CHAPTER 1

THE FIRST TIME

THE SAME DREAM awakened me from my slumber.  It's odd because I kept on dreaming about it for five nights.

The dream is about a little girl who wanders in the woods with her small basket filled with various flowers. 

As she keeps marveling around the woods, she spotted a huge tree not so far from the lake. But she knows she is not supposed to go this far so she decided to turn her back and head back to her parents. 

She was a few steps away when she heard a muffled sound. It was like something or someone is moaning. Fear suddenly surged through the little girl. But despite the fear she felt, she still found herself walking towards the location where the sound is coming from. 

She was surprised when she realized that the sound came from the tree she noticed earlier. There, was a young man, with his white t-shirt stained with red, which the girl presumed was blood. The girl then noticed how the young man's face contorted in pain. 

The little girl has no idea what to do. She knows that the young man is hurt badly because of his continuous painful groans. 

The little girl decided to seek help from her parents. As she was about to leave, the young man, all of a sudden, opens his eyes. 

As soon as their eyes locked, the little girl felt something odd inside her. Although she was way too young to comprehend what was it, she knows deep inside her that she feels no fear towards the young man. So instead of running away, she showed him nothing but a warm and innocent smile. 

"Who are you?" asked the young man. 

She chose not to answer and took a step closer to him instead. She then took something inside the pocket of her red dress. It was a handkerchief. 

She uses it to wipe the stains of blood on his face and while doing so, the young man did nothing but stare at her with his creased brows. Moments later, he slowly relaxes his face and his frown is now replaced with calmness. 

"Don't worry, mister. You are safe now. I am going to seek help from my parents to heal your wounds." 

The young man did not answer. But despite his calm demeanor, the pain from his wounds still lingers, making it difficult for him to speak. But he feels obligated to answer her so he just lets out a single moan as a response. Then slowly, his eyes closed. 

The little girl saw how the young man closed his eyes but she is aware that he is not yet asleep. "What's your name?" she asked. The young man groaned but eventually told her his name.

The girl then smiled and told him her name as well. She then remembers what her mother used to do whenever she was in pain. Without thinking twice, her small hands cup his face and she kissed him on the forehead. 

After that, she tried to caress his face while singing her mother's song to her. She thought it might make him feel better.

He opened his eyes once more and wrapped his hands in hers. The girl's eyes is filled with curiosity when he did that. But what made her more curious is the unfamiliar name that slipped from the young man's mouth. 

I sighed deeply, thinking about my dream. I can't tell if it is a memory because I don't recall having that kind of happenings when I was little.  

I better get myself ready. Ayla hates it when I am late. She lacks patience in waiting. I secretly laughed with my own thoughts. 

Ayla is my best friend and a year older than me. 

I met her a day after I got here in the pack house. 

A small smile then slowly formed on my lips as I recall what happened three years ago when Raven found me. 

Raven is a Delta in the pack and he found me in the woods. They learned that rogues were attacking the small towns of Preousia. Especially those who promised allegiance to Wolf Hunters.

So Raven sent their Scouts to patrol and ensure that the other towns in Preousia were safe. But by the time they got to Assura, it was too late. The houses were torched. Everybody else was dead. 

But they did not lose hope. They continue to search for survivors until they sensed life in the woods. And that is how they found me.

I was unconscious for a week and the first person I looked for the moment my eyes opened was my grandmother. But my heart broke when Raven told me that she was no longer in this world.

He gave me comfort and told me that my grandmother might have sacrificed her life to save mine. The pain I felt was unbearable. It was nothing compared to the pain I felt in the woods. How can I move forward, knowing that my only family is now forever gone? 

If only I hadn't lost my consciousness that night, my grandmother and I would have still been together. She would have cooked me my favorite dish and then celebrate my sixteenth birthday. 

But as much as it pains me, I have to continue to live my life because I don't want to put my grandmother's sacrifice in vain.

The next day after I woke up I met Ayla. She has a pleasing personality but easily gets irritated. But it's not just Ayla whom I met. I also met her mother. Her mother was nice and warm and she even told me that I can call her mama. I was shy at first but later on, I got used to it. 

Both Ayla and her mother work in the kitchen. But sometimes, when there is no work left in the kitchen, Ayla lends her hand in the infirmary. 

On my third day, Ayla helped me explore the pack house. The pack house is built like a Victorian mansion and just like any other aristocratic mansion, the pack house has its own rules we need to follow.

As days passed, I met some of the pack members. Mama Melly also introduced me to the other kitchen staff and from then on, I started working with them.

It was my second week in the pack house but I still haven't met the Alpha. Mama Melly said that the Elders have called his attention in the Council House.

Then another week passed. I noticed that the people are unusually occupied. I asked one of the servants what's the preparation for. She informed me that they are preparing for the Alpha's arrival. My heart suddenly hammered when she said those. 

It was already evening when the Alpha arrived. We all gathered outside, ready to welcome him. I felt nervous because this is going to be the first I will see him.

When the carriage finally stopped, I noticed most of the servants stiffened. Then a man with middle-length hair caught my attention. He walks stiffly and opened the carriage door. 

Right in my very own eyes, a man came out from the carriage. As soon as his feet landed on the ground, I suddenly had the same reaction as the others. My body stiffened and my breathing hitched. 

The man was tall and tan. His hair was jet black. It was a bit messy but it looks soft. He was wearing a fitted black shirt and ripped jeans paired with brown boots. Then my eyes began to notice how his clothes perfectly hugged his well-toned body. 

I suddenly snapped in my thoughts when I realized that everybody is bowing their heads to greet him so I quickly did the same. 

Then I noticed him looking at the crowd as if he was eyeing his pack members one by one and when his eyes landed on me I felt like the clock stop ticking. Our eyes locked and my mouth fell open, then, something odd is happening in my body, especially in my chest.

His pair of blue obsidian orbs look so intense which made my knees weaken so I gripped Ayla's arm because I fear that I might fall on my knees. But his gaze did not last long because of the sudden voice that called his attention. 

"Lucien?" 

He blink his eyes and turned away to face the person who called his name. My eyes followed him and a soft gasp escaped my mouth when I realized who called him. 

It was a woman with mermaid wave hair who is still inside the carriage. His name sounded sweet in her mouth but it sounded bitter in my ears. I mentally castigated myself for thinking that way. 

I looked at them and saw how the Alpha offered his hand to the woman. Everyone noticed how he held her as if she was the most precious thing in all of Preousia.

As I continue to watch them, I can't help but noticed how perfect they are.

I have no idea who she is but as soon as the celebration started, my curiosity was finally been answered. The Alpha of Crescent Moon Pack has finally introduced his future Luna. 

I don't know why I suddenly felt different when the Alpha introduced the woman, whom they called Clarrise, as the future Luna of the pack. 

But then why not her? As Ayla claimed earlier, Clarisse is the perfect pair for Alpha Lucien and she came from a well-known family. 

Ayla also mentioned that they have known the woman for years and she is nothing but kind and gentle to everyone. 

Days passed like a blur and now the people are again busy with left and right tasks. There is so much to be done for tonight is another celebration in the House of Salvatorri. The Alpha will celebrate his anniversary as the leader of the pack. 

I was busy doing my chores in the kitchen when Nana Selma, the senior female servant of the mansion came to me with a wide smile on her lips. 

"I mentioned you to the Alpha and I asked if you could stay and live with us here since you have no one else to live with," she said.

Different scenarios started to fill my head. "W-What did he say?" I can't hide the nervousness in my voice. 

Nana Selma laughed and held my hand. "He said yes, Bella. So don't worry."

Relief rushed in my body after she said those. "What kind of leader is Alpha Lucien, Nana?"

"He is exactly the kind of leader we could wish for. He had become the Alpha his father dreamed of. And when he was younger, he was already aware of the responsibility of an Alpha. It's just unfortunate that his father, Lucian, had already left this world early than expected."

"How did he die?" 

Nana sighed with sadness. "He died with his encounter with rogues."

After our talk, Nana left the kitchen to check if the food outside is enough. Moments later, Ayla came in and invites me again to join the celebration outside. 

"No, I'll stay here. The others left as well and your mother and Nana might need help. And I really feel uncomfortable going out there, especially since I am just new here." 

Ayla shook her head. "My mother told me that the Alpha has already agreed for you to stay here so you don't have to feel uncomfortable or scared."

I am not afraid. I wanted to voice it out but I chose to be in silence. 

And I have this unusual reaction whenever the Alpha is near. I find it weird because it is my first time feeling this way. And every time my eyes found him, I feel like melting. It feels like he can see right through me. 

Sometimes, he's looking at me like he was mad and I fear that maybe he doesn't really want me here. 

"Bella, are you coming or what?" Ayla's impatient voice awakened me from my trance.  

"I told you already. If you want, you can go and have fun. I'll be okay here," I said, smiling. 

Ayla sighed then she pouted her lips. "Okay, just go find me if you feel bored." 

I gave her a single nod as an answer.

I was busy with the cupcakes when Mama Melly entered the kitchen with empty bottles of wine. 

"Bella, why are you still here? I thought Ayla came here to get you?" she asked, confused. 

"I prefer to stay here, Mama Melly. I think I am more needed here," I said. 

"If so, then is it okay with you if I ask you to get me more bottles of wine in the wine cellar? I'll take care of the cupcakes for you," she said. 

I nodded my head and left the kitchen.

I took a box of wine and hurry back to the kitchen. As I was about to step inside, I halted when I heard a familiar voice.

My heart started to hammer and something odd is happening to me. 

"So it's just the two... of you?" 

It was Alpha Lucien's voice!

"Yes, the others are already outside," Mama Melly answered. 

They continue to talk until Alpha Lucien asked Mama Melly about my whereabouts. Then I heard her telling him where I am. 

My hands began to tremble so I decided not to enter the kitchen for a while. 

I waited for Alpha Lucien to leave but minutes passed and I can still hear his deep voice. 

Mama Melly is starting to look for me so I had no choice but to show myself. 

"P-Pardon me for taking so long, Mama Melly."

She quickly helped me with the box of wine and then looked at me worriedly. "That's okay, but you should have just taken two bottles instead. That box is quite heavy for you."

I hate seeing her worry so I just smiled at her to assure her it was okay.

"Ah! I almost forgot. Bella, come and greet Alpha Lucien." Mama Melly grabbed my hand and I lowered my gaze when I noticed Alpha Lucien's eyes on me. 

"Good evening, Alpha L-Lucien," I greeted him when we finally got closer to him.

"Good evening... Ysobella," he uttered coldly.

I bit my lower lip and bowed my head after he greeted me back. Why does my name sound gentle in his mouth?

"Do you still need anything, Lucien?" Mama Melly asked.

"None," he answered but his eyes were on me. 

His intense gaze is making me weak so I quickly averted my eyes and busied myself with the cupcakes. 

"Perhaps we can offer you something to eat? Bella, get the Alpha some food he can enjoy." 

I felt a little frantic so I offered him the cupcake I was holding but Mama Melly told me that the Alpha is not fond of sweets. 

"How about fruits, Bella," she suggests. 

I bit my lip and nodded my head. I was about to hand him fruits but...

"No, the cupcake is fine. I want it," Alpha Lucien uttered firmly.

I saw how Mama Melly's eyes widened but she eventually recovers. 

Moments later, Alpha Lucien finally left the kitchen which enabled me to breathe calmly. But before he left earlier, he gave me one last look. 

"Lucien seems odd these days. And since when does sweets entices him?" Mama Melly asked with confusion. 

"The Alpha doesn't eat sweets?" I asked. Mama Melly then shook her head as an answer. Minutes later, she left the kitchen because she has to bring the wine to the visitors.

Alpha Lucien is making me feel an unusual feeling that I haven't once felt. This is the first time and it's honestly making me worried. 

*****

Ed_Dianthe | Ms. Ed