Chapter Three

Leila's pov

I thought the worst part of the mating ceremony was being rejected by Alpha Devon and watching him choose Valerie as his mate. It never crossed my mind that the worst would actually be him not leaving me alone.

The next few days came in a blur of pain and confusion. I did all I could to avoid Devon but he always found me. At one point, I thought he put a GPS tracker on me but there was none. At least none that I knew of.

One afternoon after spending time in the kitchen, I decided to hide in the garden.

The flowers were in full bloom this season and had wonderful colours. I reached out to pluck one when I heard footsteps. It was probably Klaus.

I rose to my feet and turned around only to see it wasn't Klaus.

“What are you doing here?”

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” He asked instead, crossing his arms over his chest. “You can't keep ignoring me, you know?”

“Why not?” I snapped. “You rejected me. Isn't that what you wanted? Why are you still looking for me?”

He smirked and took a step closer. “I rejected you but it doesn't mean I don't want you.”

My stomach twisted in disgust. “You… How dare you! You think you can reject me in public, humiliate me in front of everyone and still do this? Is that it?”

I was angry. This man was out of his mind.

“Why not, Leila?” Devon smiled. “You said you were mine, didn't you? It doesn't matter if I accept you or not.”

His words sent a chill down my spine. “What?”

“You heard me. You're mine. It doesn't matter if I accepted you or not.” He repeated.

I almost lost my patience. I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to push him away but I couldn't. I was weak. No, I was too scared to.

After that day, Valerie and her goons decided to torment me. They took every opportunity to taunt me,leaving blows and bruises in my skin and scars to remind me of my place in my pack – the dirt.

“You're pathetic.” Valerie would hiss. “No one wants you. No one ever will.”

While she took jabs at me, I wanted to fight. I wanted to hurt her the same way she was hurting me. I wanted to tell her what Devon was up to, to humiliate her the same way she humiliated me at the mating ceremony 2 weeks ago. But I couldn't.

I told myself there was no point in fighting back.

I was a coward.

The moment continued like any normal day in the pack and like a fool, I endured every whip and insult. I nearly lost it when Devon tried to take advantage of me.

He had attacked me from behind and pinned me against the wall while I was alone in the kitchen.

“I have you where I want you.” He whispered behind my ear.

“Get off me!” I screamed, trying to push him away but he kept pressing himself against me.

“I will have you no matter what you say. You will be mine, Leila.” He chuckled behind me and a ripple of fear traveled through me.

“Help!” I screamed as loud as I could and got a blow to the head for my troubles.

I felt the coppery taste of blood in my mouth and my vision blurred.

“You think you can escape me?” Devon hissed.

Just then, approaching footsteps echoed in the hallway and he leaned forward, whispering harshly in my ear.

“You think you've won this time?” He chuckled, running his hand down my thigh. “I will come back for you and if you dare fight back…”

My breath got caught in my throat.

“... I'll join Valerie's cruel campaign and trust me when I say that I'll do so much worse.” With that, he bit my ear and disappeared.

When he left, I could finally breathe. My knees buckled and I lost my balance, crashing to the floor like my shattered dreams.

I had to get out of here.

Well, that was until the day everything changed.

That pack was buzzing with news of a new visitor — an Alpha from another territory.

“Alpha Sebastian is coming!” I overheard one of the maids say,

“Alpha Sebastian?” I gasped. What was he doing here? Alpha Sebastian wasn't just any Alpha. He was one of the most influential wolves in the country. What could he possibly want in the Silverwood pack?

I stood in my quiet corner of the hall as the maids whispered to each other.

Apparently, news had already spread throughout the werewolf community of a new and powerful Alpha named Sebastian. He was a handsome powerful Alpha who was quickly rising in influence and rank.

Seeking to establish profitable connections with other powerful packs, Sebastian arrived at the Silverwood pack with the intention of finding a mate and a wife.

They said his mere presence was dominating and they were right.

“There he is… Alpha Sebastian!”

The second his boot hit the polished marble floor, the air itself shifted. All eyes were on him including me.

“How can someone this domineering be this handsome?” One of the guards whispered beside me.

He was right. Alpha Sebastian was very handsome. But that was not his only quality. From the way he exuded strength and authority in his every movement, it was obvious he was a very powerful Alpha.

He had a rugged and imposing presence, with a muscular build and a ruggedly handsome face.

He dragged his hand through his already tousled dark brown hair. The mere action was supposed to ruin his hair but it added to his charismatic allure.

Immediately, he caught my gaze and I looked away, wishing the ground would open and swallow me whole.

I heard footsteps echo in the wall, silencing every voice and movement. From where I stood with my head bowed, those fine legs were coming this way.

A pair of expensive suede boots stopped in front of me and I froze.

‘Please, just go away,’ I prayed silently.

A calloused finger lifted my chin and our eyes met. And for the first time I felt seen. However, my heart was pounding heavily in my chest, I feared he would hear it.

His eyes bore into mine, as if looking for something. Then he asked. “What is your name?”

“I - Sorry. L - Leila.” I stuttered shyly, feelings small under his intense gaze.

A slow smile spread across his lips and I was confused. What was the occasion?

“Leila.” He let go of me and reached for my hand.

“What?” I looked at our linked fingers, not understanding what was going on.

“Leila,” he repeated, as though savouring the sound of my name. “You’re coming

with me.”

I didn't know what he meant but at that moment, it ignited in my chest.

Maybe, my story isn't over yet.