Emily was always the odd one out in her pack—she never shifted into a wolf like everyone else. But when her childhood crush, Alexander, returned as the future Alpha, everything changed. After a passionate night together, Emily’s world shattered when she discovered Alexander had chosen another as his mate. Heartbroken, she vanished, leaving her pack behind.
Five years later, Emily is now a fierce warrior in King Alpha’s army. When her old pack falls into chaos under a rogue Alpha’s rule, she and Alexander reunite to save it. But as secrets unravel and old wounds resurface, Emily must decide if she can trust Alexander again—and if she’s ready to claim her place as his true mate. Will their love survive the storm, or will the past tear them apart forever?
Chapter 1: Pack Dance
Emily’s POV
“Ple-e-e-a-se, Emily!” Mila, my best friend, begged through the mind-link. “I really want to go!”
“I’m not stopping you, Mila. Go ahead and enjoy the pack dance with Jax,” I replied, trying to sound casual. Jax was her mate, and while I liked him well enough, I always felt like an awkward third wheel tagging along.
“But it won’t be the same without you!” Mila whined, her voice trembling. “And don’t forget, you owe me one!”
I groaned. Of course, she’d bring up the favor I owed her. It was from that one time I copied her homework after pulling a late shift as a warrior. I’d been so exhausted that night, I hadn’t even eaten dinner.
“So, you’re cashing in that favor now?” I growled, annoyed.
“Is it working?” she teased, giggling.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, shaking my head. Mila knew exactly how to twist my arm to get her way.
We’d been friends since kindergarten, but we only became super close recently. She was the only friend I had left after my 18th birthday—the night I became the pack’s laughingstock.
“You’re the worst best friend ever, you know that?” I grumbled.
“Does that mean you’re coming?” she chirped, hopeful.
“Yeah,” I muttered reluctantly. “But I’m not staying out late. I’ve got training in the morning.”
Mila squealed with joy over the link. “Deal! See you soon!”
I closed the link and flopped onto my bed. It wasn’t that I hated the idea of the pack dance—I loved dancing—but something felt off, like something big was about to happen.
I knew it couldn’t be my wolf. I didn’t have one. My parents and Alpha Cole thought I was just a late bloomer, but deep down, I believed the goddess had punished me.
I sighed, closing my eyes. I wished I’d shifted on my birthday. I wished I had a wolf like everyone else. I could almost picture her—strong, majestic, with silver fur glowing under the full moon. She’d be fearless, unyielding, and wouldn’t bow to anyone, not even an Alpha.
But that was just a dream. My reality was far from it.
A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the clock—7 p.m. Crap, I was late!
“Emily?” Mila’s voice called from the other side. “Are you in there?”
“Sh*t!” I hissed, scrambling off the bed and rushing to the door.
Another knock, more urgent this time.
“Yeah, I’m here,” I said, rubbing my eyes as I opened the door.
Mila stood there, her eyebrows knitted together as she looked me up and down. “Why aren’t you dressed yet?” she shrieked.
“Sorry, I fell asleep,” I mumbled.
Mila rolled her eyes and dragged me back into the room. “We’ve got to hurry! We’re going to be late!”
Her eyes glazed over—probably linking Jax to tell him I was running late, again.
“What are you waiting for?” Mila barked. “Get in the shower, now!”
I grabbed my towel and stalked to the bathroom. Ten minutes later, I was back in my room.
“Get dressed,” Mila ordered, shoving a short, knee-length dress into my hands.
“No way am I wearing that!” I protested.
“Oh, yes, you are!” she insisted. “It’s not just any pack dance, Emily. It’s Alexander’s welcome-back party!”
I froze. Alexander. The name alone sent a jolt through me.
I’d had a crush on Alexander Black for as long as I could remember. Every she-wolf in the pack did. He was the golden boy—handsome, strong, and destined to be Alpha. But he’d never noticed me. Not once.
“Alexander’s back?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mila nodded, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. “He returned this morning. Alpha Cole’s throwing this party in hopes he’ll find his fated mate. You know he can’t claim the Alpha title without one.”
My stomach churned. Alexander was back, and he was probably going to find his mate tonight. And it wouldn’t be me. I wasn’t Luna material. I wasn’t even a proper warrior.
“Mila, I think I’ll skip this one,” I said slowly.
She narrowed her eyes. “Aren’t you curious about how he looks now? He’s been gone for two years! He’s probably even hotter after all that Alpha training.”
I stayed silent. The thought of seeing him again made my heart race, but the idea of watching him find his mate made me want to crawl into a hole.
“Come on, Emily,” Mila pleaded. “It’ll be fun! And who knows? Maybe you’ll catch his eye.”
I doubted it, but Mila wasn’t taking no for an answer.
Half an hour later, I was dressed in the black dress Mila had picked out, my hair styled, and a light layer of makeup on.
“Let’s go!” Mila said, grabbing my arm and pulling me out the door.
Little did I know, the pack dance would change everything. What happened that night would haunt me for the rest of my life.