Chapter 1

(Layana’s pov)

I could feel a pair of hands shaking my shoulders vigorously. “Wake up Layana! Wake up! It’s your birthday today!” I opened my bleary eyes, adjusting to the sunlight seeping through the windows. I turned to see a very keen Faria standing next to my bed. Faria was my best friend and we were the same age. She had silky brunette hair. Her eyes were ocean-blue, and with high cheekbones, she looked absolutely stunning. We were as close as real sisters. Although sometimes she could be a bit too energetic, I still loved her dearly.

I lifted my head to check the time. 7:30 am. I groaned, “Dude, it’s only 7:30 am, stop and let me stay in bed a little longer.” With that, I laid back again and closed my eyelids. 

“No! We have a lot of shopping to do today. We also have to go out and have dinner. PLUS TODAY IS PROBABLY THE DAY YOU WILL FIND YOUR MATE. Just wake up!” Without any warning, she tore away my blanket. I immediately lost the warmth and comfort. I knew she wouldn’t let me go, so I woke up eventually.

I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. Then I jumped into the shower. I let the water cascade down, soaking my hair. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. I am finally 18 today. Will I be able to find my mate this year? Do I even want a mate?

“Layana, are you done yet?” Faria yelled frustratingly.

“Ya, coming.” I opened my eyes and turned off the shower. After getting dressed in a pair of simple jeans and a blue crop top, I walked out of the bathroom.

“Finally! Hurry up, we need to get you a dress today. Come on, let’s go!” Faria didn’t even wait for my response, instead, she pushed me out of the door. We got into the white coupe, and Faria took us to a fancy mall.

After an hour or so, we finally arrived. She ushered me into a store and gave me a pile of dresses. I tried on a strapless pink gown. There were roses decorated on the lower half of the dress, all the way from light pink to dark pink. The dress was to my liking, not too revealing and yet looked elegant. I glanced at the mirror once more before getting out.

I was admiring the dress when a sweet scent wafted into my nose. It smelt like pinewoods, I could feel my heartbeat racing all of a sudden. My wolf Luella howled excitedly. My eyes darted around, and they landed on a man not far away. He looked tall and well-built, but I couldn’t see him clearly. He seemed to be in a rush, and my eyes followed him as he dashed into the accessories shop we just went to. Such a peculiar man. 

Before I could turn my head again, the sweet scent returned and I could see the man walking in my direction. His eyes gleamed darkly, looking enraged and deadly. I took a sprint and ran away. I could see him running toward me out of the corner of my eye, I was petrified. Just when I thought I was going to be caught, a crowd left the lift. I lifted the skirt of the pink gown ran into the nearest store to find Faria. I panted and puffed, peeking from the door.

“WHERE IS SHE?”

I shivered as his booming voice echoed through the mall. He stormed into the nearest store and flipped over the clothes racks. I watched as the shop assistant staggered backward, trying to keep a safe distance from him.

“I don’t… don’t know… Alpha, she’d left minutes ago.” The assistant stuttered. 

“Guards! Lock the mall! Bring her to me!” He yelled again. 

I rushed to Faria and dragged her out of the shop. We better leave now! I mind-linked Faria. I will meet you at the carpark.

I had never felt my wolf acting so strangely, she was so jubilant and anxious at the same time, I hope he’s not the man from my nightmare.

When we arrived at the pack house, Faria left me alone so I could calm myself down and get ready for dinner. I could still feel Luella jumping excitedly, I had to take a few deep breaths and wash my face to let myself cool down.

I looked at my jewelry box, and settled on a pair of simple-looking silver stud earrings and a necklace with a dangling diamond in the middle with small stars on the side. I went to the wardrobe to grab my dress. When all was done, I went to choose my makeup products. I added some pale peach-coloured lipstick and pink blush.. Then, I decided to style my hair. I curled my hair a bit so the blond locks would look a bit wavy, then tied it into a half ponytail and used a golden clip to secure it. I grabbed my pink purse with me. Finally satisfied with my look, I walked downstairs.

“Girl, you are unbelievable!” Faria squealed. I gazed at her. She looked very alluring as well. She was wearing a strapless purple gown, with white beads surrounding the waist. The dress had silver glitters on the upper half of the dress. She also wore a pair of diamond earrings and a matching necklace like mine.

I smiled, “Thanks! You look good in that dress too.”

We got in the white coupe and she drove us to the restaurant that she had reserved for us. Several luxurious cars lining up in the car park, with different pack logos embedded on them. My wolf, Luella, got more and more exuberant as we entered the restaurant. This is going to be interesting, I thought.