The Sacrificial Virgin and Her Rejected Mate

Northern Woods California USA The kiss of a chilly breeze welcomed Lauren. The lovely scent of flowers wafted throughout the room. She awoke to another morning in the Northern Woods, but this one was unlike the others that had come and gone since destiny would decide her fate that day. Lauren raised her gaze to the vast, blue sky. She waited for the rain to come down last night, but even the rain did not favor her. With everything she was going through, she wished she could at least ask heaven to be sympathetic, but as was frequently the case, even heaven looked the other way and granted her predetermined fate. She cast a bitter glance at her reflection in the mirror. The bridal gown suited her perfectly, but she couldn't cast a single smile. She took a quick look at the white rose bouquet she had in front of her. Its snow-white petals were so lovely to witness. She would forget it was one of her favorite flowers on that particular day though. She would walk down the aisle with the man who was supposed to be her mate in a matter of seconds. “Finally…” A man dressed in a white tuxedo smiled sweetly at Lauren. Lauren made an effort to smile back at the man, but the sadness and strong resistance were visible in her eyes. "You look so beautiful. I find myself loving you more and more each day. I can't bear to lose you since I love you so deeply, my mate." The man walked towards Lauren and gently held her hand. His eyes clearly convey how much he loved and appreciated Lauren beyond all else. She meant the world to him. There's no purpose in life without her. If keeping Lauren at his side meant sacrificing everything he owned, then so be it. “What's the matter? Tell me if there is anything that is bothering you, please." The man pleaded when Lauren moved her head away, avoiding his gaze. "I'm not sure if I’m doing the right thing. I just can't…" With a sudden retraction of her tongue, Lauren closed her eyes. She wasn't sure how she would tell him, but she had to get over the fear that had been inside her chest; if she didn't, she would regret it forever. “What do you mean by that? I thought we already talked about this matter?” “You don't understand.” “If you're not telling me what's going through your head, how am I supposed to comprehend the entire thing? Please, you must have faith in me.” "I'm sorry, I can't repay your love. I have had enough." Lauren gradually took her hand away from the man. She decided to turn away since she was unable to look him in the eyes. Lauren was mistaken to believe that she would be able to accept her fate. She had only considered her family's happiness, as well as the security of the pack, ever since. Even though she loved them so much, she didn't anticipate that all would end. She wished for a normal, happy, and peaceful life just like everyone else. She could still clearly recall the moment she left the pack. Every full moon, a virgin was being sacrificed to the reputedly powerful monster of the Northern Woods. Every pack had adopted this practice as a tradition to prevent terror. And unfortunately, she was one of the selected young maidens who were to be offered. She disagreed, but she went along with it to ensure the safety of the entire pack. Rumors had claimed that no one had ever had the opportunity to meet the monster and that death awaited those who did. Because of this, each pack had a great deal of terror despite the Alphas' superior strength. At first, Lauren thought that the monster was ferocious like the rumors. Unexpectedly, his face was so gentle. He did not mistreat her; rather, he treated her like a queen. She was given access to all the delectable cuisine, exquisite clothing, pricey jewelry, and other pleasures a woman like her could ever desire, but she consistently refused them. Not because she thought he might be plotting something against her, but because she didn't want to take advantage of his kindness. Lauren expected the monster to set her free, but when he proposed to her, things got more complicated. He swore that he would change and never disrupt the packs as long as she pledged to be at his side forever. She granted his request even though it was against her will, but ultimately she was unable to bear it and decided in her heart to defend her freedom and happiness. “Why isn't everything enough? Just tell me what you want, and I'll give it to you. Just don't abandon me, mate,” the man pleaded. Later, extreme pain took the place of the man's white attire, which symbolized his pure and true love for Lauren. He could not breathe as he felt a tight squeeze on his chest. He brought her palms to his face when he suddenly felt something warm that was about to come out. "How can I win your heart? If you would just love me, I would give you the entire world." "No, that is not necessary for you to do. Believe me or not, I tried my best to love you. I don't see why people shouldn't like you since you are a very wonderful person. It's just… it's just not you that my heart desires. Let's put an end to this; please, set me free." Just as Lauren was about to step on her feet when the man suddenly laughed. Subsequently, the man felt a warm fluid streaming down his face. He removed his hand away from his cheek and gazed at his palm. It was the first time a tear had come out of his eye and the first time he had experienced that kind of pain—a pain that was gradually killing him. "I offered you the option to live in harmony with me, but you choose to go and find happiness on your own. For whom? For another man?” The man's tears eventually dried up, and then her once-blue eyes turned bloody red. Lauren tried to express herself more but she couldn't find the exact words. The unexpected drop in temperature sent a shiver up her spine. She took a deep breath and began to perspire profusely. She had to leave that place quickly or else she would meet certain danger. “You're mistaken if you believe you can outpace me with such ease. You have always been mine, and no one else in this world has the right to take you away from me." The monster that inhabited the man's body completely engulfed his entire being. "I do not intend to be in a relationship with a man who I do not love. I don't want to live a life of misery that I will look back on and regret forever. And I wish the same for you. I want you to lead a happy life with the woman who is worthy of your love.” "Are you trying to fool the hell out of me? I need no darn foolish women! All I desire is you! I gave everything I had to please you. And now, look at me! I am at loss and it’s all because of you!” Apart from excruciating pain and rage, no other emotion ruled the man's entire consciousness. All Lauren could do was give him hope that they would be together forever. Why had he not sensed this would happen right from the start? Why did he let his emotions rule him? He was crushed and all that was left was the desire for the emotions to erupt. "Please, let me choose the path I want to take…” Lauren was being cut off when the man suddenly materialized in front of her. She moved her feet back as soon as she saw his face. He had the look of a ferocious beast, ready to devour her at any moment. She was unaware that his gentle eyes would vanish in an instant. "P-please, I'm begging you…" Lauren pleaded, her entire body trembling. When had she last experienced terror from him before her? Was her decision to choose happiness and freedom a huge mistake? Was she wrong, at least once, to choose herself? "Who said I would harm you? Don't you realize how much I adore you?” Following his remarks, the man grabbed Lauren firmly by both arms and made her lie down on the bed. "Please, let go of me! Please stop!” Lauren tried to shake the man's bulky body, but she was unable. "It was all your fault! This would never happen if you had been a good girl." The man violently ripped Lauren's gown, leaving only her bra and underwear. "Please, stop it! I know you're a good person. You're not capable of doing such things, please!" Lauren kept on pleading but the man wouldn't listen and instead grew more violent. "It's too late for that.” The man was about to touch Lauren when all of a sudden a dazzling red light engulfed her, preventing him from touching her. "What the heck is happening?!" The man's eyes widened in great shock. Lauren was astounded by what was taking place as well. She wasn't able to move. She had the impression that a strong force was in charge of her entire body. "I don't care whatever sorcery and witchcraft you use on me! I have no boundaries and will do what I please!" The man reached into his pocket, took a syringe, and injected it into Lauren's neck. "W-why..." Lauren was midway through her sentence when all of a sudden the room darkened and she lost consciousness. ***** Lauren’s entire body was trembling when she awoke in a strange room. It was only at that moment that she realized she was barely naked. Additionally, she had little tubing fastened to her. She surveyed the entire area, which was full with various medical equipment like those found in hospitals. She made an effort to recall the events leading up to her unconsciousness. That's right, that man abruptly injected her in the neck after. And in fact, she was still in pain. The memory of his face sent Lauren reeling with terror. She had spent over a year living in the Northern Woods, yet she had never once had the opportunity to witness his true form. Maybe he was able to harm her because she infuriated him excessively. He definitely would have killed her if he hadn't controlled himself earlier. She would undoubtedly die there if she stayed there for very long. "I need to get out of here fast," Lauren stated. Just as she was going to remove the tubes from her, she sensed footsteps coming her way. She laid back down, closed her eyes and pretended that she was still asleep when the door opened. "I thought she would wake up any minute from now?" Lauren heard a woman stating. “I’m very sorry. It was a miscalculation. I assure you this won't happen again," the woman, who Lauren believed to be a doctor, answered. "If you want to keep your position, you must do your job well. You understand that our lord will kill you the instant you make a mistake. You know him well, don't you?" “Yes, I understand." "Well then, make sure to keep an eye on her. Notify me right away as soon as she awakens so that we can move her to the private room. You know how sensitive the insemination was to her." "INSEMINATION” At the sound of this phrase, Lauren opened her eyes. Her expression showed shock. "What did you do to me?!" Lauren scrambled to her feet and pulled out the tubes. "Miss Lauren, please calm down!" The two women rushed to her side, but Lauren struggled. "Take everything off of my body! Please, I beg you, please!” Lauren cried out and eventually broke down in tears as she struggled to break free, despite the fact that her body was still weak. Lauren then moved to the right table, picked up the scalpel, and put it on her wrist. "Try to approach me closely! I would not hesitate to hurt myself or any of you!” "Please, don't do that, Miss Lauren! Our lord will definitely kill us if anything happens to you." The woman in the medical gown attempted to approach Lauren but before she could get close to her, Lauren wounded her wrist. "Please, I need to know the truth!" The fear was interfering with Lauren's thoughts. She had a gut feeling that things weren't quite right. She needed to know what was happening within her body otherwise she would go insane. "If you wish to know the truth, I'll be the one to tell you," the woman in jeans said with conviction. "You are one of the fortunate women who will give birth to the future successor. The child growing inside of you determines the future, whether you like it or not." Lauren dropped the scalpel and trembled as she put her palms to her face, feeling as though her dreams of freedom and happiness were slowly fading.