Chapter 1

Ashley’s POV

I walked into my room, a big smile on my face, my eyes instantly locking onto the fancy ballroom gown hanging in front of my dressing table. I stared at how pretty it was, my fingers sliding gently over the smooth fabric.

Tomorrow is the big day, and after so many struggles, Jayden—my longtime crush—will become Alpha. I couldn’t stop picturing him asking me to be his, but if he doesn’t, I decided I’d tell him how I feel instead.

Still, I worry he might say no. Neither of us has met our fated mate yet, but every night, I kneel and pray to the Moon Goddess, begging for us to be destined for each other.

I was lost in my thoughts when a familiar voice came from behind. It was Daisy, my best friend, stepping into my room.

“Are you that excited about Raymond becoming the Alpha?” she asked, her voice playful.

I frowned a little.

I’m Ashley, an orphan of the Oakwood Pack and one of the toughest wolves here. Even though my rank is low, people respect me. In our pack, everyone knows me as the girl always by Jayden’s side. My feelings for him are obvious, but he never seems to notice.

He saved me from bullies when I was ten, my closest friend since we were kids. Being an orphan made me an easy target, but Jayden always protected me. Since then, my heart has been his.

Deep down, I know I love him, and I’d do anything for him. He’s the Alpha’s son, and soon, he’ll take that role. His father is still worried, though, about Liam—Jayden’s stepbrother, who was banished from the pack weeks ago.

“He deserves to be Alpha,” I snapped at Daisy, my voice sharp and strong. “Everybody knows he has that aura of a leader and has earned his rightful place far more than anyone else.”

She rolled her eyes and flopped onto my bed. “I just wish he’d look at you the way you look at him,” she muttered.

I didn’t want to hear it, so I told her to leave right away. I wouldn’t let her or anything ruin my mood before tomorrow. I wanted to be in the best mindset when I finally confess to him.

I sighed deeply, sat on my bed, whispered, “Moon Goddess,” and drifted off to sleep.

NEXT MORNING

I opened my eyes slowly, yawning softly and stretching. The morning sun slipped through my curtains, and I got up, ready to prepare. This was the day I’d been waiting for.

Dressed and wearing makeup, I stood at the mirror, nervously fixing my gown with a smile.

I grinned as I stepped outside and saw the sleek black car waiting for me. Jayden had sent it to take me to the main hall.

I climbed in, and the driver took off. When we arrived, he parked and quickly opened my door. “Thanks,” I said quietly, stepping out gracefully and heading into the grand hall.

As soon as I walked in, I spotted Daisy standing next to Jayden, laughing with him. My heart tightened with annoyance. Just yesterday, she was talking about him like he was awful, and now she was flirting with him.

I walked over, and when Daisy saw me, she frowned before hiding it with a fake smile.

“Guess what Jayden just told me?” she asked, grabbing my arm too casually.

I pulled away gently and forced a smile. “You know I’m terrible at guessing.”

Before she could say more, Jayden took my arm and pulled me away from her.

“Why do you even listen to her? You know how she flirts with everyone,” he said, sounding annoyed.

I heard something in his voice—was he concerned? But why?

“Are you hiding something from me?” I asked, my voice soft and low.

Jayden’s gentle smile warmed my heart instantly. His calm face and the way he carried himself pulled me in—it was impossible to resist.

As he stepped closer, my breath stopped. Being so near him made me nervous, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me. I closed my eyes, waiting, my excitement building. But instead of a kiss, I heard his quiet laugh.

I opened my eyes and saw him looking at me, his stare deep and hard to read. For a second, it felt like he saw me in a new way—like maybe he loved me too.

Embarrassed, I covered my face and turned quickly, rushing back to the party. My heart pounded as I found my seat and tried to calm down.

The room went quiet as the Alpha stepped onto the stage, his powerful presence commanding respect. He’s the most admired leader among all packs, and today, he’d step down and pass the role to his son.

Everyone was excited, waiting for the announcement. With Marcus gone, there was no doubt Jayden would be named the new Alpha.

The Alpha spoke with pride and hope about the pack’s future. Then, with a serious but proud look, he named Jayden as his successor.

The hall burst into cheers, joy spreading through the crowd. It wasn’t a surprise—Jayden was as loved as his father. He was the strongest wolf and the true prince of the Oakwood Pack.

I couldn’t help but smile as Jayden took the stage to speak to the pack. He treated everyone equally, seeing only unity and strength, not differences.

Even with his cool and distant nature, the pack adored him—that’s what made a real Alpha.

When the ceremony ended and people spread out to celebrate, Jayden came over to me.

“You think I’ll be a good Alpha?” he asked, his voice showing a rare hint of doubt that surprised me.

I looked at him, shocked. “Of course, you will,” I said firmly. “You were chosen for a reason, Jayden.”

Being near him in moments like this always made me feel special, like I was the second most important person in his life.

We wanted to escape the noise, so we headed to a bar nearby, away from the chaos. His hand brushed mine as we walked, sending sparks down my spine.

We ordered tequilas at the bar and sat across from each other in a comfortable silence.

“I still haven’t found my fated mate,” he said gruffly, swirling his drink. “And very soon, the pack will begin to pressure me to find a Luna. And an heir.”

His words made me sad. It was true—without a Luna, other packs could see it as a weakness.

“I know, Jayden,” I said gently. “Not having a Luna isn’t ideal, and it could be hard. But you are strong. You’ll be fine.”

Our eyes met, and for a moment, I saw that same strange feeling from before. The air felt heavy, a tense energy growing between us.

His fingers brushed my neck, and I trembled. His lips came close to mine, so near I could feel the heat, though not quite touching.

Suddenly, he closed the gap, kissing me with a hungry edge. I melted into him, my hands tangling in his hair as the kiss deepened. Our tongues moved together perfectly, and I wanted more.

He lifted me easily, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carried me to a nearby room, pressing me against the door. My chest rose and fell with excitement.

Clothes fell off quickly, landing wherever they dropped. We were both a little drunk, but this felt different—stronger, more real.

We didn’t reach the bed—our need was too strong. He laid me on the floor, his lips on mine, his hands exploring my body. His fingers touched my breasts, squeezing gently, pulling soft moans from me.

A shiver ran through me as he pressed against my clit, teasing until I squirmed beneath him. His scent surrounded me—everything was him, filling me, taking me.

I gasped as he spread my legs and slid inside me slowly. The mix of pain and pleasure made me bite my lip, clinging to him tightly.

He started slow, but as I adjusted, his thrusts grew faster, more urgent. We moved together, soft whispers blending with our bodies, like they spoke as one.

After hours of endless bliss, we collapsed onto the bed, exhausted, falling into a deep sleep.