Chapter 1

QUINN:

I watched as my books were littered all over the hallway. My back was roughly slammed against my locker and I could hear the mocking laughter of my sister's gang.

This was what they did every day. They made my day miserable just to have a fun day for themselves. The worst part of it all was that I couldn't stand up for myself and no one dared to do so in my stead, lest they be in serious trouble.

I couldn't even report to the school's council because their representative was one of Kylie's minions. I knew my complaint would never get to them.

"Look how ugly she is with her big ugly glasses." Kylie laughed and threw my bag across the hallway. Everyone passed by without chipping in a word. It was why I hated the pack. Especially my step-sister.

There were times when I wished she never woke up from her sleep or that a car would hit her as she was crossing the road. That was how pathetic I was. I couldn't face her.

"How about we have a food dump?" She suggested as she looked at her minions. One of them got a smelly drink that has probably being in the trash for over a week and rained it on me. Tears strolled down my cheeks as I stood there.

"Ewwww...Do you even bathe at all?" They covered their nose because of the smell. I sobbed uncontrollably and wanted to pick up my books that were scattered all over.

"Dirty girl... You're never going to find a mate if you keep being dirty and stinky. I bet no man would want to look your way, not even the ugliest rogue." My sister pushed me to the ground and walked away with her crew, laughing at their victory.

I noticed the pitiful look of the janitor as he stood across the hall. He was an old man and nobody would believe him even if he ever spoke up.

"Pick up your books girl. I will clean here." He offered. I stood up, bowed a little, and proceeded to pick up my bag and my books. Nobody dared to come close to me because of the smell I exuded. I couldn't go to class either to avoid being shamed again by the teacher. I just wanted to go home and disappear forever. Luckily for me, it began to rain.

I dumped my bag in my locker and walked out into the rain. I could see some students learning from where I sat. I was supposed to be in there learning too and trying to make my life a better one but Kylie happened. She didn't want me to have a peaceful life.

According to her, I stole the joy of her mother and she was just repaying me the favor on her mother's behalf. But it wasn't my fault that my mother was father's fated mate and that her mother was his chosen mate. So why was she taking it out on me and not on father?

The rain washed me. I wished it would wash away Kylie, the source of my pain. I wished it would wash away all my sorrow and give me another beginning.

Soon, the rain stopped. I was about to stand up when I saw a figure beside me. I looked up to see him holding an umbrella that covered both of us.

"Alpha Jackson..." I muttered inaudibly.

"Shouldn't you be in class learning? Why are you out here?" He asked with a straight face?

I couldn't bring myself to answer that question. It was at that moment I noticed I was cold and that I hadn't eaten since the previous night because Kylie had locked the kitchen when father was not around.

When the wind blew, I shivered and abruptly stood up. My teeth gnashed and goosebumps appeared on all my body pores. Why didn't I realize I was this cold?

"Let's go in." He offered. The moment we got to the hallway, he removed his jacket and covered me with it.

"You shouldn't stay in these wet clothes," He handed his bag over to me.

"There's some clothes in there. Use them. I give you ten minutes max to do that." He was sweet, yet authoritative. My heart pounded against my chest as I closed the bathroom door. Every word that came out of his mouth sent shocks down my spine. Was that what a mate bond felt like?

And yes, the alpha of our pack is my mate. I found this out when I was at work in the pack house. The alpha was a rarely seen man because of the numerous issues he had to attend to. The day I found out, I was happy. Not because he was the alpha but because I wanted to prove Kylie wrong. I wanted to see the look on her face when I introduced my mate to her. None other than Alpha Jackson.

I quickly put on the clothes and went outside to meet him. He was on his phone and so, he didn't notice when I got there. When he finally saw me was when he put down his phone and I could swear I saw his eyes light up. His eyes lingered on me for a while before he looked away. Our situation became more awkward when my stomach growled.

He mused a smile and looked at his watch.

"We won't be able to get anything now. Can you hold on?" He asked and I quickly nodded. He found a spot for us to sit. I clasped the bag as though my life depended on it. I didn't want it to drop to the ground.

"What is your name?" He asked. He was looking straight while I got the opportunity to take in his all-round handsome features. His golden eyes captivated me the most, accompanied by his strong jawline which gave him the look of a hard man.

"Like what you see?" He looked at me with a smirk. I quickly recollected myself and looked away.

"My name is Quinn," I replied feebly.

"Alpha Jackson." He stretched his hand for a shake. With my shaking hand, I took it. His hand was quite warm for someone who had just come out of the rain. As though he was reading my mind, he enveloped my palm with both his warm fists.

"We really need to get you out of here." He smiled a little and pushed closer to me. I felt nervous about our closeness but I did nothing to show it. Or maybe it was clear because I heard him chuckle lowly.

The rain stopped just about lunchtime. Students came out to see us sitting in the hallway. He didn't seem to be bothered about the crowd that stared at us.

"Let's get something to eat." He took my hand and helped me up. As we walked hand in hand to the cafeteria, I heard low muttering, especially from the female students. My face fell to the ground till we got to the cafe. The alpha made me sit while he got the food.

"What are you doing? Seducing the alpha?" I heard Kylie's voice followed by her palm slamming the table.

"Is that how cheap you are? Huh, answer me, b**ch!" She grabbed my hair roughly, making me flinch a little.

"I should have known you're a whore, just like your mother. It runs in your blood." She spat bitterly and was bent on ripping my hair out when the alpha intervened.

His eyes flashed with anger as he stared at Kylie. Was he looking at her like that because of me?