Chapter 3

• Daphne
• My mouth parted but no words came out. Did I hear him right? Is this just a dream? A nightmare rather?
• “A-are you sure?” Finally, I found my voice.
• “Surprised? Well, lucky for me, it looks like I'm the next Luna." Alaine laughed. She let her scarf loose, revealing a mark on her shoulder that looked like a bite. “See, I was marked two years ago by Lennon. Don’t you want to see his mark too?”
• “This is impossible!” I yelled, my tears stinging my eyes.
• She pulled Lennon closer, then looked at me as they walked away. "Will you excuse us? There's a big announcement coming up in a few minutes. You should come inside too."
• I only froze as I stared at both of them. For if I moved, I’d be shattering into a thousand pieces.
• If I were not the one destined to be Lennon’s mate, of all the people, why would the Moon Goddess pair Lennon with the most difficult being in this whole world?
• Alaine was twenty like Lennon, two years older than me. She was already existing just before I was born. Her eyes were gray like her mother's, hair was dark blond and wavy just like Jaime's. She was friendly as we grew up together. With her by my side, I thought I'd finally found my best friend. But as the years passed, her true colors emerged.
• At home, she would let me do all of the housework while yelling at me, especially when my brother was away on patrol. She wouldn't talk to me at school because she had her own group of she-wolf friends, and she didn't care if I didn't have a seat in the cafeteria. It was as if I didn't exist. I couldn't figure out why she treated me like an outsider.
• Why is it that all of a sudden, they become mates? How long have been they hiding the truth from me? Since they both turned eighteen?
• As I returned to the grand lobby, I was still looking for answers. I felt like the most beautiful girl in town just a few hours ago. But now, all of my self-esteem had vanished, leaving me only humiliation and self-pity.
• Should I return home? What was the point of going to an event that wasn't for me? It hurts my eyes to see Lennon and Alaine in such intimacy. Then there was my brother and his bitch wife. They were having a good time chatting with the Alpha. By his gestures, it looked like they were planning for the future, Lennon’s future to be exactly where I sure had no part.
• If only I could shift like other young girls my age, I would flee into the woods and hide from everyone. I used to wonder what color my purr would be, and how fast and strong I could become. Also, I was always curious about how amazing it felt to communicate with my inner wolf. I couldn't wait to finally meet her. It was like waiting for an old good friend to return from a long trip.
• Run? No way. You confront the jerk.
• I gasped when someone spoke. My gaze darted around the busy hall, but no one seemed to be speaking to me. How could that be where I was in the farthest corner? I was almost part of the wall.
• "Perhaps I'm just tired?" I hushed.
• You are. But at the very least, give him a taste of what he did, girl!
• I massaged my temples, realizing that the voice was not coming from anywhere but inside my head. So it means…
• “A-are you… are you my wolf?”
• Reina at your service. The voice replied with a giggle.
• “Reina?” I managed to smile. Finally, there’s my wolf! But as much as I wanted to celebrate, I couldn’t. Every cell in my body was weeping because of what Lennon and Alaine did to me.
• “I’m glad you’re here, at last, Reina. But forgive me, I can’t chat with you right now.”
• I felt her crease her nose. Why is that?
• “I was busy mourning. I’m sure you know why,” I said, gazing at Lennon from afar.
• Then go tell the jerk how stupid of an idiot he is!
• I grimaced as Reina continued to cuss in my head. I was a bit stubborn, but I think Reina was better… or worse. She appeared to be a feisty and carefree wolf—traits that I loved the most.
• Just go! Give him a piece of your mind.
• “Piece of my mind or piece of ‘your’ mind?” I clarified.
• It’s just the same. We’re a single machine, anyway.
• And now I find myself pursuing her thoughts. I stomped toward Lennon, ignoring everyone's expressions, including my brother and the Alpha.
• “ Daphne .” Lennon smiled. But it was more of a smirk.
• “Why?” I demanded, gritting my teeth. “You should’ve told me before.”
• Everyone’s attention was drawn to us the moment my voice rose. Jaime grabbed my arm and muttered in my ear, telling me to stop all this nonsense. But no! If I started this, I wouldn’t turn back.
• “What do you think you’re doing, little wolf?” Alpha Darius huffed.
• The Alpha's voice caused my heart to beat a little bit faster. Lennon stood at a solid six feet tall, but his father was taller, not to mention, stronger. Even though he had gray hair and fine lines on his forehead and around his eyes, he still appeared to be the strongest one in our pack.
• Although he frightened me, my hatred for his ill-mannered son was much stronger. “Why am I doing this?” I stared at him in disbelief. "Your son has found a mate, but he refused to let me know and persisted in fooling around with me. Why the hell is that, then?”
• " Daphne, is what you're fighting for really worth the scandal?” Alaine glared at me. “Wow, it's obvious why the Moon Goddess didn't pick you as his mate. She is aware that you are not a good fit for the pack, just like you are not a good fit for my family.”
• “I’m—what?”
• “Enough, Alaine.” Jaime groaned at his daughter, but his hand was still on my elbow. “This isn’t the right time to talk about this. Wait until we go home.”
• “Oh, Jaime, let her. This is the right time to tell Daphne the truth.” Yvette intervened between her daughter and husband. Then she smirked at me secretly.
• Confusion flooded my mind, making my stomach seem to churn even more. I glared at my brother. “What are they talking about?”
• “Tell us,” Alpha Darius demanded, eyeing Jaime. “We are going to be one house, so hidden backgrounds are not going to be tolerated.”
• The strange silence formed goosebumps on my skin. Until Jaime’s eyes welled in tears as he looked down at me. “I’m so sorry, Daphne, but Alaine is right. We don’t share the same blood. I…” he paused, clenching his teeth. “I just found you in the woods.”
• I tilted my head at him, his words slowly registering in my head. Reina, on the other hand, became more restless. Her low groans became dangerous growls.
• ‘Hell, no!’
• “T-that isn’t true,” I chuckled bitterly, my misty sight wandering at each one of them. Reina, on the other hand, continued to deny our origin. “You are my brother. And our parents are the previous high-ranked werewolves in this pack.”
• “They were,” Jaime said, staring down at his feet. “But, you are not one of us. I have no idea where you come from.”
• “Well, this is terrible news, Jaime,” Alpha Darius said roughly and stared at me. “You know what we do to werewolves who don’t belong in this pack, don’t you? Who knows your parents might be rogues.”
• My mouth opened but no words came out. Inside of me, it felt cold. My heart was freezing as if an icy dagger had just stabbed into my chest.
• “You. Leave.”
• I blinked. “W-what?”
• Alpha Darius turned to Jaime. “I’m not repeating what I just said. So you tell her, otherwise, I’ll strip off the Beta rank from you.”
• I turned to Jaime, giving him a begging look. “I… I have nowhere to go.”
• He avoided my gaze. “This is the best for you, Daphne. Now that they know, everybody in this pack will mock you. Worse, torture and kill you. So, please, free yourself.”