Chapter 1

Kat's POV

"Katrina James, to the principal’s office."

The voice echoed through the school intercom, and my heart skipped a beat. I froze, my fork halfway to my mouth, and looked up from my lunch tray. Did I hear that right?

Whispers started spreading through the cafeteria like wildfire. My classmates turned their heads, their curious and judgmental eyes settling on me. My face burned with embarrassment. I wished I could sink into the floor and disappear.

I had never been called to the principal’s office before. I wasn’t the kind of student who got into trouble. I did my work, kept my head down, and stayed out of everyone's way. So why was my name being announced for the whole school to hear?

I swallowed hard and forced myself to stand, my legs feeling unsteady. As I walked past the tables, I could hear people murmuring. Some were probably hoping I’d finally messed up, while others just wanted something new to gossip about.

Being the only one in Blackwell Pack who hadn’t shifted yet made me an easy target. At almost eighteen, I was supposed to have my wolf by now. But I didn’t. And that made me different. And in a pack, being different was dangerous.

Attention only ever brought trouble. So I did my best to stay invisible.

But today, it seemed like fate had other plans.

I stood up slowly, my hands trembling as I grabbed my bag from the cafeteria table. My stomach twisted into knots. I could still feel everyone’s eyes on me, their whispers following me like shadows. I hated this. I hated being the center of attention.

As I turned to leave, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"Looks like the freak is in trouble."

Laughter erupted from a nearby table. I clenched my jaw. Maddie Jacobs.

She was leaning back in her chair, a smirk on her perfect face, her blonde hair shining under the cafeteria lights. Her group of friends giggled, eager to join in.

Maddie had been making my life miserable since middle school. Now, in high school, nothing had changed. She was the Alpha’s daughter, which meant she could do whatever she wanted without consequences. No one dared to stand up to her—not even teachers. Complaining was useless. It would only make things worse.

I kept my head down and ignored her, gripping my bag tighter as I hurried toward the exit. My heart pounded in my chest. I needed to get out of here.

The walk to the principal’s office felt like it took forever. My mind raced with possibilities. Had something happened to my mom? Was I in trouble for something I didn’t do?

When I reached the door, I hesitated for a second before knocking.

"Come in," a voice called.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart, and pushed the door open.

The moment I stepped inside, my whole body froze. My breath caught in my throat, and my fingers tightened around the strap of my bag.

Standing by the large window, with his hands clasped behind his back, was Alpha Jacobs.

My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it. This couldn’t be real. Why was he here? Why was I here?

He turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. Even without speaking, his presence alone filled the room with tension.

"Come closer," he said, his voice deep and firm.

My legs felt heavy, but I forced myself to move, stepping inside the office. My hands felt clammy, and I wiped them on my jeans without thinking. The door clicked shut behind me, making me flinch.

I sucked in a shaky breath. This was the closest I had ever been to Alpha Jacobs. He ruled our pack with absolute power, and everyone feared him—including me.

I had heard the stories. Stories about how ruthless he was, how he never tolerated weakness. He was a man who got what he wanted, no matter the cost.

So why was I here?

My hands felt clammy as I clenched them into fists. My throat was dry, and I had to swallow hard before I could speak. “Good day, Alpha,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He turned fully to face me, his dark eyes dragging over me slowly. Too slowly. My skin prickled with unease.

“You’ve grown into a beautiful young lady,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with something that made my stomach churn.

I didn’t know what to say to that, so I stayed silent.

He took a step toward me, then another, until he was standing way too close. I fought the urge to step back. My heart pounded in my chest as he reached out and tilted my chin up with his fingers. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I forced myself to hold still.

“When do you turn eighteen?” he asked, his gaze locking onto mine.

I barely managed to find my voice. “In a few weeks.”

He smiled. It wasn’t a kind smile. It was slow, deliberate. Wrong.

“Soon, my dear,” he murmured, as if speaking more to himself than to me.

I wanted to run. Every instinct screamed at me to get out of there, but I forced myself to stay still. He was the Alpha. Showing weakness would only make things worse.

As if sensing my discomfort, he finally stepped back and returned to the window, gazing out as if I was no longer in the room.

“You may go back to class,” he said dismissively.

I didn’t waste a second. I turned on my heel and rushed out of the office, my breath coming out in shallow gasps.

By the time I reached my locker, my hands were still shaking. I grabbed the handle, desperate for something—anything—to ground me.

Then—BANG!

My locker door slammed shut.

I gasped and whirled around.

A hand still rested against the metal. A familiar hand.