Chapter 1

Seventeen-year-old Wisdom is lying in bed thinking about her father, Ossian, and her mother, Larisa, They were killed last month when rogues attacked the pack. Wisdom regrets she couldn't save her parents because she has never been allowed to train to fight or shift. Deshal Gordon, Wisdom's best friend, reminds her every day there wasn't anything she could have done to save her parents.

Deshal found his mate Idris Marcy a few days after his eighteenth birthday. Wisdom and Deshal have been friends since she was five and he was seven. He and Wisdom were shocked that his mate was a man since Deshal had always loved fast girls. The faster, the better. He didn't hesitate to accept Idris because he and Wisdom knew the Moon Goddess wouldn't have designed Idris for him if they weren't meant to be together. Idris fitted right in with the two of them. He wasn't jealous of their friendship. Idris looks at Wisdom as his younger sister.

Wisdom and Deshal have never figured out why Alpha Carmine commanded her never to shift, and she wasn't allowed to train to fight. She often spoke to her parents about it, only to be told it was for the best. Wisdom started noticing how her father looked at her when she asked to train. That confirmed her parents hid something from her, but what could it be? Deshal even suggested he would train her secretly. That was put to an end before it started when Alpha Carmine got wind of their plan, and he called him to his office and was forbidden to train her. After that day, he and Wisdom decided they would get to the truth regarding her not being allowed to learn to fight or shift. Why wouldn't they want her to be able to defend herself or let her wolf out to run?

Alpha Carmine Ralston is the Alpha of the Fierce Growlers pack in Denver, Colorado. Fierce Growlers is the largest pack in the state.  The Alpha is known to be fair, caring, and ruthless.  He has a twenty-four-year-old son named Beauden. Alpha Carmine sent him away after his sixteenth birthday to the Alpha Academy. He raised Beauden alone after Beila, his mate, was killed when his son was an infant. Carmine and Ossian grew up together and were best friends. Ossian was Carmine's Beta.

Wisdom spent a lot of time in the main pack house. She became the Alpha's assistant when she was fifteen. After her parents' death Alpha Carmine wanted her to move in the house with him instead of living in her parents' house. Wisdom declined because she feels close to her parents when she is home and wants to be dependent. Mostly because she loves peace and quiet after a day in school and then working there. She doesn't like Beauden much, she wasn't around him much when he was there, which she finds strange because of their parents' friendship.  When he calls for his father, he's always rude and yells. Wisdom isn't looking forward to his return.  She looked for her wallet for half the night until she remembered she left her wallet in her desk drawer.  The Alpha gave her today and tomorrow off because tomorrow is her birthday. Wisdom’s intention is to run into her office, grab her wallet, and leave before the arrogant future Alpha arrives.

****

Alpha Carmine is in his office when he hears some members telling Wisdom Happy Birthday. He's glad she's there because she left yesterday while he was meeting with some Alphas regarding a peace treaty.

Wisdom walks out of her office while sticking her wallet into her purse. When Alpha Carmine stops her, "Young lady, did you think you could sneak in here and leave without seeing me?"

She chuckles. "You can't blame a girl for trying to leave without seeing the handsome, ruthless Alpha Carmine Ralston." 

"Oh well, since you said that, I'm not giving you your birthday present, But I like the handsome part." He laughs and pretends to walk away.

"I take everything back except for handsome. Now give me my present."  She frowns, looking at his empty hands. "Where is it?"

Carmine takes an envelope from his shirt pocket and gives it to her. "Happy early birthday, my dear. “

Wisdom narrows her eyes, looking at the large sum of money. "This is too much. I can't accept this." She shakes her head, giving it back to him

He put his hands behind his back. "It's not too much. Yes, you can and will accept it.  To be truthful, it's not enough,  you deserve so much more. Do I need to command you regarding this matter" He points at her and grins.

 “No, you don’t. It’s still too much. Thank you" She gives him a long hard hug and kisses his cheek. "I'm going to do some serious shopping today.”

"You're more than welcome. I'm considering stepping down soon. We both know my son's attitude can be hard to swallow, and you may choose not to work with him. Let's be honest Beauden is an arrogant asshole. Remember, even if I'm not the official Alpha, you can come to me with anything, as always. If you need or want anything, I'm here. I don't and won't allow you to go without anything." Carmine hugs her. "It seems Beauden is driving in the gates.

"I will, and that's my cue to leave." She wraps her arm around his and walks out of the house.

Carmine walks her to her car and kisses her forehead "Enjoy your days off and your birthday. I still wish you would have let me throw you a party.  You're only eighteen once."

"I just want a quiet evening at home and watch a good movie." She enters the car and looks at a black Lexus LX approaching her. Wisdom doesn't waste any time saying goodbye and driving away. Carmine laughs so hard he is still laughing when Beauden walks over and hugs him.

"Father, who was that?" He's looking at the back of a Porsche Macan driving out the gate. 

 Carmine looks at the car and then back at his son. "A hello would have been appropriate. It's good to see you too. Now to answer your question, that was Wisdom Ledger."  

"Ah, Beta Ossian and Larisa's daughter." Beauden smiles. "Hello, Father. It's too early for her to go to lunch and to be off." 

"As a matter of fact, Wisdom is off today and tomorrow. She's celebrating her eighteenth birthday tomorrow." Carmine looks down the empty driveway.

 Beauden twists his mouth. "Did she move here to one of the pack houses after the death of her parents?"

Carmine narrows his eyes, looking at his son. "She lives in her house, as much as I dislike her being there alone. Wisdom is very adamant about living in her house. You sure are asking a lot of questions about Wisdom. Is there a reason?"

"Oh no, Father. Besides Wisdom being a member of our pack, she might be my assistant soon. So, I wanted to know more about her. That's all" Beauden jabs his hands into his pockets. His wolf Klondike is repeatedly screaming "mate." Beauden assures Klondike they will visit their young mate tomorrow on her birthday. After all, she's their mate, and they can't let her celebrate it alone. It would make them bad mates if we didn't acknowledge her special day.

Carmine doesn't like the look in his son's eyes and wonders why he is asking about Wisdom. He's brought out of his thoughts when Efrem, his Beta, contacts him that Alpha Boyd Mosier from the Iron Hounds packs wants to meet with him regarding becoming allies. The Alpha will also bring his daughter Maeve, the future Alpha of his pack. Carmine thought about refusing the Alpha’s request. But he pushes it to the back of his mind and grants his wish.  “I hope I don’t regret that decision”

****

After showering, Beauden lays naked on his bed, thinking about the sweet smell of magnolia and geranium. He's trying to picture her face but can't. But Beauden remembers his father would always visit her parents at her house. Also, some kids wanted to know why she wasn't training with everyone else. He always found that odd.

When he graduated from the Alpha Academy, Beauden wanted to travel the world until his father was ready to turn the pack over to him. He decided if he met his mate, he would reject her and never mention it to his father. A month ago, Carmine called to tell him it was time to come home. At first, Beauden protested because he had just met a young lady named Pandora Rochon. Beauden had no feelings for her and only wanted to get in her pants, which was hard because Pandora always had two warriors with her. One night she came to his apartment alone. The following day Beauden got out of bed and left to go home, and Pandora had been conquered. She wasn't a virgin, as he thought.   That night he was waiting for her in the bedroom, and he overheard her phone conversation. She was pregnant by an omega member of her pack. Pandora knew her Alpha father would be furious. Her plan was to trick Beauden into claiming her baby and mating with her.

His cell phone rings and he sees Pandora's face on the screen. He ignores the call, "You picked the wrong one to play tricks on. I'll never be a father to a pup that isn't mine. “Beauden's mind goes back to his mate. "Tomorrow, I must give Wisdom a present and wish her well. Then I'll reject her. I don't want or need a Luna."