4

SKY

I take one last look in the mirror, studying the messy bun I learned to do from a video online. It isn't perfect, but it will have to do for tonight. My fingers smooth the soft fabric of my midnight-blue dress - the one I bought with months of tips and savings from Jersey Store, the small café where I've worked for years. Every coin I've saved went into this dress, though if I could trade it for a real friend in the pack, I would in a heartbeat.

My green eyes shimmer under the faint light, that same emerald glow that never seems to dull, even when I'm hurting inside. A little makeup makes my pale skin glow, and I swipe a clear gloss over my lips before stepping out into the night air. My heels click softly as I cross the courtyard toward the Silver Moon Pack hall, my pulse quickening with each step.

The hall is draped with silver and blue streamers that shimmer under the light. Wolves of all ranks fill the room, laughing, talking, waiting. My heart races as I step inside. Nobody turns to look at me. That's fine. I prefer it that way. I lift my dress slightly to avoid tripping and quietly take in my surroundings.

Tonight is the night of my first shift. Midnight will mark my change, the moment when I'll finally become one of them - a full wolf. But the stories I've heard make my stomach twist.

"I thought my bones were going to break."

"My wolf was so big, I didn't even recognize myself."

"I couldn't stop craving meat afterward."

Their words replay in my head. I've never seen a shift before, only heard the sounds. The cracking. The screaming. I grip the edge of the table, my mind fogging. Where's Lamen? Why do I keep thinking about him? His name echoes in my head again and again until I can barely breathe. My chest tightens. The air feels heavy. My skin burns, and the heat spreads until I feel like I'm on fire.

"Happy birthday, Sky. Good luck with your first shift. Would you like some punch?"

Susan's voice startles me. She smiles politely, but her eyes are dull and lifeless. I manage a small nod, clutching my throat.

"Does it have alcohol in it?" I ask, my voice trembling higher than I intend.

"Oh yes," she says, almost amused. "You're going to need it. The change is already starting."

Sweat drips down my temple. The room suddenly feels smaller. Then I feel it - that familiar, powerful presence. My heart stutters. Lamen. He's here.

I turn just as he walks in, dressed entirely in black. The sight of him steals the air from my lungs. His movements are strong and sure, every step filled with confidence.

That same dark energy rolls off him, pulling me in like a magnet. My body reacts before my mind can catch up, heat pooling low in my stomach. I silently beg the Moon God to stop this from happening. Please, don't let Lamen be my true mate. Anyone but him.

But it's too late. Every breath he takes matches mine. I can feel his heartbeat syncing with my own. Faster. Harder. Closer.

He stops just inches from me, his breath brushing against my face. My cheeks burn. I probably look a mess. Without a word, he pulls a tissue from his pocket and gently wipes the sweat from my forehead. The gesture makes my stomach twist in confusion. The room fades away - it's just him and me.

Susan hands me the punch, but my focus stays locked on him. I take a shaky sip, hoping he'll walk away. He doesn't.

"Don't run from me," he murmurs, voice low and rough. "It's you. You're my mate. I can feel it. I can smell it from my house."

My breath catches. "Wha-what are you talking about?" I whisper, clinging to denial.

"You know what I'm talking about," he says softly. "I won't hurt you anymore. Not now that I know you're mine. We should talk somewhere private."

The alcohol burns down my throat, giving me false courage. "Forget it, Lamen," I manage to say. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

For a moment, his face softens, the cold edge fading. "I don't hate you," he says, his tone raw. "I've always wanted you. Liked you."

He reaches for my hand, his fingers wrapping around mine. My body betrays me, trembling under his touch. I notice the curve of his lips, the warmth in his eyes that wasn't there before.

"You have a funny way of showing it," I whisper.

"Let's talk," he insists. "You look beautiful, Sky. I want to make things right. For everything I've done."

There's pain in his voice, maybe even regret. I want to believe him, but my heart is racing too fast to think clearly. My body feels drawn to him - a magnetic pull I can't explain. Then, before I can stop myself, his lips find mine.

The world falls away. His mouth is warm, hungry. My arms wrap around his neck, his hands tracing my waist. The kiss deepens, stealing the air from my lungs. I lose myself in it, until reality crashes back in.

I pull away, dazed. The room spins. "Wait-you have a girlfriend. Aria. What about her?"

He shakes his head, eyes locked on mine. "Don't worry about her. You're my true mate, Sky. I'm sorry for everything." He kisses my hands tenderly. My mind screams no, but my body aches yes.

Then the microphone crackles. My father, Lucien Silver, stands on the stage with a glass in his hand, smiling at the crowd.

"Well, it looks like we have ourselves a mate bond," he announces. "Lamen, am I right?"

Lamen gives a slow nod, still holding my hand. My voice catches in my throat. I can't speak.

The room erupts in whispers. Aria stands near the front, her cream dress glowing under the lights, her expression twisted with rage. My stomach sinks. I'm trapped in a nightmare I can't wake from.

Lucien lifts his glass. "Then it's settled. With the sealing of a kiss, we have a new mate pair. A mating ceremony will be arranged at once!"

The crowd murmurs, some disapproving, others stunned. My head spins. My heart pounds so hard I can barely breathe.

This night was supposed to mark my first shift - a moment of pride. Instead, it's turned into chaos. And I have no idea how to escape it.