Chapter 1

“Ariana, slow down, or you’re going to choke on that sandwich,” Justin smirked, arms crossed as he watched her eat.

Ariana paused, slightly embarrassed, and quickly wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She shot him a playful glare before looking up at him through her lashes, her blue eyes glimmering under the soft light.

For a moment, they just stared at each other. Then, as if on cue, they both burst into laughter.

Justin’s laughter died down quickly, but Ariana kept giggling, completely oblivious to how intently he was watching her. His gaze never wavered, following the way her shoulders shook, how her head tilted slightly back as she laughed freely.

Justin had known Ariana his entire life. They had been inseparable since childhood, their bond forged through years of training, shared mischief, and battles fought side by side. Sometimes, people mistook them for siblings. Others assumed they were lovers. Neither was true.

Ariana’s father, Alpha Jeffrey, had tried more than once to push them toward marriage, hoping to unite their families. But Ariana had always refused, her voice unwavering every time she said, “I’m not ready for marriage until the conflict with the werewolf packs in New York is settled.”

That was Ariana—fierce, determined, and completely focused on the war looming over their clan.

Justin smirked, leaning slightly toward her. “I don’t know, Princess, but it looks like you’re enjoying that sandwich more than you should.”

Ariana rolled her eyes, finishing the last bite. “Justin, I swear, if you don’t let me eat in peace—”

“Yes, ma’am,” he interrupted, raising his hands in surrender.

She narrowed her eyes at him but didn’t push the issue. Typical Justin. He was always teasing, always pushing her buttons, but she never minded. He had been her constant—her closest friend, her most trusted ally.

But lately, something had changed.

Justin was watching her differently. His teasing felt more careful, his words more thoughtful. Ariana tried to ignore it, but deep down, she knew—something between them was shifting.

Shaking off the thought, she stood up, stretching slightly before her expression turned serious. “It’s time for the werewolf warriors’ meeting. Justin, go ahead. I’ll join you in a few minutes—I need to change.”

Justin nodded. “Alright, don’t take too long.”

She waved him off and turned toward her room.

Preparing for War

Ariana stepped into the bathroom, letting the warm water run over her skin as she mentally ran through the day’s plans.

The meeting. Father’s orders. Training. Recon. More training.

War was brewing, and she had no time for distractions.

After drying off, she applied lotion to her skin before moving to her closet. Her fingers skimmed over the neatly arranged outfits. “What should I wear?” she mused aloud.

She finally settled on her usual—black, sleek, and easy to move in. Tight black trousers, a black crop top, a heavy leather jacket, and matching black sneakers. She slipped them on, then walked to the mirror, adjusting the jacket before smirking at her reflection.

“Perfect.”

But something was missing.

Her gaze flickered toward the small wooden box on her dressing table. Inside, an array of masks lay neatly arranged. Each was crafted for a different purpose—some for disguise, others for battle. She chose the black one, securing it over her face until only her piercing blue eyes were visible.

“Now, let’s begin.”

The Meeting of the Warriors

The moment Ariana entered the meeting hall, the room went silent.

Dozens of warriors stood before her, their faces serious, their bodies tense with anticipation.

Justin, who had been speaking to a group near the front, turned when he sensed her arrival. “Ariana—” He cut himself off, smirking slightly. “Took you long enough.”

Ariana ignored him, stepping forward. “According to my father, we have an obstacle,” she began, her voice strong and commanding. “There’s a pack in New York that stands against us. They are powerful, some say the strongest. But that doesn’t mean we can’t defeat them. If we train harder, we can surpass them.”

Her gaze swept over the room. “We will not back down. They could attack at any moment, so we need to be prepared. Effective immediately, the training hall is open, and every warrior is expected to sharpen their skills. We do not wait for war to come to us—we meet it head-on.”

A murmur of agreement spread through the warriors.

“Thank you, Alpha Ariana. We’ll do our best,” one of them spoke up, his voice filled with determination.

Justin stepped forward. “The Pack Princess has led us to victory before, and she’ll do it again,” he declared, making Ariana roll her eyes.

Pack Princess.

She had long since given up trying to get Justin to stop calling her that. It was his thing, and no matter how many times she scolded him, he never listened.

“We’ll fight for both Alphas,” another warrior added. “As long as we have Alpha Jeffrey’s guidance and Ariana’s leadership, we will not fall.”

Ariana crossed her arms. “We don’t have time to waste. We don’t know when they’ll attack, so I don’t think striking first is the best move. Not yet. We need more information on them first. I’ll personally see to that.”

She straightened. “The meeting is over. Train hard and be ready.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out, Justin following closely behind.

Unspoken Feelings

As they made their way down the corridor, Ariana nudged Justin lightly with her elbow. “So? How was I in there? Did I look fierce?”

Justin smirked. “You looked cool—but also a little terrifying. That’s the spirit of a Pack Queen.”

Ariana chuckled. “Oh, please. You act like I’m the only skilled fighter in the world. One day, you’ll meet a girl who will beat your ass, and you’ll fall in love with her. Just like in the movies.”

She laughed, but Justin didn’t.

His silence made her glance at him, confused. “Justin?”

He looked away. “Maybe.”

Ariana shook her head, brushing off the strange tension between them. “Anyway, I have to meet with my father. I’ll catch up with you later. Let me know if anything suspicious happens—like a girl actually managing to take you down.”

She winked before walking away.

Justin watched her until she disappeared from sight, a sigh escaping his lips.

She had no idea, did she?

That no other girl in the world could ever compare to her.