The outcast's mate

Elyse pov

I opened my eyes and found myself back in the woods, the same place where everything began. Still hiding behind a large tree, listening to Scott's conversation with the rogues. My heart pounded as confusion washed over my face. Why am I here again? What's going on?

It felt so real that I believed I was reliving the moment. But how? Could it have been a dream? Or have I somehow obtained the power of a seer?

Before my thoughts could swallow me, the air grew heavy, and an eerie wind swept through the forest, making the leaves shake and branches creak. The dark sky seemed to press down as if the forest itself was alive, warning of something unusual.

Then a calm yet commanding voice suddenly spoke behind me, sending chills down my spine.

"Your survival is their survival. Your doom is their doom. Your hatred will destroy you, and you will never find peace."

My body went cold, and I turned slowly to see... her. It was my wolf.

She was majestic, with gleaming white fur that seemed to shimmer even in the dark. Her eyes glowed a piercing silver, radiating wisdom and power. She stood tall and confident, her presence almost overwhelming.

We locked eyes, and suddenly, a vision flashed before me.

I saw a man—tall and menacing, with a muscular frame. His short, curly, black hair rested lightly on his broad shoulders, and his piercing eyes held a cold and dangerous intensity. We were pointing guns at each other, and I could feel the tension between us.

I hesitated to shoot for some reason I couldn't understand, and yet before I could decide, he fired.

The vision disappeared as quickly as it came. My wolf's voice was calm but firm as it spoke again. "You've seen a glimpse of the prophecy. The rest is up to you."

Before I could respond, the sound of Scott's voice snapped me back to the moment. The rogues were still talking, repeating the same words from before. 

"Someone is there!"

My heart raced. They've seen me! I turned to run, but before I could take a step, something hit me hard, and everything went black.

When I opened my eyes again, I felt more afraid. I wasn't in the woods anymore.

I was chained in the center of a dark, cold underground chamber. Flickering torches cast shadows on the bloodstained stone walls. Above me, hidden in the shadows, voices echoed—men discussing bids with chilling detachment.

It was an auction ground. And I was the item being sold.

The auctioneer stepped forward, his voice loud and dramatic. "Gentlemen, what we have here is no ordinary prize—a pure-blood beta! Fragile as she looks, she killed two alphas and their men single-handedly."

The chamber fell silent. Then came the whispers. "Could she be the girl from Crescent Clan? The one who killed rogue Alpha Dave and her leader, Alpha Scott?" one voice questioned. "I thought their village was attacked afterward. Did she escape?"

Hearing this broke my heart. Rage bubbled within me as I remembered how no one believed me back then. My thoughts shifted to my grandfather. I prayed he was safe.

Another voice from the shadows sneered. "She's cursed. Death follows her wherever she goes."

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. The room stiffened as the auctioneer stammered, "A-Alpha Peter... do you want her?"

Alpha Peter stepped into the light, his scarred face and muscular frame exuding power. His broad shoulders and cold eyes demanded attention. Whispers filled the room.

"That's Alpha Peter," someone muttered. "The king of rogues."

"He's the one who attacked Crescent Clan," another added. "Captured the women and children, killed their men, and enslaved the survivors."

Peter's lips curled into a mocking smile. "So, you're the one who killed my men? Interesting, for some reason, some useless scums of mine allowed you to slip through my fingers by selling you. You look pathetic and weak. Don't worry; you'll be joining your people soon. I'll rip your heart out just like I did theirs."

Intense anger flew through me. I yanked at the chains binding me to the pillar, my eyes locked on Peter. I glared at him, unafraid. "Unchain me and see just how pathetic I am!" "Unchain me, and I'll show you who's weak!" I shouted.

Peter chuckled darkly. "You've got fire in those eyes, but you wouldn't last a second against me. Your precious Alpha Victor didn't even survive a minute. Killing two weak alphas doesn't make you special."

Before I could respond, he slapped me hard across the face. My vision blurred, stars dancing before my eyes. "You're nothing," he hissed.

Another voice rang out from the shadows, cold and commanding. "She's not nothing; hmm, are you sure?." 

A tall figure emerged, and the murmurs in the room grew louder. "Alpha Kael," someone whispered. "He's never come to this auction before. What's he doing here?"

"They're sworn enemies," another said. "He leads the Shadow Fang Clan, and Peter leads the Bloodfang Clan and has rogues at his command. They've been battling for control of the city for years."

Peter's voice cut through the murmurs. "Kael. Always looking for a reason to challenge me, aren't you?"

Kael smirked. "This girl caught your attention for killing your men. I already like her. Maybe I'll help her kill more."

Peter growled, his rage flaring. "You can have her. She's nothing special. Her clan is already under my control. I only came to see if she's the one from the prophecy."

The crowd buzzed at the mention of the prophecy. "The prophecy? It's about a warrior destined to kill for his clan's freedom by killing his mate," someone murmured in the crowd. My werewolf senses allowed every word into my ears like I was being talked to directly.

Chills ran down my spine as Peter's words echoed in my mind. Could Kael be the man from my vision—the one who pulled the trigger? He has a striking resemblance to the man shown to me by my wolf.

Peter's voice snapped me back. "She's cursed," he said coldly. "I came to ensure she dies painlessly for killing my men." With a laugh, he left.

The auctioneer's voice broke the tension. "Sold to Alpha Kael!"

I glared at Kael, my voice firm. 

"I won't be your slave.

"Kael turned, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. A sly smile spread across his face. "I don't keep slaves," he said. "But you? You'll be my plaything.

"Disgust surged through me. "I'd rather die," I spat.

Kael stepped closer, his aura suffocating. He cupped my cheek, his voice low and chilling. "You wouldn't want to get on my bad side," he warned, his smile hiding something dark.

Trembling inwardly, I held my ground, though fear gripped me. He let go and turned to his men, "take her to the car ,"he ordered. "This place disgusts me."

With that, he walked out, and I was left with more questions and a growing sense of dread.

I was unchained and escorted to a black SUV. 

Kael rode in one car, while I was placed in another with his men. 

The drive to the city took about an hour. It was my first time seeing such towering buildings, flashing lights, and endless activity. 

When we arrived at Kael's mansion, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. The house was massive, its gates grand, and its structure radiated wealth and power.

As I stepped out of the car, I saw Kael kneeling before an older woman. She must be his mother, I thought. Her gaze shifted to me. "Who is she?" she asked.

Kael avoided the question. "Stephen, take her to the guest room and have the maids clean her up."I couldn't hear the rest as Stephen led me inside.

"This is your room for now," Stephen said after opening a door. He seems to be Kael's right-hand man; I noticed how closely they interacted. The space was unlike anything I'd ever seen—lavish and far too grand for someone like me. "The maids will attend to you shortly."

He left, but curiosity got the better of me. I followed him quietly and listened at the door."Someone asked him, who is she and why did Alpha Kael bring her here? I heard a maid say. "Isn't his mate coming next week? 

Won't this cause trouble?"Stephen's voice was calm. "

He told the queen she's an asset for something bigger. I don't know his full plan, but he wouldn't have gone through all this trouble for no good reason."

A knock at the door startled me. 

I bolted back to my room, ignoring the ache in my legs before I fell. "Come in," I said, trying to steady myself.

The maid who was talking to Stephen then entered, introducing herself as Isabella. "I'll be taking care of you from now on." Her gentle tone eased me a little, but my mind was elsewhere. Thoughts of my grandpa and my clan haunted me. Why had Kael brought me here? Was it because of the prophecy? Or did he mean what he said at the auction—that I will become his plaything?For now, I had no answers. But I knew one thing: I needed my strength back. Only then could I turn this around.