1: The Blood Moon

A smile spread across my face as I closed my eyes and blew out the candles.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, my love!" My boyfriend Noah cheered

"Thank you," I said, opening my eyes to him.

"What did you wish for?" asked.

"You know I can’t wish and tell," I teased. He rolled his eyes in that casual way that always made me melt. I laughed softly. "Okay, fine. I won’t say it all, but… I wished that we’d become mates."

His smile matched mine. Being mated to Noah was everything we both wanted. After a year together, we’d been hoping for this moment—and today was the day I’d finally find out. The day I’ll finally be his mate.

"Do you sense anything yet?" He asked, his voice full of hope.

"Not yet," I sighed heavily

"It’ll happen. Don’t worry," He said, squeezing my hand.

Then he kissed my knuckles and pulled a box from behind his back. "For your birthday and for us, soon-to-be mates, I got you this."

My eyes widened. "You got me another present?"

"Of course. The cake doesn’t count. This is the real gift."

"But you’re short on money," I whispered, remembering all the bills he struggles with.

He shook his head. "That doesn’t matter, I’ll be fine. I just want you to be happy."

"You’re the best," I said, hugging him tight.

When I pulled back, he said almost too casually, "Oh, and… I got a new job in the Crystal pack. The offer was too good to refuse. We’ll be living together."

My mouth fell open. "What?"

"Yeah, I already got us a house. Just you and me, starting fresh like we always wanted." His eyes held so much hope that it made my chest ache from the thought of refusing the offer.

I sighed "Noah, this is too soon."

He shook his head. "It’s not. It’s perfect. Just us in a new pack, loving each other." He leaned closer. "This is what we always wanted Osline… What do you say? Are you in?"

I hesitated, but I could never say no to that look on his face. Slowly, I smiled. "Of course I’m in."

He kissed my cheek, and for a second, the whole world felt perfect. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Still, a chill crept down my spine and I couldn’t help but ask. "Who exactly would you be working for?"

"Alpha Jacob," He said without hesitation.

I froze. "Alpha Jacob?"

"Yeah. The pay is good. Why not?"

"Noah, you can’t be serious." My voice dropped. "He’s dangerous."

Everybody knew the name Alpha Jacob. Ruthless. Merciless. People said he made men disappear, never forgave debts, and spilled blood without a second thought. No one ever dared to test him. To me, he was basically the devil on earth.

"He’s not as bad as they say," Noah insisted. "People love to exaggerate."

"But—"

"It’ll be fine," He reassured me. "Besides, I already signed the contract, there is no going back. It’s just for a year."

I sighed. "Okay…"

"Don’t worry, Osline, I got this. And on the bright side, the money will help with your dad’s treatment."

My chest tightened. "That’s not your responsibility."

"As long as you are mine, it’s my responsibility." He said firmly.

Noah never stopped helping with my dad’s medical bills. My dad—well, the man I called dad—was fighting cancer. He wasn’t my real father, but he raised me, loved me, and I never felt the absence of the parents I never knew.

After the cake and presents, Noah and I headed to the festival of the Blood Moon.

The Blood Moon was the biggest festival we had. It came once every two years, only on the night when the moon turned red and lit up the sky. People believed it was special—a night when bonds grew stronger and fates could shift.

And this year, it fell on my eighteenth birthday. That had never happened before, not even to an Alpha’s child or the Alpha himself. So maybe that meant I was special. But orphans don’t get to be special.

Noah and I arrived at the festival, and the place was packed full of different werewolves from different packs. One thing about the blood moon is that everyone celebrates it together. Even the Alpha’s are amongst us now.

We pushed our way through the crowd only to come face-to-face with someone I really didn’t want to see.

"Well, look who it is, Noah and his little omega girlfriend," Chelsea sneered, strutting toward us with her two minions

Chelsea is the bitch from my high school.

"What do you want now, Chelsea?" Noah growled.

"Nothing," She said innocently, a fake smile plastered on her face. "Just wanted to wish Osline a happy birthday. Shockingly, the Blood Moon happens to land on your big day."

"Are you jealous?" I shot back

She scoffed. "Jealous of an orphan omega who hasn’t even sensed her mate yet? Oh please, that can never be."

Her words hit me harder than I wanted to admit. Because she wasn’t wrong.

Chelsea stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You’re like the worst person anyone could be mated to and I… I will never be jealous of you because you are nothing, and I am everything. Tomorrow, when I turn eighteen, I’ll be mated to the Alpha. And when I become his Luna, I’ll make sure you’re scrubbing my toilet floors all day."

I forced a smile. "I’d love to see you try." I turned away from her and Noah followed behind.

Once we were out of her sight, Noah spoke. "You shouldn’t worry about her."

I shook my head. "I don’t want to, but… she’s right, isn’t she? I’m just an omega, and no one likes an omega."

"I do," He said quickly. "I always have. In fact, I’m going crazy wanting to be mated to you. I don’t care if you’re an omega or even a Luna. I just want you." He held my hand tightly.

I couldn’t help but smile. Noah continued, "You shouldn’t care about what Chelsea says. It’s your birthday. You should be happy, not angry at someone who can’t even walk alone."

I laughed softly. Chelsea was always surrounded by her minions for some reason. He can’t even walk alone.

"You’re right," I said.

"Yeah now come on, let’s dance." Noah pulled me toward the dance floor. The music was loud, the crowd buzzing with energy. For a while, I let myself get lost in the moment, just dancing with him and forgetting everything else.

"Have you sensed it yet?" He asked over the music.

I shook my head. "Not yet."

He stopped moving and tilted my chin up, his eyes burning into mine. "I can’t wait to be your mate. I’m literally dying inside waiting for it."

"I can’t wait either," I whispered.

He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. I held him close, his arms tightening around me as if he never wanted to let go. When he finally pulled back, his eyes burned into mine.

"I love you, Osline."

I opened my mouth to answer, but then he dropped to one knee. The crowd around us gasped and my heart dropped.

"Noah," I whispered

"I know you haven’t sensed me as your mate yet," He said, voice steady but trembling a little. "But you will. I just… I can’t wait any longer. I want you now."

From his pocket, he pulled out a small but perfect ring. "Osline, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

My smile spread wide, my lips parting to say the word I thought I’d been waiting for—yes.

But then it hit me… a scent. Strong, intoxicating, and impossible to ignore.

My wolf stirred violently. “Mate.” The word tore through me.

I looked at Noah but it wasn’t him. The scent was coming from somewhere else. Someone else.

Before I realized what I was doing, my feet were moving, weaving me through the crowd, drawn to the pull like gravity. The closer I got, the stronger it became. I was starving for it, desperate for it. Noah vanished from my mind. There was only this.

Then, through the blur of bodies, I saw him.

A pair of piercing blue eyes locked on mine. His structure told me everything I needed to know. He’s an Alpha and he’s my mate.

He stepped forward, gaze still fixed on me, and in that moment I knew he felt it too.

But then Noah appeared at my side, his eyes fixed on me, confusion and hurt written all over his face.

And in that single heartbeat, under the red glow of the moon, I realized everything would change.