Chapter 1

Jack's POV

“Hades will freeze over before I accept an omega as my mate.” I growl, anger snaking through my veins as I regard the hapless-looking woman who stands before me, eyes downcast, arms wrapped around her midriff as if trying to ward off my wrath.

For two whole years, I had waited to feel this connection and to find my mate. And I finally do so with Jenna? The young, naive girl who can hardly carry her weight?

Was this the god's hilarious attempt at a sick joke?

If word got out that my mate was a young omega who was still wet behind the ears, the pack was going to be an easy target for constant attacks. And I couldn't allow that.

I couldn't accept Jenna as my mate. Not when there was a war going on. I needed a mate who would fight ruthlessly by my side to keep the pack.

I look towards Jenna, the daughter of David Abbot, who was killed two seasons ago. David had been one of the strongest wolves in the pack, whose strength had waned the older he got.

Why wasn't his daughter like him?

“Why had your father not trained you?” I bark out.

Jenna's fearful eyes meet mine and dart away, as if she can't bear looking at me for longer than a second. Her long brown hair frames her heart-shaped face, making her look completely guileless.

But ‘guileless’ could get her killed. The pack didn't need her innocent, gorgeous look. The pack needed strength and bravery to stay together and alive. Jenna was not any of that.

“I asked a question, Jenna.” I growl, unable to control the anger that continues to boil in my veins.

“Father did not train me.” Jenna finally answers. Her voice is soft, tugging at something in my chest that causes me to close my eyes.

“He said I wasn't old enough.” She adds.

“Great!” I mutter, turning away when my wolf struggles to break free and reach for her. I might not want Jenna as my mate, but my wolf sure does.

I have always been better at controlling my emotions, but not this morning. Not when my wolf has sensed its companion and wants to perform the habitual act of bonding. But I subdue it before turning again to address Jenna.

“I will not accept you as my mate.” I announce in a loud voice that echoes through the large cave.

Pain arcs through me at my declaration, and I almost double over from the acute pain. I look towards Jenna, who appears to be in the same situation, her face twisted in hurt.

For a moment, guilt tugs at my heart for what I have done. But I brush it aside, determined to put the fate of my pack before anything else.

“You will not tell anyone about this.” I continue, wondering how I am even able to talk amidst the pain that rampages my body.

“Nobody can know that you're my mate. As far as anyone's concerned, I still cannot find my mate. Got it?”

Jenna nods sadly and turns away, moving towards the mouth of the cave. I watch her, enjoying the gentle sway of her hips and her long, shapely legs.

My wolf struggles within me to go to her, but I fight him, understanding that it's a natural feeling that I'm bound to feel around my mate.

Why did it have to be Jenna, though? Of all the eligible women in the pack, why her? Why was she chosen for me? Was I being punished for something I was not aware of?

Everyone had been so certain it would be Violet... My sweet Violet, who had been trained early enough by the beta.

She was impressively agile and strong, hunting with us right beside me and taking on rogues when she needed to. She could fight, and she was gorgeous as hell. Why had she not been chosen as my mate?

I begin to make my way in the direction that light spills through, trying to forget the enticing scent of my ma-Jenna that had led me here.

Now that I have rejected Jenna as my mate, I need to find her replacement ASAP. It would be none other than Violet, of course. Tomorrow evening, I will introduce Violet to the pack, and everything will be settled.

No one would question me or know what I had done. I will ensure that Jenna keeps our secret, not even Violet can know.

As I step into the sunlight, I decide to make the call immediately. I stride towards the mountain, hyper aware of my environment. Of the birds chirping on the trees and the grass that crunches beneath my feet. As soon as I get to the top of the mountain, I allow my wolf, whom I could barely contain, to break free.

Pain tears through me as I begin to turn. Contrary to what I had been told by my father, the pain had not lessened, I had only developed a stronger threshold for it.

As soon as my wolf completely takes over, I feel free, and my senses are heightened to hear every sound from a mile away, bringing back the enticing scent of Jenna.

In my wolf form, it's a lot harder to fight the urge to go after her, to claim her as mine, and to make my mark on her.

As the wind blows against my back, I throw my head back and give a loud howl that carries across the acres of land, where I am certain that every single wolf in the pack can hear it. There are several answering howls, and a few minutes later, I watch them begin to trudge towards the base of the mountain, some in their human form, others already turned.

When I am sure that every single member of the pack has assembled, I make my way down the mountain to address my people.

Through telepathy, I let them know that there'd be a little feast at my home. I scan the faces of everyone, noting that nearly everyone had answered the wolf call, including Jenna.

Her scent is stronger than ever, and I know that it's because I am in my wolf form; my senses have been heightened to the point where I can feel the blood that rushes in her veins, the arteries that drive blood to their hearts.

Her heart beats faster than the rest, and I cannot help but wonder whether she has been running. Or is she nervous?

As if she can sense my eyes on her, Jenna looks up and our eyes meet, and a warm feeling washes over me as our gazes lock and hold.

Jenna's eyes are filled with awe and something akin-to-lust. Desire pulses in my veins at the look in her eyes, and I struggle with the animalistic urge to pounce on her.

As beautiful and desirable as Jenna is, she cannot be my mate. I break eye contact and turn to dismiss the crowd, determined to keep my distance from Jenna.

As the crowds disperse, I begin to move towards the building, abandoned thousands of years ago by humans, a place that has become home.

A shadow falls into step beside me, and I turn to regard them. It's my beta.

Years older and more experienced, the beta had taught me all that I had needed to know after my father had been brutally killed in war. Even though he's my beta, I look up to him more than I'd care to admit.

“The last thing I expected today was the announcement of a feast. I didn't know we had something to celebrate.”

“It will be a small one,” I say, after I quickly turn. I am almost in my bedroom now, I have never been a prude, and I don't care that I am in the company of another, even though there's not a stitch of clothing on me. I move towards my wardrobe to make a selection, noting the dwindling collection in my closet.

I really need to learn to shrug off my clothes before I turn, like the others do.

“What shall we celebrate?” He asks, his eyes filled with curiosity.

“The announcement of my mate,” I say, avoiding the wise eyes of my beta, a little afraid that if I were to make eye contact, he'd read the truth in them.

“Your mate? Have you found her?” He asks, his voice tinged with excitement.

“No.” I growl. I hate that I have to lie to my beta about this. But it's for the best. I am doing this for the pack.

“Then what are we celebrating tomorrow evening?”

“I am going to choose my mate since I appear to have none.”

“I don't think you've waited long enough.”

“My words, Jordan, are final.” I tell him in a tone that brusques no argument.

Without another word, Jordan makes his way out the door, and guilt eats at me again. I wonder just how much guilt I would have to live with, with every decision I have to make as the alpha.

Jordan will not understand how risky it would be to accept Jenna as my mate. She could be used as bait by the other packs to get to me. She would be an easy target, an easy prey for rogues.

Even if I were to accept her and train her, she would take forever to learn. We couldn't have that. I was simply doing this for her safety and even mine too.

She might not understand now, but I hope she will do so with time.

***

The large hall is filled with everyone, dressed in their best. Violet looks dazzling in a shimmery gown that hugs her petite curves and exposes her slender arms to everyone's gaze.

Her lustrous blonde hair has been perfectly brushed so that it falls on either side of her face. Suddenly, as if she can sense my gaze on her, she looks towards me, and our eyes meet.

She gives me a wide smile and begins to move towards me. I smile back, offering her my arm as soon as she's close enough.

“Good evening, Alpha.” She gives another one of those smiles that completely lights up her face.

“It is certainly a good evening.” I smile, her hands tucked in mine.

“Do you mind if I show you around?” I smile. Even though Violet knows this entire place like it's the palm of her hand, I still want to do this because tonight is special.

Tonight, I will ask Violet to be my mate, and I have no doubt that in the presence of all our pack members, her answer would be yes.