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Chapter 1 — Aria's POV

I saw my reflection in the broken mirror leaning against the wall. My long, dark hair is all tangled, and my violet eyes look scared, as they usually do. I'm short for a wolf, just over five feet tall, with a body that some might think is delicate. But I know the truth — I'm just weak.

“Nyx,” I whisper to my wolf. She stirs within me, a presence both comforting and frustrated. Nyx is everything I'm not — strong, fierce, and unafraid. Sometimes I wonder if she got stuck with the wrong human.

Sighing, I quickly braid my hair and pull on a threadbare t-shirt and jeans. No point in trying to look nice. No one would notice.

I quietly leave my room, trying not to make any noise. The pack house is quiet at this time, but I know better than to wake anyone. The last time I accidentally woke someone, I got a black eye that took weeks to heal.

The kitchen is my first stop. It's my job to have breakfast ready. 

For the higher-ranking wolves before they wake up. I turn on the coffee maker and start making pancake batter, moving quickly and smoothly from years of practice.

While I'm working, my mind starts to wander. How would it feel to wake up without this deep emptiness inside? To have someone – anyone – look at me with anything apart from disgust or indifference?

“Don't be stupid Aria,” I told myself. “Dreams like that aren't for omegas like us.”

Nyx whines softly in agreement, her presence a constant comfort in the back of my mind.

“Well, well, if it isn't our little omega bitch,” a gruff voice sneers. “Slacking off again, are we?”

I duck my head, averting my gaze. “N-no, Beta Marcus. The pancakes are almost ready, and the coffee—”

A rough hand grabs my chin, forcing me to look up. “Did I say you could speak, runt?”

I frantically shake my head, biting my lip to stop myself from crying out when he tightens his hold.

“That's what I figured,” he snarls, pushing me away. “Hurry up with that food. And don't forget to scrub the floors after. I want to see my reflection in them by noon, or you'll be sleeping outside tonight. Got it?”

I nod meekly, relief washing over me as he stalks out of the kitchen. It could have been worse.

 Nyx growls in the back of my mind, wanting to lash out, to defend us. But I pushed her down. Resisting would only make matters worse.

The rest of the morning is a whirlwind of tasks and quick glances. I clean floors, do laundry, and pick up after wolves who deliberately create more mess for me to clean. Throughout it all, I try my best to stay unnoticed, to become invisible.

It doesn't always succeed.

“Hey, omega!” a taunting voice shouts as I carry a basket of laundry down the hallway. I stop, recognizing Liam's voice, one of the pack's more cruel enforcers.

I slowly turn to face him and his group of friends. They're all smirking, and I know that expression well. It never means anything good for me.

“Ugh, don't talk to her,” one of them says, loud enough for me to hear. “You might get her bad luck.”

They burst out laughing, and I bow my head, focusing on what I am doing. I heard it all before, but it cuts deep. My eyes water, but I force myself to blink them away. I am not going to give them the time of day and show them that I'm crying.

“Why?” I wonder silently, my hands trembling as I work. “Why did you make me this way, Moon Goddess? I'll never be good enough. I'll never be accepted.”

Nyx stirs within me, a low growl rumbling through our shared consciousness. She disagrees. She's always been the stronger one, the part of me that won't let me completely fall apart. But even she can't ignore the truth of our situation.

The sun begins to set, and I completed my tasks. My whole body aches, and all I want is to go back to my small bed and sleep. But I know I cannot, not just yet. I still have to help serve dinner with the group.

I'm heading to the kitchen when I unintentionally overhear a conversation that makes me stop right there.

“Did you hear? Alpha Jaxon is coming back tonight,” a female voice says excitedly.

“Really? It's been months since he left for that inter-pack meeting,” another replies.

“I know! I can't wait to see him. He's so strong and handsome…”

I stop listening to the rest of their compliments, my thoughts spinning. Alpha Jaxon Blackthorn, the leader of our pack and probably the most intimidating and ruthless wolf I've ever met. He's been away for a while, handling some pack matters, and I was truly thankful for the break.

Don't get me wrong — Jaxon's never singled me out for torment like the others. But just seeing him makes me panic. He's the perfect alpha — strong, in charge, and tough when needed. And I'm… just me.

While I help set the tables for dinner, I feel the pack getting excited. Everyone's talking about Jaxon coming back, guessing what news he might have. I tried to concentrate on my work, but I can't get rid of this uncomfortable feeling in my stomach.

What if Jaxon thinks I'm not strong enough to stay? What if he finally agrees with those who say I should be cast out? As awful as my life is here, I know it would be even worse as a lone wolf.

The sound of a motorcycle approaching sends a hush through the pack house. He's here.

I was in the kitchen and I heard the commotion when Jaxon entered the pack house, The excited greetings, the respectful murmurs of “Alpha,” the barely contained energy of the pack welcoming back their leader.

And then, something strange happens. A scent drifts into the kitchen—a mix of pine, leather, and something wild and free. My body reacts before my brain can catch up. My heart races, my skin feels hot, and Nyx... Nyx is going wild.

She's howling and moving around in my mind, trying to break through. I've never felt anything like this before. It's like every part of me is screaming, trying to grab… something or someone.

Confused and a bit scared, I try to calm myself down. But Nyx won't be silenced. She's pulling me towards the main hall, towards the source of that intoxicating scent.

“No,” I tell her firmly. “We can't. We have to stay here, stay safe.”

But Nyx isn't listening. She's driven by a feeling I can't grasp, a strong need that's making me forget my usual carefulness.

Before I realize what I'm doing, I find myself looking around the kitchen door. The big room is full of wolves, all staring at the tall figure in the middle.

Alpha Jaxon Blackthorn is even more impressive than I remember. Tall and muscular, with very dark hair and eyes that shine like silver. He shows authority and power, making people respect and listen to him.

And as I watch, frozen in place, those silver eyes suddenly lock onto mine.

The world seems to stop. Everything fades away — the noise of the pack, my fears, and insecurities, even my name. All that exists is this connection, this pull that I can't explain or resist.

Nyx lets out a victorious howl, and for once, I don't try to stop her. In this moment, with Jaxon staring at me and that smell consuming my senses, only one word comes into my head. And before I know it, it slips out on a breathless whisper:

“Mate.”