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 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 povI’m late. Again!Fuck why can I ever be on time!"Maeve!" My mom calls from downstairs"Breakfast is getting cold!""Coming!" I throw on whatever clothes I can find and grab my bag. I have maybe ten minutes before I miss the bus. I rush downstairs, almost tripping over my own feet. Typical.As soon as I hit the kitchen, the smell of bacon fills my nose.My dad’s already at the table, reading the paper like it’s still 1995. My mom, in her apron, is serving up breakfast with that same smile she gives every morning. They’re at it again — looking at each other like they’re the only ones in the world.I groan, sliding into my seat. "Can you two not do that in front of me and Lyle?"My brother, who’s sitting across from me, makes a face. "Yeah, it’s gross." But I know he secretly likes it. So do I, kinda. Just… not before coffee.My parents have that special love,the fated mates type,the kind every wolf hopes for. It’s like they’re each other’s whole world, and it’s been that way si
I clench my fists, staring up at him. “Says the guy who spends all his time picking on someone ‘pathetic.’ Must make you feel really big, huh?”"It’s not hard to feel big around you.”His smirk widens, eyes cold.I laugh, but it’s sharp, bitter. “Wow, real original, Jaxon. You been practicing that line? Gotta admit, the whole ‘alpha’s son bullying the omega’ routine? It’s getting old.” “Careful, Maeve. You’re already on thin ice as it is. You think just because my sister likes you, you matter around here? Think again.”His expression darkens, taking a step closer, almost towering. over me now.My blood boils. “And you think because you’re the alpha’s son, you can say whatever you want? Must be nice to walk around like your shit doesn’t stink.”“Okay, let’s all calm down. Jaxon, stop being an ass.” Ava steps in, looking between us like she’s trying to stop a bomb from going off. But Jaxon isn’t done. “I’m not the one who needs to calm down,” he says, his gaze fixed on me like I’m some
As Ava and I walk home, she’s going on about some pack drama when I decide to cut in. "So, I ran into the new transfer student today," I say, glancing over at her. Ava stops in her tracks, eyes wide. “Wait—what? New transfer student? You didn’t tell me this earlier! Spill!” I shrug. “His name’s Carter. We bumped into each other behind the science wing during lunch.” “Oh my god,” Ava squeals, grabbing my arm. “Is he hot? Please tell me he’s hot.” I roll my eyes, but I can’t help a smile. “I mean, yeah, I guess. Dark hair, leather jacket, that whole 'bad boy' vibe. Definitely not your typical pack guy.” Ava’s eyes light up, and she shakes her head in disbelief. “I swear, you have all the luck! And he talked to you?” “Yeah,” I say, kicking a pebble down the sidewalk. “He’s doesn’t really do the whole mate thing.” “What’s his deal?”Ava gives me a weird look I shrug again. “Didn’t get much out of him, honestly. Just seemed like he’s not into all the pack traditions. But who knows
As the limo drove through the streets, the city lights flashed by, but my mind was a mess. I kept overthinking about every single thing .Ava sat next to me, talking about who might be at the ball and what she'd do if she found her mate. I tried to listen, but my mind kept wandering. The mating ball wasn’t just any party; it was an old tradition. For some, it was an exciting night where they might meet the one person destined to be their mate. But for others, like me, it was full of expectations I wasn’t sure I was ready for. When we arrived at the venue, I opened my mouth in surprise. The grand hall was beautiful,just staring at it made one feel like it was something of another world. People were already gathered outside, dressed in fancy gowns and suits, looking like something out of a dream. I could feel the mix of excitement and nerves in the air. “You ready?” Ava asked, bringing me back to the moment. I gave her a forced smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She stepped out con
Fuck! The pain hit me like a wave, very sharp and quick. I gasped, holding the ground as if it would keep me from falling apart. But literally I was actually falling apart my vision kept blurring and I could feel my nose bleeding.Probably because Jaxon was an alpha,he didn't seem to feel most of the pain i felt. Instead he just stood there with a frown on his face.I wanted to scream, to cry—anything to release the tightness in my chest. But I couldn’t. I swallowed back tears, refusing to break in front of him. He already thought I was pathetic, breaking down in front of him would be proving him right.Jaxon glanced at me one last time before walking away, leaving me behind.For what felt like ages, I stayed on the ground, my heart aching with a pain I didn’t think I could feel. Slowly, I sat up and wrapped my arms around my knees, burying my face in my thighs.Fuck! It only takes few minutes for one's whole perception of life to be ruined. All my life had never thought I would find
Maeve pov They say when life hands you lemons, you should make lemonade. But what they failed to mention are the times when life hands you an entire orchard of lemons, and all you can do is stand there like a coward, paralyzed, watching them rot at your feet. It's been two weeks since the mating ball.Two weeks since I last left the comfort of my room. Two weeks of laying in bed listening to the haunting melodies of Lana Del Rey. And Two weeks since I felt anything any feelings except for numbness. And when I tell you it's been a rough past few weeks, you better believe me. When Ava took me home that night, I barely made it through the door before I crumbled. The tears started slow, just a soft trickle, but then I burst into sobs. I didn't have the strength to explain. All I could do was wrap my arms around my mom, hugging her tightly. Mom held me tight, her fingers brushing my hair in that soothing, familiar way, that comforted me. Ava understood I wasn't ready to talk beca
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