Chapter 1

« Guarded »

Admiring the Night sky which is highlighted with stars makes the moon look even more fascinating.A beautiful view indeed which never fails to provide a sense of warmth to heart as if Moon goddess herself has embrace me to give the comfort no one succeed to provide.Cold breeze touched my skin causing the hairs on my body to rise.Wrapping my arms around myself ,I walked further towards the balcony before turning to look at my room.Only source of light in my room is moonlight which I find more comfortable.

My eyes moved back to the sky before it stopped on the Moon.I don't know if it's only me but everytime I admire the moon ,I find a smile on it which makes me doubt my eyesight or maybe I had develop a habit to find happiness in the things which could never hurt me or give me false hope.

My eyes slowly travelled to the stars before I felt someone's strong gaze on me.My eyes itself moved to the direction only to lock with a pair of red glowing eyes which stared right back into mine.The shadows around him made it hard to get a clear view of his face but the sharp fangs didn't go unnoticed by me which almost made me gasp realising it's a Vampire but what is he doing in our territory, that too alone or maybe there are more.

I flinched before consciously turning around as a thumping sound echoed in my room.A sigh of relief washed over me as I find Lily, my cat on the table staring directly at me with her big doe eyes while the lamp which was supposed to be on table is now on the floor.She mewled before jumping towards the bed.I turned around to look back at the tree where I spotted the vampire earlier only to find no figure on it.

Was I hallucinating? I looked around for a few more minutes but there was nothing suspicious so I walked inside my room and grabbed the lamp before carefully placing it on the table then dragged my feets towards the bed and plopped myself on the soft mattress letting out a hum of satisfaction.

A soft smile appeared on my lips after seeing Lily snuggling to the pillow.My eyelids turned heavy and I soon fell asleep.

                         « ----------------- »

I rushed out of my house in a hurry not forgetting to take my bag along with me as I am running late for School.

"Scarlett get in , I'll drop you" I stopped on my tracks after hearing a familiar voice and tilt my head to my left to find Marcus ,Beta of the pack.He removed his sunglasses revealing his jet black eyes which stared at me amusingly since I'm not the type of girl to be late for school.He is very friendly that it never feels awkward.I nodded before hopping into the car.

"You didn't have a good sleep?" He asked, my brows furrowed at his words.A chuckle left his lips after scanning my confused expression.

"You look pale" He remarked.I watched how his muscles flexes everytime we took a turn.He has a white t-shirt on matching with ripped skinny jeans.His features are eye catching and almost every unmated she-wolf had develop a crush on him but to their dismay ,he had find his mate when he turned 18 and now they are happily married.

"Scarlett, get straight home after school.Don't go anywhere especially in woods without anyone beside you" I froze, his voice this time is serious more like a command.He opened the car door for me.He is at least 6feet taller which makes his aura more stronger and intimidating.Perfect for his title ,Beta.

"Okay" I said nonchalantly very well aware that there must be something going on in our pack.And now I couldn't help but to recall the scene I witnessed last night.The thought itself ran shivers down my spine.Vampires and werewolves doesn't have a good history which is why no pack has given permission for vampires to enter the territory and vice versa.If they ever came face to face then it's only going to bring disaster.

I bid him bye before entering the School building.I directly made my way to the class where my friend exactly would be.As I assumed there he is sitting alone ,far away from the students , completely engrossed in the book.He looks so calm and soft with those glasses on while his geyes are fixed on the book which makes me envy him at how he is able to concentrate in the midst of chaos.He didn't even noticed my presence until I snapped my fingers in front of his face, earning his attention.

"Hey" I greeted while pulling the chair to take a seat beside him.

"Hi" He smiled before adjusting his glasses.

"Look at the nerd!" The boys laughed who walked passed by our table.I greeted my teeth in anger at their unwanted comments.

I slammed my palm on the table earning everyone's attention including the group of boys who laughed earlier.My dark eyes stared right into the pair of brown orbs which held fear.He gulped not being able to contain the eye contact and looked away.

"Sorry Herrick" He apologized lowly and walked away followed by his friends.

"Stop scaring them" Herrick laughed.I shrugged my shoulders before crossing my arms against my chest.

I have observed Herrick since middle School and he is a very quiet and reserved guy.But others bully him reasoning it as his weakness.I used to get same treatment from other students but mostly from students of my old Pack.They spread rumors which became reason for my loneliness.It changed when they graduated since they were seniors and my life take a drastic turn which is why I came to Crystal Moon Pack and in one year I trained myself with the help of Alpha who is kindest and understanding.I still remember the day I got into a fight when I stood against my bullies.Since then they all feared me and my personality changed as well resulting in them tagging me from 'weak link' to 'Cold Hearted'

In all the mess , me and Herrick clicked together.A rogue left him near the pack border when he was just a pup and since then Alpha has taken care of him which I got to know after proving myself a good friend to Herrick.He is my only friend and vice versa.One thing is still weird that even after them having a wolf ,I still win over them which is really strange since I never shifted after turning 15.That was one of the reason for them to bully me.

"Did you notice the tight security in our pack?" I asked Herrick who was again engrossed in his book.

He placed the book aside and turned his whole attention on me with his hands resting on the table.

"Yes I noticed ,Alpha added few more warriors to our pack border and everyone is on high alert.Last week we had rogue attack but this time it's not only about rogues.I have never seen Alpha that stressed, Some danger is definitely around our pack and maybe for other packs as well.Alpha mind linked every pack members to not go further in the woods or roam out alone.We will be informed once situation is under control" 

I nodded after hearing his every word attentively.

"So this is why Beta Marcus told me to not roam around alone" I whispered which Herrick catched with his wolf hearing.

"You are capable of getting the position of 3rd in command" I complimented.My brows ceased as he just shrugged.

"Are you not eating these days?You look so pale" He remarked ,his eyes hooded with concern for me.

"I didn't feel like eating" I shrugged.He opened his mouth to say something but shut it as the teacher walked in the class.

During break - 

"Have you seen the New Alpha ,he is so handsome" 

"His voice is so sexy.I wonder how he sounds in bed gosh I can't even imagine how good he would sound" 

Some girls walked passed by me while giggling and squealing to themselves. I almost puked after hearing their conversation.

The New Alpha? Wait which pack members were they? I thought before turning my head to take a glimpse of them but they were already out of my sight.Forget it, who cares..

I entered the Cafe and searched for Herrickk before taking a seat beside him.

"You better eat a full meal" He exclaimed.Nodding , I started digging my meal.

"Shoot I forgot to tell you something.I really don't know if I was hallucinating or not but last night I saw a Vampire on the tree right beside my house" He choked on his food.My eyes widened as I quickly gave him water.

He gulped down the water in one go and looked at me in disbelief.

"You are telling me this now?" 

Nodding,I continued munching my food.

"We need to inform Alpha" 

"But I don't know if I saw him for real" He heaved out a long sigh before shaking his head mumbling something to himself which I couldn't hear.

I clicked my tongue."Fine I'll tell this to Alpha" He gives me a thumbs up, earning an eye roll from me.

School was over ,I was walking with Herrick by my side.His blue sweatshirt matched with my pants.He arched his brows in confusion as I stared at him innocently before opening my mouth to let out the words which came to my mind.

"We look like a couple" He sigh before smiling.

"You don't know how to flirt.Do you?" 

"You need to work on your expressions.You always have a straight face which mostly scares everyone to even approach you" 

I rolled my eyes before passing him a sarcastic smile.

"I never wanted to be like this but I don't want to go back to my old self either" I mumbled, my voice devoid of any emotion.

Who am I fooling? He knows me well but he still hasn't seen my most vulnerable side nor I ever want to show it to anyone.I have had enough pain and I want to let it in the past.

He pulled me into a tight hug, my cheek pressed against his chest.How do he know that a hug is all I need in a situation like this.

"I'm okay…" I whispered.

"Alpha wants us in the pack House" He informed me.

"When did he link you?" I asked because I didn't notice him zoning out.

"When I hugged you " 

We both talked about what could possibly be the reason for Alpha to call us there until we were in front of the Pack house.

We walked through the Hallway directly towards the Alpha's Study room.I was about to knock but a hand already pushed open the door.I watched how Herrick walked inside freely with me following behind.

"Alpha already know we are here" I heard his low voice as we stopped and watched Alpha Logan going through some papers.He is wearing a black plain T-shirt with Jumpers.His dragon eyes moved in our direction and a smile made its way on his lips.He straighten his posture before placing the papers into the drawer ,his biceps flexes which didn't only caught my attention but Herrick's as well.

He didn't find his mate till now but he is still looking in others pack for his mate.But most impressing part is that he has never looked at other she-wolf in a romantic or sexual way which is the reason why she-wolfs already envy his mate for being so lucky to have a mate who has eyes only for the one he hadn't find yet.

Alpha Logan is very trustworthy, kind and smartest Alpha I have ever seen or heard.He never misused his power which is one of the reason why pack members respects him.I still remember how I crossed the territory and could have get killed but Alpha asked the reason for me to enter their territory and I only told him about leaving my pack because of my mother's death and he let me be a member of his pack.

The more I stayed in this pack, my respect for him grew even more.And I told him everything that ever happened to me which is why he trained me despite me not having a wolf.

"Alpha" We both bowed to show respect.

"Scarlett and Herrick, make yourself comfortable" Alpha gestured towards the couch which we gladly did.

We waited patiently for him to tell us the reason for calling us here.His eyes directly locked with mine and I could tell he is contemplating with his own thoughts.

"As you both know the situation in our pack, I have decided to visit the Blood Moon and Red Moon pack since these packs are in peace with us.We can get more information regarding the matter" 

Okay that's Alpha's decision and usually these kinds of matters are discussed with the Beta but what could possibly be the reason for him to tell us ? To say I am confused would be an understatement.

"Herrick and Scarlett….you both are coming with us and you will stay in Red Moon Pack till the situation is under control" 

I joilt up from the couch letting out a 'what?' with shock written all over my face.Alpha wants me to stay in the Red Moon Pack….The same pack which has given me only painful memories..