Chapter 1

LIAM

Another blood moon , another mating ball , another goddamn reminder that I had a mate , yet she wasn’t mine . How the hell d o you come to terms with that ? . Dad was adamant that I come to this mating ball as we were off from the Alpha training regime for a week . No one really knew that I had found my mate already and I intended to keep it that way . What kind of Alpha has to share his mate ?

What Alpha would accept that ? I couldn’t .

That night was still raw in my mind , I won’t ever forget that both Damon and I wished each other luck before stepping into the hall , hoping that we would find our mate . The Blood Moon occured twice a year and i I was only on this night where one could find their mate if they were at age . I stillremember walking in , seeking out the woman I had loved for years . Praying that she was my mate and she was .

My heart raced when I had laid eyes on her , in that sexy black dress , only for my best friend to also claim her as his .

‘ Mate . ‘ We had both said in unison , I couldn’t handle it so I had turned and left . I sucked in a sharp breath , glaring at the glittering lights , unable to ignore the smell of expensive fragrances , wine and food hung in the air , laced with a hint of sex and sweat . It all made me sick . I didn’t want to be here

; I wasn’t meant to be here . It just brought back the painful memories of that night . I downed my twentieth – odd glass of vodka . It wasn’t enough , I needed something stronger . Fuck this . I had shown my face , I wasn’t going to stick around any longer .

I pushed through the crowds , not caring for anyone here . Right now I felt like I was in a place I didn’t belong . I grabbed a glass of wine from a passing waiter , feeling detached .

The flashbacks of that night and the familiar pain in my chest returned with renewed vengeance . I hated the entire fucked up situation . Overnight , I lost the woman I loved and my best friend .

Wallowing in self – pity wasn’t going to change shit though . It was what it was , I made this decision . I felt relieved when I stepped out into the bitter cold .

It was raining , and the moon was hidden behind a layer of thick clouds . Sounds of snickering and swearing made me glance up to see a group of young werewolves gathered in the corner popping some pills . They tensed when they saw me , I knew they knew who I was . ” H – hey Alpha …. ” One of them muttered , shoving something into his back pocket .

I walked over , grabbing two of the bottles o f alcohol from their stash . ” Give me a couple . ” I said .

They looked surprised at that . ” Umm you sure ? You will get super … ” He trailed off the moment my eyes flashed a dark magnetic blue and he quickly took the packet out of his pocket .

I could sense their fear and nervousness , but right now I didn’t care what they were up to , I just needed a fucking break from m y own head . ” One or Two ? ” The teen asked . ” Make it three . ” ”

They exchanged looks , and I held my glass out . He dropped three in , I turned and walked off , watching the pills fizz in my glass .

Taking a deep breath , I knocked i t down in one go , enjoying the exhilarating rush that travelled through m e as I tossed my glass to the ground . The sound of it shattering was pleasant in my ears . I bit the cap off one of the cheap bottles of beer and downed it , not caring that half of it splashed all over me . Memories of long ago seeped into my mind like a poison spreading through every vein in my body , unable to shut them out .

‘ Mates … You’re my mate … Liam … Please man don’t do this …. Don’t hurt her … Give her a chance … Liam the moon goddess paired you three for a reason … Don’t tell me what I should or shouldn’t do ! … Liam please … ‘ My eyes blazed and I threw the bottles to the ground . Shards of glass hit my face but it didn’t bother me . My chest was heaving with anger .

Unable to ignore the voices in my head I frowned , walking without aim towards the woods , the voices only getting louder in my mind . any No , it wasn’t my fault , I gave her a chance … That night , after talking to Kia , I thought I’d give it one shot … One fucking shot to talk to her … Because in the end , I’d fucking loved her since I first started noticing the opposite sex .

But I couldn’t get through the mind link , I thought she might have fallen asleep , so I left her three messages … I confessed my love for her . She was all I fucking wanted . Was it that fucking much to ask for ? Those three messages had been read , but she didn’t bother replying , so what was the point ? Clearly , I wasn’t fucking enough . My vision swayed as the drugs took effect , it felt good .

The pain in my chest had eased and I felt like I was floating . Wouldn’t it be ideal to stay like this forever ? Was that the sound of water ? I kept walking , the floor becoming uneven , the rain began pouring down faster and my tux was fully drenched . I took my jacket off , staring up at the sky as rain poured down on me . Where was my reprieve ? That was when I saw her , sitting against a tree staring up at the moon that was masked .

My heartbeat like a thousand drums , my head ringing and the distant vague thought of whether this was real or not crept into my mind . Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gulped down some beer .

Her black and pink bob looked longer , and she looked even smaller than I remembered , her hand shaking as she tossed the empty bottle aside and grabbed another .

Raven . Was this real ? Was she really here ? That didn’t make sense … This pack was at least a thirty – minute run from The Dark River Pack wasn’t it ? It’s a dream … A perfect hallucination . I stepped closer ; her delicious scent hit m y nose , only adding to the high that I felt . She suddenly froze , staring up at me , looking shocked before she clambered to her feet . ” Raven ? ” I whispered .

Was it really her or had I imagined her up ? She looked even more beautiful than I remembered …

There was something in those unique coloured eyes of hers . Something that called me to her . I closed the gap between us . Was that her heart thudding wildly ? She opened her mouth to speak , and I felt the fear knot in the pit of my stomach .

Don’t reject me , fuck don’t do it … A fucking nightmare that I woke up to so fucking often . I reached over , placing a finger on her lips , shaking my head , my vision blurring . I don’t care if this was a dream or if I was mistaking someone else for her … I needed it , needed her . She tugged my hand away with you ? ake ? ” What was she saying ? I wasn’t sure .

All could focus on were those wet , pitump lips of hers that moved silently This was a dream that wasn’t going to happen in reality . I brusited her staking hair off her forehead , cupping her face ” You’re beautiful . ” I whispered Before she could even reply , I leat down pressing my lips to hers in a passionate kdiss that sent sparks mushingugh me .

The sweet taste of her mouth mixed with alcohol was perfect . Goddess , she tasted perfect . Yeah , those pills worked . This fint good ….. A soft whimper escaped her as I cellished i n the pleasure that wrapped around me like a blanket . Fuck , this felt so good . The moment she began to kiss me back her intoxicating scent enveloping me , all control I had was gone .

I weapped my arms around her tightly , kissing her like there was no tomorrow , and maybe there wasn’t . Whatever this was … would be gone … A soft tantalising moan left her lips and I groaned .

Fuck , fuck , she tasted so good .

Everything darkened for a moment and I staggered but held on to her tightly , pinning her against the nearest tree . She gasped when her back hit the bark and I took the chance to plunge my tongue into her mouth , but that just caused her to free herself and move her head away . My stomach knotted and I realised this was it … she was denying me once more .

Her heart was pounding but … I forced myself to look into her face , was that rain or tears ? I ran my hand over her body , grabbing her breast wanting to kiss her again when she tensed , suddenly grabbing hold of my hand and moving them off of her . The pain of rejection fucking stung , my mate did not want me . ” You’re not yourself . Listen to me . ” She whispered , cupping my face ..

Sympathy and sadn shone in her eyes , and I frowned . I didn’t need sympathy . I hated pity . It’s not Raven … Fuck there’s no way she could even be here …. It’s just the effect of the pills … 1 jerked away from her , stumbling slightly . She moved towards me , but I raised my hand . ” Don’t come near me , I don’t fucking need you . ” I hissed . It hurt so fucking much .

I turned away , ready to walk when she grabbed hold of m y shirt from behind . My eyes flashed and I pulled free . ” I said leave me the fuck alone ! ” I growled , shoving her off roughly . I heard a thud making me pause , turning back to her . In my dark haze , I looked at the woman I had knocked to the ground . Yeah , my mind was playing tricks on me … She couldn’t be Raven , no matter how much I thought it was . I turned away , forcing myself to shift before breaking into an unsteady run and vanishing into darkness …