02

“Chloe, Luna needs you in the kitchen,” one of my coworkers said.

“I'll be there in a minute,” I replied, collecting empty plates and filling some champagne glasses.

When I entered the kitchen area, I was greeted with a shower of confetti.

—Happy birthday, Chloe! — everyone shouted. They brought a beautiful cake with eighteen candles.

— Oh, my Goddess! Guys, you didn't need it! — I said, looking at the cake in wonder.

- Oh, stop it! It's not every day you turn eighteen,” said one of the cooks.

— Yes, very soon you will hear your wolf.

— Then you will be able to transform and... — Lady Karla dragged the 'e' while looking at everyone. —...find your partner!

I rolled my eyes as they laughed.

We ate some of the cake and went back to the hall to continue our work.

Suddenly I heard a strange voice in my head.

— Hello, Chloe..., — it was subtle, but clear as day.

It was my wolf. She had finally woken up.

— Um... hello? — I replied in my mind.

She laughed and came to the surface. His fur was snow white and his eyes were purple.

- Nice to meet you. My name is Rhea. I'm your wolf,” she said, sitting there, looking at me.

“It's my pleasure, Rhea,” I replied. — I hope we can get along well...

My words were interrupted by a delicious aroma that filled my nostrils. The smell was a mixture of maritime pine, almonds and amber.

It was intoxicating, almost like it was drawing me toward it.

Rhea felt it too. She pointed her nose up high, sniffing.

Then she said something that chilled me to the bone.

— Our partner is here. I can smell him.

** **

Aaron

I can't believe I let Max and Remus throw this shitty party.

My birthday was three months ago. What's the point of celebrating now?

I knew they just wanted an excuse to throw a party.

— Come on, Aaron, it's just one night! I want to see if I can finally find my partner. — Max whined. He rested his chin on my desk, begging.

— You keep saying that. And, in this search for your partner, you have already slept with around ****% of the female population. — Remus argued. He had a stack of papers in his hands.

— Oh, shut up. You don't care because you already have a partner. — Max snapped at Remus, who was the oldest of the three of us.

He was **** and Max and I were ****.

We had all assumed the roles assigned to us at the beginning of our lives, after the great war.

And after most of the leaders — including my father, the late Alpha, Max's father, his second in command, and Gamma Craton — had died in combat against the renegades.

— The fact that I'm with Aspen has nothing to do with it. I want a moment to relax as much as you do, Max, but our obligations come first. — Remus argued.

— But I want to find my partner! — Max complained, sounding like a child. Sometimes I wondered how the hell he got the title of beta.

— You will find your partner in due time. Now, we need to find a way to get rid of the renegade Klaus and his minions. — Remus said.

— Argh. We've been chasing these idiots for a year! A night off won't hurt anyone. Besides, who knows, maybe you'll finally find your partner too, Aaron? — said Max, raising his eyebrows.

“I'm not interested,” I replied. And it was true.

The last thing on my mind was finding my partner — and having to worry about her safety and that of my offspring.

All I wanted was to catch that bastard Klaus and end this war.

— What do you mean 'I'm not interested'? You know, I'm starting to think you might not be interested in female wolves... — he said with a smile, receiving my withering look in return.

—If you will allow me to say so, sir, he is right. No one has ever seen you interested in a woman. In fact, we never even saw you talking to one. — Remus added.

I stared at him, while Max laughed beside me.

- It's OK! I'll allow you to have this damn party at the end of the month,” I said, pinching my nose. — But after that, we go straight back to hunting and annihilating Klaus.

— Yay! — Max jumped for joy.

“Yes, sir,” said Remus. — Let's start preparing for the gala then.

That's how I ended up here today, at this party where I didn't even want to be.

Now, we, the leaders—pack alpha Blue Moon and his daughter Delancy, Remus and his partner Max and I—stood outside the door of the great hall, waiting for the announcement.

One by one, they entered as their names were called.

My name was last. I walked in, not worrying about the people around me.

As soon as I arrived at the table, I looked around me. My eyes met a pair of gray eyes that seemed to be able to see into my soul.

It was a simple maid, who was in the far corner, to my left. She looked intriguing, with those huge gray eyes and brown hair.

I quickly looked away and focused elsewhere. The party moved slowly, much to my chagrin. I was already bored of having to constantly reject girls asking me to dance.

Even Blue Moon's daughter, Delancy, came up to me, batting her eyelashes and trying to seduce me.

“Hey, Aaron,” she said in a sweet voice. I just nodded at her and continued with my arms crossed.

— Nice party. I didn't know you were the kind of guy who threw parties like this,” she said.

— I didn't do shit. Max and Remus who invented this party. I just gave my permission,” I replied, already losing what little patience I had.

At that moment, I was approached by a drunk idiot.

— Hey, birthday boy! — Max put his arm over my shoulder as he tried to keep his balance.

— You know, my birthday was months ago. This is just to get you off my back,” I replied.