"If only I had been mated to one of them."

I chuckled while shaking my head. Just as Ivan left with Keira, Natalie returned with cheese balls. She was sulking over how there were couples all around.

"Being single is fun," I muttered while gazing at the dancing crowd. Rituals were done. Drums were being beaten to the loudest and fastest beats. "Unless your future lover is some angel."

"I am sure, I am mated to a demon." Natalie said through clenched jaws. Her anxiety was rising by each second.

"Natalie, calm down." I said while picking up another cheese roll. I tried to distract her. "Did you see the change in Ivan? He looked better tonight."

She thought for a moment, looking cute with blushed cheeks and maroon heart-shaped lips. "Because he has made a big effort in his relationship with Keira. He talked to Uncle Robert and Aunt Kate over permission to keep Keira with him at his home during her heat. He could smell it approaching. Pete knows too. Taria too had offered Keira to stay in her house during the heat."

"What did Keira say?"

Natalie shrugged her shoulders. "She said that she would be fine back at her home. But I think that was just to wave off the conversation. She was shy in front of Taria."

"Will they mate?" I asked worriedly. "Ivan told me that he won't touch her."

"Technically, he will have to touch her. If he stays closer to her, it will only calm her down. But no, he won't mate. Ivan is Ivan. Not some pervert. He respects the consent unlike some rude bastards," said Natalie through clenched jaws.

My eyebrows raised at her sudden aggression. I glanced at her and caught her gazing at the group of males in suits and boots far away.

I recognized Miku and Dylan but didn't found Axel. Then, why was Natalie looking angry?

"What's your equation with Axel? You licked him last night," I asked, making her look at me immediately.

His name brought such anger on her face, she gritted her teeth. "Misty, I only taunted him. Understand the gesture. It was his cheek and wine."

"But that was sexy."

"He was provoking Thomas. He keeps-Wait! What?" She stared at me, numbly. "What did you say?"

I smiled goofily, rolling my tongue inside my cheek. "Nothing."

She released a heavy breath slowly while I started looking at the dancing wolves. "I am not attracted to him, Misty. Even if him and I were stuck on a lost island, I won't even think of standing within ten metres of him."

I shook my head while seeing her curling flicks around her fingers absentmindedly. "I believe otherwise."

"I swear, I won't even look at him. I would drown myself rather than be stuck with him on an island. He is so arrogant and mean. I hate the very existence of him. But he had the boner while hovering naked over me that full moon night. Considering that, you can conclude who is the attracted one here. Besides, he just hates me too. And we have different mates chosen. Poor she-wolf will have to cope up with his evilness."

My eyebrows raised at the last word. "You touched his cheek too. The rest of the pack doesn't know this. But I do. I was the sole witness.And you are the evil one here too," I said while looking at her.

Natalie gasped and was about to reply. But my words stopped her.

I explained, "It's not his fault that you are going to be chosen for a Lycan. You didn't have to put his life in danger. Pete had ripped his skin off. His muscles didn't heal for days. Claws and claws everywhere. There were bandages all around his body, Natalie. His head was bandaged too. For a wolf who has shifted for the first time, it wasn't possible for him to heal that fast. He suffered the pain! He nearly died."

Natalie's eyes turned stunned and glossy. Her mouth stayed parted.

I stared in her emerald orbs. "You knew that you were wrong that night. You didn't even go to check on him. Even Pete knows what you did. But guess what, he loves you as his little sister. He didn't punish you like he punished Axel. For him, you are just a little pup. But in reality, you are mean. Very mean. At least, Axel shows it openly. You don't. Not to forget, you put my life in danger too."

My mood turned sour at scolding her as her face had fallen. I took my camera and walked away from her.

* * * *

Natalie was nowhere in sight when I looked back at the same place after five minutes. God knows where she was sulking and crying.

I felt like a loser. I felt stupid for bursting out on her. She was already anxious for tomorrow night. The fact that she hadn't shifted yet made me curse at myself more. She was truly a little pup after all.

"Red Riding Hood."

I jumped up at the sudden intrusion. I was sitting around this table which was at the corner of the tent. It was covered with a decorative tent and still some wolf groups had covered the dancing crowd for me. I needed a minute to calm myself.

And now, I was regretting speaking that way to Natalie.

Emmanuel sat beside me on a chair. A smile curved my lips at seeing his platinum blonde hair. "Hey," I mumbled.

He hummed while I observed his jeans and blue coat over a V-neck tee. Cool. It was refreshing to see him in that look.

"You look all rosy tonight," he complimented, making me blush. A smirk curved his lips when he said, "Very charming. I heard that you'll be leaving for the human world, tonight."

I smiled tightly. "Yes."

He twitched his cheek slightly. "I'll be gone too, tomorrow. They don't keep extra wolves on the fourth day and night. Only the eligible ones. My mother would be disappointed at seeing me returning alone again."

I blinked with a smile. "You'll find her."

"Why couldn't you be her? Pretty and intelligent," he teased, running fingers through his hair.

I giggled slightly.

"It's the night for lovers tonight. Look at the dance floor. One of your siblings is going crazy with his mate," he said while looking over me towards the dance floor. "He dances so well."

"Thomas," I mumbled and nodded. "He is just wild and adorable."

I bit my lip while thinking of asking a selfie with him. Lexi would go crazy seeing my photo with him. He was still observing the crowd.

Just as I thought of a line, his smile faded. His gaze moved as if the wolf he was looking at was walking towards us only. And I was right when I saw a shadow passing over his face.

Emmanuel stood up while masking a blank expression on his face.

My eyes moved to the other person and my heart jolted in surprise. Was Moon Goddess having a little fun with me, tonight? Making both of the hotties stand together. I wasn't ready for such double-lottery.

"Making friends, Emmanuel?" Declan asked calmly.

My gaze moved over his dark blue shirt and shiny black pant. A matching black coat was hanging on one of his arms.

"Memories," said Emmanuel while looking at him with equal confidence.

Declan raised one eyebrow. "At a corner, away from the crowd?"

Emmanuel didn't say anything and kept looking into his eyes. Declan narrowed his eyebrows and glared so hard, making Emmanuel lower his eyes forcefully.

My mouth opened in shock when Emmanuel didn't look up anymore. Declan smirked and nodded. "Leave already. Have a good night."

Emmanuel didn't even give me one glance and started walking away.

My eyes widened as I watched him picking up a speed. "My selfie?" I whispered.

"He is very desperate to meet his mate. Seeing you alone. . ." Declan stopped speaking and gave me a straight look. He put his coat on a chair. "I could feel his thoughts, about you. They weren't good."

I crossed my arms and gave him a blank look. "As if you aren't desperate to meet your mate. We were just talking. I needed a selfie with him. His white hair. . . Lexi would have gone mad!" I said while shaking my head and looking away.

Looking back at him, Declan was amused at my frustration. "White hair? Bald is the new sexy."

I looked over his rough-looking face. Again, those purple circles under his eyes were doing something with me. "Only some can rock the long-hair look," I told him.

He scoffed teasingly. "Only some has the guts to shave it all."

I rolled my eyes, looking at the crowd. Thomas was surrounded by Luna Anne and Alyssa. Klynn was dancing with Orina. Uncle Ryan was dancing with his son, Rico. Alanna was jumping around with Gina.

The song changed and they turned more crazy. From the corner of my eyes, I caught Nirvan and Fiona laughing and walking towards the floor.

"You were showing off your Alpha gaze to him. I saw that," I mumbled quietly. "I hate how there's this categorization here. Just because he is a common wolf, you can't tell him to sit or stand anywhere else."

"I do what I feel is right."

I looked back at Declan. For some unknown reason, he was smiling in amusement.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked calmly.

He smiled more. "You are beautiful."

My face turned warm and heart started twirling inside my chest.

"Do you want to dance?"

My mind was blown. I narrowed my eyes while asking, "Did Eva say something to you?"

It couldn't be a crazy coincidence that Emmanuel was here and I was close to ask him for a selfie. Now, Declan and the dance?

Declan blinked in confusion. "About what?"

"Something?" I asked and nearly slipped my tongue when he took a step closer.

He offered me his hand. "Slow dance?"

I blinked rapidly and gulped.

Taking his hand, I moved closer. He shook his head while holding my waist with his one hand. "I haven't talked to her yet about anything. I am sure, she is ready with her demands to patrol the border. Leo was telling me about it."

Leo was already working on fulfilling Eva's wishes. I smiled in admiration for this guy. He was a gem. Wasn't he?

"Why would you ask?" Declan asked while I put my other hand on his shoulder.

He started moving slowly and so did I. It was a first for me. Even on the prom, I only danced crazily with Lexi and Ryan.

"Just like that," I muttered while sighing heavily.

"Have you packed your bags?" He asked gently.

"Yeah." I smiled sadly. "Mom did that for me. What about you? Will you be gone in the morning or stay for the girls?"

"I'll have to stay for my she-wolves," he said softly. "I hope, they don't ask from my pack this time."

I gulped hard while thinking of Natalie. "Everyone has a gut feeling that it's our pack's turn."

Declan shook his head. "Pete is not ready to suffer that."

"I know," I whispered. "He wishes to stop all this nonsense of sending females away."

Declan smiled slightly at me. Goosebumps raised on my arms when his hand grabbed my waist with more gentleness. "But without sending them away, we can't bring your Rucus and Severa together. The main benefit will only be of Southern Pack. The rest of us are just wanting for the good to happen selflessly."

I blinked in thought. "Why don't you all just tell Lycans about the plan? Won't they be happy that their Severa will finally be meeting her mate? Lycans would themselves cooperate by bringing the bones or whatever you all need."

Declan let out a rough laughter. "As if no one thought of this before. We have. Many Alphas have," he said, his smile fading through the words. "But Lycans hate the descendants of Rucus, Misty. They hate the wolves who have Rucus' blood running in their veins. The wolf who caged them forever. The wolf managed to make Moon Goddess helpless to punish her dearest Lycans."

My lips parted and his eyes fell on them for a second. "How can you be so sure?"

He tilted his head. "If only you could see the way Kingston looks at Alpha Gilbert and Pete. And this time, if the she-wolf from your pack is leaving, he will definitely have a direct conversation with Pete."

"He doesn't talk to everyone?"

Declan looked in my eyes. "They speak less. Only the words that matter. Kingston only talks to the Alpha he is required to talk with."

I was low-key impressed. "How does he looks?"

He chuckled humorlessly. "You better not ask."

I tilted my head while swaying along him. "That handsome?"

Declan moved his gaze all over my face. "The real beauty is inside."

I observed his face and realized how closer we had gotten physically. My stomach flipped in sweet desire.

"The outer beauty is just the illusion. Confusion," he said before moving his face extremely closer to mine.

My breath stuck in my throat and eyes closed as I felt his hot breath on my lips.

Confusion?

Confusion.

Confusion!

My eyes opened in shock. I gasped. Before Declan could kiss me, I pulled my face back in horror.

He looked down at my cleavage. "Your heart. . . It's going wild. What's wrong?"

"Oh my God," I whispered while staring far at the tent in horror. Declan shook my shoulder to catch my attention. I looked back at him in realization. "Confusion."

"What?" He asked desperately.

I covered my mouth and gasped again. Looking towards the dance floor, I saw how Thomas and Alyssa were dancing. Nirvan and Fiona were laughing and enjoying.

"They. . . The confusion. Oh my God!" I gasped again. "It got cleared!"

Declan was confused.

I clutched the collar of his shirt and sucked in a huge breathe. "Stephen had earlier told that the extreme emotions of future Alpha affects the youth of the pack when he gets the rank. The environment forces wolves to follow and imitate him naturally. . ."

Declan was nodding actively in understanding. But then, his eyes widened.

We both stared at each other in shock and whispered together.

"Pete."

* * * *

Looking around, I kept walking hurriedly. Pete was nowhere to be seen. Not at any table or any stall or the dance floor. On other nights, he was usually working around and laughing with his friends. Tonight, he was invisible.

"I am looking for him at the parking. His friends were drinking there, last night." Declan said while jogging away in hurry.

I nodded and looked back at the party scene. "Last night," I whispered to myself.

It was last night when Thomas had gotten cleared about Alyssa. Nirvan found Fiona. Not just them. Connor and Dylan have found their mates too.

It simply meant one thing.

I palmed my forehead.

Pete had smelled the scent of his mate, last night.

I needed to find him and talk to him. He must be helpless. Even in the afternoon, he looked like he was hiding something.

He had smelled her scent.

I bit my lip while looking back towards the huts. Alpha Rucus' statue was standing tall and shining in the middle. His hand towards the Lycan's territory was highlighted with the laser lights.

Pete had smelled her two years ago, on the full moon night and last night.

"Did you find him?" Declan returned while panting hard. He had checked the parking so quickly.

I shook my head worriedly. "He smelled her again. He is maybe under Alpha Rucus' statue or at the border."

Declan clenched his jaws. Without saying anything, he started walking towards the residential streets. He took the turn towards Alpha Rucus' statue.

I immediately removed my heels and picked them up in hands. Taking a fist full of my beautiful dress, I started running towards the streets and took the first turn for the training grounds.

The streets were silent when I reached way ahead of the party ground. Loud coughs escaped me as I stopped and took a breathe. The cold air had peeled my throat, nostrils and feet. The cold concrete road was so icy and sharp. I knew, I would be needing some rest from walking later.

But for now, I needed to find Pete.

For a moment, I even got myself lost in the streets. Looking around, I halted my gaze back on Alpha Rucus' statue and his hand. I smiled actively. He was always there to show the way. Wasn't he?

Taking the right, I kept running hard through the long street and stopped again. The running was way too difficult in the cold weather.

"Misty!" Declan yelled from the far.

I coughed hard while glancing back at him. He was running towards me with anger on his face. "Why the fuck are you running barefoot? Do you want to catch Rucussa breeze? Do you wanna die?"

I gulped hard and choked out, "Where is he?"

"He wasn't at the—"

His words were cut off by a loud female scream. My face paled while Declan too looked stunned.

We both looked towards the grounds and started running crazily.

Another loud scream echoed and my heart reached my throat. Declan had already touched the grounds while I was yet to cross the street. And when I actually did, my mind was blown.

My feet stopped on my own and eyes widened. Lush cold air surrounded me along with the cold I felt from watching the unbelievable happening. Chills were running down my spine, the heels slipped from my hands to the grounds.

Shuddering in horror, I watched it all with my own eyes with a dark background music, Thomas and party would be dancing on.

Declan reached the very first row of dense trees that were so close to border we were prohibited to get close to. He crossed a writhing Eva who was watching her mate trying hard to stop an uncontrollable Pete.

Eyes were shining red, claws and canines were out. Pete was trying to run towards the border with glassy look in his eyes. Leo was pulling and pushing him back to our land that he had to rule. In between the process, Pete's desperation for crossing the border had reached a point where he was removing the obstacles in his path.

Leo was bleeding from every inch. Chest was ripped. Head was bleeding. Clothes were torn. Leg was limping. Pete was pushing him away and yet Beta Leo was controlling Alpha Pete.

But Pete was outraged. He kept attacking Leo like a frustrated predator being stopped from catching his meal.

Eva must have gotten into the way as her cheek was clawed and sleeve was ripped. She was trying to come between them again. But Pete was scary.

He was the beast.

Leo gagged out blood when Pete bit him on the arm and spat a chunk full of meat.

Eva and I screamed out in horror.

"No!" Eva ran towards Pete and finally Declan had reached.

He pushed her out of the way, making her fall away from them on the ground.

"Pete! Get back to your senses!" Declan growled while grabbing him from behind.

My mouth opened, shoulders sulked in terror when Leo was free and fell on the ground, limped.

Pete tried to run towards the borders again and my vision turned blurry.

"My mate! She is calling me!" Pete growled out loudly.

Someone passed by my side in lightening speed and slowly, more wolves arrived. Gusts of wind were making me away helplessly. From there it all went for me in a slow motion sequence. Because my breaths were gone. All that left was the blurry vision full of horror.

Gilbert grabbed Pete's other arm. Uncle Robert helped Beta Iago who carried him in the arms and started running towards me. Sanity left my mind when I got the close look of what Pete did to Leo.

I screamed out loud, moving away, letting out sobs.

Leo was drowned in his own blood.

My heart jolted when I recalled seeing his stomach all ripped and clawed.

Thomas and Nirvan were controlling a writhing Eva. Declan and Alpha Rudy were controlling an angry Klynn.

Gilbert was failing to control Pete alone as he clawed his own father at the chest too.

Thomas and Eva growled loudly.

"My mate! Let me go!" Pete growled, his eyes showing red.

Someone stopped beside me, panting faintly.

I glanced at Luna Elsie of Mystics and got more scared. She looked terrified.

"Go!" She screamed the order.

Eytellia and Ezra, the mystic couple ran towards the insane wolves.

A gust of wind shook me wildly and I saw the glimpse of Mom's wide eyes.

She ran towards Eva.

"Pete!" Gilbert growled so hard. The owls flew away from the trees. His eyes were so wide and angry. But Pete didn't calm down.

Klynn wanted to kill Pete. It was so visible. Half the army was controlling him to stop him from not reaching Pete just like Eva.

More gusts of wind chilled me as more wolves entered the grounds. Alpha Brexton and Alpha Esther helped Gilbert. They growled collectively at Pete and tried to break his stance. But he was the uncontrollable beast, tonight.

"Eytellia!" Mom nodded while holding Eva's arms.

The mystic couple exchanged a glance before standing in the path of Pete, ten steps away between him and the border.

Both raised their palms and started chanting spells.

"Goddess save the ruler of this pack. No one deserves this," Luna Elsie whispered a prayer with joined hands beside me. Her eyes held tears. "Not another Willis, my Goddess. Not another one."

Tears leaked from my eyes and I looked back at the main scene.

Eytellia and Ezra were getting louder. Pete was glaring at both of them, completely distracted by the obstacles. When his arms were being held by the Alphas.

"He killed my mate!" Eva growled and let out a shriek of trauma. "Let me kill him!"

My heart dropped in fright.

"This monster!" Klynn growled with dark eyes, being controlled Uncle Robert and Alpha Rudy.

Eytellia and Ezra kept chanting the spells.

"Do it, Malina." Luna Elsie whispered from beside me.

My eyes widened when Mom moved away from Eva, letting Thomas and Nirvan control her.

"Do it!" Declan growled while punching his younger brother, Klynn.

Mom picked up something from the ground and started walking closer to Pete, right behind him and the Alphas.

"Let me go!" Pete growled at the mystic couple.

Gilbert looked back at Mom. "For Goddess' sake, do it!" He growled.

Mom took five steps back in sudden aggression and started running towards Pete, jumping high enough to climb on his shoulder. She hit his head with the stone hard.

Pete was being controlled by three mature Alphas and one Luna at once. I hadn't even mentioned the mystic couple yet.

"Calm the fuck down!" Mom growled while hitting his head again.

Pete staggered a little until Gilbert let out an angry growl.

"Pete!"

The ground shook beneath me while Luna Elsie grabbed my hand. We both jumped up at the contact. She moved away from me when I showed her my pale, scared face.

"Calm down!" Gilbert growled again as Pete finally started halting his movements.

Eytellia and Ezra moved closer to Pete. The Alphas moved away while Gilbert took Pete in his arms, catching his fainting body.

Eva and Klynn both stopped when Pete was laid on the ground by his father.

Everyone was horrified at the scene, was an understatement to what it actually looked to me.

Eva was traumatized. She turned around and started running towards us. Passing us, she went away towards the houses at a lightening speed.

"Do you hear that?" Luna Elsie whispered beside me.

Alphas stayed back and started checking the borders. Other males had arrived too and were immediately given orders.

Gilbert bent down to carry Pete in his arms, while everyone else watched.

"What?" I asked the woman standing who was same as of my mother's age.

"The voice." She replied with wide eyes.

I looked at her, frightened by her white hair and green eyes. "What voice?"

"Look at the dense trees and listen."

I blinked in suspense while my body was chilled to the core. Cheeks felt like they were torn by the wetness and freezing gusts of wind.

Sniffling in trauma, I still looked back towards the dense trees over the little crowd of horrified wolves. The trees in between where the border was hidden.

"Misty. . ."

I gasped in panic. Dread filled all of my chest.

"Run away," whispered Luna Elsie while giving me a warm smile that seemed creepy at the moment. "They are coming."

"Misty, come with us." Thomas said while grabbing my hand. Nirvan picked up my heels. When I stumbled upon the first step, Thomas bent down to carry me in his arms.

I looked back at Luna Elsie. Dressed in a satin green dress, she was staring at me with the same warm smile.

I passed my gaze over to the vast ground and the roaming Alphas who were investigating. But then, I heard the echo again.

"Misty. . . "

Immediately, turning my head, I pushed my head into Thomas' chest and closed my eyes.

______

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