CHAPTER 2

Seven months earlier 

Dinner had started off like any other—quiet conversation, the clinking of cutlery, and the warm glow of candlelight filling the room. But the atmosphere shifted when my father set his fork down, his tone turning authoritative.

“Derek, you’ll lead the patrol tonight,” he said firmly.

I nearly choked on my drink. “What? Tonight? I already made plans!”

My father’s eyes darkened, a subtle warning in their depths. “This isn’t up for debate. You’re the future Alpha, and leading patrols is a vital responsibility. It’s about ensuring the safety of the pack, maintaining order, and—”

“Yeah, yeah, keeping everyone safe,” I interrupted, frustration bubbling up. “But why tonight? You’ve never cared if I skipped before.”

“You need to start taking responsibility, Derek,” he replied, his tone unyielding. “When the pack sees the Alpha’s son out there, ensuring our borders are secure, it reassures them. They need to know you’re ready to lead.”

I glared at him, ready to argue more, but my mother cut in with a sly smile. “Besides, Derek, it’s for the best. You’ve had enough distractions lately.”

I frowned. “What distractions?”

“Oh, don’t play dumb,” she shot back. “Selene. That girl was practically trying to glue herself to you earlier. I caught her this morning attempting to kiss you while you were working on that building project.”

I groaned. Selene was the Beta's daughter and my childhood friend. For years, she’d convinced herself we were fated mates, but her arrogance and nasty demeanor had made her a thorn in my side. 

My mother despised her, believing she’d be a terrible Luna. Apparently, my mother had convinced my father to assign me to patrol tonight, just to keep Selene away.

“No wonder you’re pushing for this,” I muttered, narrowing my eyes at my parents.

“Exactly,” my mother said without apology. “And before you head out, you’ll pick up Kara from Piper’s house. She’s having dinner there.”

Kara was my younger sister, five years my junior. She had a knack for getting herself into trouble, and my mother rarely let her wander far without supervision.

With no room to argue further, I left after dinner to pick her up. When I arrived at Piper’s house, Kara came running toward me, hugging me tightly. “Mom said you’re walking me home?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Apparently, I’m the overprotective big brother now.”

Kara laughed. “I’m not a kid anymore, Derek.”

“Sure you aren’t,” I teased, but I didn’t let her walk alone.

As we made our way home, she glanced up at me curiously. “So, why are you on patrol tonight? I thought you were busy with that project.”

I sighed. “Because of Selene,” I admitted grudgingly. 

She smirked. “Figures. This morning, Selene actually went to Mom, asking her to make her breakfast. She told Mom that if she were Luna, she’d never lift a finger in the kitchen. No wonder Mom hates her.”

I groaned. “Let’s just say I’m glad to be on patrol tonight. At least she won’t be sneaking into my room.”

Kara burst out laughing. “You’re probably right!”

After dropping Kara off, I began my patrol. The woods were quiet, the cool air brushing against my skin. Then, a sharp cry cut through the stillness. My senses went on high alert as I followed the sound.

I found her leaning against a tree, her small frame trembling with exhaustion. Ava.

She was the pack’s outcast, known only as “The Broken One.” Born prematurely with a twisted spine, Ava’s existence had always been a mystery and a burden. 

No wolf was ever born with defects; it defied the natural order. Her family had largely disowned her, save for her father and one of her brothers. The rest barely tolerated her presence

I approached cautiously. “Ava?” I asked. “Are you okay?”

She didn’t respond. Her face was swollen and tear-streaked, her breathing shallow. Then, I heard it—the unmistakable sound of bones cracking.

My heart raced. She was shifting.

Her head flung back, and a pained cry tore from her throat. I’d seen this before, felt it in my own body during my first shift.

 But she was alone. Where was her family? Shifting for the first time was terrifying and disorienting—it was when we were most vulnerable.

 I scanned the area, but no one was there. Frustrated, I reached out through the mental link, connecting with my father. “Ava is shifting. Get her family here now.” 

As I waited, I knelt beside her, speaking softly. “Ava, your family is coming. Just hold on.”

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “No... please... I only want Blake,” she whispered hoarsely.

When her father and brother arrived, Blake rushed to her side, his face etched with concern. Her father, on the other hand, stood stiffly, arms crossed, his expression one of thinly veiled disappointment.

As the final crack of bone echoed through the silent woods, her transformation was complete. What stood before me wasn’t what I had expected.

Her wolf emerged, small and frail, but unlike anything I had ever seen. Its fur was a pristine white, pure and unblemished, glowing faintly in the moonlight as if it had absorbed the very essence of the night.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. A white wolf.

I had read about them in ancient texts, tales of rare wolves born with coats like snow, often regarded as omens or symbols of untold power. 

But I had never seen one—not in real life, not even in the stories passed down through the pack. And yet, here she was.

But for all its beauty, her wolf looked fragile. Too fragile. The small frame of her wolf mirrored her human form: delicate, almost breakable. Her legs trembled as she tried to steady herself, and her breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps.

Her father’s voice shattered the moment. “No,” he said coldly, shaking his head in disbelief. “This can’t be happening. A white wolf... weak and useless? This was supposed to fix her, not make her worse.”

Blake glared at him, anger simmering beneath the surface. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

But her father continued, his tone cold. “This wolf is a disgrace. It won’t run with the pack. No one must see it.”

I clenched my fists, biting back my anger. Ava’s wolf looked up at me, her pale blue eyes filled with sorrow. Then it hit me.

The mate bond.

Her scent filled my nose, intoxicating and undeniable. My wolf stirred, whining in recognition.

“No,” I whispered, stepping back. “No, this can’t be happening.”

“Derek,” her voice called softly in my mind.

I turned away, panic clawing at my chest. “You’re not my mate,” I muttered. “You can’t be.”

As I walked back into the woods, her mournful howl echoed behind me. My chest tightened, but I

forced myself to keep walking. She’s a disgrace, I thought bitterly. I’ll reject her. She can’t be mine.