\"Man, you\'re 25 years old and you still don\'t have a significant MATE?\" A guy who stood outside of the main tent spoke with an undertone of pity in his voice and stated. \"What it indicates is that this is your very last opportunity.\"

\"Are you under the impression that I don\'t want to make a decision?\" The other man\'s lips contorted into an acrid grin as he listened. \"None of the females have lived up to my expectations,\" she said.

\"Why do you feel the need to be so picky? You\'re not even a Beta Stride; you\'re merely a low-ranking member of the Eastern pack\'s werewolf pack!\" The first guy sent a scornful glance in the direction of the second man. \"Your appearance is the one redeeming quality about you. Have some shame!\"

I turned my head away from the talk and pursed my lips as I entered the building with a few women whom I did not know. At the front door, there was a tall guy standing in the way of the visitors. As he took up a writing pad, his icy glare traveled across each of the females in the room. \"Everyone, please give your introduction.\"

\"Hello there, my name is Sophia Wilson, and I am a member of the Northern werewolf society.\" A proud voice came from the lady who was standing in the front. There were four werewolf packs located on the outskirts of the town, and the Northern pack was said to be the most well-known as well as the most prosperous of the four. When the other women observed a lady who had such a demeanor, they made a mocking sound and then began to reprimand her in a low voice.

But I refrained from speaking out. My arrival to the mating camp that was conducted once a year at one of the werewolf packs marked the beginning of my first time participating in the ritual. 

It was the western pack that did it this time. However, I was unaware of any of the information about the pack. I was so clueless that I didn\'t even know the Alphas\' names. The explanation was uncomplicated: I dwelt in the heart of the town, which was home to both humans and werewolves, and the latter were completely oblivious to the existence of the former.

On the other hand, those who resided inside the town had a reputation that wasn\'t quite stellar. I was afraid that the females who were around me would look down their noses at me and reprimand me for something that I had done. As soon as the notion occurred to me, I lowered my head in an attempt to conceal the fact that I was there.

If it weren\'t for my mother, I never would have considered setting foot in this location. This mating ritual was very unappealing to me. The ceremony would only serve to coerce the werewolf females, who would be picked by the males of the four most powerful packs in the area, into participating, and they would have no choice but to do so. It was just like being coerced into an arranged marriage, but I had no choice but to go through with it.

After that, I overheard the females chatting to each other behind me.

\"Are you aware of who will be taking part this time around

\"No, who!\" The other girl\'s voice could clearly be heard to be brimming with enthusiasm. She was interested in hearing the latest rumors

\"Alpha Asta Moore!\"

The second girl stopped moving when she heard this name for the first time. Even I was taken aback for a few seconds by it. Who doesn\'t have a connection to this individual? Alpha Asta Moore was the head of the Southern werewolf pack. He was very well-known for his merciless and icy demeanor. However, this was not the reason why I was taken aback.

\"Are you serious?!\" The second female suddenly let out an extremely loud shout, which attracted the attention of the people around her. She was startled when she realized that she had just spoken it in an extremely loud voice, and a hint of blush came on her cheeks as a result. She simply waved her hand and informed everyone, \"Just chatting about some pleasant topics,\" while nervously laughing in front of everyone.

Naturally, the females sitting next to me simply snorted at what they thought was a funny joke. It was obvious that they had overheard the dialogue, and they just looked down their noses at the second girl for lying.

Right at that moment, the second girl spoke in a hushed tone and asked, \"Are you serious? That murderer?\" Yes, Alpha Asta Moore was known throughout the werewolf community as a notorious killer who had committed the act of killing his own mother when he was a teenager. Nobody understood the true reason why it happened, and nobody dared to dig more into it since Asta would always get irate if someone brought it up in conversation.

\"This is quite close to the truth.\" The first young lady gave a shrug. \"My grandfather was there for the Alpha meeting and he heard all that was said.\"

I can\'t believe your father really met Alpha Asta Moore! When it came up again, the second female was even more taken aback.

\"Why are you acting so surprised? He is a member of the Western Pack\'s Beta stride. Naturally, he was required to be there.\"

They continued to talk to one another, but I paid them no attention at all. The reason for this was because I had a fear of Asta. I had been forewarned of his ferocity by more than one account, and the memories sent chills down my spine. Even just thinking about it caused me to break out in a cold sweat.

Why did he have to show up this year after I had already started my vacation? What if I run across this individual again? I couldn\'t help but shake at the concept, but I immediately brushed it off and took a few deep breaths to settle myself down. I couldn\'t help but quiver at the thought. How did this come to pass? There were a lot of young women in this place. There is no way that he would choose me. Despite this, I resisted going into the building.