Chapter 1

CHARLOTTE

I wrapped up the box with a blue ribbon and hurriedly ran out of my room. Today is the 18th birthday of Prince Caleb and the moon goddess will bless him with a mate. Hopefully, that mate is me.

I have always loved Caleb since we were diapers. As the Beta's daughter, we were always forced to be together. To get to know each other even more. Like what Alphas and Betas do, it is to strengthen her relationship with Caleb for the future of the Haven Blue pack.

I rushed to the side of a man with wide shoulders and thick arms. He gave me a side-hug. Beta Carl is the current Beta of the pack and my father.

He's been working for the royal family since his teens. No, he didn't have an aristocratic background, but he earned the trust of the pack's current Alpha. Therefore, he gained his right as Beta. However, many traditionalists were furious by this.

"You look beautiful as always, my princess." he said.

I giggled. Father always calls me princess even if I'm really not.

My laughter died down when my step-mom and half-sister arrived. I don't really have a good relationship with Princess Victoria and my sister, Angelica. Dad married the Alpha's sister two years after mom's death. The traditionalists were pacified when he wedded the princess and gave birth to Angelica.

I wasn't really happy and never bothered to build a relationship with them. Something about those two bothers me. I rolled my eyes and ignored them.

As soon as the Beta family was called. We entered the ballroom and I raised my head high. Even if I don't carry royal blood, I have the manners of a princess. Mom always reminded me to hold my chin up and be confident.

We took our seats and we sat on the right side of the Alpha royal family.

"Now, we shall welcome. Prince Caleb, our future Alpha!"

Everyone clapped as the prince made his entrance. He was beautiful and handsome as always. His striking golden eyes will always captivate me.

I gave Caleb a huge smile but he didn't look at me even once. My smile died down. Why is he acting weird today?

Alpha Lewis clinked his goblet with a fork and stood up. His aura overpowered us and we bowed down to him.

"Thank you everyone for coming today to celebrate my son's birthday. As per werewolf tradition, the moon priestesses will read to us the future of Caleb."

A woman in a full-length white robe stepped forward. Caleb kneeled down before her and she began chanting a spell. Her body shakes and quivers as her eyes turn full white as she oversees his future.

"The prince will meet his mate in a few weeks. A Beta daughter will be his mate and she will be the strongest, the greatest and the most powerful Luna and Queen of all time. The future of Haven Black and Prince Caleb will grow extensively with her as the mother of the royal pack. Beware, greed and power will ruin us all!"

The priestess closed her eyes and bowed to the royals before her.

Everyone happily cheered for the prince's bright future. Completely ignoring the warning at the end of the priestess' seer.

My heart thumps excitedly when she mentioned a 'Beta daughter'. My hopes went higher but then something was off. Everyone's expectations were thrown towards Angelica. Even father's eyes were over her.

What about me? Am I not a Beta's daughter too?

"I can't wait for you to become queen! Quickly, we must find an instructor for you. You need to start on your Luna training now!" Victoria hugged her child, full of excitement.

Soon, I felt ignored as their eyes were trained on Angelica. She will always be the daughter in the center of the spotlight. And I'll be behind her shadow.

This celebration soured my appetite so I left the ballroom and skipped dinner. Dad didn't even bother to call or look for me. I've never felt so neglected.

I wandered around the garden, my mind wandering in darkness. I gasped as I bumped into a hard body. I smelled a strong masculine scent and his arm wrapped around my waist. Capturing me from my downfall.

My breath hitched as my eyes stared back to his cold, blue eyes. I've never seen this Alpha before. He seems young and his aura was heavier, and stronger than Alpha Lewis and Caleb combined.

"Watch where you're going next time. I'm not here to save a damsel in distress." His rough and husky voice sent warm tingles to my spine. For some reason I was attracted to this mysterious man.

I cleared my throat and pushed him away. "Thank you for catching me, but you don't have to be so rude!"

"I can be rude whenever I want to, princess. I don't have a reason to act gentle with you."

"Y-You rude man!" And to think that I was attracted to him!

He smirked and my cheeks heats up. He's too handsome to exist in this world!

My body stiffened when he tucked a hair behind my ears. "You're even more beautiful than your sister."

I was speechless. I turned around as my pale face slowly turned red. There's no way his smooth words affected me! Only dad tells me that, but what more from a stranger?

I spun around only to see an empty spot. He's gone.

How come my heart felt lonely without that stranger?

"Charlotte, there you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" My friend, Chastity, came running towards me.

Chastity was the first and the last friend I've ever made. Because of my mother no one really accepts me from who I am. She was the one who befriended me and we became best friends ever since.

"I saw a man talking to you. Where did he go?"

"Y-You're probably dreaming! I only tripped and I didn't see any man!" I immediately made up an excuse.

If anyone knows that I was alone with a man my chances with Caleb will go thin.

Even if we're sweethearts, our relationship is left at a standstill. I can’t risk that when we made a promise to each other that we’ll be mates.

"Alright, if you say so. Your father is looking for you. Let's go back."

I nodded and followed Chastity. I felt a cold shiver behind my back. I looked back and saw the familiar figure of that stranger.

I held on to his cold eyes until I entered the ballroom.