I was proud of myself and even if no one else would feel the same, Esther would. My sister would never fail to celebrate my small wins and the amount of money that was being displayed on the screen of the withdrawal machine wasn't so small.

The sum of money was earned through hard work and when I eventually achieved my long-time dream of owning a diner, it became less hard to earn money. That was how I have been able to support my sister through the years since I owed my existence to Esther.

Half of my monthly earnings always went to her to show my gratitude and also support her in my little way.

The rest of the money; my savings; should be more than enough to get the life that I needed. A life that screamed independence and “far away from Esther’s home!”

Don't get me wrong, I loved my sister. Who else would I have loved? Esther was the only living family I had left… Maybe they would be two if I considered Esther’s child if he wasn't also the child of the man that disgusted the shit out of me.

Alpha Cole, the Alpha of our pack. He was the father of Kairo, my sister’s four years old son. That prick was also my sister's mate which naturally made my sister the Luna Of the Shadow moon pack.

Maybe I should rephrase what I said earlier. It should have been “a life that screamed far away from the shadow moon pack”.

If my plan runs smoothly, I would snatch Esther from the pack without thinking twice because she had suffered at the hands of Alpha Cole, who she loved dearly and adored.

Esther might hold the title of Luna in the pack but to her mate, she was more or less a housewife. He never ceases to scold her. I was certain Alpha Cole wasn't worthy of Esther and her kind of love.

I would persuade Esther to leave Alpha Cole when I have a good life and the ability to keep her safe. This could be achieved sooner than later if my plan falls through. But my so-called plan had a very low success rate due to a lot of factors.

The best way was to find a man… any man would do.

I just needed a man.

Mate or not.

The new rule of werewolves specifically restricted single female wolves. A law that stated that “no unmated female wolf is allowed to live alone without a man”.

Yes, the plan would have been to move out of my twenty-eight-year-old sister's matrimonial home but I couldn't not if I wanted to remain a bonafide member of a pack and not if I valued my sanity. Breaking that law would make me a rogue and Esther would suffer with me because the werewolf law wasn't exactly kind to rogues and their families.

That’s why I needed a man to mark me… as soon as possible… or should I say before the banquet.

My life might take a fast detour this evening at the banquet that Alpha Cole was holding.

“Make yourself beautiful for the unmated females’ banquet tonight, Ariel, and don't be late. If you win the Alpha king’s favor, then the pack won’t have to pay that huge fine. Ariel, you know how to get the Alpha King's favor. Don't let me and your sister down.”

That was how Alpha Cole started.

“If you fail, don't blame me for being cruel!”

Alpha Cole had gruffly and sternly snapped as he added that to his statement with red eyes. He quarreled with Esther again through the night and I was the reason for all the controversy.

I have been staying with him ever since Esther got mated to him and she had been taking care of me ever since we lost our parents.

Alpha Cole had zero tolerance for me and thought I was a burden who wasted his money. Although I have been paying my maintenance fee to Esther. Anyways, he was supposed to be family but had become one of my nightmares. But now… He believed he had found my worth.

He was planning to send me to the ruthless Alpha King because he had been fined to pay for his negligence towards the pack members that were attacked, killed, or taken away by aggressive rogues.

Esther wanted to keep me but I was fully aware that she would fail. I wouldn't sit still and let Alpha Cole send me to the Alpha King that had many dark rumors about him spreading through the moon howlers territory.

As I pocketed the cash I withdrew, fear gripped my heart and despite my positive nature, I worry about how I would find a man and how I would cope with any man I get. I needed a man but getting mated to a stranger wasn't pleasing or assuring.

“You just have to escape Alpha Cole’s plans, Ariel. That's important.”

I said to myself again and began strolling to my diner that was located on the neutral grounds. It wasn't the most famous on the neutral ground; some acres of land in between the six packs of The Moon Howlers Territory; but it was doing well… so much better than other aspects of my life if I must say.

“You can make the best of the day regardless of-”

“Are you speaking to yourself like always?”

A smile spread across my round face because I recognized the voice and its owner even before I sighted the affectionate face of the one that interrupted my soliloquizing moment. Talking to myself had become my solace since I haven’t been able to wolf out like every other adult. Rather than feeling lonely, I speak to myself often to fill the gap.

I didn't sense the affectionate woman before she spoke to me because my werewolf senses were still at the average level… since I haven't wolfed out and gotten my wolf beast.

Not having my wolf beast meant, I wouldn't be able to find my mate. So whatever I had to do today, might not be fated. I could no longer wait for my wolf nor could I wait for my mate to come for me.

Mating a stranger was my best option.

“Regina! Good to see you!” I exclaimed and closed the distance between the old werewolf female and me.

Regina and I had a history and even though she was old enough to be my grandmother, she and I have been buddies since the incident that connected us. She had been sitting on one of the chairs outside my diner, waiting for me.

Sweet Regina.

“It's been like forever since I saw your bright face, Child.” Regina commented and embraced me warmly.

“You saw me five days ago, Regina and we spoke over the phone some-”

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