CHAPTER ONE

KATHRINE’S POV

“Never!! You guys just expect me to wed Alpha Tyler. Wait, what if he isn't my mate?” I yelled as I looked at my stepdad, his daughter, and my mom.

“Then you'll act like he is your mate. It's very simple. I'm very sure you've seen where two mates find each other. How they say, mate. You just say it and he says it too. Case closed,” My mom said, making me scoff in disbelief.

“What if my true mate is there?” I asked and folded my arms on my chest watching them.

“Then you take him to a private corner and reject him,” Eloise, my step-sister said, emphasizing the word reject.

I began to regret why I left my credentials at home while packing to run away.

I was an Omega of Moonstone Pack. After my dad died, and my mom married Jacob Lannister, that was when my life became a living nightmare.

My mom tried so hard to please Jacob and his daughter Eloise to the extent that she didn't mind me slaving away for them.

This made me wonder if she carried me in her womb for nine months because I wasn't sure any mother would do this to her child.

That was why I wanted to run away from home only to forget my credentials which I would use to search for a job to sustain myself.

“Look, just do this for me, please. I owe him a lot of money and he demands to have you,” My stepdad said, making me scoff.

I didn’t know much about this Alpha Tyler, all I knew about him was that he was a ruthless and the most wealthy Alpha who had never shifted into his wolf form in front of anyone except in front of his beta and Gamma.

I found that strange and mysterious and that was part of the reason I didn't want to marry him.

“What about your daughter? Why can't she wed him instead? So I'm the one who is supposed to reject my true mate and marry someone who isn't? Don't you guys hear rumors about Alpha Tyler and how ruthless is?” I asked them.

“You are getting married to him and that's final,” My mom said and turned to leave but then paused and looked at me again.

“And don’t think about running away from home this time around because you can't,” She said and walked away.

“The blood moon ceremony would be taking place hours from now and that is where you and Alpha Tyler would act like you are mates. Prepare yourself,” My step dad said and walked away leaving just Eloise and I in our sitting room.

“While you are preparing, my clothes need washing and you know I hate my clothes being washed by a washing machine. I prefer it to be hand washed so get on it now, so you will be done before it's time for the blood moon ceremony,” Eloise said and smirked.

“I’m not your slave Eloise, since you came to this house I've been the one washing your clothes even though there a…….” I trailed off when she walked away while I was talking.

I couldn't report to my mom because she would still do the same thing. She would apologize and tell me to bear with them that she was trying to make comfortable.

That was the same thing she kept saying for two years now.

Left with no option, I set out to wash Eloise’s clothes while thinking that it was better to wed to Alpha Tyler than to stay another second in this house.

Who knows, maybe my true mate would be a douchebag like my stepdad.

************

It was time for the blood moon ceremony and I was already dressed in a black sequined skimpy bodycon dress, which my mom insisted I wear.

I looked good in it even though it exposed too much of my cleavage.

“Don’t spoil things for us Kat, I beg you in the name of the goddess,” My mom whispered into my ears making me look at her.

“Trust me I won’t because I want to leave this hellhole we call a house,” I answered and walked away, heading for our car.

Reaching there, Eloise was already sitting in the back seat, so I joined her. I thought I dressed like a slut but when I saw Eloise’s dress I knew I was dressed more decently.

A few seconds later my step dad and my mom got into the car and we drove off heading to the event hall.

Reaching the hall where the blood moon ceremony was to be held, I took in a few deep breaths and exhaled before I stepped down from my car.

The blood moon ceremony was held every year to please the moon goddess so that she would bless everyone with the gift of finding their mates.

The moment I stepped foot into the event hall which was already filled with pack members, the scent of sandalwood and freshly cut leaves wafted across my nose, making my insides tingle with glee and pleasure.

I began to panic because then I knew that my mate was in the hall. I hoped he wouldn't find me till after the act with Alpha Tyler.

After the ceremonial rites were performed, most people began to find their mates.

“Follow me,” My mom said, and we all followed her.

I was so nervous that I kept looking down until I hit something hard.

When I raised my head, I lost my balance and was about to fall but a firm hand wrapped around my waist and the other held my hand preventing me from falling.

And when I looked up I was met by the most beautiful amber eyes I had ever seen. Also, the harmless touch of the devastatingly handsome man made my knees go weak.

“Careful, Love,” He smiled, revealing his dimples as he raised me to stand on my feet.

I loved the way his voice was deep, it made my heart flutter.

But taking a good look at him, I gasped in realization of who he was.

“Mate,” I said almost in a whisper with creased brows because my wolf kept repeating in my head as I began to perceive his scent again.

“Mate,” He smirked and when I turned to look at my family, their eyes widened looking at us both with shock.

“This is Alpha Tyler,” My Step dad introduced Alpha Tyler to me.

Wait, what? He was my true mate? I thought to myself as I felt our mate bond snap into place.

“Yes, I am your true mate,” He answered loudly enough for everyone to hear.

“But,”…..