Chapter 2

• EARLIER…
• Daphne
• As a werewolf, you constantly fantasize about meeting your mate. Until you've experienced it firsthand, you can never really understand it.
• Everything around me seemed colorful in my eyes as I looked forward to becoming Lennon’s mate sooner. But unfortunately, my whole world fell apart when Lennon found his mate that night the pack’s Luna celebrated her birthday. It was the same night when I’ve lost everything just in a snap.
• “You ready, little Daphne ?”
• Laughing, Jaime leaned against the door frame and gazed at me in the mirror. His arms were curled over his chest, not bothered whether his well-ironed formal blue shirt might get crumpled. He was my brother, but he had been acting as my father since our parents were killed in an ambush by a gang of rogues when I was a baby.
• "What keeps you going for so long? Hey, no matter how much powder you put on your face, it will never change." He smirked.
• "You're only distracting me," I grumbled as I met his brown gaze.
• "From what I see, you're already decent enough to blend in with other people," he said, examining my attire. Then he gasped for no reason. "Oh, no! But what if you aren't my sister? The little Daphne I know doesn't even bother to comb her hair, which is why she's often mistaken for a witch's daughter… or a vampire’s!"
• I was seriously considering throwing things at him. I thought the solid wooden hairbrush I was holding would do the trick. I cocked my head to look over my shoulder at him. "Why don't you just wait in the living room or assist your wife in putting on her dress?” I rolled my eyes and returned my gaze to the mirror. I took a deep breath and forced myself to smile once more. I couldn't let go of my good mood.
• "I was just finishing up the last round of retouching," I explained when I noticed he was still standing by the door. "You see, I have to be the most beautiful girl for this night... and for Lennon's eyes. I have to be ready in case he's found his mate, and that is none other than me." My greenish eyes twinkled in the mirror which matched my apple green off-the-shoulder cocktail dress that contrasted with my jet-black long hair and pale white skin.
• I expected Jaime to laugh again at my claim to be Lennon's, soon-to-be mate. His expression, on the other hand, became serious. "Little Daphne , it’s not possible. Only the Moon Goddess can decide who our mates will be. I'm simply stating facts. Please do not misunderstand."
• His words pricked my heart, causing me to blurt out my irritation. "Then why did you choose to live with Yvette who isn't your mate? You just steal her from her original pack."
• “Abusive pack,” he corrected me. “Will you stop bringing it up every time I give you advice?”
• As we stared at each other in the mirror, there was a strange silence in my room. I despised being involved in a family drama. But whenever he lectured me about something I knew he couldn't apply to his own, I didn't see the point in believing in it.
• "Oh my goodness, Daphne . How many times do I have to tell you that my case was different?" He sighed, shaking his head as if he had been splashed in the face with water. He then twisted the doorknob. "I'll give you another five minutes. If you don't go downstairs after that, I'll drop Luna Carmela’s birthday invitation and claim I'm sick. I'm getting there."
• I let out a long exhale of frustration. My good mood had finally vanished. But, no matter how upset I was, I had to go to the party. It was Lennon's mother's birthday. I couldn't miss it.
• WE ARRIVED at Alpha Darius's pack house a few minutes later. Our home was one of the farthermost houses from the town's heart where the pack house settled. However, living on the outskirts of our urban community was my brother’s choice so he could sense immediately if the territory was being invaded by foreign werewolves. Also, he wanted to get along with the common werewolves rather than jam with the high-ranking officials. That made him love the pack members. They trusted him and adored his humbleness.
• Returning to the present, I smiled as a familiar figure walked toward me. Lennon looked stunning in a black button-down shirt and a dark pair of trousers. He looked great in his casual attire. He appeared to be modeling for a fashion magazine. His hair was pushed back, giving him a stylish appearance.
• “Hey, pretty!”
• My mood instantly improved when Lennon leaned down and pressed his lips against my cheek. To meet the kiss, I had to tip my toes.
• "You've arrived. I thought you weren't coming," he said quietly in my ear. His hypnotic voice almost made my knees turn to jelly—even more so when he encased me in his arms. “Are you alone? Where’s your family?”
• My gaze wandered around the lobby over Lennon's broad shoulder. Then I noticed Jaime and Yvette chatting with Luna Carmela. I frowned when Alaine approached them and greeted Luna with a kiss on the cheeks.
• Alaine was the daughter of Jaime and Yvette. We had the same blood running in our veins, but I couldn’t seem to like her.
• Why do they all appear to be so happy without me?
• "I'm not sure." Lying was terrible, but I didn't want them to be the topic with Lennon. "By the way, how did your journey in the Eastern pack go?"
• "Good," he said as if it wasn't a big deal to him. "Alpha Calle of the Blood Moon Pack will arrive tonight.” He glanced around and pointed his index finger in the direction of Alpha Darius. “Oh, the savage is finally here. He’s talking to Dad."
• I trailed the path of his finger and spotted the man he was referring to. I didn’t get the chance to see his face because it was his broad back that was facing us. But his hair which was tied in a bun above his head was noticeable even from afar. “Wow. Aren’t they the most feared pack here in the East? And you have successfully convinced their Alpha? That's fantastic, Lennon ." My eyes widened in awe as I gazed back at him. "I'm sure you'll make an awesome Alpha sooner or later. I'm very proud of you."
• “Thanks. Anyway, that’s for the sake of our pack. We need strong allies so our enemies won’t knock us down easily, or will hesitate to touch us in the first place.” He smiled but the emotion didn’t reach his eyes. Shortly, he wrapped my wrist with his hand and said, “There’s something I need to bring up, Daphne . Can I have a moment with you?”
• For some reason, his tone made my heart race… in a bad way. “S-sure. Here?”
• "Outside."
• We were standing by the fountain, settling in the garden, the next thing I knew. This was the center of their sprawling home. Everything was vintage and romantic.
• Hold on. So it means…
• “ Daphne …”
• My heart skipped a beat as he mentioned my name. But I didn't say anything or turn around. I bit my lower lip, waiting for him to complete his statement... or sweet confession.
• “I want you to know that—”
• “Lennon, we were looking for you all over the place.”
• I frowned as I turned to face that familiar female voice that had intruded on my private time with Lennon. “Alaine?”
• “Oh…you.” She didn't seem surprised, but she had a look of displeasure on her face as she smiled at me. "Has he told you the whole truth yet?”
• "What truth?" I asked with a frown.
• Alaine's eyes were drawn to Lennon, who was now standing next to her. He even encircled her waist with his arm.
• “Wait a second. What the hell’s going on?” I chuckled nervously, seeing the two of them together.
• “Alaine is my mate,” Lennon said and dipped a kiss on Alaine’s lips.