Prologue

Amber

Werewolves and lycans don’t get along. My kind turns into beautiful wolves, while lycans turn into these two-legged giant furry creatures of pure destruction. It’s logical for us werewolves to be scared of them, right?

Most people in my pack would agree with me, so it’s upsetting that I’m about to be forced into an arranged marriage with a lycan of all people.

“Why do I have to marry Alpha Zeke or Beta Sebastian from the Lycanrock pack?” I ask my parents in a shrill voice.

We were having a normal dinner a second ago, and suddenly they dropped this HUGE bomb on me—what were they thinking? Gosh. I think I’m close to having a panic attack!

My parents exchange looks with each other, and I frown at their expressions. They seem surprised I’m raising my voice at them, but I can’t help it. I usually never raise my voice or complain about things. As the Snowflake pack’s Omega, I seldom make myself heard, but this is a matter I can’t ignore.

“Because our pack needs to keep the peace with the lycan pack, honey,” my mom says and slumps her shoulders in her chair, looking defeated. “And Alpha Ashlee decided that the Omega—you—should be the one to marry for this alliance. I’m sorry, honey.”

Tears gather in my eyes. I’m not liking the idea of being traded for a peace treaty. “But I don’t even know them!” I argue. “What if they won’t like me and end up killing me? Lycans are known for being violent! Not to mention they are all super tall and muscular!”

“That’s why we’re sending you to their territory for a month before the wedding,” my dad says, attempting to reassure me. “You will have a chance to get to know them and see their way of life. Also, it’s not like you have to marry both of the brothers. You only have to pick one, either Zeke or Sebastian.”

I groan, feeling like a prisoner being sent off to her captors. But I know better than to argue or disobey my parents, especially when it concerns our pack’s safety. The pack comes first, and deep inside, I want to feel useful.

My mom places her hand over mine on top of the table. “And if you don’t like Zeke or Sebastian, there is a third brother, but he isn’t of age yet.”

This piques my interest. If there is a third brother and he isn’t of age yet, that means we can’t get married. I’m eighteen and perfectly legal—it would be creepy for a child to marry me already. But if I pick the third brother, I can avoid marriage for at least a few years...

“How old is the third brother?” I ask, already knowing I’m going to pick him as the lycan I will marry.

“He is just thirteen, honey,” my mom replies. “His name is Alex, and he hasn’t even entered puberty yet—are you sure you want to marry that one? He won’t be able to keep you safe at this age, and the wedding won’t happen until he turns eighteen. That’s in four years and a couple of months.”

“I want him,” I don’t even hesitate. Four more years of freedom sounds like a dream come true. “Do I have to meet him before we get married?” Please say no.

“Obviously,” my dad laughs. “I’m sure Alex wants to see his future wife and mate before he turns eighteen.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Lycans pick their mate, right?”

“Yes, so you will be marked by Alex once you’re both legal,” my mom explains.

I thoughtfully nod. “And let me get this straight: if I pick Alex as my future husband, then I get to keep living here until he comes of age?”

“Yes, that’s right, honey,” my dad says with a small smile. “You will continue to live here with us until the wedding day when Alex turns eighteen.”

I let out a sigh of relief, and my parents seem to relax a little, knowing that I’m not completely against the idea of an arranged marriage. Deep down, I know it’s the right thing to do for our pack. And at least I have four years and a couple of months left to live before my life gets ruined.

The next few weeks go by in a blur as I prepare for my visit to the Lycanrock pack. I pack light and bring only a few essentials with me: clothes, a book to read in the car, my phone, and a picture of my family.

The drive there is rather eventless, and when I step out of the car, I’m greeted by Alpha Zeke and Beta Sebastian. They both tower over me, their muscular frames intimidating. Everything about them screams wealth and incredible power. Zeke is especially enormous, with dark hair and broad shoulders. Sebastian is a little more feminine with long eyelashes and curly blonde hair, but he is still huge.

“Welcome to our pack, little Omega,” Alpha Zeke says with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “How was the journey? Comfortable?”

I try to smile back, but my nerves get the best of me. “Th-thank you,” I stutter. “And it was...alright.”

Beta Sebastian chuckles and steps closer to hand me a red rose. When I take it in my hands, he winks. “For you...” He says and grins at me. “Shame you didn’t pick me as your mate. I’m the romantic one,” he nods at Zeke. “And while Zeke is the one that always gets in trouble, he also would have made a better mate than Alex, you know.”

I arch an eyebrow, daring to speak up. “W-what is so wrong about picking Alex?”

Zeke’s smile disappears, and he steps closer, looming over me. “Alex is just a kid. He won’t be able to protect you or our pack. You need someone who can provide for you, protect you, and give you strong pups.”

Sebastian nods in agreement, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. “Why would you want to wait four years for a kid when you can have one of us now? We could make you very happy.” He leans in closer, his breath hot on my neck.

I take a step back, feeling trapped. “I-I don’t want to get married yet,” I manage to say.

Zeke and Sebastian leer at me like creeps, looking like they are about to say something before the doors to the mansion open. I’m very grateful for the intrusion and lift my chin, widening my eyes when I see a smaller lycan coming down the stairs. This one isn’t huge, but he looks very irritated.

“Stop bothering my mate,” the lycan, who must be Alex, says as he takes me in. He can’t be taller than five feet, two inches shorter than me. I would find him cute if it weren’t for the evil smirk tugging on his lips as he steps closer to me. “Ah, so this is my mate and ticket to becoming the future Alpha of the Lycanrock pack.”

I stare down at Alex. He has the same beautiful black hair as Zeke, but his eyes are a bright blue that stands out against his light tan skin. His face is mischievous and inviting at the same time, full of youthful energy.

But there is something about how he looks at me, like I’m prey instead of his future mate, that unsettles me.

I nervously clear my throat before turning away from Alex’s scrutinizing gaze back to Zeke and Sebastian, who are both staring down Alex with a mixture of contempt and annoyance on their faces.

“You won’t take my spot yet,” Zeke growls. “And Amber could always change her mind. Dad said whoever marries her will become the Alpha.”

“And I intend on marrying her,” Alex says matter-of-factly.

Zeke snorts. “Not if I steal her.”

“Steal her?!” Alex gasps.

“That’s right, pipsqueak,” Sebastian says and uses Alex as an armrest, giving him a shove. “You’re just a kid; what could you possibly do to stop us?”

Alex’s smirk widens as he casually shrugs Sebastian’s muscular arm off of him. “Oh, I don’t know,” he says with a glint in his eye. “Maybe win her over with my charm? I might be younger than you, but I’m way better company.”

Zeke scoffs and turns to me. “Don’t let his words fool you, little Omega. Alex may be charming, but he’s still just a pup. He can’t protect you, but we most definitely can.”

I look between them all, feeling more and more uncomfortable by the second. I’m not sure what they are expecting me to do, but before I can say anything, Alex holds out his hand for me to take with a small smile. The earlier darkness is gone from his face, and what is left is just pure childish innocence.

“Your parents wrote in the latest letter that you like flowers,” he says, his voice softer now all of a sudden. “Do you want me to show you the garden? It’s quite impressive.”

I take his hand hesitantly, feeling the heat of his skin against mine. “Sure,” I say softly, trying to ignore the fiery looks Zeke and Sebastian are throwing our way.

As we walk towards the garden, I can feel Alex’s eyes on me the entire time. It’s a little unnerving, but at least he isn’t as aggressive as the other two.

When we finally reach the garden, I’m struck by its beauty. There are roses of every color imaginable, along with other flowers I can’t name.

“It’s beautiful,” I say in awe. “Roses are my favorite kind of flower.”

Alex smiles at me proudly. “My mother loved them too, and she always had a talent for gardening. She taught me everything I know.” He pauses, looking thoughtfully at the roses. “She passed away a few years ago, but I still come here from time to time to tend to them.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” I say softly, feeling a pang of sympathy for him. Losing someone you love is never easy.

Alex shrugs, his eyes still fixed on the flowers. “It’s alright. My father is the Alpha of our pack now, and I have big shoes to fill when he retires.” He turns to me, his gaze intense. “But I won’t let that stop me from being a good mate to you,” he smirks. “And don’t worry about my age. I have a feeling I will catch up to Zeke and Sebastian soon enough.”

My heart lurches, and I frown. “Please don’t.”

That surprises him. “Why not?”

“They are so tall and big,” I grimace. “It’s intimidating, actually. Werewolves are smaller, you know?”

Alex chuckles at me, the sound deep and throaty even though he is just a kid. He moves closer to me until he is only a few inches away. I can feel his breath on my skin, warm and inviting. “Don’t worry,” he says in a low voice that sends shivers up my spine. “I will always protect you and be kind to you, no matter how big or small I am.”

I stare down at him, feeling a sudden pull toward him that I can’t explain. The way he looks at me, like I’m the only thing that matters in the world, is both thrilling and terrifying at the same time.

“Anyway,” Alex turns around. “Do you want to eat cake? I love sweets and had my servants bake some earlier.”

I snap out of my stupor and giggle. “Sounds good. I’m a big fan of sweets, too, you know. I actually love baking.”

“Baking and gardening?”

“Uh-huh.”

He whistles. “Wow, I’m a lucky man. Not only are you very pretty with your white hair and blue eyes, but you are also a woman of many talents.”

I smile at the compliments. Alex seems nice. Perhaps the future won’t be that bad after all? Lycans are scary, and I’m not a big fan of Zeke and Sebastian. They intimidate me, but Alex?

I look down at his smiling face and feel a sense of relief. He is cute and tiny, and I doubt I need to be very fearful of him. The guy loves cake and gardening, so I think I will be safe. I doubt a lot can change in four almost five years. Right?