Chapter one:

Ariana’s POV

“Oh my gosh,” my alarm clock shrieked, violently yanking me from a deep sleep. My heart hammered against my ribs as I scrambled out of bed, eyes still blurry, rushing through my morning routine in a panicked blur before I missed my school bus.

The instant I hit the bottom stair, a mouth-watering aroma enveloped me, pulling me forward. It was my big brother, Orion, cooking breakfast. Ever since our parents relocated, Orion had been the anchor of my life, the only one who truly doted on me.

He was focused on his task, preparing my favorite pastries. His hands moved with the slow, practiced rhythm of an expert chef, a rhythmic, almost hypnotic motion. His scent—a rich, comforting blend of cinnamon and dark chocolate—was intoxicating, weaving through the morning air. Even as the Alpha's Beta, he always made time for me.

“Morning, little sis. I hope you enjoyed your sleep,” Orion greeted me, turning with a soft smile. His curly hair fell over his forehead as I pulled out a chair and sat down at the dining table.

“Good morning. I slept wonderfully, all thanks to you,” I replied, settling onto the chair with a deep sigh. My stomach instantly grumbled in anticipation.

Orion placed a plate piled high with golden pastries and a tall glass of juice in front of me. “I’ve made your favorite. Would you like to have some?” he asked, a playful narrow of his eyes.

My face instantly lit up, beaming with excitement. “Oh, thank you, I do!” I dove in, the pastry soft, buttery, and utterly delicious—exactly how I loved it. “Wow, Orion, your cooking has gotten even better,” I praised between bites.

He smiled softly, reaching out to brush a stray curl from my cheek. “Eat slowly, don't get sick,” he chuckled, shaking his head.

He then leaned against the counter, his expression shifting to one of secret mischief. “Well, I have some good news for you,” he declared, his voice dropping slightly.

“What is it? Please don’t tell me it’s one of your dirty, boring games,” I smirked, wiping pastry crumbs from my lips. He burst out laughing.

“Relax. This is actually the best news ever,” he smirked back, enjoying the suspense.

“I’m terrible at guessing, just tell me!” I insisted, leaning closer.

He leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice further. “Alpha Liam will be here soon. He’s back from his travels, and he's going to be around the pack house all day.”

“What?” I shrieked, the news hitting me like a physical blow. My fear spiked so high the pastry almost slipped from my grasp. “You should have given me a heads-up! I look like a mess!” I ran a hand through my tangled curls in panic.

“Liam has known you for years, Arianna. He won't care about a little messy hair,” Orion said firmly, trying to calm my sudden flurry.

I groaned, burying my face in my hands. Liam Gravens. The Alpha. The admired god among mortals. My crush. The thought, potent and thrilling, flashed through my mind.

Orion’s eyes twinkled as he watched me. “Wait a minute. You have a crush on Liam, don't you?” he teased, his grin widening.

“What? No, I don’t,” I whispered weakly, gulping down my juice. The heat rising in my cheeks, the tell-tale blush, instantly betrayed my denial.

“You are literally blushing right now. Come on, tell me. I’m your favorite brother,” he pushed, his voice full of amusement.

I sighed, giving in. “Fine, I like him. Happy?” I shrugged, exhaling deeply, the admission both terrifying and freeing.

“You’re crushing on him even though you have a mate bond with Noah? That’s crazy, little sister,” he paced the kitchen, concerned.

“Yeah, but it doesn't matter, does it? Liam is completely out of my league. He wouldn’t even consider being my friend,” my voice cracked, bitterness creeping in. I slammed my hand on the table. “I’m 18 years old, and I don’t even have my wolf yet. I’m a wolf-less girl.” I whispered the last words, the shame heavy on my tongue.

Orion stopped pacing and placed a warm, heavy hand on my shoulder. “Don’t write yourself off, Ariana. You are sweet, smart, and strong. You will find your wolf,” he reassured me. “And remember the old legend: the longer the wait, the stronger the wolf may be.” His words stirred a flicker of hope in the deep pit of my despair.

“I hope so, but I just don’t want to wait anymore,” I admitted, managing a faint smile.

“Wait for your wolf, or wait for your crush to…”

Before Orion could finish the statement, the front door burst open, and a deep, sharp voice sliced through the room, cutting him off mid-sentence.

“Crush? Crush on who? Am I missing something important?”

Alpha Liam Gravens stood in the entrance. His gaze was cold and piercing, flicking between Orion and me. His scent—that overpowering cold mint and pine—hit me, making my heart flutter wildly. His raw, powerful presence and striking blue eyes filled the room, instantly commanding silence.

“Ariana here has a crush on…” Orion began, clearing his throat and trying to stifle a laugh.

I reacted instantly, lunging across the small space and clamping my hand firmly over his mouth. “No one! Shut up, Orion!” I hissed through gritted teeth.

Liam chuckled, a low, magnetic sound that sent shivers down my spine. He approached the table slowly, his eyes finally settling on me. “You have a beautiful sister, Orion. How have I not come across her more often?” he commented, the unexpected compliment making my cheeks burn.

“Don’t crack me up, Alpha Liam,” Orion whispered back, peeling my hand off his mouth and smirking at me.

I coughed awkwardly, choking slightly on the last piece of pastry. Liam’s tone softened immediately as he quickly handed me a cup of water. “Take it slowly, dear.”

I gulped the water down. “Thank you, Alpha Liam,” I whispered, my eyes burning as he held my gaze for a moment too long. Does he… does he like me?

“Well, I’m off to school now. Bye!” I grabbed my bag, needing desperately to escape the intensity of his presence, and hurried out, waving my hands behind me as I fled.

🐺 Alpha’s Return and a Mate’s Betrayal

Shifters Academy was buzzing. The energy was electric, vibrating with the news that Alpha Liam Gravens, the epitome of Alpha perfection, was back. He was the subject of every whispered fantasy, including my own. But my heart, foolishly, was bound to his younger brother, Noah Gravens, the Gamma-in-waiting.

The Gravens brothers commanded instant attention the moment they walked into the school’s main hall. They were royalty, and everyone cleared a path for their potent, powerful aura.

Noah saved me when I was eight years old. He’s been my crush ever since. Now he’s my proclaimed mate, but we haven't made it official yet. I thought, the internal conflict a constant ache.

As the brothers exchanged casual pleasantries with the crowd, the whispers started. “I heard Alpha Liam is still mateless.”

“Yeah, because he’s a total playboy. If you’re not Luna material, he’ll use you and toss you aside,” another girl whispered venomously.

“Good thing I was born to be a Luna,” Maya chimed in loudly, preening and showcasing her undeniable beauty to the Gamma.

My internal struggle was interrupted by a compulsion. I snapped a picture of Noah on my phone. The quiet click instantly infuriated Maya. She whirled around, snatched my phone away, her eyes blazing with undisguised hatred.

“I knew you were a wolf-less defect, but I didn't know you were a creep too,” she snarled, the disdain in her voice cutting me to the bone.

“I don't want to fight. Please give me my phone back,” I pleaded, my face paling, the familiar sting of tears welling up. “Give it back! I was taking pictures of Noah, my mate!”

A sinister, mocking smile curled on her lips. “You dare say that?” she sneered. “Noah is your mate? Then why hasn't he claimed you yet, little mutt?”

“If he claimed her, he’d lose his Gamma title. A powerful mate like him will never claim a reject who can't even shift,” one of her friends taunted, stepping closer.

“Wolf-less. You can never mate a Gravens brother. You’re just a poor yuppy mutt in heat,” Maya whispered, mercilessly close to my ear.

Before I could react, she grabbed her friend's cup of juice and, with vicious intent, splashed it all over me, soaking my clothes and stinging my eyes.

“What did you just do?” I stammered, my vision blurred by juice and tears. I clenched my fists, paralyzed by humiliation and my lack of power.

Heavy, deliberate footsteps approached. The crowd froze. It was Noah, walking past. His icy gaze swept over the scene, rested on my drenched, pathetic form for a heartbeat, and then... it turned away. He walked off, continuing his conversation with another Gamma, leaving me alone to face the deepening humiliation.