I blinked, surprised. Ava’s mate. Of course, she’d found her mate during the night of the mating ball . I forced a smile, trying to match her excitement. “Oh, that’s amazing! Congratulations, Ava.” Hunter gave me a nod, that cocky look I’d seen a hundred times from him. He was the quarterback, the alpha type everyone drooled over. I’d seen him with plenty of other girls before, the popular ones who flocked around him like moths to a flame. Ava, sweet Ava, with him. I couldn’t help but think about how strange the Moon Goddess’s choices could be, pairing a girl as kind and thoughtful as Ava with someone like Hunter. But fate was strange that way. I nudged Hunter’s arm. “Hey, just make sure you take care of my best friend, or I might have to, you know…murder you.” Hunter rolled his eyes, grinning. “Sure, I’ll be on my best behavior,” he planted a quick kiss on Ava’s forehead. “See you later, babe.” With a last nod to me, he walked off, leaving us alone. Ava turned to me, rolling h
My gaze landed on him instantly, drawn like a magnet, and I almost didn’t recognize him. Jaxon had dyed his hair a bright, rebellious blonde color that clashed with his usual look. New tattoos up on his forearms and beneath the collar of his leather jacket. A silver hoop glinted from his eyebrow, and there were even more piercings in his ears now, adding to the bad-boy look he’d adopted seemingly overnight. He looked like he —rough, dangerous, and somehow even more handsome than before. Ava’s eyes widened beside me. “Oh, Mom and Dad are definitely going to have something to say about this,” she murmured, in awe and disbelief. But he caught my eye before I could respond. And for a moment, it was as if time slowed. The bond between us might’ve been broken, but something remained—a thread of feelings that still connected us. I felt a wave of his emotions, —anger, frustration. I could feel him pushing those feelings at me, though his expression stayed normal. Then, as I watched, h
Maeve's povI crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow at him. "I’m starting to think you're stalking me."Carter chuckled softly as he hopped down from the branch. "Who, me? I think it's you who keeps finding me in all my secret hiding spots."I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. The garden’s hardly a secret."“Maybe not, but you don’t see anyone else here, do you?” He leaned against the tree, crossing his arms with that familiar smirk on his lips. “Just Dark and twisty Maeve hiding from her mate problems as usual. You’re so predictable.”I rolled my eyes. “Me? Predictable? Not at all. I just appreciate a little peace and quiet.But coming from you, Mr. Cigarette, that’s rich.”“Oh, you’re not? Well, all the times we’ve met, you either have one problem or the other,” he teased, tilting his head. “It’s like you’re running a soap opera over here. Mate drama, heartbreak, mysterious boys. What’s next? A plot twist where you’re actually a princess?”I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Yeah, right. A
Maeve's pov Then Jaxon started to glare at Carter, the tension between them escalated. Carter seemed completely unbothered, he even a confident smirk on his lips as he glared back at Jaxon. It was like two strong,alpha wolves staring each other down. Each wanted to show they were in charge and wouldn’t back away. It felt like any second, they might fight.For a long moment, everything was quiet. Jaxon’s look was dark and angry, like a storm about to start. But Carter’s eyes were different, strong but with a calm, with steady fire in them, almost like he was taunting Jaxon without saying a word. There was a strong, silent challenge between them, neither of them were willing to give in.I held my breath, waiting to see who would look away first, but neither did. It was like a test, seeing who was the real leader here. Even though no words were said, I could feel the heavy tension in the air, and it made my heart beat fast.Then, Jaxon’s glare grew sharper as he stared at Carter, the
Maeve's povOkay, I hadn’t thought this through when I decided to walk to the garden to take a break. A few minutes of peace and quiet had sounded perfect—a chance to clear my head, away from the chaos of Jaxon and all the drama that seemed to follow him.But I obviously forgotten the fact that I still had classes. Dumb ? I know right.Now here I am, back inside, standing in the hallway, practically pressed against a row of lockers, hiding from the principal, who just happens to be patrolling right now. Perfect timing, really. Still all I know is that I have to get to my class now. No matter how.I peek around the corner, watching as the principal checks each classroom door, his shoes clicking on the tile floor as he moves closer. I hold my breath, wondering if he’ll notice me.This was supposed to be a simple break—just ten minutes of fresh air to survive the day. But Carter and his mood swings, Jaxon and his...ugh. Of course they had to turn things into a drama fest.Now, here I a
Maeve's pov "Maeve, come on! You can’t hide forever. Get out here!” Ava called, banging on the door.I groaned, sinking deeper into my hiding spot. Why was my life like this? Why did drama always have to find me? All I wanted was to come back to school and be normal after Jaxon’s rejection, just blend in and be invisible for once.But no. Here I was, stuck in a bathroom stall, refusing to come out. Why? Because I’d just flashed my underwear to the entire class. And it wasn’t even an accident—Kayla, that idiotic cheerleader, had tripped me on purpose. I could still see her smirk, hear the laughter from the whole class that followed.Why did she hate me so much? What did I ever do to her? All I wanted was to sneak back into class quietly. Instead, I’d been humiliated in front of everyone.“Maeve, you can’t just stay in there forever” Ava said, softer this time. “I mean, really, Maeve? You’re being dramatic.”“Dramatic?” I whispered back, shaking my head. “I can’t go back out there, Ava
Maeve's pov I was sitting in Mrs. Donovan’s office, feeling like I wanted to be anywhere else. Home, my bed—really, anywhere but here. Mrs. Donovan was one of those teachers that you couldn’t help but notice. She wore these big, round glasses that made her eyes look huge. And her clothes—oh boy. Today, she was wearing a purple dress with orange spots, and it looked like something from a cartoon. If it weren’t for her serious face, she’d look like a quirky aunt at a family reunion. But right now, her serious face was aimed at me, and it made me feel like shrinking into my chair. All I wanted was to go home, lie down, and pretend today hadn’t happened. I glanced around her office, trying to distract myself. The walls were covered with old pictures of students and little motivational posters. “Reach for the stars,” one said, with a cartoon rocket on it. There was a weird smell in the air, like old books mixed with peppermint. "Miss Whitlock, are you even listening to me?" Mrs. Don
Maeve's pov I looked at the clock on Mrs. Donovan’s wall, ignoring Jaxon completely. I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d even registered on my radar. Nope. He didn’t exist, not to me, not right now. Besides, I wasn’t going to let him ruin my day any more than he already had. He was just… a nobody, I told myself, trying to focus on the tick-tock of the clock hands. But then, I felt him sit into the chair right beside me. His presence was annoyingly obvious, like a shadow I couldn’t get rid of. He didn’t say anything, and I could feel the tension rolling off him, but I kept my eyes forward, determined to pretend he was invisible. Tick. Tock. I could hear every sound in the room, even my own breathing, and it only reminded me of how close he was. Why wasn’t he saying anything? And why did he choose to sit so close? There were plenty of other chairs, after all. A part of me wanted to turn and ask what he was doing, why he’d come, but I didn’t trust myself n
Maeve pov The murmurs of the pack quieted as Alpha Marcus stepped forward, Beside him, Luna Selene stood with her hands clasped in front of her, with a warm expression on her face. She met the eyes of those gathered, nodding to familiar faces.Then, Alpha Marcus spoke.“The Lunar Convergence,” he began, “is not just a celebration. It is a reminder of who we are, of what binds us together. The moon grants us strength, fuels our spirits, She is our guide, our guardian, the source of our instincts and strength. And we, in turn, honor it. This night marks the shift in the lunar cycle—a renewal of power for the pack.”Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room. I felt it too—that weird feeling was stirring in my blood."The moon has watched over us for generations," the continued, her voice gentler but no less powerful. " And tonight, as she reaches her peak, we honor her, as we have always done.""Our ancestors honored today as a time of renewal,” the Luna continued. “It is a reminde
Maeve’s POVThe Luna’s voice rang through the gathering hall, effortlessly cutting through conversations.“Ava, darling, come greet our guests.your friend is here”I felt my stomach tighten.Friend. The word settled uneasily in my chest.Kyle, standing beside me, became tense but his face remained unreadable. My mother, who had been making small talk with the Luna just moments before, glanced at me with concern. She knew something was off—she always did.There was a pause—one that stretched just a little too long. I knew Ava well enough to recognize what it meant. She didn’t want to come. And I knew why.When she finally emerged from the crowd, it was with the same effortless grace she carried everywhere. She was dressed in a deep green gown that hugged her frame perfectly, the rich color making her eyes stand out even more. She looked like she belonged here, while I still felt like an imposter.Ava’s emerald eyes swept over me, but for the briefest moment, I thought I saw something
Maeve's pov The dress itched.It clung to my skin in all the wrong places, too tight around my waist and too loose at my shoulders, making me feel like I was drowning in fabric. My mother had insisted I wear something "respectable" for the Lunar Convergence, something that wouldn’t make us look like we had just rolled out of the woods. Apparently, my usual oversized sweaters and worn-out jeans weren’t appropriate for sacred traditions.I adjusted the dress, fighting the urge to scowl. I would have rather stayed in bed.Instead I stood before the Luna’s estate, a grand stone house that was covered in the soft glow of its windows. The warm scent of bread and roasted meat floated through the air, but I could only focus on the tightness in my chest.My mother carried two large baskets filled with freshly baked bread, pies, and spiced meats wrapped in cloth. Kyle and I each held a smaller tray—his stacked with sweet rolls, mine arranged with an assortment of pastries. The warmth of the
Maeve's pov "Maeve! Get up this instant!”I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow, my muscles were sore from the stress of the day before. Every movement I made felt sluggish, as if my body had been drained of energy."Maeve!” My mother’s voice was sharper this time, it seemed to me she was running out of patience. “If you don’t get out of that bed right now, so help me—”I flung my arm over my eyes, squeezing them shut. “Five more minutes.” My voice was cracked from sleep.“Five more minutes, my ass,” she snapped. “Get up now, or I’m dragging you out myself!”I clenched my jaw, frustration curling in my stomach. “Fine! I’m up!” I shouted back. A shiver ran through me, though I wasn’t cold. Something inside me still felt...off.Everything from the night before came crashing back. Evelyn. The things she’d told me. The truth I had spent my whole life unaware of.A Fiora omega. That’s what she had called me.I couldn’t shift, couldn’t fight. I was nothing like those A
Maeve's povI was immediately shocked, the words caused something in my chest to tighten. I couldn’t tell if it was fear or hope, but it felt like both. “What do you mean?”"Your training, your history—they’ve all been simplified to make you believe that being an Omega means being weak," Evelyn continued. "That’s a lie. And it’s not the truth of who you are, Maeve.""Not all werewolves are the same," Evelyn began, her voice steady, as if she had said this many times before. " "You were taught that we're divided into three main types: Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. Yes, that’s true, but there’s more to it. The Alphas are the leaders, the strongest of our kind, with an innate ability to command and protect. Betas are the majority, loyal, adaptable, and capable of holding their own. Not all Alphas are the same, not all Betas are the same, and certainly, not all Omegas are. Each of us belongs to a different kind, a different species within our kind. Alphas come in different breeds, Betas va
Maeve's pov Before I could even take a full breath, Carter’s grandmother appeared, balancing a tray of tea with the kind of practiced ease that only came from years of experience. Her silver hair was pulled back in a loose bun, a few wisps escaping to frame her face. Despite her small stature, she carried herself with a strength, the kind that settled into her bones after years of hardship and endurance. But it was the look in her eyes that made my stomach twist—not unkind, not harsh, but knowing. She had definitely seen too much in life. “Ah, there you are, dear,” she said. “I was wondering when you’d finally stop hovering in the doorway.” I opened my mouth to argue—I hadn’t been hovering— I wasn't tackling her annoying grandson. “I wasn’t hovering,” I muttered, brushing past his grandmother and into the house. My face still burned from the whole fiasco outside, but I wasn’t about to let it show. I was here for a reason, and that reason had nothing to do with Carter or whateve
Maeve's POV The scent hit me first. Cedar—deep, earthy, and rich—but there was something else underneath it. It was familiar yet completely foreign, like déjà vu in scent form. Like something I should recognize but couldn’t quite name. I had been around wolves my entire life. I knew what we smelled like—earthy, wild, a mix of nature . But this? This was different. It wasn’t just a scent; it was a presence, surrounding me, pulling me in before I could even think about resisting. And gods help me, I didn’t want to resist. I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Not about him. I already found my mate. Even If I got rejected. The bond with Jaxon should have made me immune to whatever this was. But standing here, breathing in Carter’s scent, feeling it move around me like something alive—it felt exactly like the pull of a mate bond. That was impossible. I stiffened, forcing air into my lungs like I could somehow shake this off, like I could remind myself who Carter was. He was arrogan
Maeve's pov I narrowed my eyes at his outstretched hand, the smirk on his face only fueling the fire inside me. Bambi. Of course, he had to call me that. Like I was some newborn deer stumbling around instead of a fully functioning adult who just happened to have the worst luck known to mankind.Instead of taking his hand, I pushed myself up onto my elbows, ignoring the way my palms stung from the impactI gritted my teeth, determined not to give him the satisfaction. “I don’t need your help, Carter. I have two fully functioning legs.”He laughed “Could’ve fooled me, Bambi. You looked like a baby giraffe taking its first steps.” The smirk on his face only deepened, amusement practically radiating off of him like heat.“You’re enjoying this way too much,” I muttered, brushing dirt off my hoodie before shoving myself the rest of the way up. My knees still ached from the impact, but I ignored it. No way was I giving him any more ammunition.Carter crossed his arms over his chest, which
Maeve's POVThe morning was cold enough to nip at my skin, but I barely felt it under my oversized hoodie. My hands were shoved deep into the front pocket, fingers holding onto the fabric like it might somehow calm the storm that was inside me.The path to Carter’s grandmother’s house felt longer than it should have. I wasn’t sure why I was here—why I was dragging myself across town when I could’ve just curled up in bed and ignored everything.But after everything that had happened—the fight with Trevor, Jaxon barging into my life like a wrecking ball, Ava icing me out—I didn’t know what else to do. My chest felt heavy and my thoughts kept spinning in circles.Why did Jaxon even care? He rejected me. Made it clear I wasn’t what he wanted. So why was he acting like some overprotective alpha all of a sudden? And why did I feel like my world was crumbling just because Ava wasn’t speaking to me?She had every right to be angry. I had kept the truth from her, hidden the fact that I was ma