JESSICA'S POV
I ran frantically through the shrubs and the thick branches, squinting my eyes to make out my surroundings, through the silvery glow the moonlight cast over the hideous woods at the outskirts of the pack.
I'd just shifted to my wolf form. This was something I'd longed for virtually all my life. I was a late bloomer, given that my step siblings had all shifted to their wolf form at sixteen.
However, Today was special. It was my twentieth birthday and also the day I transformed into my wolf form.
At first, it was a struggle. There was nobody to put me through and cheer me on, while I went through the nerve wracking process where my bone cracked before it elongated and gave way to hind legs. I was so thrilled that I forgot about the pain and sprinted to the lake to behold my wolf's reflection in the lake.
My wolf was the most beautiful thing I'd ever set eyes on. Pure white without a dot of black with a shiny diamond embedded on her head. She was so beautiful I didn't want to shift into my human form.
I sprinted a few more times through the outskirts of the woods till I finally shifted back to my human form. I didn't feel any form of tiredness, my bones felt stronger and my senses became more heightened.
I changed into the extra clothes I'd brought and started making my way back to the pack. Nobody cared about my existence down to my father unless it was time for chores. He used to be the best, until my mother disappeared mysteriously trying to save me when I was four and he chose another mate— his second chance mate.
Then, he despised and hated to see me anywhere around him. The sound of my name was like a sword tearing through his skin.
My heart used to ache at that kind of hatred till this moment. Now, I have a wolf, my primal being that would always be etched inside of me. She was mine and I am her.
The moon was shining brightly in all its glory. That meant it was time for dinner. "s**t…" I cursed as I hurriedly made my way to the pack. I'd be a lump of bruises if I was late to prepare dinner for my family.
As I approached the house, a sweet weird smell hit my nose. It was the most alluring scent I'd ever perceived. It warmed my body down to my insides.
My wolf sense was heightened. I could tell it was the scent of a male shifter– a powerful one. I followed the scent and it led me to the front of my door.
I pushed the door open and a lance of pain landed on my face. I staggered and held the doorknob for balance before I realised what happened.
"How dare you keep us hungry huh?" My stepmother's voice seethed with anger.
I blinked rapidly to push back the tears that stung at the corner of my eyes. I held my cheeks tight. "I'm so—"
She grabbed me by the hair and pulled me into the house. She shoved me to the centre of the room. "How many times do I need to tell you never to say you're sorry again?"
My stepmother questioned but I was so lost in the scent that I could barely hear her nasty words. That meant only one thing– he was close.
"Have you suddenly lost your tongue?" She growled under her breath. She made it obvious from the onset that she didn't like me. Her actions and words proved that right.
Suddenly, everywhere stilled as the alluring masculine scent filled the air this time closer than before. Despite the pain that stung hard on my cheeks, I lifted my head up to the sound of laughter coming from the staircase.
"Mate…our mate is here," my wolf cried. I dare not stand up from my crouching position on the floor, else I'd be punished for one week straight and even worse, denied the opportunity of going to the mate ball tomorrow.
I gazed at the wooden staircase to see my stepsister flanked by none other than Alexander our Alpha. My heart sank at the sight. 'Mate, that's our mate,' my wolf said again.
My stepsister Claire and Alexander had quite an interesting relationship. He f****d her at will and she didn't mind, actually no girl in the whole of Silvermane pack cared as long as Alpha Alexander brought them to his bed. He was a young budding Alpha but his weakness was women, Claire wasn't the only woman in his life. She knew that but didn't give two shits.
"Stand up this instant and get busy with the chores," my stepmother roared.
I quickly scampered to my feet towards the kitchen. By the time I got closer to the kitchen door, they were at the foot of the staircase.
I didn't want to but my body couldn't control itself anymore. I stopped and stared at Alpha Alexander– he was about six foot and a few inches tall, broad shoulders that flexed under his shirt, a permanent smirk that added more perfection to his already perfect face. His sleeves were rolled to his forearm exposing the sexy wolverine tattoo drawn on it. He was…perfect for lack of better words.
I'd heard girls around the pack fantasise about their destined mate and how they were the only thing that mattered. I don't know if it was how I felt staring deep into his piercing eyes but it was—
"What the hell are you looking at huh?" Claire's husky voice jolted me out of my reverie.
I slowly shook my head and turned my attention back to her. I could feel Alpha Alexander's gaze burning a deep hole in my face.
Did he feel it too? If he was my mate then he definitely felt the same way I did. He knew it. It was obvious he did. It took all the discipline I had in me not to hug him so tight so I could inhale his scent as much as I wanted to, so his scent would be the only thing I'm familiar with. If this was what it meant to find your destined mate, then I'm here for it.
"I have to go now baby," Alpha Alexander's baritone voice was like music to my ears– so lustre and full of power. My heart sank to the bottom of my stomach when he tilted Claire's chin and kissed her passionately on the lips.
My heart twisted more as my wolf groaned in pain.
Claire glared at me with a deep scowl on her face before she turned around and wrapped her hands around his neck. A part of me died at the sight, "After tomorrow it'll be over baby. You'll claim me as your Luna and mate forever," she said and kissed him on the lips.
My heart stopped beating. I couldn't stand it anymore. I bowed before the Alpha and made my way to the kitchen on staggering legs.