RHEA'S POV
A sharp, searing pain jolted me awake, cutting through my sleep like a hot knife. My whole body was on fire, each limb screaming in agony as my bones twisted and cracked. I lay on the cold kitchen floor, groaning, as realization dawned: it was happening. I was shifting. It was midnight—the time when werewolves my age would meet their wolves for the first time, under the watchful eye of the full moon. I managed to crawl to the kitchen door, clutching the frame for support as my body contorted painfully. I stumbled out into the backyard, gasping for breath. The moon hung high and brilliant, casting an eerie glow over the yard. Somewhere in the distance, I heard the howls of others who were also shifting. The sound should have been comforting, but right now, every nerve in my body was too overwhelmed to feel anything other than pain. My fingers lengthened into claws, my face stretched painfully into a muzzle, and my body grew, tearing through my dress as if it were nothing but paper. I staggered toward the cover of the trees, barely making it into the woods before the transformation overtook me completely. With one last, agonized howl, I embraced the change. And then, suddenly, it was all over. I was on four legs, my senses sharper, my heart racing as I took in the world from a new perspective. My fur was a stunning, warm blonde, almost golden under the moonlight. I named my wolf 'Gold.' After what felt like a blissful eternity, we turned back toward the house. I shifted back to my human form just outside, stumbling slightly as the cold night air reminded me of my now-naked state. My shredded dress lay in a sad pile on the ground. Wrapping my arms around myself, I realized with horror that Miles’ necklace was missing. Panic surged through me, and I immediately began searching the area around me, frantically patting the ground and brushing through the leaves. But the necklace was nowhere to be found. Tears welled up in my eyes. How could I have lost it? Miles’ necklace had been my one connection to him all these years, a symbol of a promise I had held close to my heart. And now, just before I might actually see him again, it was gone. ‘Maybe we should go to the party first and see if he recognizes us,’ Gold suggested. She was right. I looked up at the moon, realizing it was already past midnight. If I didn’t hurry, I would miss my chance to see Miles. With nothing else to lose, I rushed into the house. As I stepped into the hallway, I was met with the sight of my mother, holding a blanket. Her face softened as she saw me. “Oh, you shifted,” she said, a genuine smile lighting up her face for the first time in forever. I nodded, unable to keep the smile from my own face despite the panic clawing at my chest. She stepped forward, wrapping the blanket around my shoulders. “Congratulations,” she said softly. “Thank you,” I whispered, clutching the blanket tighter. “Mom… have you seen my necklace?” She raised an eyebrow, her forehead creasing in confusion. “What necklace?” “The one Miles gave to me,” I replied, feeling the growing weight of anxiety settle in my chest. Mom shrugged, barely batting an eye. “Haven’t seen it. Was that why you came home?” “I never left,” I sighed, already heading toward my room. “I fell asleep in the kitchen.” Without wasting another second, I grabbed the first clothes I could find—sweatpants and a hoodie—and threw them on. I raced out the door, jumping onto my bicycle, pedaling hard toward the party venue. When I finally arrived, the party was still buzzing, the crowd alive with laughter, music, and that unmistakable excitement of a shift. Some were dancing, others were downing drinks, and a few were wrapped in blankets after their first shifts, still dazed by the transformation. I ignored the curious looks thrown my way and focused on one thing: finding Miles. It didn’t take long before I saw him standing by the bar with Rico and Evans, laughing and drinking. He looked… incredible. Taller, broader, with the same boyish charm, but now with a maturity that made my heart skip a beat. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to tame it, but then his scent hit me, deep and intoxicating, just as his gaze started to sweep across the room. His brows drew together slightly as he looked around. He was looking for me too. 'Mate,' Gold whispered. My heart did a flip-flop. Miles is my mate after all. My face widened in a smile as his eyes found me. But just as our eyes met, my happiness crumbled. Out of nowhere, Roxy stepped in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. My stomach twisted. How could she flirt with Miles, even after everything I told her? She knew how I felt about him. My heart completely shattered when Miles hugged her back, and she placed her head on his chest while he rocked her to the rhythm of the music, which had now turned slow. But Miles’ eyes were still on me, and his brows were furrowed. My first instinct was to turn back and run away from the party. I turned to leave but stopped halfway. I needed an explanation. I deserved an explanation—at least from Roxy. I turned back and started making my way toward them. Miles’ eyes still followed me until I was standing in front of him. “Miles, hi,” I said, giving a small, awkward wave, trying to keep my voice steady as I forced a smile. Roxy lifted her head from his chest, her lips curling into a smirk that made my blood run cold. Her gaze flicked over me, triumph glinting in her eyes. “Who are you?” Miles asked, looking genuinely confused. I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. “It’s me, Rhea. The girl who saved you from drowning that night.” Roxy’s laughter cut through the air as she pressed a hand to her mouth in mock surprise. Miles glanced between us, visibly puzzled, then focused on Roxy. “Is this the sister you mentioned?” Roxy nodded, a smug smile spreading across her face as she nestled back against him. “Yes, that’s her.” “Where’s the necklace I gave you?” Miles asked, his gaze settling on my empty neck. My hand flew instinctively to my throat, my heart sinking. “About that, I… I must have lost it when I shifted tonight. But, Miles, it’s me. My name is Rhea.” “Wow, Miles,” Rico interjected with a laugh, shaking his head in amusement. “How many girls did you have saving you that night? Even Miss Quiet here wants a piece of the Alpha.” “Yeah, what is this, some sort of sibling rescue mission?” Evans added, grinning. I was confused about what they were saying, and I looked from one person to another. But I chose to ignore them. All I wanted was to convince Miles that I was the girl he said he would remember. I was ready to spend the entire night proving it to him. “Miles… I’m your mate,” I blurted, hoping that would break through his confusion, would make him see me for who I truly was. At that, Roxy’s head snapped up, her gaze hardening into something dangerously sharp. Then she reached into her dress, which had been covered with Miles’ large jacket that she was wearing, pulling out a familiar object that glinted in her hand. My necklace. "Back off, Rhea." Roxy’s voice dripped with arrogance as she clutched the necklace tighter around her neck. "Miles and I made promises to each other years ago." She looked at him, eyes wide and pleading. "This is my proof. He gave me this necklace before he was taken away from me." I was speechless, staring at the necklace I had cherished and safeguarded for years—now hanging around my sister’s neck like a mockery. She had stolen it, stolen my claim, stolen every hope I had harbored of Miles and me being something real. My knight in shining armor was being stolen right out of my own fantasy. Miles looked at me, his expression conflicted but resolute. "I’m sorry, Rhea. You’re beautiful, and your scent…" he hesitated, looking pained. "It’s the sweetest I’ve ever known. But I love your sister, and I made a promise I don’t intend to break. We’ll have to reject the mate bond." A surge of rage twisted in my chest, tangling with heartbreak and disbelief. My voice was barely a whisper, thick with fury and tears. "You thief," I managed, but my voice rose. "Miles, that’s my necklace, not hers!" Roxy put on a show of tearful innocence, her voice cracking. "You always want what’s mine, Rhea! You’ve never let me have anything in peace. You’ve been with Yuri all these years, happily dating him—even though I met him first. And now, just because Miles is our Alpha, you think you can claim him too?" Voices around us started to quiet, and I could feel the crowd’s eyes drawn to our little drama. My pulse hammered, and before I knew it, I charged at Roxy. "You liar!" Tears streamed down my face as I lunged, but Miles stepped between us, shielding her. "Rhea, stop this. You’re making a scene." My heart broke even more. "Why won’t you believe me?" I pleaded, my voice raw. "I’m the one you met that night. I am your mate!" Miles’s gaze hardened as he pointed toward the exit. "You need to leave, Rhea. Or I’ll have security escort you out." I stood there, stunned. Was he really throwing me out, all for her lies? I straightened, wiping away my tears, feeling the numbness creeping in as I turned to leave. But then, something snapped inside me. I turned back, lunging at Roxy with all the hurt and anger bottled inside. "You liar!" I screamed as we hit the ground. "You’ve stolen everything from me!" Roxy struggled beneath me, clawing at my hands, but I yanked her hair, refusing to let go. "Give me back my necklace! Now!" Suddenly, I felt Miles’ hands gripping my shoulders as he yanked me off her, shoving me backward. I landed hard on my butt, my shock mixing with the ache of betrayal as I stared up at him. His eyes were blazing with fury. "Listen to me, Rhea." His voice was cold and final. "I don’t want to see you near me or Roxy again. If you do, I’ll have you banished." He took a breath, his tone cutting through me like a blade. "I, Alpha Miles Mondragon, reject you, Rhea Chapman, as my mate. Accept it or reject it; I don’t fucking care.” He raised a hand, signaling to the warriors nearby. They moved forward, ready to drag me away. But before they could reach me, a commanding voice cut through the room. "Don’t you dare touch her." The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to see Yuri standing a few feet away, his gaze fierce and unyielding. He stepped forward, his expression hard as steel, and helped me to my feet. For once, I was grateful for his presence and his steady strength. He wrapped an arm around me as I finally let myself break down, burying my face against his chest. "I’ll take her with me," Yuri said, a warning threaded through his words as he shrugged off his jacket and draped it around my shoulders. Without another word, he led me out of the party room.MILES' POV "You did what?" my father roared, his face clouded with disbelief and fury. "Rejected your mate? That’s unheard of. No one in our lineage has ever rejected their mate, and it’s not going to start with you." I held my ground, feeling that familiar, crushing weight he always managed to pile onto my shoulders. He had always wanted to dictate everything happening in my life. I had spent years away trying to prove that I could stand on my own, that I could make my own choices—but here he was, still pulling the strings. "It’s my choice, Dad," I said, keeping my voice steady. "It shouldn’t be!" he snapped. My mother placed a hand on his arm, and I watched as the anger drained from his face, his shoulders relaxing. It was an effect only a mate could have—their scent, their touch, instantly calming. I had felt a touch of that bond last night, even though I had fought it, I couldn’t deny what I felt from the bond. "Honey, calm down," my mother said gently. "We don’t need y
RHEA’S POV Today was the last day of high school, and tonight marked a monumental occasion—Miles' coronation ceremony and his twentieth birthday. He would officially become our Alpha. Luna Lisa, in her usual graciousness, had extended a personal invitation to me. She was always kind, but ever since the whole drama with Miles and Roxy, she had gone out of her way to show compassion toward me. Not that it made the whispers any quieter. These days, people looked at me like I was the villain in this story, the “sister who tried to steal her twin's lover.” Even my mother seemed to think this whole mess was my fault. But even if we put aside who truly owned that necklace, no one seems to remember that I didn’t make myself Miles’ mate. The moon goddess had made that arrangement. Now, I have to deal with the snide remarks and looks of disdain thrown at me whenever I walk down the school hallway, or even at the market. In fact, that stigma follows me wherever I go, like a bad omen—all
RHEA'S POV I sat tucked away in a corner, watching the crowd sway and spin on the dance floor. Tonight was Miles’ birthday and the long-awaited moment when he would officially take on the role of Alpha. Alphas from far and wide had shown up, along with their entourages of high-ranking pack members. Alpha Dennis, Miles’ father, was one of the wealthiest and most influential Alphas in the region—probably even beyond—so when I say this coronation was extravagant, I mean it. The whole night felt like a grand fairytale, minus any fairytale moment for me. Miles was not out yet, but his friends, Rico and Evans, were doing their best to keep everyone entertained. Since the whole mess with Roxy began, they were the only ones who still treated me kindly. It made me miss Yuri even more. Tall, handsome Yuri with his shoulder-length hair and that smile that could light up a whole room. He had been my only real friend, someone who had always told me to stand up for myself, to know my worth. B
RHEA’S POV I stretched out in bed, feeling a sense of happiness, I hadn’t felt in a long while. Miles’ scent still enveloped me, meaning he was still on the bed. I could still feel his warmth beside me, the solidity of his chest, and his strong arms around me. My eyes fluttered open, and I came face to face with Miles. We were still tangled up in the sheets. But just then, he stirred. His eyes opened, and for a brief, fleeting second, he looked at me with a softness I hadn’t seen in ages. But then, clarity hit, and his gaze sharpened. “Fuck!” he hissed, pushing himself up and away from me, his face twisted in horror. “What the heck are you doing in my bed?” The warmth I had felt shattered in an instant. His reaction cut straight through me, leaving a hollow ache in its place. I had been foolish to think that one night could change anything between us. Now, our bond had only intensified, and anything from him would hurt me even more. “I’m... I’m sorry, I—” I stammered, unsure
ROXY’S POV “Arrrgh!” I screamed, sweeping everything off the table in one violent motion, feeling the hot surge of rage burn through me. My mother was at my side in an instant, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder. “Roxy, honey,” she said, her voice calm. “Losing your temper won’t solve anything. I know how much this means to you, but you have to keep a cool head. This isn’t the end of the world. You’ll have plenty of chances to get Alpha Miles to sleep with you.” I turned to her, frustration written all over my face. “But why didn’t this work, Mom? I’m starting to think Miles doesn’t feel the way he says he does. He’s acting strange—he wouldn’t even let me use his bathroom this morning, wouldn’t lay a hand on me, and just stayed glued to his bed!” “Maybe he was just tired, sweetheart,” my mother offered, trying to soothe me. “Being an Alpha isn’t exactly easy work. All you need to do is stay patient until you’re officially Luna of the pack.” She leaned in, her tone lower
MILES’ POV I still carried the guilt of what happened between Rhea and me. It had been a few days now, and I still couldn’t bring myself to put it behind me. Knowing I betrayed Roxy like that made me loathe myself. Stepping into the role of Alpha had been nothing short of overwhelming. Endless pack meetings, mediating disputes, and now the impending decision of choosing a beta. My two best friends, Rico and Evans, were both worthy candidates, but the thought of choosing between them made my head spin. Rico, playful but incredibly reliable, had a knack for diffusing tension and keeping things organized. Evans, on the other hand, was sharp, focused, and a natural problem solver. We had never had the conversation about who would become my beta, but that wasn’t what weighed most heavily on my mind tonight. I needed to come clean to Roxy. She deserved the truth, even if it shattered her. Better it came from me than her sister, who wouldn’t hesitate to twist the knife. I stood at t
Two Months Later... RHEA’S POV “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!” Roxy’s voice rang out like a siren as she burst into the living room. I ignored her, focusing instead on setting the last plate on the table for dinner. It was a small victory that she’d come home just in time. The last thing I needed was for her to wake me later, whining about where to find things in the kitchen. I had been feeling off lately—tired all the time, my energy levels drained to nothing. Even getting out of bed felt like a monumental task. Mom, of course, had written it off as me being lazy, grumbling her usual complaints. Two months had passed since I accepted Miles’ rejection, and I had been trying to move on. But moving on was easier said than done, especially with Roxy parading her relationship with him around like a badge of honor. It was like she thrived on my misery, flaunting what I could never have. No matter how much I pretended to be fine, seeing them together was a knife twisting in a wound that refused t
MILES’ POV “Thank you, Alpha Greenwich. We’ll take that into consideration for the next inter-pack games,” I said into the phone, doing my best to sound polite. My patience for these calls was wearing thin. Evans strolled into my office; a stack of files balanced precariously in his arms. He dropped them onto my desk with a thud and took the seat across from me, looking far too relaxed for someone bringing me more work. I nodded at him and gestured for him to wait as I finished the call. “Alright, Alpha. That will be all for now,” I said, cutting the call short and tossing the phone onto my desk. “What’s up?” Evans asked, leaning back in the chair. I rolled my eyes. “Just the usual—older Alphas thinking they can dictate how we younger ones should run things. This time it’s about adding some ridiculous game to the inter-pack event lineup.” Evans smirked, clearly enjoying my frustration. “Ah, the burdens of leadership. But congrats, man,” he said, stretching out his hand. “Wor
RHEA’S POV "I want a divorce," Miles said coldly the moment we stepped into our bedroom. The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. "What?" His glare was icy and unrelenting. "You heard me, Rhea. The thread that bound us is gone. We lost the baby, and there’s no reason to stay married anymore. It’s been nothing but problems since the day we said ‘I do.’" Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them spill just yet. "Is this because of her?" My voice cracked, betraying my resolve. He let out a bitter laugh, moving towards the closet unbuttoning his shirt. "This has nothing to do with her or anyone else. This marriage was forced on me. I wasn’t ready for it, and all you ever do is nag, nag, and nag." I followed him to the closet, my voice trembling as I tried to reason with him. "Miles, I only wanted us to work. I just wanted you to try, to put in some effort, to give us a chance." He turned, exasperation etched across his face as
RHEA’S POV I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white as I dialed my mother’s number. My hands shook as I balanced anger, betrayal, and heartbreak. The phone rang twice before her familiar voice floated through the speaker. “Oh, Rhea, dear. Happy anniversary—” "I don’t need your wishes," I snapped, cutting her off without hesitation. My voice wavered between rage and desperation. "Why didn’t you tell me that Roxy is in town?" There was a deafening pause, the kind that screamed guilt louder than any confession. Then came her sigh—long, tired, and far too practiced. "Rhea," she began, her tone wary, "you know your father-in-law wouldn’t want that." I scoffed bitterly, my fingers tightening against the wheel. "Really, Mom? That’s your explanation for hiding the fact that my sister is sleeping with my husband? Do you all think I’m too stupid to figure out she is the one hiding behind that ridiculous Candy Bells alias?" "Rhea," she said, her voice softening l
Two Years Later... RHEA’S POV I hummed softly as Rose helped me set the dining table. Today marked two years of marriage with Miles, and I couldn’t help but feel like a newlywed all over again. The butterflies in my stomach, the care I put into his favorite meal—it was as if we had just exchanged vows yesterday. “Luna, this looks amazing. I think he’s going to love it,” Rose said, stepping back to admire the table. The twinkling fairy lights, the scented candles, and the flower arrangement all worked together to create a cozy, romantic atmosphere. I smiled warmly at her. “Thank you, Rose. I really hope he does.” Miles and I got married after it was discovered that I was pregnant by him. That one night of passion between us brought forth a seed that tied us together. It was like fate wanted us together anyway. But unfortunately, I lost that baby a week after we got married. I never got over it. The pack had been less forgiving. Whispers and side-eyes followed me everywhere aft
MILES’ POV “Thank you, Alpha Greenwich. We’ll take that into consideration for the next inter-pack games,” I said into the phone, doing my best to sound polite. My patience for these calls was wearing thin. Evans strolled into my office; a stack of files balanced precariously in his arms. He dropped them onto my desk with a thud and took the seat across from me, looking far too relaxed for someone bringing me more work. I nodded at him and gestured for him to wait as I finished the call. “Alright, Alpha. That will be all for now,” I said, cutting the call short and tossing the phone onto my desk. “What’s up?” Evans asked, leaning back in the chair. I rolled my eyes. “Just the usual—older Alphas thinking they can dictate how we younger ones should run things. This time it’s about adding some ridiculous game to the inter-pack event lineup.” Evans smirked, clearly enjoying my frustration. “Ah, the burdens of leadership. But congrats, man,” he said, stretching out his hand. “Wor
Two Months Later... RHEA’S POV “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!” Roxy’s voice rang out like a siren as she burst into the living room. I ignored her, focusing instead on setting the last plate on the table for dinner. It was a small victory that she’d come home just in time. The last thing I needed was for her to wake me later, whining about where to find things in the kitchen. I had been feeling off lately—tired all the time, my energy levels drained to nothing. Even getting out of bed felt like a monumental task. Mom, of course, had written it off as me being lazy, grumbling her usual complaints. Two months had passed since I accepted Miles’ rejection, and I had been trying to move on. But moving on was easier said than done, especially with Roxy parading her relationship with him around like a badge of honor. It was like she thrived on my misery, flaunting what I could never have. No matter how much I pretended to be fine, seeing them together was a knife twisting in a wound that refused t
MILES’ POV I still carried the guilt of what happened between Rhea and me. It had been a few days now, and I still couldn’t bring myself to put it behind me. Knowing I betrayed Roxy like that made me loathe myself. Stepping into the role of Alpha had been nothing short of overwhelming. Endless pack meetings, mediating disputes, and now the impending decision of choosing a beta. My two best friends, Rico and Evans, were both worthy candidates, but the thought of choosing between them made my head spin. Rico, playful but incredibly reliable, had a knack for diffusing tension and keeping things organized. Evans, on the other hand, was sharp, focused, and a natural problem solver. We had never had the conversation about who would become my beta, but that wasn’t what weighed most heavily on my mind tonight. I needed to come clean to Roxy. She deserved the truth, even if it shattered her. Better it came from me than her sister, who wouldn’t hesitate to twist the knife. I stood at t
ROXY’S POV “Arrrgh!” I screamed, sweeping everything off the table in one violent motion, feeling the hot surge of rage burn through me. My mother was at my side in an instant, placing a steadying hand on my shoulder. “Roxy, honey,” she said, her voice calm. “Losing your temper won’t solve anything. I know how much this means to you, but you have to keep a cool head. This isn’t the end of the world. You’ll have plenty of chances to get Alpha Miles to sleep with you.” I turned to her, frustration written all over my face. “But why didn’t this work, Mom? I’m starting to think Miles doesn’t feel the way he says he does. He’s acting strange—he wouldn’t even let me use his bathroom this morning, wouldn’t lay a hand on me, and just stayed glued to his bed!” “Maybe he was just tired, sweetheart,” my mother offered, trying to soothe me. “Being an Alpha isn’t exactly easy work. All you need to do is stay patient until you’re officially Luna of the pack.” She leaned in, her tone lower
RHEA’S POV I stretched out in bed, feeling a sense of happiness, I hadn’t felt in a long while. Miles’ scent still enveloped me, meaning he was still on the bed. I could still feel his warmth beside me, the solidity of his chest, and his strong arms around me. My eyes fluttered open, and I came face to face with Miles. We were still tangled up in the sheets. But just then, he stirred. His eyes opened, and for a brief, fleeting second, he looked at me with a softness I hadn’t seen in ages. But then, clarity hit, and his gaze sharpened. “Fuck!” he hissed, pushing himself up and away from me, his face twisted in horror. “What the heck are you doing in my bed?” The warmth I had felt shattered in an instant. His reaction cut straight through me, leaving a hollow ache in its place. I had been foolish to think that one night could change anything between us. Now, our bond had only intensified, and anything from him would hurt me even more. “I’m... I’m sorry, I—” I stammered, unsure
RHEA'S POV I sat tucked away in a corner, watching the crowd sway and spin on the dance floor. Tonight was Miles’ birthday and the long-awaited moment when he would officially take on the role of Alpha. Alphas from far and wide had shown up, along with their entourages of high-ranking pack members. Alpha Dennis, Miles’ father, was one of the wealthiest and most influential Alphas in the region—probably even beyond—so when I say this coronation was extravagant, I mean it. The whole night felt like a grand fairytale, minus any fairytale moment for me. Miles was not out yet, but his friends, Rico and Evans, were doing their best to keep everyone entertained. Since the whole mess with Roxy began, they were the only ones who still treated me kindly. It made me miss Yuri even more. Tall, handsome Yuri with his shoulder-length hair and that smile that could light up a whole room. He had been my only real friend, someone who had always told me to stand up for myself, to know my worth. B