CHAPTER ONE

I’ve been wanting to throw a can of food at my younger brother all day while he’s fooling around with his girlfriend. What a nuisance! I’m the eldest. He’s the youngest—but he’s the one who found his mate first. Life really is unfair because he’s only 18 and he has already found someone special. My brother is always so lucky, while I’m 23 and still haven’t found the man who’s meant for me—my soulmate. I don’t even know what I did wrong to not deserve one. I try to be nice. I don’t hurt anyone unless they try to harm me first.

Despite being a decent person in this world, I enjoy going out and partying with my friends, all of whom are already in relationships. Some of them are even married, while people in this village think I’m defective. Like I was born without a soulmate. So irritating! I’m still young, but usually, by the age of 18, you’ve already met your destined partner. What about me? Is mine just delayed? It’s been five years, and still nothing. Goddess, please don’t punish me like this. If I don't find him soon, they might even expel me from the pack—or worse, they might pair me with someone against my will.

Ugh! I better just get out of this house and party on my own. My friends are all busy now, with families of their own, and some are expecting babies. They can’t come drinking with me anymore, though we don’t really get drunk. I went upstairs to change into my solo party outfit—a dark blue bondage dress that clings to my body, black sheer stockings, and high heels. I let my jet-black hair fall loose and applied some light makeup and dark red lipstick. Once I was pleased with how I looked, I headed downstairs and walked toward the door.

“My dear sister, where are you going?” my brother asked. I smiled at him and brushed my hair away from my face.

“Well, I’m bored, so I’m going out,” I replied with a pout.

“But we have a celebration dinner tonight, remember? Dad said so earlier.” I sighed and looked at my innocent little brother—the favorite of our parents and practically everyone in the village. He’s such a good son—obedient, smart, and always following what our parents say. He’s the future leader of the pack because he’s male and has alpha blood.

I have alpha blood too, but you know how it is—people here are sexist. In their perspective, women stay at home, take care of the house, and look after the kids while the husbands work. Women here listen to their dominant partners and stay home once they’re married. They don’t have their own lives, no income of their own, and completely depend on their husbands.

Well, that’s not me! I don’t want to just stay in one place and follow orders from men who do nothing but step on women. They think they’re the only strong ones—the only ones capable of providing— but in truth, we women can do that too. We can hunt. We can put food on the table without relying on them.

We are talented, we are wise, but in this village, I seem to be the only one who sees it that way. Every woman here is submissive, and I really don’t like it. I also have Alpha blood, damn it! I refuse to allow a dominant male with a massive ego to manipulate me. If I ever find my soulmate, I want us to be equals. However, if he turns out to be a jerk, I will immediately reject him. I don't care if it leaves me without a partner!

I I approached my brother and gave him a pat on the shoulder. Out of everyone in the pack, he’s probably the nicest person to me. Recently, he has been busy training with the other males. He is our father's heir, destined to become the future Alpha. He may not be the eldest, but he’s male—and I’m just the daughter who’s expected to stay home. Cleaning the house, cooking food—just like my poor mother, who’s far too kind. I'm not that girl. I’m an independent woman, and I don’t want to rely on anyone! I wish for my brother’s success, and I sincerely hope he doesn’t turn out like our father.

“Reghal, this dinner is for you. You found your mate, and it’s a big celebration, especially for the future alpha. I’m sure no one will even notice I’m not there. I’ll celebrate on my own—and maybe search for my mate too. I’m jealous of you, honestly.” His face reddened, and he scratched his head, a gesture that made me laugh. I turned to the girl beside him—his girlfriend, his mate, the future Luna.

She’s my brother’s childhood friend. She is simply beautiful, innocent, and sweet. They’re compatible, but I also see a fierceness in her eyes. I hope when they rule the pack, things will change. I know they can bring change.

My brother even mentioned that he doesn’t want the pack to continue living so traditionally. He wants to respect it, but the world is changing fast. We now have cellphones, the internet, and so much more. But the people here act like they still live under a giant rock. Our village is fruitful, our pack is wealthy, and our family is rich—but it’s like we’re stuck in the past.

That’s why we young people often go to the neighboring village to go to the mall, watch movies, or hang out at a nightclub. We don’t have those here. We do have boutiques, family restaurants, and the largest supermarket that offers organic ingredients. That supermarket is what makes our village flourish.

Our restaurants are well-known for their delicious food. I have to say that’s true. That’s why we’re thriving. I’m proud of my family for that—because of their outstanding leadership. Here in this village, my father is like the mayor, and everyone follows him. Except me, well, occasionally. I’m probably the biggest headache in the family. I can honestly say I’m the black wolf of the family—which I literally am, because I am a black wolf. I am a very strong-willed and sexy black wolf.

My aunt Suzzaine, my father's sister and my mentor, is the only other woman in our pack with this trait. Like me, she doesn’t have a mate. She’s the one who taught me how to fight. We used to train in secret, sometimes with my brother. Then, a few years ago, she decided to travel, and she hasn’t come back since. At first, we stayed in touch, but after a year, our communication stopped. I’m sure she’s okay—maybe she finally found her mate. She’ll get in touch when she’s ready.

“Enjoy your party, brother. Don’t wait for me, and don’t mention me to our parents, or it might ruin their good mood. I’ll see you tomorrow!” I gave him a quick hug and kissed his forehead. Then I left the house, got into my old car, and drove off without saying goodbye to anyone else. I drove to the next village but stopped by a coffee shop to kill some time. It was still too early to go to the club my so-called friends and I frequent.

I entered the café and ordered a frappe and a pastry, which would serve as my dinner. I distracted myself by reading an erotic romance novel on my reading app. But I may have regretted it because I was getting turned on by what I was reading. Furthermore, my wolf had been restless since we got here. If I could smack her, I would!

Just as I reached the thrilling section of the chapter, a sudden sensation of tingling in my body prompted me to glance outside the café. I felt like someone was watching me from outside. People were walking by—humans and others like me—but I didn’t see anything unusual. I couldn’t even sense any danger, but the intensity of what I felt was overwhelming. I looked outside again, scanning with my eyes, but everything seemed normal. I shrugged it off and went back to reading.