I had spent too long suppressing my emotions, tangled in my own confusion. But tonight, there was no running from the truth. No more pretending.The ache that had settled deep in my chest, gnawing at my very soul every time he wasn’t around, had become unbearable. I had tried to ignore it, push it aside, convince myself it was nothing. But the moment Dalton was near, my resolve shattered like fragile glass. The pull toward him was undeniable. My body craved his touch, my lips yearned for his kiss.And tonight, I would awaken my wolf. I could feel it in my bones, humming beneath my skin, restless and impatient.There was no one else I wanted by my side but him.Dalton had been my guide, my tormentor, my salvation—training me relentlessly, pushing me past my limits, never letting me give up even when I wanted to. He had never treated me as weak, never doubted my potential. And tonight, I wanted to thank him. In the most intimate way possible.I wanted his eyes on me, only me. Those gold
The ride to the lake felt agonizingly slow, stretched thin by the heavy silence between us. The small space of the car seemed to shrink, making it impossible to escape the tension that had taken root in the air.Dalton was focused on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned pale. His sharp jaw was clenched, the veins in his throat subtly protruding as if he were restraining something—anger, frustration, or something else entirely.I fidgeted with my fingers, my mind still replaying my foolish confession from earlier. I had blurted out my fascination with him so thoughtlessly, without a drop of alcohol to blame for my lack of restraint. What had I been thinking?If he was merely toying with me, leading me to a dead end where my feelings would be left shattered and bleeding, I had nowhere else to turn.Would he do that?The question burned in my chest, but I forced myself to look away, my gaze drifting outside the car window. The night was deep
“I… I felt something,” I whispered, gripping Dalton’s wrist without realizing it. He let me, his body steady and unmoving as I nearly stumbled into his chest.His lips curved slightly. “That’s good. Close your eyes and try again. Focus on that feeling—let it guide you.”Encouraged by his words, I nodded and squeezed my eyes shut. My breath was slow and measured as I searched for that pull—the strange tug deep in my stomach, like an invisible thread connecting me to something unknown.But nothing happened.The sensation had vanished, leaving behind an empty void.Panic surged through me. My eyes flew open, desperation lacing my voice. “It’s gone. I can’t feel anything—I can’t—”A firm finger pressed against my lips, cutting off my anxious rambling.“Shh.” Dalton’s voice was calm, his touch light but commanding.A shudder ran down my spine. It wasn’t just his words; it was the way he looked at me, unwavering and composed, as if he truly believed I could do this.“It will come to you,” h
For a split second, my heart stopped.Did he just say that?I felt my stomach twist, heat creeping up my neck. He knew.Of course, he did. He could smell it. My arousal.I had forgotten that was even a thing.But shouldn’t the water have masked it? Shouldn’t it have dulled the intensity?Panic clawed at my chest, urging me to run, to disappear into the shadows before I embarrassed myself even further. First, I had foolishly admitted my crush, and now my body was betraying me in the worst way.I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way my thighs pressed together beneath the water. My dress clung to me, torn and ragged, the delicate sleeves hanging uselessly at my sides.I must look desperate. Hungry.Weak.I turned, intending to take a step back, to put some distance between us, but Dalton moved too fast.I froze.His presence was a force, surrounding me, owning the space between us. I dropped my gaze, unable to meet his piercing stare.“Zee.” His voice was softer than I expected, but
The warmth of his lips vanished too soon, leaving my skin cold and aching in their absence. My heart hammered against my ribs, protesting the sudden loss. One second, I was lost in the heat of Dalton’s touch, melting under the pressure of his mouth. The next, he pulled away, his focus shifting elsewhere.I should have been used to his unpredictability by now. But stopping—in the middle of this—was a new level of frustrating.I had barely caught my breath when his hands seized my waist, lifting me effortlessly. A startled gasp left my lips as he pulled me up, settling me onto his lap with ease. My bare skin pressed against him, but he didn’t resume kissing me. He didn’t even move.I tried twisting to see what had caught his attention, but his palm came down lightly on my thigh—a silent order to stay put.A shiver ran down my spine. Obediently, I propped myself up on my elbows, my chest pressing against the damp ground, waiting.His thumb ghosted over the sensitive skin of my mark, send
“Huh?” The word barely left my lips before a sudden shift rattled through my body, as if my very bones were breaking apart and rebuilding themselves all at once.A raw energy pulsed through me, so intense that I gasped, or at least I thought I did. My limbs trembled. My spine arched. The sensation was overwhelming—unnatural yet completely right at the same time.And then, everything changed.The first thing I noticed was the fur. Thick, dark fur covered every inch of me, spreading like wildfire. My hands—no, not hands—my paws dug into the damp earth beneath me as my body expanded, stretching beyond its previous limits. I felt my muscles tighten, my joints pop and snap, realigning themselves into something new. Something powerful.Above me, the sky roared in response. Dark storm clouds churned, swallowing the stars and the moon, as if the very heavens had acknowledged my transformation. Lightning forked through the clouds, illuminating the night for mere seconds before plunging me into
A flicker of worry crept into my chest. Had Thunder angered him? Would he hold me accountable for my lack of control?But Dalton didn’t say a word.He didn’t even look at me.His silence was more unnerving than any reprimand. He simply strode toward the car with an unhurried grace, his bare feet barely making a sound against the damp ground. My cheeks burned as his hands settled against my thighs and the curve just beneath my breast. It wasn’t intentional. He was just carrying me, fully aware that my transformation had drained every last ounce of strength from my body.Still, his touch sent a strange warmth skittering across my skin.I tilted my head toward the sky, watching as the moon dipped lower, surrendering to the coming dawn. The world was still cloaked in a faint blue-gray hue, the last remnants of night clinging to the horizon. Soon, there would be no darkness to hide behind, no shadows to mask the emotions running rampant within me.I had done it.I had finally awakened my w
Dalton’s shirt smelled divine, carrying the lingering traces of his scent—a mix of warmth, power, and something entirely him. As I climbed the stairs, my fingers unconsciously brushed over the fabric, and an uncontrollable smile crept onto my lips. Every step I took felt lighter, my body still humming from the night before.I was still lost in that warmth when a voice cut through my thoughts."Oh, you’re back."I turned to see Cynthia standing a few steps ahead of me. She wore a sharp pencil skirt and a red blouse, a file in one hand and a pen in the other. Her expression was neutral, but I caught the brief flicker of surprise in her eyes before she quickly masked it."I was looking for you," she continued, shifting her weight slightly. "I wondered where you’d disappeared to."I forced a small, polite smile. I wasn’t in the mood for her, nor did I owe her an explanation."Just stepped out for a bit," I replied lightly, hoping she’d take the hint and move on.But Cynthia wasn’t done. H
The room fell silent, all eyes shifting between me, Cynthia, and Aleksander. His expression revealed nothing as he considered my judgment."Mercy," he finally remarked, "can be mistaken for weakness.""True mercy requires greater strength than vengeance," I countered calmly. "To heal rather than destroy, to rebuild rather than discard—these are not the actions of the weak."Something flickered across his face—not quite approval, but perhaps reassessment. "The judgment seems... appropriate," he conceded. "Though I would add one condition."I raised an eyebrow, waiting."During her year of service, she will spend one month in my territory, assisting our healers with the spring birthing season. She will see firsthand how packs can differ yet still respect each other's ways."The proposal surprised me—it was both a punishment and an opportunity, a chance for Cynthia to expand her understanding beyond the narrow confines of her prejudice.I glanced at Dalton, who gave a subtle nod, then at
The formal welcoming ceremony for Aleksander's pack was a masterpiece of carefully orchestrated pageantry. Every detail had been planned to demonstrate our pack's strength while honoring our guests—a delicate balance struck between power and hospitality.I stood at Dalton's side before the great stone archway that marked the entrance to our central compound, dressed in ceremonial garments that blended traditional pack symbols with subtle elements that marked me as Dalton's mate. As promised, I wore no magical protection, though Dalton had insisted on having Eliza work subtle strengthening spells into the embroidery of my jacket—"Not protection," he'd argued when I'd raised an eyebrow, "just enhancement of your natural abilities. Even Aleksander can't object to that."The distant sound of drums announced the Winter's Edge pack's approach. They moved with military precision, Aleksander at their head, his tall figure imposing even at a distance. Behind him marched his highest-ranking pac
Victor's expression was stone. "Enough, Cynthia.""The matter will be settled according to both our packs' laws," I interjected, unwilling to see her executed despite everything she'd done. "As the wronged party, I'll have a say in her fate."Aleksander's eyebrows rose again. "Mercy from an omega. How... unexpected.""Justice," I corrected. "Not revenge. That's the difference between leadership and tyranny."Something flickered in his cold eyes—not warmth, exactly, but perhaps a reluctant reassessment. "We'll see if you maintain that philosophy after spending more time as an Alpha's mate." He gestured to his pack members. "We return to our camp. The formal meeting will proceed tomorrow as originally planned."As they turned to leave, Cynthia was firmly escorted between two of Aleksander's guards—clearly now his prisoner rather than his informant. She twisted to look back at me, her expression a complex mixture of hatred and fear."This isn't over," she hissed.I met her gaze steadily.
My stomach dropped at the sight of her. She looked different—her usual polished appearance replaced by something harder, her blonde hair pulled back severely, her posture rigid with purpose. Her eyes found mine immediately, a small, triumphant smile playing at the corners of her mouth.The two groups halted a respectful distance apart, the morning breeze carrying scents between us—the unfamiliar, pine-and-snow smell of the Winter's Edge pack mixing with our own forest-and-earth scent.Protocol dictated that as the junior Alpha's representative, I should speak first, acknowledging Aleksander's status and thanking him for agreeing to this meeting. But before I could open my mouth, Cynthia stepped forward."This is the one I told you about," she said to Aleksander, her voice carrying clearly across the clearing. "The omega who ensorcelled our Alpha."A ripple of tension went through my escort. Victor's hand twitched at his side, his expression unreadable as he watched his daughter.Aleks
As the room cleared, Dalton maintained his grip on me, silently indicating I should remain. Once we were alone, his carefully controlled expression cracked, revealing the turmoil beneath."You can't seriously be considering this," he said, his voice low and intense."It's our best option," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "If I face him directly, on my terms—""He could kill you," Dalton cut in harshly. "Do you understand that? This isn't just pack politics, Oliver. Aleksander considers omega males an abomination. In his territory, they don't survive presentation."I swallowed hard. "I know. But that's exactly why this might work. He's expecting me to be weak, to hide. If I show strength—""He might respect it," Dalton acknowledged reluctantly. "Or he might see it as a challenge to his worldview that must be eliminated."I stepped closer, placing my free hand against his chest, feeling the strong, rapid beat of his heart. "Then we make sure elimination isn't an o
"Aleksander's pack approaches," Dalton began once we were seated, Dalton at the head of the table and me to his right. "And Cynthia has fled, likely to join them with false accusations against my mate.""False according to whom?" Victor challenged, his voice tight with barely controlled rage. "My daughter has served this pack loyally for years. She was raised to be your mate, to stand at your side as Alpha female. Instead, you publicly humiliate her for—" His eyes flicked dismissively toward me, "—this."A low growl rumbled from Dalton's chest, a sound that made the hairs on my neck stand on end. "Choose your next words carefully, Victor."The older wolf didn't back down. "The pack has a right to question your judgment in this matter. Aleksander certainly will.""My judgment is sound," Dalton replied, his voice dangerously even. "And your daughter attempted to kill my claimed mate. She's lucky exile is all she faces."Murmurs spread around the table at this. Exile was one of the harsh
Chapter"To check my injuries," I explained. "And to warn me about Aleksander."Dalton's expression darkened. "What exactly did she say?""That sometimes love isn't enough. That it takes strategy, too." I moved to the window, looking out at the pack grounds bathed in the day's fading light. Members were already moving with purpose, responding to what must have been Matteo's alerts. "She's right, Dalton. If we face Aleksander head-on about this, we risk everything—the alliance, the pack's safety, your authority.""What are you suggesting?" His voice was cautious.I turned back to him, an idea forming—one I wasn't sure I had the courage to voice. "What if... what if Aleksander doesn't see me as your mate when he arrives?"Dalton's eyes narrowed. "Absolutely not. I won't hide you, Oliver. I won't pretend our bond doesn't exist.""Not forever," I clarified quickly. "Just until the alliance is secured. Until we can find a way to introduce the idea more... gradually.""Deception isn't my wa
He turned to me, his golden eyes fierce. "Their opinions don't matter. I am the Alpha.""But their cooperation does matter," I pointed out gently. "Especially with the Northern Alliance meeting coming up."Dalton's expression darkened. "Matteo told you.""Cynthia did, actually," I corrected. "Right before she tried to cut my throat with a piece of broken glass."He winced, setting down the plate he'd been holding and moving closer to me. His hands came to rest on my shoulders, thumbs brushing against the fabric of my borrowed shirt."I should have told you," he admitted, his voice dropping. "I just... I didn't want to taint what we have with pack politics. Not yet."I leaned into his touch despite myself. "I need to know what we're facing, Dalton. All of it."He sighed, then nodded toward the dining table. "Let's eat. This conversation requires sustenance."We settled at the table, the domesticity of sharing a meal together still novel enough to send a ripple of warmth through me desp
I spent the rest of the day in a state of anxious anticipation. After cleaning up the broken glass and attending to my bruises—which were already fading thanks to my werewolf healing—Dalton had reluctantly left to deal with Cynthia and inform the pack council about the incident. He'd been hesitant to leave me alone again, but I insisted. I needed time to process everything that had happened.The Northern Alliance. The treaty negotiations. The fact that our relationship might trigger political consequences I hadn't even considered when I'd surrendered to the bliss of our claiming.I paced the length of Dalton's quarters—our quarters—trying to organize my thoughts. The initial euphoria of being chosen, of finally belonging, had been tempered by the harsh reality of what our union might cost the pack. Cost Dalton.A knock at the door interrupted my spiraling thoughts."Come in," I called, half-expecting it to be Dalton returning.Instead, Eliza—the pack's healer and one of the few who ha