New Beginnings

"I'm dying to see you!" I shout at my computer, unable to hide my excitement, "I know this isn't what you wanted and we're both really mad at Justin, but I'm so happy he did what he did because that means I finally get to see you."

"Oh, don't even fucking mention him right now," Cain growls and I can see him lowering his phone as he starts to climb onto his jet. I wait a few seconds until he's settled and then I can see his beautiful face on the screen again. So, so beautiful, "But I'm also really happy, Georgie. I've missed you so fucking much. And I'm going to need all your help figuring out how the hell to become a damn prince."

"Well, first rule: no swearing," I scold him playfully, and he rolls his eyes dramatically, falling back into his seat, "You'll get used to it, like me. Even though it fucking sucks."

"Well, at least I know I won’t be bored, as long as you're with me," he says with a warm smile as he looks at me, "The jet is about to take off, Princess. I'll call you as soon as I land."

"Alright, Prince Cain," I reply, earning an annoyed look from him, "Have a safe trip, see you soon."

I close the computer when the call ends and I sigh. I'm seriously so happy that my best friend is moving back just forty minutes away from me.

Cain is the ONLY thing that has kept me going these past six months since my mate died. Seriously, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that makes me want to live other than Cain.

I know it's horrible, but it's the truth.

Cain and I grew up together. My father is the King of Colucci and his parents are the King and Queen of Kallistar, two packs that have always been very close. We only drifted apart these last five years when he suddenly decided he didn't like our lifestyle anymore and moved to a human city to start his studies at some university and then travel around the world. I've always envied how easy it was for him to give up this life, but it won't be easy for him anymore.

His brother, Alpha Justin, lost his mind from the pressure a few months ago and he decided to step down from his position as Alpha and prince. Now my friend Cain has to take his place, which means he’ll have more responsibilities than ever before. But I'll be by his side every second of the way to help him with everything. Having a new purpose in my life feels good after feeling so lost these past six months.

Josephine suddenly enters my room, pulling me out of my thoughts. She is my personal assistant and has been by my side since I turned fifteen. I don't know what I would do without her, truly.

"The Kallistars are planning a welcome dinner for their son, Princess Georgie," she says with a smile that I immediately return, jumping out of bed with excitement. I guess Cain has no idea he's going to see me much sooner than he thinks, "Shall we find you something to wear?"

"Of course. I’m going to see Cain, so it has to be something absolutely perfect," I say and follow her to my closet, looking for a red dress because I still remember that’s his favorite color.

We spend an hour getting ready and when we're done, we go down together to the main hall of the palace, where my father is sitting, talking on his phone.

As soon as he sees me, he gets up and starts walking towards the car waiting outside, so I follow him and get in next to him while Josephine gets into the car behind us with my father's two assistants.

"Are you excited?" My dad asks around ten minutes later once he finishes his call. I nod with a big smile, "I'm so glad to see you happy again, dear. As soon as I heard about Cain's return, I knew you were going to be excited."

"I know, I'm SO excited. I'll be by his side to teach him how to be a good prince, you know Cain has always been way too... free,” I say, playing it down. Cain is independent to a fault. He absolutely hates to be told what to do.

"That's one way to describe him," my father laughs. Cain is also wild and rebellious, but in a good way. He's always been the one to pull me out of my comfort zone, and my father has always liked him.

I guess he'll like him even more now that Cain is the reason I’m happy again after being a depressed mess lately.

We arrive at the Kallistar pack territory and, as always, it puts me in a good mood to be here. Everything looks so... happy and colorful. There are a lot of businesses and people on the streets, lively and cheerful as usual. The streets are lined with walls with beautiful murals and artistic graffiti pieces because Alpha Justin loves art... Or he did, until he got fed up with life, I guess.

It's a contrast to my own territory, where everything is a bit boring in comparison, or ‘sophisticated’ as my father calls it. Or the Blues pack, where everything is so damn cold and calculatedly perfect.

The Kallistar palace is modern, and there are already some cars arriving to the garden. I wonder if Cain is about to arrive… god, my body is filled with butterflies just thinking about it.

I really, really missed him.

I get out of the car with the help of a Kallistar employee and we enter the palace. I take my time to greet people until I reach the King and Queen.

"Oh, Georgie," Jana says when she sees me approaching, "You look lovely, as always. It’s so nice to see you."

"Thank you, Queen Jana," I reply and return her hug before turning to her husband, "King Erik."

"Princess," he responds with a slight nod and takes my hand respectfully before giving me a more casual smile, "You didn't tell Cain you were coming, did you? We wanted it to be a surprise. He's been in a terrible mood since he heard the news."

"I didn't tell him, I was also planning to surprise him. And don't worry, Cain isn't someone who stays mad for long. I know he has everything it takes to be the new Alpha."

"That's undeniable, we just need to instill a little discipline in him," Jana says with a smile full of love, but suddenly her eyes widen as she looks at the door. I just have to turn to see my best friend entering, looking around at everything his parents have organized with surprise.

Tall, strong and gorgeous. Cain Kallistar could be a model or a superstar. His light brown hair is styled to perfection and his suit looks sharp. It’s crazy to see him in person after so long, especially since the last time I saw him he was definitely not this intimidating, sexy, twenty three year old man.

I step aside as his parents walk to greet him for the first time in five years, and then I approach them from behind with a smile.

Cain looks at me then and his whole face lights up, but then it falls, right after mine.

"What's wrong?" Jana asks when she sees that we both stand still, but I can't move and it seems like Cain can't either.

There is something going on here. Something that should be absolutely impossible.

For a second, I think this is just in my head, but as time goes by, I start to realize… it's real. He’s feeling it, too.

But, how?

"Georgette..." Cain starts, taking a few steps toward me. The rest of the people around us are starting to realize what's happening and I can feel their eyes on us, but my eyes are only on him, "Are you feeling the same thing I am?"

"I think so," I whisper with a slow blink. I put a hand on my chest to calm my heart and the animal inside me that starts to howl with the need to run to him. To her mate...

But Cain is not her mate.

Our mate died months ago. Cain is our best friend. Maybe I'm just confused.