Watching Aries’s face inch closer to mine sparked a feeling I couldn’t even begin to describe. All the fear, doubt, and confusion I had been carrying melted away the moment he stepped into the room. Just a few words from him, and I believed—really believed—that everything would be okay. That he’d stand by me. So I didn’t move away. Instead, my grip on his arm tightened, bracing myself for what was about to happen.Without realizing it, I closed my eyes, my heart racing in sync with his. As someone who had never kissed anyone before, I should have been nervous, but I wasn’t. I knew he’d guide me. I could already feel his breath mingling with mine. His heartbeat thundered, fast and intense.Then, just when our lips were about to meet-bam! The door flew open.We immediately jolted apart, each moving to our own side of the couch like guilty teenagers caught in the act.“Rex!!!” came a voice I’d recognize even in my sleep. Julian.I sighed and looked at Aries, who stood and offered me his
The sun peeping through the curtains did nothing to ease the anxiety twisting in my stomach. Every part of me wanted to curl back under the covers and pretend last night never happened. Pretend I didn’t nearly kiss Aries—the Alpha of the Awoke pack. Not just some guy… Aries.The worst part? I wasn’t sure if I wanted to avoid it—or do it all over again.After what felt like an hour of overthinking, I finally dragged myself out of bed. Maybe I could skip training with Julian and avoid the awkwardness. But of course, my legs had other plans. They carried me straight to the bathroom, right into my training clothes, and toward the door. Where was my willpower when I needed it?Julian had insisted we start training immediately. He wanted to be the first to witness my “cool powers.” So dramatic.I took a deep breath and stepped out of my room. The stairs creaked beneath my feet as I made my way down, nerves building with every step. I had to pass by Aries’s office to get to the training grou
To say my night was actually used for sleeping would be doing a disservice to the very concept of sleep. And I wouldn’t want to insult the people who actually got some. My entire night was consumed by thoughts. Thoughts about her. What exactly was I thinking? I had no clue. All I knew was that my mind couldn’t stop drifting to her. I needed to figure out these feelings—fast. I had tried to kiss her. That alone meant I owed her an explanation when I saw her again. But what did I actually feel for her? That part, I still couldn’t put my finger on. All I was sure of was this—if we had kissed, truly kissed, I wouldn’t have regretted a single second of it. And that realization? It shook me to my core. Before I knew it, morning had arrived—and I still didn’t have answers. Being indecisive wasn’t like me, but I couldn’t help it this time. I dragged myself out of bed and stared at the guy in the mirror. “Way to go, Aries,” I muttered. “You totally pull off the zombie look.” With a shak
My earliest memories were of loneliness and survival. Abandoned as a pup, I grew up wandering the edges of packs, always longing for a sense of belonging that remained just out of reach. Every attempt to join a pack ended the same way—with rejection. No parents, no known bloodline, no place to call home. To them, I was nothing more than an outsider. Unworthy. The sting of rejection hardened me, shaping me into a survivor. I learned to rely on no one but myself. That changed when I was fifteen. I stumbled upon Maron, a reclusive she-wolf who had long turned her back on pack life. Grief had driven her into isolation after she lost her mate in a brutal war, but something about the lost, starving girl standing before her softened her heart. She took me in—offered me food, shelter, and, most importantly, kindness. Being a teenager was hard enough, but being one who hadn’t shifted yet? Even harder. Still, I managed to pull it off. One evening, as I crept toward Maron, trying to sneak
My birthday came and went in the blink of an eye, but the weight of turning nineteen without shifting was beginning to take its toll. I could tell Maron was worried too, though we never talked about it. Or rather, I always avoided the conversation. I couldn’t let her worry about me—I just couldn’t. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t even notice Maron approaching until Ria, my wolf, alerted me. Ria had been my companion for the past year, growing closer to me even though my shift never came. I often asked her why I hadn't shifted yet, but her answer was always the same: "A shift isn’t the only way to realize or achieve your potential, Rex." She had said it so many times that I started to believe it. But it still didn’t stop me from wishing I was normal. Maron’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “My dear, I think we should go hunting tonight. It’s been months since we had a good old-fashioned hunt, hasn’t it?” I sighed. “Ma, I’m not really in the mood tonight.
Alpha Ron Jaxon, leader of the Blue Crescent Pack—the strongest in California—was growing desperate to find his mate. Without a Luna, his position as Alpha became more precarious by the day. His father never missed an opportunity to remind him. “What do you want, Dad?” I sighed, barely looking up from my desk. “You know exactly what I want.” I clenched my jaw. “If I haven’t found my mate yet, then it’s not time.” My voice was edged with frustration—I’d said the same thing a hundred times. This time, my father didn’t argue. He just studied me for a moment before walking out, leaving behind the weight of unspoken expectations. What was the point of leading the strongest pack if all anyone ever asked was whether I’d found my Luna? Yes, I wanted to find her too. She would be the one person to love me unconditionally, and there wasn’t a wolf alive who wouldn’t want that. But I couldn’t force fate. Even my pack was getting restless. Without a Luna, they felt incomplete. But none of
The moment the words left my mouth, Rexxona collapsed to her knees. Her pain was visceral, slamming into me like a blade straight to the chest. Rejection could destroy a she-wolf—I knew that. But what I didn’t expect was for Rexxona to lift her head, her eyes burning with a mix of heartbreak and defiance. She didn’t scream. She didn’t plead. She just ran. Shock rooted me in place for half a second before instinct kicked in. “Don’t let her escape!” I barked at my warriors. Even as my wolf howled in protest, I chased after her. I told myself it was for the pack—that her powers were unpredictable, that we needed answers. But deep down, I knew the truth. I couldn’t bear to let her go. The rejection had been a moment of desperation, a way to calm my pack. At least, that’s what I told myself as I ran after her. Rexxona POV: My heart felt like it was shattering with every step, but I didn’t stop. The pack I had fought to survive in now hunted me like a fugitive. The mate I was destin
"I need help." Those were the only words I could force out. The girl in front of me frowned, her brows knitting together as if expecting more. But I had nothing else to say. So I said it again. "I really need help." I was a rogue, a lone wolf, and I had stumbled into this pack's territory looking for refuge—just for a little while. I just needed a place to rest, to gather my strength. I prayed she could help. Her expression softened as she studied me, concern flickering in her eyes. I must have looked awful—filthy, exhausted, desperate. Finally, after what felt like forever, she spoke. "I think I can help," she said slowly. "But first... do you mind telling me your name?" I hesitated before answering. "Rex… Rexxona." "Alright, Rex," she said with a grin, as if we were already friends. "Not to brag or anything, but my brother is the Alpha of this pack—Alpha Aries. And this is the Awoke Pack, in case you were wondering. I think I can pull a few strings for you." Internally, I
To say my night was actually used for sleeping would be doing a disservice to the very concept of sleep. And I wouldn’t want to insult the people who actually got some. My entire night was consumed by thoughts. Thoughts about her. What exactly was I thinking? I had no clue. All I knew was that my mind couldn’t stop drifting to her. I needed to figure out these feelings—fast. I had tried to kiss her. That alone meant I owed her an explanation when I saw her again. But what did I actually feel for her? That part, I still couldn’t put my finger on. All I was sure of was this—if we had kissed, truly kissed, I wouldn’t have regretted a single second of it. And that realization? It shook me to my core. Before I knew it, morning had arrived—and I still didn’t have answers. Being indecisive wasn’t like me, but I couldn’t help it this time. I dragged myself out of bed and stared at the guy in the mirror. “Way to go, Aries,” I muttered. “You totally pull off the zombie look.” With a shak
The sun peeping through the curtains did nothing to ease the anxiety twisting in my stomach. Every part of me wanted to curl back under the covers and pretend last night never happened. Pretend I didn’t nearly kiss Aries—the Alpha of the Awoke pack. Not just some guy… Aries.The worst part? I wasn’t sure if I wanted to avoid it—or do it all over again.After what felt like an hour of overthinking, I finally dragged myself out of bed. Maybe I could skip training with Julian and avoid the awkwardness. But of course, my legs had other plans. They carried me straight to the bathroom, right into my training clothes, and toward the door. Where was my willpower when I needed it?Julian had insisted we start training immediately. He wanted to be the first to witness my “cool powers.” So dramatic.I took a deep breath and stepped out of my room. The stairs creaked beneath my feet as I made my way down, nerves building with every step. I had to pass by Aries’s office to get to the training grou
Watching Aries’s face inch closer to mine sparked a feeling I couldn’t even begin to describe. All the fear, doubt, and confusion I had been carrying melted away the moment he stepped into the room. Just a few words from him, and I believed—really believed—that everything would be okay. That he’d stand by me. So I didn’t move away. Instead, my grip on his arm tightened, bracing myself for what was about to happen.Without realizing it, I closed my eyes, my heart racing in sync with his. As someone who had never kissed anyone before, I should have been nervous, but I wasn’t. I knew he’d guide me. I could already feel his breath mingling with mine. His heartbeat thundered, fast and intense.Then, just when our lips were about to meet-bam! The door flew open.We immediately jolted apart, each moving to our own side of the couch like guilty teenagers caught in the act.“Rex!!!” came a voice I’d recognize even in my sleep. Julian.I sighed and looked at Aries, who stood and offered me his
What happened hours ago refused to leave my mind. I kept replaying it, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for what Rex did—but nothing made sense.Seeing her display that much strength… Enough to lift an Alpha like he was a rag doll? That wasn’t just unusual—it was impossible. Or at least it should’ve been.The moment Rose and her mother led her out of the arena, I was going to follow—but I knew I had to deal with Ron first.“Julian,” I called out, only to realize he was frozen in place, eyes wide with disbelief. “Julian!” I said again, placing a hand on his shoulder. That finally pulled him out of it.“What the hell did I just see?” he asked, still dazed.“Not now, man,” I said, nodding toward Ron, who was still on the floor surrounded by his pack members. “We have to handle this first.”Without hesitation, I turned to Regal, who stood pale and silent. “Get your Alpha some help. My Beta will escort you out of my territory. We’ll provide transportation, so you don’t have
To say my mind was in the right place when I put Ron in his place would be a huge lie. My thoughts were a mess, and Ria had completely taken over. The rage was loud, clear, and honestly—justified. As much as I hated the way Ron spoke to Aries, I wouldn’t have exposed that much strength in front of a crowd. Not like that. I could feel Rose trying to pull me back, trying to stop me—but I just couldn’t let go. Not until I heard her voice. Maron. She pulled me back. Out of Ria’s grip and straight into the reality of what I’d just done. I was sure my eyes had changed—maybe even glowed—and without hesitation, Rose shielded me, Maron flanking my other side. Together, they led me out of the meeting room. I messed up. This is all your fault, I snapped at Ria. You might be able to tolerate that kind of insult, but I can’t, she hissed back. No one gets to speak to us like that and walk away. And just like that, she retreated—leaving me alone with the aftermath. I didn’t resist
The meeting started sooner than I had expected, but the moment the Alphas were all present in the room, I instantly mindlinked Julian to inform Rex. I hope their plan works smoothly, I thought as I brought my focus back to the meeting at hand. I was half-expecting someone to question the clash between Ron and me the previous day, but I guess he came up with some lame excuse—no one said a word.Thankfully, he remained quiet the entire meeting, so everything went smoothly. We were just about to wrap things up when my mom mindlinked me: Maron has been brought to her, and the spell is broken.I was ecstatic. All that was left now was for them all to leave so we could finally get back to our lives.“That concludes the meeting of the Association,” Alpha Levon spoke, rising from his seat. “Thanks, Alpha Aries, for the hospitality. We shall not forget it.”“It was my pleasure to host the Association,” I replied firmly, leading them out of the room.But as we stepped out, there was some commot
“We need a third person,” she said, then disappeared for a moment. When she came back, she wasn’t alone. A boy I didn’t recognize was with her. “Who’s he?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t worry about it,” she said, still smiling. “Now, Danny, remember what I asked you to say?” “I dooo, Rose,” he groaned. “Just have my pay ready.” And with that, he strutted toward the room we’d just left. Rose and I followed quietly, hiding behind the nearest wall that could give us some cover. Danny knocked. The same woman from before answered, just as cold and stern. “What do you want?” she asked. “The Alpha’s asked to see you—and the lady,” Danny said, smooth as butter. “Both of us?” she asked, suspicious. “Yes,” he replied. “I don’t know what it’s about. I’m not from your pack, so I can’t question your Alpha. Just delivering the message.” She paused for a second, then nodded. “We’ll be on our way.” “You’re to meet him outside the meeting room,” Danny added, then casual
Rex's POV Falling asleep that night was harder than I expected. I guess the adrenaline of what tomorrow could bring just wouldn’t let my mind rest. But eventually, after tossing and turning, I found enough peace to drift off. That’s when the dream hit me.It was about the book. The symbol on its cover came to life, glowing and pulsing, whispering over and over—“It’s almost time.” Time for what? It wouldn’t say. That phrase kept echoing until I jolted awake, heart pounding, sweat clinging to my skin. Morning had arrived. Only one thought circled in my head—I needed to find someone who could understand the book. Fast. And the first person that came to mind was Aries’ mom. But first… I had more urgent matters to handle. Maron. I got up and headed to the bathroom, preparing myself for what I knew wouldn’t be an easy day. By the time I stepped out, Rose was sprawled across my bed like she lived there. “You’re here early,” I said, towel-drying my hair. “Well, we’ve got
Hearing Rex talk about her mom after everything she’d been through with Ron made my blood boil. I didn’t know why, but I had the urge to punch him all over again—like once hadn’t been enough. Yeah, I’d been eavesdropping. But in my defense, she just wouldn’t stop talking long enough for me to announce myself. And the more she spoke, the more I knew I had to help her. My mom could definitely figure out what Ron had done to Maron. As soon as I left Rose’s room, I mind-linked Julian. "Meet me in my office. Now." "Alright," came the short reply. Minutes later, I heard the door creak open. Julian strolled in and flopped onto the couch like it was his own. “What’s up?” he asked casually. “I need you to investigate something. It’s about Rex.” He sat up immediately, all traces of relaxation gone. “What about her?” “I heard from Rose that you’re aware of her history with Ron.” “Yeah… that jerk. What he did to her—he’s lucky I haven’t ripped him apart.” “Well, as much as I share the