Chapter 1 – Marked By The Stranger I Kiss

“Yeah, just right there. F*** me hard.” I could feel my jaw clench as the muffled sounds of sex reached my ears from behind Jason’s closed door. Luna Anna had specifically asked me to invite him for dinner, but there he was, moaning and groaning with a faceless partner in his room.

The sounds of their passion stirred something within me-anger, perhaps? Jealousy? Or maybe it was my own secret crush on Jason that made these noises unbearable. Whatever the reason, I couldn’t seem to tear myself away.

“Fuck! That was so hot.” The feminine voice jerked me away from my thoughts as I swallowed hard.

One minute, I was standing close to the door; the next, it opened, revealing Jason in his pants, his hot abs on display. And, of course, no one other than the bitch herself, Stephanie. A name I dreaded. She stood there in her bikini. Such a sl*t!

“Look who we have here, the wolfless Jasmine,” she sneered, her voice making me angrier. She was always like that, reminding me every moment that I was wolfless.

“What are you doing here?” I looked up at the one person who mattered at that moment-Jason.

“I came to call you for dinner…” My stupid damn voice had to betray me in a moment like this.

He didn’t say a word, just nodded his head like he was tired of seeing me around. He hated me, I knew it. Maybe it was because I won his parents’ affection, or maybe it was because I was a disgrace for not having a wolf. I couldn’t tell, but I knew he couldn’t stand seeing me, even for a few minutes.

I nodded my head, my chest aching so badly. It wasn’t physical pain, but the fact that he didn’t feel the same way I did. While my eyes stared at him softly with all the tenderness I had, his stared at me-hard and hateful-with an “I don’t care” attitude. That was typical Jason.

“Wait! Losers like you aren’t meant to see a face like his, much less knock on his door. Next time you’re given such an offer, pass on it.” Stephanie, with her bossy attitude, spoke.

I rolled my eyes and intended to walk away when the bitch stepped out of the room and grabbed my hair.

“Leave her alone, Stephanie!” Jason said strictly. And just as if she were being remotely controlled by him, she released my hair.

I shot her a deadly glare and then walked away.

Well, this was my typical life-a young, wolfless teenage girl who was adopted by the Thane family and perhaps a disgrace to Jason because I had no wolf. He’d rather tell the world that I was adopted than let them know that I was his sister. He wouldn’t even acknowledge the “Adopted” label. How I had a crush on someone like him was very stupid of me.

The pack respected me because I was adopted by the Royal family, so no one dared to remind me of how wolfless I was. Otherwise, Luna Anna would have their tongue rolling on the floor.

Dinner with the Thanes was quiet as usual. Dad sat opposite Mom, and I was left to sit facing Jason.

Dinner was always quick, but today, for some reason, I couldn’t figure out why it felt so long. Maybe it was because I kept staring at Jason, or perhaps it was the fact that I hadn’t taken a bite of my food.

“You might as well place me on your plate and make me your dinner instead,” Jason snarled, his eyes fixed on his food.

I blinked rapidly and then diverted my gaze back to my plate.

“Today is the full moon, Jasmine. I’m eager to see who you’ll be mated to,” Luna Anna, my mom, spoke, her face beaming with a smile as she did. I smiled back. Of course, this was the day I’d been looking forward to, and maybe I’d finally have a wolf and a mate.

It was only a matter of hours, and my long-awaited dream would finally come true.

“Oh, leave our baby Jasmine out of this. She’s so young, and I can’t believe she’s finally going to be mated. I mean, she was just so little yesterday,” Dad spoke, his voice thick with emotion. In their eyes, I was still that little baby they had adopted.

But then again, I was eighteen, a teenager, and about to be mated to someone.

“And you too, Jason. It’s high time you get off your high horse and find yourself a mate. Your father was two years younger than you are now when he married me,” Mom spoke, referring to Jason.

Upon hearing his name, he immediately stood to his feet and walked away. This was typical of Jason. Handsome? Yes. A playboy? Yes. A jerk? Maybe. A snob? Definitely. But still, my heart chose him above all others.

I finished my meal on time and left to prepare for the big day.

Moments later, I arrived at the club, my eyes searching for one person. I smiled when I saw her waving at me-Ruby Slade, my closest friend.

“Hey, J,” she called as she walked over to where I stood. My eyes took in her dress-she didn’t look too bad. Neither did I. At least my parents allowed me to dress myself for an event without their input.

“Look who’s dressed hot!” Ruby could be a bitch sometimes, her voice loud enough to divert all attention toward me. Thanks for having a sassy best friend like Ruby.

I heard a familiar chuckle behind me and turned. “It’s just so unfortunate you won’t have a mate because you’re wolfless,” Stephanie whispered close to my ear.

I gulped, clenching my fist, the urge to slam it across her face rising. But then, I couldn’t ruin today. Not for someone as bitchy as she was.

“It’s the full moon!” someone screamed, jerking my attention away from Stephanie.

I smirked at her. “How about you watch and see, bitch?” With that, I walked away. I could feel the connection, the bond pulling me to where someone familiar was sitting.

I was sure he was feeling the same, too, as he turned and his gaze locked on mine.

“Mate!” I whispered the word. It was a dream come true. My longtime crush, Jason, was staring deeply into my eyes.

But then the moment was shattered, as he chuckled. “Mate? How ridiculous for me to be mated to a wolfless being like you! I, ALPHA JASON, REJECT YOU AS MY FATED MATE!”

The words he spoke shattered my heart. I felt the world spinning around me as I slumped.

It’s been three years since my life took a turn-two years of fleeing from the pack. Even though Mom strongly disagreed with me leaving, Dad fully supported it. He knew it would break me to stay and see the person who had rejected me. Dad said it was for the best, while Mom was scared I was going too far away and no one would be there to take care of me.

But here I was, wheeling my luggage as I spotted the pack’s name. Over the years, I had grown bolder, and of course, I’d gotten over Jason. Not even his name could break me now, let alone his sight. Or maybe not.

I stared back at the taxi that had just dropped me off and waved. I couldn’t believe I was taking this step.

After the rejection, I went through several turmoils-depression and all. I was shattered, broken, and humiliated in front of a bunch of teenagers. I could only blame my stupid heart for falling in love with such a jerk like Jason.

“Hey J!” A familiar voice yelled my name. I turned to see Ruby alighting from a car and running toward me.

“Rat!” I grinned back. She laughed, pulling me into a tight hug.

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