First Love, First Lie

Chapter 2

Anna's POV

‘Mate?’ it couldn't be possible.

My wolf had to be bluffing or what?

I had just heard the worst news that I could ever imagine, and a stranger whom I had never seen before had my heart racing.

I moved backward, my heart panting… but not in fear.

Curiosity.

I wanted to take a look at the figure; I wanted to see who made my heart pulse and my mouth water as though thirsty for a drink.

“Who's… there?” I stammered, placing my hands behind my back.

The shadow came out of the dark and into the moonlight, staring right at me with those brown eyes, warm and piercing. He placed his arms by his side, putting on a calm smile that made me feel safe in the woods.

He was a stranger yet I was assured that he meant no harm.

The stranger extended his arms for a handshake. He grabbed my hands before I could even think to move a muscle.

I literally felt the strength of his firm grip, an equal match to his dominating aura.

“Hi, my name is Rogers.” He said with a warm smile.

My lips parted without actual words coming out, just a mouthful of air. I gulped as he leaned his face closer to mine

“Rogers Steel,” he resounded.

My blood rushed, my hands clasped, and my cheeks flushed. He was everything I needed.

I never knew I could fall in love so quickly. He was a stranger but my heart said otherwise.

“I'm Anna Bond,” my lips parted.

“You are my mate,” he chorused with such bravado.

What!

Was he aware I had a weak wolf? I bet if he knew, he would zoom out in an instant, however, the reverse was the case. Or maybe he was just another guy who came to seek my heart per my father's request.

Despite all, Rogers Steel didn't only just connect with me; he loved me for who I was: weak wolf and all.

The moment felt magical.

“Anna, you still haven't picked a mate yet,” My father thundered as he saw me walking down the hall.

I scoffed, crossing my arms and rolling my eyes angrily.

I didn't want to tell him about Rogers. He did not deserve to know, not when I was still pissed at him.

“Father, I am not in the mood for…”

“If you don't pick a mate, I'll find one myself for you,” he threatened, cold and unrelenting.

“Rogers,” I forced out immediately.

What came over me was unknown, but there was no way I was letting my father pick a mate for me. “I have a mate. His name is Rogers Steel,”

There was a look of scrutiny in his wide eyes. It made me cower in defeated fear.

“Who is this? Why did you not let me know?”

“He is mine, father. You wanted me to pick a mate, I have and I love him,” I protested.

“Well then, I want to see him at the hunting games tomorrow. He must be able to show me he's strong enough to mate with my daughter,”

“All right,” I agreed.

I became fussy all day, thinking Rogers was going to be raging mad if he became aware that my father wanted him in the hunting games.

I tried to avoid Rogers but he heard of his entry into the hunting game.

Surprisingly, he was chill about it. Confident, thrilled, fire in his eyes like he expected it.

“I get to prove my love for you to your father? There's no way I'm passing up on that” he said, elated.

Well, he did.

Rogers made a show of his strength and skills, taking charge of the hunting games as if he were born to win. Even my father couldn't help but flinch in surprise at his skills.

“You picked the best, I see,” he said after Rogers came seeking his approval to bond with me.

“The mating ceremony will be held in the next full moon,” my father ordered, his voice echoing through the air.

The next full moon? That was just barely a week away. It felt so rushed like they were trying to get rid of the magical feeling that came with mating.

No, I had to do something.

“Father, the full moon is a breath away. Isn't it too early to hold a ceremony? I don't want the people of this pack to feel like we are desperate to seal the deal,”

My father's eyes still looked dark with resolve. “It's going to be the next full…”

“No, Father, that's just ridiculous,” I protested, gritting my teeth, my voice sharp.

“I don't know, Anna. I kind of like it.” Rogers interjected. “You love me, and I can't do without you, so what's there to wait for,” he chipped in.

Suddenly, I got short of words. I never expected Rogers to agree to rush our mating.

He placed his hands around my waist, drawing me closer. I gazed at his eyes, they were so genuine. “We can finally be together, Anna,”

How could I say no to him? He had me trapped in his warm embrace, and besides, mating with him wasn't such a bad idea. My father already gave his blessings.

Unfortunately, that was the last thing he gave me before the stormy day.

I was out shopping when I got a call from Stacy, my close friend. My father had suddenly gotten bedridden.

Her calls kept flooding in and before I could get home, he was dead.

My father lay lifeless on the bed, with no illness or any symptoms at all.

“No, this is not true. My father isn't…” my voice broke down as I fell into Rogers's arms.

“This can't be the end,” I muttered.

Rogers patted me on the back, whispering into my ears. “It's going to be all right. You will have a lot of time after we are done with the mating ceremony.”

“What?” I sniffled, wiping my tears and dislodging myself out of his grasp. “The ceremony, Are you kidding me? My father just died. I don't even know what caused his death and…”

“Shhh,” he hushed, placing his finger on my lips. “That was your father's last wish. Do you think he's going to be happy if we disobey his last wishes?”

“Our mating ceremony will go on as planned,” he stated, sounding optimistic yet authoritative.

I was furious and heartbroken but I did not want my father's death to cause a rift between us.

I had a few days to grieve and mourn the death of my father. All through my grievance, I got slammed with questions.

Days rushed past and I still felt heavy with grief.

Could this have been what he was avoiding? Did he sense his death around the corner and…

“Oh god,” I exclaimed, resting my head on my table. “Today is your day, Anna. You shouldn't be crying.” I said to myself.

I was going to be mated to Rogers yet it felt like a big part of my heart had been missing.

“ANNA!” Stacy rushed in, struggling to catch her breath. She looked like she had run miles under the full moon.

“What is it? Why are…”

“Stop what you are doing!” she sharply cut in, her face filled with worry. “Quick! There's another mating ceremony going on now,”

I leaped up all of a sudden. It wasn't possible, she had to be joking.

It didn't matter if I was indecisive or not, my legs ran as fast as they could to the mating aisle.

But what I saw, plunged my insides out, shredding my heart to pieces and laying it bare on my chest.

Rogers, handsomely dressed with another woman by his side, a brunette.