Cassandra's pov

"Meet me at the groove restaurant, 8 o'clock sharp." a smile graced my lips as I read the note Theo placed ontop of a box which held a sparkly red dress and black heels.

Excitement buzzed through me as I slipped into the dress and stared at my reflection in the mirror.

Tonight was the night, Theo was finally going to propose and we would start out our life together.

I let out a shaky breath as I made my way towards the restaurant.

I had awaited my twentieth birthday for so long and I just knew this was going to be my best birthday yet and I couldn't wait.

****

"Right this way." The woman confirmed my reservation with a polite smile and directed me into the restaurant.

A soft gasp left me as I walked into the dimly lit restaurant, the place was beautiful beyond my imagination.

"Cassie, you look ravishing." Theo grinned at me and stood as I approached the table.

My heart beat loudly in my chest as I stared into his sparkling blue eyes. Theo was devastatingly handsome.

"You don't look too bad yourself." I blushed as he pecked my cheek.

From where we sat, we had a perfect view of the ocean outside, everything was perfect.

"This place is beautiful Theo." I commented, tearing my gaze away from the scenery to gaze at him.

"Happy birthday my love." He held out a single rose to me and I gently took it.

"Thank you." I whispered.

This was my Theo, sweet and ever romantic.

We placed our orders and enjoyed dinner, talking about everything and anything.

As the night slowly drew to a close, an awareness and anticipation settled within me.

I noticed Theo's guarded eyes as he frequently gazed at his phone.

He seemed to be nervous and I wondered why? He had to know I would accept his proposal without hesitation.

"Cassandra-"

"Yes?" I peered up at him expectantly.

This was it, Theo was about to propose.

As he opened his mouth to speak his phone pinged and he scrambled to get it.

"I'll be right back." He announced before rising and walking away after dropping a quick peck to my lips.

I sat patiently and waited for him to return.

A ping from the table alerted me that he left his phone and despite myself I couldn't resist the temptation to peek.

He would never know and I wouldn't ruin his suprise.

With one last glance behind me to ensure he wasn't coming, I picked up the phone.

'Have you ditched her? I'm waiting for you across the road and if you are quick about it, I just might suprise you.' The message read and it was from a Lizzy with a heart emoji.

My heart beat loudly in my chest as I stared at his phone screen in confusion.

No, it couldn't be...there had to be a logical explanation as to why my childhood best friend who told me she would be out of town for my birthday was sending my boyfriend a message.

With a shaky breath I made my way out of the restaurant.

Once I stepped out of the restaurant I faltered in my step and came to a stop.

My brain raced to process the scene in front of me and for a moment I thought it was a figment of my imagination.

There stood Theo in a passionate lip lock with my childhood best friend, Lizzy.

This had to be some sick joke.

I stood numb for what felt like forever, watching as they lost themselves in their passion oblivious to the world around them.

"You forgot your phone" I called out to them and they sprung away from each other in shock.

"Cassie, what are you doing here?" Lizzy looked from the phone I held out to me.

"Really Liz, that's all you have to say?" I quirked a brow at her.

"I told you I was coming back." Theo stepped forward and took his phone from me.

"You were clearly busy." I bit out.

I waited for an explanation, an apology...just anything but they both remained silent and my heart dropped.

"What's going on Theo?" I asked in a small voice.

Theo and Lizzy look between themselves, seemingly communicating with their eyes and my irritation spiked.

"I've been meaning to tell you-" Theo began and I let out a dry laugh.

"You've been meaning to tell me?" I looked at him in disbelief.

"It just happened Cassie, we never meant to hurt you." Lizzy spoke up and I looked at her in disbelief.

"Never meant to hurt me? What happened to not liking Theo and always urging me to break up with him. You made me doubt my relationship several times and it was because you just wanted him for yourself all this while." I accused her, my eyes burning with hatred.

"Don't talk to her that way." Theo's nostrils flared and I reeled back almost as if he slapped me.

"You are meant to be defending me, I am your girlfriend. Theo please just tell me this is some sick joke." A sob raked through me as I pleaded.

"Come on Cassie, if we are being honest it was over between us years ago." Thoe said.

All my dreams, dreams of starting a family with Theo now stared at me in mockery.

How stupid I must look to them.

"How could you both do this to me? I trusted both of you." A slap a hand over my mouth to keep from breaking into sobs.

"I'm sorry Cassie but Theo and I fell in love and I couldn't resist it, believe me I tried." Lizzy placed a well manicured hand on Theo's chest and I snapped.

I lunged towards her, scratching her arms and wishing she would feel as much pain as she had caused me but before I could do any serious damage Theo ripped me off her as I kicked and screamed to be let go.

"Have you gone mad?" His voice boomed and I slapped him.

Everywhere was dead silent, save for the plattering of rain onto the floor around us and I could tell even he was shocked I would do such a thing.

"I hate you, both of you." I screamed at them.

"Enough." Theo gritted out.

"I loved you. I loved you with everything I had Theo and I thought you felt the same." I cried out.

"You are both rotten and you both deserve each other. I hope you both go to hell." I spat before I turned on my heels and walked away.

The rain fell in heavy angry drops now but I didn't care and I didn't bother to take shelter.

The loud clapping of thunder echoed into the night and It reflected exactly how I felt.

Angry, outraged and then silent.

I kicked off my stupid heels that dug into the mud as I wandered around aimlessly, wondering what would become of my life now.

Cassandra's pov

Different emotions surged through me, ranging from anger, sorrow, despair and finally numbness.

As my feet sunk into the muddy ground as I walked I couldn't feel anything.

It was as though I was merely a ghost observing life pass by me.

Why had I ignored things that were glaring obviously in front of me.

I pushed my wet, sticky hair out of my face and as I looked around I realized I was lost.

I looked back but all I saw was forestry and I wondered how I had possibly come out this far without noticing.

My feet hurt and my back ached and I instantly knew I had been walking for hours.

As I stared down at my sodden clothes I couldn't help but wonder how what started out as a beautiful night had gone horribly wrong.

With a sad smile I leaned against a tree which provided me with minimal shelter and let the rain wash over me, ignoring the shivers that ran through my body.

A snap broke the serenity which surrounded me and my eyes popped open.

A low growl filled the silence as more bones snapped and against my better judgement, I peeked out from behind a tree.

My eyes bulged as a magnificent Lycan stood in the middle of the clearing, seemingly changing back to it's human form.

I marvelled at how huge and majestic the beast was.

How was this possible?

The lycan's were never found in this part of the city. They were at the highest echelon in society and were second only to royalty.

The Lycan seemed to sense my presence and stilled.

I carefully etched back behind the tree, not wanting to be discovered.

The Lycan sniffed the air for a few seconds, a low growl emanated from him right before he looked in my direction and my eyes met his dark brown ones.

In one swift moment, the Lycan effortlessly transformed back into it's human form and my throat dried.

He was a sight for sore eyes.

His matted brown hair fanned his face and his dark brown eyes glistened as he walked directly towards me.

My eyes widened and I slowly tried to imch away from the tree.

"Don't bother, I can see you." His baritone voice called out to me and a shiver ran down my spine.

My heart sped up at his words and I wondered what I should do.

With a gulp, I slowly came out from my hiding place.

His eyes became darker and never left mine as he stopped in front of me.

Upclose, he was even more magnificent to behold. A rich earthy scent invaded my senses and I felt like I was spinning.

He had a commanding and domineering aura about him, almost arrogant and hunty, and I instantly knew this wolf had a high rank in the werewolf world.

"Mate." He announced with a growl, his eyes held a fire and intensity which scared me.

"What?" I whispered, confused.

Surely I had misheard him.

"You are my mate." He clarified as he looked down at me with a small frown on his face.

He almost looked as confused as I felt with his brows scrunched up as he regarded me.

"I think you are mistaken." I gulped.

He slowly rose his hand towards me and his finger followed a dried trail of my tears. I shivered as he touched me and the air around us seemed charged.

The rain had reduced to a light drizzle and the man's hair clung to his face.

Impulsively, I rose my hand and brushed away the hair clinging to his face, obstructing my view of him.

A low purr rumbled between us and he closed his eyes for a few seconds. He seemed to be relishing my touch.

After a moment those deep brown orbs stared at me with heat.

"There is no mistake, you are my mate." His voice was deep and husky and a low heat settled between my legs.

"That's not possible. I'm a human." I pointed out, taking a few steps back.

I couldn't think properly with the heat radiating from him warming me and his intoxicating scent distracting me.

"I'm as confused as you are but my wolf is certain." He stated.

"How?" I knew my eyes sparkled with curiousity but I couldn't help it.

My senses are sharpened and I can perceive everything about you. Your sweet vanilla essence, the wetness crowding between your legs and the increased tempo of your heartbeat." He explained and I gasped at his words, a warmth spreading through me.

"My wolf is on edge and waging war within me to be let free to mark and claim you as his. So like I said before, there is no mistake." He looked pointedly at me and I was at a loss for words.

His hand cradled my face and as he stared at me intently, butterflies fluttered in my belly.

"Do you claim you don't feel it?" He quirked a brow at me and I knew the 'it' was that awareness I had of him. That sizzle in the air that made everything seem electrified.

"You can't mark me." I shook my head, ignoring his question as I took several more steps from him.

How did I get here?

From getting my heart shattered by the man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with to finding a Lycan who claimed I was his mate.

Fear gripped me at what it would mean if this wolf marked me. My whole life would be upended.

And so without a thought I turned and sprinted down the path I came, pushing my legs to get as far away from him as possible as I knew he could catch up to me if he wanted to.

Sebastian's pov

"And you said she is a human?" Kael, my beta, looked at me perplexed and I merely hummed in agreement.

I clenched my fists and went back to attacking the punching bag in front of me.

"Battering the punching bag won't offer you a solution." Kael pointed out and as much as I didn't want to agree with him, I knew he was right.

"It would, however, reduce the urge I have to strangle something or someone." I looked at him pointedly but he merely chuckled.

I flexed my fingers as I paused my assault on the punching bag and  tried to calm my raging emotions and ragged breath.

"Why would the moon goddess give me a human as a mate?" I frowned.

"Are you sure you weren't merely attracted to this human?" Kael asked and my wolf growled within me.

"I think I would know what attraction feels like Kael. My wolf yearned to mark this human right on the spot. I have never felt so aware of another person neither had my wolf ever lost control like I almost had when she stood mere inches away from me." I revealed annoyed by Kael's insinuation.

One of my men walked into the gym and bowed.

"What is it?" I gritted out, unable to mask my irritation and frustrations.

"I have the report you asked for Alpha." He replied, snagging my attention.

Without another word I took the file from him and walked into my office, slamming the door shut behind me.

I poured myself a glass of whiskey before I settled in my chair and began skimming through the file.

Cassandra...that was my mate's name.

Such a sweet, meek name was befitting for her but behind that meek, calm exterior I sensed a heat, a fire and an uncontrollable passion behind her eyes, waiting to be explored.

The prophecy claimed my mate would be the one to redeem the werewolf world and lift the curse so how could my mate be a human?

I was at a loss for how to handle the situation as I read through the file containing everything seemed important about my little human mate.

I took a slow sip of my whiskey as an idea formed in my mind.

"Kael." I shouted and within seconds he appeared at my doorway.

"For the next few days you are in charge of the pack. I have a quick errand to run." I informed him and I could see the question swirling in his eyes but he merely nodded and left the room.

"I'm coming Cassandra." I muttered as I looked out the window.

****

"I must admit I do not understand." Curtis, Cassandra's father stared at me in confusion.

The man was trying to feign ignorance and I smirked.

"Mr. Peterson, this paper clearly shows how many gambling establishments you owe." I pushed the paper with outrageous figures towards him.

He scanned the paper for a moment before his panicked eyes looked at me.

"How did you get this?" He asked.

"So you do not deny it?" I quirked a brow.

"I made some bad decisions on most of those gambling tables but I promised to pay them back." He confessed.

"And how do you intend to do that?" I pushed.

Curtis grappled for words but came up short.

"I have a proposition for you. One which would benefit us both." I began and the man's eyes looked weary.

"I'm listening." He nodded.

"I would pay off all your debts and set you up on an allowance which would afford you to live comfortably." I looked him dead in the eyes.

"In exchange, I want your daughter Cassandra to follow me back to my pack and stay as my mate." I dropped the other shoe and the man's eyes nearly bulged out of his sockets.

"You are insinuating I sell my child Alpha." The man pointed out.

"It wouldn't be selling because she is my mate and with or without you I'll still claim her." I shrugged.

The man contemplated my words for a moment.

"Cassandra is a free spirit, she would never be forced to do anything she doesn't want to." He warned me.

"Leave her to me, all you have to do is sign these documents and I'll do the rest." I pushed the agreement I had drawn up towards him.

He read it's contents carefully.

"You'll pay for all my debts?" He asked again.

"Every last one of them." I assured him and his eyes roamed around my face, searching.

He either seemed to be pleased with whatever he found or he desperately wanted to clear off his debts. Either ways he signed the papers with determination and pushed them back towards me.

"If this wasn't in my favour, I would applaud you on just how easy it was to hand your daughter over to a stranger just for money." I sneered.

What if it weren't me but another man who had made Cassandra's father such an offer and he hadn't refused.

My wolf growled at the thought.

"You may inform her if you wish and I'll make the necessary arrangements to have her join me in my home." I informed her father and he sucked in a sharp breath.

Without another word I strolled out of the man's office, a satisfied smirk on my lips.