Chapter 1

Phoebe's POV

I scrubbed the counters harder, the veins in my hands bulging.

They were clean but I didn't stop.

Mark sat behind me on a swing chair and I could feel his eyes almost drilling a hole on my back. He cracked open a beer.

He took a swig tossing the empty bottle at my feet. It shattered on the floor, but I didn't flinch. I already knew he was just trying to get me to retaliate so he could get me into trouble.

Since I moved in with my uncle, his father three months ago, he made it his mission to make my life unbearable.

“Hurry up, you jinx.”

Mark said behind me.

I didn't bother to look back at him. I kept scrubbing.

Going back and forth with him was useless. I was here because his father, my uncle, was a good man. Even if he didn't try to defend me or call Mark to order.

He picked a brush from the floor and threw it at me. I tilted my head away.

“I've done nothing wrong to you, Mark. Leave me the hell alone,” I snapped, clenching my fists.  

He walked towards me angrily, his eyes wide and his mouth growling. Then there was a loud noise outside. He took one look at me and walked out to see what was going on, and I followed

“You there!” a guy yelled, storming over to my uncle as he slammed the door of his car aggressively.

I wanted to step up and help, but my uncle shot me a sharp look. I froze. I knew what that look meant.

My uncle used to be a proud beta, respected by everyone. But when our alpha was defeated, my father, being a warrior, followed him to build the new pack, and my uncle chose to surrender to the new alpha, the father of the big man in front of him.  Since then, he had lost his status and now ran this small cafeteria to survive.

“You old bastard!” the guy yelled, storming over to my uncle. He grabbed him by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground.

“I’m so sorry,” my uncle stammered, his voice shaking. “It was an accident. I’ll clean it up right away,” he said in a trembling voice, his eyes going to the boxes scattered everywhere.

Just as the tension reached its peak, the car door opened again. This time, Nathaniel stepped out.

Nathaniel was tall and strong, with dark hair that fell perfectly into place. His sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes made him look like he belonged on a magazine cover. Even the way he walked demanded attention.

The moment I saw him, I felt a strong pull deep inside me. My wolf Lucy stirred and whispered the word ‘mate’. I clenched my fists, trying to calm her down.

Nathaniel’s eyes locked onto mine. His gaze was intense, like he was trying to figure me out. My heartbeat became faster, but I forced myself to stay still. I didn’t want him to notice me.

“Let him go Alexander,” Nathaniel said firmly. His brother released my uncle, who stumbled back, adjusting his shirt. He looked thankful to Nathaniel for helping him and I was equally relieved too.

Mark, who had been watching silently, murmured,

“This wasn’t our fault.”

“Mark, apologize,” My uncle ordered.

Mark grumbled something under his breath but didn’t argue. My uncle turned to Nathaniel’s brother and said,

“I’m deeply sorry for the trouble. It won’t happen again. It wasn't intended at all.”

Nathaniel was still staring at me. Did he realize we were mates as well? Or was it something else? Did he recognize me as his old enemy, Raphael?

I have to say, we've both given each other hard times on the battlefield. But a year ago, something happened to my wolf Lucy and she changed. Also, Nathaniel had never seen Alex in her human form. I don't think he recognized me.

Nathaniel’s brother broke the silence.

“Alpha doesn’t like to wait, even if we’re his sons.”

Nathaniel finally looked away from me. He signaled for one of his men to pay for the damages. Then he got back in the car, and they drove off.

After they left, Mark turned to me, his face twisted in anger.

“This is your fault,” he spat. “Nothing good has happened since you got here. One day, I’ll skin you alive.”

Before I could react, he busted my shoulder hard. Then he stormed off.

I got used to this already, but the problem was Nathaniel.

“How can Nathaniel be your mate?” my wolf Lucy asked. “The enemy becomes a mate?”

I sighed. “Even if he knows I’m his mate, he’ll never admit it. He’ll reject me.”The taste of rejection was not new to me. Duncan flashed through my mind. It doesn't hurt anymore.

The days passed, and I thought it was over. But one afternoon, one of Nathaniel’s men came to the cafeteria.

“Nathaniel feels bad about what happened the other day,” he said. “He bought new goods to replace what was lost. Phoebe needs to go to the pack house to pick them up.”

Everyone froze. It was clear this wasn’t just about replacing goods. My uncle offered to go with me, but the man insisted I had to go alone.

Mark stepped in front of me, blocking my path. His voice was low and threatening. 

“If you cause any more trouble, I’ll rip your head off.”

I didn’t reply. I just wanted to get this over with.

When I arrived at the pack house, Nathaniel was already waiting for me. His lips curved into a slight smile as his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine.

“Phoebe,” he greeted with a slight smile. “You made it.”

I glanced around nervously. “Where are the supplies? I’d like to pick them up and get back quickly.”

Nathaniel chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Please don't be in a hurry... I don’t think we’ve met before, haven't seen you in training either, or Are you new to the pack?”

Really? Doesn't he remember me or is he just teasing?

"No," I said. "I've been here for a while. I'm living with my uncle... He runs the cafeteria in town. He took me in after my father-" I stopped myself, not wanting to disclose too much. 

"Your father, he's Peterson the warrior, isn't he?

I was tense. "Yes."

"He was a good man, even though he was on the opposite side he was respected by everyone, even on the battlefield. What happened to him... It wasn't fair”

I shrugged, not sure how to respond.

Nathaniel continued, “Those who refused to surrender built a new pack. Duncan is the Alpha now.”

“Duncan isn’t the problem. But there’s someone helping him. A tough guy called... Alec”

My heart skipped a beat. He was talking about me, but he didn’t know it yet.

“Do you know this guy?” Nathaniel asked.

Before I could answer, he grabbed my arm.