Chapter 0004

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.