Instead of going to the bathroom as Ella originally planned, she went to a small patio in the back of the house. It’s facing the dark forest, beneath the gleaming light of the moon. Ella sat on the stainless steel chair and stared at the starry sky.

A bone-chilling howl erupted from the forest. Ella looked around while gripping the chair handle. She couldn’t believe wolves are living inside the dark forest. Ella snapped out of her thoughts when the door opened.

“Ella, why are you here?” Elisa asked her daughter. Ella looked at her and worriedly smiled. “Come inside, it's cold out here,” she added. Ella nodded her head and followed her mother. The guests were nowhere to be found.

“Where are they?” she asked. Elisa slumped on the couch and started cleaning.

“They went home. Ronaldo said there was an emergency,” Elisa said. Ella glanced outside, the howl she heard won’t leave her mind. She clasped her hands together as tight as she can.

“What is it, dear?” Elisa asked, seeing her daughter’s uncomfortable expression. Ella shook her head and excused herself. She hurriedly went to her room and opened the window. She shivered when the cold wind blew but she remained staring at the forest. Ella wanted to hear the howl again, but the wolf didn’t howl again.

On the other hand, the new Alpha of the Blue Moon pack ran as fast as he can. His beta reported rogue sightings around the border.

“Fucking rogues! They dare trespassed on my land?” he growled. “Follow me, we will kill them all,” he said. His large brown wolf stood out among the others because of his distinct Alpha features. Blaze Matthew Reese ran, followed by the warriors behind him.

“They were already in Samson’s house.” The beta running alongside him said. The first ones to reinforce the Samsons family died. The rogues surely know their way around the pack. Blaze's mind linked everyone who was not with him, to stay alert of the surroundings. Samson’s house came into view with rogues circling around it.

Blaze instantly spotted the six rouges. The rouge positioned himself, ready to attack the Alpha. Blaze smirked at him. He lunged at Blaze, but he quickly dodged it and bit his neck. The rogue whimpered in pain. Blaze bit his neck hard, and he fell on the ground, dead. The other rouges snarled at the Blue Moon pack’s warriors. The beta known as Caleb attacked the rogues with the help of the warriors.

“Secure the area. Make sure the Samsons are safe,” Blaze ordered. The moon is full tonight. Blaze’s eyes glowed. The rogue who was desperately crawling on the ground began howling, but due to his damaged throat, it wasn’t enough to call for the ones outside the border. Blaze changed back to his human form and snap his neck.

“Where is the other one?” he asked as he glanced around the area. They were six of them but his wolf was telling him otherwise. His beta looked at him with confusion visible on his face.

“There’s only six of them, Alpha,” Caleb said, but Blaze shook his head.

“No, find the other one!” he yelled. The warriors scurried around and ran, searching for the rogues. Blaze glared at the dead bodies of rogues lying around the ground. A warrior handed him clothes and he easily put them on him.

“Blaze, I feel something,” his wolf said. Since earlier, Blaze felt his wolf becoming agitated. There’s something that tells him to go, but he doesn’t know where.

“What is it, Bas?” he asked. Bas was the name that her sister gave to his wolf when they were younger.

“I don’t know,” Bas answered and he fell into silence.

“Alpha, the Samsons are safe,” Caleb said. Blaze felt relieved, but because of this attack, three warriors are dead.

“How about the other rogue?” Blaze asked. Caleb who was now in his human form shook his head. It means that they were still tracking the one rogue that got away. Blaze nodded his head and marched back to the packhouse.

“Let’s go. Let Mark clean this up,” he said. Caleb followed him back. Blaze couldn’t help but sigh. As the new Alpha of the pack, the elders’ expectation of him was high. His father, Blake Reese, brought achievements and glory to the pack. Now, it’s his turn to do that.

“Are you going to class tomorrow?” Caleb asked when they entered the packhouse. Blaze slumped on the couch and caressed his head. His mother and father are on vacation right now while his twin sister was in Academia. It’s only him and his little brothers.

“Yeah, I need to. Tell Auntie to help me take care of the naughty kids,” he said. Caleb chuckled. His mother, Alice is the one that helps Blaze with his brothers.

“Then, I need to go,” Caleb said. “Oh, by the way. There’s a human girl that transferred to the University,” Caleb added. Blaze’s ears perked up. He only knows this when his father told him, but he didn’t know that they’d moved in today. Caleb left the packhouse while Blaze rested his back on the couch. He was tired. Running the whole pack by himself was too exhausting, but this is the duty he was born with. As the successor of the Blue Moon pack.

A sudden knock on the door woke Ella up. She rubbed her bleary eyes and glanced at the windows of her room. The sun has already risen and the birds were chirpings inside the forest. 

“Ella, you need to prepare for school now,” her mother said outside the room. Ella groaned and covered her face with a large pillow. The school was tiresome for her but she couldn’t ignore it. At the very least, she wanted to graduate and help her mother. 

“Ella, it’s your first day in your new school. It would be very bad if you’re late,” Elisa said and knock on her daughter’s room once again. 

“Can you give me five minutes, Mom!?” Ella yelled inside. Elisa heaved a sigh and leave Ella be. After five minutes of just staring blankly at the plain white ceiling in her room. She slowly stood up and walk inside the bathroom. 

Ella stepped into the shower, her toes flinching as they touched the solid cold floor. She removed her nightdress and turned the dial, releasing warm water that fully awakened her being. The water trickled on her hair down to her body. She closed her eyes and bathed her skin lightly. 

After her shower was finished, she went to the drawer and picked a white crop top with the word ‘QUEEN’ printed on it and a pair of pants. Ella wore it and headed downstairs, bringing her bonnet and bag with her. 

“I cooked our breakfast. Let’s eat and I will take you to your school,” Elisa said. Ella sat on the vacant chair and picked a ceramic plate and filled it with foods that her mother made. Together, they ate their food silently. 

“Are you ready?” her mother asked after cleaning the dishes. Ella wiped her lips with a handkerchief and nodded her head. “Then, let’s go,” Elisa added and picked the car keys on the table. Ella followed her mother outside and opened the passenger’s seat. Fifteen minutes had passed and they already arrived at the school. Elisa parked her car and glanced at her daughter.

“Remmington University,” Ella mumbled while looking at the school.

“Will you be okay? Gwen promised me to accompany you,” Elisa said. Ella had the urge to roll her eyes because of her mother’s remark but decided not to. She removed her seatbelt and grabbed her bag.

“Mom, I’m not a kid anymore. I’ll be fine,” she said. The truth was, Ella doesn’t want to upset her mother by saying unnecessary things about Gwen. She bid her goodbye and slammed the door closed, gently as possible. 

“Take care, sweetie! Love you!” Elisa said through the open window. Ella waved her hand and smiled. She waited for her mother’s car to go and entered the university, wearing her bonnet. While walking, she overheard the students talking about her, but she chose to ignore it. 

“Ella? It’s you!” Gwen enthusiastically said and hugged her. Ella pushed her lightly and gave her a tight smile. Gwen frowned, but it was quickly replaced by a smile.

“You look good today,” Gwen complimented. The crowd suddenly went wild. 

They gathered at the main entrance. Ella stared at them with a confused expression on her face that she didn’t even bother hiding. And like in a drama, five boys entered, hands on their pocket and looking smug.

“Who are they?” Ella asked. Gwen glanced at her and back to the boys.

“Ah…they are the h-heartthrobs in this university,” she stuttered and nervously laughed. Ella looked at her suspiciously. Gwen quickly avoided her gaze while fidgeting. 

“Right,” Ella said. A particular boy in the group caught her attention. He was emotionless and attractively handsome. The other boys had good looks too, but he stands out the most. He had an aura of being mysterious. He’s wearing a plain shirt, but he’s oozing with sex appeal. Ella mentally groaned. 

“Snap out of it, Ella! Remember your rule: Strictly no boys,” she muttered inside her head. Gwyneth saw Ella checking them out and she couldn’t help but giggle. She poked Ella’s shoulder lightly and smiled.

“Do you like someone on that group?” Gwen asked. 

“Nonsense, I don’t have,” Ella harshly answered back. She doesn’t need friends nor boys in her life. She’s done with it. Ella put her trust in them and what she received in return was pure suffering, the trust she had was broken. For Ella, boys are all the same. They will use, trick, and hurt a woman like her.

“That’s Alpha Blaze,” Gwen said and pointed at the boy who was wearing a plain white shirt. Gwyneth saying his name made Ella’s heart beat fast and do a somersault. 

“Alpha?" Ella curiously asked that made Gwen stiffened. "Like some sort of a gang leader?" she added. Ella felt her visibly relaxed.

“N-Nevermind. You are going to Dean’s office right? I’ll take you there,” Gwen said and smiled. Ella eyed her suspiciously again for dodging her question but regardless started following Gwen to where the Dean’s office was located. 

Gwyneth knocked on the door thrice before opening it. “Good morning, Dean. The new student is here,” she said. The middle-aged woman wearing eyeglasses smiled at the girls. Ella smiled back and they went inside. The Dean handed Ella a paper containing all of her class schedules. 

“Thank you, Dean,” Ella said and took the paper. The Dean nodded her head and watched the girls left her office. Ella started walking away from Gwen, but the girl kept following her, insisting to be her guide. 

“I don’t need a babysitter, Gwen! I can handle myself. Thanks for coming with me,” Ella snapped at Gwen. Gwyneth was taken aback by Ella’s sudden outburst, but instead of getting angry at her, she smiled and bid her goodbye. Gwyneth’s action made Ella sighed. Her conscience was eating her slowly, but she has to build a wall around herself. She doesn’t want to get hurt again. 

 Ella started searching for her classroom when she suddenly bumped into a solid wall that made her fall to the ground, but she was surprised when the said wall talked. 

“Fvck! What are you doing? Are you blind?” a voice said. Ella looked up and saw that the person she bumped into was the same guy who was wearing the plain shirt that Gwyneth called Alpha Blaze.  

“Fvck! What an idiot!” he said. Ella hearing this, rage in anger. She stood up and faced the boy. 

“Excuse me, that’s way out of line!” she angrily said. “I get that it was my fault, but you are also not looking while walking. So, we are just the same!” she added while panting heavily. Ella won’t back down to the likes of him. The guy dared to not look into her eyes. 

Blaze picked up the phone that fell on the ground and looked at Ella. He suddenly felt like the world stopped moving and all that he could see was the girl in front of him. 

“Mine,” he huskily said and hugged Ella.

Ella looked at the boy in front of him like he grew another head. She tilted her head and her frown deepened.

“Excuse me?” she managed to say. Blaze stiffened and he cleared his throat.

“Say sorry,” he said. Ella raised her eyebrow, confused, waiting for him to say another word. "You don't understand?" Blaze smirked at her and leaned closer. Ella can already smell his minty breath. Being close to him makes her stomach churned and heart beats faster. She immediately took a step backward furthering their distance. Ella saw pain flushed through his beautiful pair of eyes but it quickly disappeared.

“What do you mean?” she asked. Ella glanced at her phone and saw the time. “I have to go, excuse me,” she said and walked but Blaze blocked her pathway and smirked at her. Ella glared at him once again. If looks could kill, he’d be dead by now, buried six feet underneath the ground.

“Say a goddamn sorry first because you,” he paused then pointed his finger at Ella. “Bumped me,” he added. Ella could feel anger rising within her. She hated rude guys to the core. 

“I’m not just the one at fault. Don’t order me around, jerk!” she yelled and to her irritation, she pinched him on the stomach harder and ran away. Blaze has his mouth gaping like a fish and when he finally regained his senses, he laughed so hard while clutching his stomach. He didn’t expect his mate would be feisty. 

“He’s undeniably handsome but he’s arrogant,” Ella mumbled while she walked towards her room. She breathed deeply. “Calm down, Ella. Calm yourself,” she chanted. When she already found her room, she stood outside for a few seconds before knocking on the door. 

“Good morning, Miss,” she politely greeted the professor teaching passionately in the front.

“Why are you late?” her teacher said. Ella scratched the back of her head and awkwardly gave a smile. 

“I'm new here, Ma'am. It's kind of difficult finding this room,” she reasoned out. The encounter she had with Blaze was the reason why she was late on her first subject but of course, she couldn’t tell her professor that. “I'm sorry,” she added. The professor smiled at her and motioned her to come forward in which she hastily followed. 

“Please introduce yourself in front of the class,” the teacher said and kindly smiled at her. Ella looked around and inwardly sigh. 

“Ella Merlyn Scott, eighteen years of age,” she simply said. The professor waited for her to talk but a smile was her only response. Ella walked to a vacant chair near the window and sat, putting her bag atop of the table. The professor resumed teaching but was interrupted by yet again another knock on the door. 

“Mr. Reese,” the professor said and slightly bowed her head. Ella who witnessed the strange gesture looked at her intently. She was baffled by her professor’s actions. 

“We meet again,” he said and sat next to Ella. “What's your name?” Blaze asked and smiled showing his perfect set of pearly white teeth. Ella looked at him but didn't respond. She was busy examining his handsome yet annoying face. Mesmerizing blue eyes, luscious lips, and strong jaw. With his clear skin, even pimples would be shy. 

“Hey!” Blaze said and waved his hand in front of Ella. “Done checking me out?” he added and smirked. She snapped out of her thoughts and rolled her eyes aggressively. 

“As if! I’m not checking you out,” she spat and turned her gaze away from him. Blaze chuckled and leaned forward. Suddenly, Ella felt his hot breath fanning on her neck. She instantly froze and covered her nape.

“Did I passed, Miss?” he whispered and winked. Ella jolted and glared at him. Her forehead furrowed and quickly pushed Blaze away. She wanted to scream bloody murder but immediately calmed herself down.

“You’re invading my space, Reese,” she angrily hissed. When the bell rang, she hurriedly shoved all her things in her bag and ran outside the classroom. If she will stay longer, she’ll snap. Ella has a strict rule set that she should follow. She will not allow herself to be shaken by trivial things like Blaze.

“Ella!” someone shouted behind her. Ella stopped walking and looked back, seeing Gwen running towards her. 

“What do you want, Gwen?” she asked, raising her eyebrows and crossing her arms to her chest. Ella doesn’t want to be mean but if it’s the only way to stop Gwen then she will do it. She smiled kindly at her and grabbed her hand.

“Let’s go eat in the cafeteria!” she beamed and dragged Ella along. Ella wanted to get away from her hold but she’s too hungry to complain. 

“Goodness! She's perfect!” Blaze said. His wolf agreed without hesitation. He couldn’t look away. Even if he denies it, there’s no doubt that he’s already smitten by his mate’s beauty. Those curves that lie perfectly in her little body, red lips, her irritated face, for Blaze, all of it are beautiful. He chuckled remembering what happened earlier.

“Bro, have you finally gone mad? Stop laughing,” the beta and his closest buddy, Caleb said. Blaze glared and threw his bag at him which Caleb swiftly caught with his hands. Mason, Clarence, and Adrian, who are also with Caleb entered the room.

“Dude, you know that girl? She looks hot,” Mason asked.

“Who?” Blaze asked and stood up. 

“The transferee,” Mason said while smiling. Hearing this, Blaze grabbed the collar of Mason’s shirt and lifted him in the air.

“She’s mine!” Blaze said, eyes burning with anger. He growled at him, baring his teeth. Mason whimpered, afraid of what the Alpha of the pack could do. 

"Punish him!" his wolf said. 

"Yes. I will," Blaze answered. 

“Blaze, stop this! Put Mason down,” Caleb calmly said and put his hand on his shoulder trying to appease his anger. Blaze threw Mason on the ground and the other two quickly helped him to stand up. Blaze glared at Caleb but he didn’t waver.

“So she's the one,” Caleb said. 

“Yes, she's mine. She's my mate and your future Luna,” Blaze muttered. He finally found the mate he’s been waiting for. Mason, Clarence, and Adrian bowed their heads respectfully.

“I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't know that she’s your mate,” Mason said. He was still shaken by what happened.

“Now that you all know, stay away from her and guard her in the shadows. I don’t want to alarm her,” Blaze ordered.

“Yes, Alpha,” they said in unison. Blaze dismissed the three of them and only Caleb remained in the room with him.

“She's a human,” Caleb said. “I didn’t know humans and werewolves can be mates,” he added seriously. 

“I know. Like you, I couldn’t believe it at first,” Blaze confessed honestly and sat on the armchair. “But she’s my mate, the one that great Moon Goddess had given to me. I don’t care if she’s a human, I will still love her,” he added seriously. Caleb heave a sigh and tapped his shoulder. It’s his way of saying that he supports his Alpha no matter what his decisions will be. It may be a first in their history but Blaze doesn’t care about that. He’s prepared for the consequences even death itself.