RYKER

"Alpha!!" One of the maids called from the other side of the door before opening it.

"What is it?" I asked, frowning at her frantic face,

She stared at me sadly, "There has been some sad news, Alpha."

"Will you stop being vague or do you have a death wish?"

"It's your mother, Alpha." She bowed her head, " The healer sent for you. He said it is very urgent."

I sprang to my feet and took long strides through the familiar hallway to her room.

After the death of my mate, my mother moved in to help me cope with the suffering that came with a mate's death.

I didn't feel it, there was no pain.

She doesn't know, I'm a long way away from being saved. She didn't know I killed my arranged mate.

Nobody did.

"Mum!" I called, rushing to her side. There was barely any sign of life.

I grabbed the Healer by the collar and growled in his face, "Care to explain why she is still like that?"

There was no specific diagnosis for her sickness, which made it even more strange.

"Let me explain please. " He wheezed out, "She's really sick."

My grip tightened, "That's why I employed you. You are supposed to be the best healer in the country.

"Let me explain." He begged.

I threw him to the floor, running a hand through my hair.

"There's not much a medicine can do. Her sickness gets worse everyday."

"Are you suggesting I bring in a witch?" I asked.

The idea of bringing a witch didn't seat well with me, although the ban on them was lifted two years ago, no one had dared to accommodate a witch.

"Yes Alpha," the healer bowed, "I already requested for one. She is on her way here."

As if on cue, a burst of light appeared in the middle of the room and an older woman walked out of it.

"What's the matter?" The witch directed at the healer. "You said it's urgent."

"Heal my mother." I told her.

She frowns at me, but nods and walks forward, sitting beside my mother on the bed. She stretched her palms, hovering it over every part of my mother's body.

"There's not much I can do except relieve her pain for a while." The witch announced.

"Don't tell me she's going to die?!" I yelled in frustration.

"That's precisely what's going to happen except..."

"Except what?!" I cut in curiously.

"Except you find her. The only one capable of healing your mother."

"Who is she? Who is the her?" I asked briskly.

"She has the mark of the goddess and is a direct offspring of the goddess."

"How do I identify the mark of the goddess? There are millions of women out there with tattoos and birth marks. " I snapped, irritated by her vague explanation.

"I'll help you out , she was once a member of this pack. I suggest you find her fast, she's the only one with the abilities else your mother will die. She's barely hanging by a thread as it is."

"There's a catch, though." The witch continued, "If she is mated to someone, it would be impossible for her to activate her healing powers."

"What?" I blinked and she wasn't there.

The witch disappeared, just like that!

I glared at the healer and walked out of the room. If I have to search the whole world for the supposed, ' her' to save my mother, I would.

"Wesley. Study room. Now." I said through the mind link as I headed there myself. The witch's voice replaying in my head.

Barely a minute later, Wesley entered.

"Any news yet?" He asked, walking in fully and settling in one on the sofas in the room, his eyebrows drawn together.

"We have have to find a female, she has the mark of the goddess and is the only one that can save my mother."

"Okay, where is she?"

I frowned at him, "If I knew the answer to that question, we won't be standing here together."

"Sorry, Alpha." He bowed, "Anything to help find her?"

"The witch said mark of the goddess, a female and was once a member of this pack."

"Once a member?" Wesley echoed.

"Yeah." I agreed, "That means we have to find out who was sent out of the pack this last few years and those that left willing. Get me a list now." I ordered.

He left and reappeared few minutes later. There were just about ten female on the list in the past twenty years. Only nine were banished and the last one ran away. I recognized the name instantly, Zora Hendrix.

I dismissed the thought of her instantly.

"What if she's the one?" Wesley asked, pointing at her name.

I scoffed in disagreement, "I'd know if the goddess' offspring was with us. Besides, she's just a weak Omega. "

Wesley and I spent the next few days searching for the women. Two were dead, and the remaining didn't have the mark. It remained one more person on the list, her.

"Have you gotten any information on her yet?!" I asked.

"Finding her isn't easy, especially with a poor description. No one knows how she looks like!"

"Tell me you're joking." I growled.

"I found her." Wesley said immediately, his wolf whining.

"Where?"

"Idaho." He replied.

"Idaho?" That was miles away from here.

"Actually, there's one more thing." Wesley continued, scratching his hair.

"What?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"She is getting married." He revealed.

My steps flattered, the thought made my heart clench in anger.

" How many hours is it from here to Idaho?" I asked coldly. " Precisely the wedding venue." The words rolled off my tongue like bitterly.

"Can we make it before the wedding?" I added.

"Yes." He nods, "If we act fast. The journey is about seven hours from here. We might be able to make it if we move now."

I grabbed the car keys from the key holder, "I'll drive."

I drove like a maniac, going way past the speed limit. Suddenly, we hit a roadblock. The traffic was really thick.

" How many minutes more?" I asked irritatedly. My wolf was very restless.

If she gets married before I get there, my mother would die.

" Twenty minutes more." Wesley replied, "From my findings, they're using St. Peters Church, which is just twenty minutes away from here."

I glanced out the window, it doesn't seem like the traffic would disappear anytime soon.

I alighted the car and began running, shifting mid-air.

Getting to the church in time was my only focus.

ZORA

"I can't believe you are actually getting married." Courtney said with a smile.

We both stared through the window overlooking the pool where Lucas and my twins were.

I had moved in with Courtney six years ago after she saved me on the road, only to find out I was pregnant.

Alpha Ryker ruined my life thrice, but I like to think of my babies as a blessing. They're the only perfect thing in my life.

I've not been able to shift since I left, and neither have I felt my wolf. It was as if she disappeared after saving me.

I met Lucas three years after I arrived at Courtney's restaurant. My kids are my everything and he didn't mind that I was a single mom.

"He said he wants to be father to my kids." I told Courtney, my head on her shoulder.

"That's great!" She squealed, "The kids like him too, so that's a plus."

"I don't know." I sighed, "I really don't know. "

"Don't you love him? Doesn't he make you happy?" Courtney asked, her forehead creasing in worry.

"No, no. He's my dream man, of course. I'm happy with him." I admitted, Lucas has always been there, he's patient and thoughtful, especially when it came to my children. He treats them like his own.

"Oh..." Courtney sighed, "I guess you're just nervous."

I nod against her shoulder. I've never told my story to Courtney, how the stranger I slept with in a drunken state wasn't only the pack's Alpha but also my mate. How I'd been labeled cursed.

The only thing she knew about my real identity was that I was a wolf.

"Maybe." I agreed, pushing back my worries. Lucas is going to accept me as his wife, and nothing would go wrong. We'd live happily after ever, and that's the only way I can avenge myself. Be happy.

"You'll be fine." Courtney squeezed my hand assuredly, "You'll get the happiness you deserve. "

***

It was finally my wedding day, I sat in front of a mirror in my room, staring at my reflection.

"The color of your eyes changed." Courtney appeared behind me, her eyes filled with awe.

I blinked, and my eye color returned back to normal. I've been experiencing the changes. Ever since I'd agreed to marry Lucas but I didn't have the time to think about it.

I groaned into my arms excitedly, "I can't believe this is happening. I'm building a family."

My heart fluttered in my chest. I'd managed to build a normal life, I owned an exclusive restaurant and passed for a human.

"You're not talking about your eyes!" Courtney screeched, "Does it mean something is wrong?"

"My eyes?" I questioned, staring back at the mirror, "They look pretty normal. "

She tilted her head, "I could have sworn I saw a tint of red."

"It's not even possible." I added quickly, I didn't want her worrying about me, knowing fully well that whenever my emotions are all over the place, my eyes changes color. At least, that's what I have noticed so far.

"Anyways." She shook her head as if dismissing the image, "Scott is on his way to the church. Let's get you ready."

"Sure." I nodded at her, beaming with happiness.

I could hear the soft music playing from the church. We'd booked a hotel room closer to the church and our reception to lessen the stress of moving around.

"Wooow." Courtney gasped, tears glistening in her eyes as I swirled in my wedding gown.

"Mummy!!" My twins, Leah and Tyler, squealed in excitement.

"You look beautiful, mum." Leah beamed.

Tyler scoffed in response, "Do you mean she hasn't always been beautiful?"

Leah looked like she was going to argue. Instead, she bared her teeth at him and handed me my bouquet of flowers.

"So mum.." Tyler stared at me with a serious expression, "Does this mean Scott will be our father? We won't be bullied in school for not having a dad?"

I squatted to his level and cupped his face, "I promise, no one will ever have to bully you. Scott will always be your father."

"What about our real father?" Leah chirped in, her eyes wide with curiosity.

I swallowed, I hadn't expected this question, so I had no idea how to reply.

"He's dead." Courtney replied quickly, "Now we don't want Mummy to cry on her big day, do we?"

The twins shook their head in response.

I flashed her a grateful smile. I hope never to cross paths with Ryker because heaven knows the day I do, I'm going to kill him.

"Let's go, Mummy." Leah smiled, "Let's get you married to Daddy."

I nodded, took in a deep breath and followed them out to the church where Lucas was already waiting.

My heart fluttered in excitement, who needs a fated mate when I have my perfect man.

The double doors into the church opened to welcome me as I walked down the aisle to my husband. The only one who has been with me through thick and thin.

As Leah and Tyler escorted me down the hall to the altar, the feeling of contentment and satisfaction settled over me like a blanket.

I smiled at Lucas He was breathtakingly handsome.

Leah handed me to Lucas, who collected my hand with a smile as we turned around to face the priest.

"Do you, Lucas Davis, take this young woman to be your wife, be with her through thick and thin till death do you apart?"

"I do." He replied, smiling at me. His eyes were so full of love that I felt safe.

"Do you, Zora Hendrix, take this young man to be your husband, be with him through thick and thin till death do you apart?"

I squeezed his hands, letting all my love pour through.

"Yes." I was about to say but was interrupted by the double doors bursting open.

The scent hit me first, cedarwood with a mix of rum spice.

My wolf stirred.

My heart beat erratically in my chest, not from fear. I was angry.

He found me.

He just couldn't let me happy!! That bastard!

Just like that, my happiness, my hope, went down the drain, instead rage, fury, anger resurfaced.

He let out a deep guttural growl.

"Oh my gawd!" Lucas cursed under his breath.

I threw a furtive glance at my babies in worry, my eyes welled appreciatively. Courtney had her arm around my kids protectively.

I turned on my heels, glaring at the man by the door, staring at me weirdly.

He held my gaze as he spoke, "I believe her answer is no." He growled.

"Ryker." I said curtly, "What do you want?"

I searched the church frantically for exits. I needed Courtney to get my children out of here before I go full rage on the life destroyer standing by the door.

I found one.

I pointed at the door and snarled to Courtney, "Leave."

She ran toward the exit wordlessly, taking my children with her.

I walked down the aisle towards him slowly, to the one who ruined my life to begin with.

Of all nightmares, I didn't expect to face him again.

"What. Do. You. Want?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes at him.

His eyes flickered to Lucas, who still stood at the altar watching me with a confused expression.

Ryker's gaze hardened, "Take her." He ordered.

That was the last thing I heard and saw.

Someone hit me on the neck, and everything went black.

ZORA

"What about the children?" I heard someone ask.

My eyes flew open, I sat up, looking at my surroundings.

The car was pulling into the Alpha's garage.

"Oh, you're awake. Good." Ryker said icily. "Let's go."

"Please, I'm begging you. Don't kill me." I went on my knees again the instant we got down from car. "Did you go all through the trouble just to bring me back to kill?"

He stopped and gave me a once-over, "Why would I kill you when I finally have use of you?"

"What are you planning to do with me?" I asked as his Beta pulled me up to my feet, dragging me along with them.

"I need your healing abilities to save my mother. Prove yourself, and you can go."

"R... really?" I doubted if my ears were really working.

"Yes." He said curtly, "You can go back when you're done. I didn't need you then, and I don't need you now."

His words stung. He came to disrupt my life again after seven years and he still hates me just like before.

I'd better do whatever he wants of me and get the heck out of here fast, back to my children.

"What do you mean about healing abilities?" I asked.

He didn't answer.

His Beta dragged me till we entered a room.

I recognized the woman on the bed instantly as his mother, the former Luna.

I scanned my surroundings, safe for a few servants, his mate wasn't here. I didn't see her on the way here either.

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked.

I was lost, confused.

"You are witch, do what witches are supposed to do."

I frowned at him and turned to his Beta, "I really don't know what to do."

"We didn't check her body for the mark." Beta Wesley said, turning to Ryker.

He nodded a maid came closer, tearing the upper part of my cloth without warning, exposing my bare chest.

The mark that had magically appeared with my eye colour changes glowed.

"Need more proof?" Ryker spat out on disgust and closed the distance between us, "You are going to heal my mother or I will kill you."

I swallowed and turned to his mother on the bed, I waved my hand above her, "Abracadabra?"

Beta Wesley snickered.

Ryker grabbed my upper arm, and growled, "Is this some kind of joke to you?!"

"I am not a witch," I tell him calmly even though, I was anything but calm, I just want to go back to my children and Courtney.

"That mark and your new eye color obviously doesn't agree with you."

I closed my eyes briefly and stared into his eyes, "Even if I am a witch, which I am not, my powers would be in dormancy and it's not going to pop out just because you're asking it to."

"I see the human world has messed up with your brain and you don't know when to keep quiet anymore especially in front of your Alpha. "

"Please let me go." My lips quivered, "I didn't mean to disrespect you, I am just letting you know my mind."

"I didn't ask for your opinion." He snapped, "You are here to follow my orders."

He gripped my hand and opened my palm, without warning, his sharp claws dug into my palm.

Blood was everywhere instantly, he placed my bleeding palm over his mother.

My blood stained her lips, hair, face, body. Still, nothing worked.

He threw my hand like it burned him ,snarled in my face, "What exactly are you not doing right?"

I closed my eyes in fear, my body shook visibly, "I swear, I don't know."

I clutched my open wound tightly, applying pressure on it like Courtney had taught me.

I cut of the piece of cloth hanging from my chest and tightened it around the wound.

I opened my eyes slowly to found Ryker staring at me weirdly.

I swallowed and returned my gaze to the floor. Even after seven years, he was still the same, only with more muscles and a feral look in his particularly green eyes that seems to search deep into one's soul, just like how it is currently drilling a hole in head.

"I... I think we should give her time Alpha. Her powers may indeed be on dormancy." A new voice said.

I turned to the corner of the room where the voice came from and found an healer standing there.

Ryker narrowed his eyes into slits and answered the healer, "Get out. "

The healer bowed quickly and bolted out.

I stared at the entrance wistfully, then back at the Alpha, can I get some help?"

"The only help you will get is staying beside my mother and figuring out how get your powers working. It would be bad for either of us if your powers are just as useless."

"Bu-" I tried arguing, but was cut off.

"I didn't cross countries only for me to accept no from you."

"What happens if my supposed powers remain dormant and your mother dies?"

His eyes darkened as he replied, "Your friend and her children will die first, followed by any other person you care about, then I kill you. It's as simple as that."

I gulped down loudly as his eyes drilled into mine, he meant every word he said, just like how he whispered promises into my ear that night and went back on all this promises the next day.

"Do you remember me?" I blurted out.

He frowned at me, "Are you important for me to remember?"

"Asidess from the rejection, do you remember me before then?"

"Why?" He asked back, his voice icily cold.

I should have taken that as my warning,

"Do you really not remember?" I prodded, my cheeks burning as the events of that night played in my head.

"No, I don't." He said in a dangerously calm voice, "Am I supposed to remember that?"

"Vida Club, seven years ago. A day before the annual ceremony, ring any bells?"

He furrowed his eyebrows, "Doesn't even ring an alarm."

My heart plummeted down to the bottom of my stomach, was I that easy for him to forget?

I blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. I shouldn't be bothered by him, he ruined my life and isn't worth my tears.

I glanced at my hands, blood was seeping through the cloth already.

Ever since my wolf disappearance, my wounds heal very slowly which is why Courtney does most of the cutting work at home.

"Wesley, get that healer to call his witch. I need to know if a mistake has been made." Ryker ordered, his eyes not leaving mine.

"I need your promise that you won't touch my friends." I tell him.

"Oh wait, I forgot. Your promise means nothing. Why do I even bother" I added in my mind.

The next second, my back hit against the wall and Ryker had his hands on my neck, pinning me to the wall, "What did you just say?!" He roared

Did I seriously just say that out loud?!

"No, Zora. You didn't." He snarled in my face, "For some crazy reason, I can suddenly hear your thoughts. Did you do it just so I can hear that? That my promise means nothing?!"

White danced in my vision.

"I... can't breathe." I choked out.

He released me and I fell to the floor. "The next time you pull this trick on me will be your last." He threatened, his voice dripping with hatred and disgust.

I scrambled up to my feet and nodded.

"Good." He moved back, creating some distance between us.

"When can I leave?" I questioned, eyeing hin discreetly.

"Oh dear," He smiled, "You are not leaving this pack unless you heal my mother."

My eyes widened,

I am as good as dead.

He closed the distance between us again and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead, "Exactly, you are as good as dead."

He grinned wickedly, "There is one more thing darling, you would be punished every week by the amount of times you fail at your attempts."

"Y- you mean torture?"

"Of course not," He smiled, "There are way more fun punishments then torture."

He turned on his heels and went to the door. "Agatha," he called to the servant by the door, "please do make sure our guest is comfortable and well fed. It's going to be a long stay for her."

He left, Agatha following suit instantly, excusing herself to prepare my room.

I sat near his mother's body and stared out the window,

Will I ever get to see my children?

Suddenly, frail fingers gripped my wrist in a tight grip.

I jumped and turned to find his mother staring at me curiously.

"You're awake." I breathed out relief, who would have thought all it I needed to do was stay with her, alone and quietly.

"Let me call the Alpha." I told her.

She shook her head quickly, "Please heal my son instead," she pleaded in a soft voice, "Help me save him from himself, please."

I didn't say anything.

"Promise me." She demanded.

"I promise." I whispered softly and watched her smile her last, the light fading from her eyes as she breathed her last.

Ryker's mother was dead.