The Alpha requests to see you, Diane'.

Diane Stanfield shuddered visibly, obviously overwhelmed by the Alpha's request to see her. She searched her mind thoroughly, trying to come to a conclusion as to why. Maybe he is willing to finally acknowledge her as his mate? Perhaps, he's starting to see her in a different light and is ready to take her in?. Or he noticed the bruises when she bumped into him earlier and wants to know who did it to her so as to teach them a lesson.. one that'll serve to the others not to ever mess with her again. The idea alone made color rise to her cheeks. She enthusiastically trailed behind the guard, her heart ramming excitedly against her ribs. In few minutes, they arrived at the Alpha's office. The guard stood by the entrance, then motioned towards the door.

'The Alpha is waiting'.

For some reason, Diane felt the enthusiasm she sensed earlier, slowly slip away. She prolly had been so stupid to think he wants to accept her as his mate or come to her rescue. Not when he already made it painfully glaring that he wants nothing to do with her. Reluctantly, slowly and quietly, she turned the door knob, walked into the office with her gaze intensely on the ground beneath. She clasped her hands, placed them on her thighs and bowed in respect.

Silence... Utter Silence...

The silence was so deafening that Diane began to doubt if there was a soul in the room asides hers. Just when she was about to see for herself, a small pouch bag landed before her with a loud thud..

'Take it' He ordered.

Diane didn't dare to look up. She didn't want to see the hatred that's vividly portrayed in those eyes as he addressed her. In those eyes of her supposed mate. It was enough, hearing the hostility lace his every word.

'Can I know what it is?'.

He snarled. 'No questions! You're only allowed to do as I say'

Diane stooped low, picked up the pouch bag to check it's content. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

'Money. What do you need me to do with this much money?!'.

'I need you to leave this pack.'.

Her stomach tied in small knots, her heart writhed in anguish. Why? Does he hate her that much that he doesn't want to be around her?

She shook her head, still avoiding his gaze. 'I'm sorry but I can not!'..

'Why can't you? Didn't you swear it wasn't your idea to be here in the first place?'

'I promise. It really wasn't.' Diane responded.

'Then why not grab this opportunity and leave!'.

'I... I j... Just c... can't' she stammered.

She heard the sound of his chair skid across the room, his scent intoxicating all her senses as he drew nearer to where she stood.

'Look at me!'

Without much hesitation, she tore her gaze from the floor and made eye contact. Just as he requested. A wave of desire hit her as she did so, almost knocking her off her feet. She swallowed hard, holding her breath in. Chanting the twenty six Alphabets in her head like a mantra, hoping it would calm her nerves. It did nothing to help. With each passing second that their eyes remained locked, her wolf continued to fight out of control. Her wolf yearned for him... His claim.. his approval. A wolf's call. It's harder to control. Exactly like they said. Eyes as blue as the ocean, sharp cheek bones, Perfectly carved brows and long blonde hair. He'd be so hard to resist on a normal circumstance.. The question formed in her mind and blurted out her lips without control..

'Why, Xavier? Why do you keep chasing me away?!'.

She regretted asking that immediately. His powerful palms grabbed her neck, choking her hard till she pleaded to be released.

'It's Alpha to you! Not Xavier. Don't you dare make such mistake again!' his grip tightened around her neck.

She nodded amidst tears. 'I understand, Alpha'.

He released her, causing her to drop to the floor helplessly. Diane gasped for breath desperately, simultaneously wondering what really did come over her that she dared to ask such a question..

'Take the money and leave this pack before tomorrow noon. Go back to the crescent pack or go into the city. Mix with humans. No one will find out what or who you really are. I'll cover up if people start to notice your absence which I doubt. Nobody wants you here either.

Diane crawled to where the small pouch bag laid, picked it up and scurried out of the Alpha's office, tears gliding down her eyes effortlessly. It's true that she's cursed. Cursed by the goddess to never be happy or find happiness. As she walked through the lobby that'd lead to the room, she remembered her step mother's words. 'Try to run away again and you'll suffer the consequences!' will it be okay for her to run away from both packs and not get punished by her step mother? Could she escape into the human world when she's yet to learn control? Won't the humans see her as a monster if she shifted by mistake? She arrived into the confines of her room. Fortunately for her, it was empty now. The other maids had gone out to complete their chores for the day.

She stripped off her clothes, turned on the shower and buried herself in thoughts on the next step to take..

*The next day*.

'Alpha. Luna Melanie is here to see you' one of the pack guards announced.

Xavier gulped the last of the whiskey in his cup and pushed it away, displeased at the information brought to him.

'Why is she here? What does she want?'.

'That, I know nothing of. Should I lead her in?' the guard enquired.

Xavier rose to his feet, taking long strides to the couch. 'I'm too busy to see anyone for now'

'How busy are you that you aren't willing to see your own mother?' Luna Melanie asked, walking into the Alpha's front room without permission

Xavier sat up, glaring daggers at her. 'What do you want?!' he demanded irritatedly.

She scoffed. 'Really, Xavier. That's no way to address your step mother. Did your mother not teach you some respect at all?!'.

Xavier knew where she was getting at. She knows how much he hated his mother being shaded by anyone.

She waved dismissively. 'Ohh right. She didn't because she was too engulfed in claiming what's really not hers... My mate'.

Xavier palmed his face. 'Not today. I've had too much to deal with already. What exactly do you want?' he demanded, ready to get this over with.

'You do not deserve the Alpha title, Xavier. Hand it over to my son, Ace..'

Xavier's brows quirked up in question. 'And why should I?'

'Because it is rightfully is...'

Their conversation was cut short by an abrupt barge into the room.

'The rogue wolf. It's here' The guard screeched from the doorway, panting heavily.

Xavier furrowed his brows. 'how do you mean? What rogue wolf? We've never encountered one in this pack before...'

'I think it's the one Alpha Asher had talked about. The one on the loose, attacking pack members'

'Then do something! Call the pack warrior to action. Has there been any attack?!' Xavier asked, jumping to his feet and throwing on his shirt.

'It has one in its reach as we speak. The new palace maid'.

Xavier froze momentarily, carefully spelt out his next question. 'What palace maid do you speak of?'.

'Diane. Diane Stanfield'.

His hands clenched into fists, a muscle in his jaw ticked 'Get my sword this instant. I shall slash it open with my own hands!' he growled, his eyes flashing dangerously as Erin, his wolf, took over.

....