In Bed With The Chosen One

PROLOGUE

"Hurry, keep running," the man whispered to his companion.

"I'm tired, I don't think I can run anymore." He stopped and looked at her, his eyes heavy with pity.

"Let's just hide it, then run away," she said hysterically.

The madness was spreading in her, her eyes were wise and glazed. "No one would know what we did or how we hid it. Let's just run away."

He shifted partially, hearing the footsteps come closer.

"Okay, we'll hide it, but where?" He asked.

She looked up at him. "I know. I'll give it to one of them."

CHAPTER ONE

Standing at the doorway, my mother looked at me, nose pinched and eyes crossed.

She was angry.

"Hello, mother," I greeted, accustomed to her behavior. "Where are you coming from, Clarissa?" She asked. She didn't budge from the doorway, so I knew she had no plans of letting me in.

"I went fishing," I replied, holding up a bag full of fish to her. She snorted, knowing I was probably telling a lie, but since I had evidence, she couldn't punish me.

"I told you to not leave the house. The alpha would be furious," she said.

Alpha Buick. Ugh, I spat out silently in disgust. He was a lewd, disgusting man, and my mother was his mistress.

"Yeah, I don't care what the alpha thinks."

The slap was hard as always. Mother seemed to think hitting me regularly would suddenly make me like him more, but it just made me look at him with much hatred, knowing it was all his fault I was being treated like this.

"You would treat the alpha with respect," she screamed at my face, defending her lover. I looked at her face, sad that she couldn't see he was just using her.

My mother, Kate, was the most beautiful woman seen in the six clans. Well, was.

Now she looked like a shell of her former self.

It is said I look like my father. Blue eyes, hair as gold as the sun, lean. Next to my mother's small frame, I was a giant.

My mom had committed crimes, you see, I was the curse to punish her for them.

She had slept with a stranger, when she was mated to the beta of the Grey Wolves clan. Worse, she had slept with a human, committing shikuzz. To cover up her evil, she sought out help from a witch, breaking shifter laws, committing Toʿevah.

"I'm sorry, mother," I said, looking down at my feet. I loved her, despite everything she had done to me, showing respect was the least I could do. Even though I hated my father for abandoning her.

She told me the story one night, when she was high on witch hazel, another forbidden thing. My mom has a calling for danger, you see.

"Today is the festival of lights." I groaned out loudly, if there was a thing I hated, it was the festivals. Even though we were ostracized, we still had to attend and show gratitude to our goddess Luna for blessing us and keeping us safe from our rivals.

The Dark Blood Clan.

I didn't even understand what exactly started the war, but the dark bloods were ruthless. Evil in every form, their teeth were stained with the blood of other shifters.

"Okay, mother, what do we need to prepare?" I asked, knowing she would want to do something special for the alpha.

My mother mouthed a list of demands she had, from her hair to shoes. I listened, made commentary when necessary, but my mind wasn't with her.

I told my mother I had gone to the lake to fish, but I went somewhere else. Not only that, but I met up with

My contact, collecting the evidence I needed to go hunting for a specific person.

I was going to find my father. I wanted to look at the man; they said I was his blood, and ask why he abandoned the woman he loved, making her the talk and ridicule of the pack.

I wanted revenge.

"Kate," a voice called from outside. It was Buick. I hated his voice. He stepped inside our little house, his 5'10 frame blocking the doorway.

"Oh, you're early, Buick," mother made her voice low, showing how she always spoke to him like she was placating his ego. "How was the meeting with the alphas?"

He looked at me, ignoring her. Watching him closely, I saw that he had a shiner. I wondered who did that and how I would thank them for it.

"Clarissa," he walked towards me, "you are getting bigger, aren't you?"

Ever since I turned 18, I knew Buick had eyes for me. He couldn't control himself. For 4 years, I had managed to stay under the radar and keep myself safe from him, being directly obtuse so he wouldn't think I was giving him attention.

"The meeting went horribly, the other Alphas are scared."

He sat down, rubbing his head. "Gorrah was attacked last week, taken over by the Dark Blood."

Mother let out a large gasp, hands at her throat. "What exactly do they want?" she walked towards him.

I moved quietly out of the house so I could have alone time, grateful they didn't question and ask me to come back. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts, and I started walking towards there.

Our kingdom, Shifter Kingdom, was large, divided into 10 colonies. Each clan had 2 lands, and an alpha ruled over each land.

We were territorial beats, werewolves. There were other shifters: lions, sirens, and gargoyles. Wolves though, we were blessed by the Goddess Luna, at our highest point of power during the full moon and could transform into our beasts at will.

I had no beast.

They said it's because of my father, he was normal, a human. He had no powers, they said. Most werewolves start manifesting their powers by their 10th birthday.

When I was 10, nothing happened. It made my mother livid, she broke everything in the house, cursing out a man only she knew. When I turned 16, I knew I would never be a wolf or have a mate, one of the gifts bestowed upon us by the Goddess.

I learned to stay on my own, quickly becoming a target. Spending all my teenage life being bullied was horrible. It didn't help that my mom was sleeping with someone's mate. His children made my life hell.

Gregory punched me for the first time when I was 12. He called me a cheap whore, screaming obscenities at me. He told me he would make me his mistress and use me the same way my mother was being shared by the other shifters. I hit him back when I was 16, breaking his nose.

Mother beat me up all night. It was still worth it.

The pathway to the temple was empty, everyone preparing for the festival in their houses. By night, the whole clan would be outside, dancing and partying before going on the run.

I walked alone with my thoughts, excited about tonight. I had finally gotten information on where my father was. I would go find him, it wasn't easy to get.

I reached the temple and sat at the entrance. I wasn't allowed inside, the village shaman had banned me, saying I had no wolf, no tie to the Goddess. I came here because it gave me peace to speak to her, Luna.

"I have found my father goddess, I started. "He's in what they call George Town, in the normal town. You wouldn't know there," I chuckled.

"I'm going to find my father

Moonlight shone across the land, where the 5000 shifters made the Grey Wolves pack gathered, white gowns and shirts as far as the eyes could see.

I stood at the edge of the path in my red dress and boots. I knew my mother would kill me if she saw me, but she didn't know how it felt to be without a wolf. At least once a month, she was accepted as one of them. I wasn't.

I sat on the grass, looking ahead at the shifters. Alpha Buick would soon make his arrogant speech, and then at midnight, everyone would tear off their clothes and shift, running under the moonlight, paying worship to Luna. I was here to replace every cloth for their return, since they were not really comfortable with nudity.

"Clarissa," a nasal voice. Gwendolyn Buick, the alpha's mate, walked past me. "What a waste," she said, sneering at me. "You should be with the normals, banished. You don't belong here."

I grinned at her. "Too bad your mate can't get enough of my mother," I retorted. Her face turned red, and she shifted partially, her fingernails turning into claws, and she launched at me.

Feeling blood drop from where she had struck me, I knew I shouldn't have agitated her, but I was getting sick of the bullshit. She cackled, pleased at the marks she left on my face. "Ugly bitch."

I watched her walk towards her alpha. He furrowed his brows, clearly irritated about something. The second in command, Hudson, came over to him and whispered something in his ears, but he shook his head and took his place in front of his people.

Grey wolves occupied one of the largest lands, Enchuria. Buick was in charge of more shifters than some other Alphas, and I knew he thought he was a hot shot because of that. Everyone knew he was a weakling, though his father was the one who had built this pack.

"My people," he began, the moonlight casting shadows behind him, "we have gathered today to celebrate the festival of lights once again." He paused, looking around, trying to create suspense.

"As you know, we are going through difficult times right now in Shifter Kingdom," he continued. "The Dark Blood clan has gotten greedy, wanting all the Shifter Kingdom to be one under them. That wasn't the will of our goddess Luna." Loud murmurings of praise for Luna followed. "I, your alpha, promise today that I will protect you from the dark one."

No one knows where they came from. Suddenly, about 500 large black wolves surrounded the people. Buick's eyes bulged as he realized what was going on.

I stood, shocked at the scene that was unfolding in front of me. The Dark Blood clan was here. How did they get into the land?? I ran towards them, looking for my mother, as whispers of the destruction they brought rang in my head.

That's when I heard it.

"Calm," a voice said. Who was that? There was no one next to me, yet I heard the voice again.

"Calm," the voice said again.

Then I smelled cinnamon and spice. It was so strong, I gasped out, needing fresh air.

I kept running, watching the wolves growl and snap at the people. My pack members were scared, most people were not fighters. This land had known peace for a long time.

A larger wolf stalked Alpha Buick. He was shaking, yet trying to be calm, while the wolf kept stalking him, sniffing, prowling like he was about to attack. I saw my mother, standing at the corner, scared, and ran towards her.

The wolf started shifting, becoming the most handsome man I had ever seen.

He was at least 6'5, broad-shouldered, with the clearest eyes I have ever seen. He was also very naked, I noticed. Furthermore, he grinned at Alpha Buick, and stretched his hands out.

"Alex Lister," he drawled, "I don't think we've ever met.

Then he turned his head and locked eyes with me.

I stopped, shaken under his gaze. My whole body was on fire, and I couldn't speak. It was like we were the only ones that existed, and I knew that he was the one I had been smelling.

"Who are you?" His voice cracked, taking heavy steps towards me. Alpha Buick snapped out of whatever he was in and started screaming.

"You can have her, spare us, please."

Alex paused, looking at the alpha. "I didn't come here for her," he said, his voice low. "I came to celebrate the festival of lights and claim this land back."

Back, what did he mean by back?

Everyone was on their knees, heads bowed, shaking with despair. The black wolves surrounded them, growling occasionally.

The waves of power emitting from Alex were undeniable, only Alpha Buick seemed to be able to withstand it. Alpha Buick and I, it seemed.

Alex turned towards me, and moved so fast, I couldn't see him till he grabbed my jaw. "You smell like mate, " he said. I was frozen, scared at what was going on.

Taking a deep breath to make sure I wouldn't stutter, I replied to him.

"I am not your mate."

Buick's eyes bulged out. He rushed at me, intent to murder me for saying that. I wondered if he had forgotten about the man that stood before me. Alex shot him a stare that had him halting.

"Take her if you want, but please, spare us," Buick begged shamelessly. So much for protection. I always knew he was weak, but I had not expected how weak.

I looked up at Alex, into his clear eyes, to show him I wasn't afraid of him. He smirked, obviously seeing the power play, then I heard a voice in my head.

"Mate".

What was this voice? I didn't have a wolf. Alex still held my face in his hands, looking down at me. He pulled his lips back, showing two sharp teeth.

"MATE", he whispered back. My eyes bulged wide, no way he heard the voice.

"Who are you? I don't like asking twice," he asked.

"I am Clarissa, there has been confusion, and I can't be your mate."

His hand was starting to hurt. I pried at it, removing it successfully, and I moved my jaw around. Did this asshole want to break my jaw?

"You are my mate, I wasn't expecting to find you here, but you are mine." He had to be delusional. I didn't belong to anyone. I ignored him and went towards my mom, shocked at how she was doubled over in tears, snot dripping over her face. It seemed she had something she was scared of.

Buick went to where Alex stood, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin up, like he wanted to challenge him. "What do you want?" He asked.

"Your people stole this land from my people. I am taking it back."

Why did he say that? His people were the intruders.

"Your family was greedy," Buick shouted in Alex's face. "They kept growing stronger, and we did what we had to do."

That was news.

Alex's lips lifted. "You know," he said, "you are the first Alpha to confess a bit. Good."

He turned to the people still on their knees. "People of Grey Wolves Clan," he bellowed, "I do not come to kill or murder you. I have come to remind you of all the good times we had before the evil Alpha's killed my family and committed To'veah".

It was so silent, the moon casting her light on Alex's body, making him look even larger than before. "All the clans I have freed, have returned to their roots, worshiping Luna, free from the evil magic cast."

What madness was he spewing.

Buick looked white, shaking like a deer brought to slaughter. The people even looked more scared.

"Please leave us alone," cried out Gregory. I had to give him that, he was courageous yet stupid. Holding my mother, I looked at Alex, wondering what he would do.

"Contrary to what you've heard," he continued, "I do not use force. However, let me introduce you to my friend." He pointed at a clearing.

That's when she came out, her hair was red as fire and her skin as dark as oil. She was glowing in the moon, her mouth opened in chants, saying things we couldn't understand.

She was a witch.

The Shifter kingdom did not socialize with witches. They were evil, and when twenty-two years ago, they had fought with shifters, it was banned to be friends with them.

Shockingly, no one alive remembered what exactly caused the fight or why it happened.

She stood in front of Alex, her eyes green. Her skin was covered with different runes, symbols of the spells she practiced.

Suddenly, she stopped and looked towards me.

Oh my God.

"Hail the Goddess, her voice sounded like the ocean.

She walked towards me. Hands in the air. She stood in front of me then fell to her knees.

"Divine mother," she cried out. She started speaking in another language.

"What the fuck is this?" I asked. Alex looked at me, clearly intrigued by what he was seeing.

"Can I help you, Divine Mother?" She asked, reaching out to me.

I wanted to say no, but her green eyes kept me from moving.

Then I felt pain.

It started building from my chest; rage filled me; I heard my blood rushing in my veins. I fell to my knees next to her, crying out in agony. Everyone stared, in shock, at what they were seeing.

Then I felt something step out of me. I looked up and saw a huge white wolf, but it looked like I was looking back at myself.

I was a shifter.

In the shifter kingdom, wolves had hierarchy, in terms of size and color, which affected strength and wisdom. The most common wolf was brown fur, then grey wolves, then black wolves.

The white wolf was a legend, it was said it was the most perfect form of the goddess on earth.

I was a white wolf.

I screamed out loudly, crawling backwards away from the wolf and the girl. She gazed ahead, looking at Alex. I heard a voice in my head again. "Calm"

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I am you. You are me." I knew it was my wolf speaking to me.

I looked at the people of the Grey Wolf clan, their eyes wide in surprise. Seeing a white wolf was only possible in books. She was a myth.

I was going to faint.

Alex grinned at me. "Mate," he growled. My wolf howled at the moon, obviously in reply, and he howled back.

Then Alpha Buick lunged at me.