Chapter 1

Akira's POV 

As the clock approached midnight, the pack's ballroom glittered with the glow of crystal chandeliers and flickering candle lights. Several guests from several packs filled the room. The air was thick with laughter, tinkling of champagne glasses and happiness. 

I took a deep breath as I stared into the mirror of my vanity dresser. My finger gingerly touched the diamond necklace around my neck. I wished I wouldn't have to wear it but it was my father's favourite. If I wanted him to be happy, I would do his bidding without argument, he had said. 

The pink, flowery ball gown I was wearing was designed by one of the top fashion designers in the world. It took over 500 hours to make the hand sewn dress and over 200 more people joined him to complete the work. It must have cost my father a fortune but he said it was nothing. I'd smiled when they brought the dress but the goddess knew just how much I didn't want it.

I hated it!

I wanted a simple, normal birthday party, one that wouldn't cost a fortune or where I wouldn't have to fake a smile. I wanted something intimate, with just my father and mother but my father wanted otherwise and I wanted to make him happy. 

The door to my room suddenly opened and my mother walked in with a smile on her face. Our appearances were similar as not only do we look alike but we were also adorned in crystals and diamonds. I took her deep blue eyes and dimpled cheeks. 

"You look so beautiful, my love. The exact way the daughter of an Alpha should look like," 

I gave her a fake smile. "Thanks mama," 

She slipped into the room without difficulty. I was curious how she could carry that dress around without a worry. 

"Everyone is waiting for you, let's give them a show. Let's make them leave here with envy in their hearts and wishes that they were you," I chuckled. I didn't want any of that. I just wanted a simple life. 

"Okay," 

I took the hand she offered and together we walked out of the room. Everyone bowed as we walked past them, some dropping their mouths ajar at the sight of my dress. My shoulder slumped a bit but when my eyes met that of my mother, she frowned and I quickly regained my stance. 

We both walked into the ballroom with elegance and dignity. Our shoulders high and our faces bright. My father welcomed us on stage with a huge smile on his face. 

He kissed my hand and offered me a seat at his table. I looked up at the big clock wishing it was twelve so I could slip out of the room and finally find some peace. My body itched all over. I wanted nothing more than to remove the dress and probably throw it in hell. 

Laughter suddenly rang out in the room, pulling me out of my train of thought. My father must've said something. I quickly smiled to act as if I heard him. 

"You'll soon be eighteen in a few minutes. I'm so proud of you," 

My father ended his speech. I was called to stand up and say something as well. 

The words stuck to my throat, I couldn't even say a word. I wanted nothing more than for the ground to open and swallow me out of embarrassment. Words failed me or maybe I failed words. All eyes were on me while my lips were glued shut, my feet stuck to the ground. 

At that moment, I prayed for an interruption. 

"Hmmm…" I began. "I'm so happy to be…" 

I could barely finish the word when the door to the ballroom was suddenly opened. There was a spine chilling silence in the room. All eyes had shifted from me to the door. Two guards busted into the room, panic written on their faces and the next thing I heard was gunshots. They fell to the ground, immersed in their own blood. 

A lady screamed while the rest of our guests moved further away into the room. Two masked figures clad in black walked into the room. The only thing we could see was their eyes, one was pitch black, and one was red. A deafening explosion rocked the ballroom before anyone could process what was happening. 

Shards of glass and debris filled the space as panic descended on everyone. They all scrambled for cover while I remained standing. My feet still stuck to the ground. 

The air became thick with smoke, pandemonium surrounded me and still, out of panic, I couldn't move. Someone dragged my hand and pushed me to the floor. 

A gunshot rang out in the room, followed by screaming. 

My father held me by the hand and we crawled to hide behind a pillar. He brought out his phone to make a call but the screen was broken and he could barely send out a distress call or text. 

"Where is he?" A voice bubbled from behind a mask. "Where's your Alpha?" 

I looked to my father. He didn't have a bit of fear in his eyes. 

I couldn't make out what the response to that answer was but the crunching sound of a boot got closer and all of a sudden, I'm dragged out from behind the pillar along with my father. I realised they were more than two masked figures. 

"Good to see you, Alpha Lupin and if I may assume, Princess Lupin," the voice sassed in mockery. 

"What do you want from us? Who are you? What gave you the right to invade my pack and think you can get away with it?" 

The masked man scoffed. "Where is his wife?" He asked. 

My heart was beating fast behind its cage and I could feel my chin quivering. One of them was still holding me tightly, as I was fighting for fRagnarom. 

Red eyes found my mother and as he dragged her out, she yelled, 

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME" 

The masked man pointed a gun at my mother, cocked his head and stared at my father. I could see his eyes. They were pitch black, nothing special or distinct. 

"I would've loved to give you a taste of your own medicine but the thought of touching your wife disgusts me," 

Taste of his medicine? Does he mean the unspeakable things my father was doing to other girls? Was this attack about revenge? 

"What do you want?" My father asked through gritted teeth. 

"Not retribution, not revenge but a clean sweep," 

Within the blink of an eye, the gun was fired repeatedly. My mother's limp body slumped to the floor and a scream erupted from my throat. I fought to go to her but they didn't let me. I wailed as I screamed out for her.

As I cried out for her, a new sound came from the bell attached to the gigantic clock. It was twelve midnight.

A new feeling settled on me, my senses suddenly became heightened and my wolf appeared. I got consumed by a scent. It stirred something deep within my soul. The scent was so close that I didn't need to follow it. 

I turned my head to meet the eyes of my new found mate. They weren't red anymore, they were Ice Blue and held just as much shock as mine did. 

Right in my head, my wolf howled with pain, 

"Mate!"