Chapter 1— Eighteenth Birthday

Lianne

“Snow,” I whispered, staring out the window in my room.

It used to be my favorite thing in the world. Soft, silent, untouched.

I had thought that something so white could never be ruined.

Until I saw it turn red. And I realized even the purest things stain.

The violin downstairs soared over laughter and clink of crystal glasses.

Most of the pack members were present. It was the birthday of the adopted daughters of the Alpha family after all.

My twin sister, Lysa would definitely be over the moon. She had long wanted such an extravagant birthday party.

She loved the attention.

I would have been down there too. Celebrating with everyone, if it weren't for that night…

I sighed, shaking the thought off.

Eighteenth birthdays were supposed to feel special. It was a very important time in every werewolf's life.

Yet mine felt like an opportunity. An escape. One that I've longed for.

My phone beeped, bringing me back to the room. I looked around for my phone and grabbed it when I found it on the bed.

It was a message, ‘I’m here'

Without hesitation, I grabbed my jacket, walked slowly down the stairs, and slipped out through the back door before anyone could see.

Not that they'd stop me anyway. They've stopped trying to.

The moment I stepped into the cold night air, the scent of forest after rain wrapped around me.

The scent that had slowly become my favorite.

“Kai” I murmured.

And just like that, my chest loosened.

I got into his car, and he drove me to his house where we'd be celebrating our birthday together.

Kai’s house was quieter than the pack house ever was. No music and no laughter that didn’t belong to me.

Just the soft hum of the heater and the faint scent of pinewood. I kicked off my boots and flopped on his couch.

It was funny how I felt more comfortable here than I ever felt at home.

He stood there, hands in his hoodie pocket, watching me like he was trying to memorize something.

“What?” I asked, my brow raised.

“Nothing,” he muttered.

“I'm hungry”

He chuckled lightly, “I know”

He took my hand and led me to the balcony, where a table was set with my favorite dishes.

“It's your birthday too” I said.

“You're the star tonight, you'd be getting your wolf, your dream and maybe a mate” he pulled out a chair for me to sit.

“Don't jinx me. What mate?” I said swatting his arm playfully.

My dream was simple, turn eighteen, get my wolf, run off to college and then away from the pack. A mate has never been in my plans, the last thing I needed was someone who would tie me down to this pack.

“Wear a jacket” I said as he sat down. It was too cold for him. It was ridiculous that a wolf feared cold or rather got affected by it.

But…

“I can mana—” he didn't get to finish that sentence before letting out a cough.

I gave him a ‘I told you’ look before going to the living room to get his jacket.

The next few minutes was spent in silence, with only the sounds of spoon clinking against plate.

I rubbed my bulging belly after eating more than half of the food on the table. “I feel eight months pregnant”

Kai shook his head slightly. He had long been used to me being like this.

After school, I would head to my part time jobs and work my a** off to save money for college.

I didn't like eating at the pack house, so I'll either stay hungry for most of the day then go to his house to eat at night, or he'll bring me some food.

He paused, “Close your eyes.”

I narrowed my eyes instead. “That’s suspicious.”

He huffed a small laugh. “Just trust me.”

I did. I always did. I felt him walk around me. Then something cool brushed against my collarbone.

When I opened my eyes, he was fastening a thin silver chain around my neck.

It was a small simple oval plate resting against my skin.

“What is it?” I asked softly.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s… a locator.”

I blinked. What do I need this for?

“My uncle helped me modify it. It links to mine.” He tapped the chain hidden beneath his shirt.

“If anything ever happens, I’ll know where you are.”

The room went quiet and I tensed up. If I was ever in danger, he was the last person I wanted rushing towards it. I didn't want him suffering more than he already had.

“Don’t get dramatic,” he added quickly. “It’s just smart. You know how things are lately.”

Yeah, things. Borders, politics, and rogues. My fingers curled into a fist.

I touched the little necklace. “Does that mean I can track you too?” I asked.

He hesitated for half a second, then nodded. “Yeah.”

That was the part that mattered. Not just protection, mutual protection.

I stepped closer and tugged the chain under his shirt until his matching one surfaced. It was the same design.

“You’re not allowed to die,” I said lightly, though my stomach clenched and churned at the thought.

He was the first person I had sworn to protect.

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Not if you don’t.”

And for a second, the world outside didn’t exist.

My wandering gaze fell on the table clock, “Oh sh*t” I suddenly said loudly.

The time was 11:58pm, I should be in the woods getting ready to transition!

Without a word, I ran out and into the woods. I could hear Kai running after me. Probably for technical and emotional support.

Once I was deep enough, I slowed down. The first transition was always painful. I swallowed. I was scared, and worried.

Kai's transition had left me traumatized. I know mine wouldn't be like that, but still…

I remembered the the sound of his bones snapping. The way he didn't scream. The way he bit through his own tongue instead.

And the fact that it hasn't ended.

A scream escaped my lips before I could control it. Damn it! I didn't even get time to give myself pep talk.

My spine arched violently. Something cracked, sharp and sickening and heat exploded through my ribs.

My fingers curled inward, nails splitting, bones shrinking. I bit down on a scream and tasted blood.

I could feel the cold sweat trailing down my back and most importantly Kai's presence behind me.

He didn't talk, just stared. I know how hard it was for him just watching me.

I wanted him here and didn't all at once.

Minutes passed and soon I was on all fours. The pain disappeared, replaced by a feeling of raw, untamed power flooding through my veins.

My senses sharpened. I could hear Kai's heartbeat, steady and loud. I could smell the damp earth beneath the snow. I could feel the wind shift against my fur.

I raised my head and howled at the moon according to tradition.

Next, I looked at my paws. White, really white. There was no water nearby, so I turned to Kai.

“She's beautiful, Anne” he said with a sweet smile.

He dipped his hand into a backpack I didn't notice he carried and surprisingly brought out a mirror.

Who prepares a mirror for transition? I'm afraid in the whole Frostclaw pack, only he could think of such.

And that was because he knew me well. He knew I would want to see my wolf immediately.

I gazed into the mirror, locking eyes with the huge wolf in the mirror.

It was pure. It was white. I wasn't.

“I say you call her Snow,” Kai said softly.

Snow.

Maybe I would have, two winters ago. Back when I still believed white meant untouched.

“Let’s call her Lyriel,” I mind-linked him instead.

The name felt older than me. Stronger than me.

“Hop on”

I could feel his heartbeat spike, he definitely didn't expect that. Allowing one to ride on your wolf was something special, wolves didn't allow anyone except their mates.

He wasn't my mate, but he was very special to me. Also, I know how much he longed for a ride through the woods.

I didn't have to ask twice, he was already sitting comfortably on Lyriel’s back. I had expected some protest or even dissatisfaction from Lyriel, but there was nothing.

Soon, we were running frantically through the woods. Lyriel’s paws sunk into the snow. The air was freezing but I felt warm all over.

The warmth was mostly from Lyriel’s fur, but also from the person on my back. He was happy now, and that was all that mattered.

Even though he had hidden it well, I knew he was in a bad mood. I was too. After all, the full moon was coming. His nightmare was coming.

Our nightmare.

After what seemed like forever, Lyriel stopped at the top of the mountain overlooking the pack house.

As I stared at the pack house, I couldn’t help the feeling of unease that crawled through my veins.

I felt like something was going to happen tonight. Something that'll change the lives of everyone around me.