Chapter 2

Meanwhile, in Silver Moon Pack.

“What do you mean by that?” Haven turned as her eyes landed on Tristan’s face, looking for answers. Tristan looked away, unable to meet her gaze.

It was Mika, her best friend, who answered her with a defiant look on her face.

“Father said you have to leave the pack, girl,” she smirked as she crossed her hands over her chest.

Haven turned to look at her father’s old Beta, who was also Mika’s father.

“How could you do this to me?” she growled.

***

Haven was the only daughter of Alpha Brian and Lucia of the Silver Moon Pack. The old Alpha never had a son, so he had trained his daughter to be a very strong young girl. At the age of 17, she was basically the strongest of the werewolves in her pack, with Alpha blood running through her veins.

Haven lost her parents in a fight that broke out between her pack and some rogues. She later took control of her pack, becoming a female Alpha.

“Haven, when do you think we’ll finally get our mates?” Mika, her childhood best friend, asked as she helped arrange Haven’s long hair.

“Your hair’s all tangled, what did you do?” she whined as she struggled to straighten her best friend’s hair.

Haven blushed as she heard this. The events of last night flooded into her mind as her face turned beet red. Mika noticed this and stopped to look at her friend, who was blushing hard.

“Why are you blushing? Oh, Selene, did something happen?” she asked as she continued brushing her hair. Haven slightly nodded as she looked around to make sure no one was close by to hear what she wanted to say.

When she was sure no one was around, she dragged Mika to her bed.

“Don’t tell anyone, okay?” she blushed as she continued, “ Well… well, last night… Tristan and I… we mated.” She finally said, covering her face with her palms.

Mika’s heart fell as she heard this. How could this happen… no, this was impossible, right? She always knew Tristan had a thing for the old Alpha’s daughter, but she didn’t think he would take it this far.

No, impossible! Tristan was hers. He belonged to only her!

Haven missed Mika’s expression as she shyly hid her face. When she heard nothing, she peeked to look at Mika.

“What’s wrong? You’re not saying anything. Are you not happy for me?” Haven asked innocently.

Happy? Oh Selene! Mika wished she could strangle Haven right there and then. She loved Tristan first. She had loved him ever since they were kids. How dare Haven do this to her!

First, she stole the spotlight from her. It was always Haven, Haven, Haven—Haven this, Haven that. Everyone adored Haven.

Why not her? What was so different about Haven? Even she was beautiful and strong, too. Why didn’t Tristan choose her?

“But, Haven, why didn’t you tell me all this before? Tristan isn’t your mate!”

“He’s mine,” she wanted to say, but kept quiet.

“We never know for sure. I mean, by my next birthday, we’ll all get to know our mates, and who knows, maybe Tristan is mine.” Haven blushed.

“Besides, I’ve liked Tristan for a long time now… he was always my crush. I can’t believe he likes me too. He said we should wait till I’m eighteen before he’ll mark me,” Haven squealed happily. Mika gave her a half-hearted smile as she held her hands.

“I’m happy for you, Haven,” she said before she left the room. Her heart ached as she headed to the only place she could think of right now.

Tristan shifted into his human form as he returned from his hunt. The other warriors all greeted him as he headed to his room. He was tired; he planned to freshen up and then meet Haven, his love. He smiled as he remembered his confession last night. Haven was the only woman he wanted. He had fancied her since they were children, but never dared to speak up until last night…

He entered his small room. Haven’s scent still lingered from last night’s event. He couldn’t wait to see her tonight.

He went to bathe and soon came out wearing a towel. He picked up a scent and turned to meet Haven’s friend, Mika, standing by the door.

“What are you doing here, Mika?” he asked as he went to grab some clothes. He grew up with Mika and had always considered her a sister. Mika’s father, the old Beta, had brought him to Silver Moon Pack when he was just a cub. He had just lost his parents in a rogue attack, and ever since, he had been indebted to him. He saved his life.

Mika closed the room as she entered. Tristan, who had just picked up a shirt, turned to look at her, raising his eyebrows.

“What’s up, Mika?” he asked as she stood right before him. Tristan narrowed his eyes as he saw her begin removing her clothes.

“What are you doing?!” he half-yelled as he moved back.

“Mate with me,” she said as she removed her top and threw it on the bed.

“Please, Tristan, be mine,” she said, moving closer. Tristan growled as her hands landed on his naked chest. He pushed her away and picked up her top.

“Wear this and stop whatever you’re trying to do,” he said sternly, flinging the top at her face. Mika flared up at the sight of this. How dare he reject her?

“You must love me, Tristan, you must!” she yelled.

Tristan narrowed his eyes before bursting out in laughter.

“You’re like a sister to me. I’m sorry, Mika, but I’ve told you—stop this madness. This is childish.”

“It’s because of her, right? Haven? You’re rejecting me because of Haven?” Mika said sadly.

“I’m in love with Haven, and you know that. Please leave me alone, Mika, for Selene’s sake,” Tristan sighed.

“I’ll see how far you can go for your love,” Mika chuckled. Tristan’s eyes turned black as he looked at her, who was slowly taking off her clothes.

“What do you mean?” he asked in a low growl.

“I’ll kill her. I’ll kill your lovely Haven if you don’t do as I say. You owe my father, and it’s time you finally repay him,” Mika said as she smirked deviously.

***

“How could you do this to me?” Haven growled as she looked at the old Beta.

“I’m your Alpha, you can’t kick me out of my own pack! Silver Moon Pack belongs to me!” she stated.

“No one made you Alpha,” Mika interjected as she stood before Haven.

“And this is no more Silver Moon Pack! From today, this is Black Moon Pack, and he is your new Alpha,” Mika smirked as she motioned for Tristan to step up. Tristan looked at Haven with sad eyes. There was nothing he could do right now.

Haven’s heart broke as she heard this. Tristan betrayed her? She blinked back the tears threatening to fall as she walked towards him. A hard slap landed on his face as soon as she reached him.

“How dare you do this, Tristan?! How dare you betray me like this?! After… after everything we shared, this is how you repay me?” she asked as her heart broke.

“What did you share?!” Mika growled as she stepped in front of Tristan. Haven’s eyes boiled with anger as she looked at the one person she had trusted the most.

“We all shared something special,” Mika said as she showed her neck, revealing Tristan’s mark, indicating she was his Luna now. Haven subconsciously stepped back as she saw this.

“Arrest her!!! She dared to slap your new Alpha!” the old Beta commanded as dozens of warriors attacked Haven. Haven’s eyes glistened with tears as she looked at Tristan one last time before shifting into her silver wolf. She couldn’t stay here and fight. She couldn’t fight her own people.

She dashed into the forest, leaving her beloved pack behind.

***

Haven ran for hours, her beautiful silver wolf glistening under the moonlight.

She ran throughout the night, trying to escape the pain she was feeling. By morning, she was tired and sore. Her wolf slowed down as she walked into a large clearing.

“Whoa, who do we have here?” a male voice said, forcing her to turn, her guard up. At that moment, dozens of rogues surrounded her, all men.

“She is beautiful,” one said.

“Another rogue wolf? This one’s a female,” someone chipped in. They all lusted after the beautiful wolf in front of them.

“Come with us, darling, we’ll keep you safe,” one said as the others burst into laughter.

Haven snarled, baring her sharp fangs at them.

“ This one is hot. Seems like we should have some fun first, guys,” a rogue said as he shifted. The others followed suit, shifting into huge wolves. Most of the rogues were gray; others had light- and dark-brown fur.

Baring their fangs at Haven, they leaped in the air and attacked her.

Haven fought ruthlessly, clawing and biting the wolves around her. Being an Alpha, she was slightly bigger than other normal female wolves. She was almost as big as the rogue wolves attacking her.

Haven sank her fangs into one rogue’s neck, throwing him away. She dodged another’s bite and clawed his face, sending him whining in pain. She clawed and bit anyone who dared approach her, leaving a trail of blood wherever she went.

Blood stained her beautiful silver fur as she attacked ruthlessly, injuring most of the rogues. More rogues entered the field as they attacked her. The more Haven fought, the weaker she became.

Haven knew it was just a matter of time before she got pinned down.

A wolf sneaked up on her and clawed her side. Haven let out a painful snarl as some of the wolves snickered. They enjoyed seeing her in pain.

Haven bit the neck of the wolf and threw him into the remaining wolves. He crashed into them, sending them backward.

Haven made a run for it. This was her chance. She dashed into the forest, trying to run away from the rogues who were hot on her trail.

After an hour of running, Haven’s wolf was exhausted as she shifted back into her human form. She tried cleaning herself and put on her clothes, which were now mostly rags.

She looked around, trying to figure out where she was. She had ended up in another clearing.

The forest was huge; she must have gotten lost. Haven turned to leave when her eyes caught something—no, someone. A man lay in the middle of the clearing, appearing dead.

Haven’s curiosity got the best of her as she slowly approached the stranger. She gasped as she saw him, his body surrounded by a pool of blood.

“ How is he alone in this big forest?” Haven asked as she crouched down to take a closer look. He was bleeding from his neck. She could see the wound healing slowly.

Haven shrugged as she stood up to leave. The rogues were still behind her. They could show up any minute. She turned and started walking away, but suddenly stopped and looked back again.

She couldn’t leave him to die. Haven sighed and came back, crouching to feel his pulse. He was still breathing.

Haven tore a piece of her cloth and gently wiped the blood away. She cleaned the area around the wound before throwing the cloth away. Her eyes landed on his smooth muscles as her hand subconsciously traced his abs.

“What are you doing, Haven? Focus!” she chided herself.

She tore another piece as she lifted the man’s head slightly, trying to tie the wound.

The man let out a low grunt as he slowly opened his eyes.

Haven had not noticed his face until he moved slightly.

She raised her eyes and met his gaze. Haven’s breath hitched as their eyes locked. She had never seen a man as handsome as him. The intensity in his black eyes made her freeze.

Her hands stopped moving as they both stared at each other. Time seemed to slow as Haven’s eyes drifted to his slightly parted lips.

***

Lucious felt someone pull him up as something rubbed his neck. He had passed out due to lack of strength and the wound, which was healing more slowly than usual. He had already mind-linked his Beta earlier and was resting when he felt movement in the grass beside him. Someone crouched near him as soft hands checked his pulse and began cleaning his wound.

Too tired to move, Lucious stayed still. He could sense that the person was not a threat.

His wound had almost closed when he finally opened his eyes. His gaze landed on a beautiful young girl. Her pale skin contrasted with her long silver hair, which shone in the morning sun. She looked up and met his eyes.

That was the moment everything stopped. It felt like the world had frozen as he stared into the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen.