Chapter 1 The Night's Expectations

Aria's POV.

I stood in my room, surrounded by my maids, my heart pounding in my chest. My eyes were fixed on the dresses spread out across the bed, each one more elegant than the last. Tonight was the night. It had to be. The night I'd been waiting for, longing for-and secretly fearing. The night I might finally shift into my wolf.

It had been a month since my eighteenth birthday, the age when most werewolves experienced their first transformation. For others, it had seemed so easy, so natural. But for me? Nothing. No shift, no wolf, no mate. And the longer I waited, the more the whispers grew. I was the daughter of Alpha Xavier Nightshade, heir to one of the most powerful packs in the region. I was supposed to be strong, destined for greatness. Yet, here I was, standing in my room, feeling incomplete.

The dresses shimmered under the soft light of the chandelier: silver, gold, deep crimson. They were beautiful, elegant, befitting of a princess-or so I hoped. Tonight was my first royal gathering, held at the grand Silverfang Castle. Every Alpha and next-in-line Alpha from neighboring packs would be there, and the thought of walking into that room, surrounded by leaders who had already shifted and found their mates, made my stomach churn.

The door creaked open behind me, and I turned to see my father, Alpha Xavier, step inside. His presence was commanding, as always. He dismissed the maids with a wave of his hand, and they scurried out of the room without a word.

"Aria," he began, his tone firm but not unkind. "Are you ready for tonight's gathering?" His sharp eyes swept over the dresses on my bed. "This is an important night. I hope you can finally shift tonight-and perhaps find your true mate. All the next-in-line Alphas will be there."

I let out a sigh, my hands gripping the back of a chair. "I don't know, Father. I'm trying to stay hopeful, but I'm stressed. What if it doesn't happen?"

He stepped closer, his gaze softening slightly. He rarely showed tenderness, but I could see it in the way his shoulders relaxed, the way his voice lowered. "You are my daughter, Aria. You were born for greatness. Do not let doubt cloud your mind. Trust in the Moon Goddess and in yourself." He gestured toward the dresses. "What about this silver one? It suits you."

I picked up the gold dress from the bed and held it against myself. "Or this one?"

He nodded, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Both are beautiful, but decide quickly. We only have two hours before the gathering begins, and it's at Silverfang Castle. I need to leave early to meet with the other Alphas, but the driver will take you in the limo. Don't be late."

I gave him a small smile, trying to mask my nerves. "Don't worry, Father. I'll be ready. It's my first royal gathering, after all."

He rested a hand on my shoulder briefly before turning to leave. "Good. I'll be waiting for you there."

As soon as the door closed behind him, I let out a shaky breath. The pressure was suffocating, but I couldn't let it show. I chose the silver dress, its shimmering fabric catching the light as I slipped it on. The maids returned to help me style my hair, curling it into soft waves that cascaded down my back. I looked like a princess. At least, I hoped I did.

I was almost done when my phone buzzed on the dresser. I picked it up, my heart sinking as I read the messages.

**"Maybe Aria isn't the real daughter of Alpha Xavier Nightshade."**

**"She doesn't seem royal like us. Maybe she was adopted."**

My hands trembled as I read the words, venomous and cruel. They were from my so-called friends from high school, people I hadn't seen in months but who clearly hadn't forgotten about me-or my failure to shift. Tears pricked my eyes, and I fought them back, unwilling to let their words break me. But the sting lingered, sharp and painful.

I walked to the window, staring out at the moonlit forest. My reflection stared back at me in the glass, a mix of beauty and doubt. Closing my eyes, I whispered a prayer to the Moon Goddess. "Please, help me shift tonight. Let me find my true mate. I can't do this alone."

Three hours later, I was ready. My silver gown clung to me like moonlight, the heels adding a regal height to my frame. My maid followed me down the grand staircase, and my guard was close behind. The driver opened the door to the sleek black limo, and I slid inside, my nerves bubbling in my chest.

The tension was unbearable. I had to do something to calm myself, something I'd never done before. "Give me a glass of wine," I said to my maid, my voice sharper than I intended.

Her eyes widened. "But-"

"No buts. Just give me one."

She hesitated but eventually poured me a glass. I downed it in one gulp, the warmth spreading through my chest. It didn't completely erase the anxiety, but it dulled the edges.

The drive to Silverfang Castle took half an hour, and when we arrived, my breath caught in my throat. The castle was massive, its towering spires glowing under the moonlight. Guards and warriors stood at attention, and the driveway was packed with sleek limos. The air buzzed with energy, but all I felt was fear. Midnight was approaching, and if I didn't shift tonight, I didn't know how I'd face anyone.

Before stepping inside, I asked my maid and guard to wait for me by the gates. I needed a moment to collect myself. I wandered toward the pool, the cool night air brushing against my skin. The water shimmered under the moonlight, and for a brief moment, I felt calm.

That was, until I smelled him.

The scent was strong, earthy, with a hint of spice. I turned and froze. A man stood before me, tall and broad-shouldered, his piercing ice-blue eyes locking onto mine. He was handsome, undeniably so, and he knew it.

"You look sexy," he said, his voice low and shameless. "I don't think you're an Alpha, though. Your scent isn't strong enough. But you're definitely not a maid. So, who are you?"

I narrowed my eyes, fighting the urge to slap him then and there. "It's none of your business," I snapped, turning away.

But he wasn't done. He smirked, stepping closer. "Spend the night in my bed, and I'll give you anything you want."

The words hit me like a slap, and without thinking, I raised my hand and struck his face. The sharp sound echoed in the quiet night. "How shameless you are!" I hissed, my cheeks burning with anger.

Before he could respond, my maid and guard appeared. "Princess Aria," my guard said, bowing slightly, "your father is waiting for you inside."

I shot the stranger a final glare, my gaze sweeping over him with disdain, before walking away.

As I entered the grand ballroom, I could feel his eyes on me, watching my every move. What I didn't know was that he wasn't done with me yet.

...

Kael's POV.

The ballroom was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses, but none of it mattered. My eyes were locked on her-the girl who had just slapped me like I was some lowly omega. She wasn't like the others-those starry-eyed she-wolves who fell over themselves to gain my attention. No, she had fire. I rubbed the side of my face where her hand had landed, the sting still fresh. A slow smirk tugged at my lips as I watched her glide across the room, her silver dress shimmering under the chandeliers. She walked with her head high and shoulders squared, like she owned the damn place. It was infuriating-and captivating.

I didn't even know her name yet, but I didn't need to. She was going to be mine. I'd never been rejected before- not by anyone, not for anything. And I wasn't about to let this slip of a girl be the first. I turned on my heel and strode toward my father, Alpha Wolfhart, who was standing in the far corner of the room. He was deep in conversation with one of the visiting Alphas, but I didn't care. This was important.

"Father," I interrupted, my voice firm enough to gain his attention.

Alpha Wolfhart turned to me, his sharp blue eyes narrowing slightly in irritation at being interrupted. "What is it, Kael?" he asked, his tone clipped.

I didn't hesitate. "I want to get engaged to that girl."

His brow arched as he followed my gaze across the room to where she stood, laughing softly at something another wolf had said. His expression shifted, surprise flickering across his face. "Are you sure?"

My jaw tightened. "Yes. I want her to be my mate. I haven't found mine yet, so why not? I'm already 24."

He studied me for a moment, the corner of his mouth quirking upward in an amused smile. "You? Wanting to settle down? That's a first." He chuckled, shaking his head. "But I can see why. She's beautiful. And bold, judging by the red mark on your cheek."

I ignored his jab, my eyes never leaving her. She was speaking to someone now, but I could tell she wasn't entirely invested in the conversation. Her shoulders were tense, her gaze flickering around the room like she was searching for something-or someone.

"She hasn't found her mate yet," my father continued thoughtfully, stroking his beard. "She's only 18. The timing might work in your favor."

"Then make it happen," I said, my voice low but firm.

His chuckle deepened, but there was a glint in his eye now, one that told me he was already working out the logistics in his head. "Alright, Kael. I'll see what I can do. But be patient. This isn't like one of your little flings. If you want her, you're going to have to earn her."

I smirked, my confidence returning. "Don't worry, Father. I have no intention of failing."

I glanced back at her one last time, the fire in her eyes still burning in my mind. She didn't know it yet, but she was already mine.