The Dark Alpha's Secret Mate

Nina POV The night was windy, cold, and foggy. My Dad drove along the mountain road, flickering a glance at my mom, brother, and me at intervals. "It's Christmastime, honey. " What should we get for the season?" My mom asked with a bright smile that unmatched my dad's indifferent frown. He was troubled. The weary look in his eyes blended well with his frown, which my mom didn't notice. "Let's get a chocolate fountain, Mom," my twin brother Kyle beamed. We were just six years old and almost coming of age for the mating ceremony. It was today, and we were going to the venue. There was a rumor about us being the gifted twins in a prophecy of doom. And at the age of six, we would find our mates. My mom saw it as a blessing, but it was a curse to my father. However, they both showered us with unconditional love and promised to protect us regardless of the prophecy following us behind. Dad took a turn, slowing down his speed as he reached the gateway. "Honey, did you bring the two tickets? " I think I left mine at the house," Mom said, searching through her purse. "Let me buy a new ticket. " I didn't come with mine," Dad muttered. He got out of the car and crossed out to the other side of the road where the ticket machine was. I stared out the window, watching him as I counted my breaths. Something bad was about to happen. I could feel it. The silence of the night grew more intense each second, and before I could count my ninth breath, a truck crashed into our car. My mom screamed in shock, as our car tumbled to the side of the cliff. Everything happened in a flash. My ears became tuned to a painful blurring sound. When I opened my eyes, all I saw was blood gushing out of my dying mother's neck. Her eyes were sorrowful and dull, life slipping out of her slowly. "Mommy," I cried, trying to reach out to her. "Mommy." My brother called out in a cracked voice. He was injured by the side of his head and bleeding from his mouth. "Run, Kira. " Don't look back, mommy will come and get you," she managed to stutter even though her eyes held blame on them. I cried, unable to abandon them, but my mom yelled and then muttered a word that set me free from the car seat belt. I crawled out quickly and went to search for my Dad, only to find a man stabbing him continuously with a silver dagger. My face paled with horror as the scene played before me. "Daddy..." I cried, catching the attention of his attacker. The man covered in a black hoodie turned to me, my dad's blood dripping down from his dagger. He began to take heavy steps toward me with a killer gaze that scared me. I stumbled to the ground, my heart racing in fear as he got closer to me. As he was about to lift his hand to hit me, my father grabbed him from behind, groaning in pain. "Run, Kira. Don't look back. " Get out of here!" He screamed, struggling with the man. I got up from the ground and ran towards our car, but before I could reach it, it exploded, sending me off the cliff. "Wake up, Nina!" a voice yelled, and my eyes flung open. "Oh, my goodness. " You have to get rid of this night, or you will get us killed," my cellmate Lilith complained. I was covered in cold sweat, my chest heaving up and down as my body trembled from the nightmare. Another nightmare that I couldn't remember once I woke up. The chains to the cell rattled, indicating that our cage master. "Oh no, the monster is here," Lilith whispered, trembling in fear as she hid in a dark corner. He was here to discipline me for causing a loud nuisance in the middle of the night. We were rogue breeders, captured from weak packs and forced into servitude. "Who was it? " Which rat made that irritating sound?!" Our master growled in anger. I stayed quiet, my heart beating fast from fear. "Alright, I will catch you myself. " And when I do, you will never see daylight again." He snickered. His words scared me. I knew what he was capable of and feared that he would end my life if I revealed myself. His boots echoed with each menacing step he took. I closed my eyes, holding my ragged clothes as I prayed in my heart not to be caught. After a few seconds, he stopped beside me. I held my breath, counting numbers in my head. On the thirteenth count, he took a step away from me. I let out a sigh, thinking that he was gone, but then I felt his hand yank my hair. "Caught you, b***h! " You are going to regret ever being born," he cackled in a horrifying voice. I struggled to break free from him as the pain of his grip on my hair was unbearable. Lilith watched him drag me away. I couldn't blame her since she was powerless like me. She muffled her sounds, crying in the dark. This was the last time we went to see each other. My master pulled me harshly, but I struggled to like the stubborn brat that I was. Fighting to break free from him. "You worthless b***h! " Stay still!" He smacked my face with a brutal force that caused me to bleed from my mouth. "Now, serve your master as a good slave," he snickered and pulled down his trousers, revealing his disgusting manhood. I closed my eyes in disgust, infuriating him more. "Stupid b***h! " How dare you disobey me?!" He growled and wiped me with a spiky whip that peeled my skin. I whimpered in pain, enduring the torture until he got tired of hitting me. I'd rather die than serve him with my body. When he realized that I wouldn't budge, he began to force himself on me. I fought him, screaming for help even though it was useless. "Please, stop. This is against the rules. " A cage master is never to touch a breeder," I cried. "Now, you are quoting the law to me. " You worthless b***h!" He slapped me. "I can do whatever I want with you." So stop struggling and give in. " Who knows you might get lucky with my gifted sparm." He chuckled. I spat in his face, aggravating his anger more. "You crazy b***h!" He yelled and took his whip again. It was better to be bitten than to have him get his way with me. He continued to hit me until I lost count and slowly began to lose consciousness. Each lash landed with a heavy sound, renewing the pain on my skin. I couldn't even breathe anymore because of the strokes. He was going to kill me just like I had imagined in my head. But I didn't want to die. Not yet. I still wanted to see the sky one last time and meet my family, my friends, and my mate. I didn't have a mate yet because I had not awakened my wolf. But I guess that was never going to happen. At least, I got to meet Lilith here and smile a little even though I was broken inside. Suddenly, a growl echoed from behind and the cage master retreated in fear. "What is going on here?!" the voice thundered. "Alpha Knox?" The cage master stuttered as he dropped to his knees, trembling. The name he heard was none other than the dark Alpha of Winter Fall.