Stealing My Mate?

~Marcellus~

Father had scolded me right after I left appeared before his eyes. 

"Do you know what your action today cost me?" 

I lowered my head and nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry I disrespected you, but I had a pressing need I had to attend to." 

"What need could be more important than a duel the whole pack has been looking forward too? Or did brother realize he was going to lose and called a truce?" 

It was no one else than the evil saint in person of my half-brother, Maverick. His voice is a great thorn in my flesh and each time, I wish I can put an end to him. 

"You should know when to speak and when not to! Or do you not realize you're disrespecting father?!" I yelled, snapping my head to the direction of his voice. 

The man stood silently beside my father, grinning wickedly at me. 

"If you two bicker here, you're disrespecting me more!" 

His words seemed to calm the growing tension between us as Maverick looked away. 

Although I couldn't meet father's eyes, I roamed my eyes around the room as I replied half-heartedly. "I'm sorry, father." 

He probably had nothing else to say as he waved his hands and dismissed me. When I got to my hut, I found a rather unwanted visitor in it. Maverick's mother and one of the many people who wishes me death. 

I took off my jacket and draped it around my bamboo chair as I asked. "Luna Celeste, to what do I owe this unpleasant visit?" 

"A bastard son who is supposed to be out of my home and pack dares to ask me what I am doing in a territory that's clearly mine. Tell me, Marcellus, don't you feel ashamed saying that?" She asked with contempt. 

"If you're upset about me or anything related to me being in your presence, you can only have your mate to blame. After all, he did see you before he committed fornication with someone that wasn't his mate. You were probably not eye-catching enough for him..." 

The next thing I felt was pain and the woman having a dagger pressed to my neck, a demonic look in her eyes. 

"You dare say that again and I'll make you never get to say a word again!" 

I tilted my head to a side as I weighed the pros and cons. Not only will my father punish me for hitting his mate, Maverick will also do something bad and evil to me. Just like he has always done. 

" Okay, Luna, let go of me first. An Intruder might mistake our position for something more." I grinned. 

She immediately let go, but flung the dagger beside my head. I sighed. "Go find something better to do." 

"We both know your mother was the mate stealer. She clearly had her own mate, but chose to frolick around someone else's mate because she knew he was an Alpha. And besides, your father was a beast." 

Immediately she dropped the words, she walked back to pick up the dagger and walked out of the room. 

My night was already ruined and I needed a place to cool off, so I grabbed my drawing book and headed to a small lake, my favourite lake. 

As I held my pencil, the picture of the girl in a mask flashed past my eyes. So I bent my head and I drew everything I remained. 

"What are you drawing?" I heard a cheerful voice beside me. 

When I raised my head, I found out it was Willow... My mate. For reasons best known to him, my wolf, Adonis, refused to acknowledge her, but would always come on alert when a different girl passed by. 

"Just something I caught sight of yesterday. You." I replied with my head lowered. 

"Oh" I heard her say before she sat down beside me. "In the arena yesterday, you were really good. I'm sorry for my appearance which made you lose focus and, thus, I got hit by Maverick." 

I glanced up at her without saying anything. Yesterday, after I had left with Cage, she approached me and said I was her mate. 

I didn't want to disappoint her as I felt no attraction towards her, but the faint smell of my mate made me believe her. I probably don't feel it yet, but I will, if I spend more time with her. 

"What? What is it?" She asked shyly, pushing her hair backwards. All this while, I didn't realize we were just a breathe away. 

My lips were about to meet hers when I heard Adonis' voice. 

"Mate!" 

I got up instantly and dropped the drawing book in my hand. I glanced down at Willow whom I assumed must be startled. 

"I have something to settle. Let's meet again later." 

I first stopped when my feet touched something hard. I bent and picked the lunch box up. 

"She was here! Our mate was here and if I'm not wrong, she should be the owner of that lunch box." Adonis said again. 

I holstered the lunch box to my waist before following the trace of an appealing smell. Soon, I came upon some pawprints. 

"Look who we have here!" It came from a man who I never thought I'd see again. 

A dozen of black Werewolves surrounded a white and blue Werewolf. My eyes constricted when I realized she was my mate. 

"Little she-wolf, you don't need to put on any resistance and we won't hurt you. If you come with us quietly, there'd be no reason for anyone to get hurt." A man with white long hair, said, his silver eyes sparking with excitement. 

"She's a member of my pack. I don't think it's a good idea to covet what's mine." I said, coming out from my hiding place.

The shock I saw in his eyes couldn't be erased before he laughed coldly. "Don't be so quick to claim something that hasn't been decided yet. You were so cowardly enough to run out of the duel and propose a truce because you knew you'd surely lose. So tell me, why do you have the confidence to say she belongs to your pack?" 

"As you said, the winner of the duel hasn't been announced yet, when it is, we'll see. For now, I will advice you go home now, Diego." I replied, walking towards her. 

Diego chuckled, a wicked smile gracing his lips. "If you say so, friend. Don't forget, tomorrow is the duel and don't be coward enough to propose a truce again." 

After that, Diego turned and walked into the other side of the woods, along with his men following him. 

Despite Adonis' need to reunite with his mate, I ignored him and looked down on Ashley. "They're gone. You can transform back." 

She did nothing, but look up at me. At that moment, I heard Willow's voice behind me. "If you ask me, I'll say you should've put an end to him once and for all." 

I turned to see her walking towards me with my drawing book. When she caught my eyes, she raised the book and said, "You forgot this, I thought I should return it. However, I smelt you and followed you here." 

"Okay." I replied and looked towards the girl my wolf called mate to see she was walking away. However, she was hopping. "If you don't mind, I can help you." 

"No, don't worry. You go prepare for your duel tomorrow. I'll help her home." Willow butted in. 

I had no choice than to nod my head. After taking a glance at Willow and my mate again, I turned and walked away.