Lola's POV

" I, Grayson Dawson, Alpha of the Moonlit pack, reject you, Lola Ashton, as my mate and Luna of this pack," I heard Grayson's voice reach my ear and a single tear ran down my left cheek as it felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. 

Why me? Why am I always on the receiving end of bad things? What have I ever done to deserve this? I wanted to scream and shout at him. I'm his mate, his fated one, and he's rejecting me because I'm the runt of the pack? More tears ran down my cheeks, and I saw him smile at my misfortune.

"I, Lola Ashton, accept..." I did not finish my sentence before he held me up by my throat and snarled in my face. His eyes had already changed colors, so I knew his wolf was in charge.

" You will not reject me, slut. I am your owner, and I tell you what to do and when!" He slapped me across the face and threw me on the ground.

I struggled to catch my breath, and tears ran down my face freely. I shouldn't have been born. I haven't done anything to deserve this at all.

Jasmine howled in pain in my head, and I doubled over in pain, clutching at my chest. I just want this to be over and done with. Maybe when I die, all this pain will go.

I heard mocking laughter above my head and looked up only to see Freya. Freya is the daughter of the current Beta and soon-to-be Luna. She's everything I am not—beautiful blue eyes with shiny blonde hair, killer body, glowing skin, strong, and extremely wicked.

She stood there with her minions, looking at me with...pity? I couldn't quite place what that emotion in her eye was. She laughed all of a sudden and kicked me in the stomach. She pulled my hair and slapped me, making me fall back on the floor.

"You actually thought you could be Luna? That Grayson will pick you over me? You're just a worthless bitch that nobody will love. You bring bad luck and misfortune to people around you. You're a whore that will die alone because no one wants to be with you," she spat in my face and kicked me in the ribs with her heels.

I could not say anything because it would be deemed rude, which would worsen my punishment. Her minions held me up as she slapped me repeatedly and punched me in the stomach.

She laughed maniacally as I screamed out in pain, and tears ran down my cheeks. When she was done with me, she threw me on the ground, making me hit my head in the process.

Jasmine was quiet in my head; she's always trying to take all of my pains away, but the abuses never stop. We've hoped for 8 years that we'd finally find our mate, our one true love bestowed upon us by the Moon goddess, and they will love us unconditionally; that's what mates do. We really hoped we'd be free from this slavery, constant mockery, and abuse, but all that has gone down the drain now.

All these sufferings started 8 years ago when my parents, the then Alpha and Luna of the Moonlit pack, died in a rogue incident, and the blame was placed on me. I was just 10. I did not know what really happened; one moment, I was chatting happily with Mom and Dad, and they were gone before I could blink my eye.

The pack blamed me and stripped me of my Alpha powers; they could not allow a traitor to rule them. Even now, I still don't know what I did wrong or what went wrong. I just had to bear the brunt of it all because the current Alpha, who was my father's Beta, said so.

I was demoted to an omega, the lowest rank for any wolf - the biggest insult to any wolf of high ranking. I became the slave of the pack at a young age. All the people who were nice to me became my enemies and treated me like trash.

"Jasmine, I'm so sorry for putting us through all of this; if only I wasn't so weak, if only I could stand up for us. I know you've always wanted your mate. I'm so sorry, Jas," I cried through our mindlink.

"None of this is your fault, Lola, I'm sorry for not being able to protect you more. If only I could shift and take all your pain away," Jasmine whimpered in my head sadly.

Nobody has ever seen Jasmine, I've only ever met her once myself and that was before Mom and Dad passed away. She's a pure white wolf with golden eyes. She's a very pretty wolf, but Mom and Dad said I have to keep her hidden. They never told me why.

I knew I was special. Mom always called me 'her special little wolf'. Others got their wolf at age 16. Alphas got theirs at age 14, but I've had Jas since I was 8. Besides, I've never seen anyone with a pure white wolf and golden eyes.

Everyone thought I didn't have a wolf and looked down on me because of it. We've not been able to shift even if we wanted to because we don't have the energy for that. There's barely enough to eat, and the beatings we get each day are enough to weaken any wolf. I'm surprised I still have Jasmine with me.

I suddenly felt fire in my lower stomach and cried out painfully. People were passing, but no one paid me any attention. Nobody cared if I died; they actually wanted me dead.

Jasmine howled in pain in my head as the pain ran wildly through every vein in my body, and I knew Grayson was already getting it on with Freya. This is why he did not allow me to reject him; he knew I was going to be in pain if he was with another woman besides me, and fresh tears started pouring down my cheeks.

I weakly stood up and went towards my room in the cold basement. The pain did not stop; it only got worse. I could barely see where I was going and tripped twice. I wanted to curl up and die; it felt like lava was running through my veins, and I removed all my clothes and lay on the stone bed that I always sleep on.

The pain gradually subsided, and Jasmine went silent in my head. She was sad, and I was very sad, too. I just wanted to be special to someone; I didn't want a lot.

I knew I had to escape this hellhole somehow. I had been bearing it because of the thought of a mate, but now that there's nothing here for me, I had to leave. 

Grayson and Freya's coronation as the new Alpha and Luna is tomorrow evening. I have to leave. Jasmine and I deserve better, and I need to give it to her.

"Hang in there, Jasmine. I'll get us out of here as soon as possible, I promise," I said to Jasmine and heard her lowly whining in acknowledgement of my words as I drifted off to sleep.

Lola's POV

I was startled awake when I felt water on my body; I was still processing where the water could have come from when I felt stinging pain across my cheeks. I opened my eyes and saw Aaron, Grayson's best friend, standing over me with a bucket in his hand. He must have dumped the bucket of water on my head.

"Get up bitch!" He barked at me, making me stand up quickly, almost tripping on my feet. I remembered stripping myself of all my clothes the night before and rushed to cover my body, earning myself another slap on the cheek. I fell down, hitting my head on my stone bed. I felt sticky liquid trickling down my forehead and lowly hissed in pain.

"You think because you're Gray's mate, you'd be treated differently? You're just a stupid nobody who will never be recognized. Freya is our Luna. You're just a wretched bitch that will die lonely," he said to me mockingly and kicked me repeatedly.

I'm sure my body has fresh bruises; the ones that were there are still taking time to heal. I have to get Jas and me out of here; I'd die at this rate if I refused to do something. 

"You have a lot to do today. We're crowning our new Alpha and Luna today, and everything has to be fully prepared for that," he barked at me. I nodded my head meekly while looking at the floor.

He held my chin roughly and made me look him in the eye, "You should be grateful I came to get you and not Grayson. You were trying to seduce whoever came to get you? Nobody will want you; your body is not even attractive. You'd be good to relieve stress, though, pathetic little bitch," he spoke as he groped me.

I felt disgusted and wanted to crawl out of my skin as he touched me. Tears poured down my face, but I dared not talk back or refuse, or I'd be in more trouble. 

"Be out in 5 minutes, bitch, or there will be consequences," he barked at me and left me after slapping me one more time.

The torture and pain never stop. We all used to be friends, but then they suddenly turned on me. I wish it would stop; I haven't done anything wrong.

I knew I had to get up before the punishment got worse. I always get up early. I must have been so drained from what happened yesterday. I got up, went to the basin at the corner of my room, washed my face, and wore my dirty gown like that.

I packed my once platinum blonde hair that's now dirty brown due to the dirt that has accumulated in it. I've never enjoyed basic amenities since I became an omega: no new clothes, I only take my bath once a week, and I barely have enough water to wash my hair or even look remotely good. I only eat leftovers from the pack; sometimes, I'm not even allowed to eat. This is not a life I'd wish on anyone. Even the poorest in the pack don't live like this.

I limped to the kitchen, doing my best to avoid pack members to avoid any additional punishment or insult that morning. As my luck would have it, I met the current Luna, Grayson's mom, and Freya in the kitchen, discussing clothes and fashion.

Immediately after I entered the pack kitchen, Luna Natalie sprung on me and barked out orders. Freya looked like she was enjoying my pain as Luna listed out what I was supposed to do before her son's coronation tonight. 

I nodded my head, and she left the kitchen with Freya behind her, not before she "accidentally" spilled the drink she was having before I came in and broke the the glass, leaving it for me to clean.

I sighed in relief as they both left without touching me. They must be in a good mood today. I rushed to wash the plates used by the pack members that morning. My stomach grumbled as I thought about food. I had not eaten anything since yesterday afternoon, and I probably won't be getting food until evening. I sighed and carried on with my job.

The pack's ballroom was next. I had to make it squeaky clean or get a beating from Luna Natalie. I got to work cleaning it and was done by noon. I had to clean the whole pack house, too, and could barely stand by the time I was done. I hate my life.

I haven't heard from Jasmine all day. She was probably still recovering from yesterday night. The wolf feels it most when their partner has sex with another she-wolf. I felt so sad for her, and that only fueled my determination to break free from this cruel pack that had deemed me worthless.

Hearing voices, I snapped out of my thoughts and tried to make myself small on instinct. It was probably time for lunch, and my stomach grumbled again, even though I knew I wouldn't be getting any food until nighttime. I felt him before I saw him and went still as I felt him move closer to me. I dare not look up at him if I do not want more problems for myself.

He lifted my chin and looked into my eyes. He smirked evilly at me, and I felt my ears ringing before I could even process what was going on. He slapped me. I did not even do anything wrong, and he slapped me; I heard people around me laughing mockingly. 

"You dare to be in the same room as me and look me in the eye, slut? What have I told you about disrespect and the consequences that come with it?" he growled at me angrily and gripped my chin to the point that it started hurting.

Tears streamed down my face, and Jasmine whimpered lowly in my head; her mate was hurting her, and she could not even communicate with his wolf side because she had to stay hidden for our safety. She receded to the back of my mind, leaving me to face this monster alone. I guess I'm on my own now.

"I need to teach you a lesson that will permanently put you in your place, a lesson I should have taught you sooner. You'd be ready for me tonight; I'd take you however I want, and you'll take it like the whore that you are. Make sure you clean up nice after my coronation tonight. I'll deal with you, and others can have their turn," he said, and loud cheers went off in the room.

I could not believe my ears. He was going to ra*e me. He was going to ra*e me; they're horrible people, but no one ever dared to take my innocence. I've lost everything. I can't lose the only dignity I have left. 

I felt disgusted and wanted to puke out my insides. How can anyone be so vile and cruel? He said he wanted to ra*e me, and everyone cheered him on? Freya was in the room when he said it, and she had no problems with that. Just great.

He said right after their coronation. I need to get as far away from here as I can. I can't go on like this. This pack is fucked up, and I refuse to live like this anymore. I'd rather go rogue than live in a pack that has no mercy for those who were once a part of them.

They shortly left, and I fell to the ground; I was still in shock at what I saw and heard. He was going to break me completely and then give me to his friends to humiliate. I won't wait for such to happen. 

I'll protect you, Jas. I'll protect us. I'll not let anybody taint you. I'd rather die running, were my thoughts as I finally found the strength to leave my position on the floor and made my way to the basement.

Tonight. I have to leave tonight!

Lola's POV

Tonight. I have to leave tonight.

I sat down on my stone bed, thinking about my life so far. Jasmine has been holding on for too long. I can't let her go through this anymore.

I used to be almost everyone's favorite in the pack until Mom and Dad passed. I don't know what came over Aunt Natalie and Uncle Andrew, Grayson's mom and dad. It's like they've been waiting for the opportunity to make me worthless. They used to be very nice until they were not.

People who were not in the pack before that incident did not know I was the daughter of the last Alpha and Luna. Everybody in the wolf world thought I was dead; at least, that's what I heard. 

I can't get ra*ed; I can't get my innocence taken away from me, and by that vile bastard nonetheless. I have to come up with a plan; I don't care if I die running; I have to leave this fucked up pack before I am humiliated.

I have to eat this afternoon, I'll need the energy if I'm going to be running. That bastard is definitely going to send people after me, so I have to be in my wolf form. 

"Jasmine, you there?" I mindlinked Jas and she whimpered in response in my head. "I'll need you tonight, girl. I'll need you if I'm ever going to make it out alive. I can't let him do this to me, to us. We have to fight our way out of this bondage. We waited because we thought we might find love but it's over now, Jas. We need to run," I said pleadingly to Jasmine.

"I don't know if I can do it for us, Lola. What if we get killed on sight because of my fur color? What if he catches up to us? What if we don't make it alive? I'm so weak, and I've only ever shifted once. I don't want to let you down. Lola." Jasmine said weakly in my head, and fresh tears ran down my cheeks. We don't deserve any of this.

"Jas, we need to try, girl. There's a full moon out tonight. I heard we get stronger when there's a full moon. Maybe that will give us strength to propel forward, but we can't stay here tonight. We might find help in another pack. Anything but here, Jasmine," I said to her.

"You're right. We've been taking this for too long. It's time we break free and start over. We run tonight," Jasmine said in my head with new-found determination.

Her words made me see rays of hope. I stood up and made my way to the pack kitchen to see if there was any food I could make do with until evening. I needed to eat to at least get enough energy to run.

I went to the kitchen, and there were slaves running around cooking up a feast for Freya and Grayson's coronation. I was disappointed and was about to leave when I spotted Jane. Jane is an elderly woman who used to be our head cook. She's the only one in the pack who doesn't treat me like I'm beneath her. She can't be nice to me publicly, though, or she'd be punished.

She saw me as I was about to leave, too, and came to meet me in the hallway. She hugged me with tears in her eyes, and I hugged her back, too. She has always been like a grandmother to me.

She pulled me towards a dark corner in the hallway, where she broke down in tears, seeing my state. She's not been to the pack in a while; I guess she quit her job, but why was she back tonight? I saw her mouth moving and tried to listen to her over her thoughts.

"...heard he rejected you and chose Freya anyway. I'm so sorry, Lola. No one deserves to be treated like that by their mat," she whispered with tears running down her cheeks, and I hugged her again.

"You look malnourished, child. Do they ever feed you? I'm sorry I left without telling you. I had to go see my daughter in another pack. She gave birth to her first child, and I went to see her," she told me while looking me over. My stomach chose that moment to grumble again. I looked down in embarrassment.

"Have you had anything to eat today, child?"

I shook my head negatively, and she told me she'd be back for me. As she left, I tried to make myself small and invisible to anyone passing. I can't take any more beating and assault today; I need to be somewhat okay for me to be able to escape.

Jane soon came back with a paper bag in her hand. She gave it to me and hugged me tightly after telling me to live well. It was almost like she knew I was going away. I thanked her and left for the basement again.

I could not eat a lot. It was almost like my body was used to not being fed and rejected the food. I sighed as I kept the paper bag. I could not let anyone find it, or I'd be punished.

I was waiting for night to fall and the coronation to start while praying to the moon goddess to give me the energy and luck to escape this vile land that has done nothing but cause me pain.

I shook in my seat when I heard footsteps coming down the basement. I looked up and saw one of the pack guards and slightly relaxed. They're not as bad as the high-ranking wolves. 

"It's time for the coronation, and Alpha Grayson requires you to be near the ballroom," his deep voice boomed, making me jump in my seat, and I nodded my head. He turned to leave, and I followed after him. I don't want to incur wrath on myself.

I followed him to where the coronation was taking place. It looked beautiful and magnificent. Beautiful flowers were used to create an arch in the doorway and were also scattered across the room. People dressed in white. Women in elegant gowns and men in fitting suits were scattered around the room chatting. 

I stood out in my dirty attire and unkempt appearance. I knew Grayson brought me there to humiliate me and show me that I'd never be his Luna because I was below him. People gave me dirty glances, and some even cursed me out, but I kept my head down the whole time. I stood to a side in the ballroom and made myself small.

The chatters in the room suddenly quieted down, and I looked up to see Grayson in a black suit that was perfectly tailored to suit him and Freya in a blood-red gown with thigh-high slit that accentuated all of her curves.

She looked so good with her hair in waves that she let down to frame her beautiful face. Her make-up looked minimal, and I could not even deny the fact that she looked stunning. Together, they looked amazing and Jasmine howled in pain in my head seeing her mate with another she-wolf.

They made their way to the stage, and people started clapping, focusing all of their attention on them. Grayson made eye contact with me and smirked evilly. That gesture made me sick to my stomach because I knew what awaited me if I didn't escape before the coronation ended.

Everybody focused their attention on their future rulers, and I took that opportunity to sneak out of the ballroom and out of the pack house. The moon was high up in the sky and shone brightly, almost like the Moon goddess was making way for me.

I made my way to the end of the pack, avoiding patrols and guards. Security is not as tight at the pack boundary, so I thanked the Moon goddess. Right before I morphed into my wolf, I said the words I should have said since the moment I knew he wasn't going to choose me.

Using my original title, I said those words.

"I, Lola Ashton, the daughter of Alpha Ryan and Luna Lilian of the Moonlit pack, accept the rejection of Grayson Dawson, the son of Beta Andrew and Female Beta Natalie, as his mate and chosen one," I said and felt a surge of power through me at the same time I heard a wolf howling in pain in distant.

Jasmine took over my body, and I was a pure white wolf. I felt a new burst of energy coursing through my veins. Then I ran. I ran with everything in me and never looked back.

Lola's POV

Then I ran.

I ran past the pack boundary, feeling the barely there bond I had with the pack break within me, and I felt free. Jasmine howled in happiness as her paws hit the ground, and she charged forward at full speed.

I heard distant howling and knew Grayson had sent his men after me. Jasmine charged on wildly, feeling the wind in her fur; I'm sure she's not even bothered about the fact that warriors could have been sent after us. She'd never felt such freedom before and was just basking in it. 

We were on unclaimed lands, which means rogues could be around. I've heard about rogues even though I don't know what they looked like. Memories from when Mom and Dad died seemed to have vanished, but I do know rogues are dangerous wolves who have lost their touch with their human sides. They're said to look wild, have red eyes, and will kill anything in their sight.

I heard howls get closer and knew we had company. Grayson must be so desperate to have sent men after me. I don't even mean anything to him. He shouldn't have bothered himself with things as trivial as me. 

Jasmine did not falter for once or show any signs of weakness as she charged on, dodging branches and jumping over trees. I know we had to lose the wolf on our tail, and also, no one could find out about us, so we had to conceal our fur color.

We passed muddy water, and Jasmine rolled in it, making our fur brown and dirty. I knew that was not enough to mask our scent, but it sure helped conceal our color. 

"Jas, we can't get caught now. We need to mask our scent so we can buy enough time to get us into another pack," I said to her through our mindlink.

"I know, Lola. We have to find a lake or large body of water and drench ourselves in it or find a pile of waste to mask our scent. I don't know how far we have to go till we reach a pack that we can crash in," she said, not once stopping to catch her breath.

We saw a lake ahead and dived into it. It was freezing, and I felt at home even though I wasn't in human form. Jasmine growled lowly and slowly laid down in the part of the water that wasn't too deep but deep enough to conceal us if anybody passed by.

We saw about five wolves come into view and stayed as still as we could. I prayed to the moon goddess that I'd not be discovered. I don't know what will be done to me if I go back, and I never want to find out. I'd rather die out here alone than go back to that evil, fucked up pack.

I felt one of the wolves sniff the air around us, and Jasmine held her breath. The wolf came up with nothing and they lurked around for a while before they turned back the way they came.

We waited a while before leaving the lake and running into the forest as far as our limbs would take us. We ran into the early morning before stopping by a tree to catch our breath.

"Jasmine, let me shift back so you can rest a bit before we continue," I said through the mindlink. She looked tired, and our limbs were already brown from running all night.

"I can't allow you to shift back, human. We did not bring a change of clothes, and it's so cold out here. We need to stay in this form to conserve energy and body heat," she said, and I had to agree with her.

We did not think this through. We just wanted to escape without knowing where to go or how to go about it. I did not know our pack was so far from other packs as I've never been outside that pack for 8 years.

Jasmine saw a rabbit and killed it. She ate part of it and left the remaining beside her as we drifted off to sleep. The sun was high up by this time. I hope we won't be captured in our sleep, was my thought as Jasmine rested her head on her forelimbs and closed her eyes.

We woke up when the sun had almost set and began running again. We needed to find a pack that would take us in; we did not escape Grayson just to live in this place forever.

We continued this way for two days, sleeping when the sun was up and running when the sun went down. We have been in wolf form since we left the Moonlit pack. Our speed has reduced drastically, and our fur is already brown from sleeping on the forest floor.

On the third day, rain started falling, and we could not stop to sleep. Jasmine was about to lay down under a big shaded tree when a smell filled our nose. It smelled like a dead rat but ten times worse. Jasmine rolled in the muddy floor to really conceal our fur colour, seeing as we had company.

Through the heavy rain, we saw glowing red eyes. Rogue. The wolf looked wild and feral, and the rotten smell came from it despite the heavy rainfall.

It snarled at us, and our survival instincts kicked in, making us growl back too. The wolf eyed us hungrily, and we snapped at him, daring him to come closer.

He growled loudly and charged at us, trying to get ahold of our neck. She instinctively moved to the side and the rogue wolf missed. This seemed to annoy him, and he made a move to snap at our left hindlimb. We did not see that coming, and he bit a chunk off our hindlimb. We howled in pain and limped to the side when the wolf tried to attack us again.

We instinctively slashed at his chest, and he fell backward. We started circling each other, and the rogue moved to bite the left side of our stomach. He grabbed us unexpectedly and bit off a bit of our stomach, making blood stain our fur.

Suddenly, a surge of electricity ran through us, and the rogue was thrown back, hitting his back on a tree. He charged towards us again, and we moved to the right, biting into his neck when he came close enough. He struggled to release himself, but we held him down, making blood spill everywhere, including our fur.

We dropped him to the ground and stood on top of him, clawing at him blindly, making him howl out in pain. Right before his life ended, his eyes shone with something I could not quite place. I think it was fear, and I wondered what he saw in our eyes that made him afraid.

Once he was dead, I ran. I ran until I came across a claimed territory. I ran into the land and heard howls around me. They thought I was a rogue. I ran into the middle of the pack and felt myself surrounded by big wolves.

They snarled at me, and I snarled back. I'm not going to get treated like trash again. I'm not going to be imprisoned again. I was about to attack one of them when I felt a needle in my side; I got dizzy and fell to the ground, changing into my human form. Naked.

"Take her to the dungeon and await the Alpha's order," I heard as I was picked off the ground by rough hands.

I thought I had escaped this. I was going to really die now, were my thoughts as I lost consciousness.

Adrian's POV

I sat down dejectedly in the back of the car as Thomas, one of the pack warriors I took with me, drove back to the pack. Another search for my mate in other packs proved futile. I have been doing this for two years now, and all have been abortive.

What I want the most in this life is my mate, someone I can love and cherish and call my own. Someone who will rule my kingdom alongside me and bear my pups when the time is right. My own Queen.

I see my parents in love every day, and I wish I could have that for myself. My Dad loves my Mom so much, and the same goes for her, too. They have the kind of love I wish I'd always get, but I haven't found my mate.

I have been going around packs under the guise of checking up on them, but my motive is to find my mate. A mate has been chosen for me, but I don't want to live like that. I will be crowned the Alpha King soon, and I need my Luna beside me to get that title.

This is my last trip to find my mate. I've gone to every pack, and still nothing. My heart felt heavy, and I cursed out the moon goddess as I made my way back to the pack.

A mate has been chosen for me. In case I do not find my mate, she'd be crowned Alpha Queen alongside me. I did not like that idea, but Dad said it was for my own good—to prevent Alphas from rebelling against me. I guess I have to put my people before my desires.

We got to the pack house, and I was welcomed by my Mom; at 43, she looked nothing over 25. Damn werewolf gene. I took after her facially but had my Dad's physique. She came running out of our home and peered into the car excitedly. Her face dropped in sadness when she met it empty. 

I shook my head negatively as she looked at me, and she came to hug me. She held my hand as she led me into the house. We met my Dad in the kitchen area with a newspaper in his hand, and he looked up as we entered. He saw that I came back empty-handed and came to hug me sympathetically.

My parents have always supported me in whatever I did; I'm not even mad at them for choosing a mate for me; they're only doing what's best for me.

I excused myself and went into my room. Daxon sighed sadly in my head, and I felt so sad for him. I want my mate, too, but it's harder for him as my wolf side to be without his true mate.

"We tried our best, Daxon. Maybe the Moon goddess doesn't have a partner for us, or maybe she's dead. We've searched every pack and come up with nothing. I am the next Alpha King. I need to consider my people before my own needs now," I said to him through our mindlink, and he receded to the back of my mind, not even replying to me.

I was about to undress when I felt my best friend and next Beta, Nathan, trying to reach me through the pack's mindlink. I put down my barrier and heard his voice.

"Yo man, you're back already. Did you find her?" he asked me excitedly. Everyone has been waiting for their next Luna since I turned 14, so I get why he's so excited.

"Nah, bro. I did not find her. I guess the Moon goddess doesn't have a mate for me," I laughed dryly through the mindlink and heard him sigh.

"I'm so sorry, man. Actually, I mindlinked you to tell you we found a rogue on pack lands earlier today. Dylan told the men to take her to the dungeon. We were waiting for you to come back to decide what to do with her," Nathan said through the mindlink.

"Rogue? A female rogue? We haven't had any rogue attacks since forever. What were the patrol wolves doing when she came into the pack lands? Did she hurt anybody? And why is she still alive, Nathan?" I said with anger.

We haven't had a rogue attack for 8 years now. The last one took something precious from me, and I hate rogues with passion. They're vile, dirty creatures that do not deserve any sympathy from anyone.

"Man, she looked so weak and afraid. It was like she was running from something. She wasn't feral; she was afraid. And she turned back into her human form once she was tranquilized. Besides, it was early in the morning, and the men on patrol were few." Nathan tried to make me see reason, but I wasn't having any of it.

"I don't care, Nathan. Rogues are dangerous creatures and should be killed on sight. I don't want her near my pack members. Kill her, Nathan," I said angrily through the mindlink and put up my barrier.

As I removed my shirt, I heard Fay, my chosen mate, come in. Fay is beautiful and loved by everyone, but she's not my mate. Daxon and I do not feel anything for her. We want a mate!

"You're back, Adrian. I heard you did not find your mate," she whispered in my ear in what she thought was sexy, and I felt disgusted.

"Get your hands off me and get out of my room, Fay!" I growled out in my Alpha voice, and she scurried out of my room. I did not want to be mated with someone other than my mate. I want to feel everything Mom and Dad have.

I was done bathing and about to get some shut-eye when Mom came barging into my room, looking angry. Uh oh. I don't know what I did, but Mom can be pretty scary when she's mad.

"I did not train you to be like this, Adrian Lucas Woods!" Mom said angrily, and I knew I was in trouble because she used my full name.

"I did not do anything, Mom. I just got back from my trip, and I came to my room; I haven't done anything, I promise." I looked at her, thinking about what I could have done wrong. Was it because I told Fay to get out? Mom doesn't even like her like that. She just agreed because she's the best option for me.

"That's exactly what you did! You did not do anything! A rogue was caught on the pack lands after 8 years, and you were not going to find out what brought her into our land? You're the next Alpha King, Adrian. You can't take things lightly like this. What if there are more of them, and she's a spy? What if we can get more information out of her, and you gave orders that she should be killed?" Mom exclaimed angrily and marched out of my room.

I sighed and mindlinked Nathan that I'll be at the dungeon in half an hour and nothing must be done to the rogue. I dressed up and went downstairs to get something to eat. I'll need the energy to deal with that motherfucking intruder.

I left the pack house and felt Daxon get restless in my head. He's never restless, and that got me worried.

"What's it, buddy? Is something wrong?" I asked through our mindlink.

"I don't know. I have the feeling that something is about to happen at the dungeon, but I can't place what it's going to be," Daxon replied.

I quickened my pace to the dungeon. I hope I don't shed blood today. I'm unstoppable once I start. Another reason I need my mate. Fuck you, Moon goddess.