CHAPTER 1: THE FUTURE ALPHA IS COMING HOME

Edeline 

While my best friend Darius was helping me choose a dress for tonight's dinner, I watched each car arrive through my window.

I'm so excited!

My longtime crush, Percival, is returning from his summer training today.

He is our future Alpha, the firstborn son of our pack’s Alpha.

Every future Alpha is supposed to train with other warriors and Alphas during the summer at a different allied pack. They do this to develop into formidable leaders and master all the techniques needed to become warriors, elevating them to the rank of Alpha.

A year after his first shift, at the age of eighteen, he started taking summer vacations. In their first year of training, future Alphas spend time with their own pack, picking up tips from their own Alpha. This was his third training year. There was just one year left before he would be deemed qualified to succeed his father, the current Alpha, should anything happen to him.

With just words, I declared him to be my mate.

I'm saying...

Though not to brag, we have been family friends since the beginning of time. We are still not mates. As the sole child of our pack's beta, it is fated that the Alpha's firstborn and the beta's firstborn will be together. Everyone is aware of it.

There are two powerful bloodlines that indicate robust heirs in the future, so now is the time to celebrate.

"What about this one?" he inquired, reaching into my closet to get a red sundress.

Despite my eyes being fixed on the window to see if Percival had arrived yet, I replied, "Looks good."

I heard Darius sigh, and before my hands could catch it, a dress pelted me in the face. "Darius, what the hell is wrong with you?!"

"I’m sure, Edeline, my brother will be at the dinner this evening." Rolling his nearly brotherly sky-blue eyes, he said, "You don't have to guard your window and wait for him to arrive."

I was staring at this tall man, Percival's younger brother and my best friend since I was a little child. Darius protected me as if he were my own brother at all times. Even though Darius and I were best friends, even at such a young age, I had always had a thing for his brother.

His fingers snapped in front of my face, and I snapped right back to reality. "Edeline, are you genuinely falling in love with me?"

"Not a chance!" I rolled my eyes as I spoke.

"Oh, please, hurry up. I am far more attractive than Percival, your wolf will eventually develop a craving for my hot body," he declared with pride.

"Darius, stop being so ridiculous," I said, clutching the dress to my body as I turned to go change in the bathroom.

I have been anticipating this day for a long time. I get even more excited when I hear my parents and Percival's parents discussing their plans for me and Percival's future.

All I can hope is that he feels the same way about me.

Darius whistled softly as I emerged from the restroom, wearing the dress he had picked out and my hair loose and curled. "You look so pretty in a dress. It's my top choice." He wrinkled his nose and cocked his head to one side. "You know what? Upon closer inspection, I believe it might be too short… What do you think?" He was evaluating me analytically. His big brother's ego had taken over.

I slipped on my sandals, rolling my eyes. "You chose this, moron. I'm not changing, and it's quicker to shift out of a dress. Come on, let's go." In my heart, I was relieved that he thought this dress was too short. That means that, in Percival's perspective, it would be far too short.

I like it!

He took my hand and dragged me down the hall and out of my room. Upon arriving at the front yard with Darius, I observed his brother, who had grown in size, getting out of the truck. He appeared good, having gained a lot of muscle during his training this summer.

The world began to tilt on its axis as it hit me.

His aroma.

It was euphoric, causing my inner wolf to go crazy, growling and scratching at my thoughts. My heart began to race, and I knew instantly.

He looked around the crowd, his head snapping up and his eyes wide with recognition. It was like fireworks going off on the Fourth of July when his sky-blue eyes locked onto my grass-green ones.

His face twisted in shock, mirroring the turmoil raging inside me. How the hell could it be that we shared blood, grew up together, and never knew we were mates? Apart from my secret desire for him, there were no damn clues.

Then, a smirk crept onto his lips, and I found myself mirroring it. How the hell did I get so lucky to find my mate in him, especially someone I already knew, someone from my own damn pack, someone with shared memories?

He looked content, and that pleased the hell out of me.

All noise faded, leaving just us, staring into each other's eyes, drowning in a whirlpool of emotions. Warm, electric currents tingles through my fingertips, shooting up my spine. It felt like I was swimming in a sea of euphoria. He'd make an incredible partner.

A sudden bang on the passenger door jolted us back to reality. A tall, lean blonde figure appeared, her brown eyes scanning the scene. I glanced between him and her, then back again. His smile vanished, replaced by a look of worry and fear.

That was the moment I sensed something off about her, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"Percival," she asked, gently reaching out to Percival's arm, "is it already time to go inside? It’s kinda cold out here." She shivered slightly. "It's not good for the baby, and I'm too tired."