Mate

Chapter 2: MATE

IRIS

Waves of excitement ran over my body as I began to hear the footsteps and sounds of them walking away one by one.

Alpha Carson and Caroline had left for the mating ball, which was organised by them.

But I was still worried about one person who hadn't left: Cole. He was still in the house; I could feel it. I knew he wouldn't have gone without hearing from me. And that's to tell you how much he cared about me.

After a few seconds, I heard footsteps approaching, and I quickly detected them as Cole's by the sound. "Iris, are you there?" Just as I had thought, he was still around.

"My father is gone now, so you can open your door and come outside. Don't forget to come to the mating ball; who knows, you could find your mate."

He advised and retreated back, sensing that I had no plans to respond to him. Since he had been standing there for a few seconds before turning away, I felt relieved the moment I heard the sound of the living room door being shut. "He's gone, Iris. Now this is the best time to leave." My wolf spoke with excitement.

I picked up the only dress I considered 'good' and put it on. It was a single tight-body cum gown that brought out my curvy hips and bust.

However, this dress was too revealing, especially the bust part, which could draw people's attention. Luckily, I had a small jacket I could wear to cover it.

I sat on the ground, closed my eyes, and said a few prayers. Perhaps I would be free forever if the moon goddess would give me my mate tonight. And, of course, I would have somewhere to stay instead of wandering around without a place to lay my head on this night before finding a permanent place.

Gradually, I opened the door and made my way to the settings room with a slow pace, then halted my footsteps to see if someone was coming, but fortunately, no one was.

It seemed like the universe was on my side tonight. Finally, I was out of the Alpha House.

I let out a breath of relaxation as I continued walking away from the Alpha House.

The mating ball was just two metres away from where I was. Halting my movements, I turned to face where the mating ball was being held, and I could see lots of people chatting, dancing, and whispering to each other with the sound of music playing.

A shiver ran down my spine the moment my eyes locked onto Alpha Carson's. I quickly ran away before he could realise it was me, which I doubted. My mind finally came down when I ran out of the Crescent Moon Pack.

I was currently at the scratch trees, which marked the end of the Crescent Moon Pack border. It wouldn't be long before Alpha Carson traced my scent and found me.

That is, if he still wants to punish me over what happened earlier because he had no right to disrupt my movements

I would have been able to hide my scent from him if I had the ability, but no, I didn't know how to do so. I'm a weak wolf, according to what people say.

The only way I could mask my scent from being tracked easily was by disrupting my scent trails in the river, which was far away from here. But nevertheless, I wouldn't let him catch me. I'll keep running.

I had been running around this forest for like twenty minutes now, with no direction or destination.

I didn't even know where I was going. I just wished to stumble upon a pack that could take me in, so I could stay there tonight before making my way out tomorrow morning.

My leg was hurt from the grasses that had wounded me and given me a few scratches. I was tired and needed to rest; otherwise, I could pass out at any moment.

I sat down on top of a tree root on the ground, still being vigilant to avoid being caught.

The atmosphere was cold, with an eerie sound of animals and different creatures settling in. Everywhere was bright as a reflection of the ray of sun coming directly from the full moon.

A yawn escaped my mouth as I stretched my hands together, my stomach growling, signalling it was hungry and needed to be fed.

"This isn't the time to be hungry, so stop making those stupid sounds!" I yelled in anger, talking to my stomach as if it were a person.

Of course, I should advise it because being hungry was the least of my worries right now. I needed to face the important things right in front of me and handle them. I yawned again, but this time, I used my palm to cover my mouth. And there it went again, with my stomach rumbling each time I yawned.

"This is frustrating; stop already!" I pouted like a mad woman who was always talking to herself.

Suddenly, I heard a sound - the rustling of leaves - leaving me in shock as I quickly moved away from where I was sitting, only to bump into someone.

It was Cole. I freaked out instantly, holding my chest at the sight of him. How creepy of him to find me here! "What are you doing out here?"

I questioned with a trembling voice and legs. "You should ask me the same question, Iris. What are you doing out here?" He questioned with great intensity.

I felt his hands hovering around my waist and quickly pushed him away, leaning backward. "Did your father send you after me since he couldn't chase me?"

I realised his father must have sent him after me, judging by his behaviour and attitude right now. "Why are you acting like this, Iris?! You're not a child anymore, so you should understand how things work," he bellowed at me with a deadly tone, which scared me more and made me wonder how I didn't see this other side of him before.

He gripped me by the hands and pressed me toward the tree in front of me.

" This isn't about my father, but you, you should have told me you'll be leaving today.”

“You should have known how badly I wanted you, Iris. I was just waiting for the perfect time, and here it goes." I couldn't understand what he meant. He seemed to be spitting rubbish out of his mouth.

"Let go of me first, Cole; I believe we can talk this out peacefully without being aggressive," I suggested, trying to calm him down, but he wouldn't listen.

His eyes were now on my neck, pressing me slowly as I felt his warm breath over my face. And I said to myself, "It's time I make a move before it's too late."

Even though I couldn't see his face clearly due to the dark, I could feel his head movements, coming closer to my face as if he wanted to kiss me, but I turned my head away. "!!!"

A sound echoed through the air, and I tried to comprehend what had just happened, only to feel a pain on my cheeks. That was when I realised he had slapped me.

How dare he?!

"You slapped me, Cole? Cole, you dared lay your hands on me?" I questioned with a fainter voice, my eyes pricking out with tears. I couldn't hold it; I just had to let it out.

Perhaps it's okay for one to cry. Perhaps it's okay for one to break down sometimes and stop acting all strong. Cole forcefully found his way to my jacket and pulled it off; he gripped my top tank and tore it. I didn't know what he was planning, but if I let him have his way with me, this wouldn't end here.

"I'm begging you, Cole, please don't do this to me. Stop whatever you're planning now." I yelled out, my cries echoing through the forest as I watched him trying to kiss me, I closed my eyes when I couldn't bear to watch any longer

For over ten seconds, it was silent. It felt so strange that he hadn't kissed me because I didn't feel his lips on mine.

The next thing I sensed was a strange scent. An alluring fragrance of beacon. It smelled like strawberry. The scent filled my nostrils so intensely that I had to open my eyes. my gaze locked with someone. A man, even in the dark I could see how tall he is, with a muscular body. My wolf giggled at the sight of him, my body reacting to his present.

“Mate!!!” My wolf screamed out in excitement.