The True Mate

How did love turn me from the daughter of an alpha into a slave on the run...?

This is my story-and none of it was ever my choice.

Before I can tell you how I lost everything, you need to know how it all began.

My father was a respected and well-known figure, even outside our tribe.

Everyone said he was the greatest alpha in a very long time.

With the help of his friend, Draven, he united our pack. Under his leadership, it became one of the most powerful packs.

But Draven always believed he should be the alpha.

His ego and brute strength consumed him.

My father knew this, and to keep the pack from tearing itself apart, he chose to keep Draven on his side.

When I was still a child, he promised that I-his only daughter-would marry Draven's only son, Jax,

and that Jax would one day lead the pack as alpha.

But I couldn't honor my father's promise.

Jax was not very different from his father.

In fact, he was even worse.

He was nothing but an animal, with no manners at all.

And like his father, he believed power was everything.

The idea of being with him always made me feel sick.

Then one day, I overheard Draven talking to my father.

I froze in place, my heart pounding, as I realized they were talking about me.

"Steve, Nora has grown up and become a beautiful bride.

I think it's time we set a date for her marriage to my son, Jax."

Steve laughed.

"Come on, Draven. Let's leave this to the kids. They should decide for themselves."

Anger flashed across Draven's face as he replied,

"Steve, my son feels that your daughter is avoiding him.

To be honest... I feel the same way."

Steve's expression grew more serious.

"Draven, that's not true," he said firmly.

"My daughter, Nora, has known since she was a child that she belongs to Jax.

She will not be with anyone else.

There's no need to create conflict over an idea that isn't real."

Draven's jaw tightened, anger burning in his eyes.

"Then talk to your daughter," he snapped.

"And come back to me with a clear date.

I don't have patience for girls' childish behavior."

A mix of fear and anger crashed over me.

I turned and ran before they could notice.

Outside, I jumped onto my horse's back.

But two unfamiliar men blocked my path.

One of them had a long scar cutting across his blind eye.

"Where are you going, princess?" he demanded, a mocking smirk on his lips.

I ignored them and kicked the horse.

As it shot forward like an arrow, I rode through the forest without purpose.

My mind was crowded with a flood of thoughts.

I didn't want to face them.

And I couldn't marry Jax.

But I knew the truth.

Refusing him would tear the pack apart.

It could even start a war.

Then a strange sensation pulled me out of my thoughts.

I felt the world slow down around me.

Confused, I didn't understand what was happening-until it hit me.

The scent.

It wrapped around my senses without warning.

Wild. Warm.

A sharp shock went through my chest, stealing the air from my lungs.

Is this what I think it is?

Could this be my mate's scent?

My friend Samar once told me how her mate's scent affected her, before she ever saw him.

That warm pressure in my chest...

Could this be the same feeling?

My hands tightened in my horse's mane as my heart skipped violently.

I slowly turned my head toward the source of the scent.

He stood not far ahead-tall and handsome, his presence impossible to ignore.

His powerful body moved with effortless strength as he swung an axe into the trees.

He wore only worn trousers, his bare body shining with sweat.

Sunlight touched his skin, highlighting the strong muscles of his stomach.

My breath caught painfully.

My wolf raged inside me-restless, alert, and drawn to him against my will.

As my hands pulled tighter on my horse's mane, the horse spooked, drifting off the path.

I lost my balance, tumbling to the ground.

My body slammed against a tree.

Pain shot through me.

Before I could even catch my breath, I felt a hand reaching toward me.

"Are you okay? Do you need help?" he asked, concern in his voice.

For a moment, I froze.

My eyes were lost in the lines of his face, the dark intensity in his eyes.

His messy hair, from swinging the axe, somehow looked perfect.

I felt my cheeks burn.

Embarrassment and confusion crashed over me.

Trying to hide my feelings, I shoved his hand away.

"Mind your own business. I don't need any help," I shouted.

I sprang to my feet and ran toward my horse.

Without looking back, I rode off.

But as soon as I took off on my horse, a sense of danger crawled up my spine.

I glanced toward the trees.

A shadow moved swiftly between the trunks.

Then I saw them.

The man with the scar across his blind eye-

and his companion.

The same two men who had crossed my path when I left home.

Why are they here?

I kicked my horse, forcing it to run faster.

Behind me, a low, inhuman growl rolled through the forest.

My heart pounded violently as one terrifying truth hit me-

I'm no longer just running.

I'm being hunted.