Prologue: My First Kiss

The Past: One Year Ago

Kayleigh, Age Sixteen

Wolf Blood Debutante Ball, Ireland

            My entire existence relied on this night.

The late August moon was full and bright. My family and more than a dozen wolf packs from every part of the world were here to celebrate this year’s debutantes.

My dress was exquisite… long, royal blue silk, and custom Italian couture. I wore my long red hair down. I came ready.

Everyone was here at the “Debs” ball to enjoy the food, the music, and to celebrate our wolf blood ties. At midnight, those with wolves would go for the pack run in the woods behind our mansion.

Then the moment I have been waiting for will happen. I was finally going to get my first kiss.

            While my friends and cousins asked The Seer about when their wolves would emerge, or when they’d meet their fated mates, or which career path they should take, I simply asked for one thing: When will I have my first kiss? The Seer said that tonight was the night.

            Of course, like always, The Seer was very vague with information. She didn’t really give any specifics about who would be my first kiss. She did say that it would be a good-looking man whose wolf would one day rule a powerful pack and that he apparently has been harboring love for me for a few years now.

            Only one man came to mind. Andrei Romanov, the alpha heir of the Korol Volkov Pack. My long time, special friend.

            Good-looking? Andrei!

One day would rule a powerful pack—meaning an alpha heir? Andrei!

            Has been harboring love for me for a few years now? Probably, maybe, Andrei!

            I’ve been thinking of kissing Andrei every night since last year’s Debs. I wasn’t a debutante last year but he didn’t mind, he still took me for a dance. Well, after Prince Killfun bullied his way into stealing my first dance! Ugh, that Cillian O’Ryan—he should have been named Killfun.

 Back to Andrei. My wolf hasn’t emerged but I can feel in my heart that Andrei might be my fated mate. MIGHT. I’ll know for sure when my wolf comes forward.

“A penny for your thoughts.” I felt a shiver upon hearing the masculine voice. I turned around, surprised to see him here.

“Cillian, speaking of the devil.” My heart suddenly beat so fast at the sight of him. When did he get so tall? Okay, and ruggedly handsome, too? With his black tux, shining dark brown hair and amazing physique, he looked like a model straight out of GQ magazine.

“Little Ireland, I’d say I’m hurt that you look disappointed to see me, but I see you’ve been thinking about me.” Any movement of his mouth brought out his dimples.

“Uh, nope. Not thinking of you. Should I call you ‘Captain America’ then, since you’re from America?” He was the Alpha heir of Blue Blood Pack, a powerful wolf pack in the States.

“No, but ‘Captain Awesome’ is good,” he smiled.

“Egoistic much? Nah. You’re not that awesome. So, just Captain America.”

“Ah, I’m so touched. From Prince Fugly to Prince Killfun to Captain America, slash, Captain Awesome. You are too kind to me, Little Ireland.” He grinned, then ran his fingers through his hair as he slanted his head to stare at me.

“Still too full of yourself, I see.” I rolled my eyes after I sighed. 

“Thank you. And you’re even more beautiful as ever, I see.” Always the jousting with this one. I don’t remember a time that we didn’t banter.

“Kill, what do you want? I’m not dancing with you tonight. You bullied me into dancing with you last year. That’s not gonna happen tonight. I have some important things to do.” I pretended to look uninterested. Being around Cillian always made me nervous. His stares made me uneasy, only because I was worried he’d think I didn’t look pretty enough or something.

“I like the sound of my name when you say it like that. And what other important things do you have planned other than to make your guests feel at home? Your guests, as in, ME.” He took slow steps towards me. “My wolf finally emerged last summer… before I turned 18. Exactly two years after I started feeling and dreaming about him. Have you sensed your wolf yet?”

“I don’t really have time to talk about this, and if I do, it wouldn’t be with you.” I suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Normally, 2-3 years before wolves come forward, they start manifesting in dreams. A connection starts to blossom between the human and the wolf as soon as the bond begins to develop. Senses become heightened. Wolf-like abilities become apparent.

I will be 17 in September, in a few weeks, but I haven’t felt my wolf. Not a single bit. The idea of not having a wolf scared me. My wolf is my solid link to my wolf bloodline. Having a wolf will not only uphold my family’s legacy, but also reinforce my ties to the wolf blood.

“You really look beautiful, Kayles. Even my wolf thinks so. Do you want to meet him tonight? Maybe come see me before the pack run?” His voice had changed. Almost sounded like he was being nice.

“I, umm… well… umm…” There was a sudden change of mood between the two of us. I blinked and he was standing right in front of me. Toe-to-toe. Breathing the same air. He was peering down at me. His thumb brushed my cheek, and then tilted my chin to look at him.

I was mesmerized by his hazel eyes. I’ve always known there were gold specks in his irises since the first time I met him, many years ago. But I could never stare at him too long. I always avoided looking at him, as a matter of fact, worried that it would be too obvious that I thought he was cute… even though he annoyed me to no end.

He leaned down and let his full lips flutter over mine. I inhaled deeply and was getting hypnotized by his scent. Sandalwood and citrus. And then he kissed me. Slow and soft. His mouth explored mine with urgency but yet with sweet caresses, sending warm emotions through my whole body. He pulled me closer, consuming my senses with so much passion. I moaned into his kisses, shamelessly so.

My head felt like it was going to burst, all the while spinning around.

I’ve imagined being kissed, probably a million times. But I never thought it would be this… heavenly. Magical. Like it was a dream come true. Like Cillian was the right person. Like it was meant to be.

But everything that is good and heavenly must come to an end.

CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!

Oh no!

I instantly pulled myself away from him and took steps to put distance between us. Embarrassment and shame poured over me. He grabbed my hand to stop me from falling. I rearranged the front of my gown as I turned to look at where the clapping sound came from.

Andrei! No, no, no!

“If I knew that you’ve already chosen a partner for the ball, I wouldn’t have bothered dressing to the nines, Kayleigh.” Tall and dashingly handsome in a black tux. If his face didn’t show his broken heart, his voice sure did.

I was speechless. Before I took another step back I looked at Cillian, enraged by the kiss. Or perhaps irritated by my reaction to the kiss. I wanted to be mad, but I wasn’t. I was confused. I didn’t know what to do. So I slapped him. “How dare you!”

I expected him to be angered. But instead, he reached for my hand. “Listen, I know you’re mad. I didn’t plan to just kiss you like that. I mean, I wanted that kiss but I didn’t want you to feel like I violated you. I wanted to talk to you first. I still do. Can we go somewhere? I just wanna talk. There’s so much I want to tell you.” There was a genuine look of sincerity on his face.

“We have nothing to talk about. I don’t ever want to see you or talk to you again, Cillian.” Funny how the way I said those words didn’t sound like I meant it.

“Every year she tells you to leave her alone. And yet every year you keep coming back like a sore thumb. What do you want, Cillian? Why don’t you just leave us alone?” Andrei walked towards me and offered me his hand. Which I took.

“Hmm. I would answer your question, but I’ll let Kayleigh figure that out. She’ll find out soon enough.” His jaw hardened as he stared at my hand clasped in Andrei’s. I swear I saw his eyes change color, from hazel to shiny gold. Even his wolf eyes were mesmerizing. It wasn’t easy to tear away my gaze from him.

“Whatever that means!” I glanced at him one last time as I pulled Andrei to walk away with me. I looked at him like I wanted to choke him. Not because he kissed me, but because the kiss—our kiss—left me with so many questions. Questions I don’t have the guts to ask him. Questions with answers I don’t think I can handle.

I’ve known Cillian and Andrei since I was nine and they were both 11. I’ve always had constant communication with Andrei, but since Cillian lived across the world from me, I only saw him a few times a year. I made myself believe that I’ve only cared about Andrei and never had feelings for Cillian. But that kiss--- my first kiss --- changed it all. I could no longer lie to myself.

Tonight changed the course of my life, and not how I planned it.

Two extraordinary men in the Wolf-blood circle and in my life. Both strong Alpha heirs in their own right. Both coming from powerful pack families. And together, they become both my blessing and my curse.

As destiny would have it, both held a key to my heart: One was meant to cherish it… and the other was destined to break it into pieces.

But wait, I don’t even have a wolf… yet.

Moon Goddess, I pray unto you, bestow upon me the other half of myself, the extension of my being, my beast, my wolf.

I don’t think I can handle this path you’ve given me by myself.

Moon Goddess, are you there? I’m begging you, at least send me a sign that I have a wolf…

Please?

***Hey lovely readers, If you want to see more pictures and video trailers of Cillian and Andrei, chat with me about the book, get sneak peeks, and meet other readers,  please come find me and talk to me! I'd love to meet you guys! Find me... KT Valentine - Author ... also at KT Valentine's Baby Dolls