Chapter 4

Maeve Pov

 I walked around aimlessly. I am tired, exhausted, and just drained. I don’t know how many hours it has been, but the weather is hot. I have been running nonstop for hours. I have not run into anyone; I have no destination; I don’t even know what I am doing. Liza is quiet, mourning her parents and mate. I don’t even have any tears in me. I feel so tired to even cry. It’s funny how I was an Alpha daughter yesterday preparing for her birthday party and today I am a lone wolf hungry and tasty.

    If I had known this would happen, I would have stayed with my parents all night, hugged them close and told them I love them countless times. I would have not gone to the club, I didn’t even go back there. I have no idea what happened to Mary, if she was alive or dead, if she came back to the pack house. I know nothing. I slumped on the floor, not moving. My ear was very close to the ground, so I could hear and feel the vibrations on the floor.

      I don’t care who it is or what it is, but I know I am ready for death and I am not moving from this spot. I heard growls, and they were close, then I was surrounded by huge looking wolves. They looked intimidating and I could tell they were from a pack with high rankings. I scoffed, looking at their wolves. It’s not even big compared to mine, so they can’t intimidate me. I watched as they shifted, putting shorts on and I continued ignoring them.

“Shift,” the deep voice said, but it had no effect on me as I am an Alpha daughter and I am not their pack member.

“She is a big wolf beta, she is of high ranking,” a softer voice said, and it was quiet for a while. I felt footsteps beside me. He squatted down, looking into my eyes. I knew he was trying to make me angry, but I was too tired for that, but I didn’t look away.

“Feisty,” he said, moving back.

“Please shift, you are in our territory and on Alpha commands we are supposed to kill because of the attacks that has been going on but you have not showed any signs of been dangerous that is why we are not following the commands so shift now if not we won’t hold back,” he said and I can hear the seriousness in his voice. My heart pinged when he said attacks, so that can only mean everyone is aware of what happened to my pack. That is why everywhere has been quiet, everyone has gone into hiding. I gulp before shifting. I stayed still on the floor and looked at the sky. Suddenly I heard gaps.

“She is alive,” someone whispered. I looked up, looking at him, wondering what he meant by that statement. Does he know me?

“Maeve,” the beta said, and I sat up to look at him.

“H.how do you know my name?” I asked, my voice hoarse from dehydration.

“Get a blanket and water,” he commanded and immediately I was wrapped in a blanket and given a bottle of water. I gulped the water, throwing my bottle away when I was done.

“I am beta Felix or Suncreak pack. We apologized for what happened to your pack,” he said, but all that didn’t matter. The only thing I can think of is how this is my mate’s pack.

“Alpha Maeve,” he said, cutting me out of my thoughts. I looked at him.

“Please, just Maeve,” I said, running my hands through my hair. He looked at me weirdly but said no word. 

“Help her up,” he commanded, probably noticing how tired I was. The warriors came over and helped me up, and they started walking.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked.

“The alpha wants to see you,” he replied. I bit my lips. He wants to see me? Has he changed his mind? I removed myself from their grip.

“I can walk alone,” I said, walking forward and they followed behind me, not arguing with me. The walk was long, and the pack was very quiet, with warriors everywhere. I guess they were on lockdown and honestly, I don’t blame them. If they can take down their father, they can take down anyone. We got to the pack house, and it looks way bigger than ours, it looks like a mansion. Well, there is not much difference between this pack and mine. We entered inside, and I paused in my tracks. Every time I enter the pack house, I always get that homey feeling, the sweet scent of the bakery, the howling sounds of loud teenagers and frustrated mothers. I can’t deny the fact that this pack house gives me the same feeling.

“Are you okay?” the beta asked. I nod my head and he leads the way. I could feel the stares on me. Their heads were digging into my skull, but I just looked away and continued walking with my head held high. We climbed the stairs and took a lot of turns and we got to a place that was secluded from everyone else and I know this is the Alpha quarters. I could smell my mate all over the place and his scent makes me feel relaxed. We got to a door, and the beta knocked softly.

“Come in,” his deep voice said, and I suddenly remembered everything that happened during the night, but the thought left as quick as it came when I remembered all that he did and what happened just in the space of hours. The beta opened the door and walked inside. I followed behind him quietly. He sat at the back of the big desk. His study is very big and everything is modern and clean. Father’s study is way different and smells homely, but he has this cold air surrounding it.

“Leave,” he said. The beta bowed and left. I heard his footsteps as they all walked away. I looked at him and he was also looking at me coldly, just like he did this morning.

“Have a seat,” he said. I walked to the seat, and I sat, resting on my back. He breathes out like he is trying his best to tolerate my presence. It hurts. I believe this is not what I am supposed to be getting after what happened to me, but the moon goddess has to mate me with a bastard.

“Your father was a good man, he helped me once when my pack was in debt and I owe it to him, that’s why I am allowing you into the pack, as a member,” he said, his voice blank and it made my eyes tear. No, how are you feeling? Warm hugs? No warm kisses? No assurance? Nothing, I get nothing. So if father didn’t help him, would he have cast me away?

“I have asked my men to scout the areas of your pack if they can find any valuables of anyone that is still alive and th…” I cut him off.

“What did I do to you?” I asked, looking into his cold blue eyes.

“How can you treat your mate like this? I just lost my parents, my pack, everything and you still talk to me like this?” I asked, cleaning the tears that fell down my eyes. He frowned.

“You are not my mate. I feel nothing for you except disgust. What happened last night was a mistake and I would like it if it’s buried,” he snapped.

“You are my mate, how can…” he cut me off, slamming his hand on the table, but I didn’t flinch.

“I have enough. Don’t test my patience, girl. I am allowing you to stay in my pack. That is enough gratitude for what your father did. I don’t want to hear anything like mate from those lips ever again. You are not my mate and can never be my mate,” he snapped. Liza whines, rubbing her ears, while I just look at him blankly. But inside, I was crumbling, I was shattered, and my body was shaking in the big blanket as I tried to deal with the choking pain of rejection.

“I, Maeve, reject you, Ario, Alpha of the Suncreek Pack, as my mate,” I said, my gaze not moving. I could see his iris flash gold, but that was it. He barely felt anything, but I guess now I should know my place. He picked up his telephone, dialing a number angrily.

“Come here,” he commanded, and dropped the phone angrily while I kept looking at him. A few minutes later, into the choking silence and deadly stares, the door opened, and I smelled something sweet, which was a female.

“Take her to the room,” he commands. The girl came close to me and tried to help me up, but I moved my hand, standing up myself, but immediately I did, and I fell to the floor as my legs were too weak.

“Be careful,” she said, helping me up. Then we both walked out of the study. We walked down the hallway in silence, then we got to the room. It’s a big room, but I was not in the mood to admire its beauty. I sat on the bed silently as she walked around the room, looking for something.

“The bathroom is over there, and there is a cloth for you to wear. We will shop clothes for you later,” she said, but I stared blankly at the wall.

“Is there anything you want to eat?” she asked. I shook my head, and she breathed out awkwardly.

“Okay, I will leave now,” she mumbled and walked away. I stood up, walked to the door, and locked it shut. Then I fell down, letting go of the tears I had been holding.

“Why did you leave me?” I whispered, crying hard on the floor. I have no one—nobody to tell me they love me and are proud of me, nobody to tell me how special I am and how I was meant to rule the pack, nobody to look at me with love and warmth; nobody to call mom and dad; nobody to be there for me. I am alone in this cruel, dark world.

I cried, hitting my chest harshly. There are a lot of things I am regretting, and that includes leaving the pack. I should have just died with them, so I won’t be in this mystery.

“You have me, Mae,” Liza said softly, dealing with her pain. I sat up, resting my back on the door, looking out the window. I cleaned my tears, looking down at the enchanted bracelet mom gave me. It won’t come off even if I shift, which I am very happy about because I want to keep it with me forever.

“We’ll be okay, Mae,” Liza said. But will we?