Trapped and Loved By Alpha Calle

Daphne EARLIER… As a werewolf, you constantly fantasize about meeting your mate. Until you've experienced it firsthand, you can never really understand it. As I eagerly anticipated my future with Lennon, I began to see the world in vivid hues. However, everything came crashing down when Lennon finally found his mate. That very evening, I lost everything in a snap. “Are you ready, Daphne?” Jaime leaned against the door frame as he laughed and studied my reflection. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he clearly didn't care if his crisp blue dress shirt wrinkled. He had taken on the role of father for me since I was a baby, and our parents had been killed in an ambush by a band of outlaws. "What keeps you going for so long? Hey, no matter how much powder you put on your face, it will never change." He smirked. "You're only distracting me," I grumbled as I met his gaze. "From what I see, you're already decent enough to blend in with other people," he said, examining my attire. Then he gasped for no reason. "Oh, no! But what if you aren't my sister? The little Daphne I know doesn't even bother to comb her hair, which is why she's often mistaken for a witch's daughter... or a vampire’s!" I was seriously considering throwing things at him. I thought the solid wooden hairbrush I was holding would do the trick. I cocked my head to look over my shoulder at him. "Why don't you just wait in the living room or assist your wife in putting on her dress?” I rolled my eyes and returned my gaze to the mirror. I took a deep breath and forced myself to smile once more. I couldn't let go of my good mood. "I was just finishing up the last round of retouching," I explained when I noticed he was still standing by the door. "You see, I have to be the most beautiful girl for this night... and for Lennon's eyes. I have to be ready in case he's found his mate, and that is none other than me." My greenish eyes twinkled in the mirror, which matched my apple green off-the-shoulder cocktail dress that contrasted with my jet-black long hair and pale white skin. I expected Jaime to laugh again at my claim to be Lennon's soon-to-be mate. But his expression became serious. "Daphne, it’s not possible. Only the Moon Goddess can decide who our mates will be. I'm simply stating the facts. Please do not misunderstand." His words pricked my heart, causing me to blurt out my irritation. "Then why did you choose to live with Yvette, who isn't your mate? You just stole her from her original pack." “Abusive pack,” he corrected me. “Will you stop bringing it up every time I give you advice?” There was an odd silence in my room as we both turned to face one another in the mirror. I despised being involved in family drama. But whenever he lectured me about something I knew he couldn't apply to his own, I didn't see the point in believing in it. "How many times do I have to tell you that my case was different?" He sighed and shook his head as if water had hit him in the face. He turned the doorknob after that. "I'll give you another five minutes. If you don't go downstairs after that, I'll drop Luna Carmela’s birthday invitation and claim I'm not feeling well. I'm so close to being one, actually." I let out a long, frustrated sigh. My good mood was gone for good. But I had to go to the party, no matter how sad I was. It was the birthday of Lennon's mother. I had to be there. *** We arrived at Alpha Darius's pack house a few minutes later. Our home was far from the town's heart. However, my brother chose to live on the outskirts of our urban community, so he could tell right away if rogues were invading the area. Also, he wanted to get along with the common werewolves rather than jam with the high-ranking officials. That made the other wolves love him. They had faith in him and adored how humble he was. Returning to the present, I smiled as a familiar figure walked toward me. Lennon looked stunning in a black button-down shirt and a dark pair of trousers. He looked great in his casual attire. His hair was pushed back, giving him a stylish appearance. “Hey, pretty!” My mood instantly improved when Lennon leaned down and pressed his lips against my cheek. I had to tip my toes to meet the kiss. "You've arrived. I thought you weren't coming," he said quietly in my ear. His hypnotic voice almost made my knees turn to jelly, particularly when he encased me in his arms. “Are you alone? Where’s your family?” My eyes wandered around the lobby over Lennon's broad shoulder. Then I noticed Jaime and Yvette talking with Luna Carmela. I frowned when Alaine came up to them and greeted Luna with a kiss on the cheek. Alaine was the daughter of Jaime and Yvette. We had the same blood running through our veins, but I couldn't seem to like her. Why do they all appear to be so happy without me? "I'm not sure." I knew lying was wrong, but I didn't want to talk about it with Lennon. "How did your trip in the Eastern region go, by the way?" "Good," he said as if it weren't a big deal. "Alpha Calle from the Blood Moon Pack will arrive tonight." He looked around and pointed his index finger in the direction of Alpha Darius. "Oh, the wild one is finally here. He is talking to Dad." I watched where his finger went and found the person he was talking about. I didn't get to see his face because his big back was turned towards us. But the bun of hair on top of his head was noticeable from a long way away. “Wow. Isn't this pack the most feared in the East? And you've managed to convince their leader?" My eyes grew wide with awe as I looked back at him. "I'm sure you'll be a great Alpha at some point. I'm so happy for you." “Thanks. Anyway, that’s for the sake of our pack. We need strong allies so our enemies won’t knock us down easily or hesitate to touch us in the first place.” He grinned, but the emotion didn’t reach his eyes. Shortly, he wrapped my wrist with his hand and said, “By the way, there’s something I need to bring up, Daphne. Can I have a moment with you?” For some reason, his tone made my heart race—in a bad way. “S-sure. Here?” "Outside." The next thing I knew, we were standing by the fountain, settling in the garden. This was the center of their sprawling home. Everything was vintage and romantic. “Daphne…” My heart skipped a beat as he mentioned my name. But I didn't say anything or turn around. I bit my lower lip, waiting for him to complete his statement… or sweet confession? “I want you to know that—” “Lennon, we were looking for you all over the place!” I turned around to face the familiar female voice that had the nerve to interrupt my private time with Lennon. “Alaine?” "Hello, Daphne." She smiled at me without appearing surprised but with an expression of disapproval. "Have you heard the whole truth from him yet?" "What truth?" I asked with a frown. Alaine looked over at Lennon, who had moved to stand beside her. He even put his arm around her waist. "Wait a minute, what in the world is going on?" I clenched my teeth, seeing them together. "Alaine is my mate," Lennon declared, and kissed Alaine on the lips.

Daphne My lips opened, but no sound came from my mouth. Do I understand him correctly? What if this is all a dream? A nightmare, perhaps? “A-are you sure?” Finally, I found my voice. “Surprised? Well, it looks like I'm the next Luna." Alaine let go of her scarf, which showed a bite mark on her shoulder. "Look, Lennon marked me two years ago. Don't you also want to see the mark I put on his shoulder as well?" “This is impossible!” I yelled, my tears stinging my eyes. She pulled Lennon closer, then looked at me as they walked away. "Will you excuse us? There's a big announcement coming up in a few minutes. You should come inside too." I only froze as I stared at both of them. If I moved, I’d be shattered into a thousand pieces. Of all the people, why would the Moon Goddess pair Lennon with the most difficult being in this whole world? As I went back to the grand lobby, I was still trying to find out what was going on. Just a few hours ago, I thought I was the most beautiful girl in town. But now, all of my self-respect was gone, and all that was left was shame and self-pity. Should I return home? What was the point of going to an event that wasn't for me? It hurts my eyes to see Lennon and Alaine in such intimate company. Then there was my brother and his bitchy wife; they were having a good time chatting with the Alpha. By his gestures, it looked like they were planning for the future—Lennon’s future, to be exact. If I could shapeshift like other girls my age, I would run away into the woods and hide from everyone. But since I couldn't, I just stood there silently, feeling like an outsider in my own pack. ‘Run? No way. Confront the jerk!’ I let out a gasp when someone spoke. But it seemed like no one was talking to me as I looked around the busy hall. "Perhaps, I'm just tired?" I muttered. ‘Give him a taste of what he did, girl!’ I massaged my temples and realized that the voice was only coming from inside my head. Hold on. So, that means... “A-are you my wolf?” I asked hesitantly, feeling a bit foolish for even considering the possibility. The voice chuckled in response, saying, "Yes, I am. And it's about time you acknowledged me. My name is Reina.' “Reina?” I couldn't believe it, after all these years of feeling like something was missing, I had finally found my other half. It was a surreal moment that I will never forget. But as much as I wanted to celebrate, I couldn’t. Every cell in my body was weeping because of what Lennon and Alaine did to me. “I’m glad you're finally here, Reina. But forgive me, I can’t chat with you right now.” I felt her wrinkle her nose. "Why's that?" “I’m sure you know why,” I said, staring at Lennon from afar. ‘Then go tell the jerk how stupid of an idiot he is!’ I grimaced as Reina continued to cuss in my head. Her anger towards Lennon was palpable, and it was clear that she wanted to confront him about something. I was a bit stubborn, but I think Reina was better, or worse. She appeared to be a feisty and carefree wolf—traits that I loved the most. ‘Just go! Give him a piece of your mind.’ “A piece of my mind or a piece of ‘your’ mind?” I clarified. ‘It’s just the same. We’re a single machine, anyway.’ And now I find myself pursuing her thoughts as I stomp toward Lennon, ignoring everyone's expressions, including Jaime's and Alpha Darius's. As I approach Lennon, my heart is pounding with anger and frustration, but I take a deep breath and remind myself to stay calm and composed. I know that losing my temper won't solve anything, and I need to choose my words carefully to make sure he understands the gravity of his actions. “Hi, Daphne.” Lennon smiled, but it was more of a smirk. “Why?” I gritted my teeth, completely ignoring the notion that I should control my temper. "You should have told me earlier. How dare you play with my emotions!" Everyone’s attention was drawn to us the moment my voice rose. I was about to step toward Lennon when Jaime grabbed my arm. “Stop this nonsense, Daphne!” he muttered in my ear. “No!” I countered and pulled my arm away from him. “I started this, I wouldn’t turn back!” “What do you think you’re doing, little pup?” Alpha Darius huffed. The Alpha's voice caused my heart to beat a little bit faster. Lennon stood a solid six feet tall, but his father was taller, not to mention, larger. Even though he had gray hair and fine lines on his forehead and around his eyes, he still appeared to be the strongest one in our pack. Although he was agitating the living daylights out of me, my hatred for his ill-mannered son was much stronger. “Why am I doing this?” I stared at him in disbelief. "Your son has found a mate, but he refused to let me know and persisted in fooling around with me. Why the hell is that, then?” "Is what you're fighting for worth the scandal?” Alaine glared at me. “Wow, it's obvious why the Moon Goddess didn't pick you as his mate. She is aware that you are not a good fit for the pack, just like you are not a good fit for my family.” “I’m—what?” “Enough, Alaine,” Jaime grumbled at his daughter. “This isn’t the right time to talk about this. Wait until we go home.” “Let her. This is the right time to tell Daphne the truth.” Yvette intervened between her daughter and her husband. Then she smirked at me secretly. Confusion flooded my mind, making my stomach seem to churn even more. I glared at my brother. "What truth are you guys hiding from me?" I demanded, feeling like my own family had betrayed me. "I deserve to know what's going on." “Tell us,” Alpha Darius demanded, eyeing Jaime. “We are going to be one house, so hidden backgrounds are not going to be tolerated.” The strange silence gave me goosebumps on my skin. Jaime’s eyes welled with tears as he looked down at me. “Alaine is right. We don’t share the same blood. I…” he paused, clenching his teeth. “I just found you in the woods.” I tilted my head at him, his words slowly registering in my head. Reina, on the other hand, became more restless. Her low groans became dangerous growls. ‘Hell, no!’ “T-that isn’t true,” I chuckled bitterly, my misty sight wandering at each one of them. Reina, on the other hand, continued to deny our origin. “You are my brother. And our parents are the previous high-ranked werewolves in this pack.” “They were,” Jaime said, staring down at his feet. “But you are not one of us. I have no idea where you come from.” "This is bad news," Alpha Darius said harshly as he looked at me. "You know what we do to werewolves who don't belong in this pack, right? Who knows, maybe your parents were rogues." I tried to speak, but nothing came out of my trembling lips. My heart was as cold as if someone had just stuck an icy dagger into it. “You. Leave.” I blinked. “W-what?” Alpha Darius looked over at Jaime. "I won't say what I just said again. So you should tell her, or I'll take away your Beta rank." I turned to Jaime, giving him a begging look. “I have nowhere to go!” He avoided my gaze. “This is the best for you, Daphne. Now that they know, everybody in this pack will mock you. Worse, they will torture and kill you. So set yourself free.”

Daphne PRESENT… He rescued me back in the woods. He was a werewolf like me, yes. But he was still a stranger to me. Although he let me wear his shirt that hung down to my knees, the kindness was odd for me—even suspicious! Why would someone help someone? Not unless he was going to ask for a favor back? Hell, I didn’t like losing trust in everyone. Blame this on the shitty pack of those shitty people who left me nothing but a shattered heart and soul before casting me away! The next thing I knew, we were walking towards a building. Nestled in the middle of the woodland, it seemed to grow even bigger and bigger as we got near. “Are they aching?” He glanced down at my bare feet. Maybe he figured they were swollen from a long walk. He offered to carry me in his arms when we got out of the forest and he shifted back to human, but I refused. A few minutes later, we were standing in the middle of the grand lobby. From my spot, I could see anything the house offered, leaving me breathless in awe. Across the upstairs gallery ran a diamond-designed iron railing. On both sides of the house were wings. He ascended a few steps made of marble just as I was ready to speak. I had no choice but to chase him on foot. Walking between the large columns, we passed room after room that was wide and light-filled. I found myself staring up at the chandelier over our heads. The teardrop bulbs shone brilliantly, like diamonds falling on us. It was so large and lengthy, and the ceiling was so high that our footsteps reverberated off of it, that all I could do was stare around like an idiot at everything I saw. “Do you live here?” I asked with great admiration. “I don’t just live here. I designed everything you see in here.” My eyes grew wide as I turned to him. “What exactly is your—“ “Let’s get you to your room so you can make yourself better.” He cut me off. There was impatience in his tone. “Wait...” I paused as we passed by another beautifully decorated door. “Am I going to stay here too?” “Do you have any other choices?" He gazed at me with low brows. "When I found you in the woods, it seemed like you were heading for nowhere.” “But this is too much for me... and you are too generous to help a worthless little wolf. So tell me, what makes this even possible?” I asked him, my eyes starting to well with tears. Yes, I was culture shocked. One moment I was being thrown out of my pack; the next, some stranger would want to treat me like a queen. He crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “You’ll find out soon.” “Welcome back, Alpha Calle.” I looked at the large man who just spoke. He was tall and had a lot of muscles. He appeared to be the same age as the man I was speaking with and had a decent appearance with a square jaw and high cheekbones. He handed him a brown denim coat that he was clutching. ‘Wait, what did he call him?’ I gulped when I turned to face him again. “Y-you are Alpha?” My first instinct was to run away. Anything that had something to do with alphas made my nerves shiver in fear and anger. It seemed like I was allergic to that word already. But with an olive skin tone, a prominent jawline, and dark, wavy, long hair that brushed against his broad shoulders, this Alpha standing before me was the most attractive man I’d ever seen. It seemed that he didn’t even need to try too hard to look good. I was hesitant to ask about his age, but I think he was older than the jerk Lennon, but much younger than my brother, Jaime. If only Reina could take me away from here, I would disappear in no time. But she wasn’t talking to me just yet, and I couldn’t feel like I could shapeshift any longer. Alpha Calle wrapped the coat around himself. He didn’t manage to button it down, giving me a view of his chiseled chest. I looked away, clearing my throat. “Is there any problem with that?” he asked, referring to my question about him being an Alpha. I wanted to blurt out the word ‘yes’, but I forced myself to shake my head. “N-nothing at all. I just didn't think that someone like you would be the one to find me in the middle of the woods.” “That’s part of the perimeter of my pack,” he said, turning to the man who remained standing by his side. “Beta Degen, gather everyone in the hall. I’ll check them out after I talk to the warriors.” The man he called Beta Degen made a brisk nod. “Right away, Alpha.” “Where’s Suzette, by the way?” asked Alpha Calle as he furrowed. “She said she’d be gone for two days to visit her father’s pack.” Beta Degen caught Alpha Calle's continuous attention. I couldn't help but wonder who Suzette was as they appeared to be talking once more in their heads. She might be the pack's Luna, his mate. After Beta Degen excused himself and headed back through the passing hall, Alpha Calle turned to me and said, “I will take you to your room. Everything is there, so you don't need to worry about anything. And while I'm preoccupied with other things, I'll delegate one of the staff to look after you. We'll speak once my workload is under control.” The place he was talking about was one of the doors we just went through. I yelped when he pushed me inside, then he shut my door and left. “W-what just happened?” I muttered, still staring at the door. Then I looked around. Everything was as impressive as the rest of the house. The bed was large and fluffy. The wall was painted with earth tones. There was even a large painting of the forest—on the lower left of the frame, there was a signature that read, Architect Calle Earheart. He was a professional artist in the human world and an Alpha of the werewolves’ realm. How impressive. When I gazed out the window, I mouthed ‘wow’, providing my eyes with a magnificent view of the forest. It looked unreal, toy-like even from afar. “Couldn’t I be happy here?” I said, a smile almost curving across my face. But I was taken aback when memories of last night and this morning hit my head like a bullet. “No, I can’t accept any of this. What if this is just bait? What if Alpha Calle is no different from Alpha Darius who wants me dead because I came from rogues?” And then I gasped, recalling what Lennon had said way back in their pack house. Alpha Calle of the Blood Moon Pack will arrive tonight… “They’re allies. It means that Alpha Calle's enemy is also Alpha Darius's enemy.” The cold fear that seized my heart made me nauseous, and I nearly wanted to vomit. But no, weakness wasn't appropriate at this time. “I have to leave this place immediately before it’s too late!” Reina, where in the deepest pit of my freaking head are you hiding? I was about to run to the door when it suddenly flew open. Alpha Calle's tall figure was suddenly revealed. I took a step backward until I was next to the window. “I knew it. You want to leave because you don’t trust me.” Alpha Calle was already a few inches from my horrified face before I could even move. “Please, let go of me!” I begged him as I shook in protest of his hold. "Is that what you want?” His amber eyes grew darker as he roared. "Aren't you hoping for exact revenge for what they did to you?” “H-how did you—why do you know about…” I couldn’t form any questions as confusion spread into my head like dark clouds in the sky. "Answer my question!” he demanded, roaring with such force that the impact jolted my entire body. “Yes!" I screamed as I shut my eyes. “I badly want to ruin their entire pack for destroying my heart and soul!” "Then start by being an obedient little wolf," he muttered roughly in my ears. For some reason, I felt a strange current running up and down my spine. My skin, on the other hand, hummed sweetly from his tight touch. “...and forget about escaping your sweet ass from this pack.”

Alpha Calle When I was four years old, a goddamn pack took over my territory in a bloody way. Not only had their Alpha killed my mother, but they had also taken away my sister and made her his mistress. Even though it broke my father's heart, he started putting together a pack with people who had been kicked out of other packs. We tried to live like humans because we were living with them. So, when I was ten, I tried to fit in with the people in the city. I adopted their way of life and worked a lot of odd jobs. We made it through. However, dealing with a traumatic experience as a child has never been easy. But that exact event was also my motivation and the foundation for my ultimate life goal. And I'd make sure it was a lot... bloodier. Still, I feel lucky because I got my first wolf shift when I was only eight years old. Who said that only royal wolves could shapeshift when they were young? Not only that, but I also developed a unique ability that set me apart from the Alphas who came before me in our clan. But I didn't use it very often. It was risky for the whole pack. A series of knocks on the door jolted me out of my reverie. "Come!" I said, leaning my back into the chair. Beta Degen walked in with a frown on his face. He sat on the chair across from my oak table. "Alpha, my men have brought us some news. Alpha Gary escapes with a few of his men." Hearing what he said made me laugh, and when I set my mug down on the table, the thud was so loud that the steaming liquid almost spilled out. The report may have been funny, but the truth was that Gary had already died because I had killed him in my mind so many times. “The weakling is no Alpha. He’s never been one,” I muttered. “I agreed,” Beta Degen smirked. “He got into command only because of the late Alpha. But wait, I heard he's got some talents—he can distinguish links between people only by smelling them." “Nah. That's wrong. If he has anything special about him, it's that he thinks too much of himself. But no one in his family was proud of him, that's for sure." I sighed. “This reminds me of Alpha Darius’s son.” Beta Degen chuckled, pressing his back against the chair. “What about the idiot? His name is Lennon, isn’t it?” "He believes he was successful in persuading me to join them. Little does he know, a much better plot is being hatched behind their plan." I shook my head, remembering how animated that bastard Lennon's face was when I confirmed my support for their pack. I also remembered how the jerk humiliated Daphne in front of their entire pack house, forcing the poor she-wolf to shift. That was probably her first shift, and I believe she didn't enjoy the experience. Turning my eyes to Beta Degen, I asked, “By the way, have you tracked down Gary’s whereabouts?” Beta Degen nodded at me with a grin plastered on his face. “The men are already locating the possible sites where he could run.” “You mean hide?” I added up, pouring myself another cup of scorching coffee. “He will not be able to hole up that long, though.” I stood from my chair and walked over to the huge wall—the painting of the map of North America sprawled across it. This was my first artwork when I moved into this mansion. I reached for the painted wall, my finger tracing the elongated line crawling through the great mountains. The dots of dark green stood for the forests and woods. The countries on this continent where we were located were abundant in green things. And almost half of the packs in its eastern region already belonged to me. I heard Beta Degen sighed in satisfaction after sipping on his coffee. Then he said, “We’re almost finished conquering the eastern zone. Any plans with the southern and western states?” I turned my gaze to the south and west sides of the map. We called them the Meridionalis and Occidentalis. On the map, Meridionalis was mostly the color of sand and mud, as it consisted of the vast lands of deserts. There were no permanent packs there, and it only served as the wolves’ route toward the other pack. On the other hand, the Occidentalis were also abundant in wild and dark forests. But unlike our region, they have more rocky mountain ranges, which served as a frontier and protection against their enemies. “Those two territories are already in the hands of Alpha Khalil. He’s a good friend of our pack, and I have no interest in acquiring what’s not mine.” “I see,” he muttered, a lopsided smile curving across his face. “So it means that the castaway she-wolf that you brought into this pack is believed to be yours?” I spun and narrowed my eyes at Beta Degen. I knew what the grin on his face meant. “We are going to start a war sooner; don’t even think about me hoarding women from the packs that we absorbed,” I justified, throwing myself back to the chair. “But this specific female wasn't a member of the pack that we had already subdued. You've followed her and given her a place to stay,” he said in jest. The expression on his face gave me a hint that his thinking was dirtier than I had anticipated. "I don't require a second bed warmer,” I grunted. "Suzette is enough to give me those things—to us, I mean.” “Yeah.” He grinned even dirtier in response. “Us.” In any case, I couldn't hold it against him for having nasty thoughts about Daphne. He was still unaware of what she was to me, after all. But for now, I needed to do what I needed to do with Daphne. That means I'd be needing his help. With that, I reached forward and patted Beta Degen's shoulder. “I’m assigning you a new task. You will personally train Daphne starting tomorrow.” “Are you serious?” His smirk vanished gradually. I almost laughed just by seeing the stupid reaction. But I suppressed it and stared at him, almost threatening him. “Dead serious, man.” “Fine.” He looked at me in disbelief as he raised his hands. “But I’m just wondering—why don’t we blend her with the other trainees instead? I’m sure she’s going to like being knocked down first by rookies. I can’t promise I’ll be gentle on her even on the first day.” I shook my head. "Dude, I don't know if it's me or if you're incapable of speaking a bit more politely." His brows furrowed. “Don’t blame me on that one. You’re the one who puts malice in all the words I say.” “Okay, enough.” I exhaled, rubbing my temples. I couldn’t help but imagine knotting him with a rope. “You can go now.” He gave me a knowing nod before leaving my office. He continued to talk about Daphne, and I could only shake my head as his guffaws diminished and eventually vanished from the air. Degen was my best buddy. He was virtually my blood brother since we grew up together. And now, as I became Alpha and became one of the finest warriors in this pack, he accelerated to Beta. He'd be by my side as I fulfilled my main goal as Alpha—that was to grab back the pack, which belonged to us in the first place. They called it the Dark Vale Pack. It was the pack that Alpha Darius stole from my father. There was only one region that Beta Degen didn’t bring up for conquering—it was the Septentrionalis, the North of the North. Since the frigid region belonged to the vampires, no one would be able to survive there for an extended period of time. My spine tingled uncomfortably as I thought about them. I was afraid, not for myself but for Daphne and the others who depended on me to keep them safe. ‘Any plans to visit her tonight, by the way?’ It was Dark, my wolf. I leaned back against the chair. "Do you already miss the little she-wolf that much?" I asked him back. ‘Like how you missed her.’ I smirked at Dark. Arguing with my wolf was an impossible thing to do. Our thoughts and decisions were always in sync. "Fine. Let's visit her." Within a couple of minutes, I found myself standing in Daphne's room and staring at her while she slept in peace. I never anticipated in my dirtiest and darkest dreams that I would do this. But who knew Suzette's nightgown suited her petite form? Her build was attractively dainty, though. It matched her hair, which was like the black sky that transformed into silk. She made perfect sense to my eyes. Usually, I was only aroused by blonde women with blue eyes and long legs like my girlfriend, far from Daphne, who was small, dark-haired, and green-eyed. During Luna Carmela's birthday bash, I almost lost my focus as I spoke with Alpha Darius, whom I planned to knock off sooner. It was because the moment Daphne arrived, the scent of flowers and vanilla hit my nostrils. But her sweet fragrance was accompanied by the bitter scent of jealousy, anger, and ignorance. Regardless, I enjoyed the little show Daphne had created that night. I only disapproved of the way they treated her. No one deserved to be embarrassed and humiliated. 'What plans do we have for her?' Dark asked as we both gazed at every inch of the girl's form. 'She's destined to be ours.' "But she's not aware of it," I said. He groaned in dismay. 'How old is she again?' "I heard she's only eighteen! Can you believe that? We have a freaking age gap of seven years," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. " She's too frail and naive to be the future Luna.” My misgivings about her didn't end with our age disparity. I had some reservations about her abilities as well. Could she manage such tasks in this pack and the previous ones I had absorbed? Was she prepared to forgo her desires and priorities to improve my pack for my people? Most importantly, could she remain faithful for the rest of her life? I gave her a once-over before walking out of the door quietly. “So should we reject her?" I asked Dark as I headed down the hall. ‘Come on. It's too early to decide on that,” he groaned. I slowly nodded. “Let’s wait a little longer, then.”

Daphne “Get up, sleepy head!” My eyes fluttered until they opened wide when a deep voice exploded in my ears. As my sight adjusted to the light, my breathing halted upon figuring out who those fierce sets of amber eyes were. “A-Alpha Calle?” I allowed myself to look at his entire appearance for a little while. His loose, shoulder-length hair perfectly framed his chiseled features. His gray shirt, which was neither too loose nor too tight, emphasized the shape of his arms and body. And look how well those pairs of denim pants fit around his long, muscular legs. He was like a living sculpture. Even if he literally agitated the living daylights out of me when he woke me up, I wouldn't judge myself for admiring such a work of art. He perched on the edge of my bed, and I quickly got up. I could smell the fresh perfume of his aftershave from this close distance. "H-how did you get in here?" I questioned, scratching my forehead. He sighed. “Surprised? Guess what, I own the whole place so it means I’ll be able to go anywhere in here.” Such a stupid question would definitely earn a sarcastic answer. The cool air blew against my skin and I realized that the blanket had been tugged away from my body. I tried to pull it back to conceal myself, but he just unabashedly peeled it off from me eventually. “My blanket!” “What’s the point of hiding yourself where I’ve seen all of you before?” He stood from my bed, his strong arms curled over his chest. “Get up at once. You’re starting to work today.” “O-okay, A-Alpha,” I responded, stuttering. Oh, Goddess, why did he have to bring it up? Was seeing me naked back in the woods a big deal to him? I’d seen him naked as well before he changed into a huge wolf, so we were just even. I stared down at my lap, my fist balling some of the cloth. “Um, what sort of duty will I be assigned? The kitchen? The hall? Or I’ll be washing the—” “You’ll be training under Beta Degen.” I raised my head and met his firm gaze. “I, what?” He tilted his head, giving me a frown. “Don’t say you didn’t hear me. I despise repeating what I just said.” “O-of course, I heard you,” I said, shifting my eyes to the window. The sunlight rays penetrating through the blinds were like long slender fingers, touching the plain wall in my room. The birds that were chirping outside reminded me of my dream with Reina. Oh, that dream again! These past few days, I’d been dreaming the same dream about Reina. He sauntered towards the wardrobe and started rummaging in there. Then he glanced back at me with a stern expression. “Get your ass up there, little wolf. You’re going to have a long day today.” “May I just—hey!” I nearly leaped off the mattress when something smacked my head. I felt like I’d been slapped in the side of my face from the impact. When it landed on my lap, I realized it was a pair of tops and leggings. I gave him a sneer. "Why did you need to throw them at my face?” “Put those damn clothes on and report to the training hall within ten minutes. If you arrive even a minute late, you’ll get your first punishment before the sun sets.” Before I knew it, he was gone before my very eyes. The sound of the closing door still echoed in my head as I gawked at where he walked out. Great. How on earth will I hurry up when I have no idea when that freaking training hall is? What a good start. *** The Moon Goddess was at least kind to me because I arrived at the training hall ten seconds before the time required for me to check in. I must thank the staff who I bumped into a while ago. She informed me that the room I was looking for was actually above our floor, occupying the whole roof space. And now here I was, standing frozen at the entrance. All attention from the people sitting on their rubber mats shot in my direction. I noticed that the trainees were not old people. Most of them were more or less my age. I guess? I wonder where those warriors are. I remembered Alpha Calle had mentioned them once when he talked with Beta Degen. “Um, h-hi?” I squeaked. Although I wasn’t certain, I responded with a small smile to their ‘who-the-hell-are-you’ stares. Feeling not welcomed, I was about to get back from the large double doors behind me when a firm voice carved through the still air. “Meet our newest pack member.” Slowly, I turned to the well-built form of a man filling my sight. It only took me a nanosecond to recognize him. He was Beta Degen, one of those who I met during my first day here. There was a hint of smugness in him just like Alpha Calle. Regardless, the latter still possessed a brimming amount of arrogance in his aura mixed with superiority. A sneer curved across his nice-looking face as he approached me, probing eye contact. “What’s your name again?” he asked, tilting his head down at me. “ Daphne Forster.” I almost choked when I mentioned my surname. ‘Why am I still using it when I no longer belong to that family?’I thought. The image of my brother, together with Yvette and Alaine, popped into my mind without my consent. I imagined Jaime looking gloomy, while the two witches grinned at me. I shook my head inwardly to block the rising sadness creeping into my head. “ Daphne Forster,” Beta Degen repeated in a friendly but civil tone. He stuck out his large hand. “Nice to meet you. From now on, this will be your family. But do not expect we will be soft on you. You need to double time to update your training lessons.” I accepted the handshake. “I understand. But please, just call me Daphne .” He nodded, a wide grin curled up on his face. “Come follow me.” He turned and proceeded to walk across the hall. I had no choice but to walk after him, though I was more on jogging since his strides were like a kilometer compared to my tiny steps. The people around us gave way, but with the way they stare, I felt like they were accessing me. I entered another door with Beta Degen. It was a self-sealing door that led us to the vast windy space. I let myself inhale the fresh air. From where I stood, the roof metal roof railings seemed so small. “Where are the other trainees?” I asked, my feet advancing to the solid fences to have myself a view of the ground. Good thing I wasn’t afraid of heights. “You’ll be training with me…alone.” “H-huh?” I turned over my shoulder and looked up at Beta Degen who was now leaning against the railing. His hands were tucked in his pockets. “But why?” “That’s Alpha Calle’s instruction, Daphne . So, if I were you, I'd stop asking. Haven't yet heard of the saying 'obey first before complain'?" "Fine," I muttered, letting the strong wind blow against my face as it combed every strand of my hair. My eyes were still locked on the vast wild forest from afar. "I'm glad you are easy to get things off. Okay, so this is the training's coverage; for the first six months, you'll be training in human form. The other half of the year, you'll train in wolf form, and Alpha Calle will decide if he will pass you or not." My eyes grew wide, hearing the information from his mouth. Oh, Goddess, am I destined to fail in everything that I will do? How will I pass the training if I can't shift in the first place? Should I forget about the training? Without it, I had no use in this pack. Unfortunately, Alpha Calle wouldn't let me leave. "Any violent comment, little wolf?" Beta Degen asked, he frowned as he searched for my eyes. "Is the idea of the training already dreading you?" "That's not it," I whispered, gritting my teeth. The grip of my hand on the metal railing tightened. "Then what's bothering that pretty mind of yours, huh?" he chuckled. "Scared of the pain? Then you must also consider the saying 'no pain, no gain." I shook my head. "I can't shift to my wolf form.” “Are you serious?” “I really can’t. I swear,” I muttered. “No way.” He chuckled but his brows were drawn together. He was only convinced when my eyes became misty with tears. “Then let’s have Alpha Calle decide what to do with you after you tell him your reason."

Daphne As soon as I told Beta Degen that my wolf was nowhere to be found, he immediately sent me to see Alpha Calle. So the next thing I knew, I was sitting on the couch and silently pinching my hands' skin. My thoughts were racing over what the Alpha would do to a werewolf who couldn't even shift into a wolf. What if he made me his slave and the pack began to mistreat me? The more time I spent in this room, the more anxious I felt. I focused on the painted wall to divert my attention from the growing uneasiness. It was a painting depicting the continent of North America where we lived. I got to my feet and gingerly made my way over to the painted wall so I could examine its texture on my own. I couldn't help but be impressed by the monumental artwork. It appeared to be quite lively. The name Calle Earheart was swirled in a lovely round handwriting in the lower left. ‘That man is talented. I wonder what else he can do.’ “You little wolf!” The door flung wide and a roar erupted across the room, startling me. I unwittingly encountered Alpha Calle's piercing glances which filled me with panic as I spun and looked up ‘Oh, no. He is furious!' From the way his nostrils flared and his jaws gripped, it looked like he was going to swallow me alive. "A-Alpha Calle, I'm—" My words became a squeal as he pounded his hand against the wall. I swear, the impact made the wall behind me tremble. "Look up here and name this spot for me!" ” “H-huh? I wiped a few tears from my eyes and tilted my head in the direction of the map where his finger was pointing." That’s where the Dark Vale pack is located," I croaked. “Right!" He growled, dragging his finger across the lower section of the map and pausing at a point marked with a "roof" symbol. " It means that you strayed a couple of miles from your goddamn pack and into my domain while in wolf shape. Don't you know that?” "You believe I'm making up for the loss of my wolf?" I blinked as my eyes throbbed with tears. For some reason, I was starting to think why on earth I was here, to begin with. I escaped from my previous pack and forced myself to leave the family I’d known ever since only to be judged and treated like a useless rogue in this pack. This was too much! "I witnessed you change into a wolf in front of everyone. So, how am I supposed to buy your alibi to avoid having to go through the training?” His eyes narrowed in on me. Instead of turning fearful because I had just infuriated the Alpha, his allegations only heightened my irritation and fueled my anger. "How I wish I were simply telling you lies. I wasn't though! So, you can decide whether to believe it or not. But at the very least, consider wondering why I didn't flee while I was being attacked by humans. Because if only I could have brought Reina out at that moment, I was already far away before you ever arrived to save me! So, if you still want to chastise me for my faults, go ahead. Or, if you prefer, kill me since my life isn't worth living in the first place!” The room remained silent, but I was still seething within. Even as I stayed motionless in front of Alpha Calle, my frustration continued to hammer in my ears. He remained expressionless in opposition, but his amber eyes were dark—almost black. "Reina," he murmured, his voice raspy. " Is that your wolf's name? ” I was unable to discern his expression or whatever was going through his head. But as he drew closer to our faces, I swallowed when a flush of panic crept up my face. "Y-yes." I turned away and tightened my hand. "I... I've lost her ever since you found me in the woods." I excluded the specifics of how I was still connected to Reina through my dreams. I see no reason for him to be interested in my wolf, anyway. He took a step back, allowing me to finally breathe normally. “If that’s the case, I have no choice but to—” "Calle Alpha!" Alpha Calle jerked his head toward the door after hearing an agitated voice. He was called out by Beta Degen whose chest was visibly rising and falling. "What's that?" Alpha Calle walked over to him, his voice calm but rough. "Alpha Gary has started attacking us. His soldiers have already entered our borders!" “Is that so?” Alpha Calle muttered, his shoulders becoming broader as he breathed deeply. “Good. I’m actually in the right mood to kill him. Where exactly is the scumbag now?” “Less than a kilometer from the South perimeter,” Beta Degen said, his hands balled into fists. “Let’s go.” Before Alpha Calle closed the door, he shot me a stern look and said, “Remain in this room until I return.” *** I wanted to stick with the Alpha’s orders so he wouldn’t get pissed off at me again. But hell, I couldn’t just root in my spot and wait while I knew this pack was being attacked. “That’s it!" I blew out my cheek and stood up, raising out the door. Despite the mansion's intricate layout, I was able to leave through the hallways while keeping a close eye on anybody nearby or behind me. The last thing I wanted was to be caught and shoved back to the office or my room. I eventually found myself leaving the ground level through the rear door after a few minutes. The huge field was what I saw. I wrapped myself when I noticed the spread of blood all over the grassland. Its metallic odor was thick in the air. "Alpha Calle..." Without realizing it, I heard myself murmuring Alpha Calle's name as my eyes roved about. 'What if that blood is his own? What if he is injured or worse, killed?' Cold fear gripped my heart at that thought. I tapped my cheeks to shake off the horrible thoughts that were engulfing me. Why would I care about him? He was the Alpha of this pack. Even without making an effort, he can fight and defend himself. I was the one who needed protection because I couldn't even defend myself. And now I felt bad about violating his orders to stay in his office. I willed my legs to move back towards the house. With each step I took, my level of fear increased. As the pounding in my chest skyrocketed, my body seemed to move in slow motion, dragging my legs through the air as though I were trying to run through pottage. I stopped dead in my tracks when a strong hand clutched my arm, sending a jolt through my body. “Nowhere to go, little girl?” I never got the chance to cry for help as he pulled me and spun around until I was crushed against a hard wall of a chest. And before I tried to move, he lifted my chin with his thumb and forced me to look at his face. “I am nearly convinced that Calle is good at preserving his little pups. But here you are, exposed and unprotected.” The long and fresh scar across his face was enough for my body to go cold with dread when he leaned forward. His dark huge eyes glowed as he sniffed me. “Well, I’m still lucky after all. I got Calle’s whore.” “I’m what?” My blood boiled in my veins at the label he called me. It made my hand fly until it landed on his hard face. “I’m not a whore!” “Did you just slap me?” He gritted and wrapped his hands around my neck. “You little whore! I’m almost at the idea of keeping you for myself. But since you disrespected an Alpha, I’m going to kill you instead!” “H-help… somebody…” Those were the last words that escaped my lips as pain squeezed my system. But before I lost my consciousness, my ears still managed to catch a familiar deep voice, screaming until it morphed into a wolf’s growl.

Daphne “I’m tired. Let’s stop by here for a while,” Reina pleaded to me. My eyes wandered around as Reina and I rested at the base of a massive root system. Some of the trees around us withered, rising out of the earth to brush against the sky. Sunlight danced across fern fronds and glistened off of morning dew. Meanwhile, just meters away from us was a quiet crystal clear stream. The water flow had a perfect sequence as it rushed across the rough rocks. “Can we just stay here forever?” I shot Reina a small smile when I turned to her. She was beautiful. Her silky fur shone as if she rolled over a thousand silver glitters. “Of course, girl. Here in the forest, no one’s going to harm us both. No one will tell us what to do and what not to do. We are free to decide for ourselves. We’ll only do fun stuff—running, hunting, playing in the streams, and sleeping until the sun is high again.” “Well, that’s fun.” She made a low whimper and snuggled against me. I cuddled her back when the cold morning fog burrowed into my skin and at the same time, sent a shudder of movement through the branches of the birch trees. “Um, Daphne ?” “Yes, Reina?” I responded. My face was buried under her ear. She smelled of fresh grass and earth. The nerves in my system began to calm, and the beating of my worried heart returned to its normal rhythm. “I don’t want to be separated from you ever again,” she moaned, making my heart sink. “Not going to happen again. I’d rather die,” I mumbled, my hand reaching up, brushing the fluffy hair from the back of her head. “You and I are like twins with a single soul. We’re always counting on each other.” “Sure thing,” she said. “I love you, Daphne .” “I love you too,” I whispered. “Um, Reina. There’s something I want to ask.” “What is it?” “Why can’t I shift? Why are you staying out of my body? Aren't we all meant to exist as a single being?” She did nothing but cuddle up to my neck in return. Her tiny whimper was unaccompanied by any words. *** “ Daphne, wake up! Wake up!” As I opened my eyes, I gasped sharply and the strong urge to cough made me sit up. I touched my neck because it hurt like it had been knotted by a thick rope. That was the moment I remembered I was attacked. Still a bit disoriented, I looked up at the person who was rubbing my back. “B-Beta Degen?” My eyes grew wide, noticing his bruised face. But he seemed not affected by his wounds, even the blood dripping from the side of his face. I couldn’t help but feel dead worried about him, though. “You’re hurt.” “This is nothing. Just a little scratch,” he said in a rough tone, his brows contracting when his eyes lowered to my neck. When he pressed the area beneath my ear, he clenched his teeth when I groaned in pain. “Ouch! That hurts!” “I have no idea who Alpha Calle killed first—you for disobeying your Alpha’s orders or Gary for nearly murdering you.” My senses had been slowly brought back to life when he mentioned Alpha Calle. I was about to utter a word when a disturbing and thunder-like growl sliced through the air. When I cocked my head over my shoulder, my heart hammered in my chest at the sight of two massive werewolves growling at each other. One of them had a gray coat with a reddish line of fur down its spine. The other wolf had a fiery auburn coat, with a rich copper mass across his back. I was certain that the latter was Alpha Calle. From that moment I’d seen him in wolf form, it seemed like he was the only beautiful thing that I could recognize. “Can you walk? If you have any broken bones, I’ll just carry you,” Beta Degen said. He was about to scope me from the ground when I protested. “I am capable of standing up, even running!” “Don’t dare run,” he warned in a low tone. I rolled my eyes and focused on the two wolves instead as I finally got to my balance. Then I noticed that we were not the only people around. The men who were witnessing the tension had huge builds like Beta Degen, all looked intimidating as they shot cautious stares at the gray wolf. They might be the warriors of their pack. ‘Something was wrong around here,’ I thought and gazed up at Beta Degen. “What’s going on? Why are you not helping the Alpha? Or anyone from the Warriors? Are they just going to watch them?” Beta Degen shook his head. He looked calm, but the way his eyes glued on the two Alphas, he seemed very troubled. I could feel his tension in the way his large hand wrapped around my wrist. He might have known I would run from him when I got the chance. “Alpha Gary came to challenge Alpha Calle in a duel.” “A-a duel?” I couldn’t help but recall what my brother, Jaime, had told me about challenging an Alpha. He’d said the moment a challenge was issued, they couldn't turn it down to protect their pride and maintain the respect of the pack members toward them. When the challenger killed the Alpha, it would make them the new Alpha of his pack. The gray wolf groaned something, making Alpha Calle snap his head up, baring his teeth. Then Alpha Gary turned his direction to me, locking his brown stares into mine as if I was his prey. My throat closed. It looked like the subject of their chat before they went to a fight was none other than me. I glanced up at Beta Degen. “What are they speaking about?” It was frustrating that I couldn’t catch all of their conversations. I guess the Alpha only picked words that he wanted to say directly to anyone within his pack members—like how he spoke to me in his wolf form that day in the woods. Beta Degen’s jaw tightened. “Alpha Gary says he wants the pack… and you.” “M-me?” My stomach plummeted to my knees. Why in the world did he want me? What if the gray wolf whom they called Alpha Gary won? For as long as I remembered, he was in the process of killing me before I passed out. Anxiety throbbed inside me as that disturbing thought streamed inside my head. ‘I have to trust Alpha Calle.’ I could tell that he was stronger than the other Alpha even though he looked younger. Time seemed to slow as the gray wolf pounced, galloping toward Alpha Calle on strong paws. His shoulder muscles rippled as he narrowed the space between them. And then he pulled back his jaws, revealing those rows of sharp teeth. Alpha Calle, on the other hand, charged him with a dangerous growl. His red coat was like a raging flame as he soared over the gray wolf to dodge its sharp grasp. He landed behind him only to be attacked again with the other wolf’s claws. This time, the ashen beast was aiming for his neck. “No!” I was about to step forward when Beta Degen yanked me closer. “I need to get you back in the house, Daphne,” Beta Degen gritted. “That’s your Alpha’s order.” “I don’t want to hide there and lose my mind while I know the threat is around!” I yelled, pulling my arm from his grasp. “You’re just as stubborn as you look like, aren’t you?” he huffed, his nose crinkled. “Good thing I’m no longer the one to train you after this whole mess is done. Better off dealing with my well-disciplined warriors than you.” I frowned. “What do you mean you’re not training me anymore?” My question was left hanging in the charged air when thunderous roars rolled around like an earthquake. I turned my attention back to the duel with a gasp upon seeing Alpha Calle having a vicious locked battle with the gray wolf. The two beasts trundled across the ground. The second wolf was forced to the ground by Alpha Calle, who also snapped his jaws in its face. I held back a scream as I braced myself for him to rip Alpha Gary's face off. The wolf's shoulders were bitten by Alpha Calle when he knelt to do so. The gray one screamed in agony and hatred as blood poured from the wound until his body finally gave way and he fell to the ground unconscious. ‘Is… is the fight finally over?’ Our Alpha stepped back, growling, his teeth bared and tail twitching. Then he turned in my direction, but his gaze was on Beta Degen. Beta Degen nodded as though he just got orders from Alpha Calle’s wolf form. “What did he say?” I asked impatiently. “He wants Gary to be imprisoned in the darkest dungeon,” he said and gave me a hard gaze. “You see, not everything's about you.” I grimaced a hint of embarrassment pricked inside my chest. ‘He has a point. How stupid of me to expect that I’m the priority of this pack.’ Still, in wolf form, Alpha Calle ambled towards us, his amber eyes wide as they met mine. I held my hand to my chest. I wasn’t sure if the thudding in my chest was because of my tension during the duel or the fact that he chose to approach me first after a triumphant fight. Anyhow, I was relieved that he won and was alive—that even though he showered me with a sermon for breaking his orders, I would carry it with no hard feelings. I was about to give him a small smile when I noticed that the gray wolf stirred from afar. And before the warriors realized it, he was sprinting just before Alpha Calle. “Watch out!” Alpha Calle paused. Estimating the attack, the wolf Gary would be already breaking Alpha Calle's bones before he could even spin in the direction of the threat. Beta Degen also roared, screaming at him that the gray wolf was behind him. Maybe it was the panic that was fueling me… or the adrenaline pumping through my body that made me move in a way I didn’t expect. Because in just a flash of light, I found myself standing right in front of the charging wolf. “Stop!” I squeaked. Gary’s brown eyes widened in surprise. But his pace didn’t seem to hold up when I showed up out of nowhere to block him from advancing to Alpha Calle. His speed only accelerated. I froze in horror, watching the huge gray wolf sprinting as he locked his irises toward me as though I was his favorite food. My misty gaze spotted those sharp claws, I felt dead already just by imagining them piercing through my body. ‘Is this my end?’ I still had a lot of dreams that needed to come true. I aspired to complete my education to have a respectable profession, just like everybody. I yearned to have my wolf back most of all. Though I had no idea how to search for a way to get her back. Without my wolf, I had nothing. I also didn't want to pass away without her. “Help!” I sank to my knees, wrapping my arms around my nape. My eyes shut, waiting for death to claim me. Just as I was preparing to be sliced in two when I heard a thud in front of me. Slowly, I raised my face, and my eyes widened as Alpha Calle continued to bang the gray wolf to the ground like a dead log. He was already in a human form when he wrapped his long arms around the beast’s neck, his muscles contracted as he tightened his grip. Shortly, the sound of bone breaking cracked through the stilled air, and its tongue hung after an agonizing howl. Alpha Calle glared at me, the huge wolf still inside his arms. “How did you move that f*cking fast, huh?” he asked, panting. “And why the hell did you have to do that? Do you want to die?” My lips were trembling when I parted them. But before I could even utter a word, I was startled as a huge flame engulfed the gray wolf. I wanted to think that my eyes were only deceiving me. But I was too close to witnessing what happened. ‘How did he do it?’ The fire started from his hands. And he didn’t let go of the wolf as the flame continued to devour it until it became fine ashes.

Daphne After I almost died yesterday at the hands of the wolf Gary, Alpha Calle had never spoken with me nor given me instructions to go to his office. But a few minutes ago, after I finished eating dinner, Beta Degen informed me that our Alpha was demanding my presence somewhere in the forest, rather than in his office. I wondered why. Maybe he was so furious about my ‘defiance’ that he wanted me to punish—or kill—in silence and out of the other’s knowledge. Although, according to Beta Degen, the Alpha had never killed a member of the pack before. Perhaps I'd be the first since I was the first one to break his orders—that was according to Beta Degen as well. “This is impossible!” I let out a harsh breath, thrusting my hands out in front of me, plunging through the trees without a clue where I was heading. But of course, I knew where I should go… or was instructed to go. It was none other than towards the river. Lucky for me, my senses were much stronger at night time. “Of all the places!” I stopped on my track when my ears caught the sound of a steady flowing current. Then I turned left, stomping against the dirt, leaves crunching against the sole of my rubber shoes. As I kept walking, the clearer the sound of the river became. But I had to bend just for me to pass through some tree trunks which were blocking the muddy trail. After hopping over the last obstacle, I managed to spot Alpha Calle. “Finally, after a hundred years!” I huffed, balling my fists. “Yeah, finally. Have you enjoyed the hike? You should be familiar with the whole place.” he said in an easygoing tone. He was facing the river, hands clasped behind his back. Seriously, I was itching to push him into the swirling water while he was busy gazing at the twigs and leaves floating on its surface. But if my temper wasn’t concerned right now, I would surely enjoy the place since it was like the setting of my dream with Reina. Unfortunately, I was in the real world, stuck with this demanding, sarcastic, and unpredictable man! Do all Alphas need to be like that? “Okay, Alpha…” I exhaled, hands on my hips. “What business do we have that you need to summon me here…instead of in your office?” Actually, this was the only second on my list of questions for him. The first one was about that fire thing. He turned around and gazed down at me with those intense amber eyes that always managed to send my nerves into instant freefall. “Training.” “T-training?” I parroted, raising a brow. Then I looked around us and chuckled awkwardly. “Why… why here? And why didn’t Beta Degen mention to me my training?” For freaking sake, how were we supposed to be training where trees hung out over the water and around rocks that were stained with furry algae? “Well, that’s because you are no longer training under Degen.” He strode towards me. I had no choice but to look up at him as he stood inches in front of me like an implacable rock. “I will personally handle you to assure everyone that you’ll stop messing around.” “Y-you?” My eyes widened. I wasn’t sure what reaction was the most dominant across my face. Fear? Excitement? He might have been regarding me as some sort of troublemaker. But deep within, I was thrilled to be couched by none other than Alpha Calle. “There was only one problem. Like what I’ve told you before, I still can’t shift.” Alpha Calle sighed. “Have you forgotten your goals already, Daphne ?” “My goals?” My thoughts quickly reviewed the events of the previous few weeks. Only a searing pang in my heart was triggered when I thought back to those painful experiences with my former pack. What could possibly be worse than having the people you love and who used to be your world turned against you? For a brief while, sadness touched my heart before hatred engulfed me. “I'm looking to exact my own revenge for what they did to me,” I gritted. “That will be your drive to take your wolf back." He patted my shoulder. "I firmly believe that you lost your wolf because of the trauma they have brought to you. The only thing that will make you whole again is revenge." My eyes widened. I could feel that hope glowing deep within me. “But… but how?” “Join me as I reclaim my pack,” he said, his eyes full of golden flecks of determination. “If you think you will not be useful, think again. Because you don’t have any idea what gift is inside that little body of yours.” “Gift? Me?” I chuckled, dismissing my hands in the air. “Sorry, Alpha. But I don’t have any gift.” “Now how will I make you demonstrate it one more time?” He crossed his arms across his chest and gazed down at me with assessing eyes. Even in a jacket, his arms looked muscular. The hoodie and sweatpants just made him look like the badass boy next door. “Oh, that’s it,” he said and took a grasp on my arm. I frowned and asked him. “W-what are you doing?” “Awakening your gift from you,” he beamed, pulling me only to be thrown towards the furious water. I was confused as I was flying in the air like a stone. I couldn't even scream as I thought about what he had done. Alpha Calle had indeed lost his mind! My entire body felt like it fractured into a billion small pieces and began to move in the air as I was ready to fall into the river. I eventually found myself standing on the enormous rock that divided the river into two paths after experiencing the buzzing and tickling feeling. For a few seconds, I was frozen as I looked down at my feet, not because of the extremely cold weather, but rather because of what had just happened. I moved from one spot to another more quickly than I could blink twice the second time. “There you go!” Even though the river current was loud where I was standing, I could still hear Alpha Calle laughing on the opposite side of the water. His face was curved with a triumphant grin. “I knew it. Yes, you can teleport!”