Chapter 1 Mate

• Emily's POV
• Everyone knew who I was, and for that reason, they treated me like trashcan.
• It was late at night, yet Mother sent me a package to deliver to the pack. Jasmine had been at home all day, but she deliberately stopped her from delivering the package, insisting that I did. I grasped it to myself and walked towards the woods, which separated our house from the pack's.
• Of course, that was the kind of life I lived, being a late bloomer. We wore rags every day and ate little to no food, most times the leftovers from the pack's Beta leaders.
• It didn't take more than two minutes after I entered the woods that I saw the three guys who had asked me out weeks back, but I had declined.
• I feared being chastised by the Alpha of our pack, Marcus. He could banish me for trying to love while being a late bloomer - would I be saved by someone else for eternity?
• "Here she comes," one of them sneered, striding towards me. I took a few steps back, clutching the package to myself, as it mattered more this time around.
• "Slow metamorphosis," another sneered, as they closed in on me, surrounding me, and sniffing the scent stuck in the air.
• They were banished from Blackwood pack and had been roaming the woods ever since, bullying wolves like myself.
• "You know, I just knew the moon goddess was going to bless me soon. I could feel it. A blessing that dickhead, Marcus, can't stop," Francis insulted, as they burst into laughter.
• "Don't come any closer," I warned, retreating as far as I could, as the jewelry in the package clinked against my chest.
• "What are you going to do if we come closer?" Francis taunted, marching towards me. "Huh, little to no wolf?"
• "Leave me the fuck alone. I was sent on an errand. It's urgent, fuckmasters." I said, gritting my teeth.
• "Like she would summon a wolf." Francis added, cheering his friends.
• "I just---" I said, but the third one placed a finger on his lips, indicating I keep quiet.
• "She looks clean though," another said, staring at me seductively, "how about we..."
• He winked at his friends, and one of them roughly pulled me up, my legs dangling in the air, while the package crashed to the ground.
• "Leave me alone, motherfucker!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the woods, but no one was around to save me. If anyone were to be here at all, they would be rogues too.
• I knew Francis well. Though I didn't agree to be his mate or girlfriend, as he might term it, I could list many features about him - he'd been the talk of the city in the past. For the same reason - bullying and exploiting female wolves - he was banished from the pack, along with his followers. I knew what he was capable of. He had messed with Linda, a classmate of mine, years back, and she was rushed to the hospital as a result. I didn't want the same fate for myself. I fought hard to get out of his grasp, knowing fully well that my efforts might not count, but still, I would try my best.
• "You fuckers!" I screamed in anguish, struggling to pull their hands off, but they dragged me towards the dilapidated huts in the woods, the only sound being the rustling of leaves.
• Just before they shoved me into the hut, I screamed even louder, and a voice boomed through the air, making the environment tense. They were taken aback, not expecting anyone to intervene.
• As they turned back, Marcus appeared. Francis gasped and dropped me to the ground, where I landed with a heavy thud. His face contorted, as if he would plead for Marcus's mercy, begging him not to harm them now.
• "Run and don't look back!" Marcus' eyes gleamed green as he instructed, sending them fleeing. They scrambled to their feet and hastily departed.
• "Stay calm, the dickheads are all gone," he said, pulling me to my feet. I took his warm hand, forcing a smile to show appreciation for his rescue. I was unsure what to tell Mom about the package. I hesitated to inform him about it, even though I wanted him to lie to her, to spare me the trouble. I didn't want to face the wrath of the Vegan brothers anymore.
• The feeling of what awaited me for failing to deliver the package successfully surged through me, choking me. But somehow, Alpha Marcus' presence brought soothing relief.
• I lifted my gaze to lock with his, his hands warmly wrapped around mine. He stared at me with unasked questions burning in his mind. I began to sense his emotions, a strange sensation. Could this be true?
• "Mate," he whispered, his voice barely audible, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized my face.
• He abruptly released my hands, which fell limply to my sides. His gaze remained fixed on mine, but the warmth had vanished, replaced by a burning intensity. I saw hatred etched on his face, a shockingly stark contrast to his previous warmth. He never expected this.
• "This is embarrassing," he spat, his voice laced with disdain. "The Moon goddess has truly chosen to betray me. You're a nobody, a late bloomer, barely a step above a rogue, and almost human. Ruling beside me would be the worst decision I'll ever make."
• "But, Marcus..." I protested, but he silenced me with a raised finger, his eyes flashing with anger.
• He didn't utter another word. His gaze remained fixed on mine, and I could sense the irritation radiating from his eyes. Though I wasn't a witch or spellbinder, I could decipher his thoughts from his expression alone. His rapid breaths conveyed annoyance and disappointment in the one he had realized was his mate. On my end, I was torn between the relief and shock of him finally acknowledging me as his mate, a sentiment I had secretly longed for.
• Nothing in my life had ever gone my way. As a late bloomer with a succinct wolf, I was accustomed to disappointments. And now, I could sense Marcus pulling away, his breath no longer warm on my skin. One thing was certain in my mind - Marcus would reject me as his mate. No one could convince me otherwise.