Chapter 1

Los Angeles, New Century Rail Terminal.

I strolled out with my suitcase, a picture of calm confidence. The delicate jade bracelet on my wrist tapped lightly against the luggage, letting out a crisp and clear chime.

It wasn’t just any accessory—it was the token of core bloodline from the White Moon Pack.

Barely had I stepped outside when a driver, sent by Alpha Nick, appeared in front of me.

“Hello, are you Miss Smith? Mr. Johnson sent me to pick you up.”

He stood beside the car, head slightly lowered. The gray glow from the Omega-class mark on the back of his neck shimmered faintly. His posture was submissive, but the innate fear in his eyes was impossible to miss—a primal reaction of low-ranking wolves toward those of superior lineage.

I gave a slight nod and followed him into the car without much thought, fatigue heavy in my bones. I’d had too much fun a few days ago and accidentally got scratched by barbed wire. Though I’d treated it, the lingering burn was still uncomfortable.

As the car pulled away from the station, I noticed the driver constantly glancing at me through the rearview mirror. His probing gaze was downright offensive.

What, did he assume I came from some tiny backwater Pack and thus didn’t deserve basic respect?

I turned my head to the window. Let him think about what he wanted.

I was the mate chosen for Alpha Nick by the Moon Goddess herself.

Alpha Nick was the leader of the Brown Pack. He was only Twenty-one years old, but his ruthless and cunning terrified countless packs.

However, I was his fated mate. I was a nobody in Werewolf Packs from nowhere, arriving by high-speed rail: Wendy Smith.

At least, that’s what werewolves believed.

 

The driver probably saw my naive expression and considered I was some greedy little wolf chasing money, which could explain why he treated me disrespectfully.

I slowly opened my eyes and gazed at this strange and bustling city. My heart remained steady.

We soon arrived at Alpha Nick’s mansion. The driver helped carry my luggage in, but just as we stepped through the gate, we were stopped.

Standing there was a refined woman with golden curls. She brushed a strand of hair back and glanced me over with undisguised disdain.

“Santry! Can’t you see there’s a strange wolf here? Bring the spray.”

“Yes, Mrs. Johnson. Right away.”

The maid, Santry, obediently approached with a spray bottle in hand. I caught a whiff of the scent of instant wolf’s bane.

With a swift kick, I sent the bottle flying.

Mrs. Johnson’s face contorted in rage. She pointed at me and snapped, “What kind of ill-mannered wolf are you? Raising your hand in your host’s home? No upbringing at all!”

The bottle shattered on the ground, releasing that pungent stench. I raised my hand to block my nose and replied coldly, “Mrs. Johnson, letting a maid spray poison on a guest—or the Brown Pack’s future Luna—how refined is your so-called etiquette?”

That only made her angrier.

“Typical of a remote Pack! We’re worried you’re carrying some virus. What if you infected someone here?”

I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. On any other day, I’d have turned around and left without another word—but I had a deal to honor.

A promise to a certain old man.

“Well then, Mrs. Johnson,” I said with a bright smile. “You might want to spray your own mouth, given how… impolite you’ve been.”

Without waiting for her reply, I walked in with effortless grace.

“You—!” Mrs. Johnson’s voice broke off in fury as she pointed at me. The maid rushed over to console her.

Inside the villa, another girl about my age stood with a haughty expression, her outfit dripping in designer labels. She looked me up and down, her eyes landing on my clothes with clear contempt.

“You’re the fated mate of Alpha Nick—Wendy Smith?” She sneered. “Can’t believe our Pack’s old Alpha Ken approved. He must be losing his mind. I heard you are coming by train. You should’ve told us, and we could’ve bought you a plane ticket. Then again, I suppose your impoverished little Pack doesn’t even have an airport, right?”

I stared at her like she’d grown a second head.

Were all Brown Pack wolves this arrogant?

True, we didn’t have an airport.

But our old Alpha Tim had chartered a private jet to fly me straight to LA.

Alone.

Lonely, to be honest.

If I wanted anything, our old Alpha Tim could make it happen. But explaining myself to this group? Not worth it.

I ignored her and headed upstairs.

Offended, she stormed after me.

“Nick would never want a clueless little wolf from a tiny Pack as his Luna! He needs a mate like a warrior!”

I stopped and turned to a passing maid. “Where’s my room?”

Before the maid could answer, the girl cut in.

“This one’s yours.” She opened the door and gestured inside. “Bet you’ve never stayed in a room this nice before. You’d better cherish your time here in the Brown Pack. I’m Alpha Nick’s cousin, Enna. So, you’d better start kissing up. If one day—”

I slammed the door in her face before she could finish.

Bang.

Enna fumed outside.

“She’s from some backwoods place! How dare she act so arrogant? What was the old Alpha Ken thinking?!”

From behind, a servant said hesitantly, “Miss Johnson… that’s Alpha Nick’s room.”

Enna scoffed. “Shut up. Nick hates people touching his things. If he finds out, just say she insisted on staying there.”

Honestly, I wouldn’t have realized if she hadn’t said it. There were clearly male toiletries in the bathroom and a faint masculine scent, but I thought it was just how Brown Pack wolves lived.

Still, it didn’t really matter. Even if Alpha Nick found me asleep in his bed, surely, he wouldn’t be that uncivilized.

This place was… peculiar.

But it was just for three months. If I could stay with the Brown Pack for three months without forming any bond with Nick, our Pack’s old Alpha Tim said I wouldn’t have to go through with the mate contract.

After a shower and a simple dinner, I fell asleep almost immediately.

Apparently, Alpha Nick knew I was arriving today. The old Alpha Tim had asked him to greet me, but he’d used “work” as an excuse to avoid it.

Which only confirmed that he had zero interest in me.

Perfect.

I drifted off peacefully.

Completely unaware someone had entered the room. I only vaguely registered a familiar, comforting presence beside me—soft, warm, like my childhood teddy bear.

Without thinking, I hugged it close.

“Mister Bear, be good, don’t squirm. Time to sleep…”

And just like that, it stopped moving.

Good bear.

Next morning, outside the door.

Banging. Loud knocking. A voice called out:

“Nick! Breakfast is ready and you’ve got an early meeting—wake up!”

The noise roused me. I slowly opened my eyes… and realized I was curled up in someone’s arms.

Our eyes locked—and all traces of sleep vanished from my mind.

I bolted upright. “Who the hell are you?!”

He stared at me; his dark eyes were brooding.

“Wendy?”

This was the infamous Alpha Nick.

What the hell was he doing in my bed?!

Before I could ask, he sneered.

“First day in Brown Pack and you’re already in my bed? Does the Moon Goddess know how shameless her chosen mate is? Impressive.”

I stared at him, completely stunned.

Me? In his bed?

Was the entire Brown Pack delusional?

But remembering the men’s products in the room, I quickly pieced it together.

This was Alpha Nick’s room. Enna had done it on purpose.

I got off the bed and spoke coldly, “First of all, I didn’t sneak into your bed. Enna told me this was my room. And Alpha Nick—I have zero interest in you.”

“Second, I was already asleep when you came back. You didn’t notice someone was in your bed? You cuddled me all night. Shouldn’t I be asking if you had any intentions?”

Nick’s expression darkened further. His face flushed slightly, and he didn’t reply.

Maybe it was the mate bond.

He couldn’t resist my scent.

I caught him staring again and smirked.

What, Alpha Nick? Can’t handle the mate pull either?

“Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t tell me I’ve already charmed you?”

I fought the instinctive urge to lean closer and instead mocked him.

Nick snapped back to reality, his voice low and cold.

“Get out. And don’t ever come into this room again.”

I didn’t argue. I grabbed my things and walked out, though I felt a strange sense of reluctance in my chest.

I bit my tongue to kill the feeling.

First impressions? We hated each other.

Perfect.

Enna was still at the door, her face twisted in shock as I emerged.

I smiled at her sweetly, Alpha Nick’s scent still clinging to me.

“Good morning! As you wished, Nick held me all night. We’re getting along great.”

“You’re lying!” Enna snapped. “No way!”

By all accounts, Nick should’ve hated me.

But the facts were facts. We spent the night together—just sleeping.

It didn’t matter.

It was worth it just to see her angry and jealous face.