(YOUNG) ALPHA CALEB. I had nothing scheduled for the day, so I pulled Dawson away from his computer games, and we drove off to Riley’s territory. I knew we were too early for Nadia’s birthday dinner, but I had been wanting to visit my cousin’s territory for another reason. Anya. When I met her almost six months ago, I asked when she would be turning eighteen, and she told me the exact day. It was a couple of days ago, and Nadia’s birthday dinner was just the perfect timing. I was hoping she would be here tonight, but if not, I had to find a way to see her, even if that meant visiting her home. But the thing was, I just couldn’t ask Sebastian. Riley’s Gamma was a known playboy before he met Jenny, and I believe it was for the same reason he was so protective of his sister when it came to dating. So asking him would be out of the question. I had to find a way to see Anya on my own. I’ve never been so taken with a woman that I couldn’t stop thinking about her for days. Fuck that! T
RILEY. "Why did you choose him over me?" I asked, my gaze meeting her blue eyes, the same set of eyes that I have. She took a deep breath before tilting her back to look behind her before meeting my gaze again. "Can we talk outside? If it’s okay with you, I would rather keep our conversation private." I would have preferred a private conversation in my office, but having it out in the open was better. I knew I would feel suffocated if I stayed in a closed room with her. I moved away from the door and let her out before I turned around and followed her, closing the sliding door behind me. She went down the steps and headed for the back garden. Her face lit up at the sight of the flowers blooming beautifully under the sunset. "These flowers," she started, her hand running over the tall rose bushes. "I planted those even before I became the Luna of this pack. It’s still here." She had a wide smile on her face until she realized something, and it was immediately wiped off. "Now that
NADIA. Instead of focusing on preparing ourselves for the dinner, we spent time talking about Katarina and Aeon. Katarina didn’t want to spill the beans, but I just couldn’t ignore the sadness in her eyes, and eventually, she told me everything. And my heart was crushed, not just for her but for Alpha Darvin. I wished we could do something, but from what Katarina told me, only she and Alpha Aeon knew of her brother’s ordeal. And I hoped the Alpha would tell Riley because I don’t think I would be able to hide it from my mate. "But let’s forget about me or anything I told you." Katarina’s lips curled into a smile as she shifted her gaze between me and Jenny. "Tonight we will enjoy your dinner because this is all about you and that pup there." She pointed her finger at my stomach before gently tapping it. I just let out a deep sigh. I knew I would enjoy the dinner because Riley and Zahra were here, but how would I look at Alpha Darvin without my heart clenching in pain? We might neve
RILEY. "Enough, you two — I'm starving." Nadia clasped my hand with her and tugged me towards the ground where our table was set up, with Darvin following us. "We can continue your conversation at the table." Everyone at the table stood up from their seats, and those who were away from it moved closer as they welcomed me and Nadia. We didn’t have anything fancy tonight, just a simple dinner for people close to Nadia’s heart. I originally wanted to spend Nadia's birthday with just the two of us, but the plan changed so I could have a reason to invite my mother back to the territory without too much pressure on me and her and because Nadia wanted her here. Everyone greeted Nadia and me before we all took our seats. Some seats were still vacant. Dominic, Caleb, Anya, and the twins were not yet around. My gaze was drawn to Dawson, who rose from his chair and walked to the opposite side, slumping into the empty seat meant for one of the twins before leaning his arms over the two empt
DAWSON. I rested my arms on the chairs beside me as I looked at everyone at the table while the Omegas were serving food. The night was turning out to be boring, not because the people around me were boring. It was simply because I felt alone, especially every time I looked at Riley and his Luna. They seemed to always get lost in their own worlds, and we had to draw their attention to remind them we were around. Plus the fact that my brother, Caleb, found his mate today. Not that I was jealous of Caleb. If there was anyone who deserved to find their mate, it was him. It was about fucking time so he could take the position that rightfully belonged to him by birth. And I hope things will work out between him and Anya. And no, I never fancied Anya. I was just playing around. I already knew she was already 18 because Caleb couldn’t shut his mouth up about that female. I just didn’t expect him to think that I was hitting on the female he wanted, but maybe because I took my joke too
NADIA. Everyone was eating when Dawson and Ellie came back hand in hand. My eyes flew to Ellie’s neck to check if she was marked, but there was nothing. But even with the absence of the mark, I could see that they had accepted each other. Riley was quiet, like Leandro, but Zahra stood up from her seat as well as Bella. Caleb did as well, and the new couple parted ways to meet their own families. "Atta boy!" Caleb hugged Dawson, and they tried to outdo each other, laughing. My own lips curved into a smile as I watched the brothers, knowing that they’d been waiting for their mate for a long time already. "Mom will be ecstatic! Poor Trent! I hope he brought home a mate too." Dawson told Caleb. "We still have one unmated female over eighteen, maybe Trent is mated to her," Felix added, his eyes teasing Leandro, and Leandro just shook his head. "One is enough for today. Let’s save Bella for another day." I heard Riley chuckle. He was probably agreeing with Leandro because he was no
BETA DOMINIC. I prepared the bonfire and excused myself from the young crowd. I went straight to the pack house to help my parents and the others in the receiving room so they could have their own party, and I also handed over the keys to the bedrooms I assigned to them for tonight. Mom and Dad, and Nicole decided to spend the night here. And Riley had asked his mother and Leandro to stay as well, which Zahra accepted right away. When I had done my job, I threaded my way back to the forest where I left the Alpha and Luna with their guests. I was almost there when I saw a petite figure walking through the forest, going in the other direction, away from where the bonfire was. Sofia. I debated whether I should follow her or just leave her alone. I knew the grounds were safe, but I remembered the sadness on her face that she had all night, and I was curious to find out why. So instead of going back to the bonfire, I went after her without making any noise. The wind was blowing away f
ANYA. My body was still shaking after Alpha Caleb kissed me at the pack house. I couldn’t explain what was happening, except I smelled him as my mate, and my wolf, Winter, kept yelling 'mate' in my head. But I couldn’t imagine being mated to an Alpha. Especially not Alpha Caleb. I wouldn’t deny having a crush on him, but I was aware that it was impossible to catch his attention. Besides, he was older. Why would he notice someone my age when females his age were much sexier and more confident? But there must have been a mix-up or something went wrong when I smelled him as my mate. It was so impossible. I went home after fleeing the packhouse, rushed into my bedroom, and took a shower. I wanted to let out the heat surging in my body. But instead of distinguishing the fire, I found myself touching myself as I let the memory of his kisses and the feel of his erection on my stomach come flashing back. And I think I just had the best orgasm of my life. Although I was hoping he would