Prologue

The surroundings are noisy. Music and loud cheers are everywhere. Today is the annual pack party of the Starlight Hallow Pack. The crowd yelled when their Alpha and his family comes out of the stage.

Well build body, trimmed beard, and blue eyes are the face of the honorable rank number three werewolves ambassador, Alpha Lino Lumayag. His Luna with blonde hair and green mossy eyes is standing proudly on his right side. And their beautiful daughter, which is a carbon copy of her mother and with the same eyes as her father, waving shyly at everyone to his left side.

"Thank you," the Alpha cleared his throat. "I would like to thank you for participating in our annual party today. As a reward, your Luna prepared the biggest cake of the centuries that can accommodate you all. And I import branded liquor from the capitol. Let's enjoy the party and get wasted."

The wolves howled in unison in happiness and praise. Then, the big thick curtain opened, revealing the three layered cake with a height of 5,100 m. It is the biggest cake that they have seen, which makes the crowd howl in amazement. It is coated with chocolate bits, fudge, and syrup. 

"Maia!"

The Alpha's daughter looked and turned around to see her best friend wearing an unbuttoned floral polo and board shorts. She walked towards him and hit him in the back of his head.

"What are you wearing, Al? We are not on the beach for sh*t's sake!" she exclaimed.

The good looking man frowned. "No one has a violent reaction to my clothes except you."

Maia put her hands on her waist. "First, they are afraid of you, and second, they find you hot. But, not me."

"Well, that's my charm," the guy laughed.

"How disgusting," she shook her head in disappointment.

Alcot Blake Basil, the twelfth rank ambassador and the youngest wolf in the council. He is the Queen's nephew, also known as The Joker, for he is a clever, smart, and strong wolf, but cunning, cruel, brutal, and has a lot of mysteries under his sleeves.

"Let's go to our secret place? I am not a fan of celebrations," Al chuckled.

"I can't. My father said that I need to be at the gathering later. And you, too. The ambassadors are all there," Maia replied.

"It is just about the unity and so on. I hate meetings, gatherings, and celebrations. Boring," the guy grunted.

She giggled. "We don't have any other choice."

"Yeah, right," Alcot mumbled.

The two went to the food stall and ordered. Then, they roamed around the area while eating and sometimes do some stopover at another stall. Until they reached the jewelry booth that is known for its precious and high-quality products. Maia stopped and looked around at the tons of necklaces, rings, and many more. While Alcot is just watching her every move.

The young ambassador admires Maia so much. They are childhood best friends and ever since they have met, his feelings for her developed. 

"Hey, Alcot!" Maia yelled.

Al blinked multiple times and forced himself back to reality. "What?"

"I am asking you if these are perfect," she grunted.

He looked at the set of jewelry for two, partners, or couples. There are pairs of rings, bracelets, necklaces, and combinations of those.

He frowned. "What for?" 

Maia looked at him. "For us. Best friend, right?"

"Ooh, yeah. Those are great," he mumbled.

"Your tone doesn't suit on what you have said," the blonde girl snapped.

He just smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his neck. Maia seems irritated by his behavior so, she just rolled her eyes and walked away. Alcot looked at the jewels and a pair of gold earrings caught his attention. It is a cross designed with a pearl in the middle. The earring for the left ear is just a flat cross with the ordinary nut and a cross with two tiny chains for the right, which makes them unique.

Maia is walking along the hallway, alone. She doesn't know where her best friend is, and she didn't care, too. Her father called her through their mind link that she needs to go to their pack's hall. She doesn't know why but she has a strange feeling about the gatherings. 

Her heart was pounding when she finally reached the hall. Powerful werewolves ambassadors are gathering around the long wooden table together with her family. Her mother waved at her when their eyes meet. She smiled and walked in their direction and sat in her respective seat. After several minutes, her best friend arrived with his usual grinning face.

Maia looked around her. She knows them, but not that much. The school always has its individual subject for them that is called New Generation Alphas. The teachers will discuss their stories from generation to generation. That is why everybody knows them.

"And the major cause of this gathering is the proposal for my lovely daughter and Alpha Oakley."

Her mouth parted in shock when she heard her father's words. She looked at him in pure horror, but the latter didn't even bother to notice her.

"Yes. A long time ago, Alpha Oakley's parents and I noticed the strong bond between our children. Therefore, we conclude that they are mates. So, we made a promise that when the right time comes, we will going to arrange their wedding," her father added.

Maia's mouth parted in shock. She doesn't know what to do, feel, and react. Her eyes became blurry when she heard the cheers of congratulations from the wolves around her. Yes, she wants to be married and have an amazing life but, not right now. She is not ready, and the fun time of her life didn't come yet. 

"I-I don't know about this," she mumbled.

Her mother hushed her. "Act naturally. This is for your sake, too. Don't embarrass us in front of them."

Now, she feels betrayed. She knew that her parent is a controller, strict and ambitious wolves, but she didn't expect that they will do this to their own child. 

 Maia glanced at the Alphas around the table. Her heart throbbed in pain when she saw how happy they were. And her entire system stops when the rank number one werewolves ambassador meets her gaze. Strange feelings started to build up inside her. Her heart pounds, and her wolf howl in happiness inside her.

"So, this is the feeling of having a mate?"

Her mind turned into a chaotic mess, which make her head ache. Before she lost her sanity, she forced herself to divert her attention and managed to compose herself. Then she saw her best friend seriously looking at her. She can't guess what is he thinking because of his blank and emotional face, but the latter smiled at her after a minute.

Because of too much disappointment, Maia didn't notice that the gathering had finished. She was startled when Alcot holds her shoulders. 

"Come on," he said.

She didn't answer. So, the man just grabbed and pulled her. Maia just let her best friend drag her somewhere. Her mind was too occupied, so she didn't realize that they were already in their pack's garden. Until Alcot clapped his hands and yelled her name multiple times.

"What?" she asked.

"I have been calling you a hundred times already," Al complained.

Maia sighed. "I-I'm sorry. I just can't believe that my parent sold me to that monster."

"You didn't know that?" the guy questioned.

She shook her head. "No."

"Your parent sucks! You are their only child," Al exclaimed.

"They want to strengthen our pack. They only cared for power," she mumbled.

Alcot looked at her solemnly like he was sympathizing with her problem. He pulled her closer to him and give her a warm embrace. 

"How dare them to do that to me?" Maia cried.

He lightly patted her back and hug her tightly. If he only can do something to help her. He can't deny the fact that his rank is not enough to change her father's mind. Plus, the truth behind the mate thing is like a knife stabbed in his heart.

"Can I have a word?"

The two parted with each other when a baritone voice interrupted their moment. Maia's eyes grew wide when she realized who it was. The man in front of her is none other than her mate and the first rank ambassador of werewolves' society.

"Talk. I will never leave her alone with you," Alcot demanded.

"How possessive," the Alpha smirked. "I am her mate. I can't do something that can harm her, even if I wanted to."

Maia looked at her best friend. "It's okay, Al. I will be alright."

"I will kill you," Alcot growled at the proud Alpha.

"Be my guest, then," the Alpha smirked proudly.

"Wait, and you'll see," he hissed.

But the mighty high rank Alpha just laughed at him. Maia nodded at her childhood friend as a cue that he can leave her alone and she'll be fine. So, the poor best friend walked away, defeated.

"What is it?" Maia asked.

"To make things clear between us, I didn't like this either. I just don't have any other choice. So, if I were you, I will behave, and try the best that I can to please my mate," the Alpha said.

Maia's eyes turned into a slit. "Why would I?"

"Because you will move in with me. Starting from the day after yesterday, you will be in my territory," he replied. "And I can chain, lock, and torture you if you disobeyed me."

"You're a monster," she growled.

"I am. So, you better think twice whenever you do something," the Alpha warned.

"I can do what I want. You can't stop me," she hissed.

The Alpha just smirked at her and walked away. Maia left there with her mouth open and teary eyes. But as soon as the brute left, her best friend came and engulfed her in a tight hug. 

"I-I am moving in with him," she cried.

"Don't worry. I will always visit you no matter what happens," Al said.

"But, I don't want to," she sobbed.

"Shh, I know. I know," he mumbled.

Alcot hugged her until she calm down. He didn't mind whether his branded polo was wet because of her tears. He just let her cry until the pain she is feeling subsided.

After several minutes, Maia is now calm. The two sat on the wooden bench while enjoying the night. Alcot took out the small box in his pocket and handed it to her. Maia looked at her, puzzled and confused.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Our friendship souvenir, I guess," he replied.

"I thought that you don't like that such idea," she mumbled.

"I never said that," he chuckled.

Maia opened the box and saw a pair of earrings. She looked up at him, confused.

"You have a piercing in your right ear, right? Then, I will wear the other one on mine, too," he smiled.

"Cool," she giggled.

Alcot took the flat gold cross earring and put it carefully in her right ear. Maia has two piercings in her right ear and one in her left. Then, he took the long one and put it in his left ear.

"There. I feel like my handsomeness reached its highest level," Al chuckled.

Maia laughed. "No doubts."

"Thank you," he replied.

The two spend a few hours together in the garden while watching the stars in the sky. Then, when sleepiness overcome them, they both bid goodbyes and walked away.

Maia went to her room and didn't even bother to notify anybody. She just walked through them with no words. Her heart is still in pain, and her mind is in a whirlpool of negative thoughts.

Alpha Oakley Lake Callymore, rank number one ambassador of the werewolves council. The most feared Alpha in their society. Her mate and soon to be husband.