Chapter 1 Mate

Emily's POV

Everyone knew who I was, and for that reason, they treated me like trashcan.

It was late at night, yet Mother sent me a package to deliver to the pack. Jasmine had been at home all day, but she deliberately stopped her from delivering the package, insisting that I did. I grasped it to myself and walked towards the woods, which separated our house from the pack's.

Of course, that was the kind of life I lived, being a late bloomer. We wore rags every day and ate little to no food, most times the leftovers from the pack's Beta leaders.

It didn't take more than two minutes after I entered the woods that I saw the three guys who had asked me out weeks back, but I had declined.

I feared being chastised by the Alpha of our pack, Marcus. He could banish me for trying to love while being a late bloomer - would I be saved by someone else for eternity?

"Here she comes," one of them sneered, striding towards me. I took a few steps back, clutching the package to myself, as it mattered more this time around.

"Slow metamorphosis," another sneered, as they closed in on me, surrounding me, and sniffing the scent stuck in the air.

They were banished from Blackwood pack and had been roaming the woods ever since, bullying wolves like myself.

"You know, I just knew the moon goddess was going to bless me soon. I could feel it. A blessing that dickhead, Marcus, can't stop," Francis insulted, as they burst into laughter.

"Don't come any closer," I warned, retreating as far as I could, as the jewelry in the package clinked against my chest.

"What are you going to do if we come closer?" Francis taunted, marching towards me. "Huh, little to no wolf?"

"Leave me the fuck alone. I was sent on an errand. It's urgent, fuckmasters." I said, gritting my teeth.

"Like she would summon a wolf." Francis added, cheering his friends.

"I just---" I said, but the third one placed a finger on his lips, indicating I keep quiet.

"She looks clean though," another said, staring at me seductively, "how about we..."

He winked at his friends, and one of them roughly pulled me up, my legs dangling in the air, while the package crashed to the ground.

"Leave me alone, motherfucker!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the woods, but no one was around to save me. If anyone were to be here at all, they would be rogues too.

I knew Francis well. Though I didn't agree to be his mate or girlfriend, as he might term it, I could list many features about him - he'd been the talk of the city in the past. For the same reason - bullying and exploiting female wolves - he was banished from the pack, along with his followers. I knew what he was capable of. He had messed with Linda, a classmate of mine, years back, and she was rushed to the hospital as a result. I didn't want the same fate for myself. I fought hard to get out of his grasp, knowing fully well that my efforts might not count, but still, I would try my best.

"You fuckers!" I screamed in anguish, struggling to pull their hands off, but they dragged me towards the dilapidated huts in the woods, the only sound being the rustling of leaves.

Just before they shoved me into the hut, I screamed even louder, and a voice boomed through the air, making the environment tense. They were taken aback, not expecting anyone to intervene.

As they turned back, Marcus appeared. Francis gasped and dropped me to the ground, where I landed with a heavy thud. His face contorted, as if he would plead for Marcus's mercy, begging him not to harm them now.

"Run and don't look back!" Marcus' eyes gleamed green as he instructed, sending them fleeing. They scrambled to their feet and hastily departed.

"Stay calm, the dickheads are all gone," he said, pulling me to my feet. I took his warm hand, forcing a smile to show appreciation for his rescue. I was unsure what to tell Mom about the package. I hesitated to inform him about it, even though I wanted him to lie to her, to spare me the trouble. I didn't want to face the wrath of the Vegan brothers anymore.

The feeling of what awaited me for failing to deliver the package successfully surged through me, choking me. But somehow, Alpha Marcus' presence brought soothing relief.

I lifted my gaze to lock with his, his hands warmly wrapped around mine. He stared at me with unasked questions burning in his mind. I began to sense his emotions, a strange sensation. Could this be true?

"Mate," he whispered, his voice barely audible, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized my face.

He abruptly released my hands, which fell limply to my sides. His gaze remained fixed on mine, but the warmth had vanished, replaced by a burning intensity. I saw hatred etched on his face, a shockingly stark contrast to his previous warmth. He never expected this.

"This is embarrassing," he spat, his voice laced with disdain. "The Moon goddess has truly chosen to betray me. You're a nobody, a late bloomer, barely a step above a rogue, and almost human. Ruling beside me would be the worst decision I'll ever make."

"But, Marcus..." I protested, but he silenced me with a raised finger, his eyes flashing with anger.

He didn't utter another word. His gaze remained fixed on mine, and I could sense the irritation radiating from his eyes. Though I wasn't a witch or spellbinder, I could decipher his thoughts from his expression alone. His rapid breaths conveyed annoyance and disappointment in the one he had realized was his mate. On my end, I was torn between the relief and shock of him finally acknowledging me as his mate, a sentiment I had secretly longed for.

Nothing in my life had ever gone my way. As a late bloomer with a succinct wolf, I was accustomed to disappointments. And now, I could sense Marcus pulling away, his breath no longer warm on my skin. One thing was certain in my mind - Marcus would reject me as his mate. No one could convince me otherwise.