Chapter two

I was so shocked that I didn't even see someone behind him. By the time I recovered, there was a group of men and women around us already, murmuring among themselves as if watching a show.

But I wasn't focused on them. My gaze was still stuck at the hand that had gripped my wrist tightly. I wanted to snatch my hand, but this person was just too strong. And the problem was, I couldn't even say a thing due to immense fear and nervousness. Every time this guy glanced at me, a chill was sent down my spine!

Then I just took a few deep breaths and stood there, lowering my head. My hair fell on my face blocking the faces of the crowd. At least, by blocking them, I could feel a little at ease.

But who knew that Aiden just didn't want to let me go?! He turned behind without any intention of leaving my hand and said to the person behind him, who was also famous—Aiden's Beta Stride, Ethan. He had gold rimmed glasses that had slipped on the middle part of his nose. The man's his black hair fell on his eyes and pushed up his glasses, gazing coldly at me. That was when Aiden parted his lips and said in a rough voice, 'Take her to my marquee.'

I wanted to protest, but the confidence within me was so low that I couldn't even lift my head and dare to see this person's face. I just lowered my head and stared at the black boots that both of them were wearing.

Ethan didn't refute, although his gaze had a trace of disdain when he glanced at me. I pretended I didn't see that and pressed my lips in a thin line. I could still hear people around me talking, and for a while, I wished that I was deaf.

'Aiden chose Bella? What a fated couple.'

'Right? Who would have thought that this murderer would end up choosing another crazy person. She's from the town after all!'

'Everyone from the town is weird. Look at how silent she has been from the start! As if she doesn't even have a voice!'

'Seriously, if she hadn't spoken at the entrance, I would have thought she was deaf.'

I still didn't understand why people from the pack would have such thoughts about the werewolves from the town. The rumors circulated included words like 'werewolves living in the town are servants of humans!' Some of these people would also bully the town werewolves saying they were just teaching them a lesson about how you should look down upon humans, not become their servants.

But these rumors are just famous among a few ladies. Not everyone thought of the town werewolves as crazy people anymore.

'What're you guys saying? Look at her face. It's so pale that she is almost about to faint due to fear. She's afraid!' Someone actually defended me! A hint of gratitude bloomed in my heart.

But I didn't get to hear the reply as the person behind Aiden grabbed my hands roughly and dragged me outside. The entire time, I didn't have enough confidence in me to see where we were going. I kept my head lower, simply walking faster as Ethan took large strides. He pushed me inside and locked the marquee from the outside.

I stumbled inside and fell on the floor, but I didn't have any intention to get up. I couldn't! When I remembered those dark eyes that stared at me so intensely, I couldn't help but feel a chill down my spine. My knees went soft as I curled up in a corner, trembling.

Why me? What did I do?

Aiden was a cruel person according to the rumors. The only thing known to people among werewolves was that his mother was a Luna, and he had killed her one night brutally! At that time, even his father wasn't alive, and Luna was the only person handling the Endoro Pack, the name of the Southern pack of werewolves. So when Luna was killed, the person who automatically became Alpha was Aiden. No one could even go against him back then, and even when they tried, Aiden made sure to punish those people.

After that, all the factions that tried to take down the teenager Aiden dissolved immediately and the Alpha became famous for being cruel and ruthless.

Remembering that, I couldn't help but shiver.

Just then, someone opened the door to the marquee and entered. Who would be other than Aiden? I slowly stood up and took a few steps back. My pale face was still staring at him with constricted pupils.

When this guy saw my frightened attitude, a trace of amusement appeared in his eyes. 'Are you afraid?'

'I-I...I…' I wanted to say more than just one word, hopefully something like, 'let me go you crazy person!' But Aiden's presence frightened me so much that I couldn't help but gulo every time I said a word.

Aiden let out a chuckle, and raised his hand. His fingers caressed my cheeks. I felt the warmth from his fingers, but this touch didn't make me feel calm in any way! Instead, I just trembled even more!

'You're really interesting.' He chuckled again and continued to stare at me as if this person was a child that had just obtained his favorite play.

'Le-Let me g-go…' I said in a trembling voice.

'If I had any intention of letting you go, I wouldn't have called you here.' Then he stepped back and stood a good distance away, putting his hand out. 'Let's shake hands first since we're strangers.'

I was stunned seeing that. When I had entered this room, I had imagined all sorts of things happening to me including rape and murder. But little did I imagine that the guy who was famous for being a cruel and ruthless person would want to shake hands with me.

Before I could think more about it, my body reacted automatically as if obedient to this person's command. My hand automatically went forward, slipping into his. He gripped my hand and shook before gently letting go. This action stunned me so much that I thought I was dreaming.

When Aiden saw my expression, he laughed and said, 'Your thoughts are basically written on your face.'

After a while, I was about to calm down. I finally had enough confidence to open my mouth and say something without stuttering a bit. 'Why am I here?'

'I'm 25 this year, and that means this is my last chance for finding a mate.' I didn't like where this conversation was going. Why was he suddenly talking about mates? Although I had a hunch that this guy wanted me to be his mate, I didn't want to accept this at all! But who knew he could be so blunt? 'And I want you to be my mate.'

Did I have any freedom to reject? Nope. Everyone saw me coming here. So I'm basically branded by this guy. I pressed my lips in a thin line and said, 'Why me?'

'Because you aren't like those gossip girls or the greedy ladies who would do anything to be chosen by an Alpha. You seem to be naturally obedient, and even afraid of me. I think you're the best candidate to be my mate!'