Chapter- 3

Chloe's POV

He's my mate but I couldn't feel happy about that; I am afraid in fact.

In these nineteen years of my existence, I have seen many terrible things I shouldn't have seen. My parents were killed in front of my eyes, what could be more terrible than that. The rogues left us with no supplies and people killed each other for a piece of bread. Girls of my age sold their innocence to survive.

Protecting myself and surviving that worst time was quite a hard thing for me and just now I returned to a normal world where people around me were happy. I am not looking for my mate; I don’t want to be near this charming man. It doesn’t feel right to me at all.

I know I have been battling alone with my survivor’s guilt which I hadn’t told Lily. I don’t think this guilt would fade away easily as it seems.

Lily is different, she’s a cheerful person and always looks forward to the next step in her life but I am not like her. My entire world was my father and mother; after their deaths, everything seemed worthless.

Each day passes with the feeling of why I am still alive. Whatever my fate would be, I can’t be anywhere near violence. I want a peaceful life which isn’t going to happen if I am with him.

Marcus returned to talk with me with a polite smile on his face. Even though he owns one of the largest packs in the world, he seems humble and kind toward his pack members.

"I hope you're comfortable in my pack?" he asks.

"Yes, everyone is so nice to us. Thanks for letting us come here," I say.

"That's good to know. I heard what happened in the north, I feel sorry for your loss," Marcus said, softly.

I nodded looking down and it turned my eyes teary. He didn't say that for namesake, he truly meant those words and I can feel it. It’s so surprising that he sympathizes with me when there’s no need at all.

“I know it’s hard to cope with the loss of our loved ones, but life has to move on, it doesn’t wait for our sorrows. Soon you will be able to come out of your grief once you have decided,”

He looked at me with a genuine smile, the soft glow in his eyes gave me that comfort that I was yearning for. I feel like my frozen heart is getting melted by his compassionate words.

“I hope you will soon get through this,” he asks and I nod.

I need to assure him that I will be fine here.

"You shouldn't be alone in this hall," he advised.

"What about you?" I ask.

He smiles, "I am not alone, you're standing next to me,"

His answer made me smile and the wolf inside me was also flattered by that. But the fact that he didn’t acknowledge that we both are mates made me curious and I am not going to utter a word either.

All I feel towards him now is gratefulness when we have nowhere else and are slowly dying in the cold and hunger. He sends us a messenger along with supplies. He asked us to join his pack. I am so grateful for his generous offering.

The rogues, after killing my parents, set our small house on fire before leaving. Lily and I escaped just a moment before the house could collapse onto us. Thankfully, we had secured the spare money I had in my room. We were homeless for several weeks before we got an invite from Marcus. But I wonder how he knew what happened to us.

“I will show you this place, come with me,” Marcus offered.

I reluctantly nodded. He took me to the other side of the door which lead us to the big garden behind that hall. I stood on the stairs not wanting to go any further. The warm ambiance inside the hall felt strange when the cold breeze hit my skin.

But from where I am standing, I could see the flowers and greens in the moonlight. The smell of lavender filled me. Maybe next time, I would explore this on my own.

“Talk to him, don’t be silent,” Jina advised.

“The sky looks more beautiful than in my hometown,” I say looking at the millions of stars and the crescent moon.

“Yes, it is,” he nods.

“You came with me, aren’t they going to search for you?”

“No, everyone is enjoying their moment and they know I must be relishing my time too,” he said.

“Are you?” I ask in doubt.

“Yes, I am glad that I met you,” he smiles.

“This place must be different, but it’s safe for you. We have firm protection on our borders and our warriors were so skillful. You should join in our training and learn how to protect yourself,” he offered.

“Sure,” she agreed.

“Shall we go inside?” I asked as I felt quite uncomfortable with the way he treats me –being nice and helpful.

He nods, masking the disappointment across his face.

When we went inside, the crowd was cheering and a game was going on inside. All the groups were joined in one.

“Want to join them?” he asks.

I nod because this is the only way I can socialize with these people and I don’t want his efforts to make me comfortable around here to go fruitless.

“Karen! Karen! Karen!” People were cheering for the beautiful girl who was now playing the game. It’s her last try to win and the prize money is ten thousand dollars.

Hearing the prize money, I was also tempted to play this game. Who doesn’t play for that easy money and this game is only for girls. Men will have separate games on the field. I looked for my best friend, but she was nowhere to be found.

Marcus is standing next to me and everyone's eyes notice how close he’s standing next to me.

“You should give it a chance,” he whispered near my ears. Goose pimples covered my skin.

All the crowd’s cheering somehow gave Karen a panic attack and she failed on her last try.

“Who’s going to play next?” a guy asks.

“Chloe,” Marcus said. His raspy, strong voice was heard loudly in that room, getting everyone’s attention. When he was talking to me he sounded gentle but now his voice got authority and even I felt a tremble in my nerves.

“No, I don’t want to…” I said but it’s too late. He gently nudged me forward. Everyone’s eyes were curiously gazing at me, some women had disdainful looks on their faces, including Karen.

I smiled awkwardly and walked to the center thinking if they would accept my silver wolf.

“Who is she, Alpha?” one of the men asked.

“Her name is Chloe. She came from the north, Patrick,”

“A refugee?”

“Yes but she’s my family friend. I hope you all get along with her,” he said and this is news to me.

I turned to look at him and he smiled at me. His eyes were cheering me to win.

The game is simple, they give us ten small balls and I need to put each one on the designated whiskey glass that’s six feet away from me.

Karen gave the ball to me and said, “I hope you lose this game,”

“How dare she? We must win in this just to irritate her,” Jian said.

I smiled and got the balls from her hands.

When I put the first ball on the glass, no one cheered for me thinking that I would lose on the second try. But they don’t know my wolf skills, Jian always makes me win in situations like this.

I put the second, third, fourth, and fifth balls in a minute. Everyone is so surprised, and I didn’t turn to Marcus and distract my mind. People start to say my name when I put the eighth ball perfectly on the glass. The way men were calling out my name made me blush, some were even whispering that I look cute.

When the tenth ball landed on the glass, I, myself was surprised by that and I jumped in joy with a big smile. It’s been so long since I smiled like this and I am genuinely happy this time.

I turned to Marcus, and his smile was so intoxicating. They gave me the ten thousand dollars and I shoved it inside my purse saying, “Thank you,”

“You won,” Marcus says as I stood near him.

“Yes, thanks to you,”

“Why?”

“If you didn’t push me, I wouldn’t have participated in that,” she smiles, showing off her teeth.

“I am glad that you’re smiling. It’s beautiful,” he says.

And I was flabbergasted by that remark.

“You should smile often,”

I nod because that’s what I wish too.