For the past several months, rogues have been attacking packs but never taking over the land. It looked like they were in pursuit of something or someone. No one knew anything. The Werewolf Counsel had summoned all Alphas to come together to try and stop the attacks. There were already so many casualties and fallen packs. And if no one stood against those rogues, the werewolf's existence would be under threat.

Felix was in his study managing paperwork for his pack's affairs. He was the Alpha of the White Claw Pack, and he was responsible for everything that concerned his pack. And now his main aim was to protect all his pack members from the feral rogues. The rogues attacked many surrounding packs, but he managed to save many of them and claim their lands to expand his pack. If the Alphas were not dead, he offered them to remain in their position, but he had the ultimate control.

Last night an incident happened by the park borders. A human girl was about to be attacked by a rouge. He was surprised that she even got that far because the pack was a distance from the road and out of sight unless a person felt like taking a really long hike in the forest, which was unlikely.

For centuries, the werewolves have been living in the shadows and undetected. Some werewolves lived in plain sight among humans, so long they did not disclose their identity. If a werewolf wanted to disclose its identity to a human, they had to seek permission from the committee. But the exceptional cases were if it was about mates. Each werewolf is born with a mate. Their other half was chosen by the Moon Goddess, the creator of all werewolves. When he or she comes of age and shifts for the first time, they are likely to sense their mate.

A soul-binding bond between 2 individuals. The thing is, even though it is fate, a person can choose to accept or reject it. But it's not an easy thing for both parties, and it sometimes leads to insanity for both parties, because denying what is meant to be has consequences.

Felix had everything. He was an excellent alpha, and he made a name for himself. He had his pack's love and respect and the admiration of many. But that was nothing compared to the joy of having a mate. When he first turned, he anticipated finding his mate. He was so sure that it would not take long, but it did. He had to watch his best friend Jake and Beta find a mate and then everyone else. He never lost hope, and he searched for her in different packs and even tried human territory, but to no avail. He had a lot of questions but no one was going to give him the answer he needed. All his achievements and victories did not mean a thing without his mate, but he had to keep going strong because he had a duty to protect and lead his people.

While doing paperwork, he awaited the results of the girl who was rescued. He had not yet seen her, but he made sure she was in good hands. As soon as she recovered, he was going to call his old friend Alexa, a witch, so that she could erase her memory of werewolves. He couldn't take the risk of letting her go with what she had seen. For now, she had to stay in the pack clinic until the deed was done.

Felix heard a knock on the door and then it swung open. Jake entered and went towards him. He raised his head from the paperwork and gave Jake his attention. " Are you still in your study? Won't you go see our patient?" he asked curiously. Felix sighed and laid back in his chair. " I have been busy, and I have not had a chance to get out of here. Besides, there is no need for me to grace the presence of a human trespasser. I have you for that." He smirked at Jake.

" What would you do without me?!" Jake exclaimed sarcastically and took a seat." So, how's the situation? Is she alright?"

" You mean is Mercedes alright. And yes, she is fine, just has a little bruising here and there," he replied. Felix's eyebrow rose in question. " Her name is Mercedes? As in a Mercedes-Benz car?"

Jake gave him an incredulous expression. " No, not a Mercedes-Benz car, but a name. Haven't you heard of the name before?" He shook his head. " No, I haven't. But it is a nice name."

" By the way, Crystal had a chat with her and asked her some questions about herself, but she did not divulge much. She said nothing about werewolves to Crystal," Jake said. She is different. If it was someone else, they would have already opened their mouths and ranted about what they saw. But then again, humans find it hard to believe supernatural or paranormal activities without proof. Everything needs proof, even your own identity. But still, the risk was too great. The last thing they needed was nosy humans out to prove a theory of supernatural existence.

" She might still he in shock and taking it all in. For all she knows, she could have just been hallucinating everything. If she is a smart one, she didn't risk being dragged to the looney bin." Jake chuckled at what Felix said.

" But there is something strange about this," Jake stated in thought. Felix looked at him in confusion. " What do you mean by that?"

" I mean that girl, Mercedes, shouldn't have made it that far while being chased by a werewolf," he paused and looked at Felix, whose wheels were already turning. " Do you-" Felix cut him off. " No, I didn't think so. Did you not say that she was completely human, with no trace of supernaturalism?"

" Before you dismiss the thought, Felix. Take into consideration that there are late bloomers. Maybe she is something, but she isn't aware of it. But what I'm sure of is that no normal human can outrun a werewolf with such speed."

" I think we should let it be. We have too much on our plate already to be concerned about her. As long as she does not create any problems while she is here, she can be whatever it is that she is. Although I still think she is just a human," Jake nodded his head and surrendered. There was no use prolonging the conversation if Felix was shutting it down. Maybe he was right. He should not put too much thought into her. In a few days, she will be gone. But there was something about her, he could not put a finger on. The rouge that was after she let her run from him. He did not want to harm her or else he would have on the second he got the chance. But he did not, and he even risked crossing the White Claw pack borders. He wanted something with her. Even though he had no clue what it was, his gut told him it was important.

One thing about Jake is that he is an analytic man who thought about everything to a T. And if something didn't add up, he strived to connect the pieces of the puzzle. He was pulled out of his mystery-solving thoughts.

" By the way, why is Crystal still working? I thought I told her to focus on herself other than others, because she is expecting." Jake smiled at the mention of his mate and the pup they were awaiting. Crystal Perez is his mate. He found her in the neighboring packs that they rescued. She is an omega. The lowest rank in the werewolf hierarchy. She was not in the best of conditions. Her whole life she had been no more than a mere slave to all the pack members, and she was even sexually abused by most of the males, including the Alpha of the pack.

That caused her to have internal damage and be unable to conceive. All that did not make Jake love her any less than she deserved. In fact, he loved her more. For all those times she felt unloved. When they decided to start a family, they faced difficulties. Jake made sure to assure Crystal that he would continue to love her as he did even if they never got to have their own child.

But then a miracle happened. The Moon Goddess blessed them with the pup they had been longing for, and they couldn't be happier.

Jake wished that fortune could smile upon his dear friend Felix. He knew he felt obligated to share in their joy, but it broke him. Everyone was happy but him. He had to watch and celebrate other people's happiness but received none of his own.

" You know Crystal. She loves her work bloody too much, and I could get her to sit in. She says she won't be able to cope without anything to do, and it will take her thoughts where she doesn't want them to go if she does not keep her busy. So I told her she could continue to work so long as she doesn't overwork herself. And when she starts to swell, she will retire for the remainder of her pregnancy."

Felix noticed the spark that shined brightly in his orbs when he spoke of his mate. Envy and pain coursed through his veins, but he mastered the art of masking his emotions. He knew that pitied him, but as long as he didn't look pitiful they would not openly express it.

" And you? Are you ready to be a father?"

" Who is ever ready for anything in life, much less fatherhood? I have been longing for this for a while, so I would like to believe that I am ready for what is to come with fatherhood." Jake expressed his joy and Felix faded into his words, lost in thoughts. He kept asking himself if he had done anything to anger the Moon Goddess for her to forsake him. It was killing him, and it would only be a matter of time before he snaps and loses his head. His sanity was hanging on by the thread.

" Well, take it from me. You will become a great father to your child and Crystal is the luckiest to have you by her side. Take care of her," he said to Jake with all sincerity.

" Your day shall come too. Do not lose faith in the Moon Goddess. She does not forsake anyone. You will find your mate, and you will have everything you want in her," Jake declared. Felix laughed humorlessly. " From your lips to Goddess' ears, my friend."

It felt so surreal. Mercedes felt at peace and relaxed for the first time. She was not scared or anxious that anything bad would happen, and it was a strange feeling considering how people are at the hospital because of something bad. It had just been 5 days, and she was already getting used to the hospital room she was in. Everyone she met treated her well and catered to everyone's needs, no matter how small it seemed. Although she had a feeling that it had something to do with her good and first friend ever, Crystal.

Crystal had been a Godsend to her. She came more than necessary to check on her. But she was not complaining. It was like she understood her. She didn't want to be all alone and feel that eerie loneliness again. When Crystal came over she would talk all about her life and what an amazing family she had. Her husband loved her to bits. She even told her she was pregnant with her first child. In all that time, she felt like she got to know her completely and that they bonded. Mercedes felt a little bit sad when Crystal told her about her family, but she was glad not everyone was cursed as she was.

Crystal was an oversharer, and it was good because she could not imagine herself reliving her past so soon after feeling a little bit better. So she was glad that from the first day she was admitted to the hospital, Crystal was no longer probing into her life. It would be torturous to get to relive those moments again.

Then there was a werewolf issue. She hadn't said a word about it to anyone. To be honest, she has doubts about it herself. What are the odds that she was being chased by a werewolf that almost killed, and she was rescued by three werewolves? She could have just passed out in the forest because of stress and fatigue and had a dream about the werewolf saga. But deep down she knew everything she witnessed was true. She felt it within her. Maybe she just did not want it to be true because it was a big thing. It would mean that everything fictional about the supernatural and all those other things that are supposed to be impossible is possible, and the truth has always been what was 'supposedly not true'. But people would remain oblivious of it because there was no proof of their existence other than being seen by a runaway homeless girl. Yeah, sure they would believe her. Anyway, she felt that some things were better off unsaid. Humans don't exactly have the best reactions to things beyond. She was lucky she didn't lose her marbles and ran around telling people she saw a car-sized wolf. So she decided to try and pretend that nothing happened and let sleeping don't lie. Those wolves did not kill her even though they could have decided to do so for their secret to remain a secret. They must have thought no one would believe her, but that counts for something because it is a risk, and they took it.

But there was still the unexplained homicide case pending. Everyone was murdered except her, and she doesn't remember what the hell happened. All these strange things happening had to mean something, but that is what she could not seem to figure out. How ill-fated could she be to experience all these misfortunes one after the other? Being among dead bodies and getting chased by a creepy murderous werewolf was something she did not want to experience again. She got chills thinking of what was in store for her when she left the hospital. Too bad, she could not extend her stay because she couldn't afford to pile up the bill in her account.

Speaking of which, she had to ask Crystal when she came for her next round. She bit her nails, trying to think of how she would pay her hospital bills. Who was she kidding? There was no way she could afford anything at the moment. At that very moment, the nurse came in with a bowl of fruit, pancakes with honey smeared on them, and topped off cherries with iced tea. Guilt set in and her big appetite vanished. How could she stand to sit and just be a freeloader? Now she won't be able to stomach the delicious-looking breakfast.

But to try and make herself feel better, she thought of it from another angle. She could not afford all this, but she can't have it all go to waste by refusing it when it is already in front of her. It sounded ridiculous, but she needed to find a way to enjoy her meal without feeling guilty.

The nurse put the tray of food on the bedtable and gave her a sweet smile. Mercedes forced a smile of her own. The nurse then fluffed her pillow to make it a bit more comfortable for her and add to her already humongous guilt. She wanted to tell the nurse to stop doing unnecessary things for her comfort, but her mouth would not cooperate with her. Just what she needed, for her to feel like shit when she was feeling good. She blamed all the time she had, which made her overthink so much about things. After all, it is said that an idle mind is a devil's workshop. She was staying in the hospital and enjoying the benefits, knowing she couldn't pay.

At that moment, the door opened, and she smiled when she caught a whiff of a familiar scent. But there was another unfamiliar scent. A strong masculine scent that was so intoxicating. Crystal entered her room with a man by her side. A rugged, deliciously handsome complete knockout, literally. She gasped as if someone knocked the air out of her lungs. He had jet black hair, Sapphire hooded eyes, peachy full lips with a five o'clock shadow. Just her luck. Such a handsome man had to see her with a bird's nest for hair and a hospital gown. Her cheeks became stained with a rosy shade, and she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

" Hello, Mercedes. Today I came with my superior to see you," Crystal said. Mercedes's brows furrowed in confusion. Why would her superior need to see her? Her heart rate picked up, thinking that she was finally going to get kicked out of the hospital. Her eyes landed on Crystal, silently asking for an explanation. Crystal's eyes were filled with guilt and sadness. She had a great time with Mercedes, and she didn't want her to leave, but it was 'what is best for everyone '. Not her words. Jake said so while trying to convince her to let go of Mercedes and forget about her. Everyone thought so, so she was outnumbered.

" What's going on Crystal?" Mercedes finally asked, trying to lessen the tension in the room. The superior Crystal referred to was standing by the corner staring at her stoically.

Crystal advanced closer to her and reached for her hand, grabbing her attention from the superior. " I have to tell you something," she admitted to her. Mercedes gulped, and the suspense was killing her. Crystal sighed heavily as what she wanted to say was not something easy. She sat by her bedside and looked her in her eyes. " Since the day you came in you have been under the misconception that you are in a hospital... for humans, but you are not," she confessed to her. Mercedes's heart rate picked up and the monitor beeped.

" W-what d-do you mean Crystal," she asked, trying her best not to freak out. Crystal rubbed her arm, trying to soothe her stress. "Whatever you saw that night, it's all true, and you are in a werewolf clinic in the pack grounds," Felix spoke for the first time since he entered the room. Mercedes's eyes widened, and she removed Crystal's arms from her shoulders. " What's going on here? What is this and why did you bring me here?" her voice was an octave higher than she intended to. " You are here because you went somewhere you shouldn't have. Don't you humans warn each other about venturing into the woods at night? You saw something you were not supposed to see, and now we have to undo that," Felix said impatiently.

Nothing made sense to Mercedes.

''Alpha, please! Let me talk to her. Give me some time and I will bring her to your office," Crystal pleaded with Felix through the mind link to not make the situation worse. Felix nodded his head stiffly and silently walked out the door. Now Crystal was left alone with Mercedes. The situation was less tense now and Mercedes felt her body instantly relaxed.

" I know you are still in shock, but that's the truth. I didn't tell you before because I didn't want to agitate you." Mercedes was silent, trying to wrap her head around what she had just heard. She had been surrounded by werewolves and she had no bloody clue. Just when she felt like she was in a better place, a safe place.

"Talk to me... please." Mercedes looked at Crystal in curiosity. When she first saw werewolves in the woods, she thought all sorts of terrible stuff, but looking at Crystal, she was different. She is caring and sweet, unlike her superior.

" What was he talking about? What are they going to do to me?" she asked, recollecting him saying they had to undo what she saw. Crystal figured there was no use to be beating around the bush. She was not going to remember any of it anyway. " There is a witch, Alexa. The Alpha called her so that she could erase your memory." Mercedes's mouth dropped in astonishment. The part of erasing her memory went over her head and she was stuck on the witch part.

"Is there a witch here?"

Crystal brought Mercedes fresh clothes since hers were torn. They were both silent, trying not to make the situation even worse. Crystal briefed Mercedes on what she had to know because she asked. She was told that her friend was going to leave and would never remember her. It was probably not a good idea to form an attachment with her. She couldn't help herself. Mercedes was just shy and sweet. Unlike the females in her pack.

Crystal was only treated well by the rest of them because she was mated to a Beta. If it wasn't for that, she wouldn't even be here. Every privilege she gets is because of her mate's status in the pack. Although she is grateful, it is not enough. She wanted people to like her for who she is, not who she is with. She doesn't want fake respect or concern like that. With Mercedes, it was different. She didn't know anything about her, and she liked her for her personality and character. In that short time, they established a solid bond that would soon break.

While they were headed to the Alpha's office, Mercedes stopped Crystal in her tracks and insisted she give her a tour of the pack perimeter. Crystal was hesitant to keep the Alpha waiting, but she thought, why not? This was the last time she would get to be here with her. So she took her around and showed the training grounds, some of the houses where families lived, the lake behind the packhouse, and the orphanage where pups who have lost their parents live. Crystal shared that she often went there to spend time with the kids when she had time. The place was big, and it would take time to go everywhere, so they decided to go where they were expected.

Before they could get inside the packhouse, Mercedes stopped Crystal again. " What is it, Mercedes? Are you alright?" She did not reply. She just threw her arms around her and hugged her tightly. " Thank you," she said, with tears falling from her eyes. Crystal teared up as well. It was so strange how she felt like she had known her longer than she did. It was hard for them both to say goodbye.

Thank you for everything. I know I won't remember it all, but I want to tell you now that I appreciate it."

" I will miss you, Mercedes. I hope that one day we will meet under different circumstances," she said with a teary smile. She wiped the tears from Mercedes's eyes and kissed her on her cheek. Crystal held out her hand and Mercedes connected their hands and walked inside together. Luckily, it was not awkward because most of the pack members were out on errands.

Crystal took a deep breath and gave Mercedes a reassuring smile to her. Jake opened the door and moved out of the way.

Mercedes was unhappy, but there was nothing she could do about it. The decision was made and she had to leave. It is what is best for everyone except her. Once again, she had to part ways with something. The last time she did it, it was not as painful as that because she was not leaving anyone behind. Now she is leaving Crystal, and she won't even remember her and not any of the moments that they shared. Life really had it out for her. Nothing was going well. She didn't even tell Crystal that she had nowhere to go.

Mercedes's eyes scanned around the room, and she took in the interior. Everything is made of wood and leather. It had quite a manly touch to it and was simple.

She saw the man she had met earlier and Jake. Crystal couldn't stop talking about him. She finally put the face to a name. He was no less attractive than the still brooding man and ripped. Come to think of it, she never came across anyone unfit in the place. It must be the werewolf gene they are blessed with.

Then lastly, she laid eyes on sexy Asian women with literally cat eyes. Her black sheen hair was in an uptight ponytail and her make-up was smokey and dark. Her whole get-up was goth style.

" Finally Crystal. Where were you?" Jake asked Crystal, who was still holding on to Mercedes.

" We went for a walk, and we lost track of time," she said, giving a curt reply. Now that she was close, Jake could feel her emotions through the mate bond. He felt bad for her, but it was the Alpha's orders, and she had to come to terms with it at some point.

' Please calm down my love. This kind of stress is not good for the baby," he warned in concern, but Crystal didn't reply.

" So this is the human who stumbled upon the beast land," the Asian woman sauntered closer to her and traced her dark purple nails on her neck. Surprisingly, Mercedes did not even flinch or cower. She looked right into her eyes. Mercedes had already figured out that she was Alexa, the witch who had to erase her memory.

" She is good-looking, Felix. Why would you not want to keep a human like her? Most humans are hysterical when they get to know about the supernatural world, but she is calm... not sacred." While Alexa was making her own observation, everyone else was quiet.

" I didn't call you here to make suggestions, Alexa. I'm calling in a favor. Do it so we can send her on her way!" Felix grumbled with his arms folded. He looked like a big baby who was making a fuss about not wanting veggies in his meal. Mercedes rolled her eyes at his behavior.

" Relax now Alpha. No need to get agitated, I'll do it alright?" she huffed. She looked Mercedes in the eye and said, " Are you, ready human?" Mercedes was getting annoyed at the human word. She knew she was just an ordinary human being. There was no need for them to keep reminding her of her inferiority.

She nodded her head, but before she looked at Crystal and mumbled," Goodbye," to her with a small smile on her lips. Alexa placed her fingers on her head and began to engage her mind. She closed her eyes in concentration. Mercedes felt the power on the tip of her fingers surge through her brain. It was not painful. She became immobile while Alexa worked her magic. She saw a playout of the events of her life, but everything went on quickly. Suddenly, Alexa let go of her and shock was expressed by her features.

There was pin-drop silence while everyone anticipated the results.

" Impossible!" Alexa breathed out in shock.