Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Kendall's POV

“Try not to disgrace me today, Kendall. I mean it.” I rolled my eyes. I hated these gatherings. It was filled with fake smiles and laughter.

“I will try my best.”

He shook his head. “Sometimes, I wish it was your sister who had come first.”

“Why is that? Let me guess. Because, you can control her but you can’t control me.” he sighed.

“One day, you will understand that I have always had your best interest at heart.” I rolled my eyes again. Sometimes, I wished that I wasn't born into the family I knew as mine.

My father had always preferred my sister to me because she was easier to control. She was just like his puppet, doing everything he asked her to without any questions. I, on the other hand, was the black sheep in the family. I had a mind of my own and did only things that benefited me.

The door opened before I could open it and someone opened his palm for me. I rejected it. I could step down from the car myself. I didn’t need the help of an unmated Alpha who needed my father’s help.

“Kendall.” My father whispered behind me but I shook my head.

As I walked into the ball, I felt sick and disgusted. I wished I could go back, but my father wanted me to meet some of his acquaintances. I knew the reason behind it. Even though I continuously told him that I wanted no one apart from my mate, he kept trying to match me with powerful Alphas or their sons.

“Kendall, keep up.” he said for the umpteenth time. I wished he could walk an hour in the heels he forced me to wear. Maybe, he would understand me a little.

“Ah!” He exclaimed when he noticed another familiar face and I sighed.

“Kendall, this is Alpha Nate of Blackwood pack and his son, Jake. Alpha, this is my eldest daughter, Kendall. You must have heard of her. She is the strongest warrior in the west.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. He was only proud of me when he had to use me to get what he wanted.

“I doubt if there is anyone who isn’t aware of your daughter’s immense strength. You must have seen my son in one of those popular magazines and television. He is a well known figure in the human world. His intelligence is something humans can’t do without. The president can’t take a decision without hearing from him.”

“Dad, you are exaggerating again.” I smiled. This was the first time that I have seen someone who thought a little bit like me.

When I saw that my father was neck deep into the weird conversation he was having with Alpha Nate and his son, I decided to take the chance to receive fresh air.

I exhaled as I walked up the stairs to the balcony. I wished I could pull my heels. My head collided with someone and wine splashed on me. I raised my head to scream at him but he was faster than me.

“Oh my God, I am so sorry.” he kept apologizing. He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and tried to dry me up with it but I held his hand.

“Don’t, it will only grow worse.”

“I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s okay. Thank goodness it’s not white.” I chuckled, trying to make the environment lighter.

“Did you come here with a date?”

“No, but I did come here with my father.”

“Maybe, you could accompany me to the balcony.” He could be anyone. He could be one of the power drunk males like my father or worse, he could have a mate who would kill me. I shook my head. We were just going to have a conversation. Nothing else.

“Yeah. I was also heading towards there.”

“The crowd is a bit intimidating right?” he asked as we kept climbing up the stairs and I nodded.

We talked about a lot of things on the balcony. I suddenly froze when my nose caught on a unique scent. I felt the urge to run after the scent.

“Are you okay?” I nodded my head trying to act normal. 

The intoxicating scent grew. I wondered if I was the only one getting drunk. My breath seized and the hair at the back of my neck stood in attention. ‘Mate’ I have found my mate! My wolf kept jumping in my head and I felt lightheaded. I couldn’t turn around to look at his face. 

“Alpha.” The man in front of me bowed. 

“My lady, this is my Alpha…” I watched his mouth move but I was lost in my head to understand what he was saying.

I have finally met my mate but he caught me with his beta. Will he think of me as a whore?

“Hey!” someone snapped their fingers in front of me and I opened my eyes. The Beta was nowhere to be found and in front of me was the most handsome man I had ever set my eyes on. His piercing gaze drew me in to continuously stare into his deep blue eyes. My eyes moved over to his heart shaped lips. They made me want to take them into my lips and know what it tastes like. His well shaped jawline made him look hotter.

I cleared my throat and wiped my mouth when I noticed that I was drooling all along. “I am sorry.” I said awkwardly and he chuckled.

“There is nothing to be sorry about. I am all yours. You can stare at me all you want, I don't mind." I felt my cheeks becoming pink.

“You look beautiful in that dress.”

“Thank you.” I whispered.

We talked about a lot of things. During our short conversation, I discovered that we had a lot in common. For example, we both hated gatherings like this and we also hated egocentric Alphas.

‘Where in the world are you, Kendall? If you make me lose face in front of all these people, be ready to dig your crave.’ my father's mind linked me before I could reply to him.

“It was nice meeting you, but I have to go now.”

“Is this another Cinderella story?” I chuckled and shook my head.

“My father is getting worried.”

“Then maybe I should come with you. I am going to meet him sometime in the future. It won’t hurt to bring the meeting forward.”

‘Kendall! You are really getting on my nerves. Thirty seconds is all you’ve got.’ the smile wiped off my face.

“I have to go.” I turned around and ran all the way down without waiting for him to say a thing.

I spotted my father in the midst of some men. Their auras made me want to bow but I am an Alpha, I can resist them. I wonder what they were trying to do.

“Father.” I whispered when I got to him.

He smiled a little. I knew he was trying hard to hide his anger. “This is my daughter, Kendall. Kendall, this is Alpha Jason and his son Drake. Drake is going to take over from his father in a few days.”

“Alpha, this is a great party.” I commented , not knowing what else to say. The men burst into laughter.

“She is such a modest girl. You are so lucky to have her. I know that she will male a good Luna. we made a good choice trusting you, Alpha Atlas' ' alpha Jason said and i turned to my father in confusion. What was he talking about?

“Oh yes! I forgot to mention it to you. This is the essence of our coming here. To talk about your wedding coming up in two weeks.” 

I laughed hysterically hoping that they would tell me that they were joking. “You are joking right?'' I asked my father, but he shook his head. How could he do this to me?

“You and Drake should get to know each other.” my father said, but I shook my head.

“Be a good girl, Kendall.” my father whispered into my ears but I shook my head. He was not going to destroy my life like he destroyed my mother.

Drake held out his hand urging me to come with him but I shook my head. 

“Kendall what are you doing? You are getting on my nerves.” my father whispered again.

“Come on Kendall. Let’s talk about our future and your roles.” Drake smirked but I shook my head.

“No, I don't want to.”

“Do not pay attention to my daughter. She is just shaken by the news.”

“No I am not. I told you that I wanted no one ap[art from my mate and I have found him.”

“Forgive my daughter, I think she is a little bit drunk. You know how these young ones are.” they chuckled as my father said the dumbest joke.

“I hope that won't be a problem when we get married, Alpha.” I felt like throwing up. Another control freak in my life, was my life moving from worse to worse?

“Aren’t you all listening to me? I said that I have found my mate and I want no one else but him." The look on my father’s face grew worse but I didn't care. I will not let my father turn me into a puppet just like he did to my sister and mother.

My father was about to say something when we heard a crash. We turned around to see two males rolling off each other. In the midst of the chaos, I sneaked outside knowing what my father was capable of.