Chapter 1: That's my mate! Isabella I exit the airport, feeling my heartbeat thrumming with excitement. "Home," I mutter with a contented sigh. It had been a long time since I last returned to Las Luna Vista. The city was just as I remembered, although there were a whole lot of developments—the streets, the familiar scents, but the feeling of being with other shifters was even better. I sighed in satisfaction. My main reason for returning today was to attend my older sister's engagement ceremony. My dropping by was to surprise my family. I wasn't supposed to return back home now. Las Luna, our country, consisted of several packs living in a decentralized pattern. Different packs lived in the city with their own different Alphas ruling their territories, but the whole country was being ruled by one general king—a system that worked quite well, a modern werewolf society. I hadn't seen my family in over two years. I couldn't wait to be reunited with them, them and Erin. Another reason why I was glad to be back was Erin, my mate. Erin was three years older than me. We had been friends even before I discovered we were mated. My internship in the human world was to end in six months, then afterwards, I could return home finally and be reunited with Erin. But here I was, making a surprise visit. Although Erin and I were long-distance, we communicated frequently. I had missed him so badly. He completes me. My wolf hums and jitters within me in anticipation of being reunited with Erin and my family. Two years ago, Father, the Alpha of our pack, had sent me to live in the human world. The human realm was actually very similar to our realm, but the humans were, well, normal. While we have Lycans, werewolves, and all other kinds of supernatural creatures. I couldn't think of any reasons why I was sent away, but then he explained that the family business would later expand, and he wanted me to study all about it, so I went. I'd heard my sister was getting engaged, so I decided to drop by. I didn't have Father's permission, but come on, did I really need it to attend my own sister's engagement? "Moonfield Hotel, please," I tell the cab driver as I settle in. "Ohhh, the engagement ceremony of Alpha Jared's daughter, that must where you're going, right?" he guessed with a smile. "Yes," I confirmed. "A whole lot of people have been dropped off there today. It is something to celebrate about—the only child of the Alpha and she's getting married to another very influential man, they're a perfect match." The cab driver was friendly and chatty. "Oh, actually, Celine isn't an only child," I corrected absentmindedly, looking outside at the passing city streets. "Oh, she isn't? Everyone said she is," the man laughed lightly. I pursued my lips slightly at his words a familiar sinking feeling spreading in my stomach. It had always been that way, most people didn't know Alpha Jared, my father, had two children, two daughters, I and my sister. But I was practically unknown. Anyway, I was younger. Besides that, Celine had always been popular, she inherited all of the good genes from the family. She shifted when she was first sixteen, while I was the runt of the pack, the black sheep, so no one actually talked about me. Plus, I'd been away for over two years now. The car finally pulled up in front of the hotel. "Thank you!" I exclaimed, paid the fare, and then walked inside. I had already booked a room there. I didn't want to go home immediately; my plan was to surprise my family at the ceremony and then reunite with Erin there. Walking up to the front desk confidently, I greeted the receptionist politely. "Hello," I said. "I made a reservation, Isabella Rashford." I filled in my details so she could find my reservation. Her face however gave off a reaction I couldn't understand. Her eyes thinned and she looked me over in a curious manner. "Rashford?" she confirmed, pursing her lips slightly. "Yes," I replied. "Is there an issue?" I asked "No," she muttered lightly forcing a smile. "You booked for one night only. Would you like to extend your stay?" she asked. "Oh no, I won't even spend the night. I'll be going to my family." I had only booked this place to take a bath and attend the engagement. I would be spending the whole night celebrating with my family back at our pack villa. "Excuse me," she called. "The name Rashford, like the Alpha Jared Rashford?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. "Yes," I laughed lightly. Father was actually very popular in the country; it seemed everyone knew his name. She nodded slowly. "Here you go," she muttered, passing me the key card. "Thank you." With that, I turned to head to my room. "Why should a half-werewolf rule us?" I heard some people scowl as they walked past me headed to the elevator they were engaged in a heated argument. "His half-brother, a pure-blooded wolf, would be a better fit," someone hissed. I hadn't been following information for a long time now since I left, but it appeared a Lycan was going to be king, or probably was king. Erin had mentioned it to me once, and he seemed really offended by it. Did who's ruling us actually matter? Lycans and werewolves were very similar. I found my room finally, stepped into the room, immediately taking off my shoes. The ceremony was going to start in less than an hour's time. I took a bath hurriedly, unpacked then repacked my few items then got dressed. Finally ready, I headed into the elevator, making my way down to the hall, which I found quite easily. The ceremony was being held there at Moon Field Hotel. Stepping into the large decorated hall, k could tell many Alphas and red-blooded wolves were there, they emitted a strong aura. The air felt thick, surrounded by all those powerful people. I looked around and admired the hall, stylishly decorated, just as I expected from Celine. She was always the fabulous and classy one, so it suited her. I scanned the room looking for my family. I held my engagement gift tightly and finally found Mother, busy as usual, talking and smiling with guests. Our eyes met, and she must have felt me staring because she looked up, our eyes met for a moment and I smiled at her. Her signature smile faded immediately as she recognized me, her Expression changing to that of disbelief and shock. In a heartbeat she was standing right in front of me her face contorted in anger. "Why are you here?!" Her voice cut through the air. "Mother?" I could only manage, taken aback by the sudden hostility. Why was she so upset? I'd been away for almost three years, and this wasn't the welcome I expected. I was confused. "You shouldn't have come here! Leave now," she said firmly, gripping my hand tightly and trying to lead me away. "Mother?" I questioned weakly. "Why are you here?" she snapped. "Mother, I..." I stuttered. "Why? You're never supposed to return here!" she yelled, her fingers digging into my arm painfully. Just then, the hall erupted into applause as the soon to be engaged couple entered. I glanced back and saw my sister leading the way. "Get out now!" Mom barked her urgency intensified while trying to drag me to the exit. "Mom, wait," I called out, struggling against her grip as she led me away. But I couldn't help but stop and glance back once more when I caught a familiar scent. Was it Erin? He was here. "Erin?" I whispered, stopping completely to search for him. My eyes found him, but I couldn't understand, he was standing next to my sister, where her fiance should have been. "Erin?" I wondered out loud wondering what was happening. They looked affectionate standing there like a couple. I froze. Mom was still trying to pull me out, but I refused to budge this time. "Mother!" I exclaimed pulling her to a halt. "That's my mate, what's Celine doing with my mate?!" I cried out. She released my hand her expression going cold. "What does it look like, getting engaged, of course," she replied icily. "Engaged? How's that even possible? Erin is my mate! Mine!" I shouted, turning to stomp toward them. A powerful grip on my wrist stopped me from going further. "Father," I whispered in relief. He would talk some sense or at least stand up for me. Mom had always been distant, but not Father, at least. "Father, what's going on? Why is Sister getting engaged to my mate?" I confronted him, my voice trembling with a mix of confusion and anguish. His demeanor was cold and distant. "What's happening?" Nova whispered inside me. My parents' behavior was unsettling, to say the least. They exchanged a silent conversation, their expressions unreadable. "You shouldn't have come here. Leave now," Father commanded, his Alpha authority resonating with undeniable force. Overwhelmed by his dominance, I acquiesced, my body yielding to his command as he led me out of the hall. As we reached the exit, he released his grip, Mother trailing closely behind. "Go back right now!" His voice was laced with urgency. "Leave this country today!""I don't understand, Father," I pleaded, my heart heavy with sorrow and confusion. My gaze darted between them, searching for answers, but they remained silent, their eyes betraying a sense of guilt and avoidance. Suddenly, realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. "This is it? This was why you didn't let me come all this while?" I whispered, the weight of betrayal settling heavily upon my shoulders. "You threw me away, sending me to a different world entirely so my sister could steal my mate?!" They didn't deny it. That had to be the truth Tears welled in my eyes, my voice trembling, I tried to take speak. "Why?! Don't I matter to you too? What's so special about Celine? Why does she always have to take away everything that's mine? She's a thief!" I cried out, my words echoing with raw emotion. In that instant, Mother's hand connected with my cheek, a stinging sensation searing through my skin. Shocked and bewildered, I recoiled, my mind struggling to process what had just happened. "Mother, you slapped me," I whispered in disbelief holding my cheek. It had gone numb and I could feel it swell almost instantly. "I am not your mother," she spat, her words like venom, before turning away and retreating back into the hall.

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The cab ride should’ve felt like a dream—the city lights streaking past, the familiar scents of pine and iron-laced magic swirling in the night air. I was finally home. "Moonfield Hotel, please," I said, heart fluttering. The driver grinned, chattering about the big engagement tonight. I smiled along, clutching my gift tighter. I hadn’t told anyone I was coming. Not even Father. Surprise was the whole point.

But the moment I stepped inside, something was wrong. The receptionist’s eyes narrowed at my name. Whispers followed me—'half-werewolf,' 'not fit to rule.' I brushed them off. Until I saw them.

My sister, radiant in white silk, walking hand-in-hand with Erin. My Erin. My mate. Our bond had hummed across continents for two years. And now he stood there, smiling at her like she completed him. Like I’d never existed.

"That’s my mate!" I shouted, breaking free from Mother’s grip. She slapped me so hard my vision blurred. Father’s voice boomed: "Leave this place. Never return."

They think I’ll obey. They think I’ll vanish again.

But my wolf is snarling beneath my skin. And this time, I won’t be silenced.