CHAPTER 001

CHAPTER 001

Emily's POV

Mila begged Emily over the link. "Please, Emily! I really want to go!" "Please!" said Mila, my best friend, pleadingly over a text message.

"Mila, nothing is standing between us - feel free to attend the pack dance!" I replied. "Go ahead and have some fun with Jax."

Jax was Mila's best friend, and even though I got along well with them, I always felt like an outsider, always wanting more attention than was given me.

Mila exclaimed with discontent. Her voice quivered as she demanded of him an apology: a debt they both owed one another! Mila began pouting. "And you owe me one!" she insisted firmly.

I sighed, feeling annoyed. I knew she would soon draw the "you owe me one card" against me to force my departure.

My only debt to her was copying her homework when my shift ended late that evening. In addition, I had even skipped dinner because of fatigue.

"So are you cashing in on my favour to you?" I muttered with disgust.

"Is it working?" she giggled knowingly.

I pinched my nose, shaking my head firmly; my friend knew just what to say to get me to say yes!

Mila and I met in kindergarten, but we only became close after my birthday when she became the sole remaining friend.

My tears began flowing freely as anguish crept through my body.

My pack had lost respect for me after just one evening of lackadaisical behavior, and their friendship had also gone with it.

"You are the world's worst best friend!" I growled. "And you must know it!"

"That means you might consider coming," she exclaimed with hopefulness.

"Nope," I replied sarcastically, "but I can't stay out late; training begins tomorrow!"

Mila giggled excitedly when she discovered a link.

"Deal!" She announced with another high-pitched squeal. "See you soon!"

"Nah, don't care!" was my reply as I closed the link and settled into bed.

Not that I didn't want to attend the pack dance--I adore dancing--it was simply that something felt off, as though something big could happen soon.

"I knew it couldn't have been my wolf; there weren't any around here yet and all my family, including Alpha Cole, thought that maybe I just came later than expected to bloom."

On the contrary, I believed I was being punished by the goddess and would never receive my due reward.

I sighed, closing my eyes.

On my birthday I wish I'd made the switch and become part of the pack as it did for so many others before me.

Imagine my delight as I imagined her beauty: big and strong with silver fur that sparkled under a full moon's illumination. Her attitude would not bow down to anyone or any Alphas she encountered on her journey through life.

But that was just my dream and not reality.

My thoughts quickly began wandering towards all the possibilities of owning a wolf.

Perhaps the group wouldn't see me as an outsider and a liability.

I could then claim my rank as Beta.

An unexpected knock at my door caused my eyes to pop open with surprise, and my gaze quickly darted towards my desk's alarm clock in disorientation.

My eyes widened in realization. I'd left things too late! My stomach knotted.

Mila heard Emily calling from behind, wondering where she had gone and asking "Emily are you still there? Aren't you in there?" Mila worriedly inquired from outside, her voice coming from within the home. "Does Emily belong there?" Mila inquired as they approached Mila's door asking whether or not Emily was within. "Can she confirm if Emily is safe inside?" Mila then left, wondering aloud:

"Oh no!" I exclaimed as I leaped off my bed and ran towards the door.

Another knock, more urgent this time, echoed through my quiet room.

"Yes," I replied as I opened the door and rubbed my eyes before entering.

Mila knit her eyebrows together as her gaze moved slowly over me.

"Why aren't you dressed and prepared?" She exclaimed with irritation and surprise.

"Sorry," I murmured. "I believe I may have fallen asleep."

Mila gave me a long look before giving an insouciant shrug and shudder.

"Come back," she instructed as she pulled me into the room again, dragging me. "Let's get you ready quickly; otherwise we may end up running late!" "Don't dally around," I replied as we quickly returned to my own.

Mila looked confused, possibly associating Jax telling her I was late again with Mila feeling nervous or uncomfortable about going.

Mila barked at me when I did not move. "What are you waiting for, girl?" Mila demanded. "Get into that shower now!"

I took a deep breath and grabbed my towel for my journey toward the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, I returned to my room.

"Get dressed," Mila ordered while handing me an ankle-length dress.

"No way am I wearing that!" I exclaimed with great conviction while pointing to the dress.

"Oh yes!" She replied in response and advised, "Get dressed - we have an event planned!"

"Mila, this isn't prom!" I insisted.

"Emily," she asserted with conviction. "Don't you realize whose back?"

"Who?" I asked in disbelief, folding my arms around my waist. Had I missed some sort of pack memo?

Mila gave me an angry look before pushing me onto a chair and beginning to dry my hair.

"Alexander has returned," she exclaimed.

Hearing Alex's name caused my entire body to instantly freeze up.

Since I could remember, I had had an intense attraction for him as did most other unmarried she-wolves.

He never seemed to notice me, yet he always had some of the most stunning or attractive women with him.

Though I felt heartbreak over his absence from our relationship, I remain hopeful that he'll notice and accept me for myself one day.

As I thought back on when Alex left for Alpha training two years earlier, my heart broke into pieces.

I felt devastated to learn he wasn't allowed to visit during holiday visits and I burst into tears of sadness and agony.

"Who is Alpha Cole's son?" I inquired with curiosity; at this point in time, Alex must have found someone special for himself.

Mila's green eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Yes," she replied as she took my brush.

"When will he return?" I inquired with some anxiety in my voice.

"Today," she replied as I looked in the mirror, and caught my gaze, she went on, "this party will serve as his welcome-back celebration. Em!"

My stomach felt as if someone had turned it upside-down.

Alexander had returned home. I felt great joy upon learning this news as Alexander Black, the boy I once held an intense crush on, rejoined his pack.

"Mila, I think I need to postpone our pack dance." She slowly spoke.

Mila narrowed her eyes. "Aren't you curious to see what he looks like now? With all his intensive training at Alpha Camp, he must appear different!" She inquired in confusion.

"Yes," Mila interrupted. "Instead," Alpha Cole has organized this welcome-back party so Alexander may find his suitable mate before becoming Alpha, as without one, he cannot claim that title."

"I remained quiet; I knew I wasn't Luna material; as an inexperienced warrior myself, and knowing Alex needed someone strong yet beautiful to serve alongside him as Luna ruled her country, the chances of me fitting that description seemed unlikely."

Mila exclaimed eagerly. "Come!" She enthusiastically encouraged everyone present to join in the adventure, insisting it would be fun!

Half an hour later, I was fully dressed in the black dress Mila had chosen for me.

"Let's go!" she exclaimed, taking my arm and leading me out of the room.

What had transpired at that pack dance would remain with me forever.