Chapter 3

Zoe’s room was soon filled with the sound of laughter as she and Sara sifted through outfits and talked about everything but the pack politics that weighed on their minds. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm golden light on the floor, but Zoe’s nerves still hummed in the background. She tried to focus on Sara’s jokes and chatter.

“Okay, so... we’ve got the whole pack coming. Even if Dominic is there, don’t worry - I’ll steal him away from you,” Sara teased, holding up a deep green dress and giving Zoe a mischievous grin.

“Please, take him,” Zoe laughed. “I’m not interested.” But why does it feel like a lie?

Sara pouted dramatically. “You say that now, but wait until you shift. You’re going to be stunning in wolf form, and Dominic will be eating out of the palm of your hand.”

Zoe rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “I think you’ve got that backwards. He’ll be drooling over you, like everyone else.”

The banter was light, but beneath it, Zoe’s mind raced. Her wolf was there, just beneath the surface, quiet but ever-present. Nila didn’t speak, but Zoe could feel her - strong and ready, waiting for the moment they would merge.

By the time they finished dressing, Zoe was in a simple but elegant, knee-length, bottle-green dress that perfectly highlighted her emerald eyes. She’d put on light makeup that brought a soft glow to her face, and her hair fell in charming waves down her back, cascading in that timeless Hollywood style. The pendant from her mom rested just above her collarbone, its warm glow matching the delicate golden earrings she wore.

Sara, of course, looked stunning in a deep-red dress with a daring V-neckline. Her blonde curls were pinned back in a style that was artfully messy, showcasing her effortless beauty.

“You look amazing,” Sara said, taking a step back to admire her work. “Everyone’s going to be staring at you tonight. You’re like...mystery and elegance wrapped together.”

Zoe smiled, glancing at herself in the mirror with a mix of awe and appreciation. “Thanks, Sara. You worked some serious magic here. But look at you,” she said, giving Sara an approving nod. “You look hot as hell.”

Sara laughed, giving her a playful nudge. “Flattery won’t get you out of attention tonight! And trust me, you’ll be turning heads all night long.”

As the sun began to set, the first guests arrived, filling the garden with laughter and excitement. The air was cool but pleasant, and the scent of food cooking on the bonfire mixed with the piney fragrance of the surrounding woods. Fairy lights twinkled overhead, giving the entire space a magical glow.

Zoe stood near the bonfire, greeting pack members as they arrived. Her heart raced with every new face, wondering who else would show up - and whether Alpha Philip himself would make an appearance.

“Do you think he’ll come?” Sara asked quietly, standing beside Zoe. She had been scanning the crowd just as much as Zoe had.

“I don’t know,” Zoe replied, trying to sound casual, but there was no hiding the tension in her voice.

From across the yard, Zoe spotted Dominic and Nikola making their way through the crowd, drawing glances from everyone in their path. Dominic, with his dark, tousled hair and piercing, storm-gray eyes, had a raw, effortless magnetism that made him impossible to ignore. His broad shoulders and muscular build spoke of his strength and his fierce loyalty to his pack, but it was the intensity in his gaze that set him apart - a look that seemed to see through everything and everyone. He moved with purpose, his every step carrying a quiet authority that made people instinctively part to let him pass. There was an edge to him, something wild and untamed, that hinted at the fierce Alpha he was destined to become.

Beside him was Nikola, his younger brother by a year, yet no less captivating. With sharp, bright blue eyes and a smirk that played constantly at the corner of his mouth, Nikola had an allure that was all his own. His golden-brown hair fell in loose waves, framing his face in a way that gave him an almost mischievous look, like he was in on a secret that no one else knew. Though leaner than Dominic, Nikola’s athletic build and easy grace gave him an undeniable presence. He radiated charm and confidence, his charisma more playful yet no less powerful than his brother’s.

Together, the two brothers were an unmistakable force, a striking balance of strength and charm. They carried themselves with the kind of confidence that only came with knowing they were next in line to lead the pack. The aura surrounding them was electric, a potent blend of authority and allure that left Zoe - and everyone around them - captivated.

Sara nudged Zoe, grinning. “Told you they’d show.”

Zoe gave a half-hearted smile, her attention already shifting. As Dominic and Nikola approached, Dominic’s sharp gaze met hers briefly, and though he gave a polite nod, there was something unreadable in his expression - an intensity that Zoe couldn’t quite place.

“Happy birthday, Zoe,” Dominic said smoothly as they reached her.

“Thanks,” she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

Nikola gave her a warm smile. “You must be excited. First shift tonight.”

Zoe nodded, feeling the weight of the night pressing down on her. “Yeah. I’m ready. Or... I hope I am.”

Dominic studied her for a moment longer, then turned to greet another group of pack members. His departure left Zoe feeling slightly relieved, though Sara was watching the whole interaction with wide eyes.

“I don’t know how you can be so calm,” Sara whispered once the brothers had moved away. “He’s so... intense.”

Zoe shook her head. “I’m not calm. I just... I have a lot on my mind.”

The evening passed in a blur of conversations and well-wishes, but Zoe couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. As more pack members arrived, there was still no sign of Alpha Philip, but his absence didn’t ease the tension in Zoe’s chest.

As the bonfire crackled and the sky grew darker, Zoe felt Nila stir within her, growing more restless. The moon was rising, and with it, the moment of her first shift drew closer. The guests gathered around the bonfire, their voices growing quieter as the night deepened. Zoe’s family stood nearby, her mother giving her a reassuring smile, but even they seemed to sense that tonight was more than just a celebration.

Something was coming, and Zoe could feel it.