Chapter 1

Lydia stood in front of her full-length mirror, staring at her reflection. She knew the figure gazing back at her was herself, but she felt conflicted about believing it. The long, sleeveless silver dress she wore sparkled with diamonds, and her tiny arms gleamed as if she had polished them all day to impress. The dress gracefully covered her neck, with the fabric draping down her bare back, adding to her elegance.

Today was an important day for Lydia. After months of preparation, she hoped everything would go well. She had long anticipated this moment, a day when she would finally belong to someone who shared a part of her soul. Someone who would understand her pain, become her life, and be her fated mate. The thought gave her a thrill. For two years, since turning eighteen and gaining her wolf, Circe, she had waited for this day. While most she-wolves met their mates in school, Lydia’s journey was different.

She searched for her mate among the male wolves but found none. Although some tried to woo her, their intentions were not rooted in love; they were drawn to her because of her father's status in the Alpha council. Her father, Alpha Damon, was feared and respected among many, known for his strength and leadership. He was the brains of the council, a position that came with expectations. Lydia felt the pressure, knowing her father hoped she would find her mate at the Alpha ball that night. Though he didn't care about bloodlines, it would be a disgrace for his first child to be mated to someone of lower status. The thought of disappointing her father and facing ridicule from her peers weighed heavily on her.

Sighing, she silently prayed to the Moon Goddess for guidance. She needed hope, and she did not want to let her father down.

“Don’t worry; our mate will be worth it,” Circe reassured her in her mind.

Lydia smiled at her wolf’s voice; it brought her comfort. “Are you sure, Circe? I just wonder if he’s worth the wait, a wolf who would truly love me.”

Circe chuckled, and Lydia could sense her amusement. “He will be a mighty wolf who will take care of both of us, rest assured.”

Lydia felt a sense of lightness return. “But don’t forget; after we find him, we’re going for a run,” Circe added.

“Yeah, I promise I’ll let you meet his wolf,” Lydia replied.

Just then, the sleek wooden door swung open, and her mother, Luna Alice, stepped inside, her bright smile lighting up the room. Her green eyes roamed over Lydia as she exclaimed, “Oh my God!”

Lydia stifled a laugh; she knew her mom would soon comment on her beauty and how she would sweep every male off their feet that evening. It was clear that Lydia resembled her mother, both standing tall and slender, with curves that could captivate anyone. Lydia had inherited Luna Alice's striking green eyes, long tan limbs, pointed nose, and beautifully shaped lips.

Once, her father, Alpha Damon, had claimed he wasn’t interested in women, focusing solely on his duties—until he encountered Luna Alice at a nearby pack meeting when she was just fifteen. He couldn’t take his eyes off her and spent an entire year longing to see her again. The moment he turned eighteen and returned to the pack, he discovered that Alice was his mate. He claimed her that very night and married her the next day, without waiting another moment.

Apart from her beauty, Lydia possessed the intelligence and ambition of a Luna, striving to lead her pack with wisdom. Like her mother, who heads the Luna Council, Lydia wanted to become a doctor, helping not only her pack but also neighboring ones. She knew one day her skills would be recognized and valued.

Luna Alice wrapped her arms around her daughter, inhaling her sweet scent. The sunlight streamed in through the long-furnished window, illuminating Lydia’s blonde hair and adding a beautiful glow to the moment.

Except for their beauty and resemblance, Lydia's hair is different from her mother's. While hers is pure white, her mother’s is a striking blonde color that Lydia's younger sister inherited.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, noticing that Lydia's scent was giving her away. Lydia's silence spoke volumes.

“Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about that old dream of yours.”

Lydia stepped away from her mother and walked over to the large window, which overlooked the pack lands in the distance and the garden. Their land spread miles away, behind forests and hills, until it reached a certain mountain where, beneath it, was their pack boundary.

“You know, Mom, Dad is all I have after you. I can’t afford to make him look like a fool in front of anyone,” she said. The Luna moved toward her, wrapping her hand around Lydia’s.

“Look, Lydia, your dad doesn’t care about your mate. Whether he is of beta, gamma, delta, or omega blood, it doesn’t matter. He is your mate, given by the Goddess, so accept it. There’s a reason for it, and I know you will do just fine tonight. Alpha blood can’t mate with an omega; it has to be either an alpha or one of the three other high bloods.”

Lydia smirked. “That’s it. I can’t afford to be mated to them. Many Alphas hate Dad, and that’s why I want to be mated to someone like Dad so he wouldn’t be a laughingstock.”

“And who says so?” a stern voice came from the doorway. Lydia and Luna turned to see a well-built, bearded man with a warrior's demeanor—a man of high authority, Alpha Damon. He smiled at his daughter.

“I don’t care who you’re mated to, Lydia. Everyone is fine by me,” he said, tackling her into a hug and snatching her away from her mom. “You know the Lycans’ prince is coming, right?” he whispered.

Lydia flinched but remained in her father’s embrace.

“High blood will be present for the ball. You know this is going to be scary. I know you will find your mate among the Alphas tonight, and if you don’t, that’s okay; we will search,” he assured her. Lydia smiled, knowing her father meant his words.

“Okay, old man,” Luna Alice interrupted, pulling her husband away from the brooding Lydia. “Come on, let’s go get ready for the ball.” She turned to Lydia. “See you in the ballroom, little girl. Make sure to sweep all the men off their feet. I know you will.” She winked, earning a chuckle from her daughter.

Alpha Damon growled and captured Luna's lips. “Oh God, you never cease to amaze me with your beauty.” The Luna returned the kiss, and for a moment, they were lost in each other's taste until Lydia chuckled. They broke apart, both smiling. The Alpha wore a broad smile like he had just won a trophy.

“Sorry,” the Luna apologized, still smiling.

“You’ll understand when it t—” the Alpha began to say, but the Luna dragged him out by his outfit, leaving Lydia alone.

She sighed. Her parents were always like that, displaying their romantic moments in front of her and her sister since they were kids. But she was thankful they didn’t try to remove their clothes in front of them. She thought hard, wondering what her mate would be like. Would he love her as much as her dad loved her mom?

Her thoughts were interrupted when her sister entered, wearing a short blue gown that exposed her thighs and cleavage, nearly revealing her breasts. Blake was grinning happily, but Lydia noticed the hem of her dress had slipped down a little, explaining why half of her breasts were on display.

“Blake, what the hell happened to…?” Lydia began, trailing her finger toward her sister’s shoulder. Blake shot her a questioning look. When she realized the disgusted expression on Lydia’s face, she quickly adjusted her dress.

“Well, it’s just a…,” she attempted to explain but couldn’t find the words.

“It was Jackson,” Lydia completed, and Blake shot her an amused look. In a moment, she was standing beside Lydia, holding her hands.

“Oh, please don’t tell Dad. He would kill Jackson, and I don’t want that. He’d probably be furious,” Blake said. Lydia could see the emotions her sister held for the pack’s head warrior.

“You shouldn’t get involved with him. You know that…” Lydia warned.

“No, it’s love. Not just a fling—I love Jackson,” Blake insisted. “And I know what you’re thinking: that he’s a year younger than me and that if he’s not my mate, I love him more than anyone else I could be mated to.”

Lydia stared at her sister, eyes wide. “Blake, I know you love him, but a mate is everything. What if he isn’t your mate?”

“He is. I can feel it. Since he’s turning nineteen in a few months, we’ll just have to wait. But I’m sure he’s my mate,” she said stubbornly. Deep down, however, she felt uncertain. She had loved the head warrior since they were young. Whenever he wrapped his arm around her, she would whine and cling to him. She loved him, but if he didn’t turn out to be her mate in a few months, she knew she’d have to let him go.

“Anyway, have you seen Thalia?” Blake asked about her friend. Lydia shook her head.

“Well, she has been ranting…”

Lydia cursed as she realized she had forgotten about her. Just like her, her friend Thalia also would be waiting for her mate tonight and she was just as nervous as she was. Lydia walked toward the door when Blake shouted, “Anyway, avoid anyone seeing you in that dress. The ball is tonight, and there are only a few hours to go. Don’t let them get mad even before the ball!” Lydia laughed.

“Don't worry; I’ll only allow Jackson to take a sneak peek.” Her reply earned a growl from Blake, and she laughed, moving out of earshot before she could hear her sister’s muttering.