Chapter Two

The following morning, I adhered to my usual routine: waking up, getting dressed, and descending to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the pack. My tasks included setting up tables and tending to the cleanliness of the floors. However, this particular morning was marked by chaos, as our pack was expecting visitors from all over the world. The occasion was significant – a gathering for all those who had turned eighteen to potentially find their mates.

Surprisingly, the entire pack was already awake, enthusiastically embracing the day's events. Everyone was bubbling with excitement, except for me. My every move was fraught with anxiety, a constant fear of running into Mercedes or, worse, Kyle, or any of the others who made my life miserable.

While I was in the midst of cleaning the tables, a merciless hand gripped my hair with a forceful tug. My head was yanked back to an uncomfortable angle, causing my neck to emit a disconcerting crack. The pain shot from my neck down my spine like a lightning bolt. My assailant forcefully shoved my face against the unforgiving wall, and I couldn't help but let out a pained groan. They persisted, relentlessly slamming my face into the wall until, at last, they released me, and I crumpled to the ground in agony.

I was gasping for breath, unable to pry open my eyes. It didn't take long for me to discern the identity of my assailant.

"You foolish wretch! How dare you lay a finger on our future alpha! How dare you even breathe in his presence! He belongs to me, so keep your wretched self far away from him. I swear, if I catch wind of you even glancing at each other, I'll end you!"

Mercedes unleashed her fury upon me, kicking and stomping on my body, including my already injured face, punctuating each hateful word with a violent blow. I attempted to shield my face from her relentless assault, but I was overwhelmed by pain, drained of all strength. In that excruciating moment, all I wished for was an escape from the torment.

After Mercedes had her cruel way, she walked away, leaving me sprawled and bleeding on the unforgiving floor. The sound of hurried footsteps approached me, but before I could comprehend what was happening, darkness enveloped my vision.

"Her neck and spine are fractured, and her entire face is shattered," a concerned voice stated. "I can administer medication to expedite her healing, but she lacks royal blood, so her wolf and she won't recover as swiftly, especially not in time for tonight's events."

"We must exhaust every option. She has to leave this pack tonight! I can't send her out in this condition to find her mate. Please, do whatever it takes to hasten her recovery," another voice implored.

"Very well," the first voice consented, determination underlying.

***

I regained consciousness in a brilliantly lit room, my entire face throbbing with pain. Despite the discomfort, I managed to pry my eyes open, only to wince at the intensity of the light. Taking in my surroundings, I couldn't help but let out a groan of agony.

"You're awake!" My wolf, Ellie, exclaimed with excitement.

"Yes, but please refrain from yelling in my head; it feels like my skull is ablaze," I pleaded.

"Apologies," Ellie responded with contrition. "We endured quite a severe beating earlier. Whoever that person was, I promise we'll seek revenge someday. For now, though, we're healing remarkably fast. The doctor administered a shot to expedite our recovery, I believe."

Despite the excruciating pain, Ellie's optimism seemed to be growing by the second, a stark contrast to my condition. All I could manage in response was another groan.

"Oh my goodness, Millie, you're finally awake!" Mrs. Haggadah exclaimed, her words interspersed with tears of joy.

"How are you feeling?" she inquired.

"Like my entire body is engulfed in flames," I replied.

"Here, have a sip of this. It will expedite your healing and alleviate that burning sensation you're experiencing." Mrs. Haggadah offered me a cup, which I slowly sipped from before immediately spitting it out, grimacing in distaste.

"What on earth is this foul concoction?" I exclaimed.

"Never mind that," Mrs. Haggadah urged urgently. "Pinch your nose if you must, but you have to drink every last drop in this cup. Your healing is crucial, especially if you want to find your mate. All the packs have already gathered here, and if you don't leave this pack tonight, I'm afraid it could be fatal."

Mrs. Haggadah's words sent a shock through me, and I suddenly recalled the ominous threat Mercedes had uttered at the end of her vicious assault earlier.

I accepted the cup from Mrs. Haggadah and downed its contents in a single gulp, swallowing rapidly to avoid dwelling on the repulsive taste. Almost instantly, I began to feel a significant improvement. The burning sensation receded, not entirely, but enough to grant me some renewed strength and vitality.

"Do you think you can manage to get up and walk?" Mrs. Haggadah asked.

"Perhaps, let's give it a shot," I replied. With a deliberate effort, I pushed aside the hospital blankets, swung my legs over the bed's edge, and then grasped Mrs. Haggadah's hands for support. I took a few moments to gauge the strength in my legs, simply standing still. Eventually, I released Mrs. Haggadah's hands and began to walk slowly.

"I believe I'm doing fine. No dizziness, no wobbly legs, and I don't feel like I'm about to collapse at any moment," I reported with a hint of relief.

"Excellent! Now slip into this elegant black dress and these matching black flats," Mrs Haggadah instructed. The dress gracefully fell to my knees, adorned with subtle diamonds that shimmered, while the flats also boasted delicate diamond embellishments. In this ensemble, I couldn't help but feel like a princess. Mrs. Haggadah then worked her magic on my hair, carefully arranging my long waves, topping it off with a floral crown. I knew this attire would undoubtedly draw attention, but I realized it was a necessary risk for our mission. Disguising myself as a maid wouldn't suffice.

Mrs. Haggadah escorted me to the event because I was too apprehensive to go alone, especially after what had transpired earlier. Regrettably, she couldn't stay due to her maid duties. As we entered, a hushed silence swept through the room, with every eye fixed upon me. I couldn't help but blush, fidgeting nervously with my fingers. Mrs. Haggadah took my hands into her own to quell my nervousness.

"You look absolutely stunning, and whoever your mate is will consider himself truly blessed to have you," Mrs. Haggadah reassured me with a wink before she departed to attend to her duties. I exhaled deeply, gathering my courage, and began to circulate among the attendees. Fear and anxiety prevented me from even considering eating anything, so I resorted to aimless wandering, making eye contact with every male wolf in the hope that the mate bond would stir.

However, my efforts bore no fruit thus far.

"Oh my goodness, have you seen him? He's incredibly handsome, and I'm amazed he hasn't found his mate yet," a she-wolf commented about someone, chatting with another female.

"I totally agree. I would do anything to be his mate. Actually, I'd be content just sharing his bed tonight. I think that's my goal," the second she-wolf responded, biting her lower lip while glancing at someone across the room.

Just as I was about to turn around, a sweet, invigorating scent of fresh mint wafted towards me, evoking the essence of a lush, misty green forest. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, attempting to capture the scent in my memory forever. But before I could identify the source, strong hands clamped over my mouth, while another gripped my waist tightly. Panic surged through me, and I instinctively kicked and struggled against my captor, but my efforts proved futile.

With a firm grip, the person who had seized me dragged me away from the bustling party and into an abandoned shed hidden within the woods. The sheer number of people at the event meant that my disappearance went unnoticed.

Once inside the desolate shed, my captor spun me around and pinned me against the door. My eyes widened with dread as I realized it was Kyle, and his eyes were completely black, indicating that his wolf was in control.

"You've no idea how long I've yearned for you. Why would you come to the party looking so irresistibly tempting?" Kyle's voice was laced with desire as he licked his lips, his eyes dark with a hunger that sent shivers down my spine.

"I've waited long enough," he continued, a sadistic smile playing on his face. "I don't care if you're not my mate. I will make you mine, and I'll have you every single day." My heart raced, and my breath quickened. This was not how it was supposed to go down.

Kyle leaned in with his elongated canines, heading straight for my neck. Panic surged within me. He had a vice-like grip on both my arms, while his other hand invaded my personal space. I struggled with all my might to free my hands, but he was overpowering, and I remained weakened from the earlier incident.

His canines grazed the delicate skin of my neck, and I squeezed my eyes shut in anticipation of what would happen next. Tears streamed down my face as I envisioned a bleak future with this man.

'I wish I were dead, I wish I were dead, I wish I were dead,' the desperate mantra echoed in my mind, my only solace amidst the nightmare that was unfolding. Death seemed a preferable alternative to a life bound to Kyle. His hand, which had been on my breast, descended to my most intimate area. With a force that left me in agony, he roughly pushed my panties aside, initiating an aggressive, painful assault on my clitoris with relentless circular motions.

"Kyle, please, stop," I implored, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. He only intensified his actions, causing me excruciating pain. I attempted to squirm away from his touch, but it seemed to incite his anger further, prompting him to forcefully penetrate me with his fingers. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to endure the torment.

"Don't pretend you don't enjoy this," Kyle sneered, his fingers thrusting faster and harder. The pain grew unbearable, and I began to scream, desperately hoping someone would hear. In response, Kyle yanked my hair, forcing my head back to expose my neck. I felt the menacing sharpness of his canines against the nape of my neck.

'Someone, please help me,' I silently pleaded, hoping against hope that the universe would finally be on my side. Kyle concluded the torment of my clitoris, but he wasn't finished. I felt him unbuckle his jeans and pull down the zipper, his unmistakable intention sending shivers of dread through me. The sound of him stroking himself echoed in the dark shed before he pressed his hardness against my clitoris.

This couldn't be happening. As Kyle's canines hovered dangerously close to my neck, poised to pierce my skin, a sudden crash shattered the nightmare. The door behind me flew off its hinges, and I was hurled backward into the shadowy woods, landing on my hands and knees.

I rose to my feet, bewildered and trembling, to witness a surreal scene. A colossal figure clad in a black leather jacket and blue jeans was mercilessly tearing Kyle apart. As the spectacle unfolded, the entire party had arrived to watch. The alpha, attempting to intervene and protect his son, met a similar fate when the stranger threw him against the wall, rendering him unconscious.

I stood there, trembling uncontrollably, too dazed and shocked to comprehend the chaos around me. The blood streaming down my legs went unnoticed in the whirlwind of events. Initially, I hadn't even registered the captivating scent of fresh mint that filled the air; everything was unfolding too swiftly.

The colossal stranger now had Kyle by the throat. When he eventually turned his gaze toward me, it suddenly clicked that he was the source of that sweet, minty fragrance.

"Mine!" the stranger and I declared in unison, our voices ringing out for all to hear. Envious and resentful glares from the other girls surrounded me, but I remained fixated on my mate, who was on the brink of confronting Kyle, the future alpha of this pack.

"You have to go to him and touch him to calm him down. If he kills Kyle, there will be war between the two packs," my wolf Ellie urgently instructed.

Despite my wobbly, blood-stained legs, I summoned every ounce of determination and walked over to my mate. Placing my head gently against his chest, I rested my hand where his heart throbbed beneath.

"It's okay," I reassured him, lifting my head to meet his gaze. "Put him down before you start a war with this pack. I'm okay." In that brief moment of connection, I knew I had fallen in love at first sight with this remarkable man.