Introduction

Michelle

From the time I was just a young pup, the dream of finding my fated mate has danced within my heart like a cherished melody. The vision of a love so deep that it leads to a beautiful marriage and the joy of raising pups of my own has always been the ideal path I envisioned for my life. My heart raced with excitement, and my imagination soared with endless possibilities.

Among the many faces in our pack, one stood out like a beacon—Brian Knight, the Alpha's son. Ever since I was 12 years old, the moment I laid eyes on him, a fire ignited in my chest. His confidence and strength captured my admiration, and I found myself daydreaming about him more times than I could count. I would often steal glances in his direction during pack gatherings, my cheeks flushing as I imagined what it would be like to be his chosen one.

As the years passed, I poured my hopes and dreams into quiet prayers to the Moon Goddess, yearning for her guidance. Each night, I would gaze at the shimmering stars, whispering my wishes, pleading that Brian would be revealed as my fated mate when I turned 17—a milestone I awaited with both anticipation and anxiety. The thought of finally discovering whether my childhood crush could blossom into true love kept my spirits high, fueling my belief in the magic of fate.

As the years rolled by, I blossomed into an attractive and bright young woman, full of ambition and dreams. However, with each passing year, it seemed that my increasing beauty and intellect only deepened the resentment my mother and younger sister felt toward me. It was as if my very presence was a constant reminder of everything they wished to forget, and I began to sense a profound animosity brewing beneath the surface. My mother, once a nurturing figure, now regarded me with a cold disdain that was impossible to ignore. Every glance she cast my way seemed to carry the weight of her unhealed wounds, for I was a mirror of my father, the man who had abandoned us when I was just a fragile seven years old, chasing after his fated mate and leaving behind a shattered family.

In the empty silence of our home, I often bore the brunt of my mother’s unspoken fury. Her disappointment in her own choices manifested as sharp words and icy stares, each one a dagger to my heart. I yearned for her approval, but it eluded me like a distant star. My younger sister, Brandy, seemed to follow in our mother’s footsteps, harboring an inexplicable bitterness toward me. Her hostility was cloaked in sulky silence and veiled glares that left me puzzled and hurt. I could never quite understand why I drew her ire; after all, I had only ever wanted to be the sister she could confide in.

Together, we lived in the same house yet felt worlds apart, bound by blood yet shackled by a deep-seated animosity that I could not comprehend. My life, which should have been filled with the joys of companionship and love, was overshadowed by a familial rift that seemed insurmountable, leaving me longing for acceptance and connection that seemed perpetually out of reach.

I dedicated much of my high school years to studying and striving for excellent grades, with the hope that my hard work would pave the way for my acceptance into college. I envisioned my future filled with endless possibilities, built on the foundation of higher education. However, my mother had a different perspective on my academic aspirations.

One evening, during a particularly tense dinner, she delivered the news that would change everything for me. She explained, with a fake heavy heart, that our family's finances simply couldn't stretch to support both me and my younger sister, Brandy, who was just two years younger than me. To my surprise and dismay, she announced that she had decided to allocate the limited funds we had towards Brandy’s college education instead of mine.

Confusion washed over me as I tried to comprehend the reasoning behind this decision. It felt particularly unjust that Brandy, being younger than me, was being prioritized over me, who was not yet graduating. That conversation left me feeling abandoned and frustrated, as I had always been the one to push myself academically, often putting in late nights to study and preparing for exams.

To make matters worse, my mother also insisted that since college was no longer an option for me, I needed to find a job immediately. She emphasized the importance of becoming responsible and contributing to the household. The weight of her words pressed down on me, igniting a mix of disappointment and anger. It seemed I was being thrust into adulthood far too quickly, forced to navigate a world I wasn’t quite prepared for yet.

At the tender age of 16, I embarked on my journey into the world of work. Each hard-earned penny was given to my mother, who managed our modest household with unwavering anger towards me. I often found solace in the quiet moments of my day, turning my thoughts to the Moon Goddess, whispering fervent prayers under the shimmering night sky. My heart brimmed with hope that once I turned 17, I would finally cross paths with my fated mate. I imagined that the arrival of my soulmate would bring a sweeping change to my life, lifting me out of my struggles and paving the way for a brighter, more fulfilling future. Each day was a mix of longing and anticipation, as I yearned for that special bond that would transform my reality.

When I finally turned 17 years old, it felt like the universe had conspired to answer all my prayers. Brian Knight, the charming and charismatic son of our Alpha, was revealed to be my mate, the one destined for me. The moment I realized this, a rush of euphoria enveloped me—I felt like I was floating on a cloud, ready to embrace a future filled with love and companionship.

However, reality soon intertwined with my dreams. Brian had plans of his own; he was set to leave for college to pursue an associate's degree in business. While part of me longed for the immediate joy of starting our life together, he expressed a desire to wait until after he graduated before we would tie the knot. It was a bittersweet moment; I wanted nothing more than to be united with him fully, but I understood the importance of his education and aspirations.

Determined to honor our bond, I made a crucial decision. I was more than willing to wait for him, even if it meant holding off on giving my virginity to my fated mate. Although the thought of patiently enduring two more years felt like an eternity, my love for Brian was deep and unwavering. I convinced myself that the wait would be worth it; after all, we were meant to be together, and I could cherish the anticipation of building our future while supporting him in his goals.

After Brian and I graduated from high school, he went off to college and I went to work fulltime. Since I had to give my mother all my money from working at the diner, I had decided to get an extra job babysitting and even volunteered at the hospital or foster home to get out of the house. My mother refused to feed me or provide me clothes, so that why I'm working hard.

A whole two years had flown by since Brian left for college, and as his vacation approached, my excitement bubbled over. I could barely contain my anticipation at the thought of reuniting with him. But the moment I got off work and saw them together—Brian and Brandy locked in a passionate kiss—my heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. The joy of his return evaporated in an instant, replaced by a wave of betrayal. How could they do this to me?