chapter one

Ashley

It’s my birthday today—the day every young wolf dreams about. The day I meet my wolf. Maybe even my mate.

I definitely didn't sleep last night—I mean, who would? I had pure adrenaline pumping just thinking about today. Normally, I sleep in. It’s a habit I haven’t shaken, no matter how much money Mom’s spent on Luna etiquette classes. But today? I’m wide awake before my alarm even goes off.

I rush through my morning routine and slip into the outfit I picked out last night during my bout of insomnia. When I turn on my phone, I’m not even surprised to see the flood of birthday messages lighting up my iMessage. There are so many I wonder how I’ll reply to all of them—until I spot the one that makes me grin. It’s from Phil, my boyfriend of two years. The one I’m hoping turns out to be my mate.

His message is long and sweet, the kind that makes my smile grow so wide I probably look like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland. Phil’s such a sweetheart. I mean, not every she-wolf gets to call the future Alpha her boyfriend. And he’s perfect—caring, attentive… call me delulu, but I think I hit the jackpot.

Thanks, babe. I love you too, I type back and hit send. Seconds later, I get his reply:

Let’s hang out before your birthday ceremony. My place?

I bite my lip, giddy, and barely hesitate before replying yes.

Mom definitely wouldn’t be thrilled about this. She wants me to go over the last-minute dress fittings, the face prep steps, and whatever other over-the-top traditions she has in mind. This birthday is a big deal to her.

I roll my eyes and sigh hard. Ever since I could say my name, she’s been enrolling me in one Luna training or another—etiquette, dance, combat, music. After Dad died, it only got worse. I’m lucky Phil is the future Alpha, otherwise she probably would’ve forbidden our relationship altogether. Hopefully, she’s too distracted to notice I’ve slipped out. I won’t be gone long.

Our house is in the high-end part of the pack territory, about seven blocks from Phil’s. The staff is just starting to get busy, so it should be easy to sneak out—or so I think, until I try to tiptoe past the kitchen and hear Olga’s unmistakably loud voice stop me in my tracks.

“And where is our birthday girl sneaking off to?” she asks in her thick Russian accent—the one I’ve grown used to after seventeen years of having her around.

I’m too caught off guard to say anything smart, so I flash her my most charming grin—the one Phil can’t resist. Hopefully, it works on Olga too.

“Good morning, Olga,” I finally say as she arches a brow.

She shakes her head and mutters something under her breath while her hands move quickly, packing a basket full of breakfast that smells so good I’m tempted to steal a bite right there.

“Off to see your boyfriend?” she asks, pinching her eyebrows together as she hands me the basket. “Take this with you.”

I’m pretty sure Olga doesn’t like Phil very much.

“Thank you, Olga! Can’t wait to eat this,” I squeal, giving her a kiss on the cheek before I wave goodbye.

Fifteen minutes later, I’m inside Phil’s house—the pack house. It’s one of the biggest buildings around. After greeting the butler and a couple of the maids, I head to Phil’s room. He’s too focused on his PS5, playing FIFA, to notice I’ve walked in. I decide to surprise him by sneaking up and covering his eyes when he spins around in his swivel chair. Instead, I land right in his lap. I forgot Alpha senses are no joke.

“Not fair,” I giggle, still in his lap, and lightly punch his arm. But Phil ignores me and starts kissing my neck. My giggles melt into soft moans as heat spreads between my thighs.

It doesn’t help that I’m wearing shorts. His hands snake up and in between my legs, giving them a firm squeeze.

“Happy birthday, babe,” he murmurs against my ear, nipping at my earlobe. A violent shiver runs through me. Tired of the teasing, I crash my lips into his—fast and hungry. He matches my rhythm, one hand gripping the back of my head, the other wrapped around my waist, his rough fingers tracing slow circles on my skin. I arch my back and press in closer, desperate for more.

“It sucks that we can’t do the real thing until we’re mates,” I whisper when we finally come up for air. His brown eyes darken. I know that look too well.

I start to get up, but he pulls me back down. I can’t have sex with Phil—not because I don’t want to, but because it’s against pack law to sleep with anyone who isn’t your mate. I don’t know if he’s mine yet. But I’ve been praying to the Moon Goddess that he is. It’s all I want right now.

“C’mon, babe. Even if we’re not mates, I’d still choose you. How many times do I have to say it? You’re mine,” he says.

I glance up at him through my lashes, chewing on my bottom lip. I don’t doubt him—but I’ve always been the cautious one especially with my mom hammering on me being a future Luna. My best friend Zoe keeps telling me I need to stop being such a prude. And yeah, I’ve fantasized about it more times than I can count. I always imagined our first time would be as mates. But if I’m getting my wolf today, doesn’t that kind of make it official?

We’re both virgins, and we’ve waited so long…

“Okay,” I say with a soft smile even though I'm nervous as hell. “Your birthday gift to me.”

********

Violins swell as I slowly descend the grand staircase, my brown gown sweeping the steps. The hotel glitters with opulence—Mom’s version of “subtle,” even though it’s one of the most expensive venues in L.A.

Eyes follow me, but not with admiration. My heart skips. Did something rip? Is my mascara smudged?

I force a smile. Just breathe. Like we rehearsed.

The music cuts off the second I reach the last step—and suddenly, everything fades. The violins, the stares, the background noise. It’s like the whole room is holding its breath. I don’t know why, but I feel it.

A pull.

Strong.

Unfamiliar.

But also intimate.

Something stirs in me—wild, urgent, overwhelming.

Mine, a voice whispers. Low, breathless, excited. Like she’s waited her whole life for this.

It’s my wolf.

And then I see him.

He’s tall, with messy pepper-blond hair that somehow makes him look both dangerous and untouchable. His green eyes burn as they meet mine. His jaw clenches as he steps out from the crowd. His expression is unreadable. But it’s not shock. It’s not wonder.

It’s something else.

I take a shaky step forward, lips parting to speak—but he beats me to it.

His voice slices through the silence.

“I, Aiden Whitlock of Crimson Crescent Pack, reject Ashley Grant of Twilight Thorne Pack as my mate.”

Wait, what?

I blink. Once. Twice.

I want to say something but I'm silenced by an instant sharp pain – like someone ripped a piece of my soul out. I gasp and clutch my side, my wolf howling inside me.

I don’t even have time to process it before my mom grabs my arm and drags me outside, away from the gasping crowd.

“Mom—?”

Her hand cracks across my face so hard my ears ring. I stumble back, stunned. I rub the sore spot , blinking back tears as I stare at her wide eyed.

“What—?”

She shoves her phone in my face, eyes blazing with fury and her lips twitch.

On the screen—it’s me and Phil. Naked. His face is blurred, but I recognize the room. It’s from earlier today.

How the hell did this get out?