CHAPTER 1: Disgrace

The smell hit me strongly and it was the first thing I noticed.

An unfamiliar scent of sweat and Alcohol, strong and it clinged to my skin. My wolf inside stirred uneasily as I blinked. The room spinned, my head ached like It’s been hit on the rock.

Where am I?

I sat up as quickly, observing my surroundings. A dark hotel room. Unclean carpet. The wallpaper on the wall peeled in wet strips. I am tangled around bed sheets that smelt more than just my sweat. I panicked and realization set in.

I was naked.

“What is__” I whispered, holding the sheet tightly around my chest. My heart raced and the sounds filled my ears as I tried to think about how I got here. I searched my memories but ended with foggy details. last thing hanging in my memory was me, drinking at the club, a celebratory final night of freedom before my mating ceremony, which is two days from now. 

Two days? My stomach twisted.

Before I could figure out my thoughts, the door to the room burst open with a loud bang. My heart fell into my throat as Dylan stormed in, his eyes blazing with fury.

“What the hell did you do, Phoenix?” The rage in his voice cut through the confusion that darkened my mind. 

“I…I” I tried to speak but my voice cracked. “What’s happening? I have no idea how I got here.”

“You have no idea?!” Dylan burst out in bitter laughter. “Of course you wouldn’t.”

My pulse rose as he moved closer to me, each step made me more frightened. He leaned over where I sat and held the sheets. “Dylan, I swear I don’t know...what happened?” I said with fear in my voice.

“What happened?” His voice rose with rage. “No, tell me, Oh, you think I can’t smell him? Do you really think I don’t know what you did, Phoenix?”

My stomach shunned in confusion. “Smell who? Dylan, I’m confused, I don’t understand what you are saying.”

“I can smell it, you reek of another wolf!” He said with shouts that echoed in the small room, making me flinch. “I did the minute I walked in here. Phoenix, how could you? You've ruined everything, Everything.”

Chills run down my spine as I tried to process what he just said. Another wolf?. I wasn’t with anyone, at least I hadn’t been with anyone up until this moment. I would never—

“Dylan, please believe me. I didn’t…” I whispered in disbelief. “ I’m telling the truth, I didn’t do anything I swear.”

Dylan looked at me in disgust. “Don’t you dare lie to me. You’ve been with another Wolf, Phoenix. You are so disgusting. You’ve disgraced your pack. Do you realize the implications of what you have done? 

His words hit me like a blow. Disgraced? My mind took many turns, whirling through trying to process this accusation. No way this is happening. I’m confused that I can’t remember anything, and yet… the scents on the sheets didn’t lie. A strange and very unfamiliar scent. 

I’m finished.

“I really don’t know,” I said. I didn’t….

“You didn’t do what?!” Dylan roared, cutting me off. “You didn’t betray me? You didn’t betray the packs? The alliance is over, Phoenix. It’s off, the mating ceremony can’t happen. There’s no way i’ll ever take you as my mate now.”

The room spun and I felt like I was drowning inside. “No!’ I whispered, shaking my head. “Dylan please, I didn’t do anything. I promise…I don’t  remember anything…Please.”

“I don’t care, I don’t freaking care if you remember anything or not!” His voice was icy and laced with venom. “You’ve ruined everything. Do know what this will do…what it will do to the Silvercrest Pack? Your father will be left with no choice but to exile you. You are nothing but a rogue now.”

Exiled…The word hit me in my gut like a punch. “You can’t be serious. My Father will never do that…”

“Your father will do that and more, he will throw you out like the disgrace you are, That’s the only way i will be placeted ” Dylan snapped at me. Do you think he will save you after what you’ve done? Don’t be silly. He will do no such thing, not after you’ve disgraced the entire pack.”

Tears gathered and stung my eyes. This couldn’t be happening to me. This wasn’t real. I wouldn’t do any of this deliberately, I wouldn't betray anyone willifully. I am not a Villain, I am the daughter of an Alpha and I am supposed to be Luna. 

“Phoenix, you are certainly finished,” Dylan hissed. “I will expose you, I’ll make sure everyone knows what you did.”

“No.... No! Dylan please, I begged in desperation. 

“Please don’t do this to me. I promise… I don’t know what happened…”

“Stop!! That’s enough!” He grabbed my arm, his hands were tight around mine as he pulled me off the bed.

“Get dressed now,” he ordered, his face close to mine. “I’m taking you to the pack now.”

My heart pounded heavily. “Dylan, please wait…”

“Shut it, Get dressed now or i’ll drag you out naked!” his eyes were furious. “You’re done, Phoenix. You have done what you did and you have to pay,”

My heart was beating uncontrollably, none of this makes sense. I try to think back to the last 24 hours but my mind is hazy, i cannot remember how i ended up here. Was i drugged?

I looked at Dylan, with pleading eyes. “Dylan, please, give me a chance to explain…”

“You have absolutely nothing to explain, I caught you red handed,” he said. “Get dressed now”.

His grip loosened a bit and enough for me to get my clothes on. My hands trembled with fear as I dressed quickly. This feels like a nightmare. 

Dylan kept his eyes on me as I got dressed, he was judging me. His hatred was visible through his eyes.

As I picked up my boots, lacing them, my mind raced for answers. I have to remember anything, something. How did this happen? What brought me here? Who is the wolf that did this to me?

But nothing came, no memories.

Dylan gripped my arms again with his hand, dragging me towards the door. My feet barely touching the floor, and panic rose in my insides.

“Dylan, please,” I begged in a desperate plea. 

Just as we approached the threshold, a sharp knock reverberated through the room.

Dylan froze, his hand still gripped my arms 

“What the hell?”

The door flung open, and a man stepped in. He is tall, dark and his eyes are cold and calculating, he had a stale metallic smell to him that made me want to throw up. A rogue.

My breath hitched and my blood ran cold.

“Leaving so soon and without me,? The mystery man said, locking eyes with mine.

My heart froze, I couldn’t breathe. Who was this man? I couldn’t tell but one thing is sure, I could smell him on the sheet and he has the key to the answers I needed and this nightmare is not ending soon.