Chapter 1
Bella.
I have always dreamed of the day I finally found my mate. My stomach would always tingle with excitement every time I imagined how loving and adorable he would be. Having that one person entirely belong to you and love you like crazy is heartwarming, right?
I have looked forward to this day all my life. Standing there, lovingly staring into each other's eyes, sparks flying between you, and finally admitting the one word that would change everything, Mate.
It was supposed to be that simple. Ask me why I am not smiling so brightly like I imagined right now. Why am I not running into outstretched arms? Damn, his arms are not even outstretched to welcome me with a hug.
It was only a crazy dream. Reality is far much cruel than I ever imagined. Urgh.
Tears well up in my eyes as I desperately watch him. Maybe he is still in shock and will finally rush to me. Goddess, who am I kidding? His eyes are on me, but instead of dreamy like I imagined, they are dark, cold, and blank. I wonder what he sees in mine. Heartbreak? Perhaps it's intense pain.
Pathetic, right?
I tightly clench my fists and try as much as I can to rein in my wolf. I can never embarrass myself in front of all these people. If the man doesn't think I am worthy of being his mate, then so be it.
I fight the overwhelming pull I feel towards him. I am struggling to remain on my feet because the urge to move towards him is so intense. I want to rip out my heart because the rate at which it is going at is alarming and so pathetic. Goddess! I want to run into his arms and greedily inhale the luscious scent he is emitting. But I know that is an impossible dream.
The man's blue eyes glimmer just for a second before turning cold again, as expected of Alpha Lorenzo. The coldest-hearted alpha to exist. They call him the Killing Machine. It's my first time seeing him, and who would have thought an innocent girl would be mated to a man like that?
The man is standing there in a white, expensive suit. His feet are adorned by black leather shoes that I know cost more than my entire wardrobe. His black hair is perfectly sleeked back. An expensive Rolex watch sits on his left arm, and I am not surprised by the numerous tattoos peeking out from the sleeves and collars of his white shirt.
However, my heart sinks into my stomach when he averts his gaze.
Oh no. My wolf whimpers in agony when he doesn't look back at me because his attention is entirely on someone else.
His bride.
I don't move. I remain transfixed in my position as I watch my mate hold hands with another woman as he marries her.
Is this where you accept fate or stop the wedding that is about to turn your life upside down?
That is the man the goddess chose for me, but sadly, I am not his choice. It's stupid to fight for such a man. It's more sad for a nobody like me to think I can have the most sought-after man to myself.
So, to save myself more humiliation, I retrace my steps and walk away from the damn gathering. Curse the woman who brought me here. Nonetheless, fate proves to be against me when I run into someone else. Someone I should have never let see me. The man I need to stay away from at all costs.
"Amazing, right?" he smirks, and I take a fearful step back when I look into his dark eyes. So dark and mysterious. His eyes remain distant even when he is smiling like that. That is a bad sign, right? I know him. He is Alpha Rocco of the Red Blood Pack. "Choosing a skank over a belle," his eyes trail my body, and I cringe. I hate it when men do that.
This man is a sworn enemy of today's groom. The two alphas don't cross paths, and I wonder why he attended this wedding to begin with.
Unless he is here to cause trouble.
"Oh! Here you are." My stepmother approaches us, and I am thankful she interrupted the awkward meeting. Maybe it's time we left this stupid party "I see you have finally met Alpha Rocco. What a coincidence, right? He is the one I wanted you to meet." She broadly smiles, and fear grips every inch of me when her words sink in.
No.
This is the man my father owes a bunch of money and he wants it back. I have no doubt this woman might use me to pay the debt. Don't let it happen, goddess.
"Is she Dante's daughter?" the man smiles, suddenly seeming more interested after the revelation.
"Yes, she is. The one and only" my stepmother knowingly smiles, and his eyes twinkle with unknown intent.
"Perfect." Alpha Rocco licks his lips, and I can already guess what is coming. I watch him drown the clear drink in his hand and hands the glass to the man beside him." In that case, how about I make her my bride? Unless you have my money in full," his hard gaze lands on my stepmother, and she quickly pushes me forward. What a bitch?
"She is available. I don't have an objection at all," she blubbers, and the man smiles in contentment. This is why she brought me here in the first place. To sell me off.
I watch him signal for his guards to come over, and I know what I have to do.
Run.
Chapter 1.
"He is coming. Run" Lila rushes in the cave and I stumble out of the crappy mattress I have been sleeping on.
"Who?" I ask in alarm as I hurriedly follow her outside. We are used to constant trouble around here. Most dangerous rogues normally attack us and take our food or anything valuable we might have brought home after long days of hunting.
"Alpha Rocco," She whispers the dreaded name, and my blood turns cold. Goddess no. We quickly run down the stream towards our normal hiding place.
"How did he find me?" I worriedly murmur, and just my bad luck, I trip over a huge rock and fall.
"Hurry, Bella," Lila yells and turns back at me. "Behind you," my friend's eyes widen when she points behind me, and I know I am done for.
A huge black wolf tackles me to the ground, and I groan due to the impact. More wolves rush past me towards our hiding place, and I quickly shift. They can't take Lila.
I am not letting him take me either.
He will kill me. I have no one to protect me out there, and that's why I came here. It's hard to find someone in the rogue territory. Maybe I should have kept running. I knew he wouldn't just give up. Most alphas love the chase
Just when I am about to bolt for my life, I feel a stinging pain on my shoulder, and my body forcefully shifts back. The horrid smell of wolfsbane reaches my senses, and I scrunch my nose in disgust. I knew he would kill me.
"Now, sweetheart. You don't think I will let you escape from me again, do you?" I raise my head only to meet dark, menacing eyes. The dark eyes that haunt my dreams every night. Why does he want me so badly?
His dark eyes turn darker, and he smirks. It is as if he knows exactly what I am thinking about.
"I am not coming with you," I whisper and spit on his shiny leather shoe. The man laughs and crouches in front of me. His greedy eyes trail my bare body, and it feels as if a thousand ants are crawling under my skin.
"No? We both know you have no way out of this. It's been so long, my little bride." his index finger trails on my cheek, and he lifts my chin. "Be a good girl and follow me home, okay?" he coos, but doesn't see it coming when I instantly shift and aim for his neck.
However, Alpha Rocco must have been prepared because another syringe is immersed in my neck, and that does it.
As my consciousness starts to fade, my mind remembers him. The alpha I was mated to. I have heard whispers of his name in this territory. Everyone is cautious when they say the name Lorenzo. Supposedly, the man doesn't care for anything else apart from power.
Alpha Enzo will do anything to stay on top, and that's why he married the daughter of a very influential man. What could I have offered anyway?
"She's going to be a great Luna," the man smiles after he's done tying me up. "And she's gonna give me strong pups. Isn't that right, my little bride?" his fingers push away the hair on my face, and he smiles down at me.
I try to keep my eyes open, but it's impossible. If he successfully takes me to his territory, I will be doomed for good. He will make me his breeder. Being rogue is so much better than living as a prisoner.
"There, there, baby. Sleep, okay? We will be home when you wake up." His voice sounds from afar, and my heavy eyes finally give up.
Is this my fate? Goddess?
