Mia POV
"Mia, have the pack house cleaned," my father ordered the moment I walked into the dining hall. The room was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of cutlery clinking against plates.
"Mia, you look like a mess," my sister greeted me, her voice filled with amusement. I could see her perfectly styled hair and the pristine white tablecloth reflecting the morning sunlight. "Good morning to you too," I muttered, trying to hide my exhaustion.

"I'm sure she was out training with the rogue kid all night again," my brother joked, causing laughter to fill the room. "At least I'm training," I muttered under my breath, hoping no one would hear. But my father did. His voice boomed across the room, "Show your brother some respect. He will soon be crowned the next wolf king." His words hung heavy in the air, and I could feel tension building.
"Sorry, my king," I said, mustering up a sarcastic curtsy, trying to lighten the mood. It worked, and my brother burst into laughter, but my father's growl only grew louder. "Enough!" he yelled, slamming his fist on the table. The room fell into silence.
"Skip your meals for today," he snapped, his words laced with disappointment.
"Sorry, father. I'll go clean now," I said, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. I left the room, finding solace against the coolness of the wall, taking a deep breath to calm my racing emotions. As I started cleaning, the dust particles danced in the sunlight, creating a hazy atmosphere. I muttered to myself about how a place could get so dusty in just a few days, my voice barely audible over the sound of my footsteps echoing through the empty corridors.
Hours passed, and hunger gnawed at my stomach, causing me to sigh in exhaustion. Inara whimpered in my head, sensing my distress. She hated when my father was upset with us. Finally finished, I made my way to my father's office and knocked on the door.
The scent of old books and polished wood filled the air as I waited. "Cleaning is finished," I announced, my voice slightly shaky from fatigue. "Would you like me to complete any more chores before I head to the training grounds?" I asked, my words respectful but tinged with weariness.

"Sit down, Mia," my father ordered, his voice stern but filled with a hint of regret. I took my seat, feeling the weight of the chair against my tired body. "I apologize for treating you harshly earlier," he began, his voice softer now. "I understood that you were just having fun with your brother." I listened intently, the tension in the room gradually dissipating.
"I understand, father. I should not have disrespected him regardless," I apologized, my voice sincere.
"You, my child, are the best-behaved and my strongest fighter. Don't forget, I am proud of you, and every decision I make is to protect you," he explained, his words wrapping around me like a warm embrace. "I know, father," I responded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.
"Tonight, it is not safe for you to be around the visitors," he explained, his voice filled with concern. "I ask that you go stay in the housing by the training facility." I nodded, bowing my head in understanding, and quietly left his office.

"Mia are you going to get dressed for tonight," my sister asked with a mischievous grin. "Many unmatched wolves from another pack are coming."
I hugged her tightly before replying, "Father has requested I not attend. Have fun and don't get into trouble." With a small smile, I left the pack house and made my way towards the housing near the training facility.
As I entered, I found Leo sitting on the couch, engrossed in a book. With a dramatic sigh, I fell down next to him, the couch cushion sinking beneath me. He put his book down, noticing my presence. "You've got some free time finally, I see," he remarked.
"I have the entire night. Father asked me to stay here," I replied, a grin spreading across my face. Leo's expression darkened. "Although I'm happy to see you, he is casting you away again, Mia. That's not cool," he said, clenching his fist.
"I'm okay with it. It means I get to be with you," I said, leaning on him. But as soon as I felt him tense up, I quickly sat up. We both knew the truth - we liked each other, but we couldn't act on it. Leo had a mate out in the world, and so did I. We had never sensed each other as mates.
"Run away with me, Mia," Leo pleaded, his hand finding mine. "You know I can't." I whispered.
I could see hope flickering in his eyes as he continued, "You are treated like a slave here, yet you smile and act as if it does not bother you. You deserve to be free, to be loved. We can start a life away from here, go to a city, eat out, and maybe I'll finally get my wish and you will allow me to steal your first and last kiss."
I sighed softly, feeling torn. "You know well, Leo, I can't give myself to you. It is unfair to whomever your mate is, as well as mine, even if I never find him. I will remain loyal to him." Leo smiled at my words, his admiration evident. "One of the very reasons I like you, Mia. Still, run away with me, even if it is just for us to find our mates," he pleaded, his voice filled with longing.
"I can't run away, Leo. I must protect this pack," I whispered. "But I promise, one day you and I will sneak away for a weekend and explore a city, maybe even help you find your mate."
"Deal," Leo replied with a wide grin, his voice filled with excitement. "So, what should we do tonight?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Spy on the party, of course," I chuckled, tossing a pillow playfully at him. Rising to our feet, we shared a mischievous glance. "Sounds like fun. Let's see how many wolves your sister manages to charm."
"Let's just hope she doesn't get herself into trouble again," I replied, a hint of concern in my voice.
"You mean you," Leo retorted, his expression filled with worry.
"It's okay. She wouldn't have been able to handle the consequences," I reassured him, my voice tinged with sadness. "She wouldn't have been punished that way,” Leo snapped.
"Alright, enough of that. Let's go," I declared, taking his hand as we sprinted towards our usual hiding spot near the pack house. We had strategically placed piles of strong-smelling substances around the area, masking our scents. So far, no one had ever dared to venture near our secret hideaway. As we reached the spot, the anticipation made my heart race, feeling like a curious pup again, despite being in my twenties. What if my mate was here?
"Why isn't Mia here? She should have a chance to see if her mate is here," I overheard my brother questioning my father.
"She is not allowed to find a mate. You know the dangers it can bring, and they could challenge you for the throne," my father responded, his voice firm and authoritative.
Leo's hand tightened around mine, providing comfort and support. "What do you plan to do if she scents him?" my brother pressed.
"We will lock her away if necessary," my father replied.
"Mia, let's go," Leo whispered urgently, tugging at my hand.
"Fine," I murmured, reluctantly leaving our hiding spot behind.
"I need to go for a run, want to come?" I asked him.
"I'll stick behind, I know you need space. Come back and I'll make you something to eat," he replied, his voice gentle and reassuring. "I bet anything you got your meals taken from you again," he sighed.
"Thanks, Leo," I responded, feeling a sense of warmth and gratitude towards him. I swiftly stripped off my clothing near a sturdy tree. Passing them to him, I trusted him to bring them back to our housing. With a deep breath, I let my body transform, my bones shifting and rearranging themselves. Inara, emitted a silent howl, her excitement palpable. Without wasting another moment, she bounded forward, her paws gracefully hitting the forest floor.
As we raced through the wilderness, the wind whipped against my fur, the coolness a refreshing caress against my skin. I had to maintain control over my emotions, knowing that even the slightest disturbance could unleash a furious storm. I pushed myself to run faster, allowing Inara's calming presence to soothe my racing thoughts.
"Father hates us," Inara whispered in my mind, her voice filled with sadness and vulnerability. I gently reassured her, "No, he just knows I'm dangerous." The truth of our nature weighed heavily on my heart, but I refused to let it define us. "We are not dangerous, Mia. We need our mate," she whimpered, her voice filled with longing and aching.
Suddenly, a foreign scent invaded our senses, its pungent odor overpowering the natural fragrance of the forest. "Rogues," I growled, my instincts on high alert. The absence of the warriors patrolling this area puzzled me, raising my suspicion. Determined, I followed the scent, my paws hitting the ground with purpose. A surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins as I spotted two rogue wolves ahead.
Without hesitation, I launched myself towards them, my claws unsheathed and ready for battle. I attacked with relentless ferocity, my claws slashing through the air and my teeth sinking into flesh. But to my astonishment, they kept reappearing, their bodies reforming before my eyes. Confusion and frustration flooded my mind. What was going on?
Something was wrong this was not normal. I tried to link with my family, but I got silence. As I continued, a sense of unease filled the air. Finally, I heard a voice in my mind. It was unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar. "Mia, please be safe. I will find you. I won't fail you," the voice spoke, its warmth washing over me temporarily. But in that moment, a rogue wolf lunged and clamped onto my side.
"Mia, I'm so sleepy," Inara whimpered. "No, we must fight," I warned her. But suddenly, I found myself shifting back into human form. Just as the rogue was about to attack, everything around me changed, and I found myself in an empty, dark room.
"To think you sacrificed your wolf, your power, to trap me. Yet, I can still get into your mind," a voice laughed. "Who are you?" I demanded, but the voice only laughed in response. "Poor little white wolf, you will relive all the memories of your pack mistreating you over and over again. You think you trapped me, yet now I can break you. Now, you don't even remember the one closest to your heart, do you? You sacrificed your power, your wolf is now too weak to move forward. A small speck of power remains in that pathetic body of yours, and as long as you don't remember, when I wake, I can take it from you," she laughed.
"Enjoy the darkness, little wolf," she laughed again, and then her voice vanished. I screamed as I held my head, trying to make sense of it all. I tried to remember, but my mind drew blanks. Was I really just reliving a memory? And who spoke to me? Who promised they would find me? Why did their voice feel so warm?
I slammed my fists against the wall as I yelled for Inara to come back to me. Then, I closed my eyes, feeling a deep emptiness within. "Leo," I cried, but as his name escaped my lips, it felt wrong. I slid down the wall, remaining in darkness for what felt like hours.
"You're my forever, Mia," the strange voice filled my mind again. The words felt comforting, yet elusive, as I strained to place a face to the voice.
"You must remember, Mia. Focus. Don't forget. The key is to remember," A new voice enveloped me, its echo resonating in the air. I closed my eyes, and a fleeting image flashed through my mind, evoking a surge of emotion that cascaded down my cheeks like a waterfall.
"Don't forget him, Mia. Remember him. Hold onto his name, hold onto who he is to you," the voice reverberated, swirling around me as I felt dizzy and tired.
Suddenly, I found myself standing in the grand dining hall of our pack house, surrounded by the familiar scent of polished wood and freshly brewed coffee. I gazed at my father, his authoritative voice commanding me to have the pack house cleaned. My sister's amusement-laced greeting reached my ears, accompanied by the symphony of clinking cutlery and the soft hum of morning chatter. The sunlight danced upon the pristine white tablecloth, casting ethereal patterns that played tricks on my weary mind. But my thoughts were muddled, and a sense of déjà vu washed over me. Something was amiss, something was wrong with me.