CHAPTER ONE

Julie

I could identify who was entering my bedroom so late at night by the aroma of Alexandra. She whispered, "Hey, I'm staying with you," I thought I had just woken up to the sound of sheets moving behind me. I hummed back in agreement and promptly went back to sleep. Even though Alexandra intimidated me when I first met her in their town, we quickly became friends. She had a severe face that made her appear somewhat snarky. Still, I soon realized that she had an IDC attitude and confidence that begs attention.

If I'm being sincere, I immediately envied her fashion sense and appearance. She has gorgeous eyebrows, beautiful brown hair that curls freely at the ends, and unattractive red lips. I resembled her the least because of my light looks.

I was never supposed to discover this community so far from my idea of civilization, tucked up in the mountains. Although werewolves typically did not make themselves known to humans, I became the exception a little over a year ago due to an odd sequence of unfortunate events. At first, many locals weren't thrilled about my arrival. Still, because I tend to please people, I did everything possible to give back to the neighborhood that welcomed me. I Devoted my time to helping others with menial duties around the town or gathering goods for the elderly wolves who found it difficult to travel around while also being a fantastic cook for the Alpha home.

I eventually won over the populace. I was worried that the Alpha's son, who would finally take over as Alpha, wouldn't be as friendly when he returned after three years of training. Since I hadn't met him or his Delta, I was concerned about their personalities because being a young wolf in a position of power frequently resulted in ego. Caleb, the Beta, informed me as such. He was my second fast friend before Alexandra because he wasn't yet a part of the training.

A sleeping she-wolf with her head tucked beneath one of my pillows was on my bed when I woke up. If she showed up here without prior notice, she must have spent yesterday night with Dixon. They will probably be friends, but since they are only 19, they won't be sure until they are at least 20 or even 21. Alexandra would pretend to be with me when she was trotting the woods with Dixon since Alexandra's parents were adamant that you shouldn't date before you find your soul mate. I was unbothered.

I've woken up to my best friend taking up half the bed before, and it won't be the last. I was in charge of the food here in the Alpha house, so I was up earlier than she would ever agree to get up.

I quietly left the room and went downstairs to the kitchen to start making breakfast before the wolves started coming in. Despite having a less-than-ideal background, I briefly learned how to cook the way I did when I was taken from my father and placed with a foster family.

My short-lived foster mother was a cook, and she tried to bond with me by teaching me everything she knew, but I ended up enjoying it. It gave me a peek at how different my life may have been if my drug-addicted father and lousy substitute stepmother hadn't reared me. Actually, he was merely the other drug and alcohol-dependent girlfriend of my father.

A loud voice called "Julie" jolted me out of my reverie. Arles was Alpha. His son is really gorgeous based on his old-man nice looks. The man is at least 6'2 tall, and his ocean-blue eyes match his darker hair. His wife shared his black hair colour and had reaching dark eyes. Although I'm not a wolf and don't need to follow their traditions, I respectfully said, "Hello, Alpha," and bowed my head.

"I apologize. I apologized as I apologetically glanced at the pans in front of me. "That darling is nothing to worry about. I've awakened earlier than usual. I have a lot of planning to do. He glanced at the plate of muffins I had baked the previous evening and said, "I'll just take a cup of coffee if you have it and maybe a little something to go. I quickly turned down the heat on the stovetop and hurried over to the counter where the coffee pot was sitting, saying, "Let me warm this for a second while I make you a cup to go." The wolf smiled, taking the muffin and mug in both hands, "You're the best." I jokingly yelled, "So I've heard," as he had already left the room.

Luna Eira joined me in the kitchen at 8 AM, and by 9 AM, all the other guests had arrived. They loaded their plates with eggs, waffles, bacon, biscuits, muffins, hash browns, and sausage. Wolves ate a lot, and I rapidly discovered that. The Elder Beta and his wife, the soon-to-be Beta-son Caleb, and a daughter shared a home with the Alpha Arles, Luna Eira, and their soon-to-be Alpha-son Darius. Also, there were the Elder Delta, his wife, and the impending Delta-son Dakota, in addition to Caleb's younger sibling and myself. By the time the Alpha's son and his ascending Delta return, there will be roughly 14 of us.

The 'home', if you can even call it that, was enormous and could easily fit all of us inside, but that didn't mean it wasn't frequently chaotic. To maintain the integrity of the pack, it is customary for the first, second, and third in leadership to reside together. Everyone's arrival and departure didn't seem different from how I experienced it growing up. Although my father and his girlfriend, and I shared a house, they frequently had other guests stay with us to pay the rent. Since they were also addicts, I suppose getting their fix in one place was more straightforward.

I knew Caleb was up and on the way over when I saw his cinnamon-brown hair and those hazel eyes. More than anything else, he was handsome in an endearing way. It has to be the dimple and passive personality. He greeted me with "Hello Sunshine" and took the dish I had already offered him. Although he was somewhat taller than me, he had a moderate frame. He called me "sunshine" because of my blonde hair and 'glowy' appearance.

Julie, come eat," I heard someone yell from the area where a vast dining table was located. I picked up my small dish and went to my usual spot next to Caleb. He gave me a side look as he spoke in between mouthfuls. I won't be able to shoot today, I'm afraid. He rolled his eyes and stated, "I have 'business' to attend to.

He meant by "shoot" "photography." He was skilled at it, which was more of a passion than a hobby. I had been performing for him for a while. I used to feel awkward in front of the camera, but eventually, I learned to appreciate the art of it.

I nodded, trying not to sound tired, "Yeah, Alpha mentioned things are getting busy with the guys coming back." Caleb was too familiar with me to be able to read my thoughts without my having to utter a word. "When they return, they won't expel you from the village. He reassured me again, "Those are my two best pals; they'll listen to me. I jokingly pouted, "Hey, I thought I was your best friend." He shook his head and laughed. He said, "Ehhh," but as I swatted him, he immediately said, "More so, my muse."

I noticed Alpha Arles's mother smiling stylishly as she faced us. I was only allowed to address the woman as Gran. Although I was definitely not his, Gran, aware that humans cannot be the mates of wolves, felt Caleb and I were a cute match. Furthermore, we weren't romantically involved with one another. However, it was a deep friendship-based connection. Even knowing the thought going through Gran's mind caused my cheeks to heat up. Caleb was unaware of it.

Ultimately, I prepared a platter for Alexandra and delivered it to her. Even though she had woken up too late, she frequently hesitated to sit at the Alpha's table. Although she wasn't of rank for it, the Alpha was kind. It didn't consider his own people—especially our friends—beneath him when inviting us into his home. Never in my life have I had as excellent treatment as I have here. It took me a long time to start understanding a natural household and stop acting in ways that reminded me of my past traumas. However, others were unaware of my background and mistook my docile yet alert demeanor, constant tiptoeing, and tendency to appear hesitant for shyness.

Caleb was aware of my routines, such as the condition that I keep the door to my bedroom open during the day and lock it at night. Once I discovered Alexandra knew how to crack locks, that habit was useless. She refused to stop, saying she would do it often to make the fact that I was safe here seem normal. I had to explain why her sneaking into my room triggered me. Now that she showed up in the middle of the night, I don't even accept that the obstinate girl was right.

She was gushing about Dixon as we sat cross-legged on my bed. "Julie, you are missing out if you don't test out a wolf. She smiled at the final line, sensing my blush, "They're ravenous, strong, and have stamina for days. I hid my face and asked, "Can you stop it. I felt too young and inexperienced while listening to Alex's stories, even if I'm just 20 years old. We no longer consider the Bond ties to be quaint. Before they meet their Soulmate, everyone dates. She arched her brow, expecting my reply, saying, "I know a lot of guys who would jump at the chance to get with you.

Oh, stop, no one is jumping at the slightest opportunity, I said, nervously laughing. "Babes, even though you may be innocent, you aren't stupid. You're like an angelic beauty. She greeted me and waved me off. It's funny because I don't truly think I'm attractive. Yes, you can be helpful and kind. Of course, I'm honest and faithful. However, I've never even heard somebody describe me as being lovely. Growing up where I did, I was called much worse things than only "angelic," including "ugly," "respectful," "ungrateful," "pasty," "dumb blonde," and other things.

That's Alexandra for you—overconfident to a fault.

Alexandra put on her usual oversized jean jacket and red heart-shaped sunglasses with dark-tinted lenses as we decided to go outside and enjoy the weather. The vivid shade complemented her lips. I put on a blue and white striped sundress and let my hair hang loosely as it was on the beach before going outside to meet her.

I looked at my companion and asked, "Tell me about the Alpha's son." I then looked in a different direction as she turned to face me. I find it odd that you have never questioned me about that. He really is handsome. She giggled as she led us across the town square, "I don't think there is a girl in this hamlet who doesn't want him.

Caleb describes him as somewhat pushy. For want of a better word, I stumbled. She questioned, "An asshole?" I smiled but did not shake my head no. "He wasn't called that by him. I sighed, "Just a young, muscular wolf with an ego. That was confirmed by the expression she gave me. "So, what else?" I asked more questions. Other than the fact that I knew he'd be replacing the leadership and that he's frequently referred to in the community as some big-shot golden boy, I could not explain why I had suddenly been so captivated. When my best friend understood I wanted more information than she provided, I noticed a peculiar inclination in her big lips.

She briefly examined my face while lowering her sunglasses to her nose. I waited in excitement as she continued, "Well...as you know, the ascending Alpha and Delta always go away for about three years to both train and sort of do a national tour of other territories and their future leaders as a way to get acquainted with those of us who are allies, and..."

"And?"

"Typically, the tour relates to finding their soul partner. Since not every partner belongs to the same pack, their meeting is always predetermined by the Moon Goddess. If they discovered their ladies, they might return home with two new additions to our pack. I listened to her explanation until my thoughts started to stray. Would the new Luna be there for their return? If he has found his soul mate, I'd wager anything that she is stunning. He sounds too attractive to not have the ideal match, just on appearance alone. The afternoon was spent discussing the enigmatic Alpha and what lies ahead.