Chapter 3: An Unlikely Sanctuary

Mabel.

My eyes opened and fell upon a young boy, probably around six years old, his brown eyes reflecting excitement.

“You are awake?” He asked

I stared around the room; the architecture and decor were entirely different from those at Red Fangs. It was obvious I was no longer there.

“Sister Cora, she has woken up,” he shouted, dashing out of the room.

I stared at my hands; my pulse quickened as I noticed there was no sign of trauma—no scars, no wounds.

A young girl entered, holding a small bowl. a wide smile plastered on her face. She seemed even happier than I was to see me alive.

“Drink this,” she said, handing it to me.

I smelled it before taking it, but it had no smell.

“You have to take it to regain your strength," she said, still smiling, urging me to drink it.

As soon as it hit my taste buds with its bitterness, I spat it out.

“Yeah, it’s very bitter, but it’s medicinal,” she stated, combing her black hair with her hand, revealing a tattoo. My heartbeat hiked as I recognized it—the tattoo of the black fangs. I was in the Demon Alpha’s territory. The moon goddess had decided to throw me into the deep blue sea.

“Where did you find me? I finally summoned the courage to ask. My last memory was lying on the border of the Red Fangs territory and the forbidden land—a place nowhere near the Black Fangs territory. No one would dare to cross the forbidden land at night. My eyes fell on the small boy, who was fidgeting with his thumb, staring at the young girl as if he had something important to tell her.

“I found you last night at our borders. You were lying there. At first, I thought you had been attacked by Nightingales, but you had no wounds.” She explained.

My eyes widened. “I had no wounds?”

“None at all.” She confirmed.

Had I miraculously healed? I pondered this silently, and then the image of the dark figure flashed in my mind.

“Sister Cora, when will Sister Malia return?” The boy finally asked.

“Today is the 16th. She’ll probably come back tomorrow,” the girl replied.

“The 16th?” I stiffened.

The duel of honor was held on the 10th, and I was found last night, completely without wounds. I struggled to recall what had happened over the past six days, but my memory was a blank slate.

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through my mind—how had I ended up here, and how could I escape? Was she hiding me from her Alpha, or were they just treating me to extract information?

The screech of the door broke my reverie. A burly man stepped into the room.

.

.

“Where are you taking her to?” Cora yelled as the man slung me over his shoulders.

“Alpha Lev has requested for her.” The burly man replied.

A heavy dread settled in my stomach as he carried me out of the room, heading to a destination known only to the moon goddess.

“Carry her with respect, would you?” Cora ordered as she followed right behind.

Within minutes, we arrived at a big black door, its surface intricately carved with diamond patterns. Mr. Macho Man opened it and dumped me in the middle of the room.

“Handle her with care.” Cora reiterated.

“Sister Malia, you are back,” Cora said her voice was tinged with surprise.

I looked up at her, red hair cascading over her shoulders, her green eyes narrowing at me like I were a threat.

As Alpha Lev entered, his dark and aura filled the room, sucking up the air. My pulse quickened, and my posture stiffened.

He plopped onto his throne of a seat. “What are you doing on my territory?” His deep, dark voice demanded, lacking warmth.

I raised my head, my gaze locking onto him. His black hair, styled in a wolf cut that ended a few inches above his neck, framing a beautiful face, his black eyes cold and empty, seemed to swallow death itself. I had never seen someone so alluring and dangerous at the same time.

As our eyes met, an indescribable pull-like urge teemed within me.

Can’t you speak?” Malia's voice slapped the air sharp.

“She just woke up. She’s still disoriented,” Cora interjected.

“Let me rephrase the question. Did the great elders send you to assassinate me?” Alpha Lev’s voice sank to a cold depth.

My eyes widened. Assassinate?

There was no way I could tell him the truth—that I was what they hated most, an abomination. He’d kill me instantly.

With my heart hammering in my chest and heavy knots twisting my stomach, I lied.“I was kicked out by my Alpha,”

“For what reason?” He raised an eyebrow.

I scrambled to cook up a believable lie. I couldn’t say I did something bad and I was kicked out; they would kick me out to the forbidden lands. I am too weak to survive.

Aha! A lie popped into my mind.

“I’m a wolf without a beast form, and I was mated to the Alpha. He…he rejected me and kicked me out.” I stuttered.

That should be believable; everyone knew how an average werewolf hated being mated to one without beast form, let alone an Alpha.

“You look well over twenty and still haven’t found your beast form?” Malia scoffed, her gaze softening as though she realized I wasn’t a threat.

“Such stupidity,” Cora uttered. “Your Alpha must be dumb. Does he know how hard it is to find a mate, let alone a second one, and he lets you go just because you can’t transform?” She folded her arm. “Yet someone is on the verge of running mad because he can’t find a mate,” Cora added.

“Cora.” Malia snapped.

“She can’t stay here.” Alpha Lev declared.

Cora's eyes widened. "Well, are you going to kick her out to the forbidden land?” She shouted.

“Cora, show some respect.” Malia’s tone skyrocketed.

“Stay out of family matters." Cora shot back.

“What if she’s an assassin sent to kill me?” Alpha Lev was unfazed by the tension between Cora and Malia.

“You heard her,” Cora said, gesturing to me. “She doesn’t have a beast form. Why would the great elders send someone like her to kill someone as powerful as you?”

Internally, I told Lilac to hide her presence. Since she was weak it was easier for her to conceal herself.

Alpha Lev rested his chin on his wrist, his cold, dark eyes sizing me. Finally, he seemed convinced that I had no beast form. Now, I just had to ensure that no one ever saw my wolf eyes, their dull yellow color marking me as an abomination.

“I know how hard you’ve been trying to find a mate for your brother,” Malia began. “But the mate-choosing ceremony will be held in a few days. Your—”

“And it will fail, as it always does,” Cora interrupted.

My stomach churned and I hoped Cora wasn’t saving me in the hopes that I might be her brother’s mate.

“This time will be different. We’re inviting all eligible women from across all territories,” Malia said, trying to pacify Cora.

“In that case,” Cora paused and turned to me, “What’s your name?”

“Mabel,” I replied.

“Mabel can stay then,” Cora added.

My eyes met Alpha Lev’s cold stare again, and the strange pull I had felt earlier returned. I still couldn’t understand it. My skin tingled at the thought that he might be my second-chance mate. I’d rather the moon goddess take my soul now than mate me with another Alpha. I wasn’t ready for another heartbreaking rejection, especially when he would finds out I am an abomination.

I shook off the feeling. “Once I feel better, I’ll leave,” I finally said, rising to my feet.

“What?” Cora said, her voice heavy with disappointment.

I gasped as Alpha Lev suddenly appeared inches away from me, moving so quickly that it was as if he had teleported. “Better” His emotionless face loomed over me, his eyes glaring. The intensity searing a heat into my bones.

The feeling returned, and I could suddenly discern what it was.

It was an urge to kill him.