Chapter 2

Wren's pov

Flashback

“Would I remain your favorite person in the whole wide world?” Violet eyes looked at me hopefully. I giggled and continued jumping the stones along the river.

“That would be my mate someday, silly.” I giggled again. Caelum hummed contemplatively, his black brows furrowed in thought.

“Well, I'm just going to have to be your mate then." He declared, using one hand to push back his black curls. I always thought he had beautiful hair.

I blushed, my cheeks turning red. “T-that's not how it works." I stuttered, flustered. Jenna, one of the older she-wolf found her mate two days ago and she had been talking about how amazing it is.

*Why not?” His violet eyes were filled with confusion. He had such stunning eyes. I looked away immediately.

“Just because." I nodded firmly.

“Well, that's a stupid reason. When I'm 18, I'm coming to your pack and I'm carrying you all the way home.” He smiled proudly, while my heart kept beating faster.

My cheek burned and I looked away. At seven, I was old enough to be affected by his words.

“Whatever." I mumbled and pushed him into the river.

End of flashback

“Well, isn't this such an interesting twist of event?” His plush lips curled sadistically. I mentally berated myself for looking at his lips.

Two seconds of having a mate bond and suddenly I can't seem to look anywhere else but at him. I need to be better than this.

“What are you doing here? Came to gloat?" I sneered at him. 

Suddenly a wave of electricity ran through me, my nerve endings screamed in pain. I locked my jaw together to prevent the scream that was building up in my throat. I still whimpered though.

I had just been tasered. By Alric.

“We don't talk that way to invited guests, not one as special as him.” He tutted.

I looked at my mate, his face was unreadable. Just my luck to get a mate that doesn't care.

“What makes him so special?" My voice came out in a whisper, broken, my head tilted downwards.

“Of course you wouldn't know, you've been locked in here for most of your life.” Alric mocked. I gritted my teeth. The stupid bastard was the one that locked me down here.

"This is The Crimson Alpha, Caelum Ravenwood, Alpha of the famous Black Moon pack." 

And the son of the man that killed my parents and left me alone in this world, I thought bitterly.

Moon goddess, what are you playing at? Haven't I been punished enough?

Rumors of the Crimson Alpha had reached even us that the world had forgotten. A man who had slain hundreds of wolves while in his human form.

A man whose blood lust far exceeded anyone in history. A man rumored to drink the blood of his enemies as wine.

“I presume that our deal still remains the same." His voice broke the silence. 

Something deep within me stirred at the sound of his voice. It was husky and smooth with just the slightest hint of an accent.

“Well, there are more things to put into consideration now. She's your mate, surely you'd pay higher.” Alric grinned greedily. I admired his courage.

“Tell me Alric, do you favor your heart beating in your chest rather than in my hand?” he said, while his violet eyes never wavered from mine.

"Of course Alpha, I'll release her right now.” 

I eyed Alric in disgust, coward. Like he was able to read my mind, Caelum smiled.

The door of the cage was unlocked and opened. Since I was leaning on it, I stumbled only for a hand to grab my arm. I gasped.

For the second time, electricity ran through me to the core of my being, only this time, it brought pleasure. My arm tingled where his hand touched. My heart skipped and my breath caught.

Everything around me disappeared, leaving only the feel of his hand on mine. It was like a piece of me I didn't know was missing ,slotted into place.

Every part of me desired something more, I couldn't understand it but I felt it deep within my soul. I wanted him, no, I needed him.

I took a step closer to him, my destiny, my mate. The man whose parents murdered yours, something whispered in my head.

Like I was doused in cold water, I came to my senses. Quickly, I took a step back, his hand fell away from my arm. 

A shadow of something passed behind his eyes, too quickly for me to identify.

What was I just about to do?

Go to our mate, go to our mate, my wolf chanted in my head.

You don't have any choice in this matter, Astrid, you left me alone for 13 years, I told her and she quieted down.

“My beta would get in touch with you, Alric. For now, I have a little bird to break, shall we?” Caelum smirked

I pushed past him, ignoring the hand he had stretched out for me to take. 

Jokes on you, Caelum, you can't break what's already broken.

His eyes glimmered with amusement and his lips twitched upwards. He fell in steps beside me, always matching me pace for pace, no matter how I increased or decreased it.

A black sleek car waited outside. A man with greying hair opened the door to the backseat. 

I hesitated. A part of me wishing to be back in my cage where everything was familiar.

“What are you waiting for? The car doesn't bite, I promise. I on the other hand, well,you'd just have to see for yourself.” He whispered in my ear, his breath minty and warm.

I shuddered, a sigh of pleasure escaping me, every part of me hyper aware of the man besides me. I shook my head to clear the daze.

I whirled around and poked him in the chest “Stay far away from me, Ravenwood.” He smiled like he knew something I didn't. I detested every inch of that smile.

We're going to have so much fun, Red.” He chuckled manically. Red, his childhood nickname for me as a result of my fiery red hair.

I entered the luxurious vehicle. Everything was clean and looked new. I felt self conscious when I saw how grimy my legs looked.

Why do I care? In fact, I hope some of the grime rubs off on his leather seats. I chuckled inwardly.

He entered after me, the air filling with his scent. He smelled like the rain, light and refreshing, and like something expensive too. The car started.

“Where are we going?” I asked, curious.

"My place. Where you'd be staying from now on—as my mate of course.” There was amusement in his tone. I bet this was all a source of entertainment to him, I thought bitterly.

I bet he has a nice butt, Astrid gleefully said. 

13 years, I reminded her, she piped down.

The idea of living with him had anxiety filling my veins, I fidgeted with my fingers, my right leg bouncing.

A warm firm hand gripped my leg. I gasped at the sparks and the tingles. With great effort, I pushed his hand away from my leg.

“You can't fight the mate bond forever. Sooner or later, you'd have to give in to me.” His face was hidden from my view but I could tell just how much this whole situation amused him.

Give in? To the son of the man who destroyed my family? Never! I would fight this with my last breath.

Why did the moon goddess do this to me? To punish me? Or to punish him? A voice whispered, a plan quickly forming in my head.

I had heard stories of how rejection affected werewolves. The stronger the bond, the more the effect.

A werewolf rejected when he first meets his mate might just lose his wolf, but for a person who loses his mate after forming a strong bond, death is inevitable.

My strength was nothing compared to the Crimson Alpha and I would never have the resources he did, but this little bond between us was all I had to get my revenge on him.

I knew I couldn't fight the mate bond forever, but all I had to do was make him fall first then reject him.

The sins of the father was about to be visited on the child, I smiled