CHAPTER 2: WILD

VICTORIA

“Tori, goodness, you’re so gorgeous.” I would have appreciated the compliment if I wasn’t uncomfortable with my dress.

I pulled the dress to the side as I felt suffocated by how tight it was in the bust area. Is this a dress or a goddamn choker?!

“Hey, you’ll tear it if you keep pulling it up. It’s already at the right spot. Tori, I said, stop pulling it.” Lyle held my hand to stop me.

I groaned, “But this is so uncomfortable. It’s my birthday. I’m supposed to be happy and comfortable today, not choked to death by a freaking tight dress.” I continued pulling the dress, half hoping that it would tear so I would have to declare a wardrobe malfunction and change but the damn dress is more resilient than I thought.

My best friend shook her head in dismay, “C’mon, just bear with it until you’re introduced. After that, you can change into comfortable clothes… I guess?”

“Fine. Let’s get this over with.” I took a deep breath, wishing so bad that no one among the guys who arrived was my mate.

Lyle’s smile went back, “That’s the Victoria Wilson I know. Come here and let me fix that dress. You already creased it from too much pulling.”

“Creasing wasn’t my end goal.”

She glared at me but I only shrugged. It’s not like I hid my dislike to my current situation.

“I thank all of you for coming today to celebrate my daughter Victoria’s birthday. May this celebration strengthen our packs’ allegiance.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes while listening to my father’s speech. This might be the worst birthday I ever had.

I wish my mom was here, but she had to visit my grandmother who’s currently sick. I wanted to see my grandmother too, but they insisted I stay for this celebration. Instead, my older brother, Ruis, came with my mom.

“Victoria, please say something.” I looked at my father with a surprised expression. No one told me I have to give a speech too?!

My dad gestured for me to go in front with his eyes bulging a bit, practically ordering me to say anything and get on with it.

I forced a smile that wasn’t convincing at all, “Yeah, like what my father said, we are glad that everyone is here. Thank you for coming to my birthday.”

I went out of the middle and left without eye contact with any of the confused men before me. I heard the alpha excusing me and saying that I was just shy. Shy isn’t really the perfect description of me, but he could have it his way for now.

“What was that? Since when did you have stage fright?” Lyle spoke as low as possible.

I looked at her and smiled sarcastically, “Since today, Lyle. I develop, not fear but hatred of speaking in front of men that is probably being forced to attend this celebration too.”

She couldn’t answer for a moment, knowing damn well that I have a point.

“You realize you still have to talk to those men, right? You can’t run away from this forever.” She resumed in scolding me, but my mind wandered elsewhere.

It was easy for her to accept all of this. My older brother, who is also her boyfriend, is also her mate. They’ve been in love since high school. It wasn’t so hard to accept the mate bond when it was the person you were in love to begin with.

I, on the other hand, will probably be mated with a complete stranger, which terrifies and irks me at the same degree.

I shook my head and groaned, “This is a disaster. I can’t do it.”

Lyle pulled me inside the pack house. “Calm down. There’s no guarantee that among those people is your mate. Just think of it as speed blind dating and get on with it.”

I glared at her, “What am I, a commodity?”

“Who says we’re selling you out? Do you really think the alpha would let any of those men marry you without your consent? He respects our culture but he wasn’t outdated like that. Besides, when was the last time you dated, huh? Just enjoy this day. Now go change. Unless you want to spend your night complaining about that perfectly gorgeous dress.”

My shoulders dropped. “I don’t have much of a choice, aren’t I?”

“Unless you want a one-on-one date, I suggest you agree.”

I opened my mouth, about to complain again but gave up immediately. She was right anyway. I’ll just bullshit my way into finishing this night, then I could be left alone.

“Fine.”

“I’ll wait for you here.” She stayed on the first floor while I headed upstairs toward my room in the pack house. I changed the dress into a long sleeve top and pants, which I was supposed to wear until Lyle saw the outfit. There was no way I could move around as I usually do if I wore a dress, especially this kind.

I looked at myself in the mirror and fixed my hair while thinking about what to do to avoid more interactions.

My eyes went to the windows, and an idea popped into my mind. I’ll talk to them, but it doesn’t mean I have to do it right now. I opened the window, landed on the ground effortlessly, then ran towards the woods before anyone noticed I was gone.

Am I going to be scolded later? Probably.

Do I care? No.

“This is going to be a long night.” I stared at the sky, realizing that it was still bright outside.

I ran deeper into our territory but quickly felt someone was following me. It wasn’t anyone from our pack, so my father didn’t send them. I didn’t stop running, and the person continued chasing after me.

Don’t tell me a foolish rogue tried entering our territory? Today, out of all times?

I halted running forward and quickly climbed an old tree while hiding my presence. I didn’t hesitate and jumped at the intruder. He stumbled on the ground with me on top of him, but I couldn’t continue my attack after our eyes met.

“You...” My wolf says he is my mate, but I can’t feel anything other than annoyance after seeing who it was.

He grinned at me, “I wasn’t expecting my mate to be this wild, but I’m not complaining.”