I beelined towards the exit, letting my hair fall over my face, acting as a curtain so that people could not see my red eyes. I walked through the empty hallways, not caring where I was going. Only the sound of my heels clicking could be heard and I turned down my sensitive hearing so that I would not hear the music.

I kept taking random turns and before I realised, I reached one of the outdoor gardens of the palace. The night was cold and the sky was dark blue with only a few stars here and there. The moon was not really visible, making the night even darker. The cold wind felt like several cold needles poking my skin.

The garden was empty as everybody was inside, enjoying themselves. The garden was illuminated with a few lanterns here and there and much to my dismay, the flowers were visible and even had a glow to them. In the middle of the garden, there was a beautiful pond filled with fishes. Fireflies surrounded the pond, making it look magical.

I took my heels off, held them in my hand and made my way to a rock at the edge of the pond and sat on it. I sighed and stared in the water. My solemn expression contrasted the beautiful fishes swimming around in the clear water as if they were playing with each other, care free and unbothered. I closed my eyes to try to keep my emotions at bay but a single tear betrayed me as it rolled down my cheeks to my jaw, finally falling on my dress.

Don't cry. You said you won't let their words get to you.

I know. I am just...... overwhelmed. The sudden change in life has left me as a mess. First the incident of dinner, completely broke me. Then learning I am supposed to help then but how can I? All they do is insult me. Then came the attack. They did not even bother to at least tell guards to protect me. Then at breakfast, they created another scene. Again at the meeting, they had to say things about me. Finally at the party. They literally told me how they regret that I was born. Each opportunity they get, they have to break me. I am tired of them. They hate me. There is not even one part of them that like me.

All of this hate for what? For something I did not even do!!!

It was not your fault Lizzie. It was an accident. Your grandmother forgave you about it and she was the one most affected. So, it did not have anything to do. And you are not worthless and they are lucky that you were born here. They don't realise it. And you also saw how you managed to convince those leaders. You are way better and stronger than them.

Thanks Cresent. I am so glad that you are my wolf

I know. I am something to be proud of.

I laughed a bit. If ever they ask me to forgive them should I do it?

She stayed quiet and contemplated . I don't know. You make the choice.

I don't know what I would so. Sometimes I think even if they realised it, it is late. Other times I think I should give them a chance. But then again, I gave them many chances. Like trying to get in contact with them from school or even inviting them to my graduation which they obviously did not come too. So I think that I should not really forgive them............

But?

But............. they are my family. The people who brought me in this world. BUT! They regret it. They regret that I was born. They regret that I am their daughter.

By the time I was thinking all of this, I did not even realise that the tears kept falling freely and I accidentally let out some small sobs.

Take your time to think. I will always support you but I do hope you take the right decision.

Hmm.

I rolled my sleeves of my left hand and looked at the tattoo on my inner wrist I hade gotten myself a few days after shifting for the first time and I know I was underage and all but I managed to get it done. It was a beautiful black wolf with a crescent moon. I made the eyes especially silver.

The tattoo always reminded me that I was no longer alone but I had Cresent by my side. She had always supported me during my lowest times.

I also have another tattoo behind my ear. It was just cresent moon with some lines and other small details to it. I have one under my collar bone consisting of a heartbeat line, ending with my name. The last one is on my ankle. It is an angel wing.

By the way last time I asked you about what grandmother meant by Just like a leader but you did not answer. Do you know it?

Cresent?

Don't tell me you left again.

Cresent!

Mate! Mate!

Huh?

At the very moment, I felt a strong presence around me. A powerful aura was all over the place. I wiped my tears away and turned around only to find a pair of blue eyes staring right into mine. Alexander stood a few feet away from me. I guess I was too absorbed in my conversation with Cresent that I did not realise when he came. Even in the dark, he looked devilishly handsome. The lanterns and fireflies around him, made him look like a god with a magical glow to him.

He was dressed differently compared to when he came to the meeting. He was wearing black jeans, a black shirt and a blazer on top. He had his hands in the front pocket of his jeans. He looked so sexy and smoking hot unlike me who had red, puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks.

First he catches me drooling over him and now he sees me like a crying mess. It's not fair!

At least I did not wear makeup or else it would be smudged all around my eyes and I would look like a freaking panda. We stared in each others eyes for a few minutes and I felt shivers run down my spine.

If only his gaze makes me feel like this, I wonder how his touches feel

*cough cough*

I was the one to look away as I could not stand being under his heated gaze for anytime longer or I would be a puddle of Analise on the ground right now. I turned back to look in the pond "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." His deep velvety voice sent a shiver down my spine. I heard him take a few steps closer to me and I saw his reflection in the water, standing behind me.

"It was getting hot inside and I needed some fresh air." I shrugged and hoped he did not really see me crying.

He hummed in response.

Why did you not tell him? He would have taught those bitches a lesson and might even sent them to hell since he must have connections right? He is a demon after all and that too the king.

I know he is our mate but I have not spent time with him at all and also I don't want to tell him that part because he will ask the reason of why they hate me. Then I would have to tell him what happened and he would probably start hating me.

He is our mate. He will not hate us

You never know. Your family is not supposed to hate you either but mine still does. I am not going to take any chances.

I saw his expression in the water and he seemed to be hesitating a bit. I knew something bad was going to happen because I am way to familiar with these facial expressions now. I braced myself for the worst. "You have something to say?"

Our eyes met in the water and he finally sighed before speaking. "I know that we are mates and you know it too." He stopped as if thinking on how to say his next words. "Can you not tell anyone that we are mates?"

At that very moment I felt like my heart nearly stopped. Cresent whimpered a bit. The goddess really hates me. First my family does not want me and now my own mate. Thank god I did not tell him about my past.

I did not know how to react. I just looked at his reflection. As time passed by, I knew he was not joking. "Why?" It came out as a whisper and I hated it. It made me look weak and like those wolves who can't live without their mates.

"Just don't tell anyone that we are mates." He said and left.

Wow. I don't even deserve an explanation of why my mate does not want me.

But- he did not reject us. So he may still want us

Look Cresent, I know you are the one who is hurt the most but if he does not want us, he can leave. We have been through worse than this and we are strong. I won't let a man break me more than I already am. As long as he does not give me a valid explanation, I am not going to care about him. I don't need a man. I have you and that's all I need. I will do my best to keep you happy too.

Thanks Lizzie. I am so glad I am your wolf

Just like you said, you should be. I am wonderful after all.

She rolled her eyes. Do you think he will tell people that we are mates one day?

I don't know. I just hope that he has a reason because I don't want an asshole who is going to keep me waiting and sad while he lives his life out there.

You are right.

Wiping my face once again, I took my heels in my hands and got up. I did not return to the party but instead I went straight to my room and tried to get my head of these things by watching some shows on my laptop.