For a few seconds, I stared up at the sky to calm my emotions and hold back the tears welling up. I felt a certain relief and, at the same time, anxiety, because I knew how persistent wolves could be when it came to their mate. And my sister was still so young and naive! It seemed that this year, my New Year’s wish would be for that couple to hold out without sex at least until Tanya turned seventeen. Otherwise, I’d deal with this Zavir with my own hands! With just a couple of minutes left before the New Year, the crowd began actively pouring their festive drinks, preparing to welcome the first day of the new year. I admit, I had never celebrated this holiday in a public place with so many people before. It was quite atmospheric and somehow interesting. You just can’t experience such collective emotions at home. The countdown began, and everyone together chanted the numbers, lighting sparklers and other garlands. When the clock struck twelve, the park seemed to explode with joyful
The few days leading up to New Year’s flew by in a whirlwind of holiday fuss. I went to clean the Alpha’s house two more times, and he wasn’t there. Judging by everything, he hadn’t been home at all during those days — which, on one hand, I was glad about… but on the other hand, I couldn’t help but feel a tiny sting of disappointment at finding the house so empty. Women — go figure. I couldn’t even understand myself. Maybe it was because Wayland hadn’t left my dreams for even a single night? Today is the thirty-first, and we’re on our way to the Alerko family’s home. Tanya was thrilled that we wouldn’t be stuck at home alone again and enthusiastically agreed to finally spend the holiday somewhere else. We’d agreed not to exchange gifts, but still — good alcohol is always welcome. So I picked up a bottle of quality whiskey, made a couple of salads and a few appetizers. I couldn’t show up to someone’s house empty-handed! The oracles, Artyom and Lena Alerko, lived in a lovely littl
“So, if you saw Tanya and Zavir together, would you be able to tell for sure if they’re true mates?” — the thought suddenly struck me, and I looked at my friend with immense hope. “Yes, I’d be able to tell for sure. Although I’m already certain that our beta wasn’t lying,” our oracle replied, giving me a reproachful look. “I understand, but I’m still very worried about my little sister and I’d really like to be absolutely sure,” I said, gazing at my friends with sadness. “No matter how hard I try, my past experience makes me overly protective.” “There are some things I’m not allowed to say directly,” Lena responded, “but if someone were to ask leading questions, I wouldn’t be able to stay silent. Does anyone else have any questions about true mates?” Lena asked, but for some reason, her eyes lingered expectantly on me. “You’ll tell me about my sister and the beta though, right?” I asked, just to be sure. “I will. Any more questions?” she repeated, once again looking straight at m
As we had planned, Jasmina and I called each other and agreed to meet at a charming, cozy little café. She was shocked to learn that our pack actually had its own oracles — and even more surprised to find out that it was our Lena and her husband. Maxim had only recently begun working under the Alpha, and since they’d just been assigned a house within the pack’s settlement, they hadn’t had the chance to meet their neighbors — or the oracles — yet. Jasmina was absolutely fascinated, and we decided to invite Lena to join us for the evening. She was delighted at the chance to spend some time together, reminiscing over warm drinks and our university years. Back at university, we had always gotten along well with Lena. Still, she had been closer to Mia than to Jasmina or me, so after graduation, we didn’t really stay in close touch. Each of us went our separate ways — new families, different paths, life’s endless responsibilities. And now, by a twist of fate, we were together again. All
Maxim, Ruslan’s friend and just as much of a jerk to women, changed only when he ran into his true mate — Jasmina. After that, he begged Ruslan to stop with the manipulations, especially since his own relationship with Jasmina had turned into real love. But Ruslan, that sick bastard, didn’t care about anyone — not even his best friend. He kept seducing innocent human girls, whispering that they were his “true mate”… just to get them into bed. Maxim once told me that the whole thing with that girl started as a drunken bet. They were just beginning their journey as insufferable jerks, and Ruslan got fired up with wild excitement. That’s also when he got the idea to pretend to be someone’s true mate — it made it much easier to seduce overly naive or stubborn girls. Because no matter what you say, werewolves in their human form are naturally attractive creatures. Their physique, posture, appearance, and animalistic charisma set them apart from ordinary human guys. So, tha
It was during that meeting that we shared our first kiss. It was my first kiss ever — and with such a beloved, desired wolf. How could I not fall for him even more? One day, the university students went on a hiking competition trip. Of course, I went too — because Ruslan would be there… and Mia. After a full day of competitions, once Ruslan made sure Mia was sent off to sleep, he would come to me. And I waited for him. Like a fool, I waited until he came. On the second night of the trip, I decided I was ready to take the next step in our secret relationship, and I told Ruslan so. He didn’t need to be told twice. He immediately dragged me into his tent, whispering sweet nothings and declarations of love. Honestly, I hadn’t expected it to happen that night — and definitely not in a tent — but Ruslan assured me that his wolf was so overjoyed by his mate’s willingness to be intimate, he simply couldn’t wait any longer. Like an idiot, I believed him. And that’s when he started ta