My Second Mate

Charlotte Moore's POV

My wolf's voice whispered encouragement in my mind, urging me not to give up. As the full moon rose higher in the sky, a glimmer of hope stirred within me. I clung to the thought that someone was searching for me, that I wasn't entirely alone in this nightmare.

The fire crackled beneath me, its heat intensifying. I closed my eyes, feeling the flames licking at my skin. Just when the pain became unbearable, in the distance, a figure was rushing towards me. I recognized her – my mother. She was coming to save me!

She pushed a handcart filled with buckets of water. Lifting the buckets, she doused the flames, extinguishing the growing fire. After setting the bucket down, she stepped onto the smoking pile of wood, disregarding the searing pain in her feet. With one powerful strike, she severed the iron chains that bound me. I fell into her embrace. She held me tightly and carried me out of the blazing woodpile.

"My poor child, run away now," she cried, handing me a pouch of money. The soles of her feet were red from the burns.

"Mom, let's go together," I tightly gripped her hand.

"I can't. I must stay with your father," she shook her head and continued to lead me forward.

"No! You don't know him. He's a monster! He's the one who killed my five siblings!" I cried out to her.

I told her about all the dark secrets of my father. At first, she smiled wryly, as if thinking I was joking. Then her expression turned sorrowful, and suddenly she burst into tears, mourning the loss of her five children. Soon, her sobs subsided, and she looked up at me, her face ashen.

"Lottie, thank you for telling me the truth. I'll go with you! We're going back to Howling Tribe. One day, I'll return to avenge my children!" She spoke resolutely, her gentle hazel eyes now filled with hatred.

Howling Tribe was my mother's family territory, and the current Alpha of Howling Tribe was her younger brother. We avoided the crowd and walked along the edge of the cliff. My mother transformed into a black wolf and carried me on her back, moving swiftly towards the direction of the Howling Tribe. Before long, we reached the border of the Crescent Moon Tribe. There was a river ahead, called the Lacey River. Once we crossed that river, we reached the Wuthering Tribe.

"Wait, I smell the scent of a few werewolves nearby. They're probably soldiers patrolling the area. Hide in the tree; I'll handle them," my mother whispered.

I gave her a worried look and then climbed up the tree, concealing myself within the dense foliage. After a while, three soldiers approached our location. My mother walked towards them and spoke a few words to them that I was too far to hear. Then, the three soldiers turned and walked in the opposite direction, away from the Lacey River.

Once the figures of the three soldiers disappeared from my sight, my mother returned to the tree and said to me, "Come down, they won't be coming back."

I climbed down the tree and jumped onto my mother's back, embracing her neck tightly as we continued on. When we reached the banks of the Lacey River, my mother suddenly said, "Those three soldiers turned back; Morgan must have realized we're missing. Wait, I smell Morgan's scent. He's nearby!"

As soon as the words fell, a large brown wolf emerged from the forest.

"My dear, where are you going?" he roared at us, revealing sharp fangs.

I was frozen in fear, trembling uncontrollably. My mother's body also shuddered. We were no match for Morgan.

"Lottie, quickly jump into the river, swim across, and I'll hold him back," my mother urged me.

"No, I can't leave you!" I cried, shaking my head and holding onto her even tighter.

"Staying here with me will only slow us both down. We won't escape together. Go!" She forcefully swung her body, flinging me to the ground. After letting out a mournful howl towards the sky, she ran towards Alpha Morgan.

"Mom!!!" I let out a heart-wrenching scream, tears streaming down my face as I watched my mother fighting with Morgan. She sacrificed herself to save me.

I immediately got up from the ground and plunged into the water, swimming desperately ahead. The sounds of struggle and cries echoed from the shore. I dared not look back. I swam to the other side, emerging from the water. The screams from the other side became clearer. They were my mother's screams. I cried as I ran into the woods with all my might. The only person who loved me had left this world. After reaching the border of Howling Tribe, I couldn't go on any longer. I knelt on the ground, clutching a tree trunk, and howled in grief. Why? Why did fate torment me like this? Why do good people suffer? I cried until my tears ran dry. I looked back across the river; there was no one there now. The gruesome massacre that had just occurred felt like a dream.

I picked up a sharp-edged stone and, with trembling hands, carved Morgan Moore's name into the trunk of an elm tree. I swore that I would return to kill him! I wouldn't let my mother and my siblings die in vain!

I continued walking along the riverbank with heavy steps, relying on childhood memories to find the way to the Packhouse of the Howling Tribe. I would tell my uncle and grandparents about our ordeal; they would surely help me. Passing a protruding bank, I suddenly caught a faint, enchanting scent of cedarwood. The fragrance was so captivating, as if I were in paradise. Continuing for about a hundred meters, I saw a massive black shadow by the riverbank in the distance. My curiosity was piqued. I jogged over, and as I got closer, I realized it was a large golden-brown wolf. He was much bigger than any wolf I had seen before.

A strong cedar scent emanates from him, setting my body ablaze with the desire that I couldn't control. Suppressing the urge, I carefully inspect his condition. His body is drenched, entangled with vines and leaves. There are multiple bloodstains under his fur, likely from bruises. His body temperature is low, probably from being soaked in water for a long time. I guess he might have fallen into the water upstream and been washed here by the current. I call out to him loudly several times, but he doesn't respond. He probably has passed out. Now, I need to figure out a way to warm him up.

Beside the Lacey River is a steep cliff, and beneath it is a massive cave. I spread my coat over a relatively flat area inside the cave. Using all my strength, I carry the large golden-brown wolf into the cave and place him on my coat. I clear away the vines and leaves from his body.

Then, I held him close, using my body heat to warm him.

After an hour or two, he finally wakes up. The first thing he says to me after waking up is, "Mate!"

"Mate!" I respond enthusiastically.