Chapter 1

Fiona

Today was Rhian's coming-of-age party. Being the Alpha's only heir, Alpha Shaw was throwing a huge party for the entire pack in her honor. I can't say I'm excited about that because we aren't exactly buddies, she has never liked me for as long as I can remember, she's always giving me a nasty look.

I am super excited about one thing tonight, Leland is finally going to make our relationship public and mark me as his mate. Leland is the most handsome guy in our entire pack, and he is super strong too. That's not a surprise though, considering is the Beta's son and next in line to be Beta.

I myself I'm also a Gamma's daughter, but not next in line to be Gamma. I'm fine with that, given that my wolf is not exactly strong for a Gamma, so the role would go to my sister Stella, I don't have an issue with that at all.

Leland and I have been together for months now after we found out we were destined mates, but we had kept things on the low. Personally, I would have loved our relationship to be known to everyone a long time ago, but he insisted we wait for the right time.

"Fiona! We are going to be late!" My best friend Tamara yelled from downstairs.

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time to make sure everything was in place. My hair was neatly packed into a bun without a single strand out of place and adorned with diamond hair pins which Leland got for me when he came back from a trip. I wore a straight purple gown made of ethereal fabric that flowed down in a clean, unbroken line and wore a pearl and diamond bracelets on my hand and one diamond leg chain on my left ankle.

"The guys are so gonna be all over you," Tamara said as I came down the stairs. "You look like a fucking goddess babe."

"Thanks," I replied, smiling. My relationship with Leland was even kept a secret from my bestie. Even though I felt bad about it I just wanted everything to be special like Leland said it would.

"Let's go, we don't want to be late," she said, swinging her car keys in her finger. I took the gift from the dining table my dad asked me to present to Rhian because he had somewhere to be and was going to come late.

As soon as we arrived at the banquet hall, a hush fell over the hall as all eyes were on me stripping me naked.

"Told ya the guys were gonna be all over you," Tamara teased, as she winked at me and smiled. I smiled back shyly as I was not used to this kind of attention. "Have fun," she said as she went over to her boyfriend and mate, Travis.

Seeing Tamara with her mate made me too happy, as I know soon enough I won't have to hide my relationship with Leland anymore.

A few minutes later the party started officially as everyone danced to the music blaring from the speakers. Leland walked in, in finely tailored blazers and trousers, underneath the blazers, he wore a dress shirt that was a soft shade of lavender. I was super excited at his arrival and I waved at him as I mouthed 'Hi'.

"Having fun?" Tamara asked as she handed me a beer.

"Yea," I replied absentmindedly.

Tamara pursed her lips, "give me a sec," she said, as she went over to the counter. When she got back, she handed me a glass of vodka, "Just a little liquid courage."

About thirty minutes into the party, Leland walked over to where I was as he stared at me with those emerald eyes, he stretched out his hand, "Would you like to dance?" He asked.

"Sure I'd love to," I replied shyly, as I put my hand in his and accepted his invitation. My heart was pounding in my chest so hard I felt everyone could hear it as all eyes were on me as we moved towards the dance floor.

Leland placed his hand on my waist as I placed mine on his shoulders as we danced to the music, our body moved gracefully in harmony. He stared at me so lovingly with his emerald green eyes that were so irresistible, and for a moment nothing mattered as I leaned in for a kiss.

"Not now baby doll," he said, "You don't want to ruin the surprise do you?" He asked and a small smile formed on his lips. I smiled back as I shook my head indicating no.

No matter what happens tonight, one thing is certain for sure… I was one hell of a lucky girl.

"I'm going to make an announcement in a few minutes," he whispered and I saw the sparkle in his eyes.

It was time for the Alpha to have a dance with his daughter Rhian and everyone left the dance floor.

Leland went to the other end of the hall to meet his dad and I went over to Tamara.

"That was terrific!" Tamara said, referring to my dance with Leland. "Although, I don't like Leland, but you guys have insane chemistry together. One would think you guys are mates," she added.

"We are mates," I mumbled under my breath.

"What did you say?"

I shrugged. "Nothing." I collected the glass of beer in her hand and took a sip. "You and Travis have insane chemistry too," I said in a lame attempt to change the topic.

"I know," she replied happily. "It's called the mates chemistry, different from the regular," she said beaming at me.

Rhian and her dad eventually stopped dancing and she began dancing with Leland as she swayed her waist seductively. With every swirl and spin they took, they got the attention of everyone present.

"They look good together," I overheard a pack member say.

I was a bit jealous, being that Leland is my mate and all, but I brushed the jealousy away. Besides, Leland had assured me that they are just friends, when I asked him about his relationship with Rhian.

"We've been childhood friends, she's more like a sister to me," that was his reply each time. "You've got absolutely nothing to worry about."

The music gradually faded into a soft melody, as the lights in the hall dimmed, focusing solely on Leland and Rhian. There was a hushed silence in the hall as everyone looked in their direction.

Leland took a step backward as he slowly sank to one knee, and brought out a small box from his pocket.