THE CURSE OF THE FIFTH MATE

Something bad was going to happen. Or at least that's what I felt when I stepped into the large field that was being used to host the blood moon festival.

"I didn't think she would show up to this."

"Isn't this a sacred ceremony? Should she be here?"

I heard whispers from my pack members as I walked through the crowd. Even though they whispered the words, they knew I could hear them. They didn't care.

I had been isolated my whole life. Well, since I was five and both of my parents died at least.

Everyone believed I killed my parents because I was found in the pool of their blood. I was five and had just woken up to find my parents murdered in their own cold blood. I only tried to wake them up when someone walked in and accused me of doing it. Everyone else followed suit.

But from how mangled their bodies were, they definitely knew deep down that a five year old couldn't have done that. Especially one who wasn't born with a wolf.

I soon figured that they hated me more because I didn't have a wolf than because of the suspicions of me killing my parents.

"What are you doing here?" Alpha Damon, the alpha of my pack, asked as he pulled me aside. "You know this is a special night for this pack since we're hosting for the first time in a long time."

"I thought everyone was supposed to be in attendance..." My voice turned into a whisper when I saw the glare he sent my way.

"You should know that was just a formality in the announcement. You've isolated yourself already. Why come out now?"

"I can go back home, Alpha Damon," I offered, looking down at my feet. I could feel people from my pack and other packs looking our way and wondering what the problem was.

"You don't have to. You made it all the way here anyway. But if one thing happens and you're in the middle of it, you'll be banished. Consider it punishment for what you did to your parents."

His words sounded like a slap to my face. Nobody would believe me, not even the alpha of my pack. Everyone thought I killed your parents fifteen years ago, and I've had to live with it since.

Nobody sold anything to me or talked to me if they didn't have to. I taught myself how to hunt so you wouldn't starve.

I stood in the corner of the field as I hoped nobody would pay attention to me, but that sinking feeling still remained.

The feeling only accelerated when the members of Nightfang pack finally made it into the field.

"Alpha Ryle and the subjects of his pack, Nightfang!" The announcer called out as they walked in, everyone of them with their heads held high.

My eyes scanned them all, stopping when I set eyes on one of them. He walked behind everyone else with a smug look on his face. His hair was dark and his eyes held the same darkness.

"Who...is he?" I whispered as my legs moved forward. I didn't even know I was walking in his direction until I found myself standing behind a group of people who wouldn't move and I had to stand on my toes to get a good look at him.

As if he could sense my eyes on him, his eyes travelled in my direction so fast that it affected how my heart beat.