WANTED; THE ALPHA'S HUMAN MATE

~Chapter One~

Elara's POV

"Just do it, Elara," Sarai whispered from behind me. "Give it to the man at the head of the table. I promise he will clear your debt to the house. You'll finally be free from your aunt's torment."

I sighed.

This was my only chance to cover three months of rent my aunt had been piling up on me.

I could almost hear her voice in my head: "You only enjoy what you earn in this house, pay up, or leave."

At first, I thought I could just leave. Start over. But where? The streets? Cold and hungry, while my aunt would go around telling everyone how useless I was?

No. I couldn't bear the thought.

Sarai had been the only one willing to help. We had known each other for just three months as our new neighbor, yet she proved to be a friend and confidant, showing up whenever I had auntie problems.

She wiped my tears earlier and whispered, "There's a private party tonight across town, and there you can make triple what you owe. You just need to serve the host in both ways.

She winked afterwards, expecting me to understand that.

"One night and you're done with your aunt's cruelty. Probably get a place with the money, " she added.

My stomach twisted at her words, but I accepted without thinking.

I had no choice but to accept a cost I wasn't ready to pay because I had realized survival didn't ask for dignity.

The moment I arrived at the ball with her, I got disoriented when she gave me the drink meant only for him.

I carried the tray, my hands trembling. My palms were really sweaty, making it slippery.

Focus! I told myself, shaking my head.

The walls were too high, carved with strange moons and wolf-like creatures I couldn't identify. The building looked older, but modern too.

I did not think twice about following her to a neighboring town I knew nothing about. But now my chest pounded profusely; I wondered if I had made a mistake.

High-class men and women filled the ballroom; jewelry gleamed under the chandeliers.

Yet, still different from anywhere I had ever been.

I stared at the huge men at the table. The air around them seemed to vibrate with suffocating pressure.

Their eyes were shining unusually, and they turned at every sound I made.

I appeared like a chick in a room full of hawks.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked Sarai, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, I am. You need the money, don't you?" She shoved me forward. "Go now, don't keep him thirsty."

Her words echoed in my head. I hated that I was agreeing to this. Hated that it had come to this.

I swallowed hard, holding the tray tight. All I could think about was making it through without messing up.

I stepped into the ballroom, keeping my head low, trying to keep my balance from falling.

My stomach twisted so hard. With their eyes on me, I didn't dare to look back.

Don't trip.

Please don't draw attention. I kept telling myself.

I walked straight to the man. He looked like the most influential among them, with a broad chest, sharp jaw, his Black hair falling over his forehead, and his dark eyes gave me chills.

I got lost in them; my heart beat differently in a way I had never before. This time, far from fear.

"Your drink, sir," I managed to say.

At that moment, I thought I had overcome my fear, but his gaze on me was like a weight pinning me to the spot.

He reached out. His fingers brushed mine in a way that made me gasp, nearly dropping the tray. He paused, his dark eyes narrowing as he took the glass.

He didn't look away from me as he tilted his head back, and I watched him gulp it down in one go.

I bowed my head slightly, yet my eyes still lingered on him.

Oh my... the sight of him was beautiful.

He scoffed as the sound alerted me back. "More," he said with a smirk.

I swallowed and quickly looked away.

And just like that, his body went rigid. In a split second, his hand held his throat as he let go of the glass, and it shattered on the floor, the dark red liquid splashing across his white shirt like blood.

"Alpha!" Everyone present shouted, leaping from their chairs and surrounding him.

Alpha? Was that his name? My eyes widened at the sight of him falling to the ground. Is he okay?

Many questions replayed in my head at once, and my heart beat fast.

He collapsed forward. Dark foam bubbled at the corner of his mouth.

They surrounded him. Some checked his heartbeat.

"Call the pack doctor!" someone shouted. The word made my head spin. Pack doctor?

Within minutes, a man in a white coat arrived, examining him quickly.

Some people's eyes were already fixed on me now.

My stomach twisted as I wished the ground would swallow me.

"Wolfsbane," he said, with a pale face. "Someone poisoned him."

Everyone gasped aloud, including me. My body began to burn hot in a cold room.

"Bring the healing potion," he ordered his assistant.

"What?" One of the men beside him shouted. "Who would dare?"

All who handled the food and drinks tonight, step forward," he commanded.

I moved forward, gripped the tray tighter like a lifeline, trying to steady my hands from shaking.

The kitchen staff moved forward into a line; their eyes widened, hands holding onto their clothes.

He moved down the line, his eyes scanning us. "Who did this ?"

"You know the rules of this pack. Anyone who tries to harm the Alpha will face punishment and double if they don't come forward immediately." He added.

My heart pounded so hard when I saw the fear on everyone else's faces as the men dressed in black questioned them, but they all pleaded innocent.

My gaze kept moving to Sarai before the guards approached her. I got scared for her.

"Don't lie. You did this," one of the men interrogated.

"No..." She pressed her hand to her chest, eyes widened and teary. "I didn't do it." She pointed at me. "She did it!"

Everyone turned and gasped at me.

"Wait, how?" I stepped backwards, my eyes wide open. My ears started ringing.

It all went like a drama play I wasn't part of.

I whispered, "Sarai, cut the joke. It's not the time."

"Yes. I saw you, Elara! I asked what was in it and you lied to me!" She yelled.

Trying to take a step back, two massive guards grabbed my arms so hard it hurt my shoulders.

I struggled to run, but their grip on me was strong.

"What are you saying?" I stuttered, looking towards Sarai.

I was panting like I had run a marathon. I couldn't even think.

"Why would I do that?" I said, trying to defend myself.

She didn't look back. She was already tucked behind a massive man in a suit, her face hidden.

"Wicked bitch! You tried to poison the Alpha?" someone in the crowd yelled.

"No, no... I didn't- "

I wasn't even done with my sentence when a painful slap landed on my face.

"Who sent you!" she screamed at the top of her voice.

"I have nothing to do with this!" I yelled, tears rolling down my cheeks. "I just came to work. Sarai, please tell them."

"I can't defend this atrocity, Elara. she replied coldly. "Count me out!"

"What?"

What was happening here? What came over Sarai all of a sudden?

All eyes stared at me with hate and disgust. I couldn't believe my quest for survival would lead to my doom at the hands of a friend I trusted. It played out like a dream.

"Then explain what's happening?" she said, pointing to him.

I turned, and all I could hear was a growl. His fingernails lengthened into black claws, and his skin folded like something was moving beneath it.

Everywhere was silent now.

"He's... he's breathing," someone whispered.

He sat up. He didn't look like the man who had been lying almost dead. His dark eyes were now glowing gold.

Everywhere suddenly became stone quiet.

My heart stopped. What the fuck is he? What's happening here?

I sobbed, struggling against the guards. "Please!"

He moved toward me slowly, his eyes locked on mine as the guards stepped back, bowing their heads.

I gasped as he leaned down, his hand brushing my shoulder before gripping my neck just enough to pin me in place.

He sniffed me, his nose close to my hair, and a strange heat radiated off him, almost enough to burn my skin.

The tables shook slightly. The people around him trembled, almost losing their stance.

What was he?

"A human," he said with a loud voice that sent heat through my chest. "Sent to kill me?"

He let out a terrifying laugh after that.

Human? What else would I be?

"No...Please, I wouldn't dare." I stammered, shaking my head.

His beautiful face and sharp jaw with glowing eyes sent shivers down my spine. I almost forgot my agony for a moment.

I didn't know what he was, yet I thought I had fallen into the wrong trap.

His hot breath against my ear snapped me back to reality, and a whisper that was about to turn my life into a living hell followed.

"I'm going to make you wish you had succeeded, little girl."

~Chapter Two~

Elara's POV

Blindfolded, all I could hear were footsteps.

Who were these people?

Heat flowed through my stomach. My hands wouldn't stop shaking no matter how hard I tried.

"And keep her in the room next to mine."Those were his last words to his guards after my plea of being innocent.

He showed no mercy.

As he commanded, I felt a strong forward push; afterward, I heard the door click from the outside.

I removed the blindfold, and tears rolled down my face.

But when I looked around, I gasped, stunned by the beautiful, well-lit room with a large bed, clean curtains, and a chandelier.

Nothing like the tiny space I had slept in at my aunt's, where I had a leaking roof, a broken mat, and a cold floor.

Why would a prisoner be thrown into a room this luxurious? Now I could only imagine how his room would be.

I rushed to the door and banged on it consistently. I lost count.

"Please let me out!" I cried out loud as I fell to the ground. "What are you going to do to me now?"

There was no answer. Outside, everything seemed still. I could barely hear movements.

What the hell was going on? Did Sarai mean all those things she said? What was the man at the table changing into? Everything I saw out there wasn't real, right?

Panic kicked in. The walls started to feel like they were closing in.

I needed to escape from here; otherwise, who knew what they were up to.

I searched the room desperately, under the bed, behind the curtains, everywhere. Looking for another exit, a key, anything to escape from. Yet, nothing.

I paced around, my mind numb with ideas of escape.

I nearly tripped over my own feet.

After hours, I got tired.

"Why me?"

How had I gotten into this situation in one night? I guess it was stupid of me to trust Sarai. I hit my fist on the wall.

My eyes burned from crying all night until I dozed off.

The next morning...

I heard footsteps coming from outside. I bolted up, moving backwards.

The door clicked open, and two heavy men moved close to me, grabbed my arms, and dragged me through a hallway.

I twisted my arms. "Let me go!"

At that moment, I got too weak to talk. I had been restless all through the night, unable to sleep.

They brought me to a halt in a large hall with the same moon and wolf animal markings.

What was going on here?

At the center was a long table. The Man they called Alpha was seated in the middle, his face stone cold.

I had seen him revive from poison and almost transform into something else. I was terrified of what he was.

My body fidgeted even though I tried to look strong.

The lady who slapped me sat beside him with a satisfying smile, followed by another fierce-looking man. And the audience was tall, intimidating.

"Alpha Kai," the man called out.

"Yes, Elder," he replied, bowing slightly.

"I hear the human girl tried to poison you," he said" Do you know her?

"No trace, " Kai answered coldly.

The Elder sighed. "She will be judged today by you before the Knight pack and Great Council elders. We do not ignore threats that involve our Alpha." He said, bowing slightly.

So this is a courtroom. I'm definitely dead.

My knees almost gave out hearing that.

The Alpha looked at me.

"What's your name? And where do you reside?" His dark eyes locked onto mine, sending a rush of cold through me.

"I am Elara Thompson. I reside with my aunt at Sidehill," I replied in a low voice.

"What brought you here?"

I opened my mouth, and the words hooked in my throat as I looked away from him.

Was I really about to tell them I came to serve, seduce, and sleep with him?

"That's the first offence. You invaded werewolves' territory and served at a party you weren't invited to?"

Huh? Werewolf? I was lost in a daze for a second, trying to understand what the fuck he meant by werewolves? It couldn't be real, right?

I shivered, tapping my fingers nervously.

I didn't believe in werewolves from stories, but everything I had seen in this place was anything but funny.

"I was-"

He cut me off. "You only talk when I ask. Is that clear?"

I nodded. Trying so much to hold back my tears.

"You served me a poisoned drink. Who sent you? What's your plea?"

"I plead not guilty," I stammered. "No one sent me."

"But you served the drink?" He yelled, hitting his fist on the table.

The sound was so loud that I shook unexpectedly. "Sarai asked me to serve you." I stuttered; tears welled up in my eyes.

"Who is Sarai?" He asked.

Before I could answer, the woman who slapped me stood up. "Lying bitch," she spat. "You tried to kill my nephew."

"I don't even know how to kill," I whispered, trying not to cry.

"Shut up!" She yelled before sitting down.

I had never felt more scared and humiliated.

The thought of no one coming to save me from them made my legs shake even more. It made me want to piss on myself.

"Do you have evidence that you didn't?" the elder asked.

My mind went blank as I squeezed my fist.

Sarai was my only proof.

"Speak up," the Elder growled. His voice brought me back to reality.

"No, but Sarai-"

"Is Sarai present?" the elder asked before I could finish.

"No, my lord." One of the guards replied. "From the onset, there was no one by the name at the party."

My heart stopped.

How? Is this a dream? I cried out; I couldn't hold it anymore.

The hall filled with whispers.

"What's going on?" My head started to spin. "We were together, please believe me."

Everything played out like a dream.

I wish I had stayed back. Maybe being thrown to the street would have made much more sense.

"Enough," the Alpha commanded before the men at the table whispered among themselves like they were deciding my fate.

The Elder spoke up. "Based on lack of evidence in the defendant's favor, the council finds the accused guilty of attempted murder. This crime is punishable by death, and your death will send a hint to your masters not to cross our paths again."

Everything went silent in my head. Did he just say death?

"Kill the human!"

"Kill her!"

"Kill her!"

The crowd growled. Reciting it like a rhyme.

Some scratched the floor with their claws.

"No...no, please I'm innocent." I knelt, pleading.

My hands shook. "I didn't do it," I said with a cracked voice.

I looked at the Alpha, but he didn't look back.

He turned his face slightly, as if he were not concerned.

Who was going to save me now? Obviously not my aunty.

The elder turned to him. "Alpha Kai. Before we dismember her in front of everyone, what are your last words to your attempted killer?"

Last words? A cold shiver ran down my spine. Uncontrollable tears rushed down my face.

God, was this my poor end? Die for what I didn't do in the hands of strangers?

The guards held me up with their sharp claws stretched towards me while everyone in the hall silently turned to Kai.

He walked up to me, just a few steps away, His eyes fixed on mine.

"Please have mercy," I pleaded like my life depended on him.

"You should never have come here," he whispered with a calm voice. "Now you will never get to see daylight again."

My feet turned cold as chills ran through my spine.

I shut my eyes and squeezed my hands.

It was really happening.

Memories of my horrible life crashed into my mind. Yet it was worth living for my Mom.

He turned to the audience. "With the power vested in me as both the Alpha and the victim of this attack," he paused, letting the words weigh heavily deep in my heart. "I command her to be set free and completely free of charges," he continued.

What? My jaw dropped at that instant. Was this another chance?

Whispers filled the air.

"What do you mean, Kai?" His aunt, who slapped me, asked. "Why spare a human girl who tried to murder you?"

Another voice came from the audience.

He turned to me, and for a minute he said nothing before he turned back to them."Because she's your future Luna."

~Chapter Three~

Kai's POV

"Mate! She is our Mate!" My wolf stirred, trying to resurface.

As an alpha, I had learnt how to suppress my wolf from dominating.

But this time he growled loudly at the back of my head, making it unbearable to suppress.

I clenched my fist underneath the council table as I continued to stare at the audience.

"Calm down. What do you mean by she is our Mate? She's human." I asked.

"She's Mate." He whispered. "Save Mate."

Like seriously? Three years of desperately searching for a mate to become unstoppable, yet nothing. Now the goddess decided to play a sick joke on me by giving me a human girl as My Mate?

And only a few months ago I had a meeting with the council elders. My father, aunt, and everyone came to the conclusion I wasn't a better Alpha without a mate. And my options were to find a mate soon enough or leave my position open.

I swore that was not going to happen.

Now the Moon Goddess tested that patience with a human.

When she stepped into the courtroom, my senses got heightened. Her scent unusually came to me, masked in lavender.

At first I thought my wolf was picking up the wrong scent. Probably a mistake.

I ignored it, trying to focus on the trial.

Yet the more I stared at her, the more my wolf wanted to take over.

When the elder announced her execution, my wolf snapped.

I had a strong pull from him. One I hadn't experienced before.

"Save Mate." The word kept echoing in my head. I couldn't bear it anymore.

The elder turned to me. I tucked in, pretending to look okay.

"Alpha Kai. Before we dismember her in front of everyone, what are your last words to your attempted killer?"

I stood up with the intention to say my last words and get rid of her.

Her presence was a threat. Still, I needed her to keep my position.

I needed just one more sign to confirm she was my mate.

I walked up to her, my eyes steady on her, curious to know if she was truly who my wolf longed for.

"Please have mercy," she kept pleading like her lifeline was at stake.

Of course she was. The closer I got to her, my wolf tingled.

"She's Our Mate. Save her"

Her eyes drew me closer. It gave me a certain weakness and strength. I couldn't grasp what she was doing to my wolf.

What was she?

I whispered to her, hearing alone, "You should never have come here; now you will never get to see daylight again." I ended with a sly smile.

I could see sweat drop from her neck, and her feet shook slowly.

At this moment, I could tell the whole idea of her being mine would frighten her.

She shut her eyes, already accepting her death sentence with pain that she didn't get to live for her late Mom.

I was stunned and amused by how much I could feel the weight of her heartbeat.

I mean, I have heard how people find their mate. Their senses become more heightened, but this was certainly new for me. I smirked.

Every eye in the hall turned to me as I swallowed hard. This was the hardest thing I've ever had to say in my three years of being an Alpha.

Yet my wolf wouldn't let me say otherwise with his voice stuck in my head. "Save mate. Save mate"

I cleared my throat. "With the power vested in me as both the Alpha and the victim of this attack," I paused, my eyes falling back to her. "I command her to be set free and completely free of charges."

Whispers filled the air as I expected.

"What do you mean, Kai?" My aunt snapped.

I knew she was never going to support it. Not for a human.

"Why spare a human girl that tried to murder you? Another voice came from the audience."

"Because she is your Future Luna." I replied, turning back to face her. "My mate."

"That's impossible!"

"The Alpha's mate cannot be human!"

"The Moon Goddess would never!"

The hall turned noisy.

Heat spread through my chest as I wasn't used to being opposed.

They growled, staring like they wanted to tear us apart.

"Enough!" I growled, my voice echoing through the hall.

My wolf was almost taking over. My eyes turned gold. My canines lengthened slightly, claws stretched out.

One by one they all turned silent, lowering their heads.

"My wolf accepts her," I said, firmly turning to face them.

"Tell me, does the mate bond lie? Or does the Moon Goddess make mistakes now?"

This time, light murmurs spread again. They all looked confused.

"This is not acceptable, Kai," My aunt spat.

"Kai, think carefully," the elder warned.

"I have," I cut him off. "She is under my protection. Any wolf who questions that challenges me."

I turned to her. Being so close made me want to have her all to myself.

I tilted her chin up, brushing her lower lip.

My gold eyes glowed faintly. I said with a deep, calm voice, "You belong to me."

"How? I don't belong anywhere close to werewolves or whatever you call yourself," she murmured, shaking.

I smirked, still close. "My wolf chose you. So it doesn't matter."

Her face turned pale. "Choose me as what?"

My voice dropped low. "As my mate."

"M-Mate?" She gasped.

"Yes. Sacred couples," I whispered.

"Wait, you must be joking, right?" she paused. "No, this must certainly be a joke," she nodded.

"Do you or wolf claim people without their permission?" She stuttered, barely loud.

"Yes," I replied calmly, tucking in the side of her hair. "You're mine now."

And for a second, everywhere was silent; it felt like the world revolved around us.

"Please let me go home. I promise never to come back!" She pleaded with her hands clasped together.

I scoffed. "Home? To whom? You and I know you're neither happy at home."

"Elara, this is your new home."

"No... no, please." Her eyes widened as she suddenly gripped my hand.

"Dress her up," I ordered the guards to drag her out of the courtroom.

I was fully dressed with a white shirt and pants for the wedding, gently adjusting my sleeves in front of the mirror.

The image of my pack members questioning my orders got to me.

It had never occurred before. The same as the history of Alpha's being mated to a human was hardly possible.

The Goddess wouldn't offer me a second chance wolf mate. Even if she did, by then I would have lost Alpha. She was my ticket, yet my wolf had a strong connection for her.

A sudden knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in." I turned around.

My cousin, Kelvin, was moving toward me with a glass of wine.

Looking carefree for someone who had just lost his chance of being Alpha. Probably here to rant.

"I don't need you here," I said, "except you're here to rant about how your plans to dethrone me are failing."

"Come on, man," he replied. "Who cares about being Alpha when I can get all the ladies I want just by being your Beta?" He chuckled.

"Enough of your jokes," I glared at him.

Why would I even think he wanted Alpha when he was so carefree about life? He had never been built for higher responsibilities. While I carried heavy duties growing up, he preferred fashion and women. He wasn't even fit.

He was many things but not a betrayer.

"Mom is complaining you're getting married to a human," he said. "The one who tried to poison you."

"She didn't poison me," I snapped. "And that's none of your business."

He raised his hands. "Relax. I'm in support. She's your mate after all."

My wolf stirred up at the word, "mate." Yet it left me unsettled.

"But come to think of it, Kai. How did you get mated to a human?" he asked.

It was a question I had to ask myself over again.

"A human mate hasn't happened in centuries. That alone is a problem," I replied.

"I've tried to put my head around the fact that she might not be my mate," I continued, "but my wolf has never been this attracted to anyone else. He is certain."

"Surprising," Kelvin said.

"And that night, she stormed into my party and offered me a drink that was poisoned," I scoffed. "Tell me, could that be a coincidence?"

He sighed. "What do you think?"

"I did some digging," I replied. "She is nobody from a small town on the side hill. Lives with her aunt, who mistreats her. Her mom is dead. Her father abandoned her when she was young and is nowhere to be found."

Kelvin shrugged. "Quite a humble background."

"So who poisoned my drink?" I asked. "And how did she become the one to deliver it? Because my wolf is certain she didn't do it."

He sighed deeply. "The Moon Goddess always has answers. We need to watch our backs. I advise that we don't trust her fully yet, even as your mate, until we know what she's up to."

I nodded slowly.

Suddenly, loud footsteps rushed toward the door.

"Alpha!" Your bride has escaped," the guard said aloud. "She is nowhere to be found."

My chest heated up. "How did she escape?"