CHAPTER 1

Amara Silverstone.

“No no no no,” I chanted as I ran through the forest. I was panting heavily and decided to make a quick stop and rest. I didn't even understand why I was running.

Until I sat down under a tree branch to rest and I heard footsteps getting closer. Too tired to move, I helplessly watched as a big bear approached.

I knitted my eyes together in confusion. We don't normally have bears around these parts. After asserting our dominance on the land, a bear hasn't been seen in years.

I searched my surroundings further. If a bear had somehow managed to encroach on the territory of the Shadowfang Pack, the guards should be in its neck by now.

But as the bear approached slowly, there were no other sounds of footsteps apart from its own.

Exhausted as I was, I knew I had to run. So while watching the bear warily, I tried to shift into my wolf since I would be faster in that form.

But nothing happened. I looked down at my body and willed myself to change again. Still, nothing.

By now, I had begun panicking. I tried to stand and run for my dear life, deciding that I would figure whatever was wrong with my wolf later but the bear clearly saw me standing up as a threat because its eyes switched to red.

I'm not talking about a natural red color, instead it was brighter—like a laser. Releasing one final roar, it bounded to me and in a flash, it tore through my chest.

I screamed in pain as I saw the empty home in my chest.

“My Lady, it's just a dream.”

I open my eyes to see Maya, my maid—who is more like a mother figure to me—crouching beside me. Relief washes through me as I sit up on my bed and allow her words to sink it.

Taking deep breaths, I calm myself down. My hands are still shaking but at least, my breathing has regulated.

“Tea, my Lady?” Mara asks as she gets up from her crouching stance and moves to my dresser where I see a tray of hot steaming tea.

Nodding, I accept the cup of tea when she brings it to me, still shaken by the nightmare.

“So we need to get you dressed for the ceremony,” I hear her say and her words jolt me.

It's finally here—the day I bond with Kael Blackthorne, Alpha of the Shadowfang Pack and my mate. It's my Mate-Bond Ceremony.

I gulp my tea and finish it in second, flinging my legs over the side of the bed as I stretch.

“How much time do we have?” I ask Mara.

“Enough to get you ready without rushing, my Lady.”

I think of going on a run but as my nightmare comes to my mind, I shudder and discard the thought immediately.

Just to make sure it was all a dream and not a premonition, I decide to communicate with my wolf, Isabelle.

“You there, Isa?” I ask as I strip out of my nightgown, preparing to enter the tub for a bath.

“Uh uh! I'm excited as well. I can't wait to finally bond with Ares,” she yaps excitedly, referring to Kael’s wolf.

I chuckle at her excitement because honestly, I feel the same as well. I step into the tub of warm water and visibly relax as an army of maids march in to bathe me and see to my dressing.

Isa whines in my head, “I miss him.”

I snort out loud, earning a disapproving look from Maya. Smiling innocently at her, I reply to Isa in my head, “You saw him yesterday. Relax and stop acting like a lady in heat.”

“But we didn't sleep together,” she huffs before rescinding back into my mind.

If I'm being totally honest with myself, I miss him too. Ever since we found each other a little over a month ago, we have never spent the night apart.

I always woke up in his arms but he had work to do last night, or at least that's what I was told. And before leaving, he had instructed me to sleep in my own quarters.

I hadn't given it much thought last night but now, as I think about it, a feeling of dread washes over me.

Coupled with the nightmare I had, I start feeling sick. I hope this is not an omen.

After bathing, I'm dressed in a white silky dress sequined with diamonds. My makeup is light and as I stare at myself in the mirror when the maids have left, I smile.

Who would have thought the moon goddess would mate me, an orphan, to one of the most powerful Alphas on this planet?

What's more, he's perfect for me and I love him. I can't wait to get this ceremony over with, so we can live the rest of our lives together.

Suddenly, an idea came to mind and I gathered my dress in my hands as I made my way to Kael's suite. I'm sure he misses me the way I miss him and I just want to see him before the ceremony.

But as I approach the door to his room, his guards stop me before I can get to the door. One of them says in a stern tone, “No one is allowed in.”

I scrunch my eyes in confusion, “Do you know who I am?”

“I'm sorry, my Lady. We can't let you through, Alpha's orders.”

My heart grows heavy as I struggle to regulate my breathing.

Kael instructed them to stop me from entering?

“Is he in a meeting?” I ask, trying to make sense of the situation. This has never happened to me before. I was always allowed in, no matter what.

The guards don't even deem me worthy of a reply to the question. Instead, one of them walks closer and repeats, “Please leave.”

Tears spring in my eyes as I nod and turn to leave but then I halt when I hear female laughter coming from inside the room.

I hear Isa’s growl in my head as she struggles to take control. That's how I know I didn't mishear.

Kael refused to let me in because he has a woman in his room?

My heart sinks as I ignore Isa’s painful howls. I feel like it's ripping to shreds as I make my way back to my room.

Maybe that dream was a premonition after all.