*Back to Present Day*(A week after the prologue) After more than a year of carefully cultivating my reputation, I was happy with where I landed. The men in the pack respected me and treated me well. They knew that if they wanted to use my services, they needed to follow my rules and expectations. As much as I wanted to help men who were struggling or in a bad place, I did not tolerate disrespect. There were a few men I had to put on my blacklist, but the others quickly learned from their mistakes and helped to spread the word on how to stay on my good side. The women in the pack were a different story. They didn’t like me or trust me. I often caught them whispering to each other when I was around, but it was easy enough for me to ignore them. People can be ignorant and there’s nothing I can do about it. It’s not worth my time and effort to try and change their minds. They knew that I didn’t sleep with mated wolves, but they still looked at me like I was trying to take their

Jill wasn’t kidding when she said the dress she designed was perfect for me. She created the most stunning gown I’ve ever seen in my life and when I tried it on, it fit me like a glove, as if she’d had me there for fittings every step of the way. She’s too good to me, and I don’t deserve a friend like her. My dress was a glittery gold fabric that sparkled like diamonds. It had a sweetheart neckline with a swath of fabric that draped over my right shoulder. The fabric disappeared behind a small gold belt at the waist, and there was a high slit that went to the top of my left thigh. The hem line hit the floor perfectly in the front, and began to pool around the sides, and became a train in the back. The night of the Blue Moon Ball had arrived, and Jill and I agreed to face it together. She was starting to feel disheartened because she had attended every ball since she turned 18, and she still hadn’t found her mate. I, on the other hand, was terrified because I had never attended

I walk into the room and don’t bother to turn the lights on. My heightened senses allow me to see just fine in the dark, and even though I know his sight is just as good in the dark, there’s something comforting about it that makes me feel like I can hide. Atticus closes the door and takes two steps into the room before he stops and just stares at me. There’s a soft glow from the moonlight streaming in through the window. His face is still the perfect mask of indifference, but there is a hint of softness in his eyes again. After a few more moments of silence, Atticus sighs. “Do you mind explaining what that wolf downstairs was talking about?” My heart was racing, and my mouth felt sticky and dry. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I did my best to explain how I ended up with this reputation. “After having my heart broken by Brent and allowing myself to naively be used by other men in the pack, I inadvertently developed a reputation.” I cringe a little from embarrassment as I f

The minute I’m out the front door of the pack house and out of sight, I break down. I block out the mind-link before I crumple on the steps of the massive house and just allow the tears to flow. My body shakes violently as sobs take over and I lose all control. I have nothing left. My first love, Brent, left me for his mate. I honestly don’t even want him anymore, but the memory of everything I lost when he chose Heidi over me is still painful. Then, my fated mate, my true mate, rejected me. This was the worst physical pain I’ve ever felt in my life. I understand the mate bond a little better now, but it still seems crazy to me that I could be so devastated over someone I never really knew to begin with. The mate bond was strong and deeply imbedded in me. I couldn’t have fought it if I wanted to. Sadly, I didn’t want to, but I have no idea how Atticus did it. I was excited about meeting my mate and I looked forward to having a real life with him. Now that that dream was cr

There were no packs anywhere near this area as far as I could tell. I was very cautious to avoid pack lands. This man wasn’t just a wolf, he carried the aura of a ranked wolf. He might even be of alpha blood, but I couldn’t tell for sure. All my muscles were coiled, and my body was prepared for fight or flight mode, but when his eyes met mine, he looked just as surprised as I did at the idea of meeting another wolf here. His nose crinkled slightly before he schooled his expression and gave me a friendly smile. I can’t smell myself, but I’m sure to other wolves I’m starting to give off the stench of a rogue. It doesn’t matter how often I shower or how hard I scrub my skin and hair, without a pack, I will gradually smell more and more like a rogue. I’m not sure how quickly the stink grows but based on how easily he was able to hide his disgust, it must not be too strong yet. “Hello there,” he greets me with a deep gravelly voice that I can feel to my bones. “You’re new around he