Chapter 1

Violet

Something terrible is going to happen today.

I don’t know why I feel like that as I carefully walk down the stairs with my blonde hair flowing behind me. My long white dress is soft like silk and hugs my porcelain skin in all the right places. Everyone’s eyes are on me—the Alpha king’s daughter—as I approach the bottom floor where the mating ball is waiting for me.

Today, I’ve officially turned eighteen, and tonight is very special. It’s time for me to pick my mate. Every person born in the Alpha family chooses their own mate to mark. We make our own choice on who to spend the rest of our life with. That’s why the room is filled with eager eyes. There are five different packs here tonight, but my heart is set on just one person: my long-time boyfriend, Blake.

I smile as I near him, already knowing he is the one I’m going to claim as mine tonight. His eyes meet mine, but for some reason, he looks a bit nervous. Could it be because he finds me so irresistible tonight?

Ignoring all the other werewolves that surround us, I walk up to Blake and hold out my hand. “Can I have this dance?”

People immediately start murmuring. I can hear a few girls from my college whisper, “Is that her choice?” and I smile to myself, paying them no attention. Blake and I are the only two people that matter right now.

“Umm...” Blake swallows and hesitates for a moment before taking my hand. “Sure?”

Sure? What sort of answer is that? Isn’t he excited to see me all dressed up and pretty?

As we start swaying to the music, his grip tightens. I can feel his heart racing, and a sense of foreboding washes over me again. Something isn’t right.

“Is everything okay?” I lean in to whisper in his ear. Blake isn’t very tall for a werewolf. He is only 5’6, which is tiny for a werewolf, but probably normal for a human man. I don’t mind, though, since I’m only 5’2.

Blake nods, but his blue eyes are anxiously darting around the room. Is he hiding something? I follow his gaze, pausing, when I realize he is looking at Anna, my maid. She is this cute black-haired little thing with a huge rack—I’ve always been jealous of that since my boobs are non-existent. But never mind that. Why is Blake suddenly paying her so much attention?

I don’t think they have ever spoken a single word to each other. This might even be the first time they are in the same room for longer than five minutes. It makes no sense for him to be so drawn to her.

“Blake?” I ask. “Talk to me.”

Blake’s grip tightens even more, and I can see the struggle on his face as he tries to keep his composure. “I...I don’t know how to tell you this, but...” he trails off, his eyes glancing once more at Anna before settling back on me.

My heart starts to race. What could he possibly be so hesitant to tell me? Has something happened? “Blake, please, just tell me.”

He takes a deep breath. “Anna... she’s my mate.”

My breath catches in my throat. His mate? That’s not possible. “What do you mean she’s your mate?” I demand, struggling to keep my voice calm. “We’ve been together for three years, Blake. You can’t just throw that away for someone you barely know.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, his eyes full of regret. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. I’ve been trying to fight the mate bond for a very long time now, Violet. But I can’t deny the connection I feel with her. I have to be with Anna.”

Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes as I take a step back from him. “And what about me? What about everything we’ve been through? Does none of that matter to you?”

He looks torn, but ultimately he shakes his head. “I’m sorry, but my mate comes first. I hope you can understand that.”

Understand? How could I possibly understand? The man I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with has just left me for my maid! I take a step back, and horror grips me when I realize the entire room has gone silent. Everyone is listening in on the conversation, and suddenly, I hear the girls from earlier burst out laughing.

“Oh my, is the Alpha king’s daughter getting rejected for her own maid? How embarrassing!”

Their laughter echoes through the room, and I feel like the entire world is closing in on me. My cheeks burn with embarrassment, sadness, and anger. I can’t believe Blake would humiliate me like this in front of everyone.

I’m frustrated, not to mention so disappointed in the guy I’ve called my boyfriend for three years. I thought he valued me, but it seems I was mistaken. Why did Blake wait until the mating ball to tell me the truth? This was supposed to be my special day!

I turn abruptly and run towards the door, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on me. I can hear Blake calling out my name, but I don’t stop. I burst through the door, grateful to be outside in the cool night air. Tears stream down my face, and I can’t seem to catch my breath. I have never felt so alone in my entire life.

I wander aimlessly through the gardens, trying to sort out my thoughts. How could Blake do this to me? How could he leave me for someone else? And to make matters worse, it was my own maid. I can’t even fathom the humiliation of it all.

As I make my way down a maze-like path, a hand reaches out and grabs me by the wrist. I shriek, ready to scream for help, but the words die in my throat when I see who it is.

It’s my personal guard, Jace.

He is this tall and scary-looking guard with a mask that has been by my side since I was little. The poor fellow can’t talk. This is why he was thrown out of his own pack. He apparently can’t shape-shift, either. But that doesn’t make him a useless werewolf. He is my father’s most talented warrior and can fight with a range of different weapons, which is why he was assigned to be my personal guard.

“I’m okay, Jace...” I say, trying to sound brave.

Jace doesn’t look convinced. His mask hides his nose and mouth, but his glowing red eyes are impossible to miss. They are solely focused on me as he reaches into one of his pockets and hands me a handkerchief.  

I take the handkerchief and dab at my tears, still feeling the sting of betrayal from Blake. Jace stands quietly next to me, his presence a comfort in the midst of my turmoil.

After a few moments, I collect myself and turn to face Jace. He is still staring at me, concern etched on his face.

“Thank you, Jace,” I whisper.

He nods in response, his mask shifting slightly. There are rumors that Jace was cursed by a witch when he was young, which explains why he can’t speak or shift. But I have never believed in rumors. All I know is that Jace has always been there for me, even when no one else was.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “Would you...would you walk with me for a bit?”

Jace nods again, and we start walking down the path. The moon is high in the sky, casting a soft light over the gardens. The air is crisp, and I can smell the scent of roses and jasmine.

As we walk, I can feel Jace’s eyes on me. I turn to look at him, but he quickly averts his gaze.

“Jace, is something wrong?” I ask, concerned.

He pauses for a moment, then reaches into his pocket again. This time, he pulls out a small piece of paper and hands it to me.

It’s a drawing done in beautiful detail. It’s a picture of me, surrounded by flowers and butterflies, with my blonde hair cascading down my back. I look up at Jace in surprise, but before I can ask him about the drawing, someone clears their throat, and I whip around.

My father, the Alpha king, is looking down at me. His eyes are tired and sunk in by old age, yet he still manages to look intimidating and respectable.

“I saw the whole scene,” he says, gritting his teeth as if wanting to attack something. His face almost shape-shifts into that of a wolf, but he reels it in. “Why did you try and claim Blake as your partner, Violet? Not only is that boy a joke of a fighter, but he is also a mere commoner—do you even understand how bad this looks?”

I stare up at my father with my heart pounding hard inside my chest. Is he seriously more concerned about our family image than my feelings?  

“W-what do you mean?” I ask, just to make sure.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Violet. You were going to claim Blake Audrian as your mate and now that he has rejected you, you’ve brought shame and disgrace upon our family!” he roars, his eyes blazing with fire.

I flinch at his tone, and more tears swell up in my eyes. I can’t believe my own father would be so heartless to care more about the family name than my heart. Can’t he see that I’m breaking on the inside?!

I clench my fists, glaring up at him. “Mom would have never scolded me for following my heart.”

Now it’s my father’s turn to flinch. Mom died a year ago, and he still hasn’t recovered. None of us have. Not me. Not my siblings or the people that used to serve her. Liana Wolfia was a perfect and kind Luna—the complete opposite of my asshole of a father.

Eventually, he growls. “Don’t bring her into this!”

“Why not? She’d be the first one on my side!” I snap before I can stop myself.

“Enough!” shouts my father, all of his face now shifting into its alternate form. “Go to your room, and don’t come back before you’ve calmed down!”

“I’m not a child, Father!” I shout back, but I’m already turning around on my heels, about to shape-shift into a wolf. Jace looks like he is about to follow me, but I shake my head, handing him a weak smile. “No, you stay here and make sure my father doesn’t follow me.”

Jace nods, and when my father steps forward to continue whatever conversation he thinks we are having, Jace blocks his route so that I can shape-shift without my father interrupting me. My skin turns into white fur within seconds, and then I take off into the forest because I can’t freaking breathe. My head and heart need a break.

“Violet!” my father shouts. “Come back here!”

I don’t listen to him.

I sprint into the forest and let my emotions overwhelm me. I’m in deep pain, swimming in a sea of hurt from having the love of my life betray me. How could Blake pick Anna over me? We were together for three whole years! Sure, we never slept together, but...I really thought he loved me.