♡♡♡♡

APRIL

"WHAT ARE YOU doing here?"

Kat stalks toward me, her dark-brown eyes burning with disgust. The tension in her sharp features makes it clear: my presence is an offense to her.

It's already unbearable enough being here, bracing against the judgment of the crowd. I came for Kiara's sake, but now I'm the centerpiece of their ridicule.

Wolves like me, the ones who haven't shifted, are rarely seen at events like these. It isn't against the law, but it might as well be. The shame of not shifting is enough to keep most of us away, and the Royals make it clear we're unwanted. To them, our presence on the night of a destined shift-a sacred night for an Alpha heir-is a curse, a blight on their perfection.

Unlike regular wolves who shift anytime between eighteen and their early twenties, Alphas are bound by tradition and destiny to shift precisely on their eighteenth birthday. It's not just a rite of passage-it's proof of their strength, their worth. Failing to shift means shame for the Alpha's bloodline and whispers of weakness haunting their pack for generations.

"I came for the ceremony," I answer, keeping my voice steady. I can feel the eyes of the crowd on us, their attention sharpened by Kat's scathing tone. Everyone knows what kind of person she is. They're waiting, watching, eager to see her drive me out.

My fists clench at my sides. I want to run, to spare myself the humiliation. But I made a promise to my father. And promises, especially to him, are sacred.

Kat's lip curls in a cruel smile. "I'm surprised you even showed up. You've got guts for someone like you." She leans closer, her voice dripping with venom. "You know no one wants you here, right? You might infect them with your disease."

It's not a disease. The words burn on my tongue, but I swallow them, hard. I can't talk back, not to her. Katherine might be the youngest of Alpha Haden's daughters, but that still puts her leagues above me in the hierarchy.

I force a sigh, trying to loosen the tight knot of anger in my chest. The whispers around us are louder now, snaking through the crowd like venom. I don't need super-hearing to know they're about me.

It's fine. I've adapted to this. Years of stares, whispers, and mockery have thickened my skin. This isn't new, and fighting back won't change the decades of prejudice ingrained in every pack member. Change can only come from the Alpha himself, and with the ongoing war against the Rogue Queen, I know that's not happening anytime soon.

My gaze drifts past Kat to where Lori stands with her mate. Her concerned eyes are locked on us. She looks regretful, probably wishing she'd never brought me here. I warned her. No one would welcome me.

As if on cue, my phone buzzes in my pocket. Dad's name flashes on the screen, and relief washes over me. I don't even have to read the message to know it's my signal to leave.

'Meet me at Alpha Haden's office door.'- It reads.

"April." Kat snaps her fingers in my face. "Are you even listening to me?"

I give her a tight-lipped smile, stepping back. "Yeah, I heard you. Loud and clear." My gaze flicks to Lori, who takes a step toward me. I shake my head, offering her a faint, fake smile before turning on my heel and walking away.

The whispers follow me out, but I don't look back.

I take the side stairs, the ones rarely used, grateful for the solitude. I don't have the energy for any more questions about my lack of scent or my presence at an event I don't belong at.

As I near the top, Athena, my wolf, stirs in my mind.

Turn left.

Her voice is calm but insistent.

"What? The office is the other way," I whisper, confused.

Turn left, April.

The urgency in her tone leaves no room for argument. Sighing, I follow her guidance, turning into a quieter, unfamiliar part of the hall.

The air feels different here-cooler, heavier. I hesitate, glancing back, but Athena urges me forward.

Then I hear it: a child's voice, trembling with frustration.

"But I wanna see Daddy!"

I inch closer, careful to keep out of sight.

"Stop being such a brat," a woman snaps. Her tone is sharp, biting. "Your father is in a meeting. He doesn't want to see you."

Athena bristles, a low growl rumbling in the back of my mind. Follow her.

The little girl bursts from the room, clutching a doll, her dark hair bouncing as she runs past me.

"Where are you going?!" the woman shouts, chasing after her.

I hesitate for a moment, torn. Then, without thinking, I follow the girl, my instincts kicking in.

She's quick, darting down the same back stairs I used earlier, her small frame disappearing into the shadows. The cold night air hits me as I push open the back door. My phone rings again-Dad-but I ignore it, scanning the dimly lit yard.

Finally, I spot her, tucked behind a tree. She turns, her wide blue eyes locking onto mine.

"It's you," she whispers, her voice filled with awe.

Before I can respond, she runs to me, throwing her arms around my waist.

"You found me!" she cries, her small face lighting up with joy.

I freeze, completely caught off guard. Her happiness falters as she pulls back, searching my face. "You... don't recognize me, do you?"

My heart twists at the crack in her voice. "Hey, love," I say softly, kneeling to her level. "Don't cry, okay? I'm here. I'll help you."

Her lip trembles, but she nods. "I want to see my dad," she whispers. "But she won't let me. Can you take me to my room?"

Athena stirs again, her emotions mirroring my own. I nod, standing and taking the girl's hand.

This was a bad idea, but leaving her feels worse.

​"Okay, sweetheart.” She sniffles, squeezing my hand. A strange warmth spreads through my chest—a feeling Athena seems to share, her presence humming with approval.

​"Do you want to see your dad first, or go to your room?" I ask.

​She presses her lips together and frowns, her small face scrunched in deep thought. "My room," she mutters quietly. "Daddy will be angry that I'm not there."

​"Then why were you outside?"

​She pouts harder, her lower lip trembling.

"That ugly woman said she wanted to be my friend. I don't want her as my friend."

​"Why not?"

​"She wants to be friends with Daddy. All the women who see me say they want to be Daddy’s friend. I don't like it."

​A brief smile tugs at my lips. I can imagine the scene. She’s likely the daughter of a high-ranking Alpha who’s traveled here to negotiate with Alpha Haden.

​"You’re protective of your dad?" I say calmly, the cool night air stinging my cheeks.

​She nods like a tiny, determined soldier. "Yes. I don’t want anyone to be Daddy’s friend except me." She pauses, her grip on my hand tightening slightly. "Do you want to be his friend, too?"

​"Nope." I shake my head vigorously.

​"Oh. I like that." She looks down at the doll tucked under her arm before glancing back at me. It’s worn—old fabric, uneven stitching, one button eye hanging on by a thread. It looks like it’s survived more than it should have.

"Do you want to be my friend?" she asks, quieter this time.

Yes. ​Athena perks instantly, a soft, approving rumble echoing through me. She likes the child—already claiming her in that instinctive, protective way wolves do.

​"Well—" I start, but stop when I notice the girl shuddering. "You must be freezing, sweetheart."

“No… I’m not.” She straightens immediately, stubborn fire lighting her eyes. “I’m strong.” she insists, gritting her teeth and clutching her doll to her chest.

​"I know you are, but let’s get you to your room anyway. Where is it?"

​"Inside." She begins to march toward the pack house, dragging me along behind her. She has a surprisingly powerful grip for a child. "Let me show you! The room is small, though. Daddy said I shouldn't judge it since we aren't at home."

​"Is your room big at home?"

​She gasps, her eyes widening. "It’s the biggest! And all my dolls are there." Her excitement fades into a small, sad frown. "They must miss me. Daddy said I could only pick one to bring here, so I picked Beebee."

​"Beebee?" I repeat, tilting my head.

​"Yeah." She lifts the doll toward me. "She says hi.”

​"Hi?" I smile at the doll, and Reya lets out a bright giggle.

​"Your face looks funny now," she says, swinging my hand back and forth as we walk.

​As we step into the pack house, my phone buzzes incessantly in my pocket. Dad must be losing his mind. Inside, the noise is a physical wall of sound—gossiping, drunken laughter, and couples who look ready to pounce on each other. Despite the crowd, the air feels oddly colder in here than it did outside.

​"Reya."

​"Hmm?" I look down at the girl. "What did you say?"

Her cheeks flush a deeper pink, like she’s embarrassed she has to say it twice. "My name is Reya."

Reya? Such a coincidence. That's the same name as the young wolf I helped earlier today. I hope she's alright whenever she is.

​"Your name is beautiful. Just like you," I tell her softly.

​She giggles again. "Daddy says the same thing."

​"Well, your daddy is right." My phone rings again, but I ignore it. "I’m April."

​"April," she mutters, tasting the word as if trying to get the pronunciation just right. "You have a funny name.”

​"You don't like it?"

​"No! I do. It’s just... funny."

​"It’s okay if you don’t," I say with a small shrug. "I think it’s a bit funny, too. Now, where is your room?"

​She looks around the massive hallway, her brow furrowing as she tries to remember. "I... I don't know."

​Great. I can’t exactly leave her here to wander alone. "Okay, it’s alright. Can you sense anyone from your pack?"

​She shakes her head. "There are too many smells here. Some smell like wet socks. Yuck."

​I chuckle. It isn't surprising she’s overwhelmed; she clearly has a sharp sense of smell for such a young age. Her father must be proud.

​But as I’m trying to figure out what to do with her, she looks up at me. The words she says next make me freeze as if under a spell.

"Except from you."

What?

​"Your scent is nice. It smells like bunch of flowers. I like flowers, especially sunflowers! Do you like sunflowers?"

​The world seems to tilt as my breathing almost stops. I crouch slightly, staring into her curious, shining blue eyes. "Y-you can smell me?"

​She hums happily, then her expression falls into a frown. "Why? Is it bad? Are you upset with me?"

​"No, no..." I stammer. It’s impossible.

Unshifted wolves like me don't have a scent yet; we’re essentially human until the first transformation. She must be mistaken. We were just outside—she must have caught someone else's scent on the breeze.

​Anyone but mine.

​Before I can find my voice, a hand clamps around my wrist and a low, vibrating growl sounds from behind me.

​"Jacob!"

​The man holding me looks beyond upset—he looks murderous. His aura is suffocating, far more intense than his appearance. I don't recognize him; he must be from one of the visiting packs.

​"Excuse me?" I wince as his grip tightens, his fingers digging into my skin.

​"Jacob, don't hurt her!" Reya cries out, grabbing the man’s shirt. "Leave her alone!"

His expression falters. He looks down at her, something shifting in his eyes. Slowly, his grip loosens. I instantly yank my arm away, rubbing my sore wrist.

​"Are you okay, pup?” he asks, dropping to a knee in front of Reya, his tone completely different now—gentler, protective. He scans her quickly, checking for harm.

​"Apologize,” Reya says firmly, her tiny face set in a glare that doesn’t match her size.

​The man blinks, looking genuinely confused. "What?"

​"Tell April you're sorry. You were mean to her."

​"But—"

She cuts him off with a sharp shake of her head. “Apologize, or I’ll tell Daddy you were mean to my angel.”

Her angel?

The man–Jacob seems to understand exactly what she means. A moment of realization dawns on him, and the aggression in his eyes is instantly replaced by a wave of regret.

​"Wait, you mean she..." He slowly turns back to me, his face pale. "Shit. Arik is going to kill me."

​He stands up so abruptly that I nearly jolt backward.

​"My deepest apologies. I am so sorry," he says, looking down at Reya with a frantic sort of guilt. "I was looking for her and I thought... I thought—"

​"You thought I’d kidnapped her?" I finish for him, rubbing my sore wrist.

​"I'm sorry. Truly. Is your wrist okay?"

No. ​It’s fucking hurts, I want to snap. It's already starting to throb; I’ll need to ice it the second I get home before the marks start to show.

​"It’s fine," I lie. "Who are you?"

​I take a proper look at him for the first time. Before, I was too busy worrying he was going to rip my arm off to notice the details. He has a thin, silver scar slicing across his brow, and the bright lights of the hall catch the sincere, desperate warmth in his brown eyes. He’s more muscular and fit than most of the wolves I’ve seen tonight. And, admittedly, quite handsome.

​My phone rings for the umpteenth time, vibrating against my thigh like a warning. I give in. Looking down at Reya, I ask, "Hey, sweetie, he’s your friend, right? You know him well?”

​She nods slowly.

​"Okay, that’s good. I need to go now."

​If I don't move now, Dad will rip my head off. Matt is probably scouring the house for me, and as massive as this place is, he’ll never find me in time.

​"W-Why?" Reya’s voice cracks. A single tear tracks down her cheek, and inside my head, Athena lets out a low, displeased growl. She hates seeing the girl like this. "Does it hurt badly? Where he hurt you? Is that why you want to leave me?"

​"Oh no, honey, I..." I bite my lip, searching for the right words. I can’t exactly tell a child I have a gun tucked into my waistband and a father who will lose his mind if I’m late.

​"I’m really sorry," Jacob says again, watching the scene helplessly. A few pack members pass by, whispering and throwing me judgmental looks, as if I’m the one who made the child cry.

​Truth be told, I have no idea how to handle kids. Except for Amelia, Matt’s daughter, but she’s easy—put on her favorite show and she’s out like a light.

​I reach out and softly brush the tear from Reya's cheek, giving her a reassuring smile. "My dad is looking for me. I really have to see him."

​"Your dad is looking for you?" she repeats. I nod, and she seems to process this. "Okay. But... we can see each other later, right?"

​"Of course."

​That seems to do the trick. She throws her arms around me, burying her face into the crook of my neck and clinging tight.

​"Thank you for saving me," she mutters against my skin. I assume she means finding her in the dark and bringing her inside, so I just nod and pat her back.

​I stand up straight, throwing one last glare at Jacob before I turn and bolt toward the stairs. I'm practically running now. I'm dead. I am so dead.

​I reach the upper landing and spot Matt pacing in front of the Alpha’s study, his phone pressed to his ear.

​"Matt!" I pant, doubling over to catch my breath. "I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

​"Kiddo, where have you been?" Matt asks, walking toward me and slipping his phone into his pocket. I notice he’s already holding the empty box we used to smuggle the gun.

​"I got sidetracked with Lori and her mate. Sorry. Is Dad pissed?"

​"What do you think?"

​"Shit." I stare at the heavy oak doors of the study, my heart hammering against my ribs.

​Inside my head, Athena is a whirlwind of agitation. I want to enter. Let us go. She’s pacing, claws digging into the floor of my mind, insisting that I enter that room. It’s madness—entering an Alpha summit without permission is against every law we have.

​I can’t, I tell her, but she only groans in disappointment.

​Please, she begs. The desperation in her voice is so sharp it actually hurts.

​"Athena wants me to go in," I whisper.

​"What? You know you can’t," Matt says, his eyes widening. "I’m not even allowed in there. Dad told me to text him when you arrived and just hand the gun over. That’s why I have the box."

​I want to go in. Athena says, louder this time.

​Let us enter, April. Please.

​Athena’s protests are making my body shake. As she pushes against my consciousness, a dull throb starts behind my eyes, blooming into a full-blown headache. Why is she so restless? I’ve never felt her like this before.

​"Are you alright?" Matt frowns, stepping closer.

​"Yeah," I mutter, reaching into my waistband and sliding the gun out. "Here. Take it."

​He grabs it quickly, nesting it inside the velvet-lined box. "Okay. Can you wait here, or do you want to head down? Kira’s ceremony is about to start. Don't you want to watch with your friends?"

​"I don't have friends, Matt. Just Lori."

​"Right. Lori."

​"I'll wait here," I state, leaning my head back against the cool stone wall. "Besides, I’ve seen the transformation a dozen times."

​The shifting of a wolf is both beautiful and excruciating. I’ve heard Alpha Haden hates the sight of the bones snapping; he prefers to let Luna Zorya handle the aftermath and only sees his children once they’ve already turned.

​"Okay, we can hang out once I'm done. I know you didn't want to be here."

​"I do." I admit.

​"Whatever you say." He rolls his eyes and turns toward the door. "I'll be quick."

​As he disappears inside, my mind wanders back to Reya. I hope she made it to her room safely. If her dad is anything like mine, he’ll be more than a little annoyed that she wandered off.

​She mentioned how all the women want to be "Daddy's friend." It suggests he’s a widower. Reya looks about eight years old—which means she would have been a baby during the First Attack of the Rogue Queen. So many lives were lost in that battle.

​My dad never spoke much about the carnage, but the rumors always persisted. Many Alphas lost their people that day, but only one, if the stories were true, lost his beloved fated mate.

​Could it be…

​The sound of the door clicking open snaps me out of my thoughts. I sigh in relief. "That was fast—"

​The words die in my throat. It isn't Matt who walks out.

​The restlessness that has been building inside me for hours suddenly explodes into a feverish excitement. Athena is howling, her joy so loud it nearly shuts down my ability to think.

​Is this it? Is this the feeling Lori described?

​I can’t believe it. It can't be real.

​He stops dead the moment our eyes meet. A storm of emotions crashes through me as I watch his eyes shift—a deep, molten brown bleeding into a brilliant, predatory gold.

​Mate, Athena whispers sweetly. He’s beautiful.

​He is. He’s more than beautiful.

​He takes a step toward me, and instinctively, I take one back.

​"You—" he starts, his voice like velvet over gravel.

​"No." I cut him off.

​Athena wails in my head, a sound of pure grief. He’s our mate!

​No.

​April, please—

​"No," I repeat, my voice trembling. Before I can see the flicker of hurt in those golden eyes, I turn and bolt.

​"Wait!"

​He shouts after me, his deep voice echoing through the hall, but I don't listen. I can't.

April, please, our mate is calling us.

He won't reject us.

This isn't right, you know it.

​Athena begs me to turn back, to fly into his arms, but I keep running. I can’t be rejected here—not in this house, not like this.

​If I do, I might die.