Chapter 1

ELVIRA

The first time I realized that I was in love with Theo, I was seven. I had wandered a bit too far and ended up in unfamiliar territory that day. When I realized I was lost, I don't remember how long I sat down in the middle of the forest, but I remember the relief I felt when I saw a flashlight approach me. It was Theo, and apparently, he and my father were looking everywhere for me. I remember seeing him and bursting into tears. I expected him to feel irritated but Theo was patient with me. He didn't yell or feel disgusted, even when I wiped my snot-on hoodie. When he took my seven-year-old hand into his eleven-year-old one, I knew then I was smitten.

A knock on my door brought me out of my thoughts, and my eyes wandered to the clock on the wall of my room. 1:30 AM. I frowned. Who could be at the door at this hour? The main house was miles away from the maid's quarters, and the maids were not allowed to leave their rooms after midnight. The knock sounded again, this time more urgent, leaving me with no choice but to go and open it.

On the other side of the door was the man who had invaded my very senses since we were children. Theo stood before me in a pair of gray sweats and a plain white T, which was so thin I could trace the outline of his pecs if I were to reach forward. His dark hair lay tussled on his head and his eyes were filled with an emotion I couldn't decipher as they looked at me.

"What are you doing here?" The question left my lips before I even realized it had.

"I wanted to see you," he said matter-of-factly. This wasn't the first time Theo had stumbled into the Servant's quarters to see me. We were friends, after all. We had spent most of our childhood together playing within the walls I now served as. My father was his father's Beta and best friend since they were children, and it was because of their friendship that Alpha Zed spared my life despite it all.

"By one in the morning?

" I asked, raising a brow. He shrugged.

"You know what they say, better late than never." He grinned, making me roll my eyes. He found the situation more amusing than it should have been. I mean, how couldn't he? After all, he wasn't the one who was going to get in trouble if anyone found out he was there. The sound of voices coming from down the halls stopped whatever words that were about to leave my mouth. My hands moved, wrapping around Theo's elbow and pulling him inside. I locked the door behind him, making sure the sound of the voices had faded before I faced Theo.

Alphas were known for their huge statures, and Theo was no different. Being the next in line for the alpha position after his father, Theo was a lot taller and broader than many men in our pack. He barely fit into the room, crowding the little space I called mine. For a moment, I wondered what it would be like to be pressed against his hardness. I shook my head, ridding myself of the thought.

"You shouldn't be here," I said, wrapping my arms around myself.

"And yet you let me in," he said, taking two steps closer to me. I took a step back, trying to create some much-needed distance.

"Theo, I…" My words fell into a gasp when his fingers brushed my cheek, leaving a trail of tingles in their wake. I didn't even notice he moved again.

"Do you feel it" Theo murmured as he ran his thumb over my bottom lip. I did, I wanted to say but stopped myself. Instead, and against my better judgment, my tongue darted out, tasting the rough pad of his thumb.

"Fuck," the word sounded rough as it left his lips. Theo rarely cursed, but the sound of him saying that word… did something to me. He dropped his thumb from my lips and took a step back. The sense I had lost returned to me and my cheeks heated as I realized what I had done.

"This isn't why I came here El" The nickname he called me since we were kids stirred a familiar feeling in my chest.

"Then why did you come here?" I asked, wrapping my hands around myself once more as if my hands had the power to shield me from the wave of shame I suddenly felt. If there was anything I had learned these last few years, it was that my feelings for Theo would only hurt me in the long run. Anyone within a mile's radius could tell that we were not compatible. I was the daughter of a traitor, and he was the son of the Alpha. Even with that aside, there was no guarantee that I was his fated mate. Everybody knew that the Moon Goddess picked only the strongest female to rule by the side of the Alpha, and I was far from it. At eighteen, I was weaker than my peers and the last one to get my wolf. Even after getting it, I had only shifted a handful of times. It was exhausting not being able to hear the voice of my other half, who preferred sleeping all day instead of running around like everyone else.

"I know I shouldn't, but I've been thinking about you a lot more than I should. I do, but I had to come here. I had to know if the way I feel is completely one-sided." His words stunned me momentarily. Theo felt something for me.

"Theo…" my voice trailed off, finding the words but failing. He ran his hand through his hair and let out a sigh. Then, before I know it, his hands are on my waist, pulling me closer and pressing my body against his hard one. His head fell to my shoulder, and I shuddered when I felt his lips brush my skin.

"Tell me you feel it too, El, this spack. Tell me I'm not just imagining it." His lips brushed against my neck with each word, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

"Theo, the moon festival is tomorrow," I said, in an attempt to stop this.

"You'll find your mate, and you'll forget about this feeling you think you have for me," I said, trying to make my voice firm but failing. I had to stop this. I needed to. His lips ghosted across the sensitive part of my neck, and a moan fell from my lips.

"Let me take care of you, El." He nips my skin, and I gasp.

"Theo.." I half moan, half plead.

"Just one night, El," I said, biting my lip.

"Just one?" I repeat.

"Just one"

I don't remember who moved first and the moment his lips were on mine; it didn't matter.

**

When I woke up the next day, Theo was gone