Chapter 1

Julia's pov.

“Julia! It's almost eleven!”

Mother's voice echoed from outside my room, followed by a round of knocks that did nothing but infuriate me. It's Saturday morning! Why won't she just let me sleep in!?

“So what mother? Let me sleep!” I yelled back, turning on my side and placing my pillow over my head as I tried to doze off again.

“Fine, I'll let you sleep! But don't blame me when Dylan wants nothing to do with you anymore.”

Dylan?

Dylan!!

I sprang to my feet immediately, panting like I just fell from a skyscraper. How could I forget that I am supposed to meet Dylan today?

I looked over at the clock only to find out that it was truly almost eleven. Dylan and I were supposed to meet by ten, I'm late!

I picked up my phone before anything else and just as I suspected, five missed calls from him. Panicking, I called him back but there was no response. I had to dash into the bathroom for a quick bath, hoping to get to the pack house before noon.

Within minutes, I was done taking a bath so I dressed up in a simple short gown and a pair of sneakers, usually my go-to outfit most days. Then, I proceeded downstairs to meet my mother and my brother.

“Oh! The princess is finally awake.” Alex, my big headed brother chanted, stuffing his face with food as I descended the stairs. I walked up to him and yanked a piece of bread from his plate.

“Give that back! You have yours!” He furrowed his brows but I ignored him and ate the whole thing.

“That's for stealing my chicken last night!” I stuck out my tongue at him.

“Paying evil with evil? That's not a quality you should possess as the future duchess of this pack.” He teased, causing me to blush a little.

“Oh please! You won't serenade me this time.” I chuckled, settling down next to him to have my breakfast. My mother did not say a word but watched us with a smile on her face. She was used to our bickering already.

Alex is only three years older than I was, and since the death of our father, he has taken care of mother and I with the little job he got at the pack house. He worked as the Gamma's assistant, next in line to be the Gamma as soon as the current one retires. We were all looking forward to that.

Dylan and I met through my brother. I had gone to take food to Alex one fateful day and there, I met him. We started talking and his visits to my school became frequent until we started dating.

Being the Alpha's cousin, Dylan was kind of a big shot and dating him is one of the best things to ever happen to me. He's everything his cousin isn't— kind, loveable and easy going. His cousin however, is the worst person you'd ever wish to meet.

Alpha Kane.. The most feared Alpha and business tycoon anyone would meet.

“Well,” I got to my feet, grabbing my cute tote bag. “I have to get going, I'm late as it is.” I made my way to the door.

“Be careful honey.” Mom said and I nodded.

“And tell your boyfriend that your birthday is tomorrow! It's time to do the right thing!” Alex yelled after me as I exited the house.

Again, I caught myself blushing at the thought of Dylan finally making his intentions known to everyone. He promised to do so on my eighteenth birthday, that's how serious we were about each other.

“He's still not answering.” I sighed, sitting in the taxi and calling him over and over again. I wonder where he has kept his phone, or was he really that mad at me?

We haven't seen each other since school went out of session and today was supposed to be the day we spend some time together. I shouldn't have overslept, now he's upset.

I couldn't hold back from being worried until the taxi stopped right in front of the pack house.

I stared at the magnificent arrays of buildings as I stood in front the gate, the towering structures casting a shadow along the path that led into the main doors.

The guards stopped me as I proceeded, but when they recognized me as Dylan's girlfriend, they let me through the gate.

I gazed at the park house like it was my first time there, admiring every intricate design and allowing the scent of fresh flowers to invade my nostrils. It was one of the most refreshing places to be and I could spend hours exploring it.

I made my way through the gigantic front doors, the guards at the door pushing the door open for me and making me feel like a princess.

I held a smile on my face as I entered the large room that was subdivided into several other rooms and a beautiful array of stairs.

“Good morning.” I was taken by surprise when I heard the voice. I turned around only to find one of the maids gazing at me with a smile on her face.

“Good morning, I'm here to see Dylan.” I quickly stated my mission, already losing my mind. The thought of my Dylan being upset with me didn't sit right with me.

“Oh,you must be his girlfriend. You can check his room.”

I scratched my head in confusion. I have been here more than a couple of times but each time, Dylan and I would meet outside so I didn't really know where his room was or how to get there.

“His room is on the second floor, the last door.” The maid directed, noticing my confusion. I thanked her and ran off, taking the stairs and making my way up.

I got to the second floor and realized that I hadn't asked which direction to go. There was no one else to ask so I simply followed my instincts, taking the left path.

I got to the room at the end of the hallway and pushed it open. It was an empty master's bedroom but the aura alone had me wondering if I was truly in the right place.

It smelled like forest and rain in here, sending a pungent feeling to my stomach. The room was dark, the windows drawn with only a little light over the bed. It was the largest room I have ever set foot into, with a living area in it.

“Dylan?” I called out, still doubting if I was in the right room but there was no response.

“Is he not home?” I muttered, sighing and falling into the soft bed. I pulled out my phone to call him again.

“What the hell are you doing in my room without my permission!?” A husky voice came, chilling and mirthless.