Chapter 1

Warning: This book has not been edited yet. There are many errors.  Enjoy anyways! :)

'The greatest battle is to battle your own soul, to fight the evil within yourself.'

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Chapter One

Scanning through the rows of students, I couldn't find a single empty seat. After making awkward eye-contact with many of the students, I lower my gaze down to the floor instead.

"Rosalyn Edwards, am I right?" I tilt my head up as a nod towards my new English teacher.

I never did like first days, especially when it's my first day at a new school and new pack. All that attention was stabbing me with anxiety.

My mother just had to drag both my sister and I with her to this pack, forcing us to leave our old life behind.

She excused it as a chance to start fresh, although I never did mind our old pack. The only one who really needed a fresh break was my mother.

After all her mate, my father had died.

I wanted to be angry at her for making us leave our lives and start a new one, but I just couldn't. My heart broke when I thought of the pain she had endured when losing her mate. I was never too close with my father, it was no secret that he had never cared much for children, at least not his own. The only reason I exist is that my mother always wanted a daughter, and my younger sister was just an accident.

I still loved him though, he was after all my father.

"Would you like to say something about yourself?" the teacher asks politely.

Despite the urge to answer negatively, I smile and nod.

"Well, my name is Rosalyn, but I prefer Rose. I moved here from Canada and I'm a werewolf."

I heard some boys snicker at my last comment.

"Obviously," he comments.

Ignoring him, I look down shyly. It was no secret that I was a werewolf considering the high school is one of the few designated educational institutions for wolves. Just east of Amherst, Massachusetts, Pelham was a small town full of trees and forests, bordering the Quabbin Reservoir.

It was perfect for the Silver Heart pack as their population was small, and there were lots of free land to roam through. The lake was also a bonus for swimming and hanging around.

"Go take a seat, Rosalyn," my teacher, Mr. Rogers, instructed.

"It's Rose," I mumble quietly. Looking back at the class, I was stuck with the same problem. There are no empty seats left.

My peers stared at me like I was a freak with 3 eyes and 7 legs.

"You can sit here with me, baby." A boy in the fourth row said. He was pointing to his lap, and I almost shivered with disgust.

And we wonder why our generation is so messed up.

I ignore his offer and instead take a lone chair from the back and just sat desk-less.

"Playing hard to get, I like it." Again, I ignored his comment.

Hating someone on the first day, how classy of me.

The class was boring as Mr. Roger spent more time than necessary explaining how to insert quotations into an essay. Five minutes before the end of the class, Mr. Rogers came up to me and apologized for the lack of desks. He also promised me a seat with a desk for tomorrow.

As soon as the bell rang, I didn't move an inch. Everyone rushed out bumping and bouncing into each other. When the coast was finally clear, I made my way out.

I never even had the chance to make a friend. Friends are overrated anyways.

Looking at my schedule, I found I had math next. Turning the paper around, I was thankful to find a map to the school on the back. Very convenient.

"Oh hello! You must be Rosalyn, come on in."

Looking up, I noticed I had reached my destination. The blonde woman in front of me stood tall with her black heels and gave me a thoughtful smile.

"That's me, but I prefer Rose."

"Of course, Rose. Well, my name is Mrs. Morgan, and I will be your math teacher. Come in, don't be shy."

There were students scattered all around the room in their seats. Unsure if they had designated seating, I just picked a random seat in the back and hoped for the best. The last thing I wanted was the extra attention from stealing someone's spot. The buzz of chattering teens grew louder and louder, giving me a slight headache.

Were people always this annoying or am I just getting old?

"Oh my gosh. He is so hot yet terrifying. I love it!" Excitement thundered around the room, making me curious.

While looking around, I caught the eye of a curly blonde. I was ready to look away before her words stopped me.

"Hey, you. Yes, you!"

She took quick strides up to me, before swiftly taking the empty seat directly in front of mine.

"I haven't seen your face around here before; you must be new." I gave her a kind smile, which she returned.

"Yes, I am new. Is it that obvious?"

I took some time to really look at her. Her blonde curls reached an inch past her shoulders, her green eyes shining under the light of the room. She was thin but had curves in all the right places. She was very beautiful, but then again it seemed that everyone at this school just came from a modeling shoot.

They all looked like goddesses, making me feel left out. I felt so plain, so ordinary with medium wavy brown hair that reached mid-chest and big dark brown eyes that would look black unless you watched the sunlight shine on them.

"Well, not exactly obvious because of the way you are acting, just your existence in general."

"Oh." That's even worse.

Seeing my reaction, her eyes widened in the realization of what she had just said.

"No! I don't mean it in a negative way, I just meant the population of the school is very small so a new face would stand out in general. Plus, everyone was warned about a new family joining the pack."

I just nodded, going back to looking around. Students still spoke excitedly about some unknown man.

"What's your name?" The girl questioned.

"Rosalyn Edwards, but just call me Rose." She reached out her hand giving me a shake.

"It's nice to meet you Rose, my names Liv McLaren."

"It's nice to meet you too." Maybe I am going to make a friend today.

"Hey, what's everyone talking about?" I ask, as my curiosity got the better of me.

"You mean who is everyone talking about," She smirked and slightly leaned in.

"Well, it seems that we are joining our pack with another." Her news surprised me. It was very rare that two packs joined. It usually occurred when there was no Alpha or Beta who could control the pack.

"Why?"

Giving it some thought, Liv replied, "Protection, I guess. I'm not very sure but I'm not complaining. We'd be the biggest pack in North America."

It didn't make sense. That would mean one Alpha would give up all his power, there can never be two Alphas in control of the same territory.

"Wait, so what happens to the Alphas and Betas from your pack?"

The smile on her face slowly faded. "Oh- well... Our Alpha Jake has made the choice to step down from his position."

Talk about getting downgraded.

"Who is going to be the new Alpha?" Before she could even reply, Mrs. Morgan began speaking.

"Just wait 'till tonight when we are all introduced," Liv whispers then turns back towards the board.

Math went by fast, with just a couple of worksheets to follow through, we weren't even assigned any homework.

"Hey, wait for me." Looking back, I see Liv hastily collecting her work.

"Why don't you eat lunch with me and my friends?"

"Umm." It was very generous of her, but I kind of wanted to explore around. Liv's face lost emotion when she saw me stalling.

I was always more of a people pleaser. "I would love to," I smiled. And just like that, Liv's face brightened as she grabbed my arm dragging me towards her locker.

"So, you should totally get ready with us for tonight." She said while stuffing books into her already packed locker.

"I mean, everyone is going to be there, so you need to look nice." A second after she said that Liv sharply turned towards me. "Not that you don't look nice right now, I just mean that tonight is a formal kind of thing- you know. Since we are meeting a whole new pack and are-"

"Liv," I interrupted her rambling.

"I get what you're saying and thank you very much for the offer but I need to help my mom and sister get ready so I should probably stay with them."

I had never met someone so friendly and extroverted like her before, she's known me for barely an hour and is already inviting me out. Perhaps that was normal behavior and I'm just the weird introvert.

She shut her locker and began walking.

"Oh right, yeah that makes sense." She murmured but waited for me to catch up to her pace. "But I will see you there, right?"

"Yes!" She smiled a great big smile. I envied her confidence, how she could just strike up a conversation and make friends so easily. I was appreciative that she had approached me, if not I probably would be out of the loop from pack matters.

"Come and meet my friends!" Liv hauled me past the cafeteria doors and along the path towards a table in the center of the room. The room was big, with the left border containing a counter with lots of food set out buffet style. I assumed it was a pay what it weighs kind of ordeal.

Once we reached the table, I saw two boys sitting down engaged in a heated discussion. One was a blonde with hazel eyes that held a certain mischievous spark in them.

The other boy was facing away so all I could see was the brown curls on his head.

"Tom, Jason, meet my new friend Rosalyn!" Now facing the two boys, they gave no attention towards us as they kept speaking quietly.

"Tom! Jason!" She yelled louder, but to her dismay, she got no reaction.

Reaching over she slapped both boys on their head.

"Ow!" They yelled in unison.

"What was that for?" The brunette asked while rubbing his head.

"Oh please, you guys are pack warriors, as if a little slap on the head would hurt." Liv laughed at the boys as they denied ever being hurt in the first place.

"Anyhow, meet my new friend Rosalyn!"

"Rose." I correct but still gave the boys a friendly wave and smile.

"Oh, hello there, I'm Tom," the blonde spoke, "and this is my lover, Jason." He winked at the brown curly-headed boy next to him.

"We are not lovers!" Jason shrieked. His voice caught some attention as some students nearby turned to look.

"He denies it, but I know he wants it," Tom says casually, teasing Jason even more by licking his lips while staring into his eyes.

"What, no I don't. You have a girlfriend, Tom." Jason spoke more quietly this time.

I couldn't help but laugh at the bickering two.

"You guys act like an old married couple"

"We do not!" They both denied it.

"Oh, I said that too loudly, didn't I?"

"Yes, yes you did," Tom answered nodding his head, giving me a playful dirty look.

"So, what were you guys talking about?" Liv asks.

Jason gave Tom a slight look before glancing back to Liv. "We're not supposed to tell anyone."

"Oh, come on Jason, who would we tell? You two are my besties, and Rose is a loner so-"

"Hey!" I pout at Liv. She just rolls her eyes at me and laughs.

"Okay fine." Tom agrees.

"Well, as we all know tonight, we will be introduced to another pack and we are supposed to be acquired by them."

"Yes..." Liv encourages.

"Well, something happened this morning. Something bad," Tom said.

"What?"

"Alpha Sam's pack has been under attack.

"Wait what? When? By whom?" Liv asked out loud, panic clear in her eyes.

"Alpha Sam is the Alpha of the pack we are supposed to join, by the way," Liv fills me in.

"It occurred this morning at dawn, completely out of the blue."

"By rogues?" Liv's voice was drenched in curiosity with a hint of fear.

"Oh, we wish. But it appears to be much worse than a rouge attack."

"What can be worse than a rogue attack?" I ask.

"How about Alpha Hunter Rivers coming to take your territory and your pack? Forcing an entire pack to join him or be killed by him."

My whole body froze at that thought.

Alpha Hunter- one of the strictest, sinful Alphas out there. He kills for joy; takes territories he doesn't even need and destroys packs just for the hell of it. He is one scary man, and even if I am lucky to have never seen him in person, if he attacked Alpha Sam's Pack then he must be nearby.

"You've got to be joking. He will destroy anyone and everyone! If Alpha Sam's pack was targeted then we are next," Liv began to shake as fear consumed her thoughts.

"He is going to kill us all; I won't be any use to them. I suck at fighting," she whispered, her eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.

"Liv, calm down. That is not true, and there's more." We waited for Liv to control her breathing a little before the boys continued.

"He gave Alpha Sam and Alpha Jake a proposition; He wants all our territory and for the two packs to join his, with Hunter being the Alpha of course. Everyone else will just be an average pack member."

"That doesn't seem fair. All the Betas, Alphas, and warriors worked hard for their positions. It's not right for them to be downgraded just at the whim of a monster," Liv shared her distraught feelings and once again began to shake, this time due to anger.

"Well, what are you going to do about it? Make a petition to overrule Alpha Hunter? Ha! Good luck with that. The guy's a bastard. He will kill you without a second thought," Tom spoke truthfully.

"So, I'm guessing both Alphas accepted," I state.

The boys both nodded unhappily.

"Well on the bright side if we stay out of his way, we will still be alive." Jason tried to cheer the table up, but the mood was already too low to fix now.

"Yeah, alive but prisoners. I bet he would kill us just for breathing his air. Who knows how he treats his own pack members, I bet they get whipped for looking at him a second too long," Liv spoke with her face in her hands, groaning in discomfort.

The bell then rang, signaling that classes were about to start. All this worrying had drained our appetites, our lunches remained uneaten.

"Just forget about this and go back to class. You shouldn't even know any of this," Jason says.

Liv gave him a look that meant 'are you freaking kidding me'.

"There's no way I'm going back to class with all this crap going on," Liv says sternly, crossing her arms. She was breathing deeply, attempting to calm down her nerves.

"Well, you can't-" Suddenly Jason's features went blank. He must be talking through mind link.

"Never mind. The whole pack needs to meet outside of the packhouse. Now."

I couldn't help but feel concerned at the urgency in his tone. It was the middle of the day, people were at school and work, the request of dropping everything to meet right away was a big one.

"What happened?" I question.

Jason's eyes met mine. They were cold, his ocean orbs glazed with anger. However, for a moment, just one millisecond, I saw something else. For just a moment, I saw a glimmer of fear flash in the warrior's eyes before going back to the solid icy look he had.

"Come on." Jason urges.

They all began walking out towards the exit. I could see everyone else in the school hurriedly extracting themselves from the building as well.

"Wait, I need to pick up my little sister." The trio look back at me.

"She is 12 so she should be at Thornton Middle School."

"We'll pick her up on the way." Jason turned back towards the parking lot, his pace quickening.

It was then I realized how very lucky I was to have met the three, without them I would have no ride and no information. Funny how life is sometimes.

We reached the middle school and I saw all the kids outside, teachers attempting to control the crowd.

"Sophia!" I screamed seeing her brown waves. "Sophia, come over here!" She finally noticed and came running towards me.

"What's going on?" my sister looked terrified. Her breaths were deep and short, her hands gripped tightly into fists.

"It's okay Soph. Come on, there's an important pack meeting right now." I moved over in the back seat, giving her enough room to sit.

"But we're not even officially a part of the pack yet and who are they?" She directed her last question towards Tom, Jason, and Liv.

"They're my new friends. Don't worry about that right now, everything will be okay." I tried my best to sound calm, the last thing I needed was to have Soph going into a panic.

"What's going on? Are we in danger? Should I have brought my taser?" Her questions were starting to annoy me. I was already on edge with my own unanswered questions, I couldn't even begin to answer hers.

"Stop with all the questions Soph. We will see when we get there." She immediately shut up, looking away.

Feeling somewhat guilty, I ask in a softer tone, "Did you make any friends?"

10 minutes that felt like hours later, we finally reached the packhouse. People were packed everywhere. The Silver Heart Pack had about 100 people, of all ages and ranks. From the looks of the crowds standing by the front steps of the house, it looked like every member was there.

The house was a fair-sized mansion but I doubted it could fit all one hundred residents inside. It was more of a meeting ground than a residency.

"Gather around please." The loud voice came from Alpha Jake. "There's something very important that needs to be announced." As the Alpha began explaining, I suddenly remembered my mother.

Where is she? Is she safe? There was no way I could contact her now. I scanned the rows of people standing around and couldn't find my mother who I last remembered wearing a red blazer and her brown hair into a ponytail.

Focusing back onto Alpha Jake, I see a pained expression form on his face, "I am very sorry, but there was nothing I could do."

The sadness appeared all around. People began to shout and yell, not liking the situation. The screams became louder and louder, making me cower back to cover my ears. Some people were even crying.

"Enough!" An unfamiliar booming voice screamed. The deep voice affected everyone, as they all hushed until the silence was all that was left. His voice was stern and ran shivers down my spine.

I was afraid to look. The power that came through with the voice was unbearable.

Only one person was that powerful.

Glancing up for just a second, there stood the most powerful, strong, and terrifying Alpha. Alpha Hunter.

He stood tall and mighty with about 20 of his pack members guarding behind him.

They all had this cold exterior to them, showing no emotion. They seemed so miserable- or maybe that's just how their resting expression was. I wouldn't be surprised if they always looked that uninviting.

Would that be me in a couple of days, miserable and cold?

As a chill breeze went by, I couldn't help but perk up. That scent was just magnificent.

Inhaling deeply, I could smell the most amazing aroma I have ever had the honor of smelling.

A huge grin plastered on my face at what that meant. My mate was here. What awful timing, it wasn't until Alpha Hunter's pack members appeared that I sensed the proximity of my mate.

Oh god.

Horrified, I looked down trying to distract myself. I could sense Jason glance down at me with a confused look as I wouldn't meet his eyes. My mate is one of those prisoners. What if they are just as cruel as Alpha Hunter?

Or maybe I'm wrong, today was my first day at the Silver Heart Pack, it could very well be one of their members.

"You are now all part of my pack, the Dark Moon pack. I demand respect for not only myself but also all members of my pack. As of tomorrow, you will all officially be allies with my members and can begin moving your stuff to the many homes that are there. This territory you currently live in will belong to the Dark Moon pack as well, we have not confirmed our intentions with the property but please make sure to evacuate all your belongings."

Alpha Hunter stood with his back straight and an expressionless face as he conveyed the horrid news. I didn't understand why people had to move if the land was now counted as the Dark Moon's territory.

I couldn't help but notice how a few people had tears running down their faces, realizing everything they had is being stolen from them. I guess I was slightly in an advantage, my mother hadn't unpacked very much since arriving a few days ago so moving again wouldn't be such a big issue.

"Each of you will be tested physically to see where you stand as far as your position. Just because you are ranked with your current pack does not mean you will be granted the same rank again. The Dark Moon pack has very high expectations and standards when it comes to your intellect and your strength. I award those who deserve so, kin mean nothing to me."

Everyone stood still, afraid to even move an inch, some even holding their breath. Did he even have any kin? I remember hearing that he had killed his father after challenging him for the Alpha position.

"If any of the rules are broken, punishments will be assigned."

Wait what rules? I was so distracted by my own thoughts that I missed most of his speech. Alpha Hunter turned around and began speaking quietly to another tall brown-haired man standing near him. My best guess was that he was their Beta. I was too far to really get a good look, but I couldn't help but wonder if the Beta was my mate.

I shake my head attempting to get the thought out, I'm just an ordinary wolf, there is no way I would be mated to a Beta, the second in command. I let my eyes wander towards the other representatives from the Dark Moon pack.

There was no way I could tell which one was my mate with the big distance between us. I had to admit they were all very handsome. The Silver Heart pack was a Walmart brand and Alpha Hunter's pack was like Louis Vuitton when it came to comparing appearances. Although, I never really was one for high brand materials.

I wanted to get a better look at the people standing on the porch of the house, but I didn't want to willingly move any closer to Alpha Hunter. He may be extremely handsome but- actually now that I take a proper look, he is the most attractive man I have ever seen.

He had brown loose curls that were pushed back as if he kept rolling his hand through them. His tan skin was glowing under the sun, I bet he had small light freckles scattered on his face. I was a sucker for freckles.

Even though he was wearing a slightly loose t-shirt, there was no doubt that underneath his shirt his body was defined in muscles. For a second, I saw him smile at something his Beta had said, even from the distance I could see his sharp canines show.

I bet he just loved using those strong biters to kill his prey, and if stories were not enough, just the power that his wolf radiated was all I needed to know how dangerous he really is.

Before I could even blink, the former Beta of the Silver Moon pack stood up.

"How dare you. How dare you come into my pack, my home, and demand respect! You get nothing! You dirty, greedy, evil son of a dog!"

I had only met Beta Robert once and that was when he welcomed us to the pack, I was truly shocked by the courage he had. Then again, he is facing the strongest Alpha alive so perhaps it was more stupidity than courage.

Beta Robert finished off his rant by jumping up and transforming into his wolf form, running straight at Alpha Hunter.

No one intervened. No one tried to help. It was a lost cause.

The Beta's wolf was big, much greater than mine, but Alpha Hunter's strength surpassed him even in his Human form.

The Beta went for a swift attack for the neck, he reached so close, his teeth even grazing Alpha Hunter, but all too fast the Beta whimpered and fell to the floor. Dead.

I knew it before he even slammed against the floor. The scary part of it was that I never even saw Alpha Hunter even move. His actions were so swift, so quick, death was meaningless to him.

I was scared to look up, traumatized by the image of the once strong and admirable Beta now laying lifeless, surrounded in his own blood. Gasps were heard from everywhere as people cried their eyes out, finally breaking from their stoic stance.

"Look at me," Alpha Hunter demands.

"I do not tolerate disrespect. If in any way I am challenged or threatened or not respected, be certain that this is your fate."

He raised his arm high in the air.

Not being able to deny him, I look up at the Alpha to see something red, gloppy, and bloody in his hands.

Oh no.

There in Alpha Hunter's hand was a heart. One of the most important organs in a human or a wolf's body.

Tears escaped from my eyes at just the sight. I did not know Beta Robert very well and in all honesty, I wasn't crying for him, as cruel as that sounds.

I was crying for myself, for my mother and sister, for my new friends. I was crying for all of us because looking up at the merciless Alpha, I knew we had met our match.

Alpha Hunter would be the death of us. Literally.

Suddenly, Alpha Hunter's eyes met mine. Even though he seemed to be meters away, I could see the beautiful emerald sparks in his green eye. Was my eyesight that good or are his eyes just that mesmerizing?

How he even noticed me from all the rest is a mystery.

Once I matched his gaze, I could not look away. I felt captivated by the powerful Alpha. My mind went fuzzy, and I couldn't move a muscle.

There he was. My mate.

Alpha Hunter is my mate.

Feeling nauseous and sick all at once, I could feel my stomach drop. It felt like fireworks were going off in my head in celebration of finding my mate, but the fireworks were crashing back down and blowing up in my stomach.

How could this happen? Why would the universe or any universe for that matter pair me up with a monster?

That's exactly what he was.

My mate, Alpha Hunter Rivers, is a monster.

Not being able to breathe, I reached my hand out to my chest and tried taking in the fresh air. This just did not make any sense. I am not strong enough to be the mate of an Alpha, not wise enough, not old enough, not special enough.

Just like that, all the emotions rushed out at once and it consumed me. I could not stop myself from falling over, slamming into another body until finally, my head hit the hard concrete floor.

And then it went black.

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First chapter!

This is my first werewolf book so I'm sorry if it doesn't flow well.

Don't give up just yet! Or at all ;)

I hope you enjoyed it! Tell me what you think :)

Please VOTE——->

Fun fact Some elementary schools go up to grade 8 (at least in Canada) but for simplicity, I placed Sophia in a middle school.

XOXO- Jada