Staring at Natalie, I couldn't comprehend if I should hit her on head so she could get back her lost sanity or should I kick her on the ass for being so mean.

"Misty?" She sniffled, looking at me. Her eyes lowered to observe my shivering self in wet clothes. "Oh! You are cold."

"So, you pretended to be hypnotized and drugged Nina and I," I asked calmly.

She nodded shakily. "It was wolfsbane—"

"You jumped off the window and continued walking towards the grounds. You ignored my screams, me calling your name, knowingly?"

Natalie blinked nervously and nodded. "I did that to—"

"You wanted to get fucked by Axel, knowingly?" I asked, not believing her words.

Natalie nodded desperately. "Misty, please try to understand. If I am destined with a Lycan, he will ruin me like a barbarian. That's what lives there beyond the borders. They are demons. If I am not a virgin, he will kill me sooner in anger. It would be best."

My eyes started burning in shock. "You planned to put yourself in front of a beastly Axel, so you could lose your virginity and save yourself from living with a Lycan?" I whispered in disbelief.

She nodded, sniffling harder. "There's no other way. I have checked the patterns. Last generation of Alpha's family had asked for the she-wolf from the Mystic Warriors. She was the mate of Alpha's son. Now, it's more than twenty years. I am sure, they are ready for another she-wolf in their family to torture and kill. And I know, it's going to be me," she sobbed. "I have that much poor luck, Misty. I know."

I gulped hard while shivering in cold. The shower's drops were everywhere and even my hair were wet.

"But no one told me this before. I thought that since you are all so afraid of Lycans, no one crosses the territory." I whispered.

She shook her head, her eyes showing anger towards her elders. "No. Just six years ago, one of our she-wolves was sent for a common Lycan there. She didn't return. No one knows what happened to her. Moon Goddess is fair though. With years, the numbers are decreasing. When during Ceremonies, centuries ago, fifty to hundred wolves were mated to different packs now it's just fifteen or twenty when it comes to us six packs. But for Lycans, it's even less. Just two or one barely."

Six years ago. 2013? I was sure, I hadn't checked the list or I would have found her name.

"What was her name? The she-wolf?"

Natalie took a shaky breathe. "Rosalie. She was Pete's friend, Misty."

My eyebrows furrowed as I nodded.

"It's all messed up and I can't do anything about it except for make myself inferior to disappoint that Lycan whoever thinks he is going to have a treat from Southern pack," she said through gritted teeth, clenching her jaws and I was sure if she said more, they would break.

Her bloodshot emerald eyes moved over my face. "Keira has Ivan, it's all clear. But Eva, she thinks she could fool us all by staying here for longer. Leo is self-esteemed which is why, he hasn't bothered to take her away forcefully. Eva thinks, she can still be father's favorite daughter by staying her and make him believe, that she will complete his and his father's dream of bringing Alpha Rucus and Luna Severa together above."

I shook my head in amazement. "I can't believe, Mom was going to let you, Eva,  Keira and even other she-wolves on the bid to go there beyond the borders. Oh my God," I groaned in disbelief. I didn't want to burst out on Mom again. I had already done so much yelling on her. "This is all ridiculous," I commented.

She lowered her eyes and turned utterly sad. But suddenly, she looked up at me with her beautiful eyes. "Did Eva tell you about my arousal?"

"Not just her," I said immediately. "Ivan too."

She clenched her jaws. "Those morons. Ivan is a fuck boy himself. And Eva, as if she doesn't go out every night to fuck him. That bitch," she muttered sobbingly. "If I am a little aroused, she goes on telling people insulting me."

I squeezed my eyes. "But you put Axel's life in danger," I pointed out, giving her a raise of my eyebrow.

Natalie flared her nostrils. "For a douche, he was having sex before dying!"

Seeing her anger, my own temper rose. "What about me!" I shouted. "You put my life in danger too. You could have just turned around and told me everything about the plan. I would have returned home and sleep peacefully in my bed instead of following you to the grounds."

"You are alive!" She spat back.

I gasped. "Oh my God, look at you! You aren't even sorry. I was hurt. You had pushed me so hard. I fell on my elbows and knees. I cried in the middle of night, tried to howl so anyone could come there to save us from Axel. And you! You just wanted your mean motive fulfilled!"

Natalie stared at me with stunned face. "You still don't understand that I was helpless. Do you?"

I couldn't believe her behaviour. "Why can't you just go to your oh-so-sweet father and tell him that you don't want to go there?"

"Because I can't," she cried angrily. "Okay! I can't. It's insulting to tell my father that I am not the daughter a great Alpha like him has raised. I am not daring and fearless like Eva. I am not patriotic and kind like Keira. I am what I am. A child inside. I have dreams, Misty. I want to live a happy life. I don't want to live on a brink of painful death."

"I am sure, there must have been another away than putting mine and Axel's life in danger," I said desperately. "I could have gotten killed if you weren't on time at pushing me away. You haven't even shifted yet."

She gulped hard. "Axel is a burden on this planet for me. While you? You are alive. I saved you. That should be mattered. Not what didn't happen."

My hands turned into fist as I shuddered hard in cold. "Wow! You are a mean bitch, I didn't know."

Natalie's lips quivered as she looked at me. "Easy for you to say. You have lived in the city, in modernisation, away from all this werewolf shit. You don't know what females here go through. You should be glad, you just have a Grandmother who loves you and expect nothing in return but a good life for you. Here, my whole family, my whole pack will ask me to cross that territory in patriotism, in love for my father's respect that I have to maintain. You'll be gone the third night while I'll be doomed the next."

"You don't know how I have lived back there in the city," I muttered through clenched jaws, my eyes turning glossy. "At least, you could have just apologized to me for putting my life in danger rather than telling me that I am at any advantage."

She ignored my words and turned off the taps and showers. Opening the bolt, she gave me a last look before opening the door. "You have always been on advantage by being a human daughter to our mother, Misty. Remember that."

My face ached from the control I was putting on my tears.

"Leave my room this instant and don't dare talk to me again," I told her.

A tear leaked from her eye and she followed my words without any hesitation.

* * * *

It wasn't like I didn't know about it all before.

I had discussed it with Stephen when he had explained about what was happening with the she-wolves here. But I hadn't realized that being a Lycan's mate was that deadly. Enough to scare Natalie to the core that she chose getting raped and suicide, all of that over being a Lycan's mate.

My mind was blown, actually.

I hadn't thought how that sweet looking Natalie could be this wicked and clever. Now, I had started to secretly sympathize with Axel on how he was getting infuriated over her mere mention. He was telling the truth when he was blaming it all on her.

She was the one who got there to attract him.

I shut my eyes and focused on the dinner. There was no meat tonight. So, no real arguments followed thankfully from Mom's side. Uncle Robert was in good mood. Even, to my surprise, Eva and Ivan showed up and sat like nothing had really happened.

"Ten days to go for the ceremony," said Beta Iago while looking around.

Gilbert didn't move and listened quietly like everyone else.

"Only after six years, we get this chance. Within these ten days, we have to make sure of each arrangement of every necessity, every facility we are going to give to our guests. We are supposed to make sure that whoever leaves our pack's, goes with bundle of sweet memories and praises for us during the farewell," said Beta Iago making Uncle Robert nod.

"Common wolves meet their far relatives and it is for us to avoid any kind of argument, any scene that can insult our pack or beliefs," he added, making Aunt Kate smile in admiration. "We have to be high spirited and make this Ceremony memorable. The ones who will find their mates, must be given full support, care and cheers. This is our festival and we are to celebrate it with all the joy."

I looked at Ivan when I felt his eyes continuously towards our side. On my left, it was Eva. On right, Natalie. But when I looked up at him, he was stealing glances on Keira who was seated in Natalie's right and was extremely busy in eating her food.

Eva wasn't really moving and eating like she didn't want to. Natalie had that anger from our conversation on her nose in my sight. But for everyone else, she still had that sweet looking face on.

I looked away from Ivan and focused on my food. Just then, Mom began talking. "As we are aware that our males are in lesser numbers comparing to our females if we talk about the young population. It is necessary that we all take care of our morales and enhance integrity. Any weakness or mistake from us is an entertaining topic for the other pack," she said, looking at each of us.

"I don't want any weakness or mistake from you wolves. I want your best loyalties and confidence. I want my each she-wolf to be bold and beautiful, being inspiration to the she-wolves of the other packs on Ceremony nights. I want my each male to be savage and equally kind, prideful and equally down to earth," she said, giving everyone the dead look. Everyone had stopped eating to nod at her.

"There should only be smiled and laughter all around. And if I see tears, they should only be of joy when our she-wolves will go to their mate's packs. When our males will find their mates, growing our pack," she said, while Natalie beside me stiffened.

I looked at Pete and only felt myself pitying his exhausted face. Plus, he wasn't even looking confident at listening to Mom's words. I knew that even now, he was thinking about that rabbit and his own confusion.

As if Gilbert had heard my thoughts, he spoke up. "About the problems with our males, I have this whole list of twenty eight males complaining about the confusion they are suffering in confirming about their mates."

Ivan stopped eating and started staring at the table while clenching his jaws. Keira, on the other hand continued eating as if she didn't even care about all these speeches, her face blank. I could understand it all. She was uncomfortable. Or maybe. . .

The mate bond had started working its way on her.

She wasn't even breathing, I could see from my peripheral vision.

Gilbert wiped his cheek and beard while intertwining his fingers. "The last I had heard about something like this was from Pete himself, two years ago."

My eyes squinted in shock. I looked at him and he was only staring at the table, deep in thought but not looking upset anymore. He looked alert.

"I have had the conversation about this subject with the elders during my visit to the high mountains recently. And they only smiled in return," said Gilbert while looking around. "Same phenomenon happened when I was to become the Alpha. My emotions were affecting the males of my pack."

Aunt Kate smiled while my mother had started sulking.

"Pete's emotions are affecting the males of our pack. This is the time when the energy around the pack supports the environment. The air knows that a new Alpha is being ready for his title. The air helps around by forcing the pack to follow its Alpha. It's the bond we have with each member of this pack," explained Gilbert while narrowing his eyes. "Ceremony is here only. Pete would find his mate, and so will these confused males too who have mates in this pack only."

I cleared my throat, trying to control not to interrupt him because I had something to say.

But Gilbert was aware of my wish. To everyone's surprise, he said, "Those who have any doubts can talk."

I sucked in my cheeks and raised my gaze to meet his eyes. He was waiting for me to speak. "Those males are just confused about only one female. That hint is enough that she is the mate," I spoke, afraid of mentioning Ivan or Keira, to not infuriate any of them.

Kill me. I didn't want to talk to him. But putting my opinion mattered more to me at the moment.

Gilbert scoffed mildly. "Good point. But sadly, they don't have confusion about one female only."

Here, I go. Sorry, Keira.

"But Ivan had doubt about one, A. . ." I stopped myself before I could mention Axel's name too.

Nirvan laughed in defence of his brother. "I wish, it was that way, Misty. But someone really doesn't want our pack to grow. The prayers against us are being fulfilled."

Uncle Robert looked at me. "Pete is confused because, well, someone doesn't want him to find his mate. But we are here for him and he is here too for himself. He is our future King and it's common for him to earn enemies already," smiled the Uncle, spreading positivity.

I nodded. "But he too must have confusion about just one scent. Right?"

Gilbert gave me an amused look while Pete cleared my doubt.

"I have the doubt on just one, Misty. Same happened with Ivan and is happening with Axel, or Miku," explained Pete, politely.

I shook my head and sighed.

"But Thomas turned out to be confused for two different scents during his recent visit to the pack," he added

My mouth opened in shock. Thomas wasn't even raising his eyes in embarrassment.

I looked around only to catch Mom sighing in exhaustion and Gilbert, giving me a blank look.

* * * *

"You have been confused about this smell from last two years," I asked Pete in shock as he was hammering the bolt of the window. It wasn't closing from last two nights because of being jam and it was bringing chilly winds inside my room.

"Misty, quiet. No one else knows what you and Stephen know," he said, hammering again. "And not from two years. Just a day that was two-year-ago. In between, not even a single day."

I blinked at each hit and asked, "Okay. But your father knows about it and you said that it's just one scent."

I gasped in shock.

"Holy Moly." I stared at him in disbelief as he shut the window, spread the curtains and turned around to give me the nod I needed. "You have smelled this female Ly. . . "He gave me the dead eye immediately to shut my mouth. I skipped the word. ". . . Two years ago too?"

"It's true." He said, flaring his nostrils and all his cover of looking strong and unaffected went down. A vulnerable Pete was exposed.

I shook my head. "It can't be. You can't just ignore that fact for two years. It's like you are doing the same to her what Ivan did to Keira except you are all clean."

He nodded sadly. "It could be my illusions, Misty. Maybe, this she-wolf is from one of the other five packs. I just can't point out which pack it is because she isn't crossing need again."

"But you smelled her scent on the rabbit that night," I said, looking at him clenching his jaws.

Pete took a breathe and took a look of my room. "If there's anything else that needs improvement, let me know. Good night, Misty."

I opened my mouth to stop him but he had already left.

________

"What do you think?"

Please vote and comment.

_____