Chapter four: Mia

Mia's POV

The sound of my bones cracking filled me with intense pain, more than my bones themselves. Pain ran through me like a train, crushing my spinal cord. I should have known that a wolf wouldn't die from such a great fall. It was the most painful thing I have felt, yet the pain vanished when I opened my eyes to see big white wolves staring at me curiously. There were other wolves around, scattering my camp!

Anger replaced the pain, and I launched at the fine wolves before going to the ugly ones. It didn't take them seconds to hand me my ass. I can't believe I failed to guard my home. In no time, a brown wolf changed into its human form. It had just what I expected—brown hair.

"Who are you?" He snarled, not bothering to cover his nakedness. I averted my gaze from his dangling jewels. One of the white wolves changed back to his human form. He was a handsome man. His face looked familiar, but I couldn't picture where I had seen it.

They were terrifying enough.

"Frank, get some clothes on. With your stuff dangling like that, I wouldn't concentrate." The man playfully whined. Then he winked at me with a dashing smile.

The other white wolf still had its distrusting eyes on me. It came closer, sniffing around my wound and baring its teeth at me. I prayed for the ground to swallow me or the pain of my injury to take me home. There is so much my poor heart can take from these big baldie wolves. I thought I was safe here.

The white wolf transformed to reveal the most feared Alpha in the world. The man stood tall, his ruggedness etched into every line on his handsome face. His strong jawline bore the marks of a life lived in the wilderness—scars telling stories of battles fought and won. His hands, calloused and rough, spoke of hard work and resilience. His piercing eyes held a hint of danger, a reminder of the untamed spirit within. He was an Alpha shaped by the land he claimed, a living embodiment of strength and survival.

The terrifying part is that he bore a strong resemblance to the man who asked Frank to wear his clothes.

"You are on my territory, hunting my game. Tell me why I shouldn't finish what you started."

"Please finish me off." I pleaded with my eyes closed, waiting for the fatal blow that would send me home. I didn't feel anything. I opened my eyes to find angry eyes staring at me. They were angry but, at the same time, curious as to why I said those words.

"You won't get it quickly. I am sure you have heard about us. My mercy is giving you a quick death. Not today. So choose one. Either you pretend to be our mate or you die slowly and painfully."

The pain I felt at my failed suicide attempt was unbearable. How much more would they torture me? Six months? A year? I sighed. Maybe I should take their offer and get this over with. I can kill myself swiftly.. when they are not watching. "I will pretend to be your mate." I sighed.

The alpha stretched forth his hands with a small smile on his face. Yet it terrified me instead of reassuring me. I put my shaky hands into his, and he lifted me up.

I couldn't help but feel the electricity course through me. He pulled his hands from mine and bent down, instantly changing into a wolf. I blinked in shock at what he was asking me to do. He knew I could walk in my condition; he was offering to piggyback.

"Huh?" I didn't expect him to yell next in his wolf form. That was amazing! What was more amazing is that I understood his bark!

"Get on!" He snapped, and that brought me out of my romantic haze. This was one rude alpha, although I would never tell it to his face. I got on his back, slipping my fingers into his surprisingly soft fur. Who knew that this alpha had soft fur? His carbon copy gave the rounding instructions while the white wolf crouched low, ready to run.

I gripped his mane tight, loving how perfect I was on his back. He quickly adjusted himself so that I wouldn't fall, and a part of me felt giddy about that simple gesture.

He took a big leap with his people behind him.

I don't know what awaits me as the pretend mate of the Alpha. I know it isn't bliss, but at the same time, his body trembled at my touch. It was something…

I gently laid my head on his back.

We will see what this adventure brings.

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

A big book was shoved to my face. "You have chosen to be our mate, however you have to sign on to this."

My eyes widened at how big the book was. "I-I- don't understand why I need to…"

"We need to know that you are not the enemy." The white wolf pointed at the book. His eyes were so distrusting and I wonder if I also have that same look.

"Don't be ridiculous, Alex. You are scaring her." The other man who looked like him, sat close to me. His smile was really contagious. "Come one, darling. Sign on it. It's going to guarantee your safety here, I promise you."

"You are our food, hunted on our lands. This is me showing you mercy. You should be signing the contract now!" The white wolf sneered at me causing me to pick up the biro to sign on the book.

While I signed the book, they were discussing in hushed tones. The white wolf snapped his fingers and a girl came in from the closed doors. "Show her to my room."

I stood up abruptly. "Your room? Why…"

The man who looked like the white wolf chuckled. "Seeing is believing. We need to make everyone believe." He gave a side eye to Mary who I am sure was oblivious to the whole arrangement.

"Welcome to your new home, mate." The white wolf, whose name was Alex grinned widely. I contemplated what he was going to do to me if I didn't comply.

I was about to follow Mary when my knee hit the edge of the large table. Before I could land flat on my face, large hands grabbed my waist.

"Wh.." I raised my eyes to see that it was the big wolf that held me to stop me from falling down. His breath fanned my ears and I could hear a smile on his voice.

"It should watch where you are going." He muttered huskily causing, shivers to run down my spine. I tried my best to push him away, still scared of his personality. Whenever he smiled, it was different from that of his brother.

I already don't like him.

The next few minutes were filled with her showing me around like I was the luna. We avoided the people because I was still looking unkempt according to Alex. Sometimes I ask myself why I agreed to do this without thinking. What was I thinking of allowing myself to sign a mating contract with the most feared alpha in the world? This was a terrible idea.

Mary stopped in a corridor. "You will be staying here in the Alpha's room." Mary sighed. "Quick advice for you. Don't provoke the Alpha to anger. He might snap your neck." She muttered, saying down the stairs and leaving me alone with those terrifying words.

I opened the door to find an extravagant suite. It was just as magnificent as the exterior of the house. It smelt absolutely like the Alpha. My heart sank at the thought of me sleeping with him on the same bed. It gave me tremors.

He wasn't bad looking but with that attitude? I would rather return back to my forest floor.

"Don't forget, he also saved you from yourself." My brain taunted me. I bounced on the soft bed, having a feel of it. It was squishy and welcoming unlike the forest floor I desperately wanted to go back to. He truly saved me from myself. I touched the part where I felt his electric touch.

He doesn't know a thing about my past. If he knew, he would have rejected me in an instant.

______

Alex POV

"Finally. Some rest." I whispered to my lame brother. You should go back to your small pack. I bet they miss their Alpha." I slapped the back of his neck to signify the end of our meeting.

"Why? Don't you want me to speak with your new mate?" He grinned. "It's like she fell from heaven to save you the trouble because the next time the apostles gather, it won't be as easy as today."

I grinned, wanting to say something when I remembered how soft her hands felt in mine. Why would she want to take her own life?

I won't allow it because she has come to serve a greater purpose.

To be my mate.