Chapter 2

　　Seth POV 　　Before losing consciousness, the last thing I remember is the rogue with his red eyes staring at me filled with hatred. He muttered something under his breath and then pulled out a gun, aiming it at his own jaw and pulling the trigger. 　　After that, my world plunged into darkness. I thought my life was over, until I woke up again, in excruciating pain and completely drained of strength. Standing by my side was a female werewolf with a round face and a curious expression. Her face was inches away from mine, but she seemed startled and kept stepping back. 　　Almost at the same time, I heard the clear voice of my wolf Adam's behind my ear. "She is mate." But at that moment, I had almost no strength to assess the situation in front of me and I passed out again. 　　When I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying in a hospital bed, with the strong smell of disinfectant making my head throb. I turned my head slightly and saw my mother with a sorrowful expression on her face. 　　"You finally woke up, I was so worried," she said. 　　"Mother, I'm sorry for making you worry," I weakly replied. 　　"Fortunately, you made it through, and this time we really have to thank Lorena," my mother wiped her tears. 　　"Who?" I was confused. 　　"To save you, we found a Dark Moon Pack girl and bonded you as mates, enhancing your power through the mate connection," my father, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. 　　It took me a while to understand the meaning of this sentence. 　　I remember the Dark Moon Pack, a powerful tribe that once helped my family a great deal over ten years ago, but unfortunately declined mysteriously under the current Alpha. I had also met that Alpha before, and his extreme flattery towards me was in stark contrast to how he treated his Luna, which left a bad impression on me. 　　But now, they want me to become mates with someone from that family? I can't accept it. Besides, I already have a loved one. 　　My mother explained, "Before, you stayed in the intensive care unit for half a month. The doctors said there was no hope and asked us to take you home to prepare for the worst. But the witch doctor told us that a mate bond is our last resort, so we found a werewolf to perform a ceremony with you." 　　After listening, a grimace appeared on my face. "Mother, I am already in a relationship. How could you casually find a girl from that tribe?" 　　"Are you still bringing up your lover? Since your accident, we have lost contact with your girlfriend. Her family even directly rejected our request for her to come and help you." 　　I was speechless. This situation was something I hadn't anticipated. I could only respond coldly, "I couldn't even survive according to the doctors' diagnosis at that time. Why would the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack agree to let his daughter do such a thing?" 　　"We considered that they wouldn't agree, so no matter the outcome, we promised to provide them with material compensation. We won't let them lose out." 　　"No wonder," I couldn't help but sarcastically remark. 　　"You don't need to be so verbose, she is somewhat your savior." My father interrupted me sternly. Then I turned my head and saw a petite girl hiding at the door. 　　"Lorena, why are you standing at the door? Come in quickly." My father waved at her with a friendly smile. 　　"She's mate, our mate." Adam whispered excitedly, and I had to try to keep him down. 　　She had to come in, seeming somewhat reluctant. I observed Lorena from my sickbed. This was the first time I had seen my mate. I wasn't sure if the mate bond I had felt before losing consciousness again was because she was indeed my mate or because of the ritual. 　　She was still wearing the ceremonial robe, her oval face with a hint of baby fat, and her innocent eyes resembling a young deer. Her appearance should have been pure and lovely, but under the dark clothing, her fair skin looked as white as snow, like a rosebud waiting to bloom. I had to admit she was quite beautiful. 　　But I had seen plenty of beautiful women before. 　　"Mom and Dad, could you please step outside? I have something to say to her," I said coldly. 　　"Do not bully Lorena, or else I won't recognize you as my son," my father warned before leaving with my mother. 　　I snorted and began to examine the fresh-looking girl in front of me. "Accept my rejection." I said this impatiently, which immediately aroused Adam's dissatisfaction, and he grunted in anger. Fortunately, we were both weak from injuries at the moment, or I wouldn't have had the confidence to suppress him. 　　"Alright," Lorena blinked her eyes and nodded. 　　Upon hearing her response, my contemptuous gaze intensified. "So you are just greedy for the advantages that this transaction can bring you to come?" 　　Lorena looked surprised. "What else? You are aware of your own situation, my dear young master?" 　　"Deceptive and unpredictable," I grew even more displeased. 　　Lorena was speechless, "I was hired by you to help, at least speak politely?" 　　"What did you say?" My pale face suddenly turned dark, like a harbinger of a storm. 　　"Did I say something wrong?" Lorena's dark eyes revealed confusion. "I've never seen you before, and I don't know you. When Alpha King proposed that you become my mate, almost everyone in the tribe knew you were doomed. I'm so young, and I don't even like you. If it weren't for the benefits, who would agree?" 　　I angrily exclaimed, "You!" 　　"Or maybe you think you're a shining star, and I'm supposed to fall head over heels in love just by hearing your name." Lorena poured more fuel onto the fire. 　　I was so furious that I wanted to stand up, but as soon as I sat up a bit, my head started spinning. 　　"Take it easy, after all, you're a patient." Lorena kindly came up to help me. 　　I angrily pushed her hand away, "Get lost, don't let me see you again." 　　"Well then, I'll leave first. Take good care of your injuries and try not to get angry too often." 　　I couldn't help but feel sarcastic. I really don't understand how the Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack raised such a materialistic daughter. After Lorena finished speaking, she didn't care about my pale face and walked away without hesitation, while Adam added fuel to the fire, "mate, you can't leave." 　　Wesley, my beta, entered after she left. "Do you know about this?" I asked in a sinister tone. 　　"Yes," Wesley said, still smiling. 　　"You also know about me and Nola, so why didn't you go find her?" My anger grew stronger upon seeing his smiling face. 　　"Miss Barlow has been completely unreachable since your incident. She was also firmly rejected when your father tried to communicate with the Alpha of their tribe. I believe there is no need to get entangled. Besides..." 　　"Besides what?" 　　"Besides, I believe Miss Jones is not a materialistic person. She might be a good match for you." 　　"Shut up." My emotions calmed down slightly. I knew Wesley wouldn't have anything nice to say. 　　"There's one more thing," Wesley spoke up as if just remembering, "King said before he left, if you dare reject Miss Jones, he will kick you out of the house." 　　"Really? Then please tell my father I won't mark her." I suppressed my anger and ignored Adam's howl of discontent.