Chapter 3

Apphia

Sapphire blue eyes, jet black hair, and the loveliest smile I've ever seen. He is perfect in every way, yet I can't make out his face. I'm lying on my back, my body trembling as his fingers tease their way to my core.

"You're so perfect, Apphia," the stranger whispers in my ear. "I want to mark your neck and make you mine for real,"

His delicious lips descend on mine, and he pushes his tongue between my lips, exploring my mouth. His long, slender fingers are caressing my skin delicately, and I feel a burning sensation throughout my body. My pussy is pulsating and dripping for him.

"You're mine, baby," he murmurs, eyes consumed with lust. His lips are subjecting me to more pleasure as he leaves trails of kisses on my skin. My breath is irregular.

"Say it,"

"Hmm," a moan bubbles from my chest as I rock my hips back and forth against his massive hardness.

"Say it," he orders. I shiver, and then warmth spreads as his delicious scent shrouds me.

"I'm... Yours,"

His slow movements on my body make my brain foggy. I reach my hands to touch his broad shoulders as I press my body into him, wanting all of his warmth. Sexy growls, tears from his chest as he sucks my nipples. My skin is on fire; I want him ... so badly.

"Please," I beg. " I need you inside me," my voice is small and desperate.

"Fuck, you're driving me crazy, baby," he husks, a devilish smirk playing on his lush lips.

I click my legs around his waist so he doesn't stop. My heart races with desire as the fire burns within us. His penetrating gaze is on me, waiting for my approval or refusal. I nod, telling him to continue. He smiles slightly, taking it as a yes.

"I love you, Apphia,"

"I love you," I whisper, resuming our passionate kiss. He aligns his massive cock on my inviting, wet entrance, and I hear my breathing change, ready to receive him.

"Scarface, wake up!" I hear someone scream. I freeze, looking around to see where the voice is coming from.

I startle awake at the banging on my door. My hand clutches my heaving chest.

"Holy shit, that was an intense dream,"

I breathe in and out to calm my erratic heart. I bring my fingers to my core. It's moist. That dream was too absolute. I still feel the delightful sensation on my skin.

I lie back on the mattress for a minute, throwing an arm over my face as I mentally prepare myself for the demons that await me outside this room.

" Get the fuck out!"

"Coming," I groan at the incessant banging on the door.

I hop out of bed, feeling dizzy momentarily—something within starts to blossom. I feel ... energized. I don't feel any bodily pain after working my ass off yesterday. It's odd. A smile curls on my lips at the feeling. I focus on everything around me. I didn't know it was possible to have such a bright vision. I can smell freshly baked buns from the kitchen and hear sounds from outside, even as far as the training fields. I feel like I've awakened another sense.

I pull my hair in a ponytail and style it in curtain bangs to hide my scar. Before going out, I tuck my necklace under my shirt.

I spent the whole day cleaning the packhouse until it was spotless, and then I went to the laundry room. I sat there to read a book. It is the only place people rarely use in the packhouse, so I come here.

I only looked up from my book when the door opened. Aya Amir sauntered in.

"I have been looking everywhere for you," Her fists are clenched. I can feel her anger blazing. She's here to get revenge for what happened last night at dinner.

I'm silent, not wanting to engage with her.

"Didn't you hear me?!" she slaps the back of my head. I raise my eyes to her face.

"How may I help you?" my tone is exaggerated with politeness. My eyes are wide in anticipation as I stare into her brown eyes, but she can see through my pretense. It pisses her off more.

"You will show me respect. I'll soon be Luna of this pack!" she shrieks.

"When my brother shows you pity and chooses you as his Luna, I will try to be respectful, but until then, you are nothing to me. No one," I emphasize the word no one.

From the corner of my vision, I see Aya lunge at me, and I move away. I don't know how because she is crazy fast. Her eyes flash with anger.

"You're fucking dead, bitch," she growls, charging at me again. I grab the chair I was sitting on earlier and throw it at her. She doubles over, and I use another chair to hit her while she recovers. I feel possessed as I hit her until she is on the floor, unable to move. I leave the laundry room and lock the door in my panic. Fuck, what possessed me to do that.

'I did. Hi, Apphia,' a voice beams in my head.

'Are you my wolf?'

'Yes. My name is Ziora, but you can call me ...' she pauses for dramatic effect. Or maybe making up a nickname,' Zio,'

So, I do have a wolf, after all. Werewolves feel their inner counterpart as early as ten, but there has been part of us since we were born. We shift at sixteen years old, but it wasn't like that in my case.

'Hello, Zio. Did you take over and hit Aya?'

'Yes. she was being mean to you, and I got angry. It felt good to do that,' she giggles.

'Why didn't you come on my sixteenth birthday?' I ask.

'I just couldn't. I tried,' Ziora is sad. It is an odd sensation to have a wolf within you. I can feel everything she does,' Apphia, why do you let them mistreat you when you have Alpha blood?'

'How can they not when my father and brother enable the abuse,'

'That sucks, but I'm here now. We'll get through this together and leave this pack,' my wolf is confident.

'I like the sound of that,'

Knowing I have someone who will never leave me feels good: my best friend and companion.

I'm focused on my wolf to see where I'm going. I bump into a wall, but firm hands catch me before I fall to the ground. I feel tingles rush through my body. I looked up and came face to face with Gavin Jr. I gasped as his unique citric scent hit me, and my wolf whispered one word.

'Mate,'

My heart starts to race in my chest, and butterflies bounce in my stomach. My body feels warm and pleasant.

Is Gavin Jr. my mate? Oh, goddess, thank you! I like Gavin, and he's Duncan's second in command. Once we are mated, everyone will treat me better.

I smile brightly for the first in ten years, but the smile dies when I realize he is glaring at me. All air is sucked out of my lungs when the realization strikes me; he hates me. The excitement I was feeling turned to dread.