CHAPTER 1

NAIDIRA

“Cheers!” Someone hollered, the sound of clinking wine glasses echoing through the bustling night air as people made merry and danced.

I stood off to the side, fiddling with the hem of my silk gown, my throat feeling dry.

“Stop looking so dead before your parents start to give you a lecture again,” Malia muttered under her breath, stopping when she got to me and handed me a wine glass. “Here you go, you look so pale.”

I shot her a glare, wrapping my slender fingers around the cold glass. “Tell me about it. I would rather be studying in my dorm right now,” I muttered bitterly under my breath as I took a sip of the liquid and almost spat it out.

Malia barely reacted to that. “Didn't you hate studying?”

My brows crinkled as I looked into the glass. “What is this? Is this…” I shot her a disgusted look. “I said I didn't want ale, Malia. This thing is disgusting. And for the recordㅡ I'd take college over this. It never changes.”

It never did.

Every single year, I came home to the same thing. My parents barely paying any attention to me. My twin sister being attended to every second of the day while I trailed behind as though I wasn't a part of the family.

If I had my way, I wouldn't be here. I would be in college, wallowing in self pity as always. But mum had made it clearㅡ I was to be present at the bonfire ceremony. It would be inappropriate for the Alpha’s daughter to skip the most important night of the pack.

Right, I had that title only when it was convenient.

“Seriously,” she deadpanned, turning to me with a small smile on her face. “You're clearly nervous. We should be dancing with the rest of the packs. You can't just stand here and expect your mate to find you.”

“Oh yeah?” I took another sip of the disgusting liquid, wincing when it burned its way down my throat. “Watch me.”

Of course I was nervous.

The bonfire night wasn't just a celebrationㅡ it was fate made public. It was the night when the Moon goddess decided who belonged to whom. Some wolves had waited years for this. Some never found their mate.

And then, there was me.

Born into royalty, trained as an Alpha, expected to marry well, form alliances and never ㅡ everㅡ cause trouble.

I'd done everything right.

Which meant tonight terrified me.

The idea of not finding a good mate. Or one at all. Disappointing my parents and proving that I was nothing compared to my sisterㅡ Calanthe.

She could shift. She had her Alpha powers manifested already. And me? I couldn't do a thing.

Bile rushed up my throat and my vision swam. “I need to go meet my dad at the high table. I'll be back soon.”

Before Malia could protest, I was moving away, pushing through the throng of people as I made my way past the huge flames licking up into the sky.

“Sorryㅡ” I tried to wiggle through a couple happily staring up at the large bonfire that stretched tall.

Thenㅡ

Someone must have shoved me in an attempt to move, but I stumbled, legs tripping over the other as I fell right at the foot of the fire, palms landing on a few hot coal.

I yelped, immediately scrambling to my feet as tears stung my eyes. “Shit!’ I cursed, staring down at my trembling fingers with visible burns now.

That hurt like hell. And due to the fact that I hadn't manifested my powers yet, I was going to heal at a human pace. Just great.

People around looked at me, unsure if they should approach.

Something bitter in me told me that if Calanthe had been the one injured, they would be racing to help her.

Bunch ofㅡ

I didn't wait for their pity, I stalked off to the side, away from the massive crowd as I collapsed on a log, uncaring of the way the hem of my gown brushed against the damp earth, stained with dirt.

Trying to calm myself down, I blew softly on my palms, trying to ease the pain. Thenㅡ

“You okay?” A voice suddenly echoed and I looked up quickly, my heart flipping when I saw a massive figure towering over me.

“You scared me…” I forced a smile to the stranger.

Who was this?

I tried to look at his features fully in the dim light of the moonlight that veiled the grounds.

He had dark hair, hazel eyes and high cheekbones, lips pursed as he stared down at me. “Apologies. That doesn't look that goodㅡ” He nodded to the burns on my palms.

Subconsciously, I shut my palms, letting out a nervous chuckle. “It's fine. You should go enjoy the bonfire night.”

It was weird. A total stranger who actually…cared. Not Malia. A total stranger. There was a tug in the air between us. Sharp and compelling. What was that?

“Wait here…” He muttered under his breath, disappearing for barely a minute before he came back with a small first aid box.

I folded into myself, breath hitching as he crouched low, strands of his hair falling into his face as he pulled out a few materials. “You don't have toㅡ”

He was already dabbing at the burns, his rough calloused hands holding onto mine tightly, the contact making me shudder. “Don't mention it. This isn't a big deal.”

My heart was thrumming faster than louder in my chest, pulse fluttering under my skin. “Who are you?”

He looked up at me, my heart skipping a beat as his dark eyes locked on to mine. “Orion. Alpha Orion.”

My throat dried and I couldn't tear my gaze away. What was happening? He was an Alpha? And not just any Alpha. Alpha Orion? From Moonfire pack?!

“I'm…Naidira…” I stuttered, my heart doing a stupid little flip in my chest when he smiled slightly and stood up.

“Well, Naidira… it was lovely meeting you,” He muttered, voice barely heard over the soft gust of wind as he stretched out a hand to me.

Slowly, I reached out, wrapping my fingers around his much larger ones.

Something in me jolted at the contact. Like something had locked into place.

Was he…my mate?

*************

“Mum? Dad?!” I called out, happily skipping into the house later that night.

The bonfire was over. People had dispersed for the night after having fun but I had spent the rest of the night thinking about Alpha Orion. Had the moon goddess really blessed someone like me with a mate as powerful and kind as he was?

It all felt too surreal.

Mother was at the table, a small scowl on her face as she saw me saunter into the dimly lit room. “Do not raise your voice, Naidira. It is unbecoming of a lady.”

My heart deflated slightly at her words, gaze falling on Calanthe who was seated next to her at the table, gently cutting into a slab of steak.

Father reached for a glass across, pulling it to himself. “You're late? You were with Malia?” Before I could answer, he was already adding, “you should be like Calanthe, Naidira. She was home immediately when the bonfire ended and she didn't stray away from the family during it.”

My heart clenched painfully and I gripped the edge of my gown. “Apologies, I had a… slight inconvenience.”

No need telling them I had an injury.

Calanthe didn't even look up from her food. Her blonde hair was pulled up high in a messy bun, skin pale and gleaming as she basked under the light. It felt like everything answered to her.

Swallowing back the bitter tang of jealousy, I forced a smile. “I met someone. I think he's my mate.” I announced.

The room went still and mother's fork clattered to the plate. Father almost choked on his water and even Calanthe paused, raising her brow at me.

“Are you sure?” My father sounded stern. Hopeful.

I nodded happily. At least, it seemed that this pleased them.

“Yes! His name is Alpha Orion andㅡ”

My mother let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head slightly in disappointment while my father looked back at his plate.

“What?” I asked, looking between them. “What's wrong?”

Calanthe scoffed something under her breath, focusing back on her food.

My mother stood up. Slow. Purposeful. “Naidira…” She started, her voice low.

Unease prickled under my skin. That couldn't be good.

“What?” I whispered, not daring to hope.

She gestured to Calanthe. “Alpha Orion… He's been engaged to Calanthe long before the bonfire. He's not your mate. He's to be married to your sister.”

It felt like someone had smacked me across the face.

No. Not this one too.

“Excuse me?”