Alpha Rain's POV

My fist crashed onto the table, the force sending ripples through the silky surface. The anger boiling inside threatened to consume me, pushing me dangerously close to shifting into my wolf form. I needed a distraction before I lost control completely.

"Damn the prophecy!" I growled, sinking back into my chair.

My mind drifted back to the moment I first laid eyes on her, the stripper girl who seemed to set my wolf on edge with just a glance. In those few seconds, our wolves clashed, and the word 'mate' echoed relentlessly in my mind. But I refused to believe it. I approached her, hoping to dispel the notion, only to be met with disappointment as her scent of strawberries and innocence filled my senses.

She was the one the priest had spoken of, the wolf living among humans. But what infuriated me more was that she was a lowly Omega, a powerless being.

… An hour earlier…

I locked eyes with Ansel, my beta, my expression grim. "What are you getting at, Ansel?" I asked, my patience wearing off.

We were seated in my study, surrounded by stacks of old crumpled files, discussing a certain pack issue.

“The northern rogues are sniffing our air, can't you feel it, Rain.” He argued, his voice threatening to tear off the roof.

I sighed heavily, rubbing my temples in frustration. Ansel was my most trusted confidant, but right now, his relentless concern was getting on my nerves.

The recent human deaths near our territory had fueled his suspicious about the northern rogues and I have been trying to prove to him that this might just be the Shadow Crest pack trying to instigate us.

“Trust me, Rain, these Rogues want to jeopardize our good relationship with the Shadow Crest pack. This is all their doing.” Ansel insisted.

Before I could respond, the creak of the door interrupted us. We turned to see the royal priest entering, his heavy robes swaying with each step.

“Holy one, what brings you here?” I greated, trying to mask my unease.

"The moon has bestowed upon me a message of grave importance," the priest began, his gaze piercing.

Ansel and I exchanged wary glances, waiting for him to continue.

"The pack will face a looming war, one that even you, Alpha, cannot escape," he announced solemnly.

My heart sank at his words, dread pooling in the pit of my stomach.

"And how do we avoid this fate?" Ansel interjected, coming to my rescue as I was absent for words.

"Only the blood of a virgin wolf can save us," the priest declared, his words sending a chill down my spine. "Your mate, when marked, will cleanse the pack of this impending doom."

“What?” I recoiled in disbelief. "But I have yet to find my mate," I protested.

"The moon has revealed that she dwells among the humans. Time is of the essence, Alpha. Find her before it's too late," the priest warned.

Back to the present…

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, the memory of the priest's ominous words haunting me. The idea of being mated to someone so seemingly insignificant infuriated me to no end.

“Damn the moon Goddess!" I cursed, kicking the chair aside in anger.

Even as I delved into deep caution for saying the goddess name in vain I still thought it was her fault for making me face ridicule by mating me with a nobody.

I whizzed out of thoughts as the smell of fresh woods filled my nostrils, I didn't have to look around as I knew the owner of that scent.

“Must you always lurk in the shadows, Ansel?” I snapped, hissing disgruntledly

He chuckled, joining me by the window. "I stumbled upon your new pet," he teased, but I was in no mood for jests.

"Thank you for saving me the trouble of introducing you to my mate," I muttered bitterly, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

Ansel's laughter died as he realized I was serious. "Are you serious?" he exclaimed, disbelief written across his face

I nodded, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "Her very presence annoys me. She's nothing more than a mere Omega, hardly worthy of my attention."

Ansel frowned, placing a hand on my shoulder in a gesture of sympathy. "Does she even know she's your mate?" he asked, concern lacing his words.

I shook my head, running my hand through my head as if giving it a thought. “No, I doubt she's even aware of the connection.”

“Remember what the priest said about her, she has the solution we are looking for and also she can finally put an end to your fucking spree.” Ansel suggested, taking me back to my wayward lifestyle.

I was an alpha that easily got sex starved and derived pleasure from sleeping with numerous girls which I often got tired of and sent out of my castle. The powerless Omega was a part of that scheme, I needed a lady who could match my cravings so I paid my boys to get me one but they ended up with a tiny fragile lady and the moon Goddess decided to punish me and made her my mate.

“Aishh!” I groaned, jerking out of the chair, striding out of the room. I had no idea where I was heading and the nagging presence of Ansel wouldn't even let me concentrate.

“What do you plan to do? Will you let your sudden detest for her ruin the pack's safety?”

I killed the next step I was about to take and faced Ansel, his nose flared as he stared at my deeply rooted eyes. He was getting on my nerves and right now I could do something terrible to him.

“You have to follow the rules, Rain. You have to mark her immediately and save the pack.” He rambled on.

“Where did my friend go? Who is this man nagging me about going against my will? Who!!” I howled, taking him by surprise.

He swallowed down nothing and fixed his gaze at me. “From now on, I do not want to talk with you on this matter and no word of it should ever leave your mouth.” I said in a commanding tone, seizing him in a sharp sneer as I dashed through the corridor.