Crystal’s POV:

I’m fucked.

I attacked the crowned prince. It will only be a matter of time before the royal guards barge in here and drag me out for my punishment. What if they kill me? Will it be so bad if they do? It will be a reprieve from this horrid life after all. I don’t think I have the strength to face this constant bullying and humiliation any more. Death would be better. The only reason I don’t want to die is because of Eleanor. She will be so sad and all alone. But it doesn't matter what I do. I will be punished for what I have done today. I might die for it.

Broken and dejected, I walk back to my bed and see the stranger's clothes from three nights ago. I pick it up and sit on my bed, as my mind wanders to that night. Did I really have sex with him? Or not? Who is he? Does he even remember me?

"Crystal? “Eleanor calls, and my heart falls as I come back to earth. They are here. The king's men. They’ve come for me. It’s over. It’s over for me.

“Your friend is here to see you. "She adds, and my brows crease.

Friend??

I have no friends. No one hangs out with the weird, fat, unattractive girl who Alina and the soon-to-be alpha dislike. So, who in God's name came here to see me? Could it be someone from school? Someone who just came here to be sureI’m home?

“Crystal? “She calls again, and I gulp.

“I’m… I’m coming. “I reply before standing up and steadying myself. I open my door slowly while clutching to the cloth in my hand and hoping I don’t pass out from how hard my heart is thudding in my chest.

I sluggishly make my way down the stairs, and a strong, somewhat familiar scent hit my nose. I freeze when the realization hits me. In disbelief, I rush down the stairs, and when I see who is standing in the middle of our living room, I feel my heart stop beating in my chest.

"Hi, Crystal... "He greets me with a smile as he looks up at me, and I stay frozen as I stare at him. How did he find me??

I see him look down and my hands and his smile grows.

“Is that my shirt? “He questions, and I gulp before quickly looking in Eleanor’s direction, and hiding the shirt behind me.

"Wha... How'd you find... How did you find me? "I question in confusion, and he stares at me with a smile that causes a volcano of butterflies to erupt in my belly.

“Can I talk to you in private? “He questions, and I look over at my older sister.

“Please… “He adds, and my heart starts thudding.

“Crysti? “Eleanor calls, and I swallow. I turn to her and she raises a brow at me.

*Should I leave? *She questions through a mind link, and I nod.

*I’ll be outside. Call me if anything happens. *She instructs, and I nod again.

When everyone leaves, I turn back to the man in front of me,and try to steady my racing mind and heart.

"How did you find me? "I question again, and the man chuckles lightly.

"I must admit. It was quite a tussle. I knew only three packs were closest to the Inn… Where you left me, and you had to be from one of them. I spent the past two days searching the other two packs and when I and my men couldn't find you there, I knew you had to belong to the Silver lake Pack. "He narrates, and my brows knot in confusion.

This is not how the one-night stands I read about in books go . The sole purpose of it being a ONE-NIGHT stand is for both parties to never meet again after that ONE-NIGHT. But this man went around looking for me. Why? What does he want?

"Why... Were you looking for me? "I finally managed to squeeze out another question from the numerous ones in my mind.

"For starters, I came to retrieve my horse. "He replies, and my jaw drops.

"She's yours? "I question in fright,and he nods.

"I'm so sorry. I... I swear, I didn't know she was yours, and I... I... Didn't mean to steal her. I swear, I was going to take her back to the inn today... I just needed some time. "I begin, but the man takes a step closer to me, and I feel my words get caught in my throat.

For some reason, I am scared and intimidated by his presence. I don't know what to make of his appearance in my house today, but I know that I don’t want to deal with any more drama in my life. So, I will give him his horse so he can go.

"I didn't just come here for my horse, though. “He replies, and I raise a brow.

"Then why are you here? I swear I... Didn't take anything else. All I took were your... Clothes and your horse... "I reply. Scared that he might think I took something else and may have come to take it back.

"No. You did take something else, Crystal. “He says, and I stare at him with wide eyes.

“What? No I didn’t! “

“You did. You took my peace of mind, Crystal... "He says, and I look up at him in pure confusion.

"Since that night, not a minute goes by when my mind is not running back to you. You are one temptation, the goddess so designed to test my self-control. And I have failed. I can not keep away from you, Crystal. I tried, but nothing has been more difficult for me in a long time. "He continues, and my jaw drops in shock. Unable to find words or process what he just said.

I stare at him blankly. Blinking with an open mouth, and he speaks again

"Say something... "He says as he takes a step closer to me, but I don’t know what to say.

Just today, my mate called her all sorts of degrading names to make it known how truly disgusted he is by me . And on the same day, this handsome young man is here, telling me that he can't keep himself away from me? How does it make any sense?

"Crystal... "He calls softly, and I glare at him. I know what this is.

“Who found out about it? Who sent you? “I question and confusion consumes his face.

"Listen, if this is some sort of joke or prank... Or... Or way to while away your free time, then I’d better have you know that I do not appreciate it one bit. I find it cold, and cruel. "I warn.

"What makes you think I don't mean the things I said? "He questions, and I scoff.

"Because! My whole life, I've heard people throw the meanest words at me. Making me understand that I am hideous and a blunder to the women of my pack. I've lived my whole life as a mockery. A joke.

I'm nothing like the other girls. I don't have a slim waist, flat tummy, sexy curves, or sharp chin... I'm not slender or visually pleasing in any way.

I'm 20 years old, and all my life... For 20 years, that has been the biggest truth of my life. And now, out of nowhere, a stranger comes and tries to make me believe that what I and every other person around me knows, is not the truth... How do you expect me to believe you? How do you expect me to believe what you’ve said? "I rant with tears building in my eyes, and he sighs.

"I searched three packs to find you, and you think I went through all that stress to play a joke on you? Is that how far people have gone to hurt you? "He questions as he moves closer to me, and I look away.

"Well, I'm not a joke star. I mean every single thing I've ever said to you since we met. And like I said, I'm not just here for my horse. I'm here for you too. I want to take you back to my pack with me. "He says, and I back at him in shock.

"Have you lost your mind? You want to take me with you?

The audacity!

Whatever happened between us that night, gives you no right over me! I'm not some commodity that you can take along with you to wherever you like! I'm going nowhere with you, stranger. I don't even know who you are! Get out of my house! "I reply in annoyance, and he sighs again.

"I'm Orion Rivenclaw. The Lycan king of the Crimson Fang pack. "He replies, and I freeze as he shows her the legendary mark of the Crimson Fang royal family on the side of his neck.

“What!? “