It was dark out. I looked around me but everything was just pitch black. But suddenly a bright light ahead of me appeared. Against my will my legs began moving into the direction the light was coming from. I built up speed somehow and before I knew it I burst through the blinding light. I don't know what was happening but I felt this strange sensation take over my body. I couldn't describe how it felt but it didn't feel good or bad. It just felt weird.

And then I was falling. I didn't have enough time to think about this. But all of a sudden I was thrust into the middle of the clearing where we held the meeting. The things I was seeing at the moment was horrible. My pack was being slaughtered as more wolves from the enemy side surrounded us. A dark brown wolf leaped out and in a blink of an eye a much darker and larger wolf launched itself at the brown wolf . I wanted everything to stop but my body was keeping me there as if I needed to see this.

Everything happened in slow motion. One second I'm watching the fight the next a large brown wolf appears out of nowhere and from the power radiating off of this wolf, I could clearly tell it was an Alpha. I squinted trying to make out who it was but I wasn't able to see. But for some reason I had a feeling it was Alpha Brayton. Suddenly an almost larger wolf with pitch black hair appears too. From the power radiating off from this wolf you could tell this was an Alpha too. I didn't know who this was though.

The pitch black wolf was growling at Alpha Brayton and vice versa. For some odd reason I knew what was about to come. I opened my mouth trying to shout a warning at Alpha Brayton but I wasn't able to. I had to watch this. Just as they both charged at each other a bright light appeared again.

I woke up panting in my bed. I was covered in sweat and my heart was pounding. I glanced at the time on the bedside table and slumped back into the bed. It was two-thirty in the morning. I put my hand to my sweaty forehead wiping sweat away.

I sighed as I got up to get a cold glass of water. I stumbled down the stairs and inwardly I repeatedly slapped my head. My parents might have woke up already. I confirmed this as I heard heavy footsteps heading to the door from my parents bedroom. I figured out it was my dad but instead of calling out for me he did it mentally.

Annabel?

Of course it is, who do you think it is Goldilocks? I'm almost one hundred percent sure he chuckled.

Go to sleep, he demands. And watch your attitude young lady.

I need water, I tell him feeling guilty about my sarcastic words. I should bite back a bit more. I'm sorry Dad.

He walked back to his bed with a slight chuckle. I continued my way down the stairs thankfully wide awake now. I grabbed a cup from the cabinet and filled it up with cold water. I gulped it down without a second thought. I glanced at the window when something from a far caught my eye. From where I was standing I couldn't tell what it was but I decided to check it out.

As I stepped out the house my wolf began pacing relentlessly.

What's wrong? I ask her.

Something is not right. Her pacing increases as I observe the area.

What do you mean?

She doesn't answer me which made me anxious. Everything she said was always true so when she went mysteriously quiet I felt as if this was really important. I closed the door behind me waiting for a moment to hear if my dad will call me back up.

When he doesn't, I continue my way towards -well I didn't know what lay ahead of me but I was determined to find out. My wolf couldn't stop pacing as I walked forward. Every step I took she let out a whimper. I let out an exasperated sigh but stopped by the time I reached the outside of the pack village. I was nearing the border which made me nervous.

By the time I reached the border I glanced around wondering what I saw. Everything was still and calm. Maybe I just imagined it. I sighed turning around to head back home when a rustle in a nearby bush made me stop short. I crouched low getting ready to attack as I held my breath.

Just then, Beta George appeared with a stern look on his face. I smiled weakly while awkwardly waving at him. "Annabel you know better than to be walking around past curfew."

Yes, the Beta and I know each other. Because of my dad being the top tracker he usually spent most of his time with the Alpha and the Beta. Besides they were all childhood buddies so all in all he saw me as his own daughter. He is married though but has never had a daughter which is where I come into. He has two sons, Ethan and Blake. Ethan is next in line to become the beta when he becomes nineteen. He is only 17 at the moment but is already learning about how to become a proper Beta. Blake is 10 years old and the cutest little kid brother I never had.

"What were you doing anyways?" He narrowed his eyes at me trying to figure out what I was doing. He glanced around as if anything around us could give him his answer.

"I couldn't sleep so I came out here for a walk," I replied. I hope he believed me because technically I was telling the truth just not saying the rest. He gave me a sympathetic look realizing what I was talking about.

"It's going to be okay." I shook my head. Everyone kept saying this but didn't they see they were practically walking into a trap. It's impossible to defeat the Dark Moons pack.

"I just wish Alpha Brayton and Alpha Thaddeus could talk it out," I explained. Beta George nodded.

"But you know how Alpha Thaddeus treats others. If we were to try and talk it out he'd probably disagree to everything we say and demand things in his own way." I've heard things about him but I've never been sure. My mother has always said never judge a book by its cover but when it came to the Dark Moons pack it was hard. I mean I guess the Alpha was probably cruel but I've never met him so I can't exactly say anything about him.

But from what my father has said -since he went with Alpha Brayton and Beta George and some others to a meeting at that pack two years ago- Alpha Thaddeus at the age of twenty-four was the most heartless person you'd never meet. He was constantly rude through out the whole meeting and his Beta wasn't much different compared to him. They- including their pack- were all ruthless animals; excuse the pun.

"I should head-"

A vicious growl from behind me had me jumping. My wolf was on full alert now as I turned around. I view Beta George from the corner of my eye and realize he was shifting just as two big dark wolves come out from further in the woods.

I sniffed the air wondering which pack they were from because they weren't rogues. They obviously weren't from the Blue Blood pack so I crouched low ready to shift when Beta Georges urgent voice stopped me. Annabel go!

I hesitated but did as I was told as more wolves began pouring out forming a semi circle.

We're being attacked! I sent that message to everyone just as a wolf lunged at me. Beta George pushed me behind him and stood in front of me his stance showing how he wasn't afraid. I turned running towards the pack village just as more wolves from my pack finally arrived. I calculated our chances of leaving without injuries but there was no use. Everywhere I looked wolves were tearing at each other. Some already lay still on the ground. We were deeply outnumbered.

I continued running but made the mistake of turning around because a wolf was right on my tail. This one was bigger but I didn't have any time to wonder which position she held. I knew right away I couldn't stand a chance against this wolf.

Against my will my wolf- who I had been ignoring- forced me to shift. As I lunged into the air I landed back on the ground on my paws. I turned facing my opponent while remembering what I had been taught. I crouched low and sprang at my opponent who was watching my every move. As I expected the wolf moved to the side letting me close my jaw onto her hind leg.

The wolf whimpered but let out an angry snarl. She pushed me off and before I knew it, she was charging at me full speed. I tried moving to the side but she caught me before I could move. She sank its sharp teeth into my shoulder. I let out a loud whimper just as the wolf disappeared. I turned to see Mason facing off with the wolf.

He snarled and growled while crouching low. Go to the safe grounds Anna.

I refused to do so and tried lunging again at the wolf but stopped short when my shoulder ached all of a sudden.

You are injured Anna GO! And then he blocked me out focusing on his enemy. I let out a whine but turned around and ran as fast as I could to the safe grounds. The safe grounds were located on the opposite side of the pack village so basically the underground cellars are the safe grounds. I saw the doorway to the safe grounds and was about to shift back into my human form when something really hard knocked me on the head.

I passed out on the spot.

•

Are we dead? I tried communicating with my wolf but she was quiet like usual. I couldn't see anything. Everything was pitch black. I felt as if I was falling and floating at the same time. Is this what people experience when their dead? From the distance I heard voices but I couldn't understand what they were saying. But all of a sudden a voice appeared from above me.

"Sweetie please wake up." From the voice I could tell it was my mother talking to me. She sounded as if she was or already had been sobbing. I really wanted to open my eyes and tell her I was alright but it wasn't working. I heard mumbling in the background but I couldn't comprehend it.

"Don't worry she'll wake up," now I was almost sure the voice belonged to Rose.

"It's been two days." It felt as if I was stuck in the air after my mother said that. Two days? That means its been two days since the attack. How was everyone? Did we win? Did we lose? Is Beta George OK? Is Mason OK?

"Wait I saw her move," exclaim Rose, I could feel someone holding onto my hand. "She's waking up."

"Annabel do it again," whosoever grip on my hand wasn't uncomfortable. It was actually encouraging me in a way. I tried doing whatever I did but I guess it wasn't working because Rose and my mom continued encouraging me to keep going. This I tried and in a few seconds I was looking up at my mom and Rose. They both looked at me with concern yet relief written on their faces.

My moms face was tear streaked while Rose wiped her cheeks.

"Annabel," my mom took a hold of my face pushing away hair out of my face. "You're okay."

A sudden pain hit me on the head. I placed my fingertips on my head and pulled back to see dried up blood on my fingertips. I glanced at Rose and my mom in worry.

"What happened?"

"Someone hit you on the head," Rose explained, "but we don't know with what."

"Is everyone okay?"

No one answered me. Then Rose burst into tears. My mom rubbed her back softly while giving me a sympathetic look. Oh no no no. Mason has to be OK. He couldn't be dead, right? Masons one of the best fighters. There is no way he's dead, right?

"Where's Mason?" The question came out real quiet. At this Rose sobbed even louder. For the first time I woke up I actually looked around my surroundings but froze.

My pack members were all scattered in different cells. One thing I figure out is this place is not the safe grounds. I take a glimpse at my mother and she confirms my thoughts, nodding. This place was different compared to the Blue Blood pack. These cells were bigger and the bars keeping us from the other side seemed more upgraded. Whereas the ones back home have never been upgraded at all. Everyone looked dirty as if they haven't bathed in days. Young pups cried from what I'm guessing might be hunger or injuries.

"Mom," I say slowly fearing her answer, "Where are we?"

She looks away from me for a second before looking back at me. "We're prisoners." I watch her carefully wondering who would do this when my answer comes to mind the same time my wolf says to me, Dark Moon pack.

"The Dark Moon pack surprised us with an unexpected attack," Rose explains after calming down. "Majority of our pack members are dead."

I observed everyone around me again and saw about fourty people. Tears were threatening to fall when I finally realized that these were people that had survived. How is that possible? Just a few days ago we were a pack of about one hundred and eighty but now it was just fourty. How did it come to this? How could a pack be so cruel against their own kind?

A sudden emotion exploded in my chest. Rage. Rage for what they had done. Rage towards the Dark Moons pack. Rage towards their Alpha. Is it possible to hate a group in a span of ten seconds? Hell yes. Followed by that emotion sorrow consumed me. The majority of people I have grown up to love and protect were gone. A sudden thought hit me.

"Where's dad?" My mom put her hands on my shoulders to calm me but that wasn't working. "Where is he?"

"I'm right here," came a voice that didn't sound like my dad at all. It seemed rough and broken not joyful or serious. The voice came from farther down the room. I moved and scooted closer to the bars trying to get a glimpse of him.

"I'm alright Annabel," he says.

“Dad are you sure?” I ask. I need to see him myself to determine that.

“Annie, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” I take my father's word.

I look around the area trying to find a familiar face. "Someone please tell me Mason is safe," I speak up hoping he is alive. Rose answers me instead.

"They took him out when you were sleeping because he wouldn't be quiet," she says her eyes glazing over. "I think it's been an hour since but he's probably being t-tort-" She begins crying again.

"Why would you think that?" I ignore the look my mom gave me.

"I-i could feel what he feels b-because o-of the mate bond," I expected her to stop there but she didn't, "I keep feeling p-pain all over my body."

Poor Rose, this must have to be harder for her because of the whole mate bond. Feeling the pain your other half endures and not being able to do anything. I wrapped my arms around her trying to control the waterworks. It's going to be okay, my wolf says but I could hear the uncertain in her voice.

My stomach growl forcing me to pull away. My mom snatches something from the ground and that's when I finally see the tray. She hands me a small loaf of bread. "The only thing they gave us."

Instead of eating it I hand it over to the cell beside us to a young pup no older than eight. She smiles as if to say thank you but I could see how broken she is inside. No one else was in the cell with her besides another pup who looked to be the age of three. Seeing them like this with no one else made me want to scream and release all my anger towards Alpha Thaddeus. This young girls parents were most likely dead all because of him. He didn't deserve to be alpha. He's just abusing his power over his pack.

I diverted my gaze thinking of how this girl must want to be playing with her friends or whatever but no; instead she's in a cell with no parents looking after her while taking care of a pup younger than her. Why should she go through all this at such a young age? Again I hate Alpha Thaddeus.

•

A while later on the door opens and I'm instantly hit with the most amazing scent. My wolf tenses up for some odd reason but I ignore it. The smell of forest mixed with coffee was intoxicating. Rose and my mother each gave me a questioning look.

My wolf was pacing now and I could feel her wanting to get out. What's go you so excited? I ask. She doesn't respond but is muttering something I can't make out. It's official my wolf has lost it.

I don't know why but Rose suddenly has a look of recognition but I didn't bother paying attention to that. The smell was getting stronger and stronger making me unable to sit still. I hear heavy footsteps come walking closer and closer.

I look up only to see a tall man facing a cell on the other side, two cells down from me. He had to be at least six feet seven; a bit taller than Alpha Brayton. From what I could see he was talking to a guard- in low whispers- that was currently opening the cell. Another guard came in and pushed someone inside.

The man turned around slowly and that's when we finally met eye to eye. I couldn't help but gasp at the intensity of his eyes. His dark wide eyes -that matched the exact same color as his hair- kept me glued in place; he looked shocked with disbelief written all over his features. I don't know why but I had a good feeling my expression was the same as his.

My wolf was howling in complete and utter joy. I didn't understand until she began saying: Mate! Mate! Mate!

This man was my mate? He was completely breathtaking. So gorgeous. I didn't know whether my wolf was placing these thoughts in my head or if I was myself. My heart beat sped up as he took a step closer to me. His muscular tall form made him look intimidating making my wolf growl in approval.

My body felt as if it was on fire and the air around me felt as if it was crackling with energy. Time stopped and I felt as if no one else was there at the moment. Just me and him.

I don't know when but I heard shocked intakes of air from all around me but blocked it out focusing on my mate. I guess everyone figured out what was going on. All of a sudden though I realized something. I should have known. I can't believe I didn't feel it. This man wasn't just a normal wolf. I can't believe I actually did not smell the power radiating off of him in major waves.

When his guard spoke up he confirmed my thoughts.

"Alpha?"

My mate was an Alpha. Not just any normal Alpha. My mate was the one who sent his pack members after mine. My mate was the one who killed the majority of my pack. My mate was the one I wanted to scream at minutes ago. My mate was the one I still wanted to despise.

My mate was Alpha Thaddeus.

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~MissieA out!

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