Chapter 1

Jaselyn's POV

Do you ever get that feeling? The one in which it feels like you're floating on air. Blissfulness encompassed my being as my body turned on the bed and my eyes fluttered open. 

It was bright— too bright. I blinked a few times in an attempt to adjust my eyes to the harsh sun rays that washed on my face. In a split second, I realized that this wasn't my room. 

Turning to my side, my eyes fell on a strange man sleeping peacefully next to me but I didn't panic. Rather, a feeling of warm familiarity washed over me as my wolf keened at lascivious memories of this man— my mate.

I had never thought I'd meet my mate, I believed I was too unlucky for such a blessing. The events leading up to this moment almost feel like a blur now. And to think I didn't want to attend the Peace Ball……

****

I stood a few feet away from the table and played with my fingers nervously, trying my hardest not to shake in fear as he took a spoonful of food and moved it to his mouth agonizingly slow.

‘Please let him like it. Please let him like it.’ I chanted the words in my mind. Hoping it would become reality. Uncle Dan finally took the food into his mouth, chewing messily and scrunching his face weirdly, as if it would determine whether he liked it or not.

He swallowed and my breath halted when his eyes fell on me. “What are you doing standing there like a petrified mouse, go get me my coffee!” He yelled at me and I scurried away, thankful that he had no problem with the food. Usually, he would find issues with it even when there were none just so he could verbally abuse me and on days when he was feeling grumpier than usual, I'd get beaten. 

I'd been forced to endure his abuse and live completely at his mercy after my parents passed away a few months ago and I had to move into this Pack with him, owing to the fact that he's my only living relative. 

I carefully carried the cup of coffee over to the table, ensuring it was exactly the way he liked it, not too hot or too cold. He took a sip and spat it out dramatically before throwing me a murderous look and I knew I was done for.

“What the hell is this?!” He barked at me.

“Your….. Your coffee.” I stuttered out, afraid to say anything he wouldn't like.

“This tastes like dirt water. You're fucking 18 years old, do you expect me to teach you how to make coffee everyday? What kind of wife will you make? Or have you decided to be a liability all your life?” He lashed out harshly and my eyes watered.

“I…. I'm sorry, I made it exactly the way you like it, two cubes of sugar and no creamer, I don't know what went wrong.” I pleaded pathetically and the words barely left my mouth when a hand came flying my way.

It was too unexpected so I couldn't avoid it. A hard slap had my head twisting sideways, the intensity nearly making me fall over.

I could taste a metallic saltiness on my tongue and I instantly knew I had busted my lip. The sting of the slap lingered on as I stood straight and kept my head down.

“Bitch! Next time you argue with me again you're really gonna get it. You're so ungrateful, I fucking feed and provide for you yet you can't do anything right. I'm the reason you have a roof over your head or else you'd be whoring yourself out in that backwater Pack just to survive.” He cursed and I bit hard on my bottom lip to stop myself from retorting. 

He feeds me? He provides for me? Like hell he does. I work to earn my keep. I do every single chore in this house, up to washing his disgusting underwear. I do menial jobs for our neighbors and babysit so I can have money for the days when he decides I'm not good enough to feed. I also have to deal with the women he occasionally brings home. I have absolutely nothing to be grateful for. 

He's just a sadist. From what I heard, his mate left him and since then, he's only gotten worse. He only vents his frustrations out on me. I want to scream out how horrible of a person he is and how much I hate him but I know that that'll just bring unnecessary pain for me. Being able to avoid a beating is a win.

“Take it away, you've fucking made me lose my appetite.” He orders and I get to work, taking the food away and cleaning the place while he relaxes back into his seat.

As soon as I'm done, I take permission to leave. “Uncle, I'm done. May I please go to my room?”

“Don't you have chores to take care of?” He asks, barely sparing me a glance.

“No, I've done all my work.”

“For your sake they better have been done properly. Have you made preparations for this evening? You really don't plan on going with me to the Peace Ball with that face, do you? Do you want everyone to think I'm maltreating you?” He questions, referring to the angry red bruise that had probably formed on my left cheek.

“Really? Is this man high or does he not know the meaning of maltreatment?” My wolf, Nila, finally speaks up, probably more sick of his bullshit than me.

“I'm not going to the Ball, I'm not feeling too well so I want to rest at home.” I state simply.

“Like hell you're not going. I don't recall giving you an option. I'll break it down for your tiny brain to understand, the annual peace ball is the biggest celebration in our Pack. It's hosted in the Palace by the Alpha and everyone in the Pack comes together to give gratitude to the moon goddess for a successful year and all the blessings she's bestowed upon us. It's non negotiable, you're going so do something about that face of yours, cover it up with makeup if you have to. I don't care what you have to do but be ready to go by the time I get back. Is that understood?” He asks and I nod.

“Use your words.” He demands.

“Yes, uncle.” I affirm and he leaves, giving me a chance to finally breathe properly.

“I really don't want to go, I don't even have a dress.” I grumble to Nila who nudges me in a show of comfort.

“You can just wear what we have, this might be a chance to have some fun. Besides, we turned 18 a few days ago, we're sure to find our mate soon.” She encouraged me and I rolled my eyes at the statement.

“As if. It's better not to hold on to that dream or you'll only end up disappointed. We should think about saving up enough money to get out of this Pack, as far away from Uncle as possible, and start a new life.” I replied to her.

I went about doing chores for some money and even babysit one pup. Aside from the work I do, I have no social life. I'm what people would call a shut in, I only leave the house when I have to. I enjoy my isolation as it's the only time I can get peace of mind. 

Besides, I'm afraid of being judged by strangers, my self esteem is already at an all time low thanks to my uncle.

The day went by quickly and the time for the dreaded social gathering finally arrived. I wore one of my two decent dresses, the rest of them had already become tattered due to overwashing. I applied some of the makeup I had managed to borrow and after receiving an earful from Uncle about laying low and not causing any trouble, we finally left the house for the Ball.

It was the first time I've ever been to the palace. Arriving at the Grand Hall which held more people than I could count, I felt sick to my stomach due to the anxiety of being around so many strangers.

While uncle went off to mingle, I stuck back like a wallflower, watching the people enjoy themselves and wondering how they had the energy for all of that.

The quiet rumbling of my stomach reminded me that I hadn't eaten since breakfast. I eyed the buffet table at the other corner of the room and made a decision. This could be my only chance to eat to my heart's content without getting a lecture or worse. Taking a deep breath, I made my way through the dance floor packed with people and mumbled small apologies to the ones who bumped into me.

Finally getting to the other side, I released a sigh of relief but that's when it hit me— a scent so delicious that it made my mouth water. The place suddenly reeked of warm cedarwood mixed with a hint of rose and pine; it was the most wonderful thing I had ever perceived. I looked around but realized that no one else seemed to notice.

My body seemed to move on its own as I headed in the direction of the scent. I found myself leaving the Grand Hall and walking further into the palace. I had no idea where I was going but nothing had ever felt so right, it was like I was possessed, lured in by the sweet but treacherous song of a siren.

The closer I got, the more the intoxicating pheromone pervaded my senses, drawing me, making me drunk on ecstacy. I stopped at the door of a room and the heavy concentration of the scent from the other side of the room nearly made me pass out.

“Mate! Mate! Our mate is on the other side!” Nila rattled restlessly within me, her excitement flooded into my being and I pushed the door open, walking into the room.

Dreamy blue eyes meet mine in a gaze so intense that my knees grow weak. Messy blonde hair fell in locks, shaping his face nicely. He had a well defined jaw and the most sensual lips one could imagine. I couldn't help but confess he's the most attractive man I'd ever seen.

“And he's our mate, we're his.” Nila raved enthusiastically. My lips quivered as I struggled to make a coherent sentence. “I—I…..” 

“Shh….. No words need to be said, I would rather our bodies do the talking. This connection between us is so deep that it makes me wonder how I've survived this long without you, my dear mate.” His words make my heart jump as he takes my hand into his and electricity sizzles between us. He kisses me sweetly, desperately, like I'm the only thing that matters in the entire world.

The next few seconds are a blur as our clothes fly around the room. The only thing my mind could register at that moment was that I'd never felt so happy in my entire life as our bodies entwined and our souls became one.