One

"Gentlemen, feast your eyes on my beautiful daughter!" my dad's voice rang out loud enough to make heads turn from every direction. "She carries the proud blood of an alpha and will make the perfect wife for any deserving male!"

Pack mates eyes burned into me, and I fought the urge to shrink away, but my dad didn't mind the spectacle he was creating.

We were at the annual Werewolf and Lycan Festival, a huge celebration meant to honor traditions. For me, it was a nightmare. My dad had turned it into the perfect stage to parade my single ass around.

"Dad, this is ridiculous, "I whispered harshly and tried to pull my hand away from his grasp.

He shoved me forward toward the first man who approached us. My stomach dropped when I recognized him—my ex-boyfriend’s father. A man ten years my dad’s senior. His gaze roved over me, assessing my body.

His eyes darkened with displeasure as I stood rigid, refusing to turn around. “She’s twenty-five,” he scoffed, shaking his head. “Old and expired.”

“She might be old, but she’s in perfect health and will give you strong children,” my dad replied, sounding desperate.

Another male nearby decided to add his unwelcome opinion. “Alpha, your daughter is an arrogant brat. Nobody wants a stubborn wife.”

My dad’s face flushed a deep red. For a brief moment, I almost felt sorry for him. After all, in our world, women were expected to be mated and mothers well before reaching my age. Twenty-five was ancient, a ticking clock that marked me as undesirable.

My jaw tightened, knowing any outburst would only make things worse. The men walked away, but I barely had time to breathe before my stepmom swooped in.

"Smile, Marissa," she said with a frozen smile. "Nobody will take interest in a miserable face like that.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. Her lips curled into a smirk as she delivered her next blow.

"And don’t think some Prince Charming is coming down from the heavens to sweep you off your feet—you’re far from eighteen now."

"Thanks for the advice," I said coldly, steadying my voice. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing how much her words struck.

I ignored her and turned my gaze away as cameras flashed around us. Knowing those photographers were hungry for a scandal, I refused to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

"Now, here’s what we’ll do," she said, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "The Lycans will be arriving soon. They’re wealthy. Use your feminine powers to snag yourself a powerful male tonight."

My dad supported his wife. "You better do as she says. If you’re not married by twenty-six, you will have no inheritance. I'll make sure of that.”

We joined the others at the festival, but I kept to the sidelines, watching the celebration unfold from afar. I couldn’t relate to my age mates who juggled marriage and motherhood.

Just then, my ex emerged from the crowd, holding his heavily pregnant wife, who had once been my best friend. I slowly looked away and sipped my wine, silently counting the minutes until I could escape this gathering.

Werewolves occupied the left side of the hall, while the right side, reserved for the Lycans, remained empty. They rarely attended our werewolf gatherings, but when they did, they arrived late.

The noise in the hall died down, turning into hushed murmurs. Heads turned toward the entrance as the Lycans finally entered with a majestic aura.

Their king led the procession, with his queen at his side, dressed in jeweled outfits. Their elegance made everyone in the room feel small. My father had spent years trying to gain the king’s favor, though nothing seemed to work.

Their son, Justin, the future king, followed closely behind them. I had heard plenty of rumors about him. He was popular for being wild under the sheets and breaking hearts after giving girls an orgasm. Tall and handsome with a chiseled face that seemed carved by the gods, he entered the hall with the confidence of someone who owned the world.

His dark hair, styled in a side part, framed his face. His white shirt clung to his chest, and two buttons were undone to reveal a hint of tanned skin. Every movement he made exuded sexual appeal.

I tried to look away, knowing better than to let my attention linger on someone like him. But something shifted within me, pulling me toward him like a magnet. A strange scent filled my senses—cedarwood mixed with the freshness of rain. It slammed into me with such force that my lungs tightened.

Before I could process what was happening, the pull of the mating bond surged through my body like lightning. My wolf stirred inside me, howling in pure joy. The pounding of my heart drowned out every sound, leaving only him.

My mate.

I wanted to scream and dance in celebration. After all the years of enduring loneliness and humiliation, my mate finally appeared. I held my breath, waiting for the moment he would meet my gaze and the bond would pull him to me.

But his gaze swept lazily across the room as if surveying a sea of strangers. He strolled past me without saying a word.

My chest tightened. This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. But instead, this beautiful Lycan beast was about to shatter my heart.