Chapter 2 BEAST MATE

"I am now Alpha of Moonstone and you shall submit to me" Those were the words my father had dreaded the most when the war began, losing and having to bow to another Alpha.

His fear had been manifest. I just prayed my father's pride would not get him killed.

He looked around at his pack and at me and my mother, his family before he closed his eyes in resignation and bowed to Alpha Jacob, our new Alpha.

"Good. From today henceforth, I relinquish you of your duties as Alpha and I shall take over this pack, uniting it with mine"

The members of Alpha Jacob's pack and even some of ours cheered. It was hard to watch the ty I'd grown up in being invaded like that. I couldn't watch anymore, so I left. It was going to be my 18th birthday the next day, and I was still very excited about it.

I prayed to the moon goddess day and night that I would finally get my wolf and nobody would tease me or pick on me ever again. And also, I'd be meeting my mate soon. I hoped he would be a wonderful man and he'd love me as much as I wanted to be loved.

After everyone had dispersed from the gathering at the square, my father returned home and he wasn't happy. I didn't expect him to be, obviously, but my father had always been unkind to me, and I just knew he'd be even worse since he'd just lost his position as Alpha to a much younger Alpha.

"I should have had a son" he began as he sat down. My mother gave me an apologetic look, we both knew what he was about to say. "Instead I had a weakling daughter like you. At least my son would be able to reclaim the Moonstone pack. But the only thing you're good for is to be married off to someone. Seeing you around here fuels my anger"

"But father... I'm about to turn 18, I'll meet my mate soon."

My father scoffed. "You don't even have a wolf, what makes you think you'll find a mate"

His words stung, I never expected anything good from my father but him cursing me to not have a mate was very hurtful.

"Why do you hate me so much?" I spoke up

"What did you say?" His tone was threatening, I knew he'd definitely heard me the first time.

"It's not my fault I was born this way. You're my father, perhaps my weakness is a sign of your own. After all, you lost the pack and-"

Before I could continue, he slapped me in the face, and he didn't hold back. He sent me tumbling back and I fell to the ground.

"Don't you dare insult me like that ever again? Maybe you should ask your mother where she got you from. She couldn't even have another baby"

"Don't speak about mother like that!" I yelled on the ground, lunging for him, but of course, I was practically powerless against him. He pushed me back to the floor, sending a kick in my gut.

"Raynar please stop it! She's your daughter" My mother begged as she rushed to stand between me and my father.

"Pathetic" He spoke as he spat on the ground next to me.

I was just as weak as he said. And I hated it. Maybe I should have been born had a man so I'd strike back whenever he laid a hand on me or my mother"

"Iris, you know how he is... don't instigate him further" " my mother spoke as she caressed my bruised cheek. I was nubs to the pain. It wasn't the first time he'd hit me.

"If you'd stood up to him years ago, we wouldn't be here right now", I said to my mother before I got up and left. I knew my words were harsh, but it was the cold hard truth.

It was nearly midnight as I roamed the pack estate and stopped at a small bridge over the river near the woods.

I took in a deep breath as I stared at the running water. If only I could be so free to choose my current and my own path.

"Mind if I join you?" I suddenly heard a voice which startled me.

"A-alpha Jacob" I stuttered, sewing the man who'd been strong enough to overthrow my father. "What are you doing here?"

"Just taking a leisurely stroll and I don't think it would be fair to leave you out here all alone"

He was everything my father wasn't. Deep down, I knew he'd make a better ruler.

"I come out here a lot. So it's fine"

He leaned on the bridge, staring up at the sky for a moment before he looked at me.

"You're Ragnar's daughter"

"Don't hold that against me"

He chuckled "I won't. I'm sorry you had to watch your father bow to Me today"

I shrugged, "Wasn't anything he didn't deserve"

Surprisingly, Alpha Jacob was fun to talk to; we ended up speaking at length about every topic that came to mind; I didn't realize how much time had gone by till I heard the chimes of the large clock at the square.

It was midnight.

"Well... happy birthday to me" I muttered

"It's your birthday?"

I nodded yes as I started to walk towards him. I stumbled over my own feet and crashed into him. He caught me and held me in his big, strong arms.

I felt a strong pull towards him as his hand came in contact with my skin. And he smelt different too, good different.

"Happy birthday Iris," He said softly as he stared into my eyes.

He suddenly buried his face in my neck as he took a big whiff of me. His eyes glowed a warm golden hue when he came up to stare at me again.

I felt the tugging feeling grow stronger.

"Mate" Jacob growled as he pulled me in closer to him.

Jacob was my mate?

I could feel something crying out for him in my head. It was a very weak voice so I wasn't sure if I'd gotten my wolf yet.

My eyes narrowed in on Jacob's.

"It's you... y-you're my mate" I said as relief washed over me. Jacob was perfect and in the short time we'd spoken, I'd felt myself falling for him already. Not to mention he was handsome.

I smiled up at him. At first, he seemed... pleased, but then his expression changed as he let go of me and put some distance between us.

"What's wrong Jacob?"

"Iris... I can't"

"I don't understand. What do you mean?"

"I can't do this. You can't be my mate.

"But why not?"

"You don't even have a wolf yet Iris. I'm now in control of not one but two packs, I can't do anything that would make me seem... weak"

"You're saying I'd make you seek weak? B-because I don't have a wolf is that it?"

"And your father just submitted to me in front of everyone... I can't go ahead and accept his wolfless daughter as my mate"

"Jacob what are you saying... this doesn't sound like you. We're mates, you and I, we complete each other"

"Iris, you're not even complete yourself" His words took me aback.

"You can't seriously mean that" I whispered.

"I mean it, Iris. Tonight was great but in the real world, we don't work. We can't"

"Jacob, please... I've dreamed of finding my mate since I was a little girl and now, I've found you. Don't do this to me, please" I felt every last bit of hope within me slowly disintegrating.

All my life I'd been bullied and looked down upon. Even though I was the Alpha's daughter, I was weak and wolfless. It broke my heart to know that my mate thought the same of me.

"I'm sorry. But I have to put the pack first"

"We can... together we can Jacob. This bond isn't a mistake, it can't be"

Jacob looked away from me, "Maybe it is"

"Jacob..."

When he looked at me again, his eyes were cold and unloving. He didn't want me.

"By the Moon Goddess, I reject you, Iris Greywell as my fated mate"

As soon as he spoke those words, I felt something snap within me, it felt like my head was squeezed and drained of every last drop of blood.

"Accept it, and the pain will go away", He spoke coldly.

"No... ugh Jacob please"

"Don't be stubborn Iris" I saw his cold facade break for a split second.

"I won't accept it" I replied weakly.

"Fine suit yourself"

With that, Jacob walked away, ignoring my pleas for him to stay. As I saw him leaving, I remembered every harsh word that had ever been said against me.

And I finally accepted that they were true.