I shake my head vigorously and try escaping Linkin's grasp.

"Come on Lorenzo, what if you meet your mate? Maybe she'll finally get you to talk."

I know for a fact that my mate won't be there.

"Please, lil bro?" Linkin pleads.

I shake my head again. I don't fit in with the other wolves, I'll just be a burden to Linkin.

"I promise no one will do or say anything to you. You have me by your side." Linkin places a hand on my shoulder.

"I want you to be the first person I introduce my mate to."

I look up at him and a new feeling stirs within me. Am I that important to Linkin? So important that I'll be the first person he introduces his mate to?

I slowly give him a nod. I can't disappoint the only brother figure and friend I've had for the past 13 years.

"Is that a yes?"

I nod again. This time more firmly.

"Aye bro!" He gets up and throws a towel at my face.

"Get dressed, party starts in less than an hour and it's on No man's land."

I reluctantly get up and take a shower and wear something similar to Linkin.

I reach out for my hoodie, but Linkin yanks it out of my grasp.

"This shit doesn't look good on you anymore. You're not an emo kid, you're a strong wolf who's going to meet and woo his mate."

Ford growls in approval of Linkin's statement.

We both dart downstairs and hug Aramina goodbye.

"Have fun boys, don't be back too late."

I see her. She looks gorgeous, too gorgeous.

She dyed her hair white and tanned her skin, in hopes that other wolves don't recognize her.

But I do.

I'd recognize her anywhere. She's my mate, my soul bound and there's nothing I wouldn't do for her. Not that I can do much, but I'll offer everything I have.

"Hey there, handsome. Wanna dance?" A black haired bimbo asks me and twirls her hair with her finger.

Skinny, shorter-than-an-inchworm skirt and a bandeu top.

Josalina Roberts aka one of my high school tormentors.

She may be a slut, but she is undeniably beautiful. If only she had friends who were actually a good influence.

She clutches my arm with her claws. Well, not claws, but her nails are long enough to be classified as a weapon.

I growl at her, making her jump and get the message to leave me alone.

"Man, I've never seen a guy pass up Josalina like that." A wolf on my left says. I think his name is Tristan.

"Dude, you gay or something?"

A growl erupts from Linkin this time.

"Don't talk to my brother like that."

"Okay, was just jokin." Tristan says and rubs the back of his neck.

I move away from the crowd, shove my hands into the pockets of my black jeans and lean on a tree. Should I speak to her? It's been so long since I spoke I don't think I can.

I attempt to say 'hi' but end up sounding like a frog croaking for the first time.

I sigh in frustration. What will I even say!?

Try harder! Mate has to hear our voice!

Screw it.

I shove my way through the dancing mob with only one thing on my mind. Chloe.

I walk towards the head of white hair, looking as flawless and elegant as always. My heartbeat picks up as her unique scent fills my lungs.

She whips around, coming towards my direction.

Can she smell me? Can she see me?

I hope I don't look bad. This t-shirt is uncomfortably tight fitting.

My heart freezes as she turns around and runs in the opposite direction. Is she running away from me?

Is she going to reject me?

All logic and sensible thinking flies out the window as I run after her. I don't care if I get rejected, all I want is to have her in my arms just once. I roughly shove anything and anyone in my way.

Thanks, Storm.

She crumples to the floor and lets out a groan of pain. I instinctively run in front of her.

Her form is grotesque and looks painful. Sharp claws longer than a foot extended from the sleeves of her near-ripping jacket. Her grey fur sprouts out from underneath her clothes and cause her jeans to tear. Razor canines extend all the way down to her chin, cutting her skin in the process.

She is about to shift!

Help mate stupid human!

Not knowing what to do, I stand close enough to touch her, but I decide against it. She's still my Alpha.

She visibly calms down and her body returns back to human form. She is still on her hands and knees.

As if finally noticing the position she's in, she bolts up and tries sprinting away, but ends up crashing into me.

I gently steady her and wrap my arms around her small waist. Pleasurable tingles dance below my skin as I embrace her.

Come on. I have to say something, anything. I brush some stray hairs out of her face and use all the energy in my body to say two words I've been aching to say everyday.

"So beautiful."

My voice comes out much much deeper than I expect it to and it feels weird to speak after so long. My throat feels raspy and rough.

I cringe, hoping she doesn't laugh at my pathetic voice.

Her beautiful blue eyes that seem to glow in the moonlight stare into my own as she raises her head.

No.

I can't accept him as my mate right now. I can't put his life at risk. That would be selfish.

What are you going to do?

Should I reject him?

No idiot! That'll kill me!

Right. Not even my wolf can help me out of this one. What do I do?

A loud squeal snatches my head out of my thoughts and back to reality.

A group of she-wolves stood nearby. And they all gape at me.

"Is that the Alpha princess?" One of them shrieks.

"Of course it is, dumbass. Show respect."

They all bow to me.

"I honestly couldn't care less that I'm the crown princess, just don't tell anyone you saw me here." I say to them with pleading eyes.

I turn back to Lorenzo who is still staring at me. I let out a sigh. "Lorenzo, please don't tell anyone we're mates. Please. This isn't easy for either of us, but I'm doing it for your protection."

I don't miss the confusion and hurt that is clearly evident in his rainstorm orbs.

"I'm sorry."

I don't know what else to do than to walk away. My wolf howls for her mate, but I try to reassure her that the sooner Kenneth is defeated, the sooner we can introduce our mate as the new King.

I turn around and look back at Lorenzo. He still stands where I left him, motionless.

"Chloe! Where are you going?"

I stop running and glance at the four year old Lorenzo who wore a heartbroken expression. He hadn't been himself since his parents, Gammas Trent and Kamilla died mysteriously a few months ago. It wasn't usual to hear him talking.

"Chloe, please don't leave." He begs me.

"I'm sorry Lori. I'm so sorry." I pull him into a hug.

"Pinkie swear you'll come back for me?"

I take his pinky finger and lock it with mine.

"I swear, Lori. You're my best friend, I'll always come back for you. I just can't stay now."

"You're my only friend, Chloe. I don't wanna be alone now." Tears stream down his face. His grey eyes are sad, and look like rain clouds.

I start crying too. But I wanna go away, this place isn't safe for me anymore. I get an idea.

"Come with me Lori. We'll always be together then!" I tug his hand.

He shakes his head and yanks his arm away from me.

"Just go Chloe. Like everyone else did."

He gives me a look of sadness and it makes me feel worse that I am the cause of his pain and tears.

A single tear slides down my cheek as I remember the gruesome event that shatters my heart more.

But it's for the better.

I have to protect my kind. I have to protect my mate. And this is the only way how.

I didn't feel like partying anymore, so I decide to let Anastasia and Kella know that I'm leaving.

I take off into the forest after shifting into my wolf. I run as fast as I could, gliding past trees and foliage, into the direction of my pack with a heavy heart.

I finally reach the pack borders in what felt like two minutes. I quickly shift back to human form and pull on my spandex vest and jeans.

I enter the castle using the North wing entrance, the farthest from Mia's bedchambers so I don't wake her.

As I ascend the stairs, an unfamiliar scent engulfs me. I climb up the stairs to find a woman sitting on a couch on our second floor.

Her skin was a soft brown colour identical to Mia's. Her eyes are brown in colour and her plump lips are in a very wide smile. Her natural curls swirl around in a cloud around her head and her red cloak clings to her like a second skin.

My eyes widen.

She's Mia's sister and mated to Kenneth.

"Come on. Is that a way to greet your aunt?" She says with a grin.