Chapter 1

Arabella's POV.

"I reject you, Arabella Reed, daughter of the overthrown Alpha," he mocked.

I stood there, frozen in disbelief as his words echoed in my ears.

The air crackled with tension, and my heart felt like it had been ripped out of my chest. "Arabella, I can't be with you. We're not meant to be mates," the guy who was supposed to be my mate said, his voice laced with no form of regret.

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as a sob escaped my throat. I couldn't comprehend how the love we once shared had turned into this painful rejection. It felt as if the world around me had crumbled, leaving only wreckage in its wake.

I turned away, unable to bear the sight of him any longer. My legs carried me forward, propelled by the agony in my heart. Each step felt like a heavy burden as if my soul was dragging behind me. My mind was filled with a whirlwind of emotions - betrayal, hurt, and an overwhelming sense of loss.

The forest enveloped me in its cool embrace as I ran, seeking solace in its ancient arms. My tears mingled with the rain that began to fall, mirroring the storm inside me. The drops seemed to wash away the remnants of our bond, leaving me feeling raw and exposed.

My breath came in ragged gasps, the physical pain in my chest matching the ache in my soul. I ran until my legs gave out, collapsing onto the damp forest floor. Sobs wracked my body as I curled into a ball, my anguish pouring out into the night.

"Why?" I whispered into the darkness as if the universe itself held the answer. "Why did you choose someone else over me? What did I do wrong? What did my family do to deserve this?"

The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of wet earth and sorrow. It offered no answers, only a mournful symphony that echoed my pain. I clutched my chest, feeling the emptiness where our connection once thrived, now reduced to a void.

As I wept, the sound of a distant river reached my ears. It was a gentle, rhythmic melody that seemed to beckon me towards it.

The temptation to drown my sorrows in its depths grew stronger with every passing second. The idea of surrendering to the river's embrace and letting it's current carry me away became a seductive notion, a way to escape the torment that consumed me.

I stumbled to my feet, driven by an inexplicable force. The river's song filled my mind, drowning out the logical thoughts that tried to caution me. I pushed through the underbrush, following the sound as it grew louder until I reached the riverbank.

Moonlight danced on the water's surface, casting an ethereal glow upon the scene. The river flowed steadily, its currents swirling with a mix of power and tranquility.

The voices in my head urged me to surrender to its embrace, promising relief from the anguish that consumed me.

But as I stood at the edge, peering into the dark waters, a flicker of sadness seeped into my consciousness. The faces of my family flashed before my eyes, their love and concern etched deeply within me.

The way they cried while they were being killed by the crazy Alpha. The memory hit me like a ton of bricks, threatening to drag me down into the depths of despair once again. The loss of my family had been a wound that never fully healed, a scar that reminded me of my pain every single day.

"Mom, Dad, Brothers, I am coming to join you. I can not live in this pack anymore."

With a mixture of desperation and resignation, I took a step forward, my body propelled by the weight of my grief. The voices in my head grew louder, urging me to let go, to surrender to the river's depths.

Without a second thought, I leaped into the river, allowing its icy grip to envelop me. The current pulled me under, robbing me of breath as I was dragged toward the depths below.

But as the darkness closed in, something unexpected happened.

Standing before me was a figure cloaked in darkness, their presence casting a chilling aura over the moonlit scene. A shiver ran down my spine as I realized that this was no ordinary encounter.

"Arabella," a haunting voice whispered, sending a jolt of recognition through my veins.

My eyes widened, disbelief and hope to mingle in equal measure. Could it be? Could my father be here, standing before me?

The figure took a step closer, and as the moonlight illuminated their face, my breath caught in my throat. It was my father, his eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination.

"Arabella, don't," he pleaded, his voice quivering with an otherworldly resonance. "There is still hope, still a purpose for you in this world."

Confusion swirled within me, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. How could this be? Had the river somehow transported me to another realm, where the spirits of my family resided?

Before I could utter a word, my father extended a hand towards me, his presence radiating warmth and strength. "My dear, There is so much more to discover, so much more to fight for. Don't let go of your life just yet."

Torn between the pull of the river and the outstretched hand of my father, I hesitated, my fate hanging in the balance.

Just as I was about to finally let go of life, to die and become one with my family in the afterlife, a bolt of electricity coursed through me, and my eyes flew open with a gasp.

I found myself back on the riverbank, lying on the damp ground, drenched and shivering. A figure stood above me, his presence emanating a sinister aura that sent chills down my spine. It was the cruel Alpha, the very one responsible for the demise of my family.

A wicked smile curled upon his lips as he looked down at me, his eyes gleaming with a twisted delight. "Well, well, Arabella," he sneered. "I must say, you've surprised me. I didn't expect you to be so foolish as to throw yourself into the river."

My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of fear and anger swirling within me. I struggled to sit up, my voice barely a whisper. "What do you want from me? Why did you save me? Why didn't you let me die? Why are you keeping me alive?"

He chuckled darkly, the sound echoing through the night. "Oh, don't mistake my actions for kindness, Arabella. I saved you because your death would be far too easy, far too merciful. I want you to suffer, to live with the knowledge that you failed to protect those you loved and now you can't ever reach them."

Tears welled in my eyes as his words cut deep into my wounded soul. The cruelty in his gaze was intense, and I knew that my struggle was far from over. He just wouldn't let me go!

I locked eyes with the cruel Alpha, defiance replacing the despair that had threatened to consume me. "I won't let you break me," I whispered, even though it came as a chant of reassurance to myself than a threat. "I will fight. And I will make sure you pay for what you've done." I yelled out like I didn't want to drown myself a few seconds ago.

The cruel Alpha's sinister smile widened, a glint of anticipation flickering in his eyes.

"Oh, Arabella, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into. If you wanted to fight, you won't be here, wanting to drown yourself!" he shouted and my face fell. He wasn't lying.

"But by all means, go ahead and try to end me. Just remember, I'll be watching your every move. And if you dare to do anything stupid, your remaining loved ones and pack will suffer the consequences."

With those chilling words, he vanished into the darkness, leaving me alone on the riverbank, trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. The path ahead was treacherous, and the cruel Alpha's threat loomed over me like a dark cloud.

"You are to attend to the Alphas at the gathering tonight, and it starts in an hour. Do not be late Arabella. Don't test my patience," he roared and I burst into tears, my confidence crumbling into thin air.

"Why couldn't you just let me die?! Why did you all have to leave me?! I yelled out, as I sat there wondering if I'd ever be free from this Alpha I brought in due to my past mistakes. A mistake that cost me the life of my whole family, the mistake that I'd forever regret.