THE CURSE OF THE FIFTH MATE

The forest whispered her name.

Veyra Hale stood at the edge of the glade, her breath steady but her heart pounding like a war drum. The moon was high, silver light casting shadows that danced between the tall trees of the Moonfang Pack's outer territory. Out here, there were no curious eyes, no judgmental stares—just the wind, the trees, and the cold truth that she did not belong.

She had never belonged.

At twenty-two, Veyra's life had been one long, cautious inhale—never quite able to breathe out. She moved like a ghost among the living, careful not to draw attention, never stepping too far from the outskirts of the pack. Her family had built their home here, a cabin tucked deep in the shadows of the wild, far from the central pack village. It wasn't by chance. It was by design. By fear.

Because Veyra Hale was no ordinary wolf.

She was the white wolf—the last of her kind.

Rare. Forbidden. Hunted.

She tugged the hood of her cloak tighter around her face as the breeze stirred her long silver-blonde hair. The color was a tell, even if most dismissed it as mere genetics. But her family knew better. Her parents had told her the truth when she turned fifteen—on the night she shifted for the first time under a blood moon. Her wolf had emerged not the color of ash or night like the others in the pack, but bright, luminous white. Glowing. Otherworldly.

Her mother had wept. Her father had gone still.

They knew what it meant.

The old legends warned of her kind—white wolves bound to great power, and greater danger. And with power came fear. With fear came death.

So they hid her.

Her mother, Maelin Hale, had enchanted the entire perimeter of their home, casting protective wards in ancient tongues Veyra could never pronounce. Her father, Elias Hale, a battle-hardened beta and warrior with scars older than her, trained her to defend herself in case the wards ever failed. And Jon—her older brother, her rock—watched over her like a second shadow, never too far, always there when the nightmares came.

But hiding came with a price.

She had never played with the other pups. Never joined the pack hunts. Never shifted with the moonrise around the fire circle like the others. While they lived, she lingered.

Veyra sighed and turned back toward the cabin, the wind curling against her cheek like a cold kiss. She didn't belong, but gods, she wanted to. She wanted to run, to laugh, to feel what it was like to not be afraid. Even if just once.

Behind her, a twig snapped.

Veyra's heart leapt into her throat, her wolf rising sharply beneath her skin. It stirred like a second heart, wild and ready, the pull of the shift teasing her bones. Her muscles tensed, her breath caught—then she smelled him.

Pine. Iron. Ash.

"Veyra!"

Jon's voice cracked through the stillness like a blade, firm and sharp. He emerged from the tree line, chest rising and falling as if he'd been running. His black hair was tousled, his eyes fierce and golden. He looked like their father more with each passing year—broad, lethal, a warrior in every breath he took. But his face softened when his eyes landed on her.

"What the hell are you doing out here?" he growled, stepping closer, eyes scanning the forest behind her. "You almost shifted, didn't you?"

Veyra looked away, shame flushing her cheeks. "I didn't mean to. Something startled me."

"That's not an excuse," he snapped, then quickly caught himself. His jaw flexed, and he exhaled slowly, stepping forward and placing a hand on her shoulder. "You can't afford mistakes. Not here. Not this close to the full moon."

"I know," she whispered. "I just... needed air."

Jon's gaze softened again. "I get it. But you have to be smarter. You know the stories. If anyone finds out—"

"I'll be hunted. Killed. Cursed." She said it bitterly, her voice tight.

He flinched, just a little. "Don't say it like that."

"Why not? It's the truth."

Jon pulled her into a hug before she could pull away. He was always like this—sharp with his words, but gentle with his love. She leaned into him, burying her face in his shoulder for a moment. Here, at least, she could be herself. Even if that self was a caged bird.

They stood there for a while, the forest quieting around them. Then Jon pulled back, brushing a leaf from her hair.

"Let's go back," he said. "Mom made stew."

Veyra hesitated, her eyes lifting toward the trees again. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like if things were different?"

"All the time," Jon said. "But wondering doesn't change what is. We protect you because we love you. One day, maybe that won't be necessary."

She nodded slowly, but her heart was heavy. Hope was a dangerous thing.

They walked back together in silence, side by side through the thick underbrush. The Hale family home came into view soon—a two-story cabin made of dark timber and stone, warm light spilling from the windows. It looked normal. Safe. But it was a fortress built on secrets.

Inside, Elias sat sharpening his blade near the fireplace, his presence a constant wall of strength. He didn't speak much, but his eyes met Veyra's as she entered, and she felt the quiet love in his gaze. He gave her a single nod—his way of saying, you're safe.

Maelin turned from the kitchen, her long dark curls falling around her shoulders, her eyes glowing faintly from whatever spell she'd just finished. She smiled, but it was tinged with weariness. Veyra walked to her and wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.

"Were you outside?" Maelin asked softly.

Veyra hesitated, then nodded. "Just for a little while."

Maelin kissed the top of her head. "You must be careful, my heart. The world doesn't yet deserve to see who you truly are."

"I'm tired of hiding," Veyra whispered.

Maelin cupped her cheek gently. "I know. But the moon watches, and the stars remember. Your time will come."

Later that night, as Veyra lay in her bed staring at the ceiling, she felt the weight of a thousand unseen chains on her chest. She was the white wolf in the shadows. Hidden. Protected. Feared.

But something deep within her stirred, ancient and electric.

Change was coming.

She didn't know when. Or how.

But she felt it in her bones.

And so did her wolf.

⸻

Hello everyone,

Finally finally, we have our first chapter.

Thank you for taking your time to join us as we begin the journey of this amazing book.

I hope you all loved the first chapter as we finally get to meet our sweet Veyra.

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Stay on your toes, this is just the beginning. There's still a whole lot to unravel, secrets, love, betrayal and many more. Be rest assured, you'll love it.

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xoxo.