CHAPTER ONE

I am excited as I head across the den to my alpha's cabin.

Yesterday I turned eighteen. That means today, I will be assigned my mate.

I could not be more ready to be married to Nathaniel.

We are in love.

We have been together since we were sixteen.

I knock on the door.

"Come in," I hear alpha's voice from the other side.

I open the door and slowly step inside the cabin.

It is cozy inside. Warm. A fire glows.

My alpha looks up from behind his wooden desk.

He is in his human form.

Gray hair. A bushy beard.

I think of my Alpha like a grandfather.

I trust him to do what's right.

For me, for the pack.

"Good morning, Alpha," I greet.

"Good morning, Bria," he returns.

He gestures for the chair opposite him. "Come sit. I have some news I'd like to share with you."

I take a seat.

He hands me a cup of warm tea.

"Firstly, let me congratulate you on turning eighteen," he says.

"Thank you, Alpha," I reply.

I sip the tea he gave me.

"I suppose you already know why I have called you here today," he says.

"I believe so," I reply.

I am fizzing with excitement.

Any second now he will tell me what I have waited two years to hear. That Nathaniel and I are to be wed.

"I have an important favor I would like to ask of you, Bria," he says.

My heart sinks a little. I can tell by the tone of his voice there is something serious.

I take a deep breath.

"What is it, Alpha?" I ask.

"I understand you are in love with Nathaniel and I know he is in love with you."

I smile. "That's right."

"You must stop seeing each other."

My stomach drops. "What?"

He takes a deep breath. "I know that might make you feel very sad."

"Might?" I cry. "Might? What have you done? What are you talking about?"

I shake my head. It is spinning from shock.

"Now, listen to me," he says, more stern. "I am your Alpha. What I say must be obeyed. And you two must not be together."

My bottom lip trembles. I feel like I might puke.

"But why?" I ask. "I don't understand, Alpha."

He leans forward and rests his elbows on his desk. He looks deeply into my eyes.

"I have made a decision about who you are to marry," he says. "Everything is arranged."

I gasp. This is getting worse and worse.

Not only am I not marrying Nathaniel, but I am marrying someone else?

"That is not fair, Alpha! It is not fair to Nathaniel or to me."

"I know. But it is best for the pack."

"The pack?" I echo. "What about me?"

"It is for the greater good."

I frown at him. "Who is he? This man I am to marry?"

"He is a very worthy wolf," he says. "He will protect you from danger. You will be safe. This marriage will be good for the pack. They will feel safe and secure."

"Who is he?" I say again.

Alpha leans back in his chair and stares off into the distance. "His name is Jeremiah."

My heart pounds.

"What?" I question. "Jeremiah? There are no males called Jeremiah in this pack."

Then it dawns on me.

He is not of this pack.

I am to be married out of the pack.

Away from my family.

From Nathaniel.

Not only am I losing my love, I am losing my family and my home.

I stare at Alpha in disbelief. I feel like my heart is breaking into a thousand pieces.

"You...you have arranged to send me away?" I ask, my voice pained.

"Yes. To the alpha of a neighboring pack."

"But... but my home," I say, biting my lip. "My family! My friends! You expect me to leave everything behind? For the good of the pack?"

"You do not understand," he says. "I also made this decision for your own good."

"No! No you did not! You made it for yourself!"

"Those are harsh words," he says, sharply. Then he softens. "I know you are fond of Nathaniel, but we must think of the pack first."

A tear slips down my cheek.

I feel sick.

Panicky.

"I am not going to marry Jeremiah," I say, standing up from the chair. "I do not want to marry him. I love my Nathaniel. And I will not leave him."

I feel so angry and lost.

It feels like the floor is shifting beneath my feet.

I feel like I am spinning out of control.

I feel like life as I know it is over.

"You will not take that tone with me, Bria," Alpha says.

"I don't care. You cannot do this."

"I already have, Bria. Please try to understand. I am old. I have made many decisions in my time. Many have been hard. But every one has been right. I have never made a bad decision. I have never taken a wrong turn. Everything I have done has been for the good of the pack."

I push my chair back and stand.

"You are a dictator!" I cry. "A tyrant!"

I turn and head for the door.

I cannot stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks.

I know I have gone too far. But I feel like I have no choice.

I am angry and afraid.

I want to be with Nathaniel.

I love him.

"Bria!" Alpha calls after me.

I stop and look back at Alpha.

"I'm sorry," he says. "I know I am asking much of you. I know this might seem cruel. But it is for your own good. You will see that one day. One day you will understand."

Tears of anger stream down my cheeks.

"I can't marry Jeremiah," I whisper. "I won't."

"I have always admired how headstrong you are, girl," Alpha says. "But do not be stubborn."

I stare at him.

I am hurt.

He is my Alpha.

But right now I do not feel protected in his presence.

I feel betrayed.

I turn and leave.