ph

pounding as I listened to the fading

l Mating Ball, unaware that I had plans of own

if I was deaf, dismissing my chores as if I wouldn't notice the sudden chang

t I

sending me on errands to keep me distracted. I was already informed by Elera about the annual Mating Ball.They thought I was a fool. They thought I wo

hey wer

arefully unlatched it, allowing my best friend, Elera,

ready?" Sh

. "More t

her bag. "I brought you a dress. I had to

dress that shimmered under the moonlight. It was far more elega

elegant twist before wrapping a velvet cloak around my sh

I don't even have a wolf. "Let'

orgotten escape route from the pack. We navigated the dark, narrow tunnel, emerg

ut this?" Elera a

d to be there. I need to know

climbing behind me. With a swift kick, we disappea

se forest, the rhythmic pounding of hooves against the earth matching the wil

e towering trees, the endless sky, the scent of pine and damp earth-it was all new to me. I had spent my entire life t

breathlessly, glancing over my shoulder at

she chuckled, my grin matching hers. "I

with wonder. "I've only ever dreamed of what it's like b

e,I could see the glow of lanterns and hear the faint sound of music drifting from

above cast golden light over the elegantly dressed werewolves, their laughter and conversation filling

erent from

ed wolves were catching the intoxicating scent of their destined mates, I felt nothing. I could only wat

dull ache of longing. This was my first night

t something. Not a scent, not a pull-j

was wat

scanning the sea of unfam

lly hidden behind a mask. But it was his eyes,intense, unreadable-that held me in place. He wasn't j

gaze shifting between me and the masked figure. He whispered somethin

e they? And why did their pre

rned away and made my way toward the drinks table. The weigh

ok a slow sip, letting the swe

ull of excitement and hope. But as I stood there, and drink in my hand, surrounded by peop

t... th

n my throat. It was my third-or maybe my fifth-glass. I'd stopped c

ere to search for our fated mate and she has done enough by bringing me to this annual Mating Ball that my stepmother will never a

. The edges of the room started to blur, the golden glow of the chandeliers too bright, the musi

ertwined, their bond sealed in the way they moved together, as if the

red bitterly befor

again, but a hand caught

e had

ked up at the figure standing over

laugh. "Who are you to decide that?"

et this in t

s the

beneath me. My legs wobbled, and bef

my vision swimming. His face was clearer now-sharp angles, piercin

it m

last thing I felt was his arms tightening around