Chapter two

The early morning sun cast golden rays across the Midnight Summer Pack, spilling through the tall windows of the training arena. But Alpha Jake was already awake, muscles coiled, eyes sharp as he ducked a fast-moving punch. Bare feet slid across the mat, each step precise, every movement controlled.

“Too slow,” he muttered, narrowly dodging another strike before delivering a sharp kick to his opponent’s side.

Josh, his beta and lifelong friend, staggered back but grinned. “You’re only this cocky because I haven’t had coffee yet.”

Jake smirked, rolling his shoulders. “Excuses.”

With a flick of his wrist, he signaled for Josh to attack again. Around them, the training arena was alive with motion—warriors sparring, fists colliding, occasional grunts of exertion echoing off the stone walls. The scent of sweat and earth hung thick in the air. It was the music of discipline, the rhythm of strength, the heartbeat of the pack.

Jake sidestepped, catching Josh’s wrist and twisting him into a lock before shoving him away.

“Enough for today.”

Josh exhaled, stretching. “You could at least pretend to break a sweat, you know.”

Jake chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s why I’m the Alpha. You’re still struggling to keep up.”

Nearby warriors snickered, but before Josh could fire back a witty retort, the sharp sound of approaching footsteps caught Jake’s attention. He turned to see Amelia, his younger sister, striding toward him with her arms crossed, exasperation etched into every line of her face.

“You look like a wild beast, Jake,” she said, eyeing his long, messy black hair. “When are you going to get a haircut? You’re starting to look like one of those untamed rogues.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “Not this again.”

“Yes, this again,” Amelia shot back. “One day, your mate will take one look at that disaster on your head and reject you on the spot.”

A muscle in Jake’s jaw twitched at the mention of a mate. He hid his irritation behind a smirk. “I highly doubt that.”

Amelia sighed dramatically. “Fine, be stubborn. But when you finally meet her, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Her words lingered, a soft echo at the back of his mind. The thought of a mate, of a bond he had yet to feel, gnawed at him. At twenty-six, Jake was still without his fated Luna. Most Alphas had found their mates by eighteen, yet he had not. Even Josh was bonded, yet here he was, leading a pack without that missing half of himself.

His pack respected him, never questioning his strength or leadership. But he knew the whispers: How can an Alpha lead without his Luna?

Pushing the thought aside, he clapped Josh on the shoulder. “Get the warriors ready for a border patrol. We can’t afford to slack off.”

Josh’s teasing expression shifted into seriousness. “Understood, Alpha.”

Satisfied, Jake headed toward the pack house. The large, rustic mansion stood at the heart of their territory, surrounded by thick forests stretching for miles. It served as both home and command center for the pack. Inside, the aroma of breakfast greeted him—freshly baked bread, sizzling eggs, and brewed coffee.

“Morning, son,” his mother called, moving gracefully between the counters as she arranged a tray of bread and fruit. Her voice was gentle and comforting, a stark contrast to the discipline and tension of the training arena.

“Morning, Mom,” Jake replied, letting himself relax slightly in her presence. The familiar scent of baked goods and coffee filled the room, grounding him.

His mother glanced at the warriors bustling around the kitchen. “Don’t forget to eat before you head out. You’ll need your strength today.”

“I won’t,” Jake said, grabbing a cup of coffee. He inhaled the rich aroma and took a long sip, letting the warmth spread through him.

Her eyes softened. “I worry about you, son. Always pushing yourself so hard.”

Jake gave a small shrug. “It comes with the responsibility mom.”

“Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself too,” she said, her hand brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. He caught her gaze and offered a small smile, grateful for this quiet moment before the day’s duties consumed him.

Climbing the stairs to his private wing, Jake peeled off his sweat-dampened clothes and stepped into the bathroom. Warm water washed over him, loosening the tension in his muscles, erasing the scent of the morning’s training. Once freshened up, he ran a hand through his damp hair and sighed. Maybe Amelia had a point about the hair, though he would never admit it aloud. A black pair of jeans and a white tee replaced his training gear, the fabric stretching comfortably over his toned chest. A quick spritz of cologne, sneakers laced tight, and he was ready.

Later, patrolling the borders, Jake’s mind refused to quiet. His wolf prowled beneath the surface, restless, alert, aware of things he couldn’t yet see. The forest seemed alive, every rustle of leaves, snap of a twig magnified. His warriors followed, disciplined and obedient, but he barely noticed them. All his senses were focused on… something. Someone.

He thought of the stories pack members whispered in passing—the sensations, the scents, the moments when an Alpha first encountered their mate. Yet he had felt nothing, or so he thought.

And still… the pull lingered.

Back at the pack house, Jake moved through the halls with practiced ease, acknowledging members who bowed their heads respectfully. Leadership was not just strength; it was presence, observation, and subtle command. Every glance he cast, every word he spoke shaped the pack’s loyalty.

Yet, in quiet moments, doubts gnawed at him. How can I lead without my Luna? The question was private, unspoken, but it weighed heavily on him. His strength, his courage, his authority—they were unquestioned. But would they be enough if his mate never came?

He walked past the training arena again, watching warriors spar. The rhythm, the discipline, the sound of exertion—it was comforting. It reminded him that the pack’s strength was more than just the bond with a Luna. But deep inside, he knew that bond completed him in a way nothing else could.

That evening, as the sun dipped behind the horizon, Jake climbed to the terrace overlooking the forest. Twilight painted the world in shades of gold and violet. The forest stretched endlessly, mysterious and alive. The scent of pine and damp earth filled the air, grounding him, but the unease remained.

He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, letting his wolf wandered. The sensation intensified—a subtle, intoxicating pull, like a whisper in his soul. Someone… someone is near.

Jake opened his eyes, scanning the shadows. His wolf growled quietly, and he felt it—stronger than ever—the bond calling him, though he couldn’t see it yet. The name of his mate remained unknown, but he knew, deep within, that the search was ending.

And when he found her…

Everything would change.