Chapter 1

Kathleen

“Catch me if you can!”

Beneath the shade of a large tree in a quiet corner, the sound of Lyra’s joyful squeal reached my ears as her companion, Melody, chased her across the school playground. In no time, the two of them morphed into their wolf forms, engaging in a lively game of catch.

It was recess and everyone is having fun but here I am, all alone since I'm incapable of joining in on the fun.

A sudden impact on my back elicited a surprised yelp, and as I turned, I discovered it was my friend, Maggie, giving me a playful gaze. She was a beautiful lady with blond curly hair that stopped at her shoulder and striking blue eyes with a skinny figure and average height. I actually feel inferior in her presence because I believed she was more beautiful than me.

Possessing straight black hair and captivating emerald green eyes, my appearance might qualify as beautiful, particularly given my well-proportioned physique but according to Mag, I’m concealing essential parts of myself.

But what can I do?

I’m employing every possible strategy to divert attention from myself so I have to be as ordinary as I can be.

“Oh, those bitches! Even their wolves run like sissies!” Maggie remarked as she stared at the field.

I could only laugh and shake my head.

Mag joined me on the bench and began her usual character. “You won’t believe it, but Lyra still hasn’t found her mate. She’s practically buzzing with excitement, thinking that Alpha Lancelot might be the one.”

I looked at her and blinked my eyes away, contemplating her statement.

Being mated to Alpha Lancelot Vance, the future leader of the Nightwind Pack, was a collective dream and I have to confess that he’s so remarkably handsome that I sometimes have wet dreams about him. And I don't regret it.

Any she-wolf who ends up as his mate would undeniably hold the title of the luckiest female ever.

“Oh, is that so? Do you think that’s the case?” I inquired, even though I'm aware that her answers would likely be speculative.

Maggie nonchalantly shrugged before replying, “I hope not, because that would result in having a bitchy she-wolf as our future Luna. I mean, look at how she runs.”

I laughed and I turned my gaze back to the field, shaking my head before rising from the bench. “I need to grab something from my locker. Let’s catch up after recess, Maggie.”

Maggie smiled and I left.

Entering the school hallway toward my locker, I bumped into him by mistake. Alpha Lance Vance.

What was he doing here?

Destined to be the future leader of the Nightwind Pack, one of the most prominent packs in Crystal Springs, California, Alpha Lance maintained his standing as the foremost, largely owing to his intimidating presence. Nobody dared to cross paths with him, as he ruled with an iron grip and invoked fear.

His reputation precedes him, because even though he hasn’t officially assumed the Alpha position, he was already Alpha. He was already in control. The transition to the throne was merely a formality, as his father remained hesitant to relinquish the seat entirely.

I was taken aback, having never encountered him so directly before. I mean, while I had seen him from afar, I couldn’t be certain if he had ever noticed me. I couldn't believe I was standing in front of him and with such closure, I was struck by the realization that he towered over me by a solid foot—standing at six feet—with his muscular arms straining against the confines of his black shirt. His brown hair was slicked back, and his amber eyes burning with a fury that was barely contained.

And am I scared to be this close to him? Not really.

“Um, hi,” I stammered, my hand lifting in an awkward wave, and my legs feeling as if they were glued to the floor.

Alpha Lance’s gaze shifted upward toward the entrance, his eyes darkening further, and his strong jaw clenching, leaving me to wonder what had caught his attention on the field.

He turned his piercing gaze back to me and inquired, “What’s your name?” His curiosity seemed to bore right through me.

Swallowing hard, I managed to respond, “Kathleen Callahan.”

His cold amber eyes seemed to penetrate my very being before he unexpectedly seized my hand, guiding me away from the hallway and beyond the school premises.

I was so shocked that I couldn't say no.

I cleared my throat as we were about to enter his car. “Um, if I may ask, where are we going, Alpha Lance?” I asked the question not because I wasn't feeling lucky that he was taking me with him, but because I feared how serious he looked and damn, the grip of his hand on my wrist was growing increasingly uncomfortable.

He halted and released his grip, turning to face me. “Why? Aren’t you pleased that I’m bringing you along to my room?”

“What?” The words slipped from my mouth involuntarily.

His head tilted, accompanied by a cold, intimidating smirk that curiously set my heart aflutter. “Why not? Shouldn’t you feel fortunate that I’m taking you instead? You’ve caught my attention, Ms. -”

“Kathleen,” I answered, almost trance-like.

He jerked his head toward his sleek black Aston Martin. “Come, follow me.”

Okay, my head is telling me to retreat and return to class but my heart is weak since it's telling me otherwise. I'm standing in front of the notorious Alpha Lance, his invitation to follow him echoing in my ears. Could I possibly turn that down? Or would it make me seem like one of the whores in Lyra’s clique?

I really want to follow him but at the same time, I'm scared if this step I'm taking would change my life in different ways.

“Um, why are you asking me to come along? I have, uh, classes to attend after recess, Alpha Lance,” I stammered, my gaze locked with his penetrating amber eyes.

“Are you declining my offer?” His eyes deepened in hue as the question left his lips.

Blinking, I hastily shook my head. “No, not at all. I wouldn’t do that. I’m just explaining—”

“Then step inside,” he instructed, holding the door open for me.

Nervously, I swallowed, casting an awkward glance around, finding the situation to be slowly turning into a nightmare.

With no other choice, I climbed into the car, and before long, we were on our way.