My hidden mate

{Years ago}

"Diana, listen to me," my dad said, lying on the ground with his legs deeply injured. I shook my head in denial, realizing he was slipping away. The fear that death might take him, just as it had taken my mom, clenched my heart like a vise.

"No, Dad," I cried, leaning close to him, gripping his hand tightly. "Please, don't leave me."

"Momma, no! I'll hate myself if you leave me!" Layla, my stepsister cried, her slender figure trembling as she stood next to her mother. Her mother was limping, panting furiously, her injured leg barely supporting her weight.

"Diana, you must be strong," my dad muttered, groaning in pain. He looked down at his legs, attempting to move them, but the effort only made him cry out louder. Sweat dripped from his forehead and soaked his body, the metallic smell of blood stinging my nose. "Take Layla and run as fast as you can. Leave this pack and go far away."

"No... no, Dad. I won't leave you here!" I sobbed, shaking my head in refusal. The sound of crushing leaves filled the air, accompanied by deep growls and violent thrashing. The chaos of war surrounded us, a brutal battle caused by the disagreement of several combined packs.

My father was the Alpha of our pack and also the strongest but even his strength couldn't stand up to hundreds of angry wolves on the verge of tearing themselves apart.

"Diana, listen to me!" my dad growled, his voice sharp with authority, though weakened by pain. His glowing red eyes locked onto mine. "You'll do as I say. Take Layla and run. Now!"

The crushing of the leave continue heading our way faster, they were coming. "Dad, please." I begged, my voice breaking. Before I could resist further, I felt Layla's hand grasp mine. She started pulling me away, her grip firm despite her trembling.

"I'll always be with you, Diana. Take care of your sister," he shouted. Before the wolves finally emerged, Layla's mother stepped forward, shielding us. She turned back briefly, her gaze filled with sympathy and pain, before launching herself into the fight.

"Let me go, Layla!" I struggled against her hold, desperately reaching out towards my dad. Over her shoulder, I caught a fleeting, heartbreaking glimpse of him, and saw the aftermath of everything. My dad was gone, and I'll never see him again.

I collapsed to the ground as Layla finally let go of me. Tears streamed down my face blurring my vision as I cried. Layla dropped to the ground beside me, but she didn't cry. She just sat there, staring blankly into the distance, her silence heavier than words.

The crushing weight of the realization settled over me, as I held my chest at the pain. My dad was gone, and I'll never see him again, I screamed and cried, pounding the ground with my fist. My teeth clenched in anger and anguish.

From that day onward, everything changed. Layla and I became lone wolves, abandoning the remnants of our pack. Together, we sought refuge on the eastern side of Norway, carrying the heavy burden of our past with us.

-

I adjusted the straps of the emerald bodycon dress, tugging it down in vain, hoping it would reach my knees. It refused to budge, settling stubbornly in the same spot.

"Shit," I muttered, fidgeting with the dress one last time before giving up. My reflection in the mirror earlier haunted me, Layla, my stepsister, had pulled the dress from her closet and insisted it was the best choice for me. The way it clung to my hips, accentuating my curves and cleavage, had made me want to rip it off the moment I slipped it on. But I didn't want to upset Layla by refusing or enduring the ordeal of trying on her other dresses.

After all, this was her favorite dress. The idea of attending a party had been hers too. The fact that I'd agreed to tag along still felt surreal. Layla, meanwhile, seemed entirely at ease, typing furiously on her phone, likely chatting with her mate. She looked excited, and why wouldn't she? Parties were her thing.

I sighed, glancing at her, silently willing her to notice me and say I could stay home or, at the very least, wear the baggy clothes I'd originally planned on. But she was too absorbed in her phone to pay attention. I could have refused outright, but I didn't want to hurt her feelings or make it seem like I didn't appreciate her efforts to celebrate my success.