Chapter 1

JANE

The speakers are playing loud music, as an alcoholic odor floods the air and laughter reverberates across the hallway.

I scrunch my nose for a second as I enjoy grinding up against one of our school hottest guys, whom I do not personally know anything about. I only saw him around the compound with girls flaunting around him. PERIOD.

The feeling of our bodies slamming together in time with the music should be soothing to the soul, but instead, only agony and hurt flow through my heart, as I watch my long-time crush fall in love with his so-called precious mate.

I’d been looking forward to this day since freshman. When I heard his wolf sense had heightened, I thought I was going to be the lucky one. Now everything seems so painful. This year’s prom is one of the worst days ever of my life.

Happy belated sixteen birthday to me for not getting the loving and good guy on our campus as my mate.

Good job moon goddess! Good fucking messed up job!

I wish she was here to witness the scene in front of me. It is sore to the eyes, and I feel every ounce of my body, ready to charge up and smash my best friend Shauna’s head against the wall. The thoughts going through my head are purely evil, even though a good, tiny voice inside told me that I should be happy for my best friend and not be filled with jealousy.

I shook my head and moved the pervert's hand away from my body as he tried to reach under my dress.

The fun is over douche! I push him away from me and stumble away from the dance floor.

"Hey chica, come back here," I heard him calling after me, but I simply responded with my birdy-blessed finger. I laugh and keep walking towards the exit.

"Hey! Are you okay?" someone asks, but I ignore him.

I took another step and almost came face-to-face with the floor. However, two strong arms held me up before I hit the hard tile and destroyed my face. I wanted to turn around and scream, but his familiar scent made me stop. I turn around to face the handsome Malcom White, the only guy that I am deeply in love with.

Screw Shauna. Gosh, why does he have to come to my rescue? I thought as I stared at his beautiful face that I always wanted to cup it with the palms of my hands and pamper it with my sweet kisses before running my hands through those dirty blonde hairs of his. I giggle and try not to make it obvious that I am loving our position.

Moon Goddess I am on the verge of kissing this man right now.

“Oh No! You’re drunk as fuck.” Shauna’s voice ruins our moment.

I guess it’s too early for my wishful thinking. I gave her my thumbs-up, pretending to be fine with a fake grin on my face. I push her beloved mate off of me. I turn aside and pick up a left-over Jack Daniel from the table near the exit, and I stagger out, making my way through the parking lot and towards the woods, tasting the sweetness of my bitter life.

The moment I step into the darkest part of the woods, the cries of howling echo through the night, indicating that I am now surrounded by danger. I should have been afraid right now, yet I don’t give a damn about anything. I guess, having a part of my heart crushed and having alcohol running through my system made me not fear anything.

I raised the bottle for another sip, but there wasn't a drop of liquid on my tongue. I shook it and found it empty. "I guess I drank it all," I whined as I continued walking, shaking the empty bottle once more and sending it through a tree, shattering it to pieces. I continue walking, mumbling to myself and kicking some leaves on the ground.

"Stupid mate, stupid fate," I spat out, feeling disgusted by the sound of the word "mate." I hate the bond because of it; I couldn’t even have the person I've been crushing on since I was twelve. I huff and keep walking, not noticing where I am going or how long I’ve been walking.

I hear the sound of leaves rustling. I stop dead in my tracks. My eyes move from side to side, checking if I am hearing things right. However, a rabbit came running out from the small bush. I let out a small sigh and resumed walking.

The sound of twixt followed by a low dangerous snarl made me halt again. This time, I could feel the hair standing at the back of my head and goosebumps were now growing all over my skin. I sense danger.

The heartbroken feelings that once consumed me a while ago and the strong alcohol in my system slowly dissipate, making me realize that I may have gone too far from our territory. I gulp my saliva and worriedly rub my palms together. I am getting scared now.

There are so many precautionary thoughts running through my dizzy head. I am feeling helpless, as I could not summon my wolf because she is still not mature enough. Even though I turn sixteen yesterday, my wolf, Beauty hasn’t fully grasped her intelligence.

“Shit, why did I have to be so stupid?” I cursed out loud for endangering myself.

Another growl is heard and I swirl around quickly to see how far I have dragged myself. My eyes were wandering behind the trees. It was dark, and I couldn’t make out any figure except for six pairs of red eyes glowing in the dark.

“Oh, moon goddess! Don’t throw me to the devils. I swear I’ll never curse you again” I beg silently, my gaze fixed on the red eyes. I retreated two steps as the nameless monsters began to move in the open. I commanded them to halt in a quiet voice, hoping it would do the trick.

I tell the monsters, "don't get near me or you'll regret it." I had nothing to defend myself with, so I looked silly and sounded foolish.

“Funny, red riding hoodie," one of them remarks as they approach.

I want to retort that I'm not wearing anything red, but I know better. I'm not going to provoke them and earn a quick death certificate.

One of them commented, "I know you're no Red."

They seem to be reading my mind. I ask, gulping down my saliva. "How?" I ask in disbelief. One of them adds, "Little sacredly kitten, we're your worst nightmares," and they all howl in unison.

“What?” Dizziness began to cloud my mind and I stumbled back.

My vision is becoming hazy. I'm starting to wonder if I'm having episodes again. No, I can't have it right now. I shook my head and looked ahead, putting on a brave face.

The moonlight shines on the red-eyed creatures, and I am astounded to discover that they are not wolves. They are not rogues, but rather a different species.

Creatures that are closest to our kind but very dangerous. Their humanoids' heads are shaped in wolves’ forms. I thought and checked yes. ‘Red blood-shot eyes’ checked. Their fur is black as a night. Checked. I give it a thought for a second. My eyes widen when I recalled how my dad used to warn me about them.

The descriptions were most fitting to describe the creatures before me.

LYCANS.

They are very dangerous and gruesome creatures. They never get along with my kind. The WEREWOLVES.

We’re like one species but two different breeds living in two worlds apart. They are impure and very sad vengeful creatures and we are considered normal creatures. Yeah, so much for being NORMAL.

“You…you’re a monster” I stuttered.

“Wrong impression, little shit” mock one of the lycan.

“I don’t look or smell like one” I mutter.

They all sneer at me, and I recoil a bit. “You have crossed our territory” another one pointed out. “I am going to keep you…pretty thing,” said another, their leader, baring his fangs at me.

“I am not pretty and definitely not food,” I said, gulping my saliva. Shoot! When do I have to shut up? I mentally scold myself. “Keep talking pretty thing but I am going to have you for dinner,” says another which scares me.

I turn around to run away, however, the Lycans were quick enough to block my way. They encircle me, baring their teeth at me. Their red eyes murdering me already.

“Tasty,” says their leader as he stepped forward to pounce on their prey.

I closed my eyes when I saw his hand raised and the other ready to rip my poor head. Good. I am going to see the sun, moon and stars for real this time.

It's never too late to say my goodbyes now. Bye, mom. Bye, dad. I hate you, Shauna. I will always crush over you, Malcom. I whisper to myself as I waited for my tragic ending.