Prologue

~Aston~

I step out of bed and stretch. I just turned 18 on Saturday and slept all day yesterday. My shift took a lot out of me, but that's to be expected. I'm a Beta, and our shifts pack a lot of power, not more than an Alpha's shift, but close.

My name is Aston Wiley, and I'm the future Beta of the BlackPaw Pack. I'm best friends with the future Alpha King Jamison. He turned 18 a month ago but hasn't found his mate yet. The anticipation is killing me, as I believe I know who my mate is, and I will get confirmation when I get to school.

There's a girl that I've been into for a while now. When we were younger, I was always drawn to her, always trying to protect her. As we got older, I kept our friendship going. Something about her always appealed to me, and recently, I felt that maybe it could be the mate bond that I've been feeling all this time. Katarina Harris is beautiful, more beautiful than any other she-wolf. She's 5’8 with a tawny brown complexion. She wears her hair in an asymmetrical bob and has it colored burgundy. She has big, light brown eyes, high cheekbones, and thick lips.

Katarina is only 16, so I can't tell her we are fated mates just yet. I do plan to ask her out once I confirm what we are to each other. I think she's been crushing on me like I've been crushing on her, so it shouldn't be that big of a leap.

I skip breakfast, too excited to eat. I will see my parents later. My parents are Eddison Wiley and Shawna Banks, the pack's Beta and Beta female. They are great people, and we are close. I can't wait to tell my parents about my mate, but I need to confirm it first. She's our mate, I know it. My wolf, Dario, is a cheeky bastard, but I love it. We get our wolf's consciousness between the ages of 13 and 16. High-ranked wolves get it early. Our wolves don't actually come in until we turn 18. He's just as excited to get to school so we can confirm our fated mate.

I jump into my Range Rover and drive to school. I park next to the black Miata that belongs to King. He usually gets to school before me to get an extra workout in. Yes, we are jocks at the school, of course. For me, that isn’t everything. I enjoy my studies, and I really only do sports to keep busy.

I sit in the car a bit, trying to get myself together. Let’s see our mate.

Calm down, Dario. I just need to calm myself before seeing her. You have to stay cool when we get close to her.

Yeah, yeah. I don’t need a pep talk; I need to see our sexy lady. I roll my eyes and huff. He’s always something else, but he’s my wolf, and I wouldn’t have him any other way.

I watch as students walk into the school, signaling that school will start soon. I take a deep breath and get out of the car. I usually see Katarina in the mornings. Her locker is close to mine, and she tends to wait for me at mine so we can talk briefly before class. My only goal is to make sure I don't go off the deep end and mark her with a proper conversation. I can't afford to mess things up because she'd then find out what we are meant to be, and I can't risk that coming out early.

As I walk down the hall to my locker, a scent in the air becomes stronger and stronger. I breathe in deeply and am met with lilacs and musk. Her scents wrap around me and invade every pore. Dario is bucking in my mind, begging to be let free. If you don't calm yourself, I will go home right now. We'll be no closer to seeing our mate than last night. That gets Dario's attention and he reigns himself in. The only evidence of excitement is his ever-wagging tail.

My locker is in sight, just as it has been every day; Katarina is standing next to it. She has a small donut bag in her hand, leaning her back against the neighboring lockers. I step in front of my locker and anchor myself against it. Being near her has caused that luscious scent to hit me like a freight train. MATE! MATE!

I got it, Dario! Chill out before I leave her presence.

FUCK! You're the worst right now. I wait for Dario to ease his temperament. I could put a block up, but that wouldn't be fair to him. He calms again, leaving his tail in constant motion.

“Hello, Dreamboat. How was the weekend? How was your birthday?” Just her voice is enough to send my body into overdrive. The sweet notes coming out of her throat send a pulse straight to my dick. I just found her, and she will already be the death of me.

“ I…” I clear my throat and start again. “I slept most of the weekend. Shifting as a Beta wolf takes a lot out of you.”

“I bet it was amazing, and I'm sure your wolf is a sight to behold. I hate that I have to wait two more years to lay eyes on Hope.”

“Hope is your wolf?” Katarina nods eagerly.

Hope… what a beautiful name. I'm sure her look will match.

Down boy.

Fuck you! I blink a few times to right myself and focus back on my mate.

“I got this for you.” She pushes the donut bag forward, and I quietly take it. “It's nothing; I just thought you might be hungry this morning. I actually have a birthday gift for you, but I didn't want to bring it here. I didn't want your groupies to try to fight me.” Katarina giggles; I swear I could die happily listening to that sound.

“I don't know what you mean by all that.” I knew exactly what she meant. There’s a group of she-wolves that are always all over me. They would love nothing more than to share a bed with me. Some have grandeur ideas of being my chosen mate, while others just want to have a go at the future Beta of the pack. Whatever the reason, they could never hold my interest, which was true even before I turned 18.

“Yeah, sure you don't.” Katarina winks at me, and I swear my knees go weak.

“Maybe…” My tongue is suddenly thick and heavy. I wish there were an easier way to do this, but here we are.

“Yes?”

“Maybe, uh, we can get some ice cream this evening. You could give me my gift then. You wouldn't be under so many watchful eyes.” Katarina's eyes light up and I feel a stirring in my gut.

“I'd like that. Pick me up at 7?”

“Definitely. We'll walk if that's okay.”

“I'd like that.” Just then, her friends start to walk up to us. I know our time is over, but I'm more than ready to see her later today. “Gotta go. See you at 7.” Katarina hurries off and links her arm with her best friend, Tatiana. I watch her walk off, wishing it were me she was walking with.

I close my locker and turn to head to my class. I'll probably be late, but it won't be held against me. It's a perk of being a Beta wolf and future Beta of the pack.

I leisurely walk down the hall and feel a slap on my back. I look to my left to see my best friend, King, and the future Alpha. Next to him is Dominic, the future Gamma. We have all been friends most of our lives, with King and I being friends since we were in diapers. “Aston Wiley, late to class. That's so unlike you. What has my best friend throwing caution to the wind?” I look at King with a massive smile on my face. “Could it be that my friend has finally realized who his mate is? Could it be the lovely Katarina?” King has known of my infatuation with Katarina for years, he and Dominic. They both suggested that she just might be my fated mate. King isn't in a rush to find his mate. He says he wants to play the field some more before settling down.

“Correct on both questions. She's my fated mate. I asked her out for ice cream later.”

“Ooooo, an ice cream date. How completely innocent and so you.” I reach past King to swat at Dominic. He laughs and dodges my advances. King pats my back again, causing me to look at him.

“I'm happy for you man. You deserve all the happiness in the world.” I laugh and punch him in his arm as we walk into our first class.

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School dragged all day, and I know it was because I was anticipating 7 p.m. Dario has been in a frenzy, and I haven't been too far behind. Training was filled with my friends teasing me relentlessly, but I didn't care. When they found their mates, they would understand.

When I got home, I took a long shower, rubbing it out a few times. I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be too worked up when I saw her again. I got dressed and then sat and waited until 6:30 p.m. Her house is about a 15-minute walk from mine, but I don't want to be late.

I walk downstairs and see my parents sitting in front of the TV. “Hello, son.”

“Where are you off to?” I walk into the room, kissing my dad and mom on the temple. My parents are amazing people, and I'm grateful for them. They are excellent examples for the pack and a future Beta couple.

“I'm on my way to pick up Katarina to have ice cream.” My dad gives me a knowing look but says nothing. My mom looks up at me with a sparkle in her eyes.

“Is she your mate?” I eagerly nod. “Be careful with Dario. She's quite younger than you.”

“I know Mom. He and I have already discussed all that.”

“Do you want us to drive you?”

“No. I want to walk and use that time to relax. I want Dario to be as calm as possible when I get around her.”

“Have fun, baby.”

“Have fun, son. If you need me, don't hesitate to call.” I nod and walk out into the crisp, cool air. I walk down the sidewalk, humming as I go. I'm beyond excited about this date, but I'm trying to keep calm at the same time.

Dario suddenly stands alert in my mind. I slow my steps, though no stopping. I don't want to alert anyone that I notice their presence. What's up, Dario?

I'm not sure, but something feels off.

Is it just the excitement of being near Katarina?

No, it isn't that. It feels like there's someone out there. I feel it, too, but I don't see anyone. I take a deep breath, but I don't smell anything unusual.

I continue down the street, keeping my senses open. A charge in the air makes my hair stand on end. A whoosh in the air puts me on edge. I whip around to look behind me, but there’s nothing there. A shock goes through my body, causing me to struggle to breathe. I don't understand what's going on. I try to reach out to Dario, but I don't feel him. I try to mindlink my father, but it feels like there's a block up. I need my phone, but my body is stiff and won't move. I fall to the ground. I see feet approaching me for a few steps before everything goes black.