Chapter 1

Catherine's POV “Look at that worthless slut. Why is she here? she doesn't even have a wolf, yet she delusionally seeks her mate. How stupid.” I stood in the corner of the conference hall, watching the couples come and go while listening to others' malicious gossip about me. I felt both pain and embarrassment. It was a tradition that werewolves living in New Jersey held a mating ritual in Shadow Forest every year. Alpha and Luna of every pack would bring their unmated werewolves here, looking for their mates at the ritual. My father was the powerful Alpha of our pack. He brought me and my stepsister Gina here, hoping we would find our mates. But I was destined to disappoint him. I don not even have a wolf. Who would want to choose me as a mate? They would only laugh at me. Thus, once the ritual started, I strolled around with a drink, with no desire to find my mate. As I was strolling around with a glass of raspberry juice in my hand, I saw my stepsister Gina and her friends. Although I didn't have a wolf, my hearing was particularly excellent. Thus, I could hear what she was talking about at a distance. She was insulting my mom with profanity! My mom was the last Luna of our pack. She died when I was three years old. Then my father married Gina’s mother. Before knowing Gina was my father’s illegitimate daughter, I tried to get along well with her. But now, I hate her. Hearing she was making fun of my deceased mom for being a dumbass and getting ripped off by her mother, anger boiled up inside me. Then I rushed over and spilled berry juice on her face. "Bitch, stopping slandering my mother, you must apologize!" Apparently, Gina didn't mind my warning and with a shitty face written with 'so what', then running away under the cover of her friends. I certainly would not let her go. I went after her right away. Finally, I found her at the corner, surrounded by her lackeys. As they spotted me, their faces twisted into malicious smiles. "Hey Catherine, do you want me to apologize?" Gina Wyatt sneered at me. "Bitch, this is Gina's apology gift to you, drink up." Soon her lackeys handed me a glass of red wine. Naturally, I was unwilling to consume anything they gave me, but quickly I realized it was not a matter of whether or not, but have to. Her lackeys restrained me, leaving me no room for resistance. One held me down while the other pressed my chin, forcibly prying open my mouth. "No! I don't want to drink." As I was being restrained, I pleaded with the people around me for assistance, but they seemed more eager to witness what would happen next. They all stepped back, fearing that my hands might touch their clothes. Meanwhile, Gina, like she was watching a show, slowly aimed the glass towards my mouth, and soon I felt the icy liquid flow down my throat into my stomach. They only released me after confirming that I had finished the red wine. "That's a good girl, my dear sister. I apologize to you and hope you forgive me." Gina casually patted my shoulder and quickly left with her lackeys, laughing and chatting. I was bullied by them, but I can not resist them, because I was too weak and I don't have a wolf to protect myself. What's worse, I felt that the wine they just forced me to drink was poisoned and they must have wanted to see me embarrassed, so need to leave here and find a place to stay as soon as possible. There's a small bridge near the border of the forest. I went there, from there, I can see the moon reflecting on the lake, I went to the lake and shouted 'Fuck' at the top of my lungs, venting my anger. Damn Gina, one day she'll regret it.. But the tranquility didn't last long. Soon, I heard footsteps beside me. I turned to see two ugly men trying to approach me. Instinctively, I tried to flee, but quickly realized there were two men behind me as well, surrounding me. "Back off! Stay away from me." I tried to roar at them, assuming a fighting stance, hoping to intimidate them into stopping, but clearly, they weren't scared off. I realized something was wrong with my body: a warmth spread from my abdomen and quickly engulfed me. Damn it! It was the drink Gina gave me. She did drug it. I felt my body overcomed by a surge of heat, longing for something cold to ease it, but I forced myself to remain rational. My situation was perilous now, with four men approaching me with lecherous expressions. I knew I was no match for them at this moment. Looking around, just as their hands were about to touch me, I decisively climbed over the railing and jumped into the lake. I could hear the men cursing on the surface of the lake. I was actually afraid they would dive in after me, but luckily, they didn't. The cold water relieved my heat, and I swam in the direction away from the bridge, regardless of whether there was danger in the bordering forest or not. I climbed out of the water straight from the lake. I ventured deeper into the forest, the heat within me intensifying once again. I felt my vision blur, my nails digging into my flesh, hoping the pain would keep me alert. I didn't know where I ended up. In the moment when I was about to lose consciousness, I stumbled, and a strong pair of arms caught me. Suddenly, I caught a whiff of vanilla. I smelled countless scents before, but I swore none were as enticing as this. Following the scent, I found it emanating from the man who caught me. Instantly, a rich vanilla aroma enveloped me. Though my consciousness was hazy, I couldn't see the guy's face, but I knew he wasn't one of my pack members. "Who are you?" I asked cautiously. His breath was heavy, and I felt him staring at me in the darkness. In this situation, I dared not make any sudden movements. Suddenly, he lunged at me, pulling me into his arms. My face brushed against his sexy Adam's apple. The icy sensation of his skin was fatally attractive to me at that moment, and I pressed myself against him, disregarding everything. Realizing his clothes hindered me, I tugged at his buttons forcefully. His shirt fell open as I stripped him off his clothes, then I attempted to rid myself of my soaked garments. Until we were about to stand bare before each other, his hand stopped mine. "Muddy girl, are you sure?" His deep voice resonated from above me, and I didn't give him an answer, but my hand reached for his belt. The next moment, I felt a whirlwind of sensation as the man pushed me down to the ground, and a fierce kiss landed on my lips. Damn! It was hotter than mine.