CHAPTER 1 - UNLEASHED DESIRE

    The day I have been waiting for, for several years was finally here - the mating convention day. No one in my family knew I was attending. I told no one about it. Veronica and Valene were discussing it at the table last night, but I said nothing. I had gotten my white dress and even made my hair.

   As I walked into the field, the anticipation in the air was palpable. Everyone was looking just beautiful and attractive in their white attire. The sound of rustling leaves under my feet echoed painfully loud in my ears. As I walked further in, I could feel their eyes on me, burning with hostility and mockery. It wasn't a new experience for me, but it still stung.

     "Isn't that the mute lady who can't speak??" One of the ladies pointed at me and they all bursted into laughter.

    "Oh, hell yea, she is the one. She is really here to find a mate? I wonder who is going to be fated to her. Maybe another disable Omega like her, because I don't think any abled Omega would want her," Another said, but to my surprise, I wasn't as hurt as I had anticipated. Yeah, I was disabled but that doesn't mean my mate wouldn't be hot or be disabled as well, it doesn't work that way, I assured myself. I continued walking, trying to ignore them.

     Just immediately Veronica sighted me, she erupted from her seat like a fiery volcano. Her anger was evident, clouding her otherwise composed face. I was expecting her to react this way because she had no inkling that I was coming. She stormed towards me, venomous words ready to be unleashed, "Oh wait, what the fuck do you think you are doing here? Why are you here? And, where on earth did you get this dress from? Did you go into my closet?"

    Unable to speak, I simply shrugged, attempting to retreat from her wrath.

      Veronica's fury intensified as I tried to shirk away from her. She knew she couldn't act on her anger in public, but that didn't stop her from venting her frustration, "You have to leave, you dirty maid. Oh, c'mon, can you just try to make a voice and explain to me this is a prank. You are here to find a mate as well?? A mute like you? Oh Goddamnit!!!"

     The werewolves around us continued to stare, their disgust casting a shadow over me. I couldn't let their judgment get to me; I was only here for one purpose - to find my mate and there is absolutely nothing that can stop me.

     The Mating Convention was an annual event where werewolves sought out their destined partners. It was both exciting and nerve-wracking. I longed for the day I would meet my mate, someone who would understand and accept me, someone who would take me away from this hostile pack.

    Ignoring the hostile gazes around me and Veronica's wrath, I sought solace in an empty chair. Perhaps, for a moment, I would be left alone. No eyes glaring at me for the moment. But my solitude was short-lived when a lady appeared from no where with a glum expression, "Who are you and why are you in my seat? Get the fuck out of here,"

     Without a word, I nodded and gathered my belongings to vacate the coveted spot. I would have to look for a place suitable for me.

     However, what happened next left me dumbfounded. The she-wolf poured a cup of cold coffee that was in her hand onto my face, the liquid snaking its way down my cheeks. She grabbed my wrist and flung me away before I could even open my eyes again. I stumbled backward, falling onto the rough floor. 

    "OMG, is that the mute girl creating a scene again?" Laughter erupted from the crowd, each cruel snicker embedding deeper wounds within me.

    As I quickly got to my feet, wiping the coffee off my face, Veronica strutted toward me, a smirk consuming her features. She feigned pity, taunting me with a wink, and that was when I knew she was the one who sent the lady to me, "Oh, my dirty maidservant! What have you done to yourself now? Look at your once beautiful adorned white dress stained with coffee. Why don't you go home, you can see most people do not really wanna see you here. You've become a laughing stock and you've been entertaining everyone, rather with your disability."

     She said gently and convincingly but I wasn't going to let her win this battle. I shook my head, making a defiant gesture that I would not budge.

     Veronica leaned in close, her hands wrapping around my body, and mouth close to my hear, her words dripping with menace, "Oh dear dirty maid, I am only being lenient with you because I am trying not to make a scene, but if you are not going to leave now, I will make sure you never return home. Once my Axford arrives, I will make him order your leave immediately,"

     I smiled back, my eyes sparkling with a fire that belied my mute exterior. In sign language, I conveyed that I simply didn't care, that I refused to let her trample over me once again and I pushed her away from me. Her anger was palpable at the moment but I didn't care.

     Leaving Veronica behind, I sought refuge elsewhere. I needed a place where I could gather my thoughts and brace myself for what was to come. I didn't know who my mate was going to be and how he is going to look like. I don't think I really cared much about how they look, what bothered me at that moment was, 'would he accept me?' 

     After what felt like forever, the convention bell began to ring, marking the commencement of the event. I didn't know what usually happens, but I just waited for whatever it was. And it was then that I felt an indescribable sensation ripple through my body causing my head to go light.

    My temperature skyrocketed, causing sweat to bead on my forehead, my clothes clinging uncomfortably to my skin. What is happening to me?? Why do I feel so lightheaded all of a sudden? I haven't drank anything, have I? My heart began to race as I observed the male werewolves around me. Their eyes had suddenly turned a fiery red, bloodlust dripping from their every pore. Fangs elongated, and drool oozed from their mouths as they chanted one word repeatedly, "Mate," as though they have been possessed.

     All their attention was fixed on me, their movements synchronized as they started to advance towards me, a pack of ravenous wolves hungry for possession. But why me? Why did it have to be me?? And what is exactly is going on? Panic surged inside me, and I looked around desperately, hoping for someone to intervene. But every other person who didn't seem possessed just couldn't move. It was as though they had frozen up, watching as everything unfolded.

     Just while I was trying to walk away from the circle of those possessed hungry wolves, my father, and Alpha Axford arrived on the scene, their jaws dropping in astonishment at the chaos unfolding before them. Several werewolves clung to my clothes, their grip tightening with each passing second. I searched for solace in my father's eyes, but to my horror, he took a step back, unwilling to intervene. 

     Young alphas and betas noted that something was wrong with me. They all were strong and there were able to fight their urge to move close to me. Their eyes had turned red like the rest of the wolves. Some fought to control their desires, while others succumbed to their instincts. Claws and fangs elongated, signaling their overwhelming need to claim me. But why is this happening? I asked myself and I had no answer. They all couldn't just be my mate, could they?

     Alpha Axford remained a passive observer, his inscrutable expression betraying nothing. He had always been the strongest of all. He could stop this, if he wanted to but he didn't.

     Time seemed to freeze as the chaos unfolded around me. I struggled to break free, unable to make a voice and scream for help as they started to nibble me and trace their tongue all over my body. Panic threatened to consume me as more male werewolves closed in, their intentions clear. But just as despair reared its ugly head, a glimmer of hope emerged from the turmoil.

    In the distance, I caught sight of Alpha Axford raising his hand as though he wanted to say something. His presence was a beacon of hope, radiating strength and protection. Without any hesitation, I pushed those men away and I try to run away from the field. However, as I was running, I tripped just right in front of Axford and I threw myself into his arms, startling him out of his thoughts loop. 

     I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face in his chest. He felt warm and strong against me, his steady and calm heartbeat in my ear, his gentle and soothing scent in my nose.

   As soon as I saw him, I felt a strange attraction towards him. A pull that I couldn't resist. A connection that I couldn't deny. A bond that I couldn't break.

    For a moment, time seemed to stop. The hall was filled with silence. As I held him in my arms, trying to feel his presence, I heard his heart beating rhythmically and slower than ever, he reciprocated my gesture, spreading chills down my body. I shivered at his touch and I could feel him shivering too.