Chapter 1

CARA’S P.O.V.

After Aquila died, I’ve never been able to properly love again. Although, I had set my eyes on Khan. Khan had such power in his speech and mannerisms. We, the West pack, have conquered and dominated much, if not all, of the West, including the town, thanks to his leadership. I wondered if I had a chance with him. I have only spoken to him three times and they were all reports about hunts. If only we could have a proper conversation alone. I’ve witnessed him transform into a beautiful grey wolf and under the grace of the full moon, his fur glows. Khan in his normal man form, he was what I believed would be classified as perfect. I fancied him but something just kept me away from him. Aquila was just as perfect as Khan and as powerful too. Maybe I couldn’t talk to Khan after all. I, Cara, was blamed for killing Aquila, my mate, Khan’s brother; of course he hated my guts. I sat quietly in the café, staring at the coffee I had ordered. I barely took any sip of it, I just let the dark beverage go cold. I don’t enjoy coffee, anyway. Aquila loved coffee, I hated it.

Someone entered the café and paced towards me. I waited for who it was. They did not exactly smell like wolf but they breathed like wolf. It might be Freya. I lifted my head and my eyes lighten; Freya always brightens mood.

“Why are you here all by yourself, Cara?” Freya was well aware of what I had gone through but she couldn’t fully understand. She has been with many mates which of none is dead or afraid of her.

“I’m just…relaxing.” I answered her question.

“With cold coffee? Sounds pleasing.” There will be a pack meeting this night. Will you be there?” A meeting was the last thing I needed at the moment. I was definite it’ll be about the town, climate changes, food or two wolves’ mating rites ceremony.

“I won’t.” There was no point in attending. I could get a summary of it from Freya.

“Why not?” Freya asked

“Why should I?” I asked.

“Don’t be like this, Cara. Almost everyone will be there.” 

“Then, I’ll just be absent.”

“Cara, I know this is about everything that has happened to you.” 

I felt myself falling into a teary state after Freya said that, but, why? 

“Cara, being alone and isolated from the rest of the pack won’t help you get over anything. Aquila never fell in love with a gloomy beta wolf. He fell in love with a happy cheerful wolf and that’s you…used to be.”

I’ve always loved Freya for her unfailing brightness and joy. It blessed my heart to know that we were still friends. 

“Fine, I’ll be there but, I’ll leave early.”

It seemed like I’ll just have to make myself available. I was one of the wolves in Aaliyah’s group; I couldn’t afford to disgrace my pack; not like they cared. They all had mates.

“Let’s go back to the forest” Freya said and I followed her

We arrived at the forest, the sun had already set and the first one I locked sight with was Khan. His countenance had a very disappointing grimace. He stood in front of the forest entrance, with his arms folded. 

“Evening, Khan!” Freya always greeted him this way. If not for my past, I am sure Khan would be her mate. How selfless. I couldn’t look at Khan in the eye without thinking of Aquila. 

“Cara…” Khan’s deep smooth voice called my name. It was rude to leave an alpha and the leader unanswered. 

“Khan?”

“How are…”

AWOOOOO! 

A howl—it was time for the meeting. 

“Let’s go.” Khan ordered. He had something he wanted to say to me before the howl, I wondered what it was.

We made way to the meeting grounds which was a wide opening in the forest. I stood with Freya, while I spotted Khan standing behind Rapha. He stood so firmly, all his outlines ever so detailed. I couldn’t stop staring at him. 

“We will now commence!” Rapha opened the meeting. 

The meeting went on and on about regular topics. I couldn’t stay any longer but, thankfully it was coming to an end. All wolves scattered and exited. I, too, was exiting.

“Cara Throne.” I heard my name mentioned. Immediately, I came to a halt.

“Cara Throne, please come forth.” Rapha called out for me.

My stomach sank on hearing him call me. Have I committed a crime? Was I supposed to give a speech and did not? I timidly walked to where Rapha stood. 

Aaliyah and Khan were there with Rapha. They stared at me while I made my way to them. 

“I’m here.” 

“Cara, we’ve been thinking a lot about you and we have come with brilliant plan for you.” Aaliyah’s tone was suspicious in one way and calming in another.

“Look, I’m not sure I’m ready for anything…”

“You don’t have a choice. This isn’t a suggestion, it’s a command.” Rapha mentioned. I didn’t have a choice? What Rapha had started made me curious of this…plan.

“Okay. I’m listening.” I stood relaxed and ready to hear them.

“The alphas of the East, North and South packs have found interest in you, Cara.” 

“The what?!” I couldn’t control the volume of my voice after I heard this. 

“We may have found mates for you from othrr packs.”

“But, I don’t want…”

“Cara…” Khan cut me short. “Please, for Aquila, do this.” 

Hearing Khan talk to me like that made me feel…sad. If Aquila was still alive would he want me to stay without a mate for the rest of my short life span? Well…he was my mate.

“Fine. I’m listening.”

“From the East is Tau, the Alpha of the east. From the North is the Twins of the Stars, Alphas of the North, Light and Sky. From the south are the Triplets of the eclipse; Amare, Philo and Ahab.” Aaliyah listed to me the alphas but something felt off.

“Okay? Is there anything else?” I asked and they looked at each other’s faces as if they had something hidden that they were afraid to say.

“Cara...” Aaliyah started. “This…is a contract.”

A contract? Was I about to enter a contract for mates?

“What are you talking about, Aaliyah?” I asked Aaliyah who couldn’t look at my face.

“We need you to agree on this. It’s for your own good.” Rapha had a bit of hostility in his voice.

“Look, Cara, don’t you want to be happy again?” Aaliyah wasn’t convincing.

“I am happy. Why do I have to sign a contract to get mates? I do not understand! I’ve come to terms with my fate of being without a mate. What are you not telling me?!” It was all too confusing to me and I needed clarity.

“You’re the only Beta in this pack without a mate.” Aaliyah broke my confusion. “You’re the only Beta wolf in the West without a mate.” 

 The only Beta without a mate. My heart sank. For a moment, I thought I would not care but, I was the only Beta wolf without mate in the pack! 

“Oh.” I had nothing left to say.

“We’re trying to help you and prevent you from getting kicked–”

“AALIYAH!” Rapha stopped Aaliyah from finishing but it’s very clear to me.

“I see.” I couldn’t think of any words. Can I argue with facts?

“You have been given three, no. You have four full moons to have your time with these mates and on the fifth full moon, you’ll return to the West with your new mate and whatever follows will proceed. In regular calendar time, that’s 4 months, including the month with a blue moon.” Rapha ordered.

Five full moons, huh? 

It bothered me why I was so…calm. Something inside me still believed that I’ll find my mate.

“I’ll think about it.” My voice just died and I felt my skin turn blue.

“Do so and give us your answer before sunset tomorrow.” Rapha left me with what I had already decided.

Rapha and Aaliyah left the Meeting ground, leaving me alone with Khan. 

I was alone with Khan. Wasn’t that a chance I had always hoped for? Wasn’t that a perfect moment? No. His brother, Aquila, died in the name of love; loving me. I’m so inconsiderate and selfish.