Chapter 1

Octavia:

It was a cold night, even for a wolf like me. The frigid air whipped my hair in every direction. I constantly had to pull it away from my face just so I could continue to squint through the darkness. I should've never gotten all dressed up. I hate my best friend, Siren, for convincing me to put these heels on. I rip them off of my feet and tuck them under my arm.

The house was a good two blocks behind me and I was alone and a little scared. I was just casually sipping my non alcoholic drink when all of a sudden there was a big crash and wolves just began to drop dead like flies when they get zapped. My older brother practically tossed me out of our home and told me to run. I could barley process anything that was happening. Today was supposed to be a good day. My younger sister was supposed to shift for the first time and hopefully a male suitor would take enough joy in her company and claim her as his.

There are no destined mates. It is not by fate but by  attraction and love that you choose to bare the mark of a wolf. It was tradition to invite different packs to this celebration to increase the likelihood that someone will claim you as their's. Where as for a male often times near by packs will send a few unmated females to possibly be chosen.

It's been three years since my first transformation and I have yet to be claimed. I've had a few offers but I shut them down almost immediately. Call me a corn ball, or idiotic or cheesy but I want something hot and passionate. Someone who will care for me and love me immensely. I would wait until I found the perfect suitor.

I heard a twig snap behind me and I turned quickly only to see pure darkness. The dark clouds were hoarding the rain, Maine has been experiencing a drought lately. They covered the moon and it's light, blinding me. I turned back around quickly and began to run for my life.

I wasn't going to be one of those stupid girls who calls out to the mystery murder, "Hello?" "Is anyone there?" That's just plain idiotic.

I pushed myself to run faster, harder in pure fear. I could hear my heart pumping along with the sound of another humans feet pounding on the ground behind me. I wanted to scream out in fear, hoping someone would hear me and help me. I hoped it was a nightmare and that I'd wake up in my room safe and sound.

But that's all it was, hoping. Hope that got me no where. I screamed in terrifying fright and frustration as two large arms locked around my waist picking me up off of my feet and sending my shoes flying across the cold cement ground. This was not a nightmare, it was really happening.

I thrashed and kicked trying my best to loosen this strange man's grip on me. I screamed again, but this time in disgust as his hand began to grope at my chest. He pulled me into the trees near by concealing us from the streets. He pinned me to the ground and began fumbling with my dress. As his intentions became more clear, I became more frantic. I tried as best as I could to get him off of me but it was so use, he was too strong for me. Tears ran down my cheeks when the realization hit me, my strength was no match for his.

I continued to fight as best as I could even though he had made it through my dress, my muscles were becoming tired but I refused to go down like this, not without a fight. I brought forth my claws and scratched at him, growling and howling. My claws tore at the flesh on his face, causing him to loosen his grip. I pried his clammy hands off of me, breaking his index finger in the process. A crack of thunder resounded as I kneed him in groin and I tried my best to crawl away. He digs his claws into my ankles and dragged me through the dirt until he was on top of me again. He attacked my neck with his lips and the disgust and anger began to pour out of me in waves.

It began to rain causing the dirt to transition to mud. I clawed at him again trying to reach for his neck. I screamed out hoping someone passing by could hear me. His fangs elongated and his chubby damp hands covered my mouth.

Just has he was going to mark my neck he was gone. He hovered above me in such a strange position. I scrambled backwards, terrified at the view. He was being held by his neck by someone I could not see. His neck snapped and his body fell limp into the mud that I was now drenched in.

A large man stepped forward and I scrambled to my feet preparing myself to run once more.

"What's your name little girl?" He took an advancing step towards me allowing my eyes to make out a few of his features. He had a sharp jawline and silky dark hair, it was too light to be black but too dark to be brown. Is eyes glowed a deep blue that made the ocean envy him. I was almost mesmerized by the authority and beauty he gave off. Almost.

"Are you fucking mute?" He spat, taking yet another step forward. Although this time I stood stock still afraid to move.

"Octavia." I blurted. I balled my hands into a fist, angry at how he tried to use his Alpha authority on me. Doesn't he know that I am the daughter of Octavius, Alpha of the SnowMoon Pack. He is well respected for his wisdom and strength and his ability to maintain peace and allies. How dare he disrespect me in such a way?

"SnowMoon." The man whispered to himself before stalking over to me and grabbing me by the upper arm and dragging me out of the forest.

"Hey! What the hell? Let go of me!" I yanked my arm out of his grasp causing him to send a low growl in my direction. I'll admit I was a little surprised at his actions, but not completely since he seemed like an actual douche.

"I'm taking you back to your father, relax you brat." He gritted out through clenched teeth. I furrowed my eyebrows and placed my hands on my hips in a cocky way, challenging his words. How did I know he wasn't lying? That I didn't just escape one creep to only be rescued by another one?

"How do you know my father?" I question skeptically. I raised a quizzical eyebrow as he let out a sigh of frustration. I began to tap my foot purposefully in hopes he'd hurry and feed me an answer before I died of old age.

He simply didn't answer and began to walk away from me and to a set of headlights. The rain obscured my vision and the lack of moonlight did nothing but make it worse. I looked around me at the emptiness of the unclaimed territory. People from other packs scattered and fled because of the attacks that took place earlier at the pack house. I guess I hadn't realized how far I ran from that man.

"Get in the fucking truck!" He yelled over to me has he climbed with ease into the driver side of the huge automobile. I glanced at my surroundings and then at the truck. I didn't want to be stuck alone in this rain. If I walked home it would take over thirty minutes to arrive. I looked back at the handsome, yet rude, man. He did save me from being forcefully marked. Why would he inflict harm on me after saving me?

I rolled my eyes and trudged my way over to the shiny sleek vehicle. I seriously doubt anything worse than almost being marked against my will could happen tonight so I took a chance. I pulled the passenger door open causing the interior lights to turn on allowing me to get a full and clear view of this man.

I was in awe to say the least. He was gorgeous. His wet tousled hair stuck up in every direction from him running his fingers through it. He's deep blue eyes we're focused on me, but I paid no mind to that as my eyes travel over his high cheek bones and perfect nose. His full lips rose to a smirk and I almost blushed at how sexy he looked.

"Can you sit your ass in the car and then gawk at me so I can least start driving?" He said cooly, almost content that I was practically drooling over him. I scoffed and climbed into the large truck with a little bit of a struggle. I closed the door behind me causing the interior lights to go off leaving us with nothing but the glow of the dashboard lights.

I barely had my seatbelt on before he was speeding off and driving recklessly all over the place. I couldn't tell if he really wanted to get rid of me or if he was just trying to make my life just a little bit more miserable. The truck remained silent for the entire ride and I felt extremely uncomfortable. He never spared one glance at me, his eyes always trained on road in front of him. He drove with one hand tightly gripping the steering wheel, making his arms bulge. His muscles weren't big and balloon like but more lean and toned, which I took joy in observing no matter how suffocating this silence was.

To say that I threw myself out of the automobile the minute he pulled up outside of my home was an understatement. He seemed a little shocked but he quickly replaced that look with a hard expression. I slam the door shut and walk around to the front of the truck only to notice he was climbing out as well. But why? I didn't need to be escorted all the way to the door and he didn't seem like that type of guy.

"Um, thank you for saving me from being forcefully marked tonight and driving me home but you don't have to walk me inside." I said awkwardly. I hoped I didn't sound rude, but at the same time he had quite the mouth with me tonight.

A dark chuckle rose from him and I'll admit it was just a little bit scary. His deep blue eyes turned a shade darker and for a second it seemed as though he only wanted to inflict harm on someone. "Don't thank me too soon darling, the night isn't quite yet over."

I barely had time to process his words before he grabbed me by the neck and pushed down. I was bent awkwardly as he dragged me up the steps and kicked in the door. I tried desperately to stand up straight but he wouldn't allow it. He pulled me into the clean white foyer before he growled out my fathers name, "Octavius!"

I tried again to push against him but it was no use, he was much stronger than me. His grip on my neck tightened and he pushed harder causing one of my knees to give out. "Stop trying to fight me little girl." He whispered harshly.

"Ah, Octavius!" The man exclaimed, feigning a happy voice. "Perhaps we should take this conversation to your office." He chuckled lifting me up roughly exposing my face. My fathers eyes widen before they grew immensely dark with anger.

"What did you do to her?" He growled out taking a step forward. The mans movements were quick, he pushed me in front of him and wrapped his thick arm around my neck. He squeezed and successfully cut off my air supply.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," He warned. "I can pop her pretty little head right off her body before you even made it over to me." He chuckled. This man was freaking sick. How could he be laughing at such a time? My father must of complied because he loosened his arm and grabbed me by the neck once again.

He dragged me to my fathers office and forced me on to my knees in front of him. Keeping me close. I looked up to my father worried and he gave me a small but reassuring smile. He looked concerned as he took in my dirty and distraught appearance.

"You're daughter is quite the fighter you know," The man started. He pulled me to my feet by my hair and exposed my neck to him. I let out a small hiss and tried to remove his hand from my hair. "But if I hadn't showed up, she'd be bearing a mark right here on her neck for everyone too see." He placed a gentle kiss in the exact spot causing me to shiver in disgust.

"Enough," My father gritted out. "What is it that you want Ajax?" He pulled my hair a little more causing more of my neck to be exposed. I winced. He ran his nose up and down my neck, smelling me. It was a strange sensation that sent yet another shiver down my spine. I tried to move away from him, but he pulled me flush against him.

"You know, I was going to demand a few hundred men for saving your daughter but..." He trailed off letting go of my hair. He turned me around to face him, but he was so tall that I was just staring at his broad and muscular chest. He lifted my chin up and my gaze met his. Once my green eyes met his blue ones an evil smirk rose on his lips. "I think that I'll have your daughter instead."

My eyes widen and tried to move away from him, to get to my father but he was faster than me. I was flush against him once again, facing my father. He looked horrified, "No." He and I said sternly.

"She is my eldest daughter. I appreciate you saving her but I'd rather hand over a few hundred men then give her away to a monster like you."

"Monster?" He chuckled. "Well if I am such a monster, then why ask for your permission to mark your daughter? Why don't I just take her?"

"Ajax," My father warned as he pulled at my hair once more, exposing my neck. I was still covered in dirt but he didn't seem to to care.  I tried to break free from his hold once more as the reality set in. I did just go from one creep to the next. He was going to forcefully mark me. He was no better than the man that he killed.

"Please," I begged pulling on his arm that was wrapped around my torso, pressing me to him. I wanted nothing more then to be freed of his grasp."Please don't hurt me."

"Shhhhhh," He whispered gently in my ear, "It'll only hurt for a second."

"Dad please!" I yelled out, but it was too late. As soon as the words escaped my mouth his canines were deep in my neck. I flinched in pain as my neck began to burn. It was like he poured gasoline all over me and set my body on fire. My father lunges for him and Ajax dropped me like waste to deflect my father. They began fighting, throwing and smashing each other against the walls and furniture.

My hand immediately went to my neck, blood oozed out of my mark. I had never really heard of that happening before but I'm assuming his rough ways lead to me bleeding. I backed myself up against the wall as tears began to spill over. I'm marked. I was no longer going to find a hot and passionate love. I was stuck with a monster.

It then hit me that my father was fighting him. I tried my best to stand up, I was feeling weak from the affects of the mark. The room was spinning but I tried to focus on the two Alphas clawing at each other.

My dad delivered a punch to Ajax's face and pushed him backwards his hands wrapping around his neck and squeezing tight. Ajax gripped my fathers arms and kneed him in the stomach, sending my father backwards. Ajax spun him around and pushed him on his knees. His hands wrapped around my fathers neck, ready to break it.

"Ajax, no!" I cried out falling to my knees just a few feet in front of my dad. "Please," I begged tears blurring my vision. "I'll go with you willingly just please don't kill him."

Ajax looked at me, his eyes almost completely black. He growled out and pushed my father to the ground. "If you dare send anyone to retrieve her from me I will kill every member of your pathetic pack." I flinched at his words, thinking of my mother and sister along with my best friend Siren. I began to cry even more at the thought of never seeing them again. I would be left all alone with a monster.

I scrambled over to my father and kissed his forehead quickly, "Dad please listen to him and don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Ajax hauled me up by my upper arm and began to pull me away wordlessly. "I love you daddy." I cried out as I was dragged out of my home and thrown into the passenger seat of the truck. I watched as Ajax turned the child lock on the door, meaning I wouldn't be able to open it from the inside. He slammed it shut and proceeded to get into the drivers seat.

"Put your seat belt on." He demanded as he turned the truck on and fiddled with the heat. I cracked open the window to let in some cool air. I ignored his demands and leaned my head against the cool glass. My skin felt like it was on fire, a thin layer of sweat coated my body and I was just itching to take a nice cool shower.

"Octavia, put you're fucking seatbelt on." He growled. I continued to ignore him though. "Fine, then act like a brat." He spat before throwing the truck into reverse and stomping on the gas before hitting the breaks harshly causing me to fly forwards in my seat and smack my head against the dashboard.

"Are you fucking psychotic?!" I yelled out sitting up straight as throbbing pain spread throughout my head.

I normally don't curse but this man was truly insane. He didn't say a word, he just stared back at me with a blank face. I wanted to cry even more, but instead I held back the tears and put my seatbelt on. He began to drive like a normal and sane person now and I rested my now throbbing head against the cool glass.

I felt extremely ill, a layer of sweat coated me yet I was starting to shake like a chihuahua. The night was still dark and the rain was coming down harder than before. I'm surprised Ajax was able to drive in such weather.

We had been driving for over an hour in a deafening silence before my eyes lids became heavy and a sudden wave of drowsiness overcame me. I sat up straight trying to fight the urge to sleep since I hit my head rather hard. I could have a concussion, if I fall asleep I could slip into a coma.

But it was just too overwhelming. I had been crying a lot. I lost my family and friends forever and I would be stuck with a monster for the rest of my life as my mate. Maybe slipping into a coma wouldn't be such a bad thing. I rested my head against the glass once more. I know it seemed weak to give up but I know how unhappy I'd be with this man. He was cruel and took pleasure in inflicting harm on others. That is not the man I wanted to be mated too.

I close my eyes and I wait in silence for the sleep to come and take me away. I pray that my family and friends would live long happy lives and waste no time worrying about me. I knew that they would, I just hoped they wouldn't beat themselves over it and dwell on the topic of me leaving. Another wave of drowsiness hit me before I succumbed to the darkness, slipping away slowly. Maybe I'll wake up ten years later and the monster besides me would've moved on and marked someone else. If only I were so lucky.

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