Chapter 1 One

I shouldn't have been here. If my father found out, he would've been furious. Sneaking out of our run-down cottage yet again? He'd be livid. I should've been home preparing for tomorrow's Mating Ball. I should've been trying to find a dress worthy of stepping inside Alpha Fabio's grand castle. I should've been trying to get some sleep. But was I doing any of that? No. Instead, I was here-standing in the old, forgotten hut atop the hill, heart pounding with anticipation.

My eyes stayed glued to the door, my breaths coming in shallow bursts, and my hands trembling. Enzo should have been here by now. It had been over two weeks since I last saw him, and I could barely contain my excitement at the thought of feeling his strong arms around me again.

How I wished we could have been like any other couple-walking hand in hand through the heart of Mayvile. I wished Alpha Fabio approved of my relationship with his son. But fate hadn't been kind to me.

My wolf was dormant. I could feel its presence deep inside, but I couldn't shift. Sure, I might have been quicker and stronger than some of the other wolves in human form, but that meant nothing. Without my full wolf spirit, I was worthless in their eyes. And being the illegitimate daughter of a disgraced warrior who had become a drunkard didn't do me any favors either.

Life hadn't always been like this. It had never been perfect, but it used to be... better.

My father, Giovanni Greco, was once revered as the Black blade Pack's finest warrior, and my sister had been well on her way to following in his footsteps. I was meant to be like them-strong, formidable, deserving of respect. But the Fates had other plans. After the healer, Guido, labeled me a Shrouds Wolf-a wolf unlikely to ever feel their spirit's full power-I had been reduced to a rank barely above omega.

Enzo was the only bright spot in my otherwise dark world.

The door creaked open, and my heart leapt. Enzo's broad silhouette filled the doorway, and I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. He chuckled, running his fingers through his ash-blond waves. "Miss me?" he teased, carefully locking the door behind him.

I bit my lip, my gaze trailing over his muscular frame barely contained by the gray shirt and dark leather pants. "You know I did," I replied softly.

He stepped closer, his gray eyes meeting mine. "I missed this," he murmured, brushing his fingers over my lips. "And this," he added, his hand sliding down my neck, tracing the line of my cleavage just visible beneath the simple linen dress I wore.

My breath caught as his eyes darkened, his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me close. His lips crashed against mine, his tongue slipping past my parted lips effortlessly. My fingers found their way into his hair, tugging him closer, silently pleading for more. His hand traveled down, gripping me beneath the curve of my waist. I gasped into his kiss as he lifted me, instinctively wrapping my legs around his hips as he carried me toward the rickety old table.

"Lie down," he commanded huskily, positioning himself between my legs.

I hesitated but obeyed, ignoring the sharp edges of the splintered wood pressing into my back. Our eyes locked, heat blooming between us as he dragged his tongue across his bottom lip. His gaze roamed over my worn dress before his fingers curled around the fabric and tore it down the middle.

"Don't!" I yelped, but it was already too late.

He laughed softly, eyes gleaming as they swept over my exposed undergarments. "I'll buy you a new one."

I scowled, clutching the ruined dress to cover myself. "And how exactly am I supposed to get home now? I can't shift into a wolf like you. I need clothes."

He smirked, unbuttoning his shirt and letting it fall to the floor, revealing the hard planes of his chest. "You can use this afterward." His hands slid up my thighs, making my breath hitch.

Panic flared in my chest, and I sat up, grabbing his wrists. "Enzo... not here. Not like this."

His brow furrowed. "Why not? Don't you think it's time?"

I offered a weak smile, my voice trembling. "It's... dirty. I don't want my first time to be like this."

With a frustrated sigh, he stepped back. "You want a palace, princess?"

I hurried to tie the torn dress together as best as I could. "Can't we wait until tomorrow? Maybe... maybe everything will change if we're mates. Your father wouldn't be able to go against a bond blessed by the Moon Goddess." I swallowed, keeping my voice steady. "I just... I don't want it like this."

His cold laughter echoed through the room. "You think this place is any worse than that dump you live in?"

I clenched my teeth. "You're being cruel." Jumping off the table, I tried to make my dress somewhat presentable.

"Gianna..." His tone softened as he approached me, lifting my chin until our eyes met. "Let's not fight tonight." His voice dropped to a seductive purr. "Be a good girl for your future Alpha."

My body betrayed me, reacting to his voice, but I stepped back, shaking my head. "Don't take my dignity from me like this."

His expression darkened, and a low growl rumbled from his chest. "I risk everything for you, and this is how you repay me?"

I opened my mouth to apologize, but he slapped my hand away. "Don't touch me!" he roared, grabbing his shirt and storming out.

"Enzo!" I called after him, but he was already gone, swallowed by the trees.

I stood there, feeling the sting of rejection. Was I asking for too much? All I wanted was a little comfort, a little respect, especially for something as important as this. Enzo could have any girl he wanted-so why me? Shouldn't mates be equals?

I let out a shaky breath. "Tomorrow," I whispered. "Tomorrow will change everything."

But deep down, something felt off.

I tied a few more knots in my dress and stepped outside into the moonlit night. Instead of heading home, something pulled me deeper into the woods. Before I realized it, I had wandered past the pack's borders to the lake.

"Dammit," I muttered. I'd never been out here at night before.

The moonlight reflected off the calm water, and a cool breeze rustled the leaves around me, offering a momentary sense of peace. Tomorrow would change everything. It had to.

Just then, a twig snapped behind me.

I turned, my heart racing, as a wave of energy surged through the forest. The air grew still.

I wasn't alone. Something powerful was near.