CELESTINA VILLARAMA’s POV

This pack house is located in the same forest where I was unconsciously brought to a while ago. It’s at the foot of mountains where the clouds almost cover the entire sky. There is a castle built atop the mountain overlooking the city below.

The main entrance and hallway is lit with warm light, illuminating all corners of the house. There is even a staircase on the side of the hall that is built into the wall, leading up to an upper level, though it may also lead to an underground facility.

The child has given me a lot of stories regarding the wolves who reside in this castle. He told me that the Crimson Moon Pack used to be extremely proud wolves. They pride themselves on being the best hunters as well, even though they’re striving to avoid any hunters out there who are out to treat them as prey.

They’ve begun to get weaker because of the fact that their alpha didn’t have any wife, or what they call as luna. He hasn’t found his mate for years and they have already lost hope in him, to the point that they have challenged the alpha to duels, which no one ever managed to achieve and be victorious against the current alpha.

On my way here, I noticed that there wasn’t any path that'd lead me out from where I came in. As if I’d basically be trapped inside this castle for as long as they want.

“Master Kristoffer Wong, Miss Celestina Villarama has arrived,” he announced in front of the oak door. He didn’t need to knock on it to be noticed.

As if on cue, he opened the door without waiting for the beta’s response, giving me a way to enter through his room which seemed to be more like an office.

It felt as if time stopped on purpose the moment that I made direct eye contact with the man who was called Master Kristoffer Wong, the Beta of Crimson Moon Pack. His black hair was still fixed in the same style as the last time that I saw him, though his eyes no longer showed the shade of blue.

“Y-you’re…” I raised my index finger as I pointed at him.

“I was worried that you might be taken by the Silver Moon Pack after leaving you alone. Please accept my sincere apologies for I have not been able to introduce myself formally to you, but I’m pretty much sure that this child has told you about me already,” Kristoffer mumbled as he bowed his head at me.

From the insides of my body, I knew that my blood rose to my face as I got embarrassed with what he’s doing. “R-raise your head,” I muttered in pure confusion on what I was supposed to address him.

“You can call me whatever you like. I’m also sorry for stealing a kiss from you. If only I knew that you’re… then I wouldn’t have dared to lay a finger on you.” The way that he delivered his message was way too convincing for me to have doubts with his words.

I gritted my teeth as the thought that he’s still hiding something from me entered my mind. I am aware that he has his own reasons, but it would be better if he can tell me about it if it concerns me.

‘You should avoid this man at all costs, Celestina.’

Words that I didn’t think about flashed through my brain. I roamed my eyes around Kristoffer’s room to check if there was someone else inside other than the three of us, but there was nobody else.

‘I’ll soon bring out the best in you, but it’d hinder my plans for you if you get too close with this filthy wolf. I don’t want to put your life at risk, Celestina.’

There it is again. “Who are you?” I asked out loud.

“Didn’t you already know my identity?” Kristoffer butted in, which made me gaze upon him for the second time.

I shook my head repetitively. “S-sorry. I’m not feeling well, can we talk again some other time? I’d like to rest.”

My hands were trembling in fear of uncertainty of what’s happening to me. I wasn’t familiar with this feeling and neither was I aware of who this voice belongs to. It wasn’t from Sarina and it wasn’t from the child that I met in the castle either.

Kristoffer nodded twice and motioned the child to show me the way out. “Bring Celeste to her room.”

I no longer protested since I didn’t have a house to return to anyway. As the beta ordered him, he brought me upstairs. Using the master’s key, he opened the door and crossed its threshold as he switched the lights on.

“You can rest here in the meantime, Miss Celestina Villarama.”

No matter where I lay my eyes upon, all of the things that surround me are dazzling like the stars in the night sky. The moment that I was left alone in the room, my heartbeat became abnormal. It kept on skipping countless beats to the point that I was unable to stand on the ground.

I held tightly on my chest as if it would help ease away the pain.

‘You have to accept me once the clock strikes twelve midnight, Celestina. You’re officially going to be known as Siege Wong’s mate. His scent will lead you to him, his aura will make you go crazy, and his body will heat you up until the bits of your luscious desires.’

I was getting dizzy, my eyesight was slowly fading away until I could no longer see anything other than pitchblack. I felt myself falling to the ground, but it didn’t hurt me at all. My hearing seemed to grow when I heard several footsteps that were approaching where I was located, it kept on thudding louder.

‘You were supposed to be Siege Wong’s mate, but I guess… the moon goddess wants to play with you for a while.’

CELESTINA VILLARAMA’s POV

The brightness that emitted from the chandelier on the ceiling made me wince as soon as I opened my eyes. I tried my best to get up from the bed that I was lying on, only to be assisted by a man who I didn’t notice. His spiky, pushed back, gray hair looked perfect on the suit that he wore. I don’t know the exact reason but I somehow felt scared of him, though there’s something inside me that is getting thrilled just by being near him.

The man was staring blankly on my neck, I knew that he was eyeing my golden necklace just like Kristoffer. “Seriously, what’s with this necklace that makes the both of you lose control of yourselves?” I unconsciously mumbled a query which should have just remained within my mind.

“Know your place, Celestina Villarama.”

Those were simply five words, but it already sent an aching sensation to my heart. His words seemed to cut through me like a knife.

“That crimson hair of yours reminds me of someone I hated. Even that necklace that you have was similar to what she possessed,” he muttered as he closed the book that he was reading. “Everyone here talks to me with respect. No one dared to look me in the eye. Never have I received a word from anyone without my permission. Don’t you have any idea who I am?”

“I would have done the same if I knew who you were,” I replied in a straightforward manner, and there’s no explanation how I was able to speak without stuttering.

‘Mate. Mate. Mate.’

The same word kept on repeating in my mind every single time that I gaze upon this man beside the bed.

“Should I show you what I can do for you to personally determine who I am? I’m not fond of introducing myself…” he said, pulling me out of the bed.

His strength was sufficient for me to be carried over to the other direction as my back slammed through the walls. Fear instilled within my soul. I noticed how his eye color changed from black to a slight shade of blue, but it was only for a second.

“I’m Siege Wong, and I’m the Crimson Moon Pack’s alpha, and I wasn’t really pleased with how you talked to me.”

The exact minute that I heard his name, I pushed him away. “Siege Wong? My mate?” I whispered, slightly parting my lips.

Siege’s eyebrows furrowed as his fangs sharpened. “The f*ck are you saying? If you’re scheming something, you should know that the consequence wouldn’t be that feasible for you to escape.”

My heart was thumping loud. There was something inside me that made me want to touch him.

From others’ perspective, I may look crazy how I was raising my dress right in front of a man. I just had to show him the scratches that were embedded on my thigh. I have no idea since when it was there, but I know that it was a mark from no other than Siege.

“With your silence, I was able to confirm that you’re really my mate,” I concluded with a bright smile on my lips, as if I have been proclaimed as a queen of a kingdom.

He hissed instead of reciprocating the same energy that I gave. “I, Siege Wong, reject you, Celestina Villarama, to be my mate,” he declared with a cold, death glare. "I would never give my mark to someone like you." His voice had become rough and growled as I stood here, staring at him with no emotions to feel, completely taken aback by his words. My eyes glazed over as tears slowly rolled down my cheeks.

I know nothing about this mating process, but one thing is for sure, I have been declined to be the luna of the Crimson Moon Pack’s alpha.

Doomed with the sensation of anger, I clicked my tongue as I rushed out of the castle through the room’s window, since there was no main exit. The power of rejection was beyond what I could have handled. I couldn’t release my wolf and I couldn’t even communicate with it.

What’s wrong with me?

Do I even own any wolf?

Am I going to be this helpless until I rot in this realm?

Both of my knees and shoulders were bleeding because of the impact of my fall from the third floor of the castle, down to the mountain hill. I was planning to head over to the nearby lake, but before I could have started to walk, I saw how it immediately regenerated. It was as if the scars never existed, only the droplets of blood remained.

If I had this sort of ability, then there must still be a chance that I’d find my wolf soon enough. I have already turned eighteen. I would surely be taken for granted until I’m able to turn myself into a wolf.

“Sarina, where are you?” I asked as I gazed upon the illumination of the moonlight that was striking on me. “I have a lot of questions for you. If you don’t come out, I’ll destroy this necklace of yours.”

It may sound redundant, but this golden necklace seems to play a vital role within the Crimson Moon Pack and the moon goddess. And I guess I wasn’t mistaken.

The moon goddess descended to the ground with her wings visible to my eyes. “Was there a need for you to summon me out of the blue?” Sarina rolled her eyes as if she was disturbed.

“Aren’t you the one who decides who gets to be our mates?” I asked, and she simply hummed in agreement. “Then, you know that Alpha Wong was my mate, right?”

“Bingo!” She raised her thumb with a cheeky smile, as if she was trying to provoke me.

“Then how the hell will you explain the reason why he rejected me as his mate?” I frustratingly questioned as I stomped my foot.

Sarina smirked as she walked closer. She held a few strands of my hair and rolled it around before she glanced at me.

“Why would anyone bother being mates with someone who doesn’t possess a wolf?”

CELESTINA VILLARAMA’s POV

Sarina was literally someone who I surely wouldn’t get along with that smoothly. From the very first start, I already knew that there was something about her that would ridicule the hell out of my life, and I wasn’t even mistaken. I shouldn’t have gotten myself involved with someone like her, but there’s nothing that I can do about it.

She was the one who approached me first.

“And exactly why would you bother making me Alpha Wong’s mate if you know that?” I asked her with my eyebrows furrowed.

A soft laughter came out from her mouth. It frustrates me how each and every action of her just seemed to be flawless. “If you’re really bound to be mates with him, then, there shouldn’t be any hindrance, right? I can assure you that you’re his mate, mark my words. However, you also have a duty as his mate—”

“I have no interest with this sh*t anymore,” I interrupted her statement and attempted to walk out from where I came, but she stopped me in a split second without even touching me physically.

“You have to prove to me that you’re going to be worthy as Siege Wong’s mate.” Sarina’s words were deemed to be absolute; I had no means for rebuttal. “Until then, I wouldn’t revoke the curse that I have bestowed upon you.” As graceful as she could, Sarina flew away from my vision, leaving me completely clueless.

“What am I supposed to do now?” I whispered to myself like a loser, realizing that I have to go back to the packhouse where my mate resided.

***

As planned, I’m back inside the castle where the same boy greeted me. “Miss Celestina Villarama, you’re back!” he cheerfully said as he ran towards my direction.

“W-woah…”

The boy held both of my hands. He was seriously freezing and it was as if he wasn’t even living. If only I believed in ghosts, I would have assumed that he was one. “Master Kristoffer Wong has been looking for you. You should pay him a visit tomorrow morning. For now, I think you need to rest…” He let go of my hands, leading the way upstairs where my room was.

“What are you?” I asked out of pure curiosity.

“I’m just a simple pup, nothing more than that.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“Are you talking about how I knew that you weren’t born from this realm?”

My eyes widened in surprise as I heard what I’ve been meaning to ask. “Yeah.”

We stopped in front of the door of my room as we faced one another. “Time will be the only one that can answer that, Miss Celestina Villarama. I’m not allowed to say anything else to you as it may…” He glanced on his own feet. “...lead to my death,” he continued, then raised his head once more to meet my gaze. “It would also be best for you to shut your mouth regarding where you came from, especially now that you don’t even remember a single thing about your past life before you came here.”

“Are you possibly undergoing the same experience as what’s bound to happen to me?”

He shook his head. “No, Miss Celestina Villarama. We’re all given different purposes and roles to fulfill in the Realm of Xenon. Although, one thing’s for sure…” The boy glanced around the hallway to check whether there was someone eavesdropping before he continued to speak. “You wouldn’t have the chance to meet your family or friends from your original dimension. There’s little to zero chance that you’d actually be granted the opportunity to return to your past life. So as much as possible, just stay put and obey our royalties.”

“Why didn’t you notify me that Celeste has already returned to our premises, little one?” An authoritative tone echoed all throughout the castle.

“M-Master Kristoffer Wong!” The boy flinched, unaware of the beta’s presence. “F-forgive me… I have intended for Miss Celestina Villarama to have a good night’s rest before meeting with you early in the morning,” he explained while rubbing both of his hands in front of his chest as fast as he could.

“Mhm…” Kristoffer hummed, slowly approaching us. “Celeste… Come with me, there’s something that we have to discuss urgently and it could not wait any longer until the sun shines,” he muttered with a tender smile as he gestured to the boy that he must get out of his sight.

‘Run away while you still can, Celestina!’

I held the edge of my head when I heard the same voice bugging me. It’s sending buzzing sounds to my ear, hence, making me unable to perceive whatever it was that the beta was talking about.

“Celeste…”

‘This wolf is dangerous, you mustn't give him your full trust no matter what happens, Celestina. He knows my identity despite the reality that I am still cursed by the moon goddess.’

“Hey, Celeste… Are you still with me?” Kristoffer waved in front of my eyes.

And by the time that I still haven’t given him any sort of response, he immediately closed the distance between our faces.

“W-woah…”

“I knew that you wouldn’t be able to ignore my charm.” He smirked before stepping back. “As I was saying, my brother, Alpha Siege… is he really your mate?”

I winced when I heard his question. I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, or he really sounded like he was in pain as he muttered those words out of his own mouth, as if he hesitated a couple times before finally mustering up the courage to ask me.

‘There’s no need for you to answer him truthfully, Celestina.’ I heaved out an exhausting sigh as I seemed to be battling with myself.

“I’m not sure about that, M-Master… Kristoffer?” I stuttered as I called him by his name as I literally felt goosebumps on my whole body when he gazed upon me. “You know how I’ve been rejected by the Alpha. There’s no way that I am his mate if he couldn’t sense me or my wolf,” I added, thinking that the alpha may be right, I must be getting my hopes high just because I have stepped foot on their pack house.

Right after I gave him my reply, his eyes turned blue just like from the first time that I saw him.

Kristoffer caught me off guard when he rushed to my side and locked me with both of his hands pinned on the wall from the opposite sides of my shoulders. “Celestina Villarama, you’re under divine punishment with me for the rest of the week. You would not be able to stay away from me unless I say so,” he firmly said with a straight face.

“D-divine punishment..?!”