Chapter 3: A Ball to Remember

The music pulsed through the crowded ballroom, but all I could focus on was Marcus. My mate. The one person fated to be mine forever. We swayed to the rhythm, our bodies so close, I could feel our hearts beating as one. What a night!

Marcus's warm breath tickled my ear as he whispered, "You're a 10/10 Bella, super fine. You know, I'm the luckiest wolf alive." I blushed, my cheeks warming up. I couldn't believe this handsome guy was mine either. And he was so sweet OMG! 

We laughed and danced, lost in our own little world. But as the night wore on, I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket. I hesitated, not wanting to break the passionate spell we had. Marcus noticed my distraction and raised an eyebrow. "Everything okay?"

I pulled out my phone, and my heart leapt when I saw my dad's message: "Meet me at the lakeside. Now." I felt a shiver run down my spine. Where has he been the whole day, also what surprise does he have by the lake tonight? I rolled my eyes at his text. 

"Sorry, Marcus, I need to go," I said, trying to sound casual. "My dad wants to see me."

Marcus's face fell, but he nodded understandingly. "Okay, I'll walk you out."

I hesitated, not wanting to drag him into whatever drama my dad had brewing. "No, it's okay, I'll just... um... meet him real quick and dash back to you."

Marcus looked concerned, but I reassured him with a quick kiss. "I'll be right back, I promise."

As soon as Marcus turned back to the dance floor, I slipped away, my heart racing with anticipation. I couldn't wait to whine to my dad about how worried he'd made me feel. I snuck out of the ballroom, the cool night air a welcome relief after the crowded dance floor.

I made my way to the lakeside, my senses on high alert. What did my dad want? And why did he need to see me at the lake now, of all times? I quickened my pace, my mind racing with possibilities.

I hurried through the darkness, grateful for the moonlight. The lake's calm surface reflected the stars above, creating a sense of peace that belied my racing thoughts. What surprise did Dad have this time around, that made him miss my ball tonight? I sulked and quickened my pace again. 

As I approached the lakeside, I saw Dad lying by the water's edge, his back to me. I rushed to him, my annoyance growing. "Dad, what's going on? Where have you been? And is this so important that you have to miss my special night?" I asked, trying to keep my voice low.

He slowly turned his head to face me, and I almost fell with shock. For a moment I couldn't even utter a single word as I tearfully crawled back to him. 

“D-a-d, are you okay, what's going on?”

I started touching him all over trying to see if I could hoist him up and lead him back to the house. 

He struggled to breathe as he tightly held my hands. “Bella, I'm glad you're here. We need to talk."

A wave of panic washed over me. “What happened, who did this to you?” I cried. “You have to be okay!”

But Alpha Derek shook his head slowly, fighting to keep his eyes open. “I’m sorry you had to see this, my princess. There’s something you need to know.” he paused coughing up blood in the process. 

As I knelt beside my father’s body, tears streaming down my face, Alpha Derek reached out and grabbed my arm tightly though he was shaking, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

“Bella, listen to me,” he whispered urgently. “You must run. Now. Get as far away from here as possible. Do not return. Do not look back. He's here and coming for you, don't trust anyone.”

I shook my head repeatedly, confusion and terror rushing within me. “What do you mean. But I can't even leave you like this,” I cried.

Alpha Derek’s grip tightened around me, his voice hoarse but determined. “You must, Bella. I won’t let you die here with me. Promise me you’ll run and never look back. Go now, Bella, you must.”

My vision blurred with tears, but I quickly nodded, my voice breaking as I spoke. “I promise, Daddy.”

He gasped again trying to say something to me but with that, Alpha Derek let out a shuddering breath and went still, his body falling back against the dirt. I panicked and shook him for a while, but remembering his command I pulled myself together. 

I scrambled to my feet and began to run without any direction in mind, but I knew that I had to go away. Run without stopping, far away from the pack and hide my identity. At least that's what I thought the command meant. My legs felt numb, but I pushed on, my heart pounding in my chest with a mixture of fear and pain of losing my favourite person. 

Meanwhile, some of the pack members arrived at the scene of the crime by the lake and they were immediately shocked by the scent of death and betrayal. The stench of blood hung heavy in the air, and the gruesome sight of Alpha Derek’s lifeless body sent a ripple of horror through the pack.

They began to investigate the area, noses close to the ground, following the trail of footprints. To their shock, the scent was unmistakable: Bella. The Alpha’s own daughter. They looked around in confusion, unable to understand how this could be possible.

In a desperate attempt to find Bella, the pack members spread 

Out, their howls of mourning echoing through the forest. It wasn’t long before they caught a fresh whiff of my scent, and they followed it with single-minded determination.

When they came upon me, I was sprinting through the woods, tears streaking down my face. They tried to call me but surprisingly I kept on running even faster. They didn’t hesitate, quickly cornering and surrounding me, their eyes glinting with anger.

“Bella,” the Beta growled, his voice low and dangerous