2

Jane

Last month, my mom had sewn a simple sundress and folded it neatly for me. It had felt silky and had the prettiest colors, but I hadn’t put it on until today; because today was special. The day I had been looking forward to.

The day I had dreamed about since I was old enough to understand what mates meant. The day that could change everything.

The dress enveloped me like a gentle breeze, accentuating every curve. I didn’t know how my mother had gotten my measurements so perfectly when I was always hiding under baggy clothes, trying to make myself invisible.

When I twirled in my room, the hem of the dress swayed gracefully, and my auburn hair, tied in a neat ponytail, joined in the dance.

Even the sandals I was wearing were new; my mom had bought them from the local market.

For the first time in years, I smiled at my reflection. Really smiled.

But my stomach was a twisted knot of anxiety that threatened to make me sick. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life—the mating ball, where unmated alphas from across the territories gathered once a year to find their destined partners. It was my chance to finally meet him. The one who would love me unconditionally.

If he existed.

If he didn’t take one look at me and run.

I had been born into this werewolf world as the beta’s daughter, which should have meant something. Should have carried weight and respect. Instead, it had become another source of shame.

I was the eighteen-year-old infamous werewolf without a wolf; a walking contradiction that brought dishonor to my bloodline.

They expected me to be strong, to be the future female beta. Instead, I was the pack’s greatest disappointment.

My father wanted a daughter who would make him proud, who would carry on his legacy. When he looked at me—when he bothered to look at me—all I saw was crushing disappointment.

Maybe that would change when I found my mate. Maybe if he was strong enough, respected enough, my father would finally see me as something other than a failure.

Please, I begged silently. Please let him be everything I need him to be.

I had endured enough pain for several lifetimes. I couldn’t take much more. All I wanted was someone who would look at me with love instead of disgust - who would see past my flaws to whatever might be worth saving underneath.

Moon Goddess, please. Let him be kind.

As I stood there in my beautiful dress, I couldn’t help but hope that today marked the beginning of a new chapter—one where I was no longer a source of shame but a cherished and respected member of the pack.

“Jane,” my mother’s voice came through the door, accompanied by gentle knocking. “Are you in there?”

“Yes, Mother. I’m coming.” I rushed to open the door.

She was dressed in her finest clothes, and when she saw me in the sundress, her eyes filled with tears. Pride. Actual pride shone on her face.

“What are you doing?” she asked. “Why aren’t you downstairs yet?”

“I’ll be down in a minute. I just need to fix my hair,” I said, my voice betraying my nerves.

She noticed the discomfort on my face and cupped it with her hands.

“Jane, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”

How could I tell her I was terrified? That Lissa’s cruel words kept echoing in my head? That I was afraid he would reject me in front of everyone, giving the pack one more reason to laugh at their pathetic beta’s daughter?

“No, Mom. I’m fine, just—”

“Aren’t you excited to finally meet your mate today?”

I forced brightness into my voice. “Of course I am, Mother. I’m the happiest girl on Earth. I just hope the Moon Goddess blesses me with someone wonderful.”

“She will, my darling girl. I know it in my bones, you will meet your destined mate tonight, and he will love and cherish you exactly as you deserve.”

Her unwavering faith in my future happiness chased away some of my doubt. If my mother believed it so completely, maybe I could too.

“Thank you, Mother.” I hugged her tight, breathing in her familiar scent of lavender and home.

“Now finish getting ready quickly. You don’t want to miss a moment of tonight. I’ll be waiting downstairs; don’t take too long, alright?”

After she left, I returned to my mirror, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart.

It’s okay, Jane. Tonight changes everything. Tonight, you find your person.

“Jane!”

“Coming!” I did one final spin, sent up a prayer, and hurried downstairs.

“You look absolutely radiant, sweetheart,” my mother breathed as I reached her.

“Thank you, Mother.” I giggled, actually giggled, linking my arm through hers as we headed to the ball.

The enormous hall was beautifully decorated, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, glowing like the moon.

The air was filled with the soft hum of conversations and the occasional burst of laughter.

The scent of fresh flowers mingled with the aroma of delicious food, creating an inviting yet elegant ambiance.

Music from a live orchestra gently echoed through the hall, adding to the enchantment of the evening.

The she-wolves were clad in their fanciest dresses, smiling and giggling among themselves, and their makeup was done beautifully.

I didn’t have a fancy dress or any makeup, but my sundress was more than enough for me. All I wanted tonight was to meet my destined mate.

The mated alphas had their tables on one side of the hall, sitting with their Lunas, while the unmated alphas had their tables on the other side. The unmated she-wolves at the party were bubbling with excitement.

Soon, our Alpha made his grand entrance with his Luna, and they went to their seats. My father sat beside the Alpha since he was the beta of the pack.

That was when I saw him.

One of the unmated alphas drew my gaze like a magnet, and suddenly I couldn’t look away. He was... extraordinary.

Devastatingly handsome in a way that seemed almost otherworldly. Dark hair, strong jaw, an aura of power that made everyone around him seem smaller.

Could he be...?

Without my wolf, I couldn’t feel the mate bond, but something deep inside me responded to him. Something primal, desperate, and hopeful.

But he looked like a man who could have anyone. Why would someone like that be destined for someone like me?

“What’s wrong? Who are you staring at?” my mother demanded, jerking me back to reality.

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Nothing, I just... I felt drawn to that man over there.” I gestured subtly toward the devastating alpha. “There’s something about him.”

My mother followed my gaze, and her face went white with horror.

“Jane Biller, stop this instant! Do you have any idea who that is?” Her voice was sharp with panic. “That is the most ruthless and dangerous alpha in existence. They call him the Beast for a reason. You do NOT want his attention.”

But he didn’t look cruel or ruthless. With his looks, he could have been an actual angel from heaven. But then again, they did say looks could be deceiving, right?

“Don’t ever point at him again,” Mother hissed. “If I were you, I’d focus on finding your actual mate and pray to the goddess it’s not him.”

“I’m sorry, Mother,” I muttered.

Soon, her friends swept her away, leaving me alone in the crowd. I wandered through the ball, searching faces, hoping for that magical moment of recognition my mother always described.

The incredible smells from the buffet made my stomach growl. I had been too nervous to eat today, so I headed toward the food tables, still stealing glances around the room.

I was so busy looking everywhere except where I was walking that I crashed straight into what felt like a brick wall.

Strong arms caught me before I could fall, one hand gripping my wrist with controlled strength that sent electricity racing up my arm.

“Watch where you’re going.”

The voice was deep, commanding, with an edge that should have terrified me—but instead made my knees weak. When he released me, I immediately missed the contact.

“I’m sorry,” I breathed, stepping back while my entire body thrummed with awareness. What was happening to me?

My mind spun with confusion and longing. Part of me wanted to lean back into his touch, to feel those strong hands on me again. Another part screamed that this was dangerous territory.

Could he be...? Was this what the mate bond felt like?

I looked up slowly, afraid of what I’d find—and met the darkest, most intense eyes I had ever seen. They bore into mine like he could see straight through to my soul.

I gasped softly.

It was him. The alpha my mother had just warned me about.

The Beast.