Chapter 1 Facing the Beast

Chapter One

~Mirella~

I stared at the beast in front of me. My heart thudded loudly in my chest... Yes, I was warned not to show how terrified I was and that if I did, it could lead to my death, but who wouldn't be terrified of this huge beast snarling at me?

I was frozen on the spot; it was like all the organs in my body stopped working, and all I could do was stare at the beast, afraid that if I blinked, then I would be gone-for life.

My wolf Lyra was shouting at me through the mind link, telling me to run, but where would I go? I had no place to go. No one would accept me!

I was an illegitimate child whose mother was nothing but a pawn in my father's game. He didn't accept me as his child, and life was hell in his pack; to make matters worse, I was born an omega, different from my late beta Mom and Alpha Dad. I was an outcast, and the only thing I was good for in the pack was to be sold to the cursed Alpha.

This beast right here was the cursed Alpha I was sold to. Alpha Kaelan Silverstone, Alpha of the Silvermist pack!

My dad's voice echoed in my head. "Your sacrifice will secure protection for the pack. We'll have redemption; we'll have power. You're no longer a child. Do this, and you'll never want for anything again."

At that moment, I wanted the man who only donated his sperm to be burned alive. How could he do this to a child of his own?

Selling his own daughter just to avoid a war!

I wanted to scream at him and tell him I was worth more than that, but being the weakling I was, badly trained to keep my mouth shut by my mother in order to survive, I said nothing and nodded my head like a fool.

The beast took a step forward, and my heart sped faster than before. Is this my end?

I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin; he was too close.

He growled at me, and my body shuddered. I let out a whimper, my lips shaking.

I've heard tales of how he'd lost control and killed his pack members in a spiraling rage. Every werewolf was terrified of him; they tried everything to bring this beast down, but nothing they did could do that; it only ended their lives, and all they could do was bring a fertile female to satiate his needs.

His dark red eyes glowing in the dark pierced mine; it was like he was studying his prey before killing them. Tears strolled down from my hazel eyes uncontrollably, accepting defeat.

I hiccuped and closed my eyes, awaiting my demise. Instead of feeling my head off my body, I heard him whisper in my ears.

"Run!" I flung my eyes open, unsure of what I'd heard.

"Run, little lamb, run!" he repeated in a low, husky voice. The beast had a malicious glint in his eyes, and it made me become wary.

This could be a chance from heaven!

My pulse spiked, dread chilling in my veins. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to flee, to escape this forest before he reached me. I spun around, my feet barely touching the ground as I tore through the shadows, my heart slamming against my chest. But I knew, with a sinking certainty that I couldn't outrun him, but I held onto a hope that maybe, just maybe, the moon goddess had me in her mind and would send a savior to help me.

Hopefully... my mate!

His strides were faster, his movements almost animalistic. I could hear trees falling, his loud footsteps echoing in my ears. He was close by; the snapping of twigs and a rush of winds were evident.

My lungs burned, my legs ached, but I pushed myself harder. Hoping-praying-that he would tire. Just when I thought I had created some distance, a powerful arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me backward. I let out a groan as my back hit the bark of a tree.

I looked up, my vision blurred by fear and pain as I met his gaze. There was nothing human in his eyes, all clouded by the dark red glow, raw possessive glint of a predator who had caught his prey.

He growled, "Mine!" His voice was like a low rumble that vibrated through my body. His face mere inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin. The ferocity in his expression sent a chill down my spine, and I felt my heart stutter, unable to escape from the hypnotic grip of his eyes.

"N-No..." I managed to stammer, trying to push against the weight of his arm, but his hold was unyielding.

My struggles were futile; my strength was nothing compared to this beast. The Alpha leaned in closer, inhaling deeply as if he was trying to memorize every inch of my scent. His gaze flickered with something dark and primal, a silent promise that sent a fresh wave of terror through me.

The beast's large fingers brushed against my skin, igniting a fire I have never felt before. My wolf was responding to his touch, his lips brushing my neck, and it did nothing to soothe the fear coiling in my stomach.

Then, in one swift, possessive movement. His teeth sank into my neck, marking me with a claim that left no room to escape.

A shockwave of sensation tore through me, sharp and electric, filling my veins with a mix of pain and... something else. My head tilted back, my senses overwhelmed by the sudden surge of emotions that I couldn't control. A strangled gasp escaped my lips, and tears pricked my eyes, blurring the forest around me.

I could feel his possessiveness in every inch of his touch, a fierce declaration that echoed louder than words. This wasn't a choice, or a vow, or even a bond-it was a demand. A mark of ownership.

Before I could make sense of the surge of emotions flooding my senses, everything went dark.