay away from Arya, got it?” I growled.

He mumbled something.

I lifted my legs from him and told Ray to take care of him.

I washed the blood off my hands and marched back into the mansion, spotting Laura immediately.

She smiled and skipped to me.

“Where have you been all day? "You missed breakfast?” She smiled.

Laura was the sunshine to everyone, cheerful and always happy, and I love her for that. And father's favourite.

“I had to take care of business.” I replied shortly, in a haste, too.

“Speaking of business, Father told me you would take over the pack soon, but you don't have your Luna yet.” She wriggled her brows.

"Got anyone in mind?"

“Not yet. I was hoping to find one at the festival.” I answered, slipping my hands in my pocket.

"There are tons of beautiful girls at RedRiver Pack. I'm sure you'll find her.” I nodded.

“I'll send Lillith to get your food," she said.

“Has Arya gotten anything to eat?” I said too quickly.

Her facial expression changed.

I couldn't place a finger on it.

“She um…”

I stormed out before she could say anything else.

I knew I shouldn't have let her sleep alone.

My guts churned the moment realization caught me.I

burst through the door where Arya had slept, only to find an empty bed.I marched in, calling out her name, but got no reply.

“Where is she?” I barked at Laura.She flinched.“I don't know. Father…”

I bumped her shoulder as I hurried to my father's room.

Arya was consuming my sanity

“Where is she?” I barely hid the anger that bubbled in me; my fist tightened, and my gaze burned red.

Alpha Roman moved his glass to the bridge of his nose as he stared at me from his mini study.

Annoyance crossed his face. He doesn't like being disturbed in the morning when he is having his coffee, but I don't care.

“Who could that be?” He spoke calmly against my raging storm.

“Don't play dumb with me, old man. Where's Arya?” I growled.

He feigned remembrance. “I took care of her.” He said coolly, “Meanwhile, since you're here, Evelyn is coming over today.”

Evenly?

“Why should I care about that?” I asked.

"Oh, you do, because she will be your next luna.” He said sternly.“I told you I'd find my mate soon; I have it under control…"

“I have but a few days left. I don't want to leave my pack with no alpha." He raised his voice.

I was only quiet because he was my father.

“Tell me where Arya is." I emphasized, my jaw tightened.

Father slammed his hands on his mahogany desk. "What is with you and that evil child?” His forceful impact made him cough. “She's a curse, Levi. Sent to kill us.”

“By whom?” I said coldly.

He paused. “She's evil. That's all that matters.”

“I won't repeat myself again, Father. Where is Arya?”

“On one condition," he started, walking up to me with his cup of coffee. I could smell the strong stench of tobacco and other herbs.

I raised my brows at him, prompting him to continue.

“Make Evenly your Luna at the festival.” His tone was cold and demeaning.

A tense silence stretched between us; I nodded to him.

“Arya is halfway to the vampire clan. If you take the East Coast, you'll catch them.” He plopped onto his bed.

“I doubt she would be alive by now.”

I left his room, grabbing my keys and taking Ray with me.

Once I entered the car, I zoomed off.Eyes focused on the streets. The car engine roared loudly in my ear, numbing the guilt that had formed in me.

“We should be close by now,” Ray said beside me.

“Take your left.”I hit the gas pedal, slowing the car.

The road ahead of us was forest, not too thick, and had bumps ahead.I alighted from the car, and so did Ray.

“Is this the right way?” I asked him, still staring out into the woods.“It says the car was parked somewhere…"

He stopped and I turned to his direction.

Then we saw it; the car that had carried Arya was totally destroyed, smashed into a tree.

Three men lay lifeless on the ground. I walked up to them, crouched, checking for any visible bite marks.

But nothing.

No sign of blood.

No bite marks.

Strange.

“What happened?” Ray said.

“Is this an ambush?”

More importantly, where is Arya?

I rounded the car.

Then I saw her.

She nestled beside the car, her chest rising and falling steadily.

“She's alive… but how?” I muttered, confused.

“Levi,” Ray called out.

I turned to him.

“They weren't attacked at all. It was like they… just died.”

Perplexed, I turned to Arya.

“Let's get her to a witch doctor to check for internal damage.”

I carried Arya back to our vehicle.

A few minutes later we got a small house located on the outskirts of town.

Inside was decorated with dolls, creepily.Some had their heads off while some had no eyes.

Typical of a witch.

“Lay her there.” The old hag said, and I carefully laid Arya on a mat.

The hag chanted something, eyes closed, while her mouth moved rapidly in an unknown tongue.

It went on for about five minutes before she snapped her eyes open.

“So? Is there anything wrong with her?” I asked.“She's no wolf.” The hag turned to me, her expression solid.

“But something dangerous lies within her.”

Arya turned her body and lay by her side; she looked fine.

Breathing fine and fast asleep.The mark became visible.

The very mark I gave her seven years ago.It never healed.

“Destruction is all I see in her, Future Alpha. “The hag spoke in monotone.

“She must be killed.”