CHAPTER 4

ALPHA DERRICK'S POV

I felt a peculiar jolt as my body collided with something.

My senses heightened, and my wolf, Fang, stirred within me, recognizing the petite figure as our mate.

My eyes roamed over her golden skin, her captivating brown eyes, and even with the hoodie concealing her features, her alluring curves were unmistakable.

She was a vision of beauty, with plush pink lips that beckoned to me.

Confusion tugged at me as I wondered why she was dressed in such a secretive manner as if trying to hide from the world.

I was having a discussion and was enjoying listening to her nervous voice when Alpha Mason abruptly interrupted our conversation.

He forcefully gripped her arm and dragged her away from me. Shocked, anger surged through my body, the sight filled me with an overflow of protective instincts.

My hands instinctively clenched into fists, seeing her struggle against Alpha Mason's hold only fueled my anger.

I could sense my wolf, Fang, growling within me, urging me to act and get back our mate.

My heart pounded loudly in my chest as I followed them from behind. I fastened my pace but he was much faster.

The sight of Alpha Mason's rough treatment of her ignited a fierce rage within me.

My wolf, Fang, yearned to emerge and defend our mate, but I restrained the powerful beast, knowing that violence wouldn't solve anything.

Questions and concerns flooded my thoughts, and I felt a mix of confusion, anger, and a burning desire.

"Why would an Alpha treat his pack member like that?" I thought. I wondered what could have transpired to provoke Alpha Mason's harsh treatment.

I was about to confront Alpha Mason but halted as she called Alpha Mason "Father,".

"He is her Father?" I wondered in shock at the revelation. The fact that she called him "Father" struck me like a lightning bolt. I never heard that Alpha Mason had a daughter.

Alpha Mason is not only known as the powerful Alpha of his pack but as someone who cared for his family. It now appeared to only have been a facade as he had a hidden family that had never been mentioned before.

I hid behind the wall and cautiously moved closer, ensuring I remained hidden from their view.

I strained my ears to catch every word exchanged between them.

The atmosphere around them was tense as the whispers of the pack members filled the air, spreading rumors and casting doubt upon her presence.

The weight of the situation sank in as I listened to the murmurs around me.

The whispers carried accusations, blaming her for the death of her mother and speculating about her intentions toward Alpha Andrew.

The words stung, but I refused to let them cloud my judgment.

Fang's voice echoed in my mind, telling me not to believe the words they say and offering a glimmer of support amidst the chaos.

I found solace in Fang's words, but the gravity of the accusations weighed heavily on my mind.

I struggled to comprehend how my mate could be associated with such dark events.

I could see tears welling up in her beautiful eyes as she lowered her gaze, and felt a surge of to wipe and protect her from any pain.

I longed to wrap my arms around her and shield her from the judgmental glances around.

However, his focus was pulled back to the conversation by the next words that escaped Alpha Mason's lips.

His words struck me to my core. His cruel words, dripping with disdain, emphasized her lack of a wolf and condemned her as a disgrace to their pack.

Those words reverberated in my mind, shattering my preconceived notions of the bond I felt.

"She doesn't possess a wolf," I muttered to myself, my voice filled with shock and disbelief.

The realization hit me with a wave of conflicting emotions. The sacred connection I had believed in, the unbreakable bond between mates, suddenly felt fractured and incomplete.

Without waiting further, I turned away, my mind swirling with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

The conversation I had overheard filled my mind with a mix of anger and disgust. The realization struck me like a lightning bolt—could it be true? Had fate, or rather the moon goddess, mated me with a wolfless she-wolf?

My mind contorted with conflicting emotions, my expression shifting from confusion to anger.

My fist clenched tightly and without thinking met with the wall in anguish.

"No, it can't be. The moon goddess wouldn't have bound me to a she-wolf without a wolf." I muttered to myself. My voice held a mixture of disbelief and frustration.

My mind raced, trying to make sense of the tumultuous thoughts and emotions swirling within me.

Ever since I was little, I had always believed in the sacred bond between mates, the unbreakable connection forged by the moon goddess herself.

Yet, the possibility that my mate, the first woman I felt an undeniable pull towards, lacked a wolf of her own shattered all the understanding I had of the mate bond.

I knew I had no choice but to confront the truth and make sense of the bond I shared with her.

My mind was clouded with conflicting emotions as I thought of what to do. The weight of this recent discovery about my mate weighed heavily on me.

I needed someone to share this burden. I needed to confide in someone in order not to make any mistakes.

I was lost in my world when Ethan, my Beta, walked up to me with a smile.

"I have been looking around for you and was directed to here, Thank God I found you. Your mom said she has been ringing your phone up but got no reply and is worried," Ethan said but his words seem to be falling on deaf ears.

He gazed at me with concern etched across his face.

He called out again to me respectfully, but received no response, as I was deeply lost in my thoughts.

"Alpha Derrick," Ethan called again, his voice held both respect and worry, but his words seemed to go unnoticed by me.

He gently tapped on my shoulder causing me to jolt momentarily, my instincts primed for attack.

However, the tension quickly dissolved as I recognized him. My tense demeanor relaxed, and a flicker of relief crossed my features.

Ethan observed my troubled expression, his concern deepening. He wanted to understand what was bothering me, hoping to offer support or guidance.

"Alpha Derrick, you seem to be bothered by something. What is it that troubles you?" Ethan inquired, his tone reflecting genuine concern and respect.

"I found my mate," My response was curt, revealing the source of my turmoil—the discovery of my mate.

Ethan's face lit up with excitement which instantly dimmed as he realized that my emotions were far from joyful.

"You don't look pleased to have found your Luna, Alpha," Ethan voiced cautiously, mindful of the delicate nature of the conversation.

"I was happy when I felt the spark as we touched, but I found out that she killed her mother, and she is also wolfless. I can't take a wolfless weakling and a murderer back to the pack, that would make me look vulnerable and powerless to the pack and my enemies." I replied, my voice tinged with hurt and confusion.

Ethan listened attentively, I know he feels for my inner turmoil.

He let out a heavy sigh and asked the question that lingered in the air.

"What are you going to do then?" Ethan inquired, his voice filled with genuine curiosity and concern.

"The only thing that is best for the pack, reject her," I responded with cold resolve.

The pain in my voice was palpable as I stated my intention to reject his mate, believing it to be the best course of action for the pack.

I know Ethan's heart sank for me, he is torn between his loyalty to me and his empathy for the mate I had discovered.

I knew that the path ahead would be difficult, requiring delicate navigation and understanding.

Silently, Ethan stood by my decision, ready to support me through the challenges that lay ahead.