"You have no right to do that!" Geraldine yelled angrily at the Alpha.

"Watch your tone with me girl! I am still your Alpha. I have the right to make any and all decisions concerning this pack's welfare. If I say this challenge is over, then its over." My father replied and I sighed in frustration.

"Excuse me Alpha, I mean no disrespect, but You need to stay out of this. You can not use the position of Alpha to interrupt this challenge just because one of the fighters happens to be you daughter. It wouldn't be proper." The referee in charge of determining the outcome of the challenge replied.

At this, my father let out a deep growl warning the referee that he was walking on dangerous territory. My mother sighed placing a hand on my father's shoulder once more. "I know this isn't what you want to hear, but he is right Dear. We can not interfere in the challenge. It wouldn't be right. Besides, Autumn can take care of herself."

"Geraldine I've known you since you were a young pup. You have so much potential. Don't throw it all away." My father replied.

"I won't let her take what belongs to me!" Geraldine hissed in reply.

"Yet, you have no qualms about taking what is rightfully hers." My father replied with a slight growl.

"She doesn't deserve him!" Geraldine replied her voice laced with venom. As she goes to attack me once more. I easily dodge the attack making her angrier. "Why can't I kill you?" She mutters angrily.

"This is getting tiring, let's shift and finish this once and for all shall we?" I reply with a yawn. Blocking her attack once more. A few seconds later, I now have her in a choke hold and could easily snap her neck. "Yield."

"Never."

"Why are you making this harder then it has to be?"

"Because you freak, You don't deserve to be our Luna. Your weak, foolish, not to mention ugly."

Moon goddess POV

I grew tired of watching this fight. It was time to intervene. "Enough!"

"Moon goddess?"

"I've had enough of this petty bickering. Shift now!" Immediately we both shifted back into our human forms and quickly got dressed. "I want you to listen carefully to me Geraldine, I granted Gustavo the gift of allowing him the ability to choose his mate and he has chosen Autumn. You will respect his choice."

"I don't understand. Why is he doing this?" Geraldine replied with tears in his eyes. "We are meant to be together."

"I know this hurts, and I hate that I'm causing you pain, but Gustavo was never your mate."

"But I felt the mate bond with him and though he denies it now, he felt it with me too."

"It wasn't a true mate bond my dear.

"Because he loves Autumn, he has ever since he laid eyes on her years ago.."

"If he has loved her for years, then why bully her? Why did he reject her and choose to be with me?" Geraldine demands bitterly.

"That was a mistake... I never should have rejected her.." Gustavo said with a sigh causing Geraldine to growl....

"You need to accept the truth Geraldine. Gustavo is not your mate. However, You'll meet someone that you will fall in love with soon enough."

"I don't want to be given another mate ." Geraldine hissed at the moon goddess.

"You think that I don't I want the mate she had originally planned for me? The Alpha of the Nightshade Shadow moon pack? Unfortunately, this isn't a fairytale. Life isn't always fair. I will accept Gustavo as my mate, but on one condition."

"What would you have me do?"

"Remove your curse from my mate. Remove the curse which by the way was quite unfair, from the Alpha of the Nightshade Shadow moon pack."

"Why do you care about the Nightshade Shadow Moon Pack Alpha's Curse?"

"Because I know the truth. I know that he was my destined mate until you places that cruel and unfair curse on him."

"I will not reverse the curse. I have given him plenty of chances. He is a monster who cares for nothing and no one. He has no love in his heart. I won't allow him to hurt you."

"Please don't harden your heart against him forever. Please give him a chance to prove that he is capable of loving someone and that he can earn their love in return. Despite all that he's done."

"If he can't pass that challenge within a reasonable amount of time, then let him remain cursed for all time. But at least give him a chance to win someone's heart. Even if it's not mine." I reply sadly.

"What if he decided that he wants to peruse you? What then Autumn? Do you expect me to sit by and allow him to court you?" Gustavo replies with a snarl.

"Humm. Alright. I will consider allowing him the chance to prove his worth. However, in the meantime, you will accept Gustavo as your mate and You will give him a chance to earn your love. You will allow him to mark you if he desires too. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Moon Goddess." I reply with a sigh but my wolf let out a deep growl.

"Moon Goddess or not, you can't force me to accept his mark. He is NOT my mate and I will NEVER submit to him!" My wolf replies. And I groan.

The moon goddess sighs "what am I going to do with you Amethyst?"

"Give me my true mate back. As for Gustavo he had his chance to be my mate. He chose to reject me. That's not something I intend to forget or forgive so easily."

Gustavo POV
Finally. After all these years Autumn is finally mine. I can't wait for our wedding and the events that follow it. Of course, the wedding is just a formality. She is mine and I will mark her with or without her consent.

Once I mark her, I will breed her. Truth be told, that's the only real reason that I want her. She's pure. Unlike Geraldine, who willingly opens her legs for whoever wants her. She has kept herself for her mate. I will take what's mine as soon as the words I do are spoken.

Anthony POV

"Due to the pleading of your mate, I have decided to end your punishment and allow you the chance to prove that you are worthy of having a mate."

"How exactly do I do that?"

"If you can learn to love another, and can earn their love in return, then the curse will be broken. If not, you shall remain mateless forever. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes." After the moon goddess had left I plopped down on my bed and sighed. How exactly was I to prove that I was capable of love? How could I earn someone's love in return? That seemed like an impossible task. "What have I gotten myself into? There is no way I can win this challenge."

"Not without a little help." Came a voice from the window.

"Who are you? How did you get past my defenses?"

At this the strange man chuckled his teeth shining in the moonlight. "I have my ways. Tell me, do you want to win this challenge?"

"Yes, but I don't see how."

"The answer to your problem is simple. You must find your true mate. Only she can lift this curse."

"How am I supposed to do that when she has been hidden from me?"

"It just so happens, that I know in which pack she resides. I can ensure that she and her new mate do not mark each other."

"Why would you do that?"

"Let's just say that I enjoy causing that witch pain. You see, the moon goddess and I were destined to be together, but she refused to be mine. Calling me a monster. Now she is doing the same to you. How exactly is punishing you for your father's crimes fair?"

"I suppose it isn't."

"My point exactly. The moon goddess can be piety and cruel. She's punishing you for crimes that you will commit, not crimes that you have committed. She intends to make this challenge un-winnable. I intend on ensuring that you can, and will win."

"What's in it for you?"

"I get to prove to the moon goddess that I'm not as black hearted as I appear. That I too, know how to love and am capable of compassion. That, and it will drive her crazy." The Strange man replies flashing me a smile. As he did, I saw his fangs glistening in the moonlight and I let out a deep growl.

"Your a vampire?"

"Yes. Is that going to be a problem?"

"No."

"Good."

"Promise me, that if my mate seems happy and willing to be mated to this new male, that you won't interfere."

"And if she doesn't seem willing?"

"Do what you want, so long as you don't harm her. Wait, what will your help cost me?"

"For right now, absolutely nothing dear boy. However, I am not planning on remaining the king forever. I eventually will hand the title to my son. He shall determine what price you will pay for our help in this matter. Trust me when I say, that we will come to collect payment just not when your expecting it."

"I don't like being in debted to anyone. Tell me the price now or consider the deal off."

"Fine. One day, many years down the road a female member of your family will serve mine."

"Deal."

"Don't make this deal lightly boy. A deal with me is eternally binding." The vampire replied flashing his fangs at me.

"They won't be a slave right? They will just serve in your household as a work in maid?"

"Yes. So do we have a deal?"

"I know I'm going to regret this, but yes. We have a deal." I replied shaking the vampire's hand.

Gustavo's wolf POV

"Do you Gustavo take Autumn to be your mate? Will you to the best of your ability love, honor and cherish Autumn for the rest of your days? Forsaking all others in sickness and in health till death do you part?"

"I do."

"And do you Autumn take Gustavo to be your mate? Will you love, honor and cherish him till in sickness and in health till death do you part?"

"She does NOT." Came a voice from the back of the church. We turned to see a strange man standing in the doorway.

"Who are you to interrupt our marriage vows?"

A deep chuckle rumbled from the man's throat. "All you need to know is that I am representative of Autumn's true mate."

"Is he such a wimp that he can't come himself?" I scoffed.

"He is choosing to accept the moon goddess's decision. I on the other hand, have no issue with challenging her choice to give this lovely lady to another. She belongs to The Alpha of the Nightshade Shadow Moon pack. She will be claimed as his..."

"How dare you stand around deciding my fate! I am not some prize to be won! I belong to no one!" With that Autumn turned ready to storm off.

However, Gustavo grabbed her just before she was able to escape. "Where do you think your going my love? We have a wedding to finish. After-which I am going to mark you in front of the entire pack." I said with a sadistic chuckle. Autumn whimpered in reply and I smiled.

Her eyes pleading with me to reconsider. I wasn't going too. I had wanted her from the moment I laid eyes on her when we were toddlers, and now she was mine. Willing or not, she belonged to me.

"Where were we? Ah yes. Do you Gustavo take Autumn take Gustavo to be your mate?"

"Skip to the end."

"Do you Autumn take Gustavo to be your husband?"

"Man and wife say man and wife."

"Man and wife." The priest replied to the shock of Autumn. "You may now mark your bride." The priest replied Autumn closed her eyes and turned her face away.

If Gustavo wanted to mark her against her will he would have to do it on his own.

Gustavo POV

My wolf refused to extend our canines in order to mark Autumn. So I'd have to mark her myself. My patience was wearing thin as I sighed in frustration. I grabbed her chin and forced her to face us. "Don't turn your face away from me. I want to see those beautiful eyes as I mark you."

With that, I found her sweet spot on her neck and bit down on her and she let out a scream of pain. I smiled as I licked the spot that I had bitten healing it instantly.

Now the world knew that she was mine. I frowned as my mark disappeared instantly. "What's going on? Where my mark go?"

"Oh dear. Evidently, because your wolf wasn't in agreement in marking her and both Autumn and her wolf are at odds concerning being marked, your mark will not remain permanent."

"WHAT?" I snarled grabbing Autumn by the arm. "I don't care if your wolf accepts my mark or not. Come wife. It's time we were on our honeymoon. Where you will fulfill your wifely responsibilities."

I replied grabbing her arm and dragging her off stage. Once in the pack house I threw her onto the bed.

"How dare you embarrass me like that in front of the entire pack! You will submit to me. You will accept my mark and you will allow Autumn to mark me. You will complete the mating process and You will bear me an heir." I want to use the Alpha command however, but my wolf refuses to do so.

At this, Autumn's wolf let out a giggle. "You have no power over me. Don't forget, you're only Alpha so long as I allow it. I am this pack's true leader. Prove yourself worthy of being my mate, and then maybe I'll accept your mark."

"Until you have proven yourself worthy , I won't submit to you. I'll make sure no one else does either. As far as I'm concerned You are Alpha by title only and that's the way it's going to remain."

"You think this is some game? Well it isn't! You will submit to me, or I won't hesitate to take everything from you. Starting with your parents. I promise you, I will kill them." My wolf groaned.

"I might be wrong but that might not be the best way to win Autumn's affections. Please, attempt to be a gentleman."

"But she is being so difficult!" It would give me great pleasure if you would accept my mark..."

"That's not going to happen."

"Then say goodbye to your parents."

At this, Autumn fought to regain control and she hung her head in defeat. "Please don't hurt them. I'll do as you ask, but please don't harm my parents."

"I' am so sorry Autumn. My wolf can be such a jerk. I wouldn't dream of hurting your parents. Not after everything they've done for me."

"Gustavo what are you doing? Why are you bringing me into this? You know that's not true. Your the one threatening her family not me."

Time skip to three months later. Gustavo's wolf POV

"Why hasn't she born us an heir yet?" Gustavo growled. I scoffed in response.

"Did you really think threatening her and those she loves  would get her to do what you wanted?

"Fine if she wont give me an heir, then I'll find myself a woman who can."

"Don't do this. If anything, that will only make her more determined to continue to refuse to accept us as her mate."

"If She continues to refuse to be our mate by accepting our mark then, I will remove Autumn from her position as my Luna and give the title to someone else. I'm done playing games."

"Don't even think about it! Autumn is our wife and our mate and we will NOT betray our marriage vows or our mate bond, by mating with some random female!"

"Oh it won't be a random female. I have the perfect candidate in mind."

"No! Absolutely NOT! We are NOT doing that! Besides, she is happily married. To our Bata remember?"

At this, Gustavo replies "Calm down. I just want Autumn to think we are sleeping with Geraldine. I'm not actually going too. At least not yet." He replied with a sinister chuckle.

"However, make no mistake Autumn will either accept our mark and bear us an heir, or I will find myself a new more willing mate. Regardless of what your personal feelings are. One way or another, I will have an heir."