The Alpha's True Mate

Hayden

A loud slap landed on my face, forceful enough to make me stumble back a few steps. Gasps fell from the lips of the crew members who were preparing for the first scene we were about to shoot for the movie.

"What the hell?" I hissed, glaring at the woman who charged towards me a few seconds ago like a wild animal.

The woman was no other than Patricia Woods, the hottest actress every director in Hollywood wanted to work with, daughter of the most influential producer in history Quincy Woods, and sister of Liam Woods who owned the biggest entertainment company in the states.

I looked at her dazed, too shocked to pay attention to the hot sting on my face. Why the hell did she slap me? And why was she even here on the scene? She was not on the cast list.

"Why did you slap me?" I voiced out my confusion to the woman who was now scowling at me with her arms crossing over her ample chest. From the corner of my eye, I saw people snickering and raising their phones. Just great.

"For seducing my husband, you homewrecker," she spat, squaring her shoulders first and then smoothed out the nonexistent wrinkles in her Dior dress.

"What?" I was even more confused. Was she out of her mind? Last I checked, she was still single. As if to confirm my memory, the onlookers started whispering to each other.

"You are not even married," I pointed out.

She let out a loud snort. "Kyle and I got married two years ago in Las Vegas. We just didn't announce it to the public. Only people who matter to us know. I can show you our marriage certificate if you like," she said in a cold and haughty tone.

My boyfriend Kyle? The Kyle who confessed his love to me when shooting a movie with me a year ago? My heart sank to my stomach at her words.

"Kyle Reyes?" I asked weakly, my hands starting to tremble.

"Yeah, and you had no shame sending him your nude pictures," Patricia shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at me. The whispers surrounding us grew louder.

"No, no, no, it is not true. He is not married. He told me he was single when he asked me to be his girlfriend," I denied, panic kicking in. This couldn't be true.

"Then why weren't you with him on any social occasions if you are his girlfriend?" The question caught me. My palms started to sweat.

"So you don't deny seducing my husband, you homewrecker?" she questioned, cocking an eyebrow.

"What is going on here? Why is nobody working?" Director Peter Johnson's stern voice boomed behind us.

"Peter, you are right on time," Patricia turned, plastering a sickly sweet smile on her face.

She went on to repeat what she just said to my face, while I stood frozen on the spot digesting the information she just disclosed.

"If you insist on casting her, I will make sure no one dares to distribute your movie," Patricia whispered with gritted teeth.

"What she did is disgusting. I won't allow anyone's frivolous behavior to impact my movie. I prepared for this movie for goddamn six years. You have my word, Patricia." Peter said, resting his hand on her shoulder to appease her.

Wait, what were they negotiating? I stared at them in horror.

"You are fired, Hayden Ramirez," Peter announced in a loud voice, disgust written all over his face. The crew gasped in unison and more people started to raise their phones.

No, I couldn't let them treat me like disposable garbage just because I was not well connected in this industry. The initial shock and daze finally gave way to the will to fight.

"No, we signed a contract. You cannot just fire me randomly." I countered.

"Check your contract carefully next time you sign one. There is a clause stipulating you shouldn't bring any scandal to the movie," Peter snorted.

"But you haven't listened to my side of the story," I yelled in frustration. "Please let me explain," I begged, too afraid to lose this job. I needed it to pay back my brother's gambling debts.

"I don't give a damn about your story," he sneered, snapping his fingers to the guards. "Accompany Miss Ramirez to the parking lot."

"Please..." I was dragged roughly by two buff guards before I could finish my words. I tried to wriggle myself free from their hold, but they were just too big to budge. All the while, people just kept filming me with their phones.

Looking over my shoulder, I caught a devious and victorious smile appearing on Patricia's face.

"You bastards," I cursed after the two guards pushed me down hard on the ground in the parking lot. They snickered and swaggered off.

I rose to my feet and climbed into my second-hand Honda. I just sat there and let reality sink in. What Patricia said couldn't be true, right? I was in no way a homewrecker, right?

Tears started to roll down my cheeks. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Focus and think, I told myself.

Kyle and I met during the audition a year and a half ago for the movie he directed. I played a supporting role in the movie, and we started to warm up to each other and grow feelings when shooting the movie.

He professed his love to me after the shooting ended and I happily accepted him as my boyfriend. Or more specifically, a secret boyfriend. He said he didn't want other people to think that I got the role because he was the director, or to think he helped me get other roles in the future, considering himself being an established director in the industry.

And I bought it, desperately wanting to prove to others that I earned everything by myself. All the time, I never saw him wear a ring, nor did he tell me anything about his marriage.

Was everything a lie? A lie to get into my pants? I fumbled for my phone and hit the buttons furiously. I needed to hear it from his mouth.

But my calls kept being transferred to his voicemail. After trying to call him 30 times and praying he would pick up the phone every time, I gave up and tossed my phone in the passenger seat.

Burying my face in my hands, I let out a silent cry. "It is not true," I kept chanting to myself. I loved him with all my heart. I thought he could be the one.

The sudden vibration of my phone jolted me from my depression. I clicked the phone without looking at the caller ID.

"Hayden, get your ass in my office," my agent Lee's voice sounded from the other end. He sounded annoyed.

"Oh, hi Lee. I'll be there in 30 minutes," I said in disappointment.

"Are you waiting for anyone's call?" he asked.

"No, see you there." I hung up and started my car.

"What the hell were you thinking? Dating Kyle Reyes? He is a notorious playboy and changes women like changing clothes," Lee yelled at me the minute I stepped into his office.

"Well, good afternoon to you," I cringed at his wrath, taking the seat across from him.

He gave me a stern look and unlocked his phone. He put the phone down on the desk and hit the play button. A five-minute video recording of the heated exchange between me and Patricia started to play. The video was titled "C-list Star Got Slapped and Fired on Scene for Seducing Patricia Woods' Husband with Nude Pictures".

I cringed even further into the seat. Even in events like this, the media had to rub the fact that I was just a nameless actress in my face.

"Do you want to kill your career early? Because if I know you are this suicidal, I wouldn't work with you in the beginning. I buttered up lots of asses to get you auditions, Hayden! Why the hell did you get involved with a married man?" Lee barked at me, his face red with anger.

"Will you listen to me first?" I yelled, losing my temper for being ill-treated by several people in a short time frame. With an exasperated expression on his face, he gestured to me to speak.

"I think Kyle lied to me about him being single," I said, tears welling up in my eyes.

"You think?" he said in a sarcastic tone.

His face softened seeing my tears. Sliding the tissue box to me, he heaved a sigh. "They just announced their marriage on Instagram half an hour ago, saying that they tied the knot two years ago."

"What? He is not answering my calls." I choked, wiping my tears with the tissue.

"Of course, he won't. He is distancing himself from you to pacify Patricia and her angry family. He is saving his own ass. They could put an end to his career."

"And yours also," he added.

"No, they cannot just do that to me. I am the victim. Kyle lied to me." I waved my hands in frustration. I'd worked my ass off to get where I was today. Even though I was still a "C-list" actress, I couldn't just let them ruin my career.

"Didn't Patricia get you fired for the project you have prepared for so long?" Lee pointed out. I was rendered speechless.

A social media alert popped up on Lee's phone and grabbed my attention instantly. Hands shaking, I tapped the notification.

Director Kyle Reyes claimed that actress Hayden Ramirez came on him first and tried to use her body and him to get more roles...

I didn't have the heart to continue reading. "He is lying. Why is he doing this to me?" I cried. Lee grabbed the phone from me and read the notification.

"Like I said. He is trying to save his own ass. He must have made a deal with Patricia. The video and the announcements are a pre-planned PR campaign to erase you from the movie industry. From what I know, Patricia is very spoiled and vengeful. She always gets what she wants because her family pretty much owns Hollywood," Lee said in defeat.

"Is there anything I can do? Can I just publish an announcement to refute them?" I asked helplessly.

"It's not like that hasn't crossed my mind," Lee sighed. "But Hayden, first, you don't have a PR team and you cannot afford one because it is extremely expensive. I know the shit amount of debt your brother got you into; Second, I already called my media friends and they said they've been given orders not to publish any article that tells your side of the story. Guess you really pissed Patricia off because she obviously went all out against you."

"What?" I let out a frustrated cry. "How about...how about I clear my name using my own social media account?"

"No, I don't recommend you piss Patricia off further," Lee shook his head. "You have no idea what she will do next. She is too powerful in this industry. You probably will never be able to act again if you call out to her or Kyle openly."

"But I cannot just let her and Kyle ruin my reputation with lies," I clenched my jaw.

"I know. As your agent, I won't give up on you. We've stuck together for six years. You have great potential, Hayden. You've already got several important indie movie awards at the age of 24. I've worked long enough in this industry to recognize talent. I have confidence in you. Don't ruin your career on impulse. Lay low for a while. This is a snobbish industry that forgets things overnight. When you grow stronger, the world will listen to you with all ears."

I hated to admit it, but I knew Lee was right. I love acting and I want to continue to do that. Acting had been my dream since I was five-year-old. I had no intion to ruin my future in this industry.

"Thank you, Lee," I said with sincerity.

Nodding his head, he continued, "Find a place to lay low for a while and dodge the paparazzi. When the coast becomes clearer, I will let you know. I'll keep sending your resumes to directors and explaining to them in private."

I left Lee with a heavy heart. Sitting in my car with hunched shoulders, I began to think about where to stay for a while. There would be no time for the paparazzi to find where I lived currently. You had to give them the credit for their nosiness.

My phone vibrated next to me in the passenger seat. I peered at the screen, hoping it was Kyle, hoping to get an explanation from him. But it was my brother Taylor.

"Sis, I may get into trouble," his low and hoarse voice sounded on the other end.

"Again???" I groaned frustratedly. Not now, not when trouble was knocking on my door. I simply didn't have enough energy to deal with his problem right now.

"You may want to go into hiding," he said.

"How much do you owe them this time?" I asked nervously, waiting for the daunting number my brother was about to tell me.

"This time they want my head."

"And yours. Sorry, sis," he added.

"What did you do?" I asked in a frenzy. I wanted to punch his face so much.

But he just hung up on me.

So, it turned out I had no other option but to lay low.

Ryan

I strolled out of the gym in my tank top and shorts, a bottle of water in hand. My muscles felt deliciously sore after the intense workout.

"Alpha," the men and women in the hallway stopped in their tracks and bowed in submission when they saw me. I nodded my head, noticing a few she-wolves battering their eyelashes hopefully at me, but as usual, I walked past them with a blank face.

"I'm coming over," my Beta James mind-linked me.

"What for?" I linked back, making sure he heard my annoyance. It was Saturday. I wanted some alone time instead of spending the weekend with my Beta who was a chattering box. He could be extremely annoying when it was not related to work.

James and I grew up together. We had been best friends since we were in our mothers' wombs. His father was my father's Beta.

"I'm bored," he said through the link.

"Go hang out in a bar and hit on a she-wolf," I suggested. James, with his good looks and well-built body, was a playboy, extremely popular among she-wolves. He probably had slept with half of the she-wolves in our pack Blood Moon. That was the benefit of not finding one's mate, he said once to me.

"It is still early, man," he whined, "Let's watch a movie together."

"No," I rejected him firmly. I planned to go over some papers regarding the sighting of rogues.

"You know, not being able to find my mate is taking a toll on me. I feel empty." Here came the sympathy card again.

I sighed. From the outside, James looked happy with his single life. But as his friend I knew deep down the uncertainty whether there was a mate for him was eating at him. He was of the same age as me, 26.

Not all werewolves were lucky enough to find their mate when they turned 21. Some waited for years for their mate to come, while some I heard were doomed to be alone for the rest of their lives. Guess the Moon Goddess wasn't fair at all in the love department.

"Not the White Wolf again," I said. I had watched this goddamn movie with him over 20 times. I could memorize all the lines in it. Who would think that my playboy Beta liked watching indie movies? I preferred movies with actions and adventures.

"Why not? It is the best movie of the century. And Hayden Ramirez is a breathtaking genius actress!" he exclaimed excitedly.

"There is not even a goddamn wolf in the movie!" I groaned. When would his obsession with this actress be over?

"See ya," He cut off the link.

James didn't reside in the packhouse. I made sure the wolves in our pack were sheltered with their own houses and had their own privacy. The packhouse was only for pack meetings, emergencies, training, and those who didn't want to stay at their home. I moved into the packhouse three years ago after my mate was killed in a rogue attack.

It usually took James 10 minutes from his home to the packhouse. I hopped in the bathroom in my room and took a quick shower.

When I stepped into the media room after my shower, James was already sitting in the lounge eating a slice of pizza and holding a beer in hand. My sister Chloe was also in the room. She returned to the pack a few days ago after graduating from the Warrior Academy with honors. She was the best warrior in our pack, and I was very proud of her.

"Look at you, smelling good and looking fresh," James flashed me his white teeth, "right on time for the beginning of the movie."

I ignored him and went to the fridge to grab beers, tossing a can to Chloe.

"Can't we just watch an action movie?" I glared at him. Chloe giggled at my frustration.

"No, nope, only this film could fill my void," he said. "Come and sit," he patted the lounge on his left side.

I sat down reluctantly and watched the familiar beginning scene where the actress Hayden Ramirez stared at the camera and started her character's monolog.

"She delivers the soliloquy so beautifully," James commented. I rolled my eyes.

"Do you think I have a chance with her?" James turned his head and asked sincerely.

"She will be scared shitless when she sees you turn into a wolf." I snuffed his daydreaming without hesitation. Most humans did not know of the existence of our kind.

"Yeah, I think so, too," he said in a disappointed tone and turned to the big screen. I ignored his moping and focused on the movie.

"She is so beautiful. I wish she was my girlfriend," James continued his whining.

She did look beautiful with her sparkling amber eyes and silky chestnut hair. Even without any makeup on in this scene, her skin looked flawless. But I didn't feel a thing about her just like I had zero interest in other she-wolves. My heart would always be for my mate Melanie.

"Why would you want a human? They are weak. They can't defend themselves when there is danger," Chloe questioned. I was with Chloe on this point.

"Do you think she could be my mate?" James asked hopefully.

"That is ridiculous. I never heard weres could be mated to humans." Chloe rolled her eyes.

"You are clearly bad at werewolf history. There were historical records where the Moon Goddess paired weres with humans," James sneered.

"Just ignore him. He is always pining for Hayden Ramirez when he watches the movie. It is just an unhealthy obsession," I said to Chloe.

"You know, James, I know some dirt about her," Chloe smirked.

"What dirt? She is impeccable." But he obviously was curious.

Chloe took out her phone and placed it on the table in front of us to play a video. I watched the five-minute video in disgust. Seducing another woman's husband with nude pictures? That was low.

"I don't believe it. The video is fabricated," James huffed, crossing his arms over his chest defensively.

"Then you should read the man's narration about how your idol seduced him to get roles in movies and how she planned to wreck his marriage. The guy posted the details on his Instagram account," Chloe sneered, tapping her phone to show us.

I read the text with a frown on my face. What was wrong with her? How could she sell her body just to get a role? Maybe this piece of information would end James's obsession and I could be released from the ordeal of watching her movies. But the guy called Kyle was obviously an asshole for shifting all the blames on a woman. Only two could play a game.

"I'm a man myself. Men lie most of the time," James said deadpan.

"Admit it, James. She is just another spoiled, shallow Hollywood actress without morals," Chloe said with a mischievous smile plastering on her face.

"Nah, I watched her interviews before. She is no such person. The video and the man's account are all just lies to smear her," James said matter-of-factly.

"You can tell what a person she is just by watching her interviews? She is an actress. She survives on acting! You are a fool," Chloe exclaimed.

"Yeah, I have a talent in seeing through people. And I can tell that you are jealous that I like her," James wriggled his eyebrow, his lips curled up into a smug smile.

"Stop flattering yourself," Chloe blushed, shrugging her shoulders.

Their banter continued back and forth for a few rounds until it came to a stop. There were times that I believed that Chloe had a crush on James. She was about 21 in a few months and would probably find her mate on her birthday.

I stood up from the lounge and stretched my legs after the movie finally ended. My wolf Maddox was itching to get out and run free in the forest.

"I'm gonna go running," I announced.

"I'll run with you," James said. "Do you want to join us?" He asked Chloe.

"You boys have fun. I promised Mom I'll help her with the garden today," Chloe waved us goodbye.

We walked out of the packhouse and headed toward the entrance of the forest which was just a five-minute walk from my house. Most packs lived close to woods and forests so that our wolves could roam freely whenever they wanted.

James and I stripped our clothes and hid them behind a tree. We shifted into our wolves midair. Mine was a black one and James's wolf Alexander was a brown one. Being the descendant of the strongest Alpha bloodline, Maddox was huge but agile when maneuvering his intimidating body.

I let Maddox take full control of us. His paws hit the soft green lichen coating the floor of the forest. The wind brushed against his silky black fur. He inhaled the fresh air into his lung and exhaled contentedly.

Slowing his speed a little bit so that Alexander could catch up, Maddox scanned the quiet forest. A few omegas were patrolling the area.

"Alpha," they mind-linked me.

"Ask people to get the watch house renovated. We must prepare for a tough winter," I commanded, referring to the one we just passed by. The roof could use a little renovation.

"Yes, Alpha," they said in unison.

"Are we heading to the southern border?" James asked in a mind-link. His wolf had caught up with me.

"Yeah, I want to check the place where the rogues were spotted," I said.

Together we run in an unproclaimed race towards an abandoned cabin where the sighting of rogues was reported a week ago.

After about two hours, we reached our destination. The smell of the rogues was still lingering in the cabin. They must have revisited the place not long ago.

"Have you noticed any abnormalities?" I mind-linked the warriors patrolling the border.

"Not since the last sighting of rouges, Alpha," the warriors replied.

"Reinforce the south border. We had another visit from them after the last one," my voice boomed through the link.

"Yes, Alpha."

We found two sets of fresh prints of paws near the cabin. My wolf Maddox changed glances with James's.

"Want to follow the prints?" James asked.

"Yeah, let's go."

"Alpha, do you need help?" The warriors mind-linked me.

"No, James and I could handle it."

We followed the paw prints carefully. It hadn't rained this week so the prints were still visible. Two rogues had trespassed our pack land judging from the prints.

The smell of rotten flesh became stronger as we ventured into the area that was unclaimed by any pack.

As we neared the smell, two brawny gray wolves came into view.

"Let's get them," James's wolf became very excited. Maddox was the same, too. It had been a while since he hunted anything.

We leaped over the stream separating us from the rogues and landed on the other side of the bank. Startled by our sudden presence, the two rogues ran for their dear lives.

"The bigger one is mine," I proclaimed.

The two wolves ran in different directions. "I will meet you in the cabin," James shouted.

The gray wolf I was hunting was not bad at speed. He ran very fast. But not as fast as Maddox. I decided to let Maddox play with him for a little while. I would let him run as far as he could until he was exhausted. Then I would let Maddox have his fun. A smirk played on Maddox's lips. He liked the idea.

We were very far away from our pack now and very deep into the forest unclaimed by any packs in Maine. A clearing appeared ahead. I decided it was time to end this game. Sharing the same mind with me, Maddox quickened his speed and narrowed our distance with the rogue.

Letting out a menacing growl, Maddox sank his teeth at the wolf's flank. He yelped and howled pathetically. A few different howls echoed in the distance.

Five large wolves leaped into the clearing. Quickly ending the gray wolf's life, Maddox bared his canines to the wolves that were closing in on him.

"This is a trap," Maddox spat angrily.

"They are looking for death. Let's give them what they want," I said and Maddox nodded in agreement.

Charging toward the biggest red wolf directly, Maddox thrashed his claws deep in the wolf's underbelly. The wolf struggled to kick Maddox away. The other wolves attacked us from different directions, but Maddox managed to fend them off.

Sinking his teeth at the red wolf's neck, Maddox killed his life effortlessly. The red wolf died instantly with a whimper. Maddox let out a loud howl, showing his dominance and power.

The rest of the wolves retreated a few steps back, intimidated by Maddox's power and wanting to run. But Maddox lunged at them with force, killing three wolves easily. Now only one left–a tiny gray wolf. The mood of having fun came over Maddox once again. I laid back and let him play.

He started to torture the wolf with painful-yet-not-deadly bites. The tiny wolf whimpered for mercy and gave out angry yet weak growls from time to time, but he was no competitor to Maddox.

Maddox cornered him near a huge boulder. Suddenly, the wolf shifted into his naked human form. Both Maddox and I were shocked by the shift. Shifting during the fight was never a clever strategy. Our human bodies were not as strong as our wolf forms. Any sane wolf wouldn't do so. It would only speed up death.

While we were dazed, the human quickly snatched a dagger from behind the boulder and stabbed at our underbelly.

Wolfsbane. The dagger had wolfsbane on it.

The pain started to reverberate through our bodies. My chest was about to burst open. Sweat began to form on Maddox's head.

Howling angrily, Maddox used all the strength that was left in him and snapped the human's neck, ending his miserable life.

Exhausted, we fell to the ground, unable to move. I could feel the blood oozing from the wound.

I needed to shift to my human form. But I couldn't do it.

I tried to mind-link James, but it didn't come through.

I struggled to crawl in my wolf form inch by inch with pain throbbing in every part of my body. I needed to get out of here in case more rogues found me. I needed to find a safe place to heal as soon as possible.

Without knowing how long I crawled with great difficulty, I lost all my strength and lay on the ground weak and lifeless, feeling consciousness slipping from me. I watched the bright moon shining above the forest through Maddox's golden eyes.

The world was enveloped by darkness.

Hayden

Here I was. Deep in the middle of nowhere in the dense Maine forest. Running away from a Hollywood scandal that probably would cost me my career and a bunch of gangsters who threatened to take my life at their will.

100 grand bucks by the end of this week. Usual old place. Otherwise, you and your brother are dead.

I stared at the text message I just received ten minutes ago. Good. It meant that they were still unaware that I'd left LA if they demanded that I delivered the money at the old place.

It took me almost four days to reach the small cabin in this godforsaken place by driving my old Honda. The cabin belonged to my mom. Taylor and I used to hang out here in Summers.

Speaking of Taylor, I still had no idea what trouble he had got himself into and where he was right now. I tried to call him, but he never picked up his phone.

I knew I would be safe here for the time being. Deep in the woods and far away from the human population, the cabin provided a temporary shelter. It was kept cozy and comfortable by John, a park ranger from a nearby town. Taylor and I saved him from a car accident a few years ago. To show his gratitude, he took care of the cabin for us while we were away.

Plopping down on the weather-beaten couch on the deck, I stared into lush green spruce trees. What does the future have in store for me?

My career would be seriously dented because of this scandal. I was sure about that. If it meant that I had to start from scratch, so be it. I gave up college for an acting career. I had been doing this business for six years. Acting had become the only profession I knew, and I was actually good at it. Only if Lee could land me roles. I wouldn't give the directors an opportunity to regret that they cast me in their movies.

Men? No, thank you. My failed relationships had proved that I was not talented in this department. My ex-boyfriends (adding Kyle to the list) cheated me in one way or another. And I was foolish enough to believe them. Chase slept with my best friend in high school, William cheated on me with his co-worker, Kyle turned me into a despised "homewrecker"...See what I meant? I should steer clear of men and become a nun.

The saddest part was that I devoted my heart and soul to every relationship. I trusted every one of them, their sweet talks. I sincerely thought I would have a future with them every time I started a relationship. Until my devotion became an irony to our relationship. I would cry, take some time to heal, then repeat the same cycle.

I needed to break the cycle. I wouldn't want to end up like mom, hurt by one man after another, taking refuge in drinks and drugs, and eventually wasted by her addictions.

I should live like a man! Or some men, at least. Separate my heart from my body. Enjoy the physical fun but never be the first one to fall in love.

Loud howls sounded in the distance, interrupting my train of thoughts. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I stood to my feet and tried hard to peer into the forest. Were there any creatures I didn't know that wandered in the forest? As a park ranger, John knew this forest very well and told me it was safe, with no dangerous animals like wolves and bears.

I decided to take a look. The forest had become quiet after the initial howls. I trudged on the dirt road that led to the entrance of the cluster of spruce trees.

A soft whimper caught my attention after about a ten-minute walk. I located the source of the sound when I saw a huge black creature lying on the ground. I walked to it in cautious steps, but it didn't make any movement, only raising its head slightly.

I gasped when I saw the blood covering its body. The poor creature was injured. By what? I had no idea. Did it look like a huge black dog? Or maybe a wolf? But John said there were no wolves in this area. Taylor and I never encountered any wolf while we hiked in the forest. I made up my mind. It was a dog. A huge one.

"You poor thing! Who did this to you?" I exclaimed, examining its body carefully. I located the gash where the blood was oozing from. It needed to be treated quickly.

I tried to lift it in my arms, but it was too heavy. My movement must have caused it pain because more whimpers came out of its mouth.

"Sorry," I grimaced. "Wait here, don't move, I'll drive my car," I said not caring if it could understand my words.

I ran at the fastest speed my legs could carry me and drove my car to the place. I carried it to the backseat and drove to the only pet clinic I knew in this area.

"Somebody help me!" I shouted carrying the heavy dog in my arms the minute I barged into the clinic after one hour's drive.

A male in his fifties staggered towards me. The stink of alcohol filled my nostrils. He was drunk!

"Take it to the operation room. I'll do the operation," he gestured to me.

"Are there any other doctors?" I held the dog to my chest tightly. I didn't trust a drunk vet.

"Just me," he said impatiently. "I'm the only vet in this area."

Guess I had no other option but to let him do the operation. I gave up and placed the dog gently on the operation table.

"You will be okay," I whispered to it and stroked its head gently. The dog slowly opened its eyes and stared at me with its mesmerizing golden eyes. I never saw such breathtaking eyes. For a moment, I lost myself in them.

"Move along," the vet's voice jolted me from my trance. I quickly stepped aside and let him do the operation.

The operation was done half an hour later. The vet gave me some pills and asked me to come here two days later with the dog for a check-up.

"Are you sure the dog will be okay?" I asked worriedly, not trusting his skills.

"Get lost. It is now nice and clean. I'm closing," He shoved me impatiently.

Heaving a sigh, I carried the dog in my arms and stalked out of the clinic. I decided if the dog's injury didn't turn better tomorrow morning, I would find another vet. The day was turning dark.

Ryan

I recognized her the minute she stared at Maddox's golden eyes. Hayden Ramirez. The actress who made headlines for her affair with a married director. James's unhealthy obsession. What was she doing here in the dense forest of Maine? Shouldn't she be in LA?

She looked far more beautiful than in movies. I had to admit that. Almond amber eyes that were full of liveliness, a cute button nose that looked adorable and perfect, full sensual pink lips that begged to be kissed, luxuriant brown hair that framed her impeccable heart-shaped face in waves.

She wore a soft loose green jumper and a pair of skinny jeans, which showed off her petite curvy body that made my hands itch to...

No, stop here. James would be thrilled to see her in person. But not me, never had been a fan of her despite the movies James forced me to watch. Her latest scandal appalled me. But I would thank her for saving me and Maddox although it was totally unnecessary because we could heal by ourselves. Her intentions were good. I had to give her the credit.

Until I heard her call me "the dog". What the hell? It was an insult to my dignity as a ferocious predator. She thought I was a dog. The vet was too drunk to see that I was a wolf. But she was one hundred percent sober and sane. How stupid and ignorant she was? She couldn't even tell a wolf from a dog. For Moon Goddess's sake.

She drove us home and placed Maddox on the bed gently. Maddox was sedated and a little bit dizzy. But I could feel that we were healing at a fast pace. Strength returned to our body and the pain was no longer there. I knew that in no time we would be as good as new. The problem was I still couldn't link and shift. I guessed the wolfsbane on the knife really impaired our abilities.

"You are a handsome dog, aren't you?" she said while stroking Maddox's fur softly. Maddox let out a content purr, totally throwing me off balance. Maddox liked her touches? This could not be happening. Our mate Melanie was the only woman he allowed to touch him.

"Stupid woman. I'm a wolf, an alpha of the alphas," I cursed. If only she could hear my words. I would teach her a lesson for belittling an alpha.

I willed Maddox to bare his canines to show the stupid actress who we truly were. But Maddox did the exact opposite. Inching closer to the woman, he nuzzled her and rubbed his furry head against her! My eyeballs dropped from my sockets.

"Maddox, get off her!" I demanded. But Maddox shut me down! For the first time since I had him!

And now he was licking her chin happily like a puppy! I almost fainted at the sight. This wasn't my wolf. My terrifying, power-exuding, dominating alpha wolf. The strongest wolf on the east coast and chair of the East Alphas Federation. What was this woman doing to him?

"Ew, slow down, buddy. Your saliva is all over me," she grimaced, wiping her face with her hands.

Wrong words! What she said only spurred Maddox on. He pushed her over on the bed and began licking all over her.

I inwardly covered my face. He was out of control. He was fawning over an ignorant human he just met.

The woman giggled. "You really like me, don't you, big dog?" she said, breathing hard.

We were not dogs! I growled inwardly and frustratedly. After I fully recovered and was able to shift again, I would show her what an alpha I was!

But her flushing face did look adorable with her sparkling amber eyes. Her chest was heaving up and down alluringly. Maybe I should suck...

Nope, no, this was not going to happen. I was the rational and calm one who used his mind. Unlike Maddox! I chastised myself.

"Maybe I should adopt you after I return to LA," she said, nuzzling her face against Maddox.

"I should give you a name. What about Fluffy? I always wanted to have a dog called Fluffy when I was a child but my mom's allergy forbade us to have one." She tapped one finger on her chin, thinking aloud.

Damn Maddox purred in agreement and licked her even harder, making her giggle.

We were not pets! Damn you, Maddox. You were an alpha wolf, and we had a pack to take care of. We belonged in the wild. And Fluffy??? What kind of name was that? I shouted but to no avail. All Maddox could hear was this woman's bewitching words because he shut me down.

Damn me, too! Why did I feel every fiber of my body come alive?

I groaned. What was wrong with me?

"You like the idea, don't you, huh?" the woman said cheerily, wrapping her arms around our body, her chest pressing tightly against us.

I froze while Maddox used the opportunity to sniff and inhale her scent.

The intoxicating scent of rose petals. I hadn't been so close to a woman since my mate passed away three years ago.

My mate. The love of my life. The light of my eyes.

Suddenly, the link between me and Maddox reconnected. It must be the thought of Melanie. I now took full control of us.

I wriggled our body from her clutch and created a safe distance between her and us on the bed. Maddox was not happy about it. He thought I was too rough on her. I rolled my eyes. I didn't care about any woman other than our mate.

Melanie. My heart wept again at the loss of my sweet, young, innocent mate. Maddox felt the unbearable pain too. He missed his mate. It was tough on him as it was on me. It still was on both of us today.

For weres, mates were destined forever. The death of a were's mate was destructive enough to leave the one living going insane and even seeking suicide to be iberated from the insufferable heart-wrenching pain.

Maddox and I were both miserable and suicidal in the first two years. But Maddox was the weaker one considering he was more about instinct while I was more about the mind. To protect Maddox from going crazy, I always shut him down when I mourned our mate.

Now the thought of our dead mate drove a knife right into Maddox's heart. He whimpered for the loss.

"Oh, I'm sorry, buddy. I forgot you are injured. I must have hurt you," the woman said with concern laced in her voice.

"How about I sing you a lullaby as an apology?" she beamed.

I rolled my eyes. She first mistook us for a dog, now a baby? But her gentle and sweet voice did calm my frayed nerves. A low content purr rumbled through Maddox's chest.

I closed my eyes, letting exhaustion and her sweet voice take us to the sweet dreamland.

Until a hard slap on my face and a painful kick in my groin woke me from the deep slumber.

"You sick pervert! Why are you on my bed? Did you kill my dog?" The stupid woman, Hayden Ramirez, glowered at me with disgust.