Chapter One

Chapter One

Melody’s POV

“Wake up, wake up. Come on Melody...” an unfamiliar voice rouses me from my sleep.

“Whaaa... what time is it?” I roll over and pull my pillow over my head to block out whoever is rude enough to wake me up before lunch time on my birthday.

“It is past lunch time, it must be, I’ve been waiting ages to talk to you, come on, get up.”

The voice is clear as crystal despite the pillow.

It takes my sleep addled brain a minute to realise why.

“You are my wolf. I’ve waited so long for you.” Tears burn my eyes as the feeling of my wolf filling my skin and my mind takes over. I’ve been alone for so long, the wait to get my wolf felt like a lifetime.

“You aren’t alone anymore Melody, and after we find our mate, you will have a family

again.” My wolf sounds as excited and hopeful as I feel.

“Do you really think we will find him? I hope he is from a pack far away from here, far

away from all the stares and... him.” The thought of being mated to the future Alpha makes me queasy. My longest friend, the boy I’ve grow up with and hoped would be my mate for years is now my tormentor.

He hates me and I could never be his.

“That’s enough of that. The goddess will surely give you a mate who will protect your

heart. Now get up. We have a party to get ready for.” My wolf has no intention of letting me sleep, she’s actually kind of pushy.

“I’m up, I’m up.” I throw back my covers and sit, laughing a little at how weird it is to have a conversation inside my own head.

I pad barefoot across the plush carpet, wiping sleep from my eyes, and take in the intricate beading on the iridescent lilac fabric of the gown hanging on my wardrobe door.

A gift from Alpha Luther, no doubt. There’s no note, but who else would make such a gesture? Perhaps Luna Raine helped pick it out, it looks like it will fit perfectly.

The early morning light catches the gown, and it shimmers like moonstone, the same stones set into the tiara my mother wore on her own eighteenth birthday. That tiara has always been my favourite, and having it today makes me feel closer to her, even though the ache of her absence is almost unbearable.

“If our mate is here tonight, he won’t be able to resist us in this. Nobody will recognise you.” My wolf hums approvingly as I glance at my dishevelled reflection if the mirror.

The plunging neckline and open back will leave nothing to the imagination. This dress couldn’t be further from my usual sweatpants or leggings and baggy jumpers. The glittering shoes set neatly on the floor are a far cry from my battered runners, how do people even walk in heels that high?

“You’re not kidding. I doubt my own parents would recognise me.” A pang of pain fills my chest and I take a deep breath. This is the new beginning I’ve been looking forward to.

It’s time to move on and choose happiness. The geeky girl who was the butt of everyone’s jokes is gone. I won’t allow anyone to ruin today for me, especially not Arthur.

The day flies by in a blur of pampering, courtesy of Luna Raine. When I finally stand before the mirror, I barely recognise myself. My long black hair tumbles in glossy waves, my sage-green eyes shimmer with silver and green shadow, and nude gloss softens my lips. It feels like wearing a mask, a disguise. I can do this. A fresh start with my wolf, and hopefully somewhere far away with my mate.

“Damn right you can.” My wolf encourages as I take a deep breath and head to the main hall. The noise tells me guests have arrived, and butterflies riot in my stomach.

As I enter, every eye turns to me. A cheer erupts as Alpha Luther wishes me a happy birthday. My cheeks burn as I accept a glass of wine, and hear whispers about the geeky orphan scrubbing up well.

“Regina.” I force politeness into my voice when I see who is offering me the glass. Why is she here, grinning like she’s happy for me? Between her and Arthur, the last two years of my life have been hell.

“I know I haven’t been good to you, Melody. I’m sorry. I was mean and childish, but we aren’t children anymore. I hope we can start fresh.” She hands me another drink as I drain my first glass. I can feel people’s stares and hear their whispers. I knew they would talk but I’ve never thrived in the limelight.

I smile and raise my glass, thanking Alpha Luther and Luna Raine for the beautiful party, then turn to put Regina behind me.

“The past is the past. I just want to move forward.” I force a smile and go to walk awaybut her hand snaps out and grabs my arm with a bruising grip.

“Sorry, sometimes I don’t know my own strength.” She laughs it off.

“No harm done.” I lie, pulling free.

“Come, there’s a quiet corner over here. I know you hate crowds.” She steers me past a group of old classmates. The boys all look me up and down, desire showing in the way their eyes linger. The girls regard me with a different kind of contempt. Recognition that I’m no longer the victim, I’m competition. Not that I would ever entertain any of the boys who humiliated me every day.

“Forget them, Melody. We are moving on to bigger and better things. Do you sense our mate yet? He could be in this pack. I know you want to leave, but if he is here we could find him tonight.” My wolf is so keen to find her other half she watches through my eyes, hoping to feel that connection.

“Melody? Is that really you? Wow. Who knew you were hiding a body built for sin under those hideous jumpers?” Dirk’s smarmy voice sends a sickening shiver down my spine.

“Dirk.” My clipped tone conveys both disgust and dismissal as I turn away from his predatory gaze and finish my drink.

“Leave her alone Dirk, she isn’t interested.” Regina puts a skinny arm across my shoulder and offers me another drink. “It’ll steady your nerves. Ignore their stares and whispers. They just can’t believe your transformation. You really do look so different ,

pretty.” she almost imperceptibly gags on the last word.

A tiny bit of excitement comes to life deep in the pit of my stomach at the thought of Arthur seeing me like this. Wherever Dirk goes, Arthur is usually there too. For so long we were convinced we would be mates, then everything changed. It’s like he started hating me the same day he got his wolf. I don’t know what I did to deserve it, but a petty part of me wants him to see me, to see what he pushed away with his cruel acts and punishing words.

As the hours pass, guests come over to greet me, complimenting me on what a beautiful young woman I have grown into, handing me an envelope of cash and a drink, as is custom. By the time future Beta Dane, Arthur’s closest friend, comes over to wish me happy birthday, I’m feeling a little unsteady on my feet and my social battery is almost empty.

“I’m just going to freshen up.” I leave the small group who have gathered around our table and take extra care not to wobble or stumble and embarrass myself.

“Lay down for a little bit, the alcohol will soon be out of our system.” My wolf hums happily. She loved every minute of the attention and is happily picturing our mate and what he might be like.

I don’t remember taking off my shoes, or my dress. But when I wake, I’m very aware of the sheets rubbing against my bare skin. There is an unfamiliar scent surrounding me too. It’s in my bed. It’s all over me.

As I peel my eyes open, the room spins and I feel sick. What happened?

Someone moves beside me and only then do I freeze in horror as I notice a dozen faces staring down at me in shock. I grab the blanket and bolt upright. Why is there someone in my bed and why is everyone in my room? I can’t.... my lungs feel empty and the faces blur together as tears fill my eyes.

“Worthless orphan slut.” Someone in the crowd snarls.

“Disgrace.” Another voice agrees.

“Mate. Our mate.” The world crumbles as my gaze clears and locks on Arthur as he makes his way to the front of the gawping crowd. I see it in his eyes as his shock turns into disgust, then fury. No, no, no, no. This can’t be happening. Not him. I don’t want Arthur, not anymore. My wolf only sees her mate and her desire and excitement override my crushing disappointment.

“Arthur, please. It’s not what you think. I didn’t.... we didn’t...” I choke on the words,

panic rising. I’ve saved myself for my mate. For him.

“You reek of him Melody. How could you? I’ve waited.... we always said... I can’t... I,

Arthur Slade, reject you as my mate and the future Luna of Silver Moon pack, Melody Fuller.” His cold words pierce me and my wolf howls in agony as her mate turns and walks away without a backwards glance.