Chapter 1

Violet's POV

I’ve heard people say fate is a funny thing. But I wasn't laughing when my own mate looked me dead in the eyes and threw me into a pool like yesterday's trash.

If anything, fate has a twisted sense of humour. One that she shouldn't put on display ever again.

I should've been able to tell that nothing good will come from the Lycans.

I should've known that tonight would be a disaster.

The Lycans didn't exactly throw pool parties out of the kindness of their hearts not to talk of the king ruling them. This was an “unofficial” mating event, where desperate, unmated wolves could have the liberty to find their fated pair. However, all I saw during the party was wolves prowling around, sniffing each other in hope of finding their mates. I could tell they were desperate. No one wants to end up alone or worse, mate to someone they hated. I know that feeling and that's why I came here in the first place.

The mating event was supposed to be grand. When I heard it was going to be a pool party, I had expected a romantic occasion, you know, that sort of thing. Only for me to arrive not only disappointed but also disturbed. The place looked like a freaking meat market.

To be honest, I had no business being here. I never wanted to show my face but my step-mother insisted I attend.

“Who knows?” Barbara had said earlier, sipping her wine with a smirk. “Maybe, you'll finally see someone who can tolerate you.”

Classic Barbara. The woman that never liked me.

My mother had died during childbirth and my father had remarried too quickly for anyone's comfort including mine.

Barbara crashed into our lives with a fake smile and sweet words, but underneath that friendly face was a woman as cold as an ice bath in winter.

Despite her harsh words, I still came to the party because deep down, no matter how I tried to ignore it, I wanted to belong.

I wanted to find the mate the Moon Goddess had chosen for me. Someone who would look at me the way true mates did — like I was their only oxygen, like I was their whole world.

I waited for this person.

And when he showed up, I wished I hadn't waited at all.

My mate turned out to be Xaden, my stepbrother.

Like I mentioned earlier, fate had a twisted sense of humour.

Xaden had been my tormentor since childhood. The last person I ever wanted to be bound to was him yet the Moon Goddess decided to play matchmaker of the year.

Xaden wasn't bad looking. He was one of the most eye-catching Alpha's in the pack — 6 foot tall, broad-shouldered, and infuriatingly handsome. He was the man of every female wolf's dreams but not mine.

He stood near the poolside laughing with his friends. I noticed one of the girls in their circle reaching for his hair. Who wouldn't? Xaden had perfectly tousled hair. He'd just roll out of bed and the hair would still be looking good, its onyx colour gleaming under the lantern lights.

I noticed his sharp, green eyes began to scan the crowd like he owned the place. In a way, he did.

Xaden was the Beta's son. The future second-in-command of our pack. He was strong, fast, and favoured by Lycan King Ragnar himself. He was Xaden Rivers, the golden boy of the Midnight Pack.

And he despised me.

Our eyes met for a brief second before he looked away and I froze.

At that moment, I told myself to walk away. But something… something made me pause.

It was a throbbing, an usual feeling I felt in my chest. It was like a bond stringing us together. My heartbeat accelerated and my wolf stirred.

Oh no.

“Mate!” She growled.

“Mate” – That word rippled through me like a shockwave.

No, no, no. This can't be happening!

Of all the goddamn wolves in this world, why? Why him!

Coming here was a mistake. I needed to leave before he would notice.

I stepped back, my breath catching but it was too late. Xaden had turned and his eyes locked in on mine. Again.

For a split second, his expression froze. His sharp jaw clenched, and entire body stiffened. Oh no. He felt it too. I knew because I saw the realization dawn in his storm-gray eyes — the same pull, the same connection.

I never expected him to be thrilled about it but at least I expected a flash of wonder or awe in his eyes. But I was too foolish to ever hope for that. Xaden wasn't happy that I was his mate, he was furious.

He closes the distance between us, pure fury flashing in his eyes.

“You?” He growled with annoyance. “Of all the wolves in this place, it's you?”

I swallowed hard. “Xaden, I —”

“No! Absolutely not!”

I flinched at the venom in his voice. “Xaden, just listen. Please, I —”

Before I could finish, his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist.

Pain shot up my arm as he tanked me towards him, his face inches from mine.

“Do you absolutely think that I, that someone like me will accept this?!” He hissed, his whiskey breath hot against my damp skin.

“No…”

“I reject you!”

Those words, cold and final, sliced through me like a blade.

I stared wide-eyed at him. I was rejected? That easy? That fast?

I barely had time to process the sting before Xaden shoved me hard. I stumbled backwards, the heel of my shoe catching the stick tile and the next thing I knew, I was falling.

I landed into the pool, the cold water hitting my face like a slap.

For a second, I couldn't breathe. For a second, I couldn't think. The world had become a blur of blue as I sank. My lungs burned as I struggled to break the surface. My arms flailed uselessly against the waves as I struggled to swim.

Above me, the sound of mocking laughter muffled against the splashes I made.

Was anyone not even going to help me?

Dark spots clouded my vision and just when I thought I would drown at my own mating ceremony, a hand yanked me up, pulling me to the surface.

I gasped, choking on air as I was carried to the edge of the pool.

“Are you okay?” The stranger who saved me, asked.

“Yes…” I spluttered a reply.

He rubbed circles on my back, forcing me to cough up the water I had swallowed.

When I was done, I looked up to find Xaden walking away. Not even a glance or a single hesitation.

He left me there, shivering, dripping of water while the rest of the pack laughed and pointed at me.

I don't remember much after that. Not their pitying glances or their murmurs nor even how I made it home.

But I did remember this :

I left the pack that night.

I left behind the stepmother who never wanted me and the pack who never saw me as one of them.

I left behind my father, Xaden and his rejection.

But I didn't leave with nothing.

I left with a vow: They would all pay.