Chapter One

Daciana's Pov

The day I took my first breath was the day my mother took her last. Since then, the pack had hated and cast me aside.

“Do you intend to just stay in?” Wulf, my best friend asked for the hundredth time.

It's the mating festival today but why should I attend? No one would take a wolfless outcast as their mate.

“I'm not going, I already told you that” I groaned, throwing my pillow at him.

At sixteen, when everyone else shifted, I didn't. I knew. We all did.

There was no way I would put myself through another night of that being rubbed on my face.

“No, thank you.” I turned so he would know I was done with the conversation but that didn't stop him.

“You really should go, Daciana!” Wolf insisted.

The moon festival is just another name for mate's day. A large number of wolves turned eighteen today, therefore will be searching around for their mates.

Mother was a human, offered to the Alpha to keep the treaty when the werewolves couldn't produce a child. A solution to a dying pack that couldn't produce offspring. It worked, but failed because she died while birthing me.

“What do you say, huh?” He gave me the puppy eyes and I laughed.

I groaned again, knowing Wulf wouldn't leave me alone even if I ignored him.

“Alright, alright. Wait outside, I'll get ready”

He chuckled knowing I'd caved in when I got up and got my tracks from the wardrobe. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if we grew up in a normal setting. No wolf shit, just us.

After taking a deep breath, I glanced over at myself before walking out of the room.

“I'm ready,” I told Wulf. He stared at me for a while and the moon goddess knew I was dying to know what he was thinking.

“How's it?” I asked about my dressing.

I've liked Wulf since we grew up. Hearing a compliment from him always makes my cheeks flush.

“You look nice….. Simple, just like you” he chuckled.

I gave a faint smile. No point doing too much, I'll just be a standby anyway.

Wulf hooked my arms with his, ready to leave when the enforcer who is also the Beta showed up. My pack has a crazy way of doing things.

“The Alpha wants you to follow me”

“I'll meet you in the hall” I sighed and unlinked my arm with Wulf, following Hunter, the Beta.

The way Hunter stared at me unnerved me but I ignored it. He had always been like that.

When we entered the council, I bowed my head down. It was customary to avoid looking into the Alpha or the Elders eyes.

“Raise your head, you're my beloved. You don't have to do all this” Father remarked.

The elders at the council whispered, the scowl on their faces visible as I raised my head but I ignored them. They can hate me for all I care, Dad was still the Alpha and his word stands.

“Why let her attend when she will only ruin the ceremony!” One of the elders whispered but I pretended not to listen.

“You know what tonight is, right?” Dad asked.

“Yes Dad”

“Would you be joining us?”

“I have no choice,” I said casually.

He smiled at me. I was always a daddy's girl. The night I was born, the moon goddess had appeared and prophesied that I was the one. Ever since then, the pack had a bone to pick with me.

Soon, I was dismissed from their presence so I walked back with my head bowed and closed the door behind me. Before the door shut completely, I overheard them talking about how the crescent blood pack was coming. It was a tradition that began decades ago. The Wolves and Lycans were at each other's throat and the moon goddess proposed it to keep the peace.

The hall was already packed when I got there. I ignored their stares and walked to Wulf.

“Thank goddess you're here” I laughed.

“What if you don't find your mate tonight?” His answer would determine if I'll tell him about my feelings.

“I don't know man, I have to find her tonight else I'll be alone”

“You won't entirely be alone, you'll be with me. We can both go to that warrior program I've been telling you about” My eyes glimmered with a bit of hope.

“You're wolfless, Daciana. How do you want to survive a program with wolves and Lycans?” Wulf quirked his brows.

I swallowed hard, his words piercing through my heart even though I have heard him say it over and over again.

It was time for the ceremony to begin. Howls erupted from every corner, the sounds of drums filled the room and the crowd cheered loudly as they started coming in contact with their mates.

I knew it. This setting is just not for me.

“Good luck on finding your mate, Wulf” I kissed his cheek and disappeared before he could say a word.

This might sound weird but I desperately hope he won't find her.

Tears clouded my vision as I walked back towards my room when I bumped into someone.

“I'm so sorry, I should've been more careful.” I wiped my tears and turned to look at who it was but let out a groan instead. Hunter! Him again.

“It's fine,” he smiled, revealing his sets of teeth. “I've been meaning to tell you how beautiful you look”

His hands found my hair and I instinctively stepped away from him.

“Thank you” I mumbled.

“Why are you acting like you don't want this?” He gave me a predatory look and stepped towards me, trapping me between the walls with my hands pinned to the top of my head.

Why did I let Wulf convince me to come out? Wanting to go to the ceremony was a bad idea.

“Let me go, Hunter.” My breath hitched, my eyes blinking in fear. What the hell is he trying to do?!

I was losing my cool but no way would I let him know that. He pressed me further to the wall, sniffled my neck and his hands slipped into my top.

I twitched my face to the side in disgust and groaned in anger.

I see. So this is how he wants to play. My knee found his shine and I kneed him there with all the strength I had, running when he doubled in pain covering the affected area.

“You will regret this!” He shouted after me but I was too busy running away. I bumped into someone and fell on my ass. Again! What a bad day today is!

“Dad!” I screamed when I realized who it was, hugging him in relief as I cried out.

“Hey princess, what's wrong?” I contemplated whether to tell him or not but I don't want to cause trouble since it's a good day for the pack. One that I don't want to ruin.

“Nothing. I just want to go back to rest. I thought I saw some Lycans so I ran, they looked scary”

“No one would harm you here, you have nothing to be scared about” His words warmed my heart. “I'll walk you to your room so you don't get scared again”

I chuckled as he held my hands and we walked, but we were forced to a stop when a loud horn sounded. Once. Twice.

I froze, knowing what that meant. Danger! Ruin! An attack!