CHAPTER ONE

(Lexi's pov)

I am running through the forest. AGAIN. It is 1 am. It's been years of doing this. All alone, calm, it's like a sacred place for me after mom and dad left.

I was just left with this place with several sweet memories I made with them. But the Pain of them leaving is still fresh in my flesh like it all happened just yesterday. I was just a small pup when they left for a mission but never made it back.

Ever since all I do is wait, I still wait for them to show up because I am desperate. I would have left this place for good but in hope that my parents could return one day made me stay and I did all the things they would have wanted me to do.

I use to get furious when everybody just wanted to get over the news of my parents getting lost. so, people decided to make peace with the thought of them being killed but now I do understand after all these years without them, it's hard to hold on to hope too.

It's much easier to let go. But for me? not really. They were my everything after all, and they still are. Because hoping for them to come back has only intensified the pain.

so, I keep myself busy protecting our pack's wolves but this place in the woods is still my favourite, my haven because it's where we use to visit most often together, me, mom and dadda.

I can feel it in the air, the fresh mistful air with the relaxing sound of flowing water. It's near, the river that my father used to take me along with my mother, sometimes he would train me like I was gonna play the main fighter in the war, sometimes I would pluck flowers with my mother only to put them in my braided hair.

Sometimes he would tell me the history of the honourable werewolves or tell me stories of Humans and whatnot.

I stop running causing my claws to abruptly dig in the soil beneath, drawing unrecognisable patterns on the ground.

I close my eyes for a minute to relax and take a long breath. It's been hard all these years without you, mom and dad, I whisper. I seem to be doing fine because you taught me to be brave and to follow my heart.

I wanted to escape all of this because I was afraid but what I felt was temporary, I know I am stronger than I believe I am and I live by it now. But I miss you so much.

I open my eyes as I walk closer to the river. Look into the river onto my reflection, deep blue eyes just like everyone in our pack "the blue moon" has, the pure white fur wolf. It's a full moon night, one of the best nights to heal.

I turn my head to the slight sound behind me but I see or sense nobody.

Weird how every time I look at the moon, it gets much prettier or maybe it's just me romanticizing everything. I sigh before moving a few steps to completely turn away to go back home.

On reaching home it was already past 2 am, I slide the door to get in silently. The hallway seemed to be utterly silent, everyone soundly sleeping. I take the stairs which lead to my office and room.

"Oh, Lexi you are home at the right time, we have to go to the gathering in a few hours you remember right? ," My Uncle Ben says in an extraordinary cheery voice.

I turn back to show him my grumpy face " what no, please they are so damn boring," I pause only to be met with his stern gaze, I release a heavy breath, " fine, I guess I'll rest for some time then we can go to whatever boring gathering to are saying we have to visit," I roll my eyes as I hear him giving me soft giggles.

My heart softens, he is so happy with aunt Melisa. Uncle Ben, a beta male of my pack, is also my wise advisor. He was always really good at coming up with different strategies and information.

He gives me a firm nod still showing his teeth, indeed making me smile too. I turn around and climb up the remaining stairs to reach my office. The much-needed sleep, I won't get it anyway. The nightmares of course. Also, today is the day I lost them, my parents.

I moved the lock to open the office room door and enter, " ugh these fucking lights never work, I need to change them again," I say frustrated looking for the emergency light switch.

Once I switch it on my gaze falls on the portrayed paintings of my ancestors, the Marron's legacy. My mom always used to tell me how we have it in our blood, ruling the kingdoms, we are born leaders.

I am the only child of my parents resulting in making me who I am today, the leader of the "blue moon" pack. Lexi marron the daughter of Taylor and Zela Marron, the most influential werewolf leaders of all times.

I was told by many that alpha females are rare cases, just a few in centuries. Although I am the only one left now. Well, the other ones died ages ago. That pretty much explains why everyone views me as the beast ready to be unleashed.

Like I might swallow them alive but they still wanna win over my attention. Hah, like I am some prize, if they win it they rule the whole kingdom of werewolves.

I move to my table set near the fire chamber, only to be welcomed by the sight of dozen of more proposal letters, " god when is this misery going to end," I sigh again running my hands through my hair," this is utterly ridiculous," I wonder these alpha males, how are they all still single haven't they found their mate? why the fuck all the alpha males are suddenly looking for arrange marriage, that too with me?

Duh I know I am beautiful inside out, I know my worth but they ain't getting anything from here.

I throw all the letters in the box kept neatly beside my table. Oh, fuck yes, I have a separate box for this kind of shit just don't ask why.

I don't even bother to open them cause I know half of them would still propose power-related deals, to show me how powerful they are and how ridiculously they deserve to be my mate.

Just because I am the only female alpha ruler in the werewolf kingdom of this era, doesn't give them the right to treat me like a damn trophy, Jesus my entire being cringes due to these arranged marriage proposals thing.

I just wanna punch all of them in their faces and roll my eyes at them so badly that my eyeballs disappear somewhere in the back of my skull every time I see them.

Sometimes I wonder what if I was not been born as an alpha then what would have happened?

Being born in a Prestigious pack that too as alpha put me into a lot of responsibilities at the age of 14 after mom and dad were gone, I too took them happily after all that's what our blood is about, dignity and responsibility.

*****

I tried to shift to get more comfortable in the position, but this tingling sensation was not going away. First on my right cheek, then on the left, " you know if you don't wake up Lexi, I might have to kiss you," I hear a whisper but choose to ignore it due to the need for more sleep.

Again, the right cheek and the left," and I might have to kill if you don't stop," I glare at my sweetest friend Lilly only to be welcomed by her soft giggles.

"Good morning to you too," she says in a melodious voice, I push my hands through my soft hair." What time is it lills? ," I ask yawning. " you still have two hours to get ready bubs," I narrow my eyes, why the fuck answers me directly?

I simply nod I know how stubborn and irritating Lilly can be but who cares besties exist to annoy you anyway.

I see Lilly walking around in the room, " another bunch of proposal letters?" she questions with wide eyes. " yeah," I say wryly not that I care.

"Why don't accept one, someone out of them must have something that you must like but you don't even though a single glance at any of them. How long are you gonna wait, what if he is you know," she says with slight sadness.

Oh no no Universe, what if he is dead and here am I aimlessly waiting for my mate? You are not gonna do that with me right? A frown emerges between my eyebrows, god a whole life without a mate is too painful. I mean I have needs too.

Gosh, I need to find him because all of this is not helping After all I am already 22 for fucks sake!

"Hello, Lexi to earth ?" Lilly waves her small hand in front of my face bringing me out of my thoughts. I give her a tight smile," I don't care about all this, Lilly," she shrugs and leaves the office closing the door behind her.

Lilly Justice another one of the pack members, and omega by birth and also my best friend we met in a simple gathering when I acted like the cold bitch role and she was way too witty to fall for it, I guess.

She broke all the rules and barriers I had created around my heart and found her place in my life in her way. I owe her for making me who I am today and an open-hearted person.

I walk to the closet and randomly pick something black, I have a thing for black clothes. I must say it's quite aesthetically pleasing. I shower and reach downstairs to have breakfast with other members of the house. It gonna be a long day.

( A few hours later )

I walked past followed by uncle Ben and a dozen of alpha males from different packs around the area. Who has their eyes on me like they are some hawks?

What a bad idea, I should have seen it coming when I wore this black tight leather dress of mine in the morning. What did you expect Lexi?

At least it earned me a year worth of attention from these bitches. But to be honest, I didn't think much of it, just a tight Pant with a top neck with full sleeves and a shiny scarf around my waistline that too all in black.

Who wants to come to these gatherings where all the higher-ups meet? Just to make sure everything is healthy and safe in and around the packs. But sometimes to propose deals between the packs.

I did this because Uncle Ben wanted me to, I know if he wanted me to do this then it's necessary. He is good at handling politics cause this was certainly not my domain. And I am glad he was here to help me through all of this.

I sigh, as I see a handsome young man walking in my direction I knew what was gonna happen next. But I focus and observe every detail of him, straight black hair with a sharp jawline and a muscular body. He has hazelnut eyes but more like a darker shade of it. A definite pl playboy vibe not gonna lie. Nah, not my vibe. I see uncle giggle like he knew what I was thinking.

He stops right in front of me, taking my hand and kissing it gently. " Lady Marron, you look stunning today," I slightly bow in acknowledgement and murmur a soft thank you with my 'nice to meet you too' fake smile.

I look at him in confusion as he had not introduced himself. " oh I was so smitten by your beauty I forgot to introduce myself, lucus Bronze, alpha leader of the pack dark moon," he says with a soft smile. I damn wanted to roll my eyes at his cringy dialogue but I controlled myself, not now Lexi.

So, he is the lucus uncle who once talked about. He is known for the fact that his father was just a mere acquaintance and a cousin of the previous leader of their pack but he managed to get the position for himself after he got them killed I mean speculations say so. But who knows, greed can make people do shitty business and become shit themselves.

"You are very handsome yourself, Alpha Lucus," I doubt any of them know my real name, so they usually called me 'Lady Marron or alpha Marron' that's all it was. I give lucus a gentle smile looking for someone I might know and I spot him, Travis Anderson. Gosh, yes the perfect escape partner I mumble to myself.

"I assume you haven't yet seen my Proposal letters, lady Marron," Lucus asked me with a cheesy voice to be honest I am amused. God knows how long he has been trying to send in the proposal. " well, you see Alpha Lucus I don't get enough time to see all that type letters, there are more important things to look after," I say with a simple shrug, I knew I had stirred some irritation in him.

Before he could say anything uncle Ben politely gestured to him, " if you may excuse us, Alpha Lucus," he forced a smile before complying with it and we moved past him. But I could feel his darn gaze burning holes into my back.

God, I thought once I leave Lucus's side I could breathe peacefully but I was so damn wrong cause now I was getting killed by a bear-crushing hug," Trave seriously you gonna kill me," I choke on words grasping for air but all I get in return is more squeeze and giggles.

Travis Anderson, an omega male, is a common friend I and Lilly has. Well, I always felt safe with him. I was a wounded warrior before I met him and Lilly, it was like they had magical healing powers that helped me heal.

I sigh softly before nuzzling my face in his chest as I get squeezed a little more by him. " I missed you bear," he said in a whisper I hummed along.

If I were to marry anyone other than my mate he would have been the one, but the universe just doesn't want to go easy on me, Trav is into men. But I am still grateful to have him as my friend, him and Lilly.