CHAPTER 3

Marcus pov

I remember the first time I laid my eyes on Chloe. It was the opening ceremony for the pack's refugees, as the other pack leaders and myself, agreed to create an avenue for them to mix and socialize with the rest pack members.

I stood at the sidelines watching how Mark flirts with this girl I'm sure is from the refugee's pack. They seem to be enjoying themselves, so I make up my mind to my disturb or interrupt his conversation with him. He glanced at me, asking me silently if I needed help and I raised my glass at him to show him that I was okay. I wasn’t going to cock-block him tonight.

My eyes and mind are solely on him and his partner for a while until something else catches my attention. I take another sip of my drink and that is when I notice her come in, she was gorgeous—effortlessly sashaying her way to the Beta and his companion.

Who the hell is this girl? Where has she been all this while? These questions pound heavily on my mind, at the same time as I feel my wolf twitch within me.

Beautiful wouldn't do justice to describe her face or the shape of her body. Man, I think I'm fucked!

Make no mistake, there is no shortage of beautiful women at this party but the minute I set my eyes on her it felt like my blood was on fire.

She is dressed in a little backless black dress that seems to sparkle with every step she takes, her long legs seem to run endlessly framed in beautiful lace-up heels that immediately put images in my mind. Her gorgeous brown hair is in cascading waves that frame her beautiful face and I just feel the crazy urge to run my hair through it. Her face was…captivating. She has the type of beauty that commands you to look, notice, and respect it. I don't know what it was; maybe it was the way the red of her lipstick highlighted her plump full lips or the way her blue eyes seemed to pierce my soul every time she glanced my way. Whatever it is; it was mesmerizing. I found myself drawn to her immediately, it felt like my night was finally about to begin.

As she approached her friend, I took a swig of my wine, finding that I may require the liquid courage boost to speak to her. I didn’t want to be a creep and ruin her night when she is obviously trying to enjoy herself so I decided to wait for the opportunity to present itself.

I watch her every move like a predatory hawk eyeing a chick. She stands close beside the Beta and hands his female companion a glass of red wine. Although the latter seems deeply engrossed in her conversation with Mark, she still manages to smile up at her.

Her face scrunches up in sheer disgust when Mark says something to the girl. I don't blame her though. Even though Mark and i's history about finding our mate is almost the same, the dude has no brain-to-mouth filter whatsoever even when it comes to women.

Sooner than I hoped for, Mark leads his newest friend out of the party zone. Leaving little miss gorgeous.

At some point during the night, I feel the atmosphere in the room change. I see her face light up as she smiles and excused herself to the human-free part of the party. I smile and follow, I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to present itself all night and it seems I'm finally in luck.

As she walks, her body sways in sync with every step she takes. Her curves are framed beautifully in that dress and I find myself even more drawn to her. She and I had been catching each other’s eye all night and so I knew she wouldn’t be startled that I'm making a move now.

The mystery girls continue to make turns until she comes to a stop at my portrait. I quietly walk behind her and stop at the fireplace just a few steps away from her— I remain in my spot thinking of how to approach her. Just when I decide to go shoot my shot, I hear someone call my name.

"Marcus. There you are. I've looked everywhere for you" the sugary high pitched voice of the only female I'd do anything within my powers to ignore for the rest of my life chirps from behind me.

"And why would you be looking for me?" I ask, not taking my eyes off the beauty.

"I want to hang out with you. Robert, Damon..."

"No," I snap. Not giving her the chance to finish her statement or waiting for her to start another one. I briskly stroll out of her presence. "I want to be alone"

"But I want to be with you..." She slurs then pouts but her deeds do not affect me.

"I'm telling you as the Alpha. I. Want. To. Be. Alone." I conclude through gritted teeth—and just as I thought she stomps away dramatically.

From my rearview, I see the girl from earlier walking toward me and I hid behind one of the pillars in the hallway. When I'm sure she is close enough, I stick out my leg, she trips upon it and starts falling over but I catch her before any part of her body would touch the floor.

Her eyes lit up in surprise but even in her shocked state, she still thanked me immediately and I stood back on her feet. We exchange pleasantries and the next thing I know, I'm trailing behind her to go grab a glass of wine.

Her voice is the sweetest sound I've ever heard. It is soft and melodic. Don't even get me started with her laugh.

Although my friends acted nice to her, I know it is just a surface show of affection. It isn't her fault for the ills that befell her parents. Regardless of what anyone would say though, my mind is already made up.

Perhaps she is my answered prayers. The moon's goddess finally blesses me with a mate!

I know she is mine.

She has got to be.

"Come let me take you on a run-tour across my borders. I want to show you more of my pack" I whisper yell. Aiming to get my voice over the banging bits of the music. but instead of the positive answer, I'm expecting, she lounges in a full panic and her lips begin to tremble, and her fingers too.