Chapter 2

I was all alone outside, sitting on the cold floor, with my white dress now brown. On a night I should have been with my mate, the future Alpha. A night my fate was supposed to change, I guess it did change after all, but not for the better.

I had been publicly humiliated in front of the pack , and also had no place to call home anymore.

I stood up from the floor, there's no point sitting outside, and hearing all the fun going on inside.

I started walking, with no place in mind to go to.

Then I started hearing some noise.

I noticed a group of girls, surrounding a little girl. "You drew yourself a mom, how pathetic". "Your real mom didn't even want you" one of the girls, taking something that seemed like a drawing from the little girl.

"Give that back, she said" jumping to reach it.

The other girl tore the paper, and threw the pieces at her. " You can have it, she said to the little girl" While laughing.

I got to where they were, and spoke to the girl who tore the drawing

" Hey, stop that. You shouldn't be mean" apologize to her this instance" the older girl turned and stared at me.

" Aren't you the one who was rejected by the future Alpha, see your dress" She said, and started laughing with her friends.

"You have nothing better to do than to stick your nose in other people's business? I guess you actually don't" " Do you even have a place to stay this night? she asked mocking me.

I put on the meanest face I could and said, "you all should leave here right now, or I'll notify the securities. I bet your parents don't know you're here?" I said.

This seemed to shake them a bit, because they just turned and left.

I turned to the little girl, she was on the floor sobbing, trying to gather the pieces of papers.

" Don't cry" I said, gently touching her.

"You can always draw another one, I can help you" I added.

She looked up at me, and I really got to see her face, she was so beautiful, with sparkling blue eyes filled with tears.

"Really? she asked.

"You'll actually help me?"

"Yes" I answered.

She rushed to hug, "Thank you for helping me with the girls, most people are always mean to me, because I don't have a mom" she said, with her eyes downcast.

"I don't have a dad, or mom" I added, because I've never considered Vera my mom, and after all these we have no bound anymore.

" Sorry" she said, "But I have a dad, he's really big and strong" she said smiling at the thought of her dad. She must really love him.

"What's your name? I asked, realising I didn't know the name of this little princess.

"Aurelia" she said.

"What a beautiful name, for a beautiful girl. My name is Aria" I told her.

"We're almost namesake's, she said smiling.

I smiled back.

"What happened to your dress? she asked noticing the stain on my dress.

It brought my mind back to the present, and all I've faced this night, and the fact that I had no place to stay.

"I fell down" I said, because that was the easiest reply.

"I hope you're not hurt, she asked staring at me with so much concern.

Nobody has really looked at me with any form of care for the longest time, it made me to start tearing up.

She noticed, and hugged me again.

Next thing I heard was

"What's going on here? Aurelia I've looked everywhere for you" someone said, snatching her from me.

"And who are you? the voice asked.

I looked up, and was shocked by who I saw.

That's the most powerful man in the territory, The Alpha. Alpha Kael, and not just any Alpha, Lucas Uncle.

I stood up, totally speechless.

I've heard a lot about Alpha Kael, aside the fact that's he's very cruel, people always said he was handsome. This was my first time meeting him up close, and handsome was definitely an understatement. So tall, huge with blue eyes like his daughter.

I noticed I had been staring, and not answered the question he asked.

I tried to reply, but Aurelia beat me to it.

"Daddy, she's my friend. She helped me when some girls were bullying me, and she promised to help me with my drawing".

Why was I feeling strange inside, why was my wolf acting up. His gaze sharpened.

For the briefest second, something flickered across his face.

Surprise.

Then it was gone, buried beneath the cold mask he'd worn since arriving..

"Thank you for helping Aurelia" he said, not as coldly as he spoke initially.

"It was no bother, I replied. "I'm Aria, I said. I didn't answer your question initially, Alpha Kael.

He looked at me and nodded. His gaze dropped to the chocolate stains covering my dress.

Then to the scrape on my wrist.

His jaw tightened.

I resisted the urge to hide my hand behind my back.

Suddenly, I was painfully aware of how I looked.

My dress was ruined. My hair was a mess. And I probably looked like I'd spent the afternoon rolling in mud.

"What happened to you?" he asked. I immediately felt uncomfortable, I couldn't start telling him about the embarrassing stuff I went through.

"I'd rather not talk about it" I reply.

His gaze lingered on me.

Something unreadable flashed through his eyes.

"Aria."

The way he said my name made my stomach tighten.

It was almost as though he already knew who I was.

"You've had a difficult evening."

It wasn't a question.

Heat rushed to my face.

Of course he knew.

By now, everyone probably knew.

The girl whose mate had chosen her stepsister instead.

The girl who had been humiliated in front of the entire pack.

I swallowed hard.

"I'll survive."

Something flickered in his eyes again.

"I'm sure you will."