Chapter one

CHAPTER 1

TAYLOR'S POV

…Run Taylor. Run…

I rammed my face into a signpost. Pain coursed through me, whistling sounds ringing in my ear. I stumbled back a little, finding balance. I could hear my wolf yelling in my aching head.

‘Taylor, you gotta keep going. He is catching up. Run!’

I opened my eyes. I was hurt a lot but I forced my limbs forward, propelling myself into the road again.

I could hear the horn of his car, the scream of his friends. They were gaining in on me. With each second, my heart beat faster. Tears burned my eyes and fear curled around my lungs, squeezing the air out of me.

I am such a fool. What was I thinking? Challenging the Alpha’s son. That bully. The moment my shoe hit him, I knew… I had fucked up big time. Now he and his betas were after me and with the bloodthirst I saw in their eyes, I knew that they would beat me to death.

I jumped into a puddle, the dirty black water baptizing me and wetting my feet. I didn't stop running. I couldn't. I was so scared.

I was approaching a sharp bend now. If I could make that corner then I would lose him in the crowd on the next street. I might actually survive this.

The thought brought fire into my bones. I tore through the air, forcing every muscle in my body to move faster. I was just five steps away… four… three… two…

Something hit me.

The impact shattered the left side of my head, I flung sideways, slamming into a row of trash cans. Shock stole my voice and so I couldn't even scream. The whole world was spinning. My head was in excruciating pain and buzzing sounds rang in my ear.

My vision blurred but I didn't need to see to know he had caught up with me. I heard them laughing and then their feet landed hard on the pavement as they jumped down from their car.

I crawled, my nails digging into the cement floors. They bled. I couldn't get away now, I knew it but I still had to try.

I felt a presence loom over me and then a hand grabbed me, yanking my body off the floor like a ragged doll.

He forced me on my feet, I wobbled, unable to stand. Then I felt his hand grip my throat, pinning me to the wall. I couldn't pry his hands away. My body was shaking as I felt oxygen leave me.

“Come on, Taylor.” He said, his lips so close to my ear I could feel his breath. It made my skin crawl.

“Beg for your life like the worthless omega you are.”

I struggled to break free. I was at his mercy but I, Taylor, was not going to beg.

“I… I…”

“Come on, spit it out.” He hung a smug look on his face.

“I…. beg you to please… fuck yourself, mateless idiot.”

The smile vanished. A dark frown settled in. I could see anger lit up in his eyes.

“You are so dead, Taylor.”

He squeezed, I gasped. His hands were so tight I couldn't claw them open. I was completely out of breath, light fading in my eyes. At this rate, I’m going to die.

“Hey, Zephyr. Let that girl go!”

An unfamiliar voice broke into my subconscious. It was like a fleeting epiphany I had never felt before. The voice sounded elderly but firm. The instant he spoke, Zephyr let go. My body crumbled to the ground. I didn't gasp, I didn't cough, I lost consciousness immediately

When I woke up, I was on my way home in an old golf, muted color. The driver introduced himself as a shopkeeper. He saved my life from Zephyr, the Alpha's son. To be honest, it was unbelievable. It has been more than five years since his bullying began but this was the first time someone saved me.

I limped into the house after he dropped me off. I had a broken neck, blisters on my feet. A terrible headache, a bashed skull and zero tolerance for any living being. I just wanted to go upstairs and cry.

Immediately I stepped into the house, Dad was the first to spot me. His face lit up with bewilderment.

“What the hell happened to you?”

He tried to come close. I flinched back immediately.

“It's nothing, Dad.” I muttered my voice barely audible.

“Nothing?! You look like rouges had you for dinner.”

“I'm fine, dad.” I tried not to raise my voice. I wasn't in the mood for all this. Why does he never notice that? Yeah, I understand he was worried but now just wasn't the time of his pity talk.

“Look Dad. I am… It's all good, Okay. Whatever this is will end tomorrow when I turn 18 and find my mate.”

I glanced at him. There was a pained look in his eyes the instant I said that.

“I am your father.” His voice was firm but loud. “I will protect you not some mate! Now, Taylor … what on earth happened to you?”

“Dad, can you just quit it? I am fine. Give it a rest will you.”

He got angry and tried to grab me. I snapped.

“Don't touch me.” I ran for the stairs. “Stay away from me!”

The last thing everyone heard was my door slam before an uneasy silence fell.

I slid into my bed sheets, ignoring the pain all over me. I cried into my pillow. Cursing Zephyr and his gang and every freaking person that raised him.

All this was about to end. Tomorrow I would meet my mate and I swear over the grave of my dead parents, I was going to make sure he wished he was dead.

Carly Ann’s song broke into my dark reverie. My phone was ringing in my pants pocket. I really didn't want to talk to anyone but when I looked at the caller and the ID and it read, My Best Friend Delaney, all that reluctance jumped right out the window.

“Hello Delaney.”

“Hey girl. Have you picked?”

I quirked a brow.

“Oh, no.” She gasped in shock. “You forgot borfire night.”

I rolled my eyes. ‘Oh that.’

“Listen girl, you will attend, even if I have to drag you with me.”

“Delaney-” My voice was weak. I really wished we weren't talking about this. My eyes fell on the several cuts on my leg. They were healing painfully.

“Look Taylor.” Her excited voice faded and she reverted to her sweet, gentle tone that I loved so much. “Something happened. I’m your best friend, I can tell and we will talk about it but not in that cramped room of yours. Chatting under the stars, beside a blazing fire and hot romantic seniors, is a comfort you will not miss.”

I shut my eyes for a moment, sucking in a breath then I exhaled shakily. Delaney had a way of convincing people. It worked all the time.

“I will be there.”

She cut the line.

I shut my eyes.

Who knew that a few hours from now, I would wish I never listened to Delaney. I never had that house.