CHAPTER 1

ANNA

It was utterly magical.

My heart fluttered like a swarm of delicate butterflies as I twirled through the exquisite suite Ryder had reserved for our special night.

The room glowed with the soft, golden light of a sparkling chandelier that cast prismatic reflections across the walls.

Plush velvet chairs invited me to sink into their embrace, and a grand bed, draped in silky blue sheets, promised a dreamlike escape.

The air carried a faint scent of lavender, adding to the enchantment. The annual Intercollegiate Hockey Championship, hosted by my school, Willow-Hills High, had been a triumph from the moment it began.

For the first time in our pack’s history, we’d clawed our way into the finals, a feat that filled me with pride. My boyfriend, Ryder Willson—son of the Pack’s Alpha and the fearless captain of our hockey team—had thrown a house party to celebrate our success, inviting elites from every school that had battled on the ice. The thought of it all made my chest swell with joy.

That morning, I could hardly believe my luck. At twenty-one, I was just an ordinary Omega, yet here I was, mated to the Alpha’s son, standing in the most breathtaking room I’d ever laid eyes on.

It felt like stepping into a movie scene, one where the underdog finds her prince. The suite was a testament to Ryder’s thoughtfulness, a secret gift he’d planned to make our night unforgettable.

I ran my fingers along the velvety armrest of a chair, marveling at the luxury, my mind drifting to the future we’d build together.

“Let’s head downstairs and join the others,” my best friend Louisa chimed, her voice pulling me from my reverie with a gentle nudge.

Her dark curls bounced as she tilted her head toward the door, a playful smirk on her lips.

“I know,” I giggled, spinning once more, my red gown flaring out like a blooming flower.

“But this room is so enchanting! It’s like something out of a fairy tale!”

“It is,” she conceded with a warm smile, her eyes scanning the chandelier.

“But let’s not overwhelm him with too much excitement—he might think you’re too eager.

You want to keep that air of mystery, right?”

I paused, her words sinking in. She was right, of course. As excited as I was to attend my first house party, I had to maintain some composure.

This wasn’t just any night—it was the night Ryder would finally announce me as his mate to the world. I couldn’t let my giddiness ruin the elegance he saw in me.

“Alright,” I agreed softly, smoothing my gown. “Let’s go.”

Together, we made our way down the grand staircase, the soft carpet muffling our steps.

The living room below buzzed with life—classmates laughing, dancing, and sipping drinks under the warm glow of string lights.

The air thrummed with the beat of loud music spilling from the speakers, a mix of upbeat pop and rhythmic bass that set my pulse racing.

Sons and daughters of Alphas, Betas, and important pack personnel mingled, their laughter echoing off the high ceilings.

I caught Louisa’s eye and saw the same flicker of unease I felt—neither of us belonged in this elite crowd, yet here we were, stepping into their world.

“Speaking of Ryder,” Louisa mused, her voice cutting through the noise as we reached the bottom step, “shouldn’t he be here by now? The party’s in full swing, and the host is nowhere to be seen.”

“He must be preparing for the big reveal,” I said, my voice bubbling with joy.

The thought of Ryder stepping forward to claim me publicly sent a shiver of excitement down my spine.

She rolled her eyes playfully, crossing her arms. “Another big reveal? Last month it was that art mural unveiling, and the month before that, it was some grand speech about team spirit. What’s it this time?”

“Louisa!” I groaned, swatting her arm lightly. Her skepticism was a familiar tune, but tonight, I refused to let it dampen my spirits.

“Sorry,” she muttered, though her smirk lingered.

“But he’s been promising to show you off as his mate since last semester. Kinda makes me wonder if he’s ashamed of you, Anna. You deserve better than a guy who keeps you hidden.”

If not for the fact that Louisa Sanders was my childhood best friend, I might have thought her words stemmed from jealousy.

But I knew her too well—her protectiveness was a shield she wielded for me, even when it stung.

“It’s tonight,” I insisted, my smile unwavering. “He’s announcing me as his mate tonight. I feel it in my bones.”

“Oh, he’d better,” she teased, her tone softening. “Or I’ll march up there and bite off his pretty ears myself!”

I laughed, the sound blending with the music.

“You’re impossible,” I said, tugging at her hand. “Come on, let’s dance! We can’t just stand here like wallflowers.”

“No way,” she protested, planting her feet. “We’re both horrible at dancing, and you know it. I’d rather watch you trip over your own feet than join in.”

“Yes,” I nodded, grinning, “but we promised ourselves a less nerdy, more fun night. Remember? No books, no labs—just us, living a little.”

“I’m not nerdy. You are,” she shot back, though her lips twitched upward.

“Whatever,” I giggled, dragging her into the crowd despite her protests.

The music pulsed through me, and I began to move, twirling my body to the rhythm. Louisa watched, her amazement clear in her wide eyes, though she stayed rooted to the spot.

I didn’t care if I looked silly—tonight was about letting go, about stepping into the life Ryder had promised me.

The hall brimmed with students, a dazzling array of pack royalty and influential figures. One glance at Louisa’s face told me she felt as out of place as I did, her usual confidence faltering under the weight of their gazes.

But I had to try my best to blend in. If I wanted to be the Luna of the pack someday, standing beside Ryder as his equal, I needed to embrace this world.

I moved closer to her, wrapping my arms around her neck in a quick hug

“Maybe I should find Ryder,” I whispered in her ear, my voice barely audible over the music

“Get the mating ceremony done with and slip away from this chaos. I think we’ve both had enough excitement for one night.”

She heaved a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing.

“Thank goodness. I was starting to feel like a fish out of water down here.”

“Thank you,” I muttered, giving her a grateful smile before stepping back. I nodded and spun around slowly, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of Ryder. It was already a few minutes past 11 p.m., and he was still missing.

He hadn’t returned any of my calls either, which was unusual. My phone had buzzed with unanswered texts, each one more anxious than the last: “Where are you? The party’s amazing!” and “Ready for the big moment?” But silence was my only reply.

A flicker of worry crept into my chest. It wasn’t like Ryder to disappear, especially not tonight. He thrived on being the center of attention, the charismatic leader who commanded every room. Something bad might have happened—maybe an emergency with the team or a last-minute Alpha duty. I couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at me

“I’m going to look for him,” I told Louisa, my voice tinged with determination.

“He wouldn’t just vanish without a word.”

“Be careful,” she called after me, her tone laced with concern. “And if you find him, drag him down here to make that announcement!”

I nodded and made my way up the stairs, my heels clicking softly against the wood. The second floor was quieter, the party’s energy fading into muffled thumps from below.

I knocked on the first door I came to, hesitating before pushing it open. My frown deepened at the sight inside—Ryder’s group of friends and hockey teammates lounged on couches, their laughter cutting off as they noticed me.

For reasons I couldn’t fathom, they all seemed to despise me. The feeling was mutual, but if anyone could help me find him, it was them.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward, my voice steady despite the cold stares.

“Hey… has anyone seen Ryder tonight?”

Their gazes bore into me, heavy and unwelcoming. I fought the urge to turn and flee, my cheeks burning under their scrutiny.

Finally, one of them—a lanky guy with a smirk—spoke up.

“Haven’t seen him the whole night. Probably trying his best to stay away from you, Omega.”

The group erupted in laughter, the sound sharp and mocking. It stung, a reminder of how out of place I felt among them.

I wished I could defend myself, tell them they were wrong—that Ryder adored me, that he made me feel like the only girl in the world.

But I knew it was pointless. They were a pack of jocks, too caught up in their own egos to understand love or loyalty.

“Thanks anyway,” I muttered, turning on my heels and leaving the room amidst their jeers. My heart sank, but I refused to let their words define me.

I moved to the next room, knocking lightly before peeking inside. To my horror, I stumbled upon a chaotic scene—a four-man orgy that sent me stammering apologies as I backed out, my face flaming.

The third room was no better, forcing another awkward retreat. After searching all the rooms on the second floor to no avail, frustration mingled with my worry.

Then, a tender thought slipped into my mind, warming me like a ray of sunlight. Ryder had promised to give me the night of my life when he finally claimed me as his mate.

What if he was waiting for me in our exclusive suite, planning a surprise to make this moment perfect?

The idea sent a thrill through me, a tender ache blooming between my thighs as I imagined my handsome Alpha boyfriend, his dark eyes locked on mine, ready to seal our bond.

That had to be it! He wanted to sweep me off my feet in private before the grand announcement.

I giggled, my cheeks burning bright red as lustful thoughts filled my head—his strong hands guiding me, his voice whispering my name.

With a burst of excitement, I sprinted toward the stairs leading to the top floor, my gown swishing around my legs.

I paused at the door of our suite, my breath catching as I steadied myself. This was it—the moment I’d dreamed of. I smoothed my red gown, the fabric clinging softly to my curves, and removed the band from my auburn hair, letting the waves fall freely across my shoulders.

I had to look perfect for him tonight, a vision worthy of the Luna I hoped to become. My reflection in a nearby mirror showed a girl transformed by love, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

It took another minute to muster the courage to push the door open, my hand trembling slightly as I turned the knob.

I stepped inside, my heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. But in that moment, my carefully crafted world came crashing down.

There, before my very eyes, was Ryder—his sweaty, stark-naked body entangled with Enid my close friend.

The room spun as my breath caught in my throat. The silky blue sheets were twisted around them, a cruel mockery of the love I’d imagined.

Enid’s blonde hair fanned across the pillow, her laughter ringing in my ears as Ryder’s head turned toward me, his expression shifting from shock to guilt.

“Anna…” he stammered, scrambling to cover himself, but the damage was done.

Tears stung my eyes as I stood frozen, the beauty of the suite now a hollow shell.

The butterflies in my belly turned to lead, sinking me into a pit of despair. This wasn’t the fairy tale I’d envisioned—it was a nightmare.