The Unexpected Mate.

The werewolf threw her onto the rough ground, igniting a scream from her lips. She was weak—there was no doubt about it—and she couldn’t fight the werewolves. She struggled to break free from them, but the more she fought, the more their teeth sank into her flesh.

They wanted to eat her raw. That much was clear.

But she needed to fight back somehow. She had tried to escape the pack; she couldn't die at the hands of the same wolves who had made her life miserable. Quickly, she kicked her legs at the first werewolf in front of her. The strike made the wolf stagger slightly, a growl escaping his throat, but there was still another to face.

She was weak, her blood soaking the ground beneath her, her body marked with the deep bites they’d inflicted.

The second werewolf, seeing what she had done to the first, snarled. She used what little strength she had to jam her foot into his chest. He growled louder this time, his fury evident. This time, there would be no mercy.

Why had Aurora escaped the pack? Hadn’t she been promised to Kael, the soon-to-be alpha of the Red Moon Pack? But there was no doubt in her mind that Kael would reject her. She was nothing but an omega, and he’d likely end her miserable existence himself.

Without hesitation, the second wolf lunged at her, sinking his teeth into her thigh and ripping away flesh. A bloodcurdling scream erupted from Aurora, even louder than the first. Blood poured freely onto the ground, and her vision blurred. She was going to die.

She fell flat on her back, her eyes wide open as darkness encroached. Then, she heard a sound—a beast’s roar—distinctly different from the growls of the werewolves she’d always known.

Too weak to look up, Aurora lay there, helpless, as the howls and whimpers of the pack echoed around her. Her attackers were being slaughtered by something… something monstrous.

As her consciousness slipped away, she heard the chaos quiet down. She caught snippets of voices—strong, masculine tones. Then she felt someone near her. Though her vision was blurry, she could tell it wasn’t a wolf. This stranger didn’t smell like one.

“If I’m going to die at the hands of these strangers, so be it,” she thought as the darkness fully consumed her.

---

Kane stared at the young she-wolf lying battered on the ground. Her body was covered in bites, and her blood stained the earth around her. She reeked of pain and suffering.

"She must’ve been attacked by rogues," Kane said, rising to his feet. “But what’s a wolf doing in vampire territory?”

“Should we kill her? It seems right,” Kia suggested coldly, his gaze fixed on the nearly lifeless girl. She wouldn’t survive much longer with such severe injuries.

“No,” Kane replied firmly. “She won’t be killed. She’s already on the brink of death. We were sent to eliminate the rogues, not her. We’ll take her to the castle and let King Draven decide her fate.”

“Draven won’t hesitate to kill her,” Kia argued. “He despises all werewolves, weak or strong.”

Kane’s jaw tightened. “Then let him decide. We’re not laying a hand on her. That’s the king’s prerogative.”

Without waiting for further argument, Kane scooped Aurora into his arms. Her scent—though tainted with blood—was faintly intoxicating. Suppressing the urge to bite her, he moved swiftly toward the castle.

---

At the Castle

“King Draven, your men have returned victorious from their battle against the rogues,” Carlos announced as he entered the royal chambers. “They’ve brought back the bodies of the fallen.”

“Good,” Draven replied, his crimson eyes gleaming as he sipped his blood tea. “No rogue will dare trespass on my lands again.”

Carlos hesitated before continuing, “But… they also brought back a living werewolf.”

Draven’s cup shattered in his hand, crimson liquid mixing with the blood oozing from his palm. “How dare Kane disobey my orders!” he snarled. “I commanded them to kill every werewolf!”

“It’s a young she-wolf, my king. She doesn’t appear to be a rogue,” Carlos said carefully.

Draven growled, rising from his seat. “I don’t care if she’s a pup or a queen. I’ll kill her myself!”

With a determined stride, he left the room, Carlos following close behind.

---

Kane bowed deeply as Draven approached. The vampire king’s fury was palpable, his presence suffocating.

“Where is she?” Draven demanded, his voice a low growl.

“In the next room, my king,” Kane replied, retreating a step. “But she’s gravely injured. Perhaps—”

“I don’t care,” Draven interrupted. “Male or female, rogue or not, I despise werewolves. They’re manipulative and destructive.”

He stormed into the room where Aurora lay. The scent of blood was overwhelming, but something else lingered in the air—a sweeter, intoxicating aroma. Draven froze, his breath hitching as the scent consumed him.

“Mate,” he whispered, a single tear slipping from his eye.

The goddess had finally blessed him with a mate—a werewolf.

Dropping his sword to the floor, Draven approached the bed. Aurora’s dark hair framed her pale, battered face, her wounds deep and raw. Rage and anguish swirled within him as he gently brushed her hair aside.

“Who did this to you?” he growled softly.

He stood abruptly, his fists clenched. “They will pay,” he vowed, striding out of the room.

“Who harmed her?” Draven demanded of his men, his voice echoing through the halls.

Kane stepped forward cautiously. “We heard her screams and found two wolves attacking her. We killed them, my king.”

Draven’s rage simmered, but he nodded. “Good. Now, fetch a medic. I want every injury treated. Kane, see to it personally.”

“Yes, my king,” Kane replied, though confusion flickered in his eyes.

Carlos hesitated before speaking. “My king, why the sudden change of heart? You intended to kill her…”

Draven’s gaze turned steely. “Because she is my mate,” he said, his voice filled with determination.

The room fell silent, shock evident on every face. Even Queen Lilith, who had just entered, looked stunned.

“A mate?” she whispered.

“Yes, Mother. The goddess has finally blessed me. She is mine, and I will protect her.”

"What about Asamad?" The Queen asked.

"You can go bear a son to marry her off to him when he is matured enough to have a mate"

Draven said, and without sparing her another glance, he left the room.