Ava Adler was just an ordinary girl—or so everyone thought. Quiet, shy, and always hiding behind her big glasses, she was known as the “nerdy omega” no one really noticed. But behind her silent eyes was a tragic past—a father killed in war, a mother doing everything to protect her, and a childhood spent running from danger. All Ava ever wanted was to stay invisible, focus on her studies, and make her mother proud. But everything changed the moment she bumped into him—Ian Dawson, the dangerous bad boy every girl wanted and every boy feared.
Ava never expected her life to twist into a storm of secrets, desire, and forbidden feelings. She hated Ian for the way he lived—wild, reckless, untouchable. But fate had a cruel sense of humor. When their paths crossed, something sparked that neither of them could explain. She wanted to forget him. He promised to make her remember only him. What happens when the girl who wanted to stay hidden catches the attention of the one wolf she should stay far away from? Secrets will unravel, hearts will be tested, and destiny will not wait.
Chapter 1
The sound of screaming and growls filled the forest. Everything was chaos.
“Ava, go! Run with your mother! They’ll kill you both!” my father shouted, lying on the ground, clutching his blood-soaked legs.
“No!” I cried, frozen in place, my small body trembling.
He struggled to sit up, forcing himself to look into my eyes. “Take care of your mother, little one.”
I sobbed uncontrollably as my mother, Angela, clutched his hand. “Hector, I can’t leave you like this!” she cried.
“You must,” he said through gritted teeth. “I can’t shift. I’m too injured to protect you both. Save Ava.”
Suddenly, we heard the crunch of paws on dry leaves. A pack of wolves was racing toward us, teeth bared. My mother stood up, lifted me into her arms, and ran as fast as she could.
“Don’t look back,” she whispered, her voice broken with pain and fear.
But I did.
I turned my head just in time to see two wolves leaping on my father.
My heart stopped. “DAD!” I screamed, and everything went dark.
I sat up in bed, my chest heaving. Sweat soaked my pajamas.
“Just a dream,” I whispered, but I knew it wasn’t. It was a memory, a haunting image from my past I could never forget.
I was only five when I lost him. He was a warrior, brave and strong, but they’d attacked his legs before he could shift, leaving him helpless. My mother and I had run, leaving everything behind.
The Alpha of the Mystic Shadow Pack had given us shelter. That’s where we started our new life.
“AVA, YOU’LL BE LATE!”
I heard my mom’s voice calling from downstairs.
“I’M COMING!” I yelled back, pushing myself out of bed.
After a quick shower, I got dressed in my usual style—plain, simple, and covered. I liked hiding in plain sight. My long white dress didn’t draw attention. My glasses? Totally unnecessary—I had perfect vision. But they helped me hide. Emotions, insecurities, everything. They were like my armor.
I didn’t wear makeup. Didn’t style my hair. I didn’t want to be seen. And people made sure I wasn’t. They called me a nerd, mocked my looks, laughed at my silence. But I didn’t care. Or at least, I told myself I didn’t.
Downstairs, my mom was setting the table.
We ate together in silence until she suddenly said, “You’re turning eighteen next week.”
I looked up.
“You’ll find your mate soon, Ava. And before that, I want you to be careful. Promise me you won’t get involved with anyone. We’re alone in this pack. No man to protect us. You’re an omega, remember that.”
I nodded, seeing the worry in her eyes. “I promise, Mom. I won’t cause trouble. I never do.”
She reached across the table and held my hand. “I just want you to find your mate. Someone who will love you and keep you safe. After that, I can rest easy.”
“Don’t say things like that,” I whispered and hugged her tight. She was everything I had.
After breakfast, I left for university. I took the bus, just like every day.
The bold letters on the gate read Mystic Shadow University. It was the best in the pack, and filled with rich, powerful kids. The only reason I was there was because of my scholarship.
As I walked toward my department, the stares started. Girls whispering. Eyes filled with judgment.
One girl walked by and shoved my shoulder. “Bloody nerd,” she muttered with a smirk.
I kept walking, eyes down.
Inside the classroom, Abigail, my best friend, waved at me. I sat beside her. She was one of the few people who truly cared about me.
Class started, but I couldn’t focus. The girls behind me were giggling, talking about someone.
“Have you seen Ian today?”
“No! Did he take his shirt off again?”
“I’d die if I missed that. But no—his friends said something about Luke’s party tonight.”
Ian Dawson.
The name alone sent a chill through me—and not because I was scared.
He was our Alpha’s son. Tall, dangerous, and way too good-looking. He didn’t care about rules. He did whatever he wanted. Everyone feared him. Every girl wanted him.
He was the ultimate bad boy.
“They say Ian doesn’t date anyone. Only one-night stands,” Abigail whispered, catching my distracted look. “But… he told his friends once that he’s waiting for his mate. Crazy, right?”
I stayed quiet, trying not to blush.
Because the truth was, my heart beat faster whenever I even heard his name.
After class, Abigail and I walked together. Then I got a message from Luke.
Luke was different. A guy, yes—but not like the others. He treated me like a person. Maybe the only boy who ever had.
“He wants us to come to the basketball court,” I told Abigail.
“You go ahead. I’ll join you in ten.”
I nodded and walked alone toward the court.
Bad idea.
As I got closer, a group of boys walked past me, sweaty from practice. I tried to keep my head down, but the teasing started.
“Hey, Nerdy!”
I flinched.
Whistles. Snickers. All aimed at me.
I kept walking faster, trying to disappear.
And then—bam—I bumped into someone.
Hard.
I stepped back, blinking up.
Black shorts. Strong legs. Tank top. Tattooed arms.
And then my eyes reached his face.
Thick brows. Wet black hair. Dark, unreadable eyes. Piercing. Sharp jawline.
My breath caught in my throat.
It was him.
Ian Dawson.
He looked like danger wrapped in beauty.
I froze.
He stared at me, his expression unreadable, but intense. Very intense.
My heart was racing, and I couldn’t stop staring. Then he frowned slightly, and I snapped back to reality.
“I—I’m sorry, Ian,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.