CHAPTER 3

“Lydia, you look so pretty!” Mel squealed. Mel is my personal maid, and even though I doubt if her love for me is genuine, sometimes I do know she cares about me unlike every other person here.

I looked in the mirror one more time, and I couldn’t help but agree with her. The dress was a nude color, and it was completely covered in sparkles. It was hand crafted and took a year to complete. 

It is my 18th birthday today, which means tonight I will find my mate. I can’t help but think of an intruder I met in the forest, should I inform the guards about the strange incident. No, I won't, that will only cause more problems for me. If my dad discovers that one of the Silverback packs attacked us yesterday, he might hand me over to Peter right before the feast, and I plan to escape today after the feast.

"Come on Lydia, let's go downstairs," Mel said, stretching her hands to me. I smiled softly and took her hands in mine. I heard my father's voice from behind as we walked downstairs.

"Oh Lydia, you look stunning." You look exactly like your mother today. He came over and hugged me, kissing my forehead.

"Thank you, Dad," I said. Why are people being so nice to me today? If he knew I was aware of his plan, I would be running away today after the feast. 

We began walking together towards the ballroom where the ceremony would take place, and with each step I took, the knot in my stomach grew larger, I almost tripped as I stepped on my dress, and I wasn't thinking clearly. 

"Be careful Lydia, so you don't ruin the dress," Mel cautioned as she dashed to catch up with me. She knelt down and took the dress from beneath my heels. 

My Dad, was the first to enter the ballroom as we approached the door. As he sat down, I could hear everyone clapping, but then everything fell silent. It was my turn to enter, and I felt like turning around and running away to somewhere no one knew who I was. 

As I felt my legs slowly turning so I could start running back, The door opened and everyone stood again and started clapping as Mel helped hold my hands and we started walking towards the chair beside my dad. As I sat down, everyone stopped clapping and sat down. 

The ceremony started, women of our packs who has done the ritual of coming of age started trooping in all dressed in White with beautiful paintings on their body, they were singing and dancing around while everyone watched amazed.

“ I have seen different rituals done but this is the most beautiful one. They all had their long hairs out designed with beautiful flowers. Gamma, the oldest woman in our park dress was different from the remaining women and girls and she was wearing an ancient headpin, as I watched on amazed as they kept dancing and chanting my maid walked up to me and whispered it’s time for you to change into the traditional

"I stood up and we began walking towards the door to leave; no one seemed to notice us leaving because the performance had captivated everyone." As Mel opened the door, a strange man appeared in front of him, reaching for the doorknob. He looked at us with this stern look on his face. I have never seen him before. I don't think he is from around here. 

“Pack become tribes and tribes become communities” 

“We all come together for ceremonies like this but I don’t think he has attended any, such a fine man can’t go unnoticed without news of his beauty going around and every girl fighting for him to be their mate. 

This stranger is the finest man I've ever seen; his face was built like a god, from his green eyes to his pouty lips, his well-trimmed beards, and his dark shiny hairs; everything was meticulously and beautifully crafted. What is his name? What pack is he a member of? 

" Excuse me; I quickly moved to the side." I'm not sure how long I've been staring at him. 

He walked by as we both began walking back to my room so I could change.

I was pulled back from a grip, I turned around and it was the Stranger, I frowned and looked at his hands and his eyes followed.

He loosened his grip and dropped my hands gently, My name is Derek what is your name? he asked.

“Lydia Martin” I said

Mel made a sign to remind me that we needed to leave so that I could change. 

"I have to go," I said as I turned and began walking away. 

He is your mate, my wolf said. 

I quickly turned back quickly but I couldn't see him anymore. 

Is he really my mate ? I smiled, He only told me his name but that will be enough to find him.

I have found my Mate, I told Mel as she was helping me take off my dress 

Omg, Who is it? She was grinning so bad her cheeks must hurt

You will find out soon, I said grinning. 

DEREK’S POV 

Everything has been planned, and the attack will take place today. Laura and Athena will be the first to enter the banquet. 

I'll come in once everyone is in their proper place. The remaining Whitewolf Pack members would kill the guards first, followed by the rest of the pack. Then we'll all attack everyone inside the feast at the same time, so no one can escape and they don't see us coming. 

We agreed not to kill everyone, especially Alpha midnight, the King of the Werewolf Empire and the leader of the Whitewolf pack, who will not be easily killed. 

Before I cut off his head in front of our entire clan, I'll take him back to beg my parents' forgiveness. And we'll make his precious daughter our slave. That is the most effective method of retaliation. 

Everyone was already in place, waiting for my signal to proceed. I was about to enter when I felt a strange sensation in my stomach that I had only felt once before, last night. 

That feeling hasn't left me since I killed those guards! I tried to ignore it and just walked in as I reached for the doorknob and it swung open. A very attractive young lady with what appears to be her maid stood in front of me. 

Does she know me? She just stood there staring at me. 

“Excuse me, I said”. 

My stomach sank as I walked past them on my way in; I couldn't let her go without knowing her name. 

I rushed up to her and took her hands in mine. What exactly am I doing? I questioned myself. 

I recognized her when she turned and looked at me. 

The girl from last night was standing in front of me.

“ “State your name and purpose in my land, and I might let you live” those words came back to me.

What was she doing in the woods alone at night? Derek is my name. What is your name? I asked her. 

Lydia Martin, she replied. She is the enemy's daughter, so she is my enemy. I'm not sure why, but I was disappointed. 

I'll have to slit her throat right here if she recognizes me. My plan can't fail now that we're so close to finally getting our revenge. 

I looked her in the eyes, hoping she wouldn't recognize me. 

"I have to go”. She said and turned away.

"She is your mate," my wolf said. 

“She can’t be! I turned and walked away”.