She groaned fluttering her eyes a bit. Her neck hurt a lot. She couldn't control herself and yelped. Where was she? Why did it hurt so much?

Flashback (Mate hunt)

Aira Pov

"Aira, are you sure? " Kevin asked for the n th time. He had this feeling that something wrong was going to happen that's why he didn't want me to go. I really didn't want to go. But, I knew that Hriday will have to face the consequences.

Seeing him being worried about me so much made my heart flutter for him even more. I loved him so much and I don't even know what I did to deserve him.

I clutched his hands in mine. I was sure that I was blushing at this. My stupid heart beats so much around I fear that he might hear it and runaway thinking I am a werewolf. I looked his eyes which sparkled of love pretty much like mine did. His smile still held a small smile which made me content.

"I love you" I said kissing him on his cheek. He hugged me tightly and if possible I returned it squeezing him as much as I could. Even though I reached his shoulder. I loved to place my heart on his chest. He pulled away and smiled at me warmly before pecking my lips.

"I love you more " he whispered with his forehead on mine. The sparks he makes me feel, I don't think I'll ever feel them with someone else. He is the only person I love. Only him.

We parted our ways and I made my way to the small room of my brother. I saw him sleeping on the small bed. His legs dangled in air. I couldn't afford a new bed and this bed wasn't enough for him. He had complained to me once about it but as he slowly understood our condition. He stopped asking for things. Even though he is my brother. He is more like a son to me now. I feel motherly instincts towards him.

I didn't want to wake him up. He would be anxious and worried about me. I dont want that. No child should worry if there family will come home alive or not. He'll cry for me to stay home and that'll make it harder for me to go.

I slowly untangled myself from him. Kissing his cheeks. I wore the white cloak that was given to me. I put on a lot of deodorant. I kissed Kevin and with a smile I looked at my small house before bidding bye to him.

--

We reached to Corbett National Park. I remember my parents working really hard for a year. So, that they could arrange money for this trip of mine. But, today what I see isn't what I saw back then. It's changed. Everything is changed.

How could in a blink of eye I could go from a 14 year feisty teenager to a mere human slave to beasts?

Time passed I heard distinct chatters of some 14 year old girls who were scared but it was followed by a loud growl by beta Ardhansh which was enough for the girl to silence their anxiety. I just stood clueless just like 99 other girls. We did as they said.

What scared me was, they wrote down the name of our family members which would bare the punishment if we tried to escape. It made my heart pound. Why would my little 7 year old brother bare the punishment.

This was enough for me to remove all the ideas of escaping. As we were assigned a tree. I was growing a little anxious. Maybe, I wasn't scared at first because I couldn't imagine being a mate to Alpha king. But, as beta Ardhansh tied my legs with the chain and cuffed my hands to the tree. I realised that there is a chance I could be mate to the beast.

My heart was now beating fast. To distract myself I didn't look up the entire time. I just thought about Kevin my love. The smile on his face, the tight hug he would give me when I return home. My Hriday the way he would whine about how scared he was. I would kiss his cheek and tell him to never be afraid and that I would never leave him.

A loud growl was heard from my right. My heart stopped for a moment. I had heard the beasts growl it wasn't uncommon but this was the hardest and the most masculine growl I had heard. He must be huge too. My heart cried for the girl who would be his mate.

There were many growls in the next hour. I was growing tired. I wanted to sit on the ground but the chains won't allow me. I hadn't eaten anything since morning. I get only two meals by working. I generally save up a part from it for the breakfast. But, last night, Kevin was hungry so I gave him what I had saved. He asked me several times if I wanted it but I denied. I just wanted to see him satisfied. His moan after eating made me happy.

But, now my stomach was making noises. I wasn't sure if anyone else could hear it. Suddenly, I felt a aura. The beast's aura. I just looked down at my feet. His aura was cold and dominating. Even if I wanted to see his huge, bulky frame to cure my curiosity. I continued to stare down. I was just playing with the mud with my feet when I felt my chain being yanked away. I gasped loudly and before I could process anything I was engulfed in a tight hug. A very tight hug. I couldn't breathe. When, I tried to move away the last thing I knew was something ripping my neck off and me screaming out loud before everything went black.

Flashback over

She looked at the ceiling which had a huge chandelier. She didn't know where she was. She just remembered passing out due to the pain in her neck. Her neck felt very stiff. Observing the room. She let out a gasp.

She shook her head "This can't happen "

"Mate hurt! " Lucifer was growling on anger and even I was worried. I didn't think at that time. My primal instincts took over me and dare I say I regret it. I don't regret marking her at all. She is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I am so lucky to have her as my mate.

But, I don't want other males staring at my mate. She is only mine to look for. It's good that I marked her now everyone knows that she is mine.

"Ours" Lucifer snarled and I nodded. He had been asking me to shift so that he could spend time with her but, when I saw her. Her eyes were closed I panicked.

I quickly picked her up like she was my baby. She is so tiny. Despite the situation. I can't help but fall in love with her even more. I love her so much. She is so beautiful. I need to protect her from everyone else. I looked and saw beta staring at us. I growled giving a warning. He quickly put his head down.

I gritted my teeth. No one should see her. She is so beautiful. No one deserves to look at her. Only me. I quickly took her to the nearest pack house.

I held her tightly to my chest. Why did she faint? She is so fragile. Just a little touch can harm her. But, I won't let anyone harm her. She needs to be with me all the time.

I quickly laid her down on the bed. I still didn't let go her hand. I looked around and saw a male human entering the room. The next moment he was out of the room by my kick.

How dare he come in? Did he want to see my beautiful mate? Want to touch her? She is mine. Only mine.

"Kill him. Go to mate"

Without thinking twice I shot in his head and he later lifeless. I looked at the mess on the floor and growled. My beautiful mate can see this mess. She should only see good things not this.

I mind linked the guard to clean the mess and went back to my mate. Only a few seconds I was away but I felt so empty without my mate. I kissed her face. I kissed her button nose. Her big doe eyes, her pale cheeks , her forehead and her lips.

I kept on sucking on her sweet lips. Her lips taste so sweet. I could kiss her all the time. I feel her breath getting heavy and I pull away. She needs practice. My innocent mate. She can't even kiss for 2 minutes. I will teach her. I kissed her hands.

Wake up soon mate! How much will you sleep? We have so much to do! I have to claim you, mark you, pup you.

My chains of thought were broken by a hand on the wrist of my mate. My eyes grew dark. Lucifer took over me.

He yanked the hand and looked at the male who dared to touch our mate. Without thinking twice. He grabbed the male's neck and the human was now hanging in the air gasping for breath.

"How you touch our mate? " Lucifer snarled.

In a minute the human was left lifeless on the floor. I took over now kicked away his body. I have to do so much now. I have to protect my mate.

I wished she was awake, she would know how much I loved her and how she needed me to protect her.

"See, mate. I killed him. You don't worry. Whoever will look at you. I will snap there necks. I will protect you mate. I love you Mate" I said kissing her sweet lips again. They were intoxicating. They were my new addiction. Fortunately, I could taste them whenever I want.

"Beta we need talk " I mind linked in a cold, dominant voice.

"Sleep mate. I will come back. I need to tell Beta who you are and remind him the consequences of his mistakes. You don't worry mate. You don't have to worry about anything. I will do everything for us. You just have to love me and be a mother to our pups. Now sleep mate. " he said smiling creepily staring at her and kissing his mark.

---

Aira's took in a sharp breathe. She didn't want to admit this but, she knew what was happening. Her hands were trembling and she was sweating.

"I have to go away" she muttered scared. That's when she saw the door. She walked to it with shaky steps. She could barely walk. She was so scared. All she wanted was to go home, hug Kevin tight and let him calm her saying it was a nightmare.

She opened the door knob. The scene in front of her made her stomach churned. She gulped in fear. Beta Ardhansh was shot in his hand and blood was flowing through it. He laid on the floor now almost unconscious and the beast stood with his leg crushing the beta's leg.

She couldn't see it anymore and a sob escaped her mouth. The beast turned towards her and his lips which were pursed in thin line now formed a grin. His legs were bloodied. He wiped his bloodied hands on the shirt. He smiled at her and walked towards her. Aira couldn't believe what she was seeing he looked like a complete psychopath to her. She was stilled on the ground. She couldn't move. She didn't understand what was happening.

But, when she processed the situation. Her eyes widen. She had to run she told herself. But, before she could take a second step away. She was yanked back by the beast. The beast who had a wide smile on his face and his eyes filled with adoration but his hands and legs covered in blood.

"Don't cry mate. You are safe. See, beta got his punishment. Why are you crying. You are here with me. I am your mate. I'll protect you" he said with a creepy smile on his face as he cupped her face. She shook her head sobbing at his psychic behavior.

"D.. Don't... T.. T.. Touch... M.. Me" she stuttered hiccuping as his face was just inches away from her. His eyes changed to dark and his hold on her face became tight. He growled loudly.

"I will touch you because I own you. You are my mate. Don't deny my affection mate. You'll never deny my affection"

----

-Neets