Chapter 1

Charlotte

The moon has already begun to rise when I return home. The house is dark, but I don’t think it is because my mother is asleep. No, I am sure it is because she is out drinking again. I check my phone for missed calls. I am sure she will need a ride home from wherever she has decided to embarrass herself tonight.

It has been the same every night for the past seven years. After my father died in a rogue attack, she wasted no time making a fool out of herself. She frequents the bars and sleeps with random pack members. She has ruined the reputation of our family, which our father worked so hard to build.

I heave a heavy sigh before climbing the rickety steps to my front door, but as I lay my hand on the doorknob, something pulls me away. My wolf, Tala, is clawing angrily in my mind, desperate for me to set her free. I step back from the door, and Tala forces the shift.

Her white fur sprouts along my skin, and my bones break and reform. My clothes rip against my changing form, and I am pushed to the back of my mind.

‘Tala,’ I speak to her. ‘What is going on?’

‘Our mate,’ she growls. ‘He is near.’

Tala races through the trees that surround our house. Her nose is to the ground as she chases a scent. She lifts her nose to the air and howls, bolting in the direction of whoever she is pursuing.

Sandalwood fills my senses, and I peer through her eyes to see a massive black wolf standing before us. His head is cocked awkwardly to the side as he looks at us. He shifts back into his human form, standing naked before us.

Alpha Ronan.

Tala bears her neck and steps away from the Alpha of our pack. Alpha Ronan walks around Tala as if he is inspecting her.

‘Are you sure he is our mate?’

Before she has a chance to answer me. Alpha Ronan growls. “Shift.”

It isn’t a request. It is a command, and Tala is defenseless. She retreats to the back of my mind, giving me back control. Once I am in my human form, I remain crouched on the ground.

“So,” Alpha Ronan growls. “You are my mate?”

I dare to look into his eyes. There is no comfort behind his icy blue gaze. He looks livid. It is clear I am not what he expected.

“Answer me!”

My voice gets caught in my throat, but I manage to squeak out a “yes.”

“Rise.”

Another command that I cannot deny. Slowly, I get to my feet and do my best to cover my naked body with my hands. Unfortunately, I am curvy, and it is nearly impossible.

“You are the late Delta’s daughter.” It isn’t a question, but I nod in response anyway. “I do hope you are more like your father than your mother.”

Anger fills me, and my fists ball up at my sides. “My mother is grieving.”

Alpha Ronan scoffs. “Your mother is a whore.”

“Kind of like you.” The words leave my lips before I can stop them, and I am shocked at myself. But I refuse to be ashamed of them. It is well known that Alpha Ronan’s bedroom is a revolving door. He never sleeps with the same woman more than once.

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