DARKSTONE CITY...

LUCY couldn't help but feel irritated as she sandwiched herself in between the mass of werewolf civilians gathering around the central borough of DarkStone. There was a parade at that moment which caused the huddling making it hard for her to walk faster for the people's heavy numbers were blocking her like a thick wall.

"Oh, for Goddess's sake!" Lucy groaned in frustration. She's in a hurry and she couldn't risk being stuck there for few more minutes.

It's already midday and she's still not preparing her Aunt Selene and Katrina's breakfast. They were the two witches who made her daily life a living hell as villains did in the books and movies. At the back of Lucy's head, she could see her stepmother's stiff face turning grim and her step-sister turning bright red in anger. That filled her chest with worries.

She'll get punished when she gets home, that's for sure. Even if she gives them excuses why she took more than an hour in the city, they would not accept it. She admitted that it was also her fault. She should have taken off to the market first and bought what she needed in the kitchen before spending thirty minutes in the temple praying to MoonGoddess to enlighten her Aunty Selene and Katrina's minds. For them to stop treating her like a slave.

When her father; Edward del Romance died from a rogue attack while he's on his way home from a long business trip, Selene Clayton and Katrina took Del Romance's wealth and stole the ranch from Lucy. They possessed everything that was rightfully hers and made her an Omega in her own house. Lucy couldn't do anything about it nor ask for help cause her aunt has friends in the higher ranks. She also compelled she'll kick her out of the ranch if she tells anyone about the things that were happening in their household.

Lucy couldn't compromise her only home. There were so many memories of her parents there and if Aunt Selene sends her out of the ranch, she doesn't know where she would end up to. She has nowhere else to go. Also, even if her stepmother and stepsister treated her like a dirty rag, Lucy still considered them as her only existing family. She had high hopes that someday, they would bump their heads in the wall and have amnesia or something and then change their behaviors towards her.

However, her wolf; Sky believed Lucy was dreaming for the impossible. She said it's like asking for rain in the middle of summer means only a miracle could change her Aunt Selene and Katrina's villain's heart.

Lucy heaved a deep sigh for Sky is right. It would take a lot of head-bumping before that thing happen.

“We love you, Alpha!”

“Alpha Zacria, be mine!”

Lucy shortly flinched and her mind darted back to where the parade for the preparation of the mating season ball was. She rolled her eyes at those female wolves who were screeching at the top of their lungs like pigs being butchered.

"Damn it! Give space, please!" Lucy once again tried to shove them and get through the Alpha's massive fandom with all her strength. She was already sweating that the strands of her red hair stuck in her face like glue. She cuddled the basket full of goods tightly in her arms afraid she would lose it when suddenly, the civilian's solid defense loosened.

That made her sighed in relief as she finally had a whiff of air.

"Fucking hell, the Alpha is coming this way!" a she-wolf blurted out behind Lucy which made her ears perked up and her wolf Sky jumped out of its hideout.

"The Alpha is coming? Where? Here?" Lucy muttered instantly feeling excited. She turned to where the civilians snapped their necks and her eyes widened when she saw their leader a few feet away from their spot. He's up the giant black wolf float, standing so tall and wearing a formal three-piece suit and a leather... mask?

Lucy automatically grimaced feeling disappointed. She almost forgot that Zacria Reid of DarkStone City never once revealed his face in the public.

There was a rumor circulating in their pack that, when their Alpha was still a small pup, an unknown shadow secretly entered his room one night and tried to kill him. Although it was a big failure, a deep scar was left on Zacria Reid's face from the attempt.

Since the tragic incident, the Reids made sure no one could approach Zacria until he's at the right age to inherit the Alpha title. And when the right time finally came, Zacria Reid stepped outside their mansion wearing a leather mask covering almost half of his face.

It's been almost five years when he ascended to being an Alpha, yet no one knew what he looks like. No one could tell if the rumor is true. Only those who were in Reid's mansion, those who were close to him and he trusted the most knew what's behind his leather mask. Either way, no one is allowed to take videos or pictures of him for that's one of the strictest orders he gave to the people of DarkStone.

With that, the werewolf civilians only recognized Zacria Reid and could tell that he's around by his powerful aura and his mixed mint and wood scent that is extremely intoxicating and could bring anyone down to his/ her knees.

That just how compelling the Alpha of DarkStone is.

On the other hand, Zacria Reid governed DarkStone competently with the help of his second in command; Magnum Sasha. The two bachelor male wolves made their city one of the most exceeding land in the werewolf realm and made sure that no rogue could enter their pack and tarnish their stability. Moreover, they were also cruel, ferocious, ruthless, and showed no mercy to those who broke the stringent regulations of DarkStone. Enough to scare the criminals and scoundrels away from their land.

A small smile formed on Lucy's lips as respect for their leaders filled her whole being. She won't deny that, like the other she-wolves, she also admires them especially their Alpha.

Even if he's wearing his mask and she has no idea what he looks like, she felt warm whenever she saw him. Even from afar, she grew a crush on him which made her forget her Aunt Selene and Katrina in the ranch just like what was happening at that moment.