Chapter 7: mate

Exalia's POV

"Hurry, get to the gates!"

"Secure the alpha!" The guards yelled, rushing towards different directions of the mansion. My heart raced as I tried to understand what was happening.

"The rogues are attacking the clinic! Hurry!" The nurse yelled, running past the prison. Rogues? Attack?! Father! My heart sank as I followed the guards. Each moment was filled with terror, as I hoped it wasn't as bad as I thought.

"Where's my father?" I asked a guard who walked past me. He scoffed indifferently, continuing on his way like I never existed.

"Where's my family? Where's my father?" I asked another guard standing by the corner. He turned to me, his gaze fierce as he rolled his eyes. Why wasn't anyone listening to me? Why weren't they answering me? I'm not invisible, am I?

Maybe it's not as bad as I think. My father is the beta after all. He was a skilled warrior. Nothing bad would happen to him. Right? Yes, he's safe. He's definitely safe. But what if he isn't? What if he's injured in battle? He hadn't recovered fully from his last wounds; could he survive an attack? From the multitude of guards running, I could tell it was a fierce one. I really hoped he was okay.

Pacing around my cell, I sat by the corner, wrapping my arms around my knees, and bowed my head, tears clouding the corner of my eyes. Dear goddess, please protect my family. Nothing can happen to them.

Not right now. I need them. My breath slowed down as my heartbeat steadied. I could feel a heavy force cradle me in its arms as my consciousness slipped away. What's going on, I thought to myself. My breathing seized, the darkness becoming one with me as I fell to the floor.

"Exalia...." A voice called out to me. Squinting my eyes open, I found myself floating in the abyss. Panting, I turned, drifting my gaze through each corner in search of light. Nope, I was met with total darkness. What is this? Where am I? Did I die? What's going on?

"Exalia..." The voice echoed through the abyss.

"Who's there?" I asked, narrowing my eyes in search of the figure.

"You know who I am, Exalia," she said, her voice stern. Know who she is? Was she kidding me? "I don't know who you are. How am I supposed to know if you're in hiding?!"

"I am the moon goddess," she echoed.

Moon goddess? This must be some sick game. "And I must be the alpha Queen," I said, rolling my eyes.

"You seek to save your family..." Hearing her words, I choked on my saliva. How did she know that? Wait, anyone can know that. Even Maria would know that. Ohhh, I get it. This is all some sick game planned by that bitch! I'm sure she's the one behind this damn illusion. Why would the moon goddess appear to me? Hell, does she even know I exist?

"Enough of the questions, Exalia! To save your family, you need to be one with your wolf."

"But... I... I just _"

"Listen here child, danger is coming… and already as you can see your pack is under attack!" My heart sank.

"Danger? What kind of danger?"

"Your mate is coming," she said, her tone somber. Mate? My chest tightened.

"I don’t have a mate; no, I did, but he rejected me, so who are you talking about?" I asked, shaking my head.

In as much as I was confused, all I could think about was my father and brother. "I know him and his here, so who's coming?"

"Not yet, you haven't seen him." She corrected, stepping closer. Her light seemed to dim slightly, shadows creeping into her aura. "But when he comes, he will bring destruction. Doom will follow in his wake, Exalia. He will betray you, use you, and cast you aside." Her words sent a chill down my spine.

"Why... why would my mate do that? Mates are supposed to love and protect each other! Gosh, this is so fucking confusing."

Was the alpha going to come back to me? No, but she said I've not seen him, so who? I couldn't stop my mind from roaming.

"Oh, child. Not all mates are blessings. Some are curses." She let out a low, pitying laugh. I shook my head.

"I don’t believe you. The Moon Goddess—my mate can’t be like that! Plus, why would you give me a curse as my mate?"

"Do you doubt me, Exalia? Do you question the wisdom of the goddess who made you?" Her eyes flashed dangerously.

I froze, uncertainty gnawing at me. Was she truly the Moon Goddess?

"If you do not listen, you will suffer the consequences," she said, her voice softening into a whisper.

"Reject your mate. Protect yourself, or you will lose everything you hold dear." Her form began to dissolve, her voice fading into the mist. "Remember, Exalia—reject him, or you will suffer." Splash!

"Get up, slut. Alpha Axel has requested your presence," the guard sneered. Shuddering, I staggered to my feet as I tried to understand the events of earlier.

Was that a dream? What did she mean by becoming one with my wolf? "Move!" He yelled, pushing me forward. As we approached the meeting room, he threw me to the floor ruthlessly.

"Al..." Squelch! His head suddenly rolled to the floor beside me. "Ahhh!" I shrieked in horror.

"Who dares touch her?!" Axel asked, his tone deep as his veins sprouted out. The hall went deaf but not for long as the crowd started again.

"Alpha, let's hold a trial for her, right here and right now!"

I couldn't believe rogues won over the pack's warriors.

"Yes, we need to know who murdered Alpha John!" The atmosphere bellowed with murmurs and jeers. I was innocent; there was no need for a trial.

"Enough!" Axel yelled, silencing the once noisy hall. "Who's the prime suspect?" He asked, arching his brow.

"She's the murderer!"

"She should be hanged!" "I witnessed her murder him with my own eyes!" The lady I still didn't know yelled.

"She stabbed him in the chest with that silver rod!"

"Pathetic!" "She was so bent on being his woman; I'm sure he rejected her, and she killed him!"

"I didn't do anything! I'm innocent!" I yelled at the top of my voice.

"You dare argue? You should be a rogue! I'm sure you're bitter after Alpha Jake's rejection!" An ugly-looking guy said.

"What did you say?" Axel snarled, his fists clenched as his face grew red with anger. Before anyone realized what was going on, he was standing right behind the guy whose blood splashed at me before falling to the ground. The hall went into a deafening silence once again, Axel's heavy breaths echoing through the room.

"Everyone who pointed fingers at my mate will be hanged!" Gasp! Everyone looked at each other, the shock in their faces evident as they covered their mouths with the palm of their hands.

Wait, mate? Isn't he the guy I saw earlier? Was he the mate the moon goddess spoke about? "I'm not your mate. I hate you so much I'd rather die than be bound to you."