I don't like how his hair looks.

Should I just kill him?

I twist and flick the dagger in my hand, realizing that about 20 wolves surrounded me. They all looked equally pissed. Oh man.

I chuckle. "It's just me, guys? Normal me, same beautiful girl. Remember?"

No response. Taking a steady step back, I continue. "C'mon y'all! This is the 4th year we've been buddies! Are we not in good terms? How about we go get some drinks? My treat!"

Jerik, the chief warrior, gives me an unamused growl and takes a few steps forward.

Finally, he speaks, "It's you again, you annoying piece of shit."

Damn. That kinda hurts. I frown and let out a small, "Ouch."

"This time, I'll catch you. And when I do, I'll make sure you'll live a long long long time in agony," Jerik avowed. His eyes flashed with joy and newfound interest. "You are so fucking irritating, do you not know? You infuriate me!"

I gulp, but flash him a nervous smile.

Well, someone's mad.

You know, in this situation, you'd expect that the main lead would charge, secure victory, and maybe earn some scratches or even a blow to the head. Then, some prince Charming will save his lovely damsel in distress and even release some tears of sadness. Boo hoo.

Sadly, I'm not so brave and talented. But you know what I was good at?

Running.

So I did.

But not before I throw the dagger at Jerik, aiming at his leg to make sure I don't assassinate anyone. Believe it or not, I consider him my close friend despite our mishaps.

Hit and run, baby!

I flip him off and sprint out before the others could react.

The same routine continues for 10 minutes until a familiar tree enters my vision. Gasping for air, I felt for my bow and quiver, holding it to my cheek and cooing it, "My little babies."

I continue to run.

This sure is fun.

My compelling mate infiltrates my mind and it annoyed even me. I was irritated by myself for getting so obsessed for someone I barely met.

His dark hair, vibrant grey eyes, that chiseled jaw, and oh my, those full, sultry lips that made even me jealous. How could I be so lucky? The simple act of thinking about him made my heart beat erratically. I imagined how his hugs would feel and how his hair would feel in between my fingers.

Then, a familiar ugly voice disrupts me from my train of thoughts. "SHE'S THERE! IDIOTS! JUST CAPTURE HER!"

I crane my neck to look back. There, in the void space, was Jerik. Limping. Dried blood clung to his old and withering skin.

I halt my steps to laugh because I just couldn't help it. He gives me a deadly glare and the other warriors stood next to him, puzzled. That made me laugh more. I laughed so much to the point I couldn't breathe. Doubling over, I clutch my stomach and take in big gasps of air.

Noticing the lack of response and unamused growls, I clear my throat and regain my composure.

Jerik snarls, "Are you finished, you filthy rogue?"

His posse of warriors and Jerik himself take big steps towards me, enclosing the space that previously separated us.

I feign a pained expression. "Can't you be a little kinder, Jerik?" I say, placing a hand on my heart.

"I thought you were smart," he replies and keeps on dragging. I took this chance and search around, realizing that I did not have the leverage in this situation."You should know by now that kindness doesn't ever apply to you."

"And clearly, shutting up doesn't exist in ur dictionary," I snap.

I considered attacking, but I had no close ranged weapon on my hand. I guess I'll have to do another hit and run.

He walks towards me.

"Says the one who wouldn't shut up about being companions." Mocking me, he adds, "How about we go get some drinks! My treat!"

His face was so close to mine that I could smell his horrid breath. I kept my breath in and tried to not breathe in his scent. It was enough to kill me for God's sake!

I give him the most intense glare I could muster.

He imitates a giggle and continues, "But don't you think your cape's a little outdated?"

A scowl threatens to occupy my face and I proudly put it on full display.

Fucker. No one insults my cape.

Jerik only smirks, which swelled my temper. "You know what would look nice on you? You in the cellars. Starved. Wrapped in chains while u get whipped and choked to death."

"Yeah, I bet you 20 your wife enjoyed that," I sneer.

His smirk drops, much to my content. His eyes fill up with anger. "Do. Not. Ever talk about her like that or I'll tear you to pieces, you mutt. Once I capture you and leave you in the Gamma's hands, you better pray you won't receive such a cruel punishment."

"Oh don't worry, Jerik," I taunt. "I assure you nothing that bad could happen judging from your wife's account."

He lunges towards me, aiming for my neck.

I dodge it and head to the direction I previously planned to run towards.

I'm not dumb, I know what I'm capable of and what I'm incapable of. This is how you survive.

And like usual, running is my top one solution to The Key To Surviving by Me.

I sprinted out.

A sigh of relief escapes past my lips. Too bad for me, the relief didn't last any longer.

My ears perk. A 'woosh' rips through the silence of the air. I clutch the arrow and squeeze it tightly in my palms as it zooms past my ear.

I look back and shout, "Whoever shot that, your aim sucks!"

I grin, enjoying the lack of boredom. Now this, my people, is what fun is.

I twist my head to look forward again. I notice the figure that stood idly in front of me too late and side step as soon as I realized, hoping for the best.

A scent enters my nostrils, leaving me entranced. It smelt like nature, an earthy smell—like after rain accompanied with lavenders. A wave of calmness washes over me almost immediately and my muscles seem to release its tension.

The figure grabs me by the wrists and pulls me towards them. Pleasurable sparks surface on my skin and I couldn't control the gasp that comes out of me.

Mate.

I raise my head to confirm and was met by the same captivating gaze that I was already starting to love. My breathing hitches and my heart rate speeds up.

I open my mouth to say something but he beats me to it.

He moves his grey eyes away from me and travels behind me, his steely gaze eyeing them in a threatening manner.

"You can leave, I'll be taking care of her from this point on," he commands them in a firm manner.

I twist my head to the side and catch a glimpse of Jerik and his cronies bowing their head in submission before scrambling to escape.

Oh, I forgot they existed.

My captor—I mean mate, let's go of my wrist and wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. A shiver travels all over my body.

"Woah," I breath out.

His gorgeous grey orbs lock with my dark brown ones and a tiny smile appears on his face. His eyes swirl with an intention that I couldn't comprehend.

"This is interesting," he mutters to himself.

"That's my line."

"Last time I checked, your name wasn't on it."

"Sucks," I retort. "Because last time I checked, you don't even know my name."

He chuckles, clearly amused. "Touché. Mind telling me your name, my love?"

My heart did a backflip.

Before replying, I adjust my hood. A habit of mine.

"Alexandria," I say under my breath.

"Alexandria," he repeats with his sultry, sedating voice.

Werewolves didn't lie when they insisted that the mate bond was strong. It took all the energy in me to not wrap my arms around him and hug the shit out of him even though I just met him.

Although, in some way, the mate bond had me frightened. I've barely met him yet the simple act of my mate calling my name sent shivers down my spine. He made me feel emotions I rarely felt. I couldn't help but think what we would be like in years.

That is if we do decide to keep each other.

I cock my head to the side, urging him to answer me. When he didn't get the message, I ask, "Your name?"

"Call me Theo."

Theo, Theo, Theo.

I open my mouth to reply but was disrupted by another voice.

"THEO!" A guy's voice shouts from behind the trees.

Soon, 4 individuals come to light. It was the same companions that came with him to the ball, I note.

I also noted that their expressions were filled with irritation and I had a feeling it had something to do with me.

Ooooh, someone's getting in trouble. I snicker at the thought.

Theo's eyes snaps to me, his lips still curved into a smirk. "What's so funny, Alexandria?"

"Nothing," I say in an attempt to suppress my short outbreak.

His friends glanced at him, then to me. They remained silent and indifferent for what seemed like forever. I shift my weight from one foot to another, not liking the stares that landed on me repeatedly.

Suddenly, the guy with curly hair and brown eyes takes a step forward. An expression of pure disgust overcomes all emotion on his face. It made me want to punch him in the face.

Suddenly, he wasn't so attractive anymore.

"Who is she?" he seethes.

Should I be offended?

Theo grins and replies, "She's my mate, Giovanni."

I raise a brow, perplexed at how he was amused by his friend's reaction.

The guy, Giovanni, runs a hand through his hair, as if he just heard the most stressful thing ever.

I scoff in disbelief.

He turns to his mate who rubs his arm in circles in an attempt to pacify him. Then, I notice their eyes turn a brighter color. I suppress a groan when the realization dawns me. I turn to Theo for confirmation. His eyes, too, were a vivid grey.

Great, they're talking shit about me behind my back. Pussies.

I cross my arms, annoyed at the waiting.

5 decades, 6 years, and 15 weeks later, their private little discussion finally ceased.

The Asian girl with the ponytail was the first to speak. "She's a rogue, Theo."

It's nice meeting you too, bitch.

Giovanni's mate, one of the twins, wore a worrisome expression. She looks at me as if I was pitiful and it almost made me double over in laughter. Me? Pitiful? Never!

Her brows furrow as she comments, "I agree with Gio and Scarlett. It happened once, we can't let it happen again. Let's not take the risk, please."

Well, fuck you too, whore.

Theo doesn't say anything and just stares at them. I could tell how he pretended to think, but his decision was already made and nothing else could change it.

Meanwhile, the woman's twin sports a dumb smile on his face. The turmoil between his pack entertained him and I agreed with him.

"Seriously?" he snorted. "Is the Beta and my dear Celestina scaredy-cats?"

Atta boy.

Giovanni glares at him. "What about Scarlett, Emilio? She's on my side, too, moron."

"Gio, you know very well that I'll be dead as meat if I ever talk smack about my mate," he retorts. Emilio's mate grabs him by the shoulders and strikes a blow to his head. K. O.! He starts to cuff the sleeves of his dress shirt as if instigating a fight.

Celestina, I figured, shouts at them to stop like it wasn't the first time it happened. The amusing couple immediately stop arguing and fix their stature.

Celestina gazes at Theo for a hot second and as if noticing my long lasting silence, she asks, "Is she not gonna talk at all?" Now that she said that, it made me not want to talk more. "Oh please! We don't need cowards in the pack, for Christ's sake!"

I kiss my middle finger at her and flash it at her.

She frowns in response, taken aback. Her mate naturally releases a low growl, despising the 'disrespect' she was given.

"I'm really not liking her, Theo," he states, making sure to emphasize every single work. Thanks, Captain Obvious!

I flip him off with my other hand and couldn't help but smirk under my hood.

I glance at Theo. His arms were crossed as he stares back at his friends with a smug expression. "Che peccato," he looks at me. "Because I'm liking her."

Well, duh, I'm your mate is what I wanted to say. However, I didn't want to waste my precious energy on talking. It is merely a weapon that comes in handy when escaping—or even better, to irritate the shit out of someone.

I copy Theo's actions by crossing my arms and lifting my chin up as if I was mocking them.

They gape at us in disbelief, refusing to believe that they'd have to tolerate me.

I was trouble and so was he. Pairing us up was a risk the Moon Goddess took. But the world needs a taste of some of its own chaos every once of a while.

Chaos is a good thing. It is fundamental.