Chapter 1: Almost Yours

Lexy’s POV

In three days, the whole Riverland Pack would find out that their future Alpha was mated to me—the Beta's wolfless daughter. The girl who scrubbed their floors.

Tonight, Leo and I had a date, and I'd already ruined two canvases because my hands wouldn't stop shaking.

I paint whenever my chest feels too full—happy, sad, angry, it doesn't matter. Tonight it was so full I could barely breathe. I dragged red and gold across the canvas, sunset colors, riverbank colors, and tried not to look at the clock.

Once, I dreamed of art school. My dad called it a "stupid major."

"You're a werewolf, even if you're wolfless," he told me. "Think about the pack, not yourself. Study something useful—be a teacher, a nurse."

That was Dad. Jacob, Beta of Riverland Pack, always too busy for me—but never too busy to remind me who I wasn't. I wasn't Samantha, my half-sister, the brilliant warrior he bragged about at every dinner. I wasn't my stepmother Elizabeth's daughter, and she made sure I never forgot it.

I was the mistake. The ginger-haired copy of an Omega my father rejected years ago, left on his doorstep when she died. I cooked, I cleaned, I saved every dollar from scrubbing the pack house toward a school he'd never pay for.

And when my wolf never came at eighteen—no howl, no connection, just emptiness—even Dad stopped pretending I'd amount to anything.

But maybe the Moon Goddess pitied me. Because She gave me Leo.

The Alpha's son. My mate. When he came home from Alpha Academy and our eyes met, I braced for rejection. He was powerful, handsome, destined to lead. I was wolfless. Instead, he smiled. Accepted me. Chose me.

He promised we'd announce our bond at his Alpha ascension. Three days, and I'd be Luna.

A car horn sounded outside. My heart jumped.

I set down my brush, washed the paint from my hands, and ran downstairs. The house was quiet—my parents and Samantha were still gone.

Outside, Leo leaned against his car. When I climbed in, he kissed me quickly and flashed a grin.

"Hi, Lexy. You look stunning."

Heat flushed my face. "Thank you," I murmured, smoothing my plain grey tunic. There wasn't much to impress with, but it was all I had.

His eyes flicked over me, lingering a little too long. "You should let me buy you something nicer. You'll be Luna soon. A Luna doesn't wear… that."

The words stung, though his tone was playful. I forced a smile. "I don't need dresses. I'd rather save for art school."

He gave a short laugh. "You won't have to worry about school once I'm Alpha. You'll be busy enough as my Luna."

I nodded, though something unsettled me. He made it sound like a promise. Or a warning.

He gestured toward the back seat. "Picnic?"

"Anything with you," I said softly.

We drove to the riverbank, talking, laughing. His hand stayed on my thigh the entire ride.

The sun dipped low as we spread out a blanket and shared sandwiches.

"In three days, you'll be mine forever," he whispered, his eyes gleaming strangely.

Excitement fluttered in me. "I can't wait to bear your mark," I whispered back, blushing. "And your pups…"

That was all it took. His mouth crashed onto mine, hungry and urgent. The kiss was fierce, stealing my breath. My body melted against him, giving in as he eased me back onto the blanket. His weight covered me, his chest hard and warm above mine.

His lips traced fire down my throat, teeth grazing the tender spot where his mark would be. Pleasure shot through me like lightning. I couldn't stop the small moan that escaped.

Leo's hand found my breast, kneading, squeezing with growing insistence. Heat pooled low in my belly, my back arching against him. It was undeniable—I wanted him.

But another part of me panicked. Too soon. He had promised to wait until the mating ceremony.

"Leo…" My voice came out shaky as I caught his arm. "We should stop."

He didn't.

His mouth moved lower, hungry kisses against my collarbone. His hand slid down, fingers curling beneath the hem of my tunic, pushing it higher and higher. My breath stuttered, my pulse wild.

"Come on, Lexy," he whispered, his lips brushing my skin with every word. "We're mates. You're mine. Why wait? Your body already knows it—you want me."

And he wasn't wrong. My body was betraying me—heat flooding my core, thighs trembling under his touch, every nerve alive with sparks. My panties were already soaked, and when his fingers circled over the thin lace, slowly, teasing mercilessly, I nearly broke.

A soft moan slipped past my lips. My hips tilted against his hand, desperate for more, while my mind screamed to stop.

For one dangerous second, I almost gave in. Almost let desire drown me. Because I wanted him. I wanted to believe this was love.

But then his words echoed—you're mine. Not we're meant for each other. Not I love you. Just… mine.

The spell shattered.

"No." My voice was sharper this time, breathless but firm. I pushed at his chest, my whole body shaking—not only from want, but from fear of how close I had come to losing control. "Leo, stop. We agreed to wait. You promised me."

Something dark flashed in his eyes. For a heartbeat, he looked annoyed—angry, even. Then, as quickly as it came, it was gone, replaced by a wide smile.

"I'm sorry, baby," he murmured, pulling me into his arms, kissing my temple. "You're just too beautiful. I got carried away and lost control."

I swallowed, my chest still heaving, heat fading into cold unease. I nodded, even though the knot in my stomach told me I shouldn't.

"Let's go home," I whispered.

The drive back was silent, his hand gripping mine a little too firmly. His goodbye kiss lingered too long, more like a claim than affection.

When I stepped inside the empty house, my heart wouldn't settle.

All my happiness from earlier was gone.

Something wasn't right.

Something felt… off.