“Who are you?”

Maggie and I glanced at each other as the one-eyed man stared daggers at us. We were currently at Grey Moon’s western border and planning to cross it when this tracker confronted us.

A part of me wanted to run away or fight this one-eyed tracker but I knew for a fact that this would not give us any good. We knew that revealing ourselves in the open like this was like inviting others to prey on us and yet, we still decided to continue. Our goal was to enter the Grey Moon territory and by that, we meant that we have to face the pack’s trackers and warriors.

“I said, who are you and what are you doing here out in the wild?!”

The tracker’s voice raised a little compared to his last query. His face was now flushing while giving us an intimidating stare. He also moved his head from side to side while his fingers slightly moving. Uh oh! The one-eyed tracker seemed to be ready to arrest or fight with us.

Beads of sweat began to form on my forehead. My heart was also banging inside my chest. We have to do something to pacify him or else we will be dead before we could see Uncle Stan. Not that we couldn’t fight this werewolf in front of us, we just didn’t want to attract unnecessary attention from others. Fighting one wolf is one thing and yet, fighting a group of skilled warriors was another level.

“We…We…”

“What’s going on here?”

The sound from another man took our attention. It was Oliver, inching himself towards us. The one-eyed tracker turned around and bowed his head. The gesture made me wonder. Could it be that Oliver was one of the high-ranking wolves in this new pack leadership?

“Sir, I found these two rogues walking around the area. I believe that they were spies who were—”

“They were not.”

“Sir?” His forehead creased after hearing his leader.

“You heard me, boy. They were not rogues and definitely not spies. In fact, these two she-wolves are my friends.” And then, he turned his gaze to us while wearing a friendly smile. “Hello, Aria and Maggie. It’s been a while since we last see each other.”

“H-Hi, Oliver,” I greeted back. Maggie didn’t say anything but waved his hand while smiling back. The one-eyed tracker was even more confused seeing our exchanges of greeting.

“I’ll take these two lovely ladies with me as I go back to the pack. Also, I will tell your team leader what you did and make sure that you will receive some reward. Keep on doing a great job! We need trackers as vigilant as you to keep our borders safe.”

The face of the tracker lit up after hearing it. “Thank you, Sir! I appreciate your kindness!” He even bowed his head, lower than the first one he did earlier, before gesturing his hand to go with Oliver. I took Maggie’s hand before stepping back to the land I avoided for a year.

We walked with Oliver as we continue to inch closer to the place I once called home. Eyes darted on us whenever we encounter a tracker post. But seeing we were walking nonchalantly with one of their own, they didn’t dare to confront us. This gave me peace of mind.

The trees became sparse indicating that we have reached the pack village. Oliver stopped his movements and spoke. “This is the farthest I could take you.”

I heaved a sigh before looking at him. Maggie did the same and said, “Thank you, Oliver.”

He caressed the back of his head. “I am just returning the favor you did for me back in the woods. If not for the both of you, I wouldn’t be here. So I guess we are even, hmm?”

Maggie and I chuckled. Oliver waved his goodbye before going back to his post. A few moments later, we are back on our own. We continued on our journey.

It wasn’t long before we saw the entrance of Uncle Stan’s house. Whatever led us to this situation was way out of the plan. We were supposed to live as rogues for the rest of our lives yet here we are. Fear took over my being as the reality of the whole situation struck me. I shuddered, worrying about how Uncle Stan would react to us coming home. But I can’t show that to Maggie. If she would see even a tiny bit of hesitation, she might end up running back to the woods.

I turned to Maggie. “Are you ready to enter the house now?”.

As if she had a choice, Maggie nodded in agreement. Only this time, I grabbed her hand. She looked at me for a moment indirectly asking what was going on. I smiled at her in return.

“We are in this together, Maggie.” I winked at her. “Do the honors, please.”

Maggie smiled before I saw her put her hand on her right temple. She narrowed her eyes a bit. I could sense that she was mind-linking Uncle Stan. My instinct was proven correct as I saw her father spring out from the entrance door.

Tears started to stream down our faces when we both see him. He looked thinner from what I remembered last time. He also had bags under his eyes, a clear indication of sleepless nights. Poor Uncle Stan! He must have been too worried about us.

“Maggie? Aria?”

“Dad!” Maggie ran toward him, stretching her arms in the process. She wrapped her arms around her old man as tightly as she could. Both father and daughter were bawling as they fell slowly to the ground.

“I’m sorry, Dad! I was a fool for leaving you. What I did was unforgivable. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Uncle Stan continued to pacify his long-lost daughter. He constantly stroked her back while giving her tiny kisses on the head.

“Hush now, child. Daddy is here. Daddy is here.”

It took them a little while to stay in that position. The sight melted my heart. The two of them had suffered long enough so they deserve every ounce of this tearful reunion. After a while, Uncle Stan stretched one of his hands and turned to me.

“What are you doing there, Aria? Come over here and give your Uncle Stan a hug!”

And I did. Aria scooted over and together with Uncle Stan, they wrapped me in their arms. The long wait was over.

Finally, Maggie and I were home.

*****

The sound of my heels echoed along the footsteps of my family. We were going to the pack house where the inauguration of the new alpha would commence. This was so different from when I went to the pack gathering ages ago. I heard Uncle Stan and Maggie’s chatters as we kept walking to the venue. Meanwhile, I silently observed all the changes that took place in the pack.

There were still cabins made of woods, tall trees, and gardens for every house, and I could see some pups clad in their adorable proper attire. I also caught some stares directed at us with curiosity. I could see that they couldn't recognize me at first glance, but every time they saw Dad and Maggie behind me, recognition flashed to their faces.

It’s been three days since Maggie and I went home. We told Uncle Stan our reasons on how we saw each other in the woods and why we ended up running away. Maggie was still emotional thinking about how her mate deserted her. But to his Uncle Stan’s words, it was never her fault. He also added that maybe, the moon goddess would still shower her grace upon her and would give her another chance at love.

As for me, he often wondered why I didn’t mindlink him when the alpha tried to assault me. I told him that he took me to the pack borders, a place where our mindlinking abilities would not work.

Also, I was too scared to even think straight. Before I remembered to link into his mind, I already crossed the other side and was too far to make a connection.

“Aria, what is my gorgeous cousin thinking? Are you enjoying their attention?” Maggie interpreted my thoughts and casually glanced at the other side, pointing her stares to a group of men curiously staring at us. All of them were good-looking but weren’t enough to keep my attention.

“No, Maggie. I live as a rogue for a year. As if I was interested in any of their attention.”I scoffed. Maggie shook her head and continued walking. Uncle Stan told us today was the Ritual Day, on which the new Alpha would be officially announced and acknowledged in the ball. Everyone in the pack should attend, if not, they would be regarded as disrespectful and not acknowledging him.

“Aria, we are almost there. I can see the ball from here. Are you okay? Are you decided that we'll stay in this pack?” Maggie asked. Then she whispered, “We could still run away from all of this and we could bring dad with us. What do you think?”

I shook my head and breathed a deep sigh. “No, Maggie. We will stay here in the pack. We will acknowledge this new alpha and will give him a chance. Don't worry about me. I will be fine.” Maggie nodded in agreement as we stepped closer to the venue. A few minutes later, we reached the ball.

Attending social gatherings was never my thing. I’d rather stay inside my room and read my books. Unlike Maggie, I didn’t have friends. So when we stepped into the crowd and saw some familiar faces, it was easy for her to blend with them and catch up. Uncle stand did the same to his friends.

Feeling bored, I leaned on Uncle Stan’s ears. “Uncle Stan, when will this ball officially start? I thought we were in a hurry?”

“We are still waiting for the Alpha. He'll be around at exactly nine in the evening.”

“I see,” I answered. Can I stroll around first? I'll be back by then.”

“Alright, just make sure you’ll be back on time.” He gestured for me to go away before Maggie could see me. I shook my head and smiled. Uncle Stan really knows when to give me my privacy whenever I need it.

I found peace in the backyard of the pack house, which was now occupied by the new alpha. I silently walked towards a log that caught my attention and quietly appreciated my solace. However, my newfound peace didn't last when I saw a half-naked man casually walking toward the house. He wore rugged pants. His hair was messy and his toned chest was sparkling with sweat. I retracted my gaze when his deep set of eyes landed on me. I gasped.

Oh, shit! He is drop-dead gorgeous!

Growing up, boys never seemed to interest me. Even at my age, I have yet to see a man that would fit my standards of being handsome. While I know that werewolves are blessed with good genes, I found it hard to be impressed with their looks.

I’ve never thought I would see the day. But tonight, I might have seen the most handsome man I had laid my eyes on.

The relaxed expression on his face changed. He furrowed his eyebrows as he approached me with hasty strides.

With a commanding voice, he asked, “What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be on the ball for the inauguration?” He was looking down at me. So, I stood proudly after he asked me and composed myself, countering his countenance.

“Why are you asking me? Aren't you too relaxed, yourself, and even tried to run in the woods if you know most of the pack should be there for the ceremony?” I asked daringly.

I knew the man just went out to the woods because he reeked of sweat, and he had no shirt. Noticing it, I couldn't help but run a look at his body.

The man impatiently crossed his arms. His muscles bulged, which caught my attention for a second. He was bold to pry on my business when he wasn't there too.

A smirk formed on his face. He rudely touched my chin and raised it to meet my gaze. I tried to swat it, but his grip was firm enough that I couldn’t move his hands away.

“Do you know who you were asking, kitten? I could snap your neck with your disobedience right here and now,” he whispered. Although his voice seemed calm and deep, it was laced with warning. He was not joking.

“Well, try me then!” I daringly replied. His eyes turned to gold with my answer and in one swift move, he was at my back. His arms were on my neck and ready to twist it. “Are you sure?” he asked.

My heart raced so fast with anxiousness. 'How did he do that within seconds?' I was so taken aback that I couldn't react. I tried to kick his foot to make him off balance, but he dodged it to change our situation.

I only needed a few seconds to change our position, so I did him dirty by biting his arms and escaping from his hold.

However, I didn't expect him to still react fast. He was so swift that I found myself falling flat to the ground as he pushed me. He pinned my hands above my head as he stared at my eyes. We were so intimate, and I could hear each other's wild breathing.

“Do that again, and you'll never see the sunrise again,” he warned, making a chill run down my spine.

He was fucking good that I thought he'd kill me in an instant. My eyes sparkled with both excitement and worry.

“Now, aren't you going to apologize?” he asked.

I answered with a chortle and looked at him despite being underhanded.

“Aria, just apologize! I can feel his murderous intent even though he looked so calm,” Bella advised. I disagreed with her and didn't answer. I even rolled my eyes. I didn’t know, but this man irked me so much.

“Apologize while I could still control myself. If my wolf took over, he wouldn't take a second to wring your neck,” he warned again.

'I couldn't believe him. What did I do wrong in the first place?'

“What do I need to apologize for?! I was just sitting there earlier! But you suddenly came and said nonsensical things. I just answered your query.”

“Pup, I said apologize!” His voice became too loud and authoritative. I could see his veins starting to show, and his eyes turned to gold again. This started to bring fear to me, but I couldn’t just back down. ‘Who is he to even to command me? We are equal. Even though he looked like he had a position in this pack.’

“Damn it! I said, apologies now!” This time his voice had some odd effect on me. It was domineering. I was still hesitant as I glared at him, but when I felt the moonlight cascading its light to us and specifically to him, I felt his words were so powerful that I lost my strength and murmured an apology. It was so faint that he was displeased with it. I didn't even look at him when I said it.

The sound of a bell rang, making us stare at the venue hall. That meant it was already nine o’clock. We were going to be late for the pack ritual. We needed to hurry.

In just seconds, he stood up and immediately vanished from my sight like he didn't embarrass me and threatened my life. I was left there panting and sweating with fright.

I gasped for breath. I seem to forget to breathe with our position earlier.

“What the fuck just happened? Who was that man?!”

***************

“Aria, you also have to be inside now. You don’t want to cause trouble again, girl. Let’s go!” Bella warned me. She even started to reprimand my behavior because she kept warning me through our mind-link, but I ignored her and was only focused on the oppressing man.

I composed myself and fixed my red mermaid ball gown. Some sweat was on my neck, and my hair tied in one big bun was a mess.

I bit my lips. This was not good for giving my first impression to the alpha and the rest in case they noticed us. I had to look presentable in the least.

I rolled my eyes as I calmed myself. That man would pay for this. What he did was unnecessary.

I didn’t have a choice but to let my long hair cast down to my behind. If I could describe myself, I knew I would look like a nymph with this beauty. However, I truly didn't want anybody's attention.

Heaving a deep sigh, I hurried towards our designated spot. But to my surprise, I ran to that man again. I felt so anxious like someone kicked my heart out of my chest. I avoided looking at him, but I was magnetized.

Due to that he caught me staring, and he immediately coldly looked down from my face to my feet and back to my face. I didn’t fail to notice that his gaze stopped at my chest, having a disapproving look. He gritted his teeth and stopped it within a second.

I arched my brows to him and tried to ignore him. However, I didn’t fail to notice the respect he got from the people staring at him as he passed by. She-wolves were also obviously ogling at his good looks.

Well, I couldn't deny that he truly looked scrumptious with his sharp jawlines, cherry red thin lips, manly brown skin, deep-set jet-black eyes, and messy black hair. Not to mention, he was now wearing a suit hugging his physique perfectly. He was eye candy. I could not blame them, but he honestly looked better without his clothes.

Bella laughed and agreed with my thoughts, making me blush. I forgot to shut her down before we went to the venue. I didn't think it was necessary. However, the smile I had as Bella kept teasing me was erased as I saw him catch me staring again and smirked.

I withdrew my gaze and headed to the nearby table to drink one glass of wine. I knew my cheeks looked like they had been slapped because I felt embarrassed and annoyed at the same time with his stare.

So, I drank a glass of wine with one scoop before I shook my head and continued to walk towards my family. They were still chattering loudly, like when I said I would be away for some time.

For the opening of the pack gathering and ritual, music of saxophone suddenly played as only four tables were left before I reached my family’s side. I had to stop in my tracks when the familiar tough looking pack warrior, Oliver to be exact, took over the microphone and announced something.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Without further ado, let's begin the celebration and pack ritual. And please, let’s welcome Alpha Hunter Fauder with a round of applause!”

I clapped my hands with the rest of the pack and expectantly waited to see a tall man, perhaps in his late twenties or something, walk upon the stage. However, I was pretty shocked when the man who was just close to me earlier was the one walking to the stage.

‘The heck! What is he doing there?! Bella, oh shoot! He’s… he’s our new alpha?’ I panicked and asked Bella.

“Aria, what did you just do? You just went against him earlier. I told you to not mess with him. When will you adhere to my advice? My instincts had been telling me, he had a powerful aura reverberating from him. We’re in trouble.”

I frustratingly pinched myself for my foolishness and reasoned, “Well, he’s… he’s too arrogant. My blood boils whenever I see him. I can’t control myself, Bella.” I held my hand firmly. I had to brace myself. I just hoped he wouldn’t embarrass me or punish me in front of everyone. Moreover, I thought the new alpha was kind, but he seemed he wasn’t. Faith didn't have the ability to tell whether a wolf was kind or not.

But from the back of my mind, I wished he was not that merciless, though.

Our new alpha silenced the crowd when he closed his hands. With an intimidating aura, he started his short speech.

My mouth went agape with his straightforwardness, charming, and commanding aura. He didn’t beat around the bush. He only said those few words, but I felt everyone was satisfied with his speech.

But above all this admiration, a question remained on my mind.

Where is his Luna?

This new alpha was really one-of-a-kind. Outside the arrogance he displayed to me earlier at the back of the pack house, I admit that he truly accomplished great things at his age. Alpha Casimir and the rest of his warriors were not that easy to defeat. To defeat him and his leaders is one thing. But merging his old pack with Grey Moon to create a bigger pack was really unexpected. Because normally, the people of the defeated pack would end up being slaves or worst, killed together with their leaders. Grey Moon was lucky to have not fallen into that situation.

No doubt, Alpha Hunter was at the peak of his prime. I wonder where his mate was.

“It is true that you cannot get the best of everything. If only he had a mate, then he would have been a perfect alpha in my eyes.”

My thoughts were interrupted when my ears caught that sound from the side. It was a pair of older-looking women whom I believe were part of the original Silver Arrow Pack.

So he was still unmated? Did he not yet find his mate?

“I’m right there at you. It’s just sad that he had to pay for his father's crimes. I couldn’t imagine you losing the ability to smell your mate, knowing that it was the only thing that could confirm whenever he or she was near. Poor alpha! That evil witch was truly powerful to do that to him.”

Ah, so he was cursed. He was cursed to lose the ability to sense his mate.

While I still didn’t like him for what he had shown me earlier, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. I couldn’t imagine having all of the fame and success in life but still being alone at the end of the day. While I wasn’t too obsessed with finding my mate, I was one of those werewolves who dreamed of being with him. And to live in the reality of never having to meet your mate was really gut-wrenching.

“To begin this feast, let’s race our glasses for a toast as we await the full moon to show and wait for the blessing of the moon goddess. Cheers, everybody!”

From the side, the new beta, Beta Spike, clinked his wine glass with a spoon, signaling everyone to begin drinking.

I looked to the side and caught a glass with strangers behind me and joined others for a drink.

‘This is going to be a long night. So, yeah, cheers to ourselves!'

After we all did that, everyone got back to their own businesses but mainly talked about Alpha Hunter. The latter went to a long table with wolves in high positions. I thought he was going to introduce a Luna before, but no one showed up.

After some time, everyone noticed that the full moon was slowly showing. To complete this celebration and offer respect to the Moon Goddess, Hunter had to do a dance ritual with one of the she-wolves from the pack.

Below the stage, everyone started to gather at the center, and the eerie yet magical music of a piano echoed. Hunter stood in the middle and roamed his eyes around his subjects. I purposely didn’t bother to look at what he was exactly doing.

Hunter needed a partner. He needed one because he hadn’t a Luna yet. Every she-wolves were expectant. However, Maggie and I were different. We were uninterested in this. We didn’t need attention. We blended well in our crowd, but I stood frozen when Hunter said something.

I felt a strong kick on my chest when I felt his gaze on me, although a lot of our pack members were covering me from him. I knew he was looking at me.

“You, the lady in the long red gown….”

‘The fuck! I was wearing a red gown, but I couldn’t be too sure. I won’t look in his direction.’

But I could start to feel some stares at me and the other she-wolves wearing the same color of the gown in my direction.

“The one with the messy bun and wearing a glittering red gown.”

‘Shit! He’s really specifically asking for me, isn’t he?’ I grimaced and panicked. I felt like running away but my feet were glued to the ground.

I didn’t want to perform this ritual with Alpha Hunter. The Moon Goddess might even not bless us because I didn’t like this alpha. He had to choose another she-wolf.

I bit my lip. Hunter surely knew how to get on my nerves and make my heart race with worry.

“Aria, the new alpha was calling you. What are you doing?”

It was Uncle Stan. He looked worried and I couldn’t blame him. Everybody was looking in our direction now.

I heaved a deep sigh. I wouldn’t get out of this trouble now.

I slowly walked towards him while others quickly made way for me. I caught some envious and shocked stares while all the male population's attention was on me.

This was too much for trying to be lowkey.

Hunter flashed a wicked smirk before turning his expression to his usual poker face before he took steps toward me. He laid his hand like a gentleman, and I nervously reached out for it.

With the sound of the new music for the ritual, I closed my eyes and bowed with him for respect as we stood at the center. When I opened my orbs, I intently stared at him. I shook off all the worries and inhibitions in my body. This was just a dance. Since he troubled himself for asking me to this. I could at least get back at him through this, couldn’t I?

I wickedly smiled with the idea and saw his eyes flash with amusement watching my expression.

“Thank you for asking me to do this, Alpha.” I sardonically emphasized the word alpha, which turned his eyes into a gold glint.

He placed his hands on my waist while my hands were on his broad shoulders. I didn’t leave his eyes, and neither was he. Our attention was only on each other, forgetting all the prying eyes fixated on us.

“I can’t find other interesting she-wolves around here, kitten. However, I still haven’t forgiven you for disobeying me,” Hunter lamented. We gracefully danced through the beat of the rhythmic music.

When the music changed, it was my turn to slowly get back to him. He was supposed to stand idle as I danced in a painfully slow manner. I purposely slowly caressed his skin as I walked around him. Then I moved towards him and pressed my delicate body towards him and whispered, “Oh, is that so? Can’t this understanding alpha forget what this bad kitten did earlier?”

Hunter’s eyes darkened. He gritted his teeth as his sharp and hot gaze landed on me. His gaze landed on the tiny space between us, especially on my exposed smooth cleavage.

The side of my lips raised. This man undoubtedly was enjoying this. When the music changed, I stepped away from him and flawlessly danced again, gently doing hand movements. I held the fabric of my gown and carried the side of it, exposing my legs, and threw it gracefully to the other side.

His eyes never left me as I attentively seduced him. After a long minute, I was almost done with the she-wolf part of the ritual and softly clap and stand in place. I looked at him with flirtations and mockery, challenging him. It was now his turn to dance.

Hunter also circled around me with his deep and hot stare fixated on me. He took a step forward and closed our distance, making my heartbeats go wild while his hands were busy worshipping me like I was Moon Goddess. He caressed my skin, and I felt my skin burnt with his touch. I clenched my fist as I muffled my gasps.

Our positions were changed. The temptress was caught like a rabbit under the big wolf's grasp.

“That’s quite a show, kitten. I admit, I enjoyed it,” Hunter said huskily.

‘Moon Goddess, why did you put me in this position?! I’m sorry, but I really can’t respect this man!’ I whispered to myself.

I was about to speak my mind when I felt his hot breath approaching my lips. ‘What he’s planning to do? This is not part of the ritual.’

I shivered with anticipation and breathed nervously. Before Hunter could close our distance, he stopped. He licked his lips with a dark desire apparent in his eyes and held my hands to put them again on his shoulders.

My face turned like a ripped tomato with embarrassment. I expected a damned kiss.

I avoided his gaze, and we did some final waltz again to finish the ritual. After we did that, everyone slowly formed pairs and danced. I didn’t stay to his side and swatted his hands away without others noticing it.

Hunter smirked and gave me a warning glare before I quickly strode to our table.

I tried to look for the rest of my family for support and explained that humiliation, but they were busy dancing in the crowd. Even Maggie was paired with a young boy.

What a night!