The party was in full swing. Music pulsed from the speakers, and the air was thick with the heat of late spring, mixing with the energy of excitement and laughter. It was Jeremy’s 18th birthday, the moment we had all been waiting for, the turning point of his life—and mine. The clock was ticking down, each second feeling like an eternity.
I could feel it in the air, the electricity, the way the night hummed with the tension of what was about to happen. My eyes kept flicking back to Jeremy, standing in the middle of the room, the birthday boy, surrounded by our friends and pack members. He was perfect. Tall, broad-shouldered, his dark hair styled just right. The way he smiled at me from across the room made my heart flutter. Everything was coming together.
I couldn’t help but glance down at my dress—a short, sleek black halter with intricate embroidery tracing the front. The fabric hugged my figure in all the right places, and the subtle shimmer under the party lights made me feel a little more than just ordinary. But all that seemed trivial in comparison to what was about to happen. The dress felt almost like a second skin—perfect for tonight, but now it felt like it was pressing against me too tight, like the world had suddenly gotten smaller, suffocating.
The clock above the door ticked louder as it neared midnight. Everyone in the room knew what this moment meant. As soon as the clock struck twelve, Jeremy would officially be an adult—and his wolf would come forward. The bond we shared would be confirmed by the goddess herself.
I couldn’t breathe with anticipation. My stomach fluttered, a mixture of excitement and nerves, as I thought of the confirmation that would soon come. This was it. This moment would define everything.
Then the clock struck.
Ding... ding... ding...
I felt the shift in the room, a wave of power washing over me. It wasn’t just the time that changed, but the very air seemed to pulse with energy. Jeremy’s presence was electrifying, his body stiffer now, his eyes darker as the wolf within him began to stir.
I watched him closely, heart racing. He was looking at me, those familiar brown eyes of his locked onto mine. But something was different. The warmth in his gaze was gone, replaced with something... colder. And then I felt it—his wolf was breaking through.
The air around us shifted, the temperature dropping, and a sharpness entered his features. His eyes were glowing faintly now, reflecting the wolf that pushed to the surface. The bond we shared was about to be sealed. This was it.
I couldn’t wait to step forward, to feel his touch, to feel the connection deepening between us. I smiled, my heart fluttering in my chest. This was it.
My heart thundered in my chest, and I took a step forward, moving toward him, the moment of truth so close I could almost touch it. But then... he stepped closer too, and everything inside me felt suspended in time. My breath caught in my throat.
His voice was low, cold, and sharp.
“Move.”
I couldn’t breathe.The word "Move" echoed in my ears, the coldness of Jeremy’s command searing into my chest like ice. I stood there, frozen, as my world unraveled before me. The weight of it, the finality, hit me all at once. There was no mistaking it. He hadn’t been looking at me—he hadn’t seen me. And now, as he turned and walked away from me without so much as a glance, my heart shattered.I couldn’t bring myself to follow him, I couldn’t chase after the boy I had loved my whole life. Jeremy was already heading toward her—Shanika Mason, the daughter of the first Gamma couple, the captain of the soccer team. She was beautiful, confident, and poised. And now, she was the one Jeremy’s wolf had chosen.I didn’t know how long I stood there, unable to move, unable to speak. My body was trembling, and my vision blurred as tears began to spill over, betraying me in front of everyone.The room felt suffocating. The chatter, the laughter, the music—it all seemed so distant now, like a worl
The next morning, Mom came to my room. I poured my heart out to her, feeling like everything in my life was spiraling out of control. She listened patiently, her warm eyes never leaving me. When I finally finished, she sighed, her voice soft but firm.“Aurelia, I know your heart is broken right now. You just lost your love, and I know how hard that is. But you can’t live in that moment forever. You have to allow yourself to heal, and to let go. He found his true mate. That’s a part of life, even when it feels unfair.”The next morning, Mom came to my room. I poured my heart out to her, feeling like everything in my life was spiraling out of control. She listened patiently, her warm eyes never leaving me. When I finally finished, she sighed, her voice soft but firm.“Aurelia, I know your heart is broken right now. You just lost your love, and I know how hard that is. But you can’t live in that moment forever. You have to allow yourself to heal, and to let go. He found his true mate. Th
I sat at the kitchen table, a cup of lukewarm tea in front of me. The steam no longer rose from the cup, but I didn’t have the energy to drink it. My mind was whirlwind. The summer trip to Alaska was becoming real, and the closer the departure date came, the more I felt the weight of it all.Mom’s voice broke through my thoughts as she walked into the kitchen, her eyes warm but tired. “I just got off the phone with Alpha Jerry,” she said, standing in front of me with her arms crossed. “It’s all set. You’ll leave in two days. I’ve arranged for you to spend the summer with my old pack.”I nodded silently, unsure of how to respond. She was right. I had known this was coming. After everything that happened with Jeremy, after all the pain, it felt like the only option. But even though I was preparing for it, even though part of me wanted the space, part of me still wasn’t ready. The goodbye would be harder than I thought.“Okay,” I said softly. The word felt like it was stuck in my throat.
Jeremy POVThe morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the pack house. It was early, but I was already up, sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee in hand, staring out at the vast desert landscape. My thoughts were a tangle of confusion—memories of the past few weeks, of Aurelia, of the decision I had made, and now, of Shanika.Shanika.The name brought a bittersweet smile to my lips. She was inside, preparing breakfast, the scent of pancakes and fresh coffee drifting through the open door. I could hear her humming softly as she worked, and I couldn’t help but feel this quiet warmth in my chest. She was perfect. She was my mate.And yet, my mind kept wandering back to Aurelia. I couldn’t stop thinking about her—about the way I had hurt her. The guilt never really left.I ran my fingers through my hair, leaning back in my chair. I’d never expected this—to feel torn between my past and my future. Shanika was my true mate, no doubt about it. Every time I look
As soon as the plane touched down, I felt the chill hit me like a punch to the chest. Chase, Alaska, was as cold as the rumors had said, and then some. The town itself was barely a shadow of what I had imagined—a cluster of empty, weather-beaten buildings, standing as if waiting for the inevitable winter that would likely last for most of the year. It was so quiet, so still, it felt almost deserted. There were no bustling markets, no busy streets—just a few scattered houses and shops that looked as though they hadn’t seen a visitor in ages. The kind of place where time itself seemed to slow down.The air was thick with a sharp, biting cold that made it hard to breathe at first. It stung my skin, sending a shiver down my spine as I stepped out of the plane. The snow-covered ground stretched out before me, a pristine, untouched white that seemed to go on forever. I could see the looming silhouette of the Foraker Mountain in the distance, its peak covered in thick snow and jagged cliffs.
As I stepped out of the vehicle, the cold air of Chase bit at my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I took in my surroundings, eyes scanning the military-like compound that stretched before me. Everything seemed so different from home, so distant.And then, I saw him.Alpha Rhett stood at the entrance of the pack house, his tall frame cutting a striking silhouette against the darkened sky. At 6'4", he was a giant, his broad shoulders and muscular build only adding to his imposing presence. His brown hair was tousled in a way that made him look effortlessly handsome, and his brown eyes were sharp, as if they could see right through me.In that moment, I couldn’t help but stare. He was the most handsome man I’d ever seen, with an aura of power that felt almost suffocating. But there was something about him that felt cold, distant. As if he was above even acknowledging my presence.When I finally walked closer, his gaze shifted. His eyes widened for a fraction of a second, then narrow
Sitting in front of Alpha Rhett’s desk felt like being on trial—except I wasn’t guilty of anything. I wasn’t even sure what was happening, but I could feel the weight of his eyes on me, sharp and calculating. My mom sat beside me, her posture rigid, but her eyes were still distant. It was like she was physically there, but mentally, she had drifted somewhere else entirely.Alpha Rhett leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest, eyes never leaving mine. For a long moment, the room was silent, heavy with anticipation. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, not sure what to expect. But then, he broke the silence.“Tell me about yourself,” he said, his voice stern but not unkind. It wasn’t a friendly request—it felt more like an order. Like he needed to know who I was, what I was, what I could bring to the table.I swallowed hard. “I’m Aurelia,” I started, my voice quiet, unsure. “I’m from Arizona. I came here with my mom.”Alpha Rhett raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.
Aurelia’s POVThe way he looked at me when he first saw me… He seemed surprised, but maybe it was just my imagination. The expression disappeared as fast as it came. He spoke to us in a very military-like manner, but when he looked at me, it felt like he was staring into my soul. At times, it almost seemed like he was disgusted.“You can settle in your family’s old cabin. It remains uninhabited. There is some work that needs to be done. I don’t take it easy on my people, and I won’t take it easy on you. It is your responsibility to ensure the cabin is livable,” Rhett said with such disdain that I almost scoffed. I guess if I had, he would’ve made me do twenty push-ups or something. What a stuck-up Alpha.My mom and I made our way to the cabin, which was located on the edge of the compound, near the forest. It had been abandoned for years, but it used to belong to her. The small space was cold, most of the furniture was broken, and dust covered every surface. A fireplace stood in the c
Ares' POVThis ball was a crazy idea. I wasn’t privy to most of the conversations swirling around the pack, but it was obvious this event was a strategy. A smart one. It brought in people, sparked bonds, and created the perfect cover to talk about the real issue—the attacks—without tipping off any potential enemies. The Council rarely met—once a year, tops—and only when something serious hit the fan. Alpha Rhett was smart. Maybe even brilliant. Honorable, too. I saw the way he looked at my sister. He hadn’t made a move, but the tension was thick. Maybe they were mates. Maybe not. Either way, the guy had restraint.The ball itself? It was a blast. I met a bunch of girls who made it very clear what they were after. Lucky for them, I’m available. Willing. But not a liar. When they asked, I kept it simple: I don’t date. I fuck. I’m waiting for my mate.My wolf growled about it sometimes—he didn’t love the casual flings. But my body? Well, that part of me didn’t exactly complain.The gue
I noticed Mom dancing with Brandon—rather closely. They were smiling, laughing, and whispering like no one else existed. I wondered when they’d finally admit their relationship. They were so cute together.Werewolves could live up to two hundred years. We grew up like any human would until we reached adulthood at eighteen. After that, our aging slowed thanks to our regenerative abilities. Mom was only forty-six, and Brandon was probably around one-twenty. A big age gap by human standards—but nothing unusual for us. They could even start a new family… though fertility was rare among older wolves.Rhett walked up on stage, and the room fell into silence.“Good evening, everyone,” he said, his voice smooth and commanding. “I hope you're enjoying the
The party was in full swing. Some people from my previous pack were here. Melissa hadn’t come this time—each pack had a limited number of guests, and priority went to those over 25 and unmated.You could see some pairs forming. The fated ones were obvious. You could also see all the hopefuls looking around, waiting for their moment.I was once that bright-eyed hopeful too. Now I was a little jaded.While chatting with Jasmine, I felt a weight settle on me. A gaze. I looked for the source—and there he was. Alpha Rhett. Watching me like he was starving. It was exhilarating… and terrifying. I was so drawn to that man, and I was scared of falling.
Aurelia's POVMy heart beat loud enough to drown out the music as Rhett extended his hand.He looked like a carved statue come to life—tuxedo tailored perfectly to his broad frame, jaw sharp enough to cut, that dark hair pulled back into a man bun I had no business liking as much as I did.His eyes were fixed on me like I was the only thing in the room. And Goddess help me, I wanted to walk into that gaze and never come out.But then I remembered who stood beside him.Jeremy.Shanika.My ex and his mate. Her dark eyes caught mine, unreadable. Jeremy looked… tired. And
Aurelia’s POVThe day before the ball felt like an entire lifetime compressed into twenty-four hours.There were wolves everywhere—unmated guests arriving by the hour, laughter and footsteps echoing through the corridors, flurries of movement between the apartments, dorms, tents, and the grand hall that would serve as the ballroom.I stood in the center of that hall, hands on my hips, staring up at the ceiling. It had once been a training arena—all cold concrete and sharp echoes. Now? It shimmered.Ares and his entourage had transformed the space. Silk drapes billowed from the ceiling like swirling snowstorms, catching the breeze from the AC vents and dancing in the air. Jasmine had strung fairy lights across the beams, woven with dried herbs and sprigs of pine that released a warm, woodsy scent when the bulbs heated them. It smelled like winter in the middle of summer—comforting, nostalgic, and a little wild.We’d gone with a winter elegance theme: dark woods and chrome accents, soft
Aurelia’s POVThe parchment was thick and slightly textured, dyed with the faintest hint of rose gold. The script shimmered slightly with silver ink, old-fashioned and elegant.You are honorably invited to the Mate-Matching Ball at the Foraker Mountain Pack. All unmated wolves are welcome. We hope this gathering helps you find a union—whether fated by the Moon Goddess or chosen by your heart.I stared at the invitation in my hands, heart fluttering. It was official. Real. Somehow, this felt like more than just a ball.Rhett’s POVInvitations had gone out to every corner of the world—Alaska, Canada, across the states, even overseas. We were expecting a massive turnout.Luckily, we were prepared—at least in terms of infrastructure.We had two three-story buildings just inside the front gates. They looked like government bunkers from the outside—plain, cold, intimidating. That was the point. It was all part of the façade of a military base meant to keep outsiders wary. But in truth, th
Chapter 51: Recounting Rhett’s POVThe attacks had become routine. That was the real horror of it all. People no longer screamed in terror or scrambled blindly. They just reacted—defended, regrouped, and returned to what they were doing as if an ambush by demonic beasts was just another line item on the daily agenda.It was too much.The numbers were dwindling. Every attack left behind fewer warriors. Fewer civilians. Fewer healers. It wasn’t just a battle anymore. This was a war. And we were losing.And yet, that night—our night—was different.The fire crackled beside us, casting a warm glow on her face. I had prepared this spot in secret: a soft blanket spread across a bed of moss, a thermos filled with hot chocolate, and a picnic basket holding a few sandwiches, chocolate-covered berries, and some marshmallow snacks I had seen her sneak from the pantry once. She thought no one noticed. I did.Aury’s eyes had widened when she saw it. Her surprise surprised me.We had trained togeth
Aury’s POVHere I am yet again—injured. I’m beginning to think I do need a babysitter. My brother was doing such a great job. He got his wolf, and nobody died during today’s attack. But realizing I’m the target? That was a rough pill to swallow.I could feel energy coursing through me, but I couldn’t get it out. I guess I need my wolf for that. But where is my wolf? Why won’t she come out?“Aury, dinner is ready. Come down,” I heard Mom call.When I arrived at the table, my big bro was
Chapter 49: WolfBoom! The fireball shot wide, hitting a tree instead, igniting it instantly.The adrenaline was still pumping through me, my knees pressed into the cold, damp earth. I’d just frozen a lava demon with powers I barely understood—and still, it wasn’t over. I felt it in the air, like the tension before a lightning strike. Something worse was coming.The half-wolf demon, though wounded, snarled and lunged at me again, faster this time. There was no time to react.I turned my head, bracing for the impact—But I never felt it.Ares POVEverything was fire and chaos.