chapter 1

Calla's POV

“When was the last time you experienced this?”

“About a month ago,” she mumbled, her head lowered as she remained kneeling.

“Are you sure this is not an attempt to run away from your duty?” I challenged. “You know how important today is. How could you fall down the stairs and sustain these bruises on your face?”

“I'm sorry, Luna,” she said. “I didn't mean to escape work.”

“Get up. Inform your fellow maids to take up your role for today. Visit a clinic and let them know I'll settle the bills as soon as the event is over.” I patted her gently on the shoulder.

“Thank you, Luna.” She rose to her feet, lowered her head, and walked out of my room.

I didn't wait behind in the room. I stood up, cracked my knuckles, and quickly followed after her, although I took a detour toward the kitchen.

There were about five cooks inside the kitchen preparing the delicious meals for today's event. As soon as they saw me step inside, their noise faded into total silence. I looked at their faces one after the other before I said anything.

“Today is the first anniversary of the Alpha's coronation,” I reminded them. “If any of our high-profile visitors complain about your food, every one of you is screwed. Understood?”

“Yes, Luna,” they chorused.

I left the kitchen and stepped out of my chamber, gazing at the beautiful sights in the distance. Several wolves were exchanging gifts. Joy filled the atmosphere. Everyone loved Alpha Draven, and most especially, his responsible Luna, me.

Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized we had about an hour to go. I felt a wave of pressure flow down my spine, but I managed to contain it with a forced smile. I walked back to my chamber and room, and each time I passed a group of wolves, they either remained silent, kept their heads lowered, or both.

Before I reached my doorstep, I saw a figure waiting by my doorway. I slowly rubbed my fingers over my face to confirm whether this was someone I knew.

Who was this tall guy? What was he doing in front of my doorstep? Couldn't he be a little scared of being arrested?

“Who are you?” I dared to question the man as he turned toward me with a confused look. “Who the hell are you? Do I know you?”

Guards showed up immediately, but they quickly retreated when they realized what was going on. I stood a short distance from the man as my gaze held his face firmly.

At once, he chortled loudly and moved closer to me, pulling me into a comfortable hug as he ran his fingers through my hair.

“This is the way I've always wanted my woman to be. Nasty and weird.”

“Poor Draven,” I said, pulling away from the hug and kissing his cheek. “Do I know you?”

He scoffed slightly. “Don't let this progress to amnesia. I'm the guy who controls this entire pack. I'm the same guy who... fucks you every night.”

“Shh.” I quickly pulled him into my room, rolling my eyes dramatically at him. “Why would you say that in front of the guards?”

“You wanted me to remind you who the hell I am, didn't you?” He placed his palm gently on my shoulder as our eyes met.

I scoffed, rolled my eyes away, then back to his face.

“What were you discussing with Elder Corvin on the balcony?”

“Many guards were trying to get your attention about something important, but you seemed engrossed in a chat with him. No excuses, no secrets. That's the promise, huh?” I asked, but his gaze never left my face.

He didn't even blink.

His palm remained on my shoulder, and he didn't say a word. I had to cup his jaw to make sure his mind was here with me, but he seemed far more disoriented than I thought.

“Sorry,” he said, coming back to his senses as his gaze darkened. “Yeah, I love berries. How about you?”

“Berries?”

He laughed quietly.

“You don't believe I do?”

He walked toward the fridge, took a tray from the kitchenette, and placed several fruits on it.

“Want some berries?”

I lowered my head quietly, trying to let his absent-minded nature slide. Why would he give me such a long stare and darken his gaze without saying a word?

How did Elder Corvin's case relate to berries?

“Yes, I want some.” I forced a smile. “I love berries, not because they're sweet, but because you love them.”

A sudden wave of dizziness washed over me, making me feel like I was about to collapse. I staggered backward and grabbed the couch beside me. He stood there, looking at me as though he hadn't noticed anything.

He gave a quiet nod, placed the tray on the table, and walked away.

I watched him open the door and shut it behind him. I tried to go after him, and as soon as I opened the door, he was nowhere in sight. Instead, I saw the face of the man I least expected.

Elder Corvin, with his hands tucked into his pockets, walked across the hallway, slowly raising his head until our eyes met. The moment they did, memories flashed through my mind.

The way he chuckled softly. The way Draven smiled sheepishly when I confessed that I felt the bond between us. The way he heaved a deep sigh of relief instead of showing overwhelming joy at finding a mate.

Glancing at my tingling wrist, I saw it glowing gently. According to the pack rules, that was where mate marks were supposed to appear. I took one last glance at Elder Corvin's face, and he gave me a strange look before walking away.

I slammed my door shut and hurried after him, but he was nowhere in sight.

“Woohoo,” I heard a boy say to his friend as they walked past me. “Guess what?”

“I'm not good at guessing, prick.”

“Fuck you. Well, someone just arrived. She goes by the name Nyx and...”

His voice faded into the distance.

Before I could react, I saw Draven coming down the hallway. He saw me waiting there and slowed his steps.

He must have heard about the person who had just arrived. He must know about Nyx's sudden arrival at the pack.

“Did you invite Nyx to this ceremony?” I asked quietly.

He gave me a dangerous glare before squinting in disbelief.

“Wait... Nyx?”

“You don't know she's in the pack now?”

He grinned, glancing around erratically.

“How come?”

Guards quickly showed up behind him.

“Alpha, you have a new visitor.”

His gaze lingered on my face for a moment before he gave me a slight nod and followed the guards to his office.

As he left, I rushed toward a different route leading there.

Why would Nyx be at this ceremony without even being invited? Or had he invited her and chosen to keep it from me?

Before I could reach his office, some wolves called for my attention in the Beta's office. I had to choose responsibility over eavesdropping. I followed them down the hallway for about five minutes before finally reaching the office.

I walked into the Beta's office, and my heart dropped to my feet.

Draven and Nyx were inside, talking. Draven was giving her the kind of smile I had never received from him.

He must have changed the meeting place, believing I would follow him to his office.

Nyx slowly turned her head toward me when she heard someone walk in.

“Calla?” Nyx said, swiveling her chair to face me. “Hm. She looks so cool, doesn't she?”

Her stare darkened slowly as it settled on my face.

“She looks so comfortable in an office she doesn't even belong in. Draven, shall we leave her in here or find somewhere else to have our little sweet chat?”