Chapter Two: A new hope?

Maya's pov

I woke up in the middle of the woods where I had dozed off, the moon hung so high in the sky, casting a soft glow on the earth so beautifully.

It finally hit me that I was running late, I should have been at the house a few hours ago, I was sure my mother would throw a fit. I launched to my feet, shaking off the debris of my persona, I surmised it might almost be me in the middle of the night.

While I jogged back to the house, knowing deep down my punishment for returning late would definitely be coming, something stopped me in my tracks.

It was a scent.

One I had perceived before, A soft blend of creamy vanilla, golden amber, and smooth sandalwood—warm, inviting, and effortlessly sensual, one of my favorites.

The intoxicating scent filled the atmosphere, and I couldn't stop taking it in, why would I want to. I knew I should have returned back home but I couldn't help myself.

The scent pulled me and I let it, walking through the paths of the woods until I found myself in the pack house, my heart stopped a beat, the scent was coming from the pack house.

My heart jumped in my chest, as though expecting something but I didn't know what it was, a soft feeling that swirled within me as though something good would come out of this.

I took my chance, stepping closer to the pack house, my heart racing with every step I took, tension rising inside of me of what awaited me behind the tree lines.

It felt like instinct, my body was being controlled to move even though I wanted nothing but to turn around and disappear.

I could already hear the chatter drifting through the air but that didn't stop me like I hoped it would.

Pushing through the finally tre lines, I came upon the gathering of werewolves, celebrating their recent victory in battle, led by the Alpha and his son. I had forgotten about the party.

Looks of disgust were casted my way as I walked slowly into that gathering, my head low as I tried to make myself as inconspicuous as possible as the wolves decided to create a path for me.

It must have been a disgusting spectacle for them to step away from me. The whisper traveled with the wind.

“What is she doing here?”

“Why is the freak let loose?”

“Who let the mutt into the party?”

I tried my best to tone them out even though they hurt. The scent became sharper. When lexa came into view, I paused in my tracks.

Lexa?

Was it really her?

There was a faint smirk in her features as she blocked my path, “Someone must have lost their way,” she noted, crossing her hands over her chest.

I bit the insides of my lips as I took another whiff of the air, it wasn't coming from her, the scent was out there and it was getting closer.

A nervous thrill skittered through me.

“I'm talking to you retard,” Lexa was getting a bit agitated and I knew I was going to regret it if I made her angry but for some reason, I didn't care.

I didn't care if she was infuriated by the presence of a weak wolf, what I wanted to find out was the reason behind my restlessness, this uncertainty, this scent, it was driving me mad.

Lexa poked at my chest, pushing me backwards, I gritted my teeth, her hits continued, increasing with strength by the second.

Her minions, Dora and Tracy pushed me backwards until I fell on my behind. The crowd bursted into laughter but it didn't matter.

“Can you just let me go?” For the first time, I voiced out my thoughts which stunned Lexa and her crew.

Lexa chuckled, “So you can talk, huh?” She bobbed her head in fake understanding, “Well you are speaking out of turn dear, I am the future Beta of this pack,”

She whispered so close to me now but ones again I didn't care, all I wanted was behind those doors, I could feel it, I could sense it, it courses through me like an electrifying current.

Never for once have I felt like I didn't want to die, like I wanted to love to see the next day, and I began to wonder if this was what they called hope, a new light.

Perhaps the moon goddess heard my cry and offered a solution to my prayers.

You don’t understand—I have to get in there!” I shot to my feet, the urgency in my voice startling her. “I have to get in there!” I cried again, pushing past her, desperate—but she was stronger. She held me firm, forcing me back down into place.

A cruel chuckle escaped her lips, low and venomous. “You two, get her out of here before she ruins the rest of the celebration with her pathetic presence,” she spat with disdain.

The guards were at my side in an instant, gripping both my arms and yanking me up. I shook my head frantically. “No, no—no, please! You can’t do this. I have to get in there. Let me go!” I screamed, thrashing against their hold, disrupting the once-sacred atmosphere.

The music faltered. Then silence.

Only my frantic cries filled the hall.

“Please! Let me go. I need to get in there. I just... I have to. You have to let me go,” I begged, my voice cracking with desperation, but they kept dragging me away—from the very moment that could change my life forever.

“Please… let me go, let—”

The words died in my throat.

The doors to the pack house creaked open, and everyone turned toward them.

My heart thundered against my ribs and my breathing restless from struggling as my gaze locked onto the figure standing under the moonlight.

Torian Valon.

The future Alpha of the Crimson Blood Pack.

And then his eyes found mine.

A chill rushed down my spine as his words.

“Mate.”