Chapter 1

The memories come back in fragments, pieces of a life that feels worlds away. I can almost smell the pine and wildflowers from the valley where we used to run, the crisp mountain air, the warmth of a life I once knew. This place, this memory—it's the only home I’ve ever known...

“Kaida, keep up!” My sister’s voice floats on the breeze, teasing and bright, instantly snapping me back to reality.

“Hey, some of us haven't yet had our first shift yet, you know...” I shout back, laughing as I push myself to keep up with her. The Alpha’s heir, as the elders used to call her. Korra Xarano. At 18, she was strong, swift, as if she’d already grown into the leader she was destined to be. The next in line to be Alpha of the Xarano Pack. It was easy to follow her lead back then, and I loved that she made everything feel safe. I was 2 years younger at the time and I'm glad I was given the freedom to still be my own person, without having to grow up in my sister's shadow. Our parents treated us both equally; they made sure of it. We were their only children, and they made sure to let us know how much they loved us. My sister wanted me to be her Beta, and honestly, it's all I ever wanted, the two of us ruling the Xarano Pack side by side...

We were almost like twins, except my sister was definitely the tougher one. Both of have wavy pitch black hair that we inherited from our father, our skin a warm complexion, similar to a caramel, thanks to our mother’s mixed heritage. Our eyes were a cool grey, like subtle storm clouds, and we were both tall girls, my sister being the tallest, standing at 5 feet 11, almost 6 feet, while I stood at 5f eet 9.

We run across the open fields, the familiar forest stretching out before us, welcoming, like an extension of home. Our whole world is here—our family, friends, everyone who matters.

It’s early evening when we return to the heart of the pack’s settlement. The air smells like the meal we’ll be having tonight—grilled meat, sweet corn, the spiced warmth of my mother’s best cooking. My father’s voice, Alpha Kantos, carries through the evening air, low and steady, as he talks to a few of the pack’s strongest fighters near the fire.

I give him a quick wave as my sister and I head over to the circle of our friends. Jace is already there, leaning against the trunk of a tree with his usual easy confidence. He catches my eye and gives me a wink, his grin softening a little as he watches me approach. I feel a blush creep up my neck, but I just smirk and pretend not to care...

“Not bad, Kaida,” Jace says, tossing me a flask.

“Almost kept up with your sister.”

I roll my eyes and take a drink, feeling the warmth of it spread through me. “Wait till I have my first shift, I'll be faster than all of you."

It's due to happen any moment day now, especially since my birthday has just passed. At the age of 16, we get our first shift, extremely painful, we've been told, but the pain is only the first time... afterwards, we will become extremely powerful and that's something I can not wait for.

“Is that a promise?” he teases, his blue eyes glinting in the twilight. There’s something in his gaze, something soft, maybe hopeful, and I feel my heart do a strange little twist.

“Maybe it is,” I say, challenging him. We all laugh, the easy, careless laughter of people who think they have forever. And maybe we do. At sixteen, forever feels like a guarantee. Jace and I have had feelings for each other for the longest time, and it's led us to believe that he and I are actually meant to be mates...

Thankfully, we get to choose our own mates, or more like the males get to choose us. Only female alphas, betas or gammas had the option to choose for themselves, meaning Korra will eventually have that luxury as well.

Jace was a year older, and I can't wait for both of us to turn 18 so we will be able to properly find out if he will indeed choose me. The evening settles in, stars blinking into the sky above, and the pack gathers in for the night. My parents sit close together, my mother’s hand resting on my father’s arm as he laughs with the others. My sister nudges me, smirking as she catches me glancing at Jace, her knowing look making me blush all over again.

I want to remember this. Every sound, every scent, every fleeting expression. But it’s all so ordinary, so wrapped in the comfort of routine, that I don’t think to hold onto it. I don’t think to worry...

Then, a sound—a low, unnatural growl—shatters the peace. I look toward the trees, my heartbeat faltering. My father stands immediately, his expression shifting from relaxed to tense in an instant.

“Stay here,” he commands, his eyes scanning the treeline.

But it’s too late. Figures emerge from the shadows, shifting, prowling, their eyes gleaming in the dim light. Wolves, but not any that belong here... Strangers, feral and menacing. Their movements are coordinated, as if driven by a purpose. Their scents are not that of Rogues, leading us to believe that they are from an ordinary Pack... but the question is, why would be attacking us...?

Chaos erupts before I understand what’s happening. My father shouts commands, warriors rushing to defend the pack, but the attackers are already upon us. Fangs flash, claws tear, and screams fill the air.

“Kaida! Korra!” My mother’s voice pierces through the noise, sharp and full of fear. She pushes me and my sister toward the tree line, her face pale as she shakes with fear. “Go! Hide—don’t let them see you!”

I stumble, my eyes widening as I look back, my chest tightening with terror, just as Korra stands close to me, her first instinct being to protect me and keep me from panicking, but it might already be too late for that.

My father stands tall, his voice booming as he directs the others, but his gaze keeps shifting back to me and my sister.

“Run!” he shouts, and this time, I don’t argue.

My sister grabs my hand, dragging me into the shadows of the forest, but not before I catch a glimpse of Jace, fighting alongside the others. Blood stains his clothes, his face twisted in pain, and I feel something crack inside me.

"Jace...?" I breathe out, watching as he moves with a ferocity and swiftness I had never seen before, killing every attacker in sight as he defends our Pack.

“We can’t leave them!” I begin to cry, attempting to rush in their direction, but my sister’s grip tightens, tugging me back.

“Kaida, listen to me, we need to go! We need to run okay, I need to protect you!” she says, her voice trembling. But my eyes are fixed on Jace, watching as one by one, more Wolves continue to overpower him. One bites into his shoulder, bringing him to the ground, another biting his arms, and right before my very eyes... he is ripped to shreds...

"JACE!!" I scream at the top of my lungs watching the guy I began to fall in love with get torn apart right in front of me.

"Fuck!" I hear my sister hiss before she grabs hold of me, throwing me over her shoulder and beginning to run in the opposite direction of the chaos. I sob against her shoulder, thrashing around and trying to break free of her hold.

The sounds around me intensify, tearing through the night—the growls, the brutal clash of bodies, the cries of pain and rage. I’m shaking, and everything in me is screaming to help them. If only I was able to. I see flashes of horror—figures falling, blood pooling, the gleam of fangs and claws tearing through flesh. My father is there, fighting with everything he has, his movements powerful. But there are too many. One by one, they close in, their feral eyes fixed on him.

I watch, helpless, as he goes down, their teeth sinking into him, his roar turning into a strangled cry. My mother’s scream splits the night, and I see her rush to his side, her face a mask of desperation. She fights with the same fierce determination, but it’s no use. They overpower her, her body falling beside his, the life draining from her eyes... both my parents... dead in a matter of minutes...