Chapter 1. Sets Pov

Hours of long lectures and mock exams finally ended, allowing my relief to break free. Students spilled out of lecture halls, their chatter echoing throughout the corridors.

The aches in my body reflected how burnt out my mind felt as I tried to stretch them out, waiting for the doorway to clear. It didn’t take long for the large room to empty before I dragged my feet to the flooded corridors.

With the motivation of my body’s need for the soft embrace of my bed, I navigated the bustling hallways, weaving through groups discussing the upcoming ceremony for the twins.

This ceremony was more than a tradition; it marked a fresh start for our pack’s next leaders. Neighboring packs’ would travel hours to meet our new Alphas, some even arrived earlier than needed just to help set everything up.

We had a reputation for being one of the most peaceful and tight-knit communities, rarely ever involving ourselves in rivalry or conflict. Despite our small size, we operated like a big family, something we prided ourselves on. If you’d been part of our pack since birth and didn’t know the name of a newborn pup, well, that would make you the odd one out.

Lost in thoughts of the ceremony, a heavy arm slung around my shoulder. I looked up to see Jay, the blonde-haired giant, grinning down at me.

“Yo, Sets! You done with classes now?” His voice boomed, filling the space between us, matching his tall frame.

“Yup, and nope,” I replied dryly. I already knew what was coming.

Jay stood at six feet, a good five inches taller than me. Those bright green eyes sparkled with mischief, a perfect match for his bubbly personality.

“Aw, c’mon! We need an extra player for basketball!” He leaned closer, his pout exaggerated, lips pushed out like a child denied dessert. “Jean ditched us for Zoey again. Please?”

I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at his enthusiasm, shaking my head. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to. I enjoyed hanging out with them, but sitting in a seat for hours took its toll on my body.

“Nope, I’m tired.” My social battery was drained. “There’s hundreds of others to ask. Cedes or Bells would be perfect.”

He puffed out his cheeks in mock frustration. However, my suggestion wasn’t anything to complain about unless the thought of going against Bella hurt their egos. She was Jay's fated mate, and was just as good, if not better, than all six of them. And then there’s Mercedes, his twin sister, and my best friend. She was just as athletic as him, which was perfect.

Jay threw his hands up in a dramatic gesture, “But they’re not you! I can’t keep my hands off Bells, as for Cedes? Well, we argue way too much during games.”

I rolled my eyes, resisting a smile, “I’ll think about it, ‘kay? Maybe after I recharge at home.”

“Fine, but I’m holding you to that!” His grin returned, bright and infectious. I could see the wheels turning in his head, already plotting how to convince me if I didn’t show up later. With that, he fist-bumped me and ran to regroup with the guys across the road.

When I finally reached the comfort of our small but humble home, I was met by my older brother and his mate wrapped around each other. They were practically shining with affection. Honestly, they were so sweet it could’ve given me a toothache.

My brother, Zakyrius, was tall, and lean with jet-black curly hair and hazel eyes. If he were a girl that had my height and figure, we’d probably look identical. It was a funny image that made me giggle. Though his face was innocent, his personality was far from that, he was a freakin’ brute. The complete opposite of Winter.

Winter herself was a big sweetheart. Her warm brown eyes sparkled with kindness, and was much shorter than Zakyrius—maybe even shorter than me. I often envied her long, straight blond hair that cascaded down to her knees.

I used to struggle to tame my curly mane until Winter entered our lives. She’d tell me stories of how the two of them met in high school as she styled my hair, her gentle hands turning my wild locks into something presentable.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a small pang of jealousy tug at my heart when I watched their lovey-dovey antics. I had always dreamed of finding my fated mate.

It seemed so easy for everyone else. My friends paired off like it was some kind of magical rite of passage during our first year of searching. They glided through the process while I was left feeling stuck. My eighteenth birthday came and went two years ago, and here I was, still waiting for a sign.

What was wrong with me? Would I ever experience that spark of connection? When I watched my brother or friends showing unlimited love to each other and sharing their love stories, I felt a mix of happiness and longing.

A thought crossed my mind. What if I never found my mate? The idea made me squirm inside. But then, I reminded myself. Hope is a funny thing. It can flicker and fade, but it can also ignite a fire. Hopefully, my time will come. Maybe I just needed to be patient. After all, every good story has its twists and turns.

Before these feelings and thoughts crept any further, I slipped past the two who didn’t even realize my presence. I didn’t want to interrupt their love session, especially since Zakyrius would give me a death stare for doing so.

Maybe if I watched some of Ace's videos I’d stop my self-pity. Naah, who am I kidding? I already knew it was certain that his videos would cheer me up instantly. Almost immediately I had a bounce in my step, skipping to my room.

Closing my door along with my curtains, I plopped down on my bed, heart racing. The glow of my laptop illuminated my face, casting shadows that played across the walls. My fingers flew across my keyboard, clicking on his latest video. The screen flickered to life, revealing that familiar white mask, a striking blend of charisma and mystery.

Today, he sat casually, shirtless; the soft light highlighted the contours of his chiseled abs and the glisten of his skin. Butterflies broke free in my stomach as my gaze trailed over him. Was it even legal to have a body that looked that good? Sometimes I wonder how many guys watch his videos and compare themselves to him. Hell, I would if I was a guy.

When he tossed his head back, laughing at his own jokes, I couldn’t help but chuckle along. His laughter echoed through my small room, wrapping around me like a warm blanket, filling the space with contagious joy. I sighed, lost in thoughts of what it would be like to meet him.

Maybe I was getting ahead of myself. The odds of meeting him were one in a billion, yet still, a girl can dream. Questions flooded my mind. Would he be as perfect in person? Would I stutter, my tongue betraying me? Would he laugh at my awkwardness? Just as I lost myself in daydreams about our future together - dinner under the stars, him teasing me with that playful grin - my phone buzzed, yanking me back to reality. A group chat notification.

Mels: Hey! Gossip session at the cafe in an hour?

It was my friends, the other die-hard fans. They were just as obsessed as I was, swooning over his every word. I was certain we weren't his only fan club. With over a million followers on every platform, he had a legion of admirers. But the thought of sharing my excitement with them sent a delightful flutter through my chest.

My energy spiked at the thought of a night filled with laughter, caramel-iced lattes, and squealing over our latest theories about our “masked husband”. Even though I turned down Jay's offer to join them earlier, a gossip session seemed more relaxing and thrilling. Maybe I could join him after the cafe and bring the girls as extra players too. With my second of hesitation being solved just as quickly as it came, I fired off a text. I'm in!