"Ms. Sinclair, may I ask how you managed to win over our pack's Alpha?""I picked him up," Tessa replied coolly. "It was I who pursued her," Landon interrupted, possessively wrapping his arm around his fiancée’s bare shoulder. He made a mental note to have a serious conversation with her stylist later. "Then Alpha, how did you manage to win over Ms. Sinclair?" The crowd of werewolves couldn't contain their curiosity about these two top figures of the werewolf world. "Not much to it," Landon said casually. "If she said go east, I wouldn't dare say west. If she claimed the Earth was flat, I wouldn't argue it was round..." Everyone was stunned. Was this still the same cold, unapproachable Alpha they knew?

Chapter 1 Fate in the Moonlit Shadows The summer nights in Falindale were unbearably hot, with the air seemingly ablaze, stirring a restless unease. After the evening classes at school, Tessa Sinclair, as always, waited until most of her classmates had left before heading home on her bike. She took a secluded alley, a shortcut that shaved more than twenty minutes off her commute despite its isolation. However, before she could exit the alley, her sharp nose caught the distinct, overwhelming scent of blood. She wasn’t unfamiliar with the smell. While another teenage female werewolf might have panicked and fled, Tessa calmly continued pedaling forward. Sure enough, five minutes later, she came upon a fierce battle deep within the alley. Ahead, a group of at least a dozen towering, muscular werewolves exuding raw savagery surrounded a single man with an extraordinary presence. These werewolves, their muscles taut and eyes glinting with ferocity, growled deeply, their snarling faces illuminated by the moonlight. The man they encircled was drenched in blood, but he was still valiantly fending off their attacks. Tessa, however, could tell he was badly injured—he wouldn’t last much longer. <i>Well, this is a nuisance.</i> Balancing one foot on the ground and the other on her bike’s pedal, one hand in her uniform pocket and the other lightly resting on the handlebars, Tessa let out a sharp whistle, drawing the attention of everyone involved. The sound caused both sides to pause and look her way. This allowed Tessa to clearly see who the injured man was. He was Landon Thorne, the alpha of the Nightshade Pack, the most powerful werewolf pack on the Montedra continent. But the Nightshade Pack was based in Navoris—what was Landon, their alpha, doing in an out-of-the-way place like Falindale? “Unless you want to die, leave now!” barked the leader of the werewolves, clearly dismissing her as an unawakened teenage werewolf. Tessa frowned, irritation flashing in her eyes. “You’re blocking my way,” she said flatly. “Do you have a death wish?” the leader snapped, his patience wearing thin. They had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack Landon while he was alone. Poisoned and unable to shift into his wolf form, Landon was vulnerable. This was their best chance to kill him, and they couldn’t afford interruptions. With a sharp glance from their leader, two of the werewolves immediately started toward Tessa. But before they could reach her, Tessa placed her other foot on the bike pedal and rode straight toward the pack, charging at them with reckless speed. In a single second, her bike rammed into one of the werewolves, sending him sprawling to the ground. Tessa used the momentum to push herself off the bike seat, flipping into the air and landing a double kick squarely on another werewolf’s face. The leader snarled at the sight of the girl attacking his men. “Kill them both!” he barked. They were running out of time. If Nightshade Pack reinforcements arrived, they’d lose their chance to eliminate Landon forever. Landon, though barely clinging to consciousness, forced himself to rally. He was the alpha of the Nightshade Pack; he couldn’t afford to die here. Tessa hadn’t planned to stick around. She intended to teach these werewolves a lesson and leave. However, as she passed by Landon, her gaze inadvertently locked with his. Suddenly, her heartbeat raced out of control. At the same time, when Landon’s eyes met hers, an intense, fiery sensation ignited in his chest and spread like wildfire. It felt as if every cell in his body was set ablaze, filling him with renewed vigor and passion. He could no longer see or hear anything else—his world had narrowed down to her alone. “Mate…” he murmured, the word slipping from his lips as if by instinct.

Chapter 2 The Alpha's Shadowed Fate The bike that had just shot forward came to an abrupt halt under Tessa’s control. She had been ready to leave, but a gut feeling stopped her. If she left Landon behind, she’d regret it for the rest of her life. With a sigh, she changed her mind and decided to lend him a hand. The next moment, Tessa tossed aside her bike, stopped holding back her true abilities, and instantly teleported into the midst of the werewolves. Without a weapon, she swiftly disarmed two of the werewolves and engaged in hand-to-hand combat against the group. The leader, watching Tessa’s swift and brutal moves, straightened his posture, his expression growing serious. <i>How can an </i><i>unawakened</i><i> teenage female werewolf possess such strength?</i> But now wasn’t the time to dwell on that. “Kill them both!” the leader ordered coldly. No matter what, Landon had to die tonight. Tessa maneuvered past the fray and stopped beside Landon. “Still alive?”“Not dead yet,” Landon replied, his gaze fixed on her. At 27, Landon had yet to meet his destined mate. But now, something about this young girl felt… different. <i>If only I weren’t poisoned,</i> he thought bitterly. <i>Flex could confirm if she’s really my mate.</i> But his wolf, Flex, had gone dormant after sustaining severe injuries trying to save him. Now wasn’t the time to focus on such things. The remaining werewolves rushed toward them again. “Look out!” Landon, wounded, managed to call out just as Tessa launched herself back into action. Her movements were precise, powerful, and effortless, taking on the entire group without breaking a sweat. Each strike was executed with cool confidence and efficiency. When she finally had the werewolves sprawled on the ground, Tessa kicked one aside and turned toward Landon. “Done. You’re welcome,” she said, mounting her bike to leave. It was almost 11 p.m., and she needed to get home. But as she pedaled, her bike didn’t move. Turning back, she saw Landon gripping the rear seat, his striking eyes filled with frustration despite the late hour. “Something else?”“Thank you,” he said softly before collapsing to the ground. “F*ck,” Tessa muttered, staring at the elegant man now unconscious on the pavement. Finally, she sighed and crouched down to inspect his injuries. His body was riddled with jagged knife wounds and claw marks from werewolves, though none were fatal. The worst injury was a gunshot near his heart—a silver bullet designed specifically to kill werewolves. If it had been one millimeter closer to his heart, he would have been beyond saving. Poisoned and unable to use his werewolf healing abilities, Landon looked utterly battered and broken. After examining his injuries, Tessa let out a long breath. <i>Guess I have no choice.</i> Resigned, she lifted him onto the back of her bike and pedaled out of the alley. <i>Silver bullets are banned in the werewolf world.</i> Those who wanted Landon dead couldn’t be ordinary werewolves. <i>They’re likely tied to that mysterious organization...</i> Not wanting to get entangled in old conflicts, Tessa avoided taking him to a hospital. Instead, she brought him to the medical lab at Falindale University. Navigating the lab with practiced ease, she switched on the lights and placed Landon on a dissection table used by medical students. She opened a cabinet, pulled on a surgical gown, and donned gloves. No anesthesia was available, but he was unconscious. <i>He can handle the pain.</i> With a pair of scissors, she carefully cut away Landon’s blood-soaked shirt. The bullet was dangerously close to his heart—one wrong move, and it could rupture. She sterilized the scalpel and began extracting the bullet. Despite being a hardened alpha, Landon awoke with a jolt of pain as the blade cut near his heart. “What… are you doing?” he growled, glaring at the girl operating on him. Tessa hadn’t expected him to wake up mid-surgery. Still, considering the extent of his injuries, it would’ve been more surprising if he hadn’t. “If you want to live, don’t move,” she snapped, uninterested in arguing. Landon gritted his teeth, letting out only a single groan as the scalpel cut deeper. For the rest of the procedure, he remained stoically silent. It wasn’t until the bullet was removed that he finally passed out again. “Impressive,” Tessa muttered, setting down the scalpel. <i>Typical of a Nightshade Pack alpha to endure surgery without anesthesia.</i> With the life-threatening injury handled, Tessa used her Mind Link to summon her wolf, Emma. “Emma, help me detoxify him.”“Of course,” Emma responded softly. Tessa placed her hand on Landon’s chest, and a gentle white light spread from her palm, enveloping his body. Ten minutes later, the light faded. “All done. The poison is gone,” Emma said kindly before retreating into silence. This was typical of Emma, a rare White Wolf with healing abilities. She only appeared at Tessa’s command to avoid unnecessary complications. “Thanks,” Tessa murmured. With the poison neutralized and the bullet wound treated, Tessa left the rest to Landon’s natural healing abilities as a werewolf. After all, he was the alpha of the Nightshade Pack. His regenerative powers would handle the remaining injuries…

Chapter 3 The Alpha's Fate: Bonds of Blood and Secrets When Landon regained consciousness, most of his injuries had healed. Even the severe gunshot wound near his chest had been treated, though, being from a Silver Bullet, it wasn’t healing as quickly as the rest. He immediately turned his head to survey his surroundings but didn’t see the girl who had saved him. <i>Strange. Why do I feel... disappointed?</i> <i>Flex, how are you feeling?</i> Landon asked his wolf through Mind Link. <i>I’m fine now. I didn’t think I’d recover this quickly after being hit with Wolfsbane,</i> Flex replied, his voice energetic. Landon let out a quiet sigh of relief. Clearly, the girl hadn’t just removed the bullet—she’d detoxified him too. <i>I’m sure you’re eager to meet our savior,</i> Landon remarked to Flex before summoning his beta, Nathaniel Frost, via Mind Link. Nathaniel arrived at the Falindale University medical lab shortly after. The sight of Landon, blood-soaked and battered, nearly stopped him in his tracks. “Alpha, are you okay?” Nathaniel’s voice was thick with concern. From the moment Landon went missing, Nathaniel had been plagued by anxiety. Now, seeing him like this, he couldn’t hide his alarm. Landon wasn’t just the alpha of the Nightshade Pack; he was the most powerful alpha on the Montedra continent. For anyone to have injured him so severely… <i>What kind of force are we dealing with?</i> If Landon were harmed any further, it wouldn’t just throw the Nightshade Pack into chaos—the entire Montedra werewolf society would be at risk of falling apart. “I’m fine now,” Landon said, his tone heavy. “They hired werewolf mercenaries this time—and used a Silver Bullet. Someone is desperate to see me dead.”“You were hit by a Silver Bullet?” Nathaniel’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How are you—?”“Someone helped me remove it. Find out who saved me,” Landon interrupted. “Yes, Alpha.” Once Nathaniel confirmed that Landon’s condition wasn’t critical, he escorted him back to their temporary residence in Falindale before setting out to investigate their mystery savior. The next morning, Nathaniel returned with a folder of information. “Alpha, I’ve found her,” Nathaniel announced, handing the documents over. Landon opened the folder and skimmed through its contents, his brows knitting together. “A 17-year-old student? She hasn’t even awakened her wolf?” He paused. <i>An </i><i>unawakened</i><i> teenage werewolf took down a team of mercenaries and performed a complex surgery?</i> “Nathaniel, are you sure this information is accurate?” Landon asked skeptically. “Yes, Alpha,” Nathaniel replied firmly. “I was just as shocked when I saw it, but I’ve double- and triple-checked everything. It’s definitely her.” Nathaniel handed over a photograph. Landon took the picture and froze. The face staring back at him was unforgettable: young, radiant, and stunningly beautiful. But it was her blue eyes—vivid and arresting—that held his gaze. “A 17-year-old unawakened female werewolf who can fight mercenaries and perform advanced surgery? Interesting.”“Should we return to Navoris?” Nathaniel asked tentatively. They had barely set foot in Falindale, and this attack seemed like a calculated move to prevent them from being here. “There’s still work to do here. Why would we leave?” Landon replied coolly. “If you’re scared, feel free to go back on your own.” Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t scared—he was just concerned for his alpha’s safety. “Let’s go meet this girl,” Landon ordered, his eyes lingering on Tessa’s photograph. Nathaniel found Tessa later that day, surrounded by a group of thuggish werewolves. “You must be Tessa,” he called out. Dressed in her Falindale High uniform with her sleeves rolled up to reveal her pale wrists, Tessa ignored him and kept walking. “Boss, she’s ignoring you!” one of the thugs exclaimed indignantly. No one at Falindale High dared to disrespect their leader. The gang leader, visibly irritated, stepped in front of her. “I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?” he barked, reaching for her arm. Tessa finally stopped, spat out her gum, and said coldly, “Move.” Her tone was icy, cutting like a blade. “Feisty, huh? You’ve messed with the wrong guy,” the leader sneered, lunging at her. Before he could make contact, Tessa grabbed him and threw him over her shoulder. He hit the ground hard, groaning in pain. “Do you know who I am? My dad—” Before he could finish, Tessa stomped on his face, silencing him. “Shut up,” she said flatly, her voice laced with irritation. The other thugs stared in stunned silence. <i>Isn’t Tessa supposed to be a useless wolf-less girl? What’s going on?</i> “Call my dad!” the leader screamed, his voice cracking. “Tessa won’t survive in Falindale after this!” Behind her, whispers erupted. Everyone knew Tessa’s story. She had been abandoned by her pack, the Frostmoon Pack in Navoris. Tessa was the Frostmoon alpha’s daughter, but she had been born weak and wolf-less. A witch’s prophecy had declared she would never awaken her wolf, branding her a disgrace. The Sinclair family despised her. Rumors painted her as lazy and dishonorable, claiming she associated with Rogues and had even miscarried a Rogue’s child at twelve. Embarrassed by her existence, the Sinclairs had exiled her to Falindale to fend for herself. Unbothered by the murmurs, Tessa walked on. Not long after, a sleek black car pulled up beside her. The door opened, and a tall, handsome male werewolf stepped out. “Ms. Sinclair,” he said politely. “I’m Nathaniel. My alpha would like to have a word with you.” He opened the back door, and Tessa saw the refined man seated inside—Landon. Despite knowing he was the alpha of the Nightshade Pack, Tessa showed no hint of the usual reverence werewolves displayed toward alphas. Instead, she climbed into the car and sat beside him. “You lost that much blood and still survived? Impressive,” she remarked casually, her striking blue eyes void of emotion. <i>This girl has some nerve.</i> Nathaniel, seated in the front, felt his lips twitch. <i>No one in </i><i>Montedra</i><i> talks to the alpha like this.</i> “I’m Landon. Thank you for saving me yesterday,” Landon said, handing her a business card. As he did, he silently reached out to Flex through Mind Link. <i>Flex, is she our destined mate?</i>

Chapter 4 Unbroken Bonds: The Alpha and the Outcast The moment Tessa stepped into the car, Flex sprang to life. As soon as Landon posed his question, Flex responded eagerly, <i>I can’t sense her wolf, so I can’t confirm if </i><i>she’s</i><i> my mate. But I like her!</i> <i>Funny, I do too,</i> Landon replied. Though he couldn’t be certain if Tessa was his destined mate, he and Flex both felt drawn to her. Beyond that, Landon was certain she was hiding a lot of secrets. An unawakened teenage girl shouldn’t have been able to handle trained werewolf mercenaries—let alone fifteen of them so effortlessly. What’s more, regular werewolves couldn’t withstand the oppressive force of his Alpha’s Presence, but Tessa wasn’t affected at all. Instead, she had the audacity to tease him with ease. And that wasn’t even mentioning her surgical skills and ability to detoxify him… Everything about her only deepened Landon’s curiosity. His conversation with Flex lasted just moments, but in that time, Landon noticed how Tessa took the business card he offered, barely glanced at it, and shoved it directly into her bag. “Did you study medicine?” Nathaniel finally asked the question on his mind. A 17-year-old girl who could remove a bullet wasn’t exactly ordinary. Tessa shook her head. “No. My neighbor’s a vet. I’ve helped him a few times.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. Her neighbor did operate on wolves, and after watching him a few times, she had picked up the basics. Werewolves and wolves weren’t so different. Nathaniel glanced at Landon, his expression hard to read. <i>Did you hear that, Alpha? She treated you like a wild animal.</i> “A vet who can remove bullets?” Nathaniel asked incredulously. “I’ve never done it before,” Tessa replied nonchalantly. “He just looked like he was about to die, so I gave it a shot.”“Drop me off at the next intersection,” Tessa said to the driver. The driver glanced at Landon, who gave a slight nod of approval. When they reached the intersection, the car stopped, and Tessa got out. “Ms. Sinclair, are you sure you don’t need any help?” Nathaniel asked, recalling how she might have angered the wrong people. “No need,” she said with a wave before hailing a taxi and driving off. “She’s so cool,” Nathaniel muttered, watching her disappear. He hadn’t met a female werewolf like her before—and she was stunning to boot. “Alpha, do you think she’s telling the truth?”“What do you think?” Landon didn’t bother sparing Nathaniel a glance, his eyes still fixed in the direction Tessa had gone, a faint smile on his lips. “She’s… interesting.” Nathaniel was stunned. <i>Did the Alpha just say she’s interesting?</i> “Alpha, you’re not… into her, are you? I mean, I’ll admit she’s beautiful—way more striking than the women in Navoris—but isn’t she a bit too young?” Landon shot him a sharp look, silencing him immediately. “Shallow.” Nathaniel shut his mouth. Sure, he was shallow. What man wasn’t? The next morning, Tessa barely made it to class when her classmates informed her the principal had already come looking for her three times. “Tessie, what did you do this time?” Tessa had a bit of a reputation. Everyone knew her as a troublemaker, always fighting or getting into scrapes. Though, since transferring to their school, she hadn’t been in a single fight. Sure, she slept through every class, but this was Falindale High—the worst school in the area. Half the students slept through class, and the teachers didn’t care. “Nothing. I’ll go check it out.” She tossed her bag onto her desk and headed for the principal’s office. “Tessa, what’s wrong with you?” Mr. Zavala, the principal, was fuming. “Your reputation is already terrible, and I’ve tried to look past that. But why did you have to start a fight? Do you even know who you hit? That was Mr. Caldwell’s son—the chief of police! And you put him in the hospital! What are you going to do now?” He glared at her, clearly regretting ever accepting her into the school. “I’ve already called your mother. With the trouble you’ve caused, our school can’t keep you anymore. Find another school that will take you—if there’s one.” Tessa stayed silent throughout his tirade. Within twenty minutes, Lila Quinn, her mother, arrived at the school. “Mr. Zavala, what happened? Did Tessa get into trouble again?” Lila asked, not even bothering to get Tessa’s side of the story. “Your daughter is beyond our ability to handle,” Mr. Zavala snapped. “You need to take her home immediately. And do you realize who she’s offended? Mr. Caldwell! This is a serious matter. I shouldn’t have admitted her in the first place.” Lila pleaded, “Mr. Zavala, please give her another chance. If even Falindale High won’t take her, no other school will.”“Mrs. Sinclair, I can’t help you. Your priority should be dealing with Mr. Caldwell. Now, please leave.” Defeated, Lila turned and walked out of the office. Seeing Tessa waiting outside, Lila’s face twisted in anger. She raised her hand, ready to slap her. But Tessa caught her wrist mid-air, her icy gaze locking onto Lila. “Mrs. Sinclair, what are you doing? What does my life have to do with you—or the Sinclair family? You all abandoned me, didn’t you? Whether I live or die has nothing to do with you.”

Chapter 5 Forsaken Bonds: The Sinclair Legacy They had made their decision five years ago. They chose to believe Winona Sinclair’s lies, to trust her accusations, and to abandon Tessa. If that was their choice, then Tessa had nothing to do with them anymore. “Tessa, how dare you say such things? Do you have any idea how disgraceful your actions were? You’ve humiliated the entire Sinclair family and the Frostmoon Pack in Navoris! And you still show no remorse?” Lila’s words were sharp and unforgiving. Tessa’s disappointment ran deep. As her mother, Lila had never believed her—not once. “Since your disgrace of a daughter has already been cast out of the Sinclair family and Frostmoon Pack, my life and death have nothing to do with you anymore. Don’t come looking for me, and stop meddling in my affairs.” Tessa’s voice was cold as she turned away to collect her bag from the classroom and leave. Lila watched her go, her frustration growing. <i>Can I really leave her be? No matter what, she is still my daughter—my blood runs in her veins.</i> And with Walter Sinclair, the former Frostmoon Pack alpha and Tessa’s grandfather, set to return, things would only get more complicated. Walter adored Tessa. If he found out they had abandoned her in Falindale, there was no telling how he’d react. “Alpha, Tessa has been expelled from school,” Nathaniel reported to Landon. “Also, she’s the youngest daughter of the Sinclair family from Navoris—the one they abandoned here in Falindale.”“The sister of Cedric Sinclair, Frostmoon Pack’s alpha?” Landon asked. While the Frostmoon Pack wasn’t particularly large, Cedric was a known figure in Navoris. “Yes, that’s her. She used to be quite infamous in Navoris. There were rumors that she eloped with a Rogue at just twelve years old—and even had an abortion.”“Rumors? And you believed them?” Landon’s voice was sharp. What kind of Rogue could convince someone like Tessa to elope and have a child at twelve? It didn’t add up. Nathaniel scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “Well, it was her sister Winona who spread the story.”“Winona?” Landon tried to recall but found the name unremarkable. “Alpha, this is a family matter. Are you planning to get involved?”“Tessa intrigues me,” Landon replied thoughtfully. “Bring her in. We might find her useful later.”“Wait, Alpha—are you planning to have her work for Thorne Corp?” Nathaniel was stunned. Thorne Corp was the powerhouse of Montedra, responsible for half the continent’s werewolf GDP. Talented werewolves had to pass rigorous tests just to get a chance to work there. And now the alpha wanted to bring in an unawakened teenager? “Got a problem with that?” Landon’s gaze sharpened. Nathaniel quickly shook his head. “Nope, not at all. Whatever you say, Alpha.” That evening, Lila was at her wit’s end. She hadn’t even managed to meet Mr. Caldwell, let alone resolve the situation with Tessa. She considered washing her hands of the matter entirely, abandoning Tessa to her fate, when Walter Sinclair reached out through Mind Link. “No matter what, bring Tessa back. If you don’t, you won’t need to come back either,” Walter commanded sternly. “Dad, bring Tessa back? You know what happened five years ago…” But before she could finish, Walter ended the link. Lila clenched her fists in frustration. <i>Everyone in </i><i>Navoris</i><i> is just waiting to see me fail. If I bring Tessa back, the rumors will only get worse.</i> Her train of thought was interrupted when Cedric arrived unexpectedly. “Aren’t you supposed to be on a business trip in Celandria? What are you doing here?” Lila asked. “I came personally to bring Tessa back,” Cedric replied curtly. “Cedric, you know her reputation in Navoris. If we bring her back, the Sinclair family won’t be able to recover from the disgrace.”“The truth of what happened five years ago has never been clear,” Cedric said firmly. “We chose to believe one side of the story, but I’ve never truly thought Tessa did anything to bring shame to the Sinclair family or Frostmoon Pack. At the time, I was worried about her mental state in Navoris, so I thought sending her away would help. But now, it’s time for her to come back. She needs to prepare for university.” Seeing Cedric’s determination, Lila could only relent, though her distaste for Tessa remained. “She won’t agree to go with you. You know how stubborn she is,” Lila said bitterly. “I’ll handle it. You can leave now,” Cedric said, cutting the conversation short. Tessa never expected to see Cedric in Falindale. <i>What’s he doing here?</i> Still, it didn’t matter. The Sinclair family had nothing to do with her anymore. They had chosen Winona over her, and that was that. As Tessa tried to walk past him, Cedric grabbed her wrist.

Chapter 6 The Return: A Granddaughter’s Resolve “Tessie, don’t ignore me. I’m here to bring you home,” Cedric said gently. Tessa frowned. Bring her home? He hadn’t been there when she needed him most. Now, she didn’t need him at all. “Sir, you’ve got the wrong person,” Tessa said, pulling her hand free. Cedric’s brow furrowed. It seemed she still hadn’t forgiven them. “Tessa, I know you hate us, but at the time, we had no choice.”“No choice? How could there be no choice? You made your choice.”“Tessa, Grandpa’s back. He wants to see you. Even if we were wrong, Grandpa wasn’t. He misses you deeply.” <i>The Sinclair family… perhaps Grandpa is the only one who still truly cares about me.</i> “I see. I’ll come back to see him,” Tessa replied. As expected, mentioning their grandfather softened her. “Grandpa asked me to bring you back. Come with me.”“I can go back on my own.” Tessa cut the conversation short and walked away. Back at her place in Falindale, Tessa opened her laptop, input a string of code, and uncovered incriminating evidence of Mr. Caldwell’s corruption and illegal activities. She sent the evidence directly to Bravonea’s Ministry of Justice. <i>Deputy Police Chief?</i> Tessa thought with a smirk. <i>These files are enough to put you behind bars for the rest of your life. Trash like you would raise a son just as worthless.</i> With that task done, Tessa began packing her belongings. After landing, Tessa took a taxi to the hotel she had booked. Although she was back in Navoris, she had no intention of staying at the Sinclair family estate. After checking in and taking a shower, Tessa called another taxi to head to the Sinclair residence. “Mom, are you saying Tessa’s back?” Winona’s face darkened at the news. “Your grandfather asked your brother to bring her home,” Lila replied, her expression equally grim. “What is Grandpa thinking? After everything Tessa has done to disgrace this family, people are still talking behind my back! Now that she’s returned, how many more will gossip about us—about the Sinclair family’s daughter…” Before Winona could finish her rant, Tessa walked in. She had heard every word. Winona didn’t care. “Tessa, how can you be so shameless? If I were you, I wouldn’t even have the nerve to exist in this world.” Winona’s words dripped with venom. “If you’re so embarrassed, feel free to die now,” Tessa replied icily. “Where’s Grandpa?” she added, not bothering to engage further. She was here for one reason only: her grandfather. Winona was livid. “Mom, look at her!”“Enough! Both of you, be quiet.” Walter Sinclair’s authoritative voice rang out as he descended from the second floor. “Tessa is my granddaughter, and she belongs in the Sinclair family. If either of you says another word, you can leave this house!”“Grandpa, you can’t mean that! Tessa—”“Winona, did you not hear me?” Walter’s tone turned sharp. “Tessa, come here. It’s been five years since I’ve seen you.” Seeing her grandfather, his hair now completely white, Tessa felt a pang of guilt and sadness. But she kept her composure and approached him obediently. “Grandpa, I’m here to see you,” she said softly. She’d been left to fend for herself in Falindale as a teenager, with no one to look after her. She’d grown thin and weary, but she had survived. Walter took her hand gently. “Tessa, five years ago, I wasn’t here. I didn’t know what happened. But now I’m back. As long as I’m here, no one will dare bully you.”

Chapter 7 Clash of Bloodlines: The Return of Tessa Sinclair “Thank you, Grandpa.” Tessa felt a rare warmth in her heart. Grandpa was the only one in the family who believed in her unconditionally, no strings attached. “Child, what’s the need for thanks between us?” Walter Sinclair said with a gentle smile. “Edmund, prepare a room for Tessie.” His mood visibly improved just seeing her. “Lila, handle Tessa’s school transfer tomorrow.”“Dad, Tessa was expelled five years ago. I doubt any school will take her now,” Lila replied hesitantly. This wasn’t Falindale, where money alone could secure Tessa a place in a school. “She’ll transfer to Navoris High,” Walter said, ignoring Lila’s protests. “Dad, do you think Navoris High is a supermarket anyone can walk into? It’s the most competitive high school in Navoris! Even Winnie had to rely on her own hard work to get in.”“Grandpa, you don’t need to trouble yourself with my affairs,” Tessa said calmly. She had come back to Navoris and to the Sinclair estate only to see him. “Besides, I have my own place to stay. I won’t live here.” Walter’s expression darkened at her words. “Tessa, as I’ve said, no one can bully you while I’m here. Everything in the Sinclair family will one day depend on you.”“Grandpa, what does she have to offer?” Winona sneered. “All she knows is how to fight and hang around with lowly Rogues.”“You insolent child!” Walter’s voice thundered, and the room filled with the weight of his Alpha’s Presence. Everyone froze, holding their breath, too afraid to say another word. “Winona, if you say one more thing, I’ll throw you out of the Sinclair family and the Frostmoon Pack!” Walter roared. “What, has my word lost its authority after just five years away?” Walter Sinclair had been the Frostmoon Pack’s alpha until five years ago. He had passed the title to his grandson Cedric before departing to join the Wolf Clan’s elite forces in their battle against the Vampire Clan at the border. Now, after the Wolf Clan’s victory, Walter had returned. Although no longer the official alpha, his strength and status commanded unwavering respect, especially with his war-earned honors. “Tessa, are you also refusing to listen to me?” Walter turned his attention back to her, his tone softer but no less resolute. “Grandpa, I—” Tessa faltered. If it had been anyone else, she wouldn’t have hesitated to reject them outright. But this was her grandfather, the one person who had always stood by her. “Fine, I’ll go to Navoris High,” she finally agreed. <i>If this is Grandpa’s last hope, I’ll do it.</i> “But I won’t live here,” she added firmly. Staying under the same roof with people she despised wasn’t something she could tolerate—she might actually kill them. “That’s fine,” Walter relented. “I won’t force you. But since you just returned tonight, spend one night here with me.” Tessa nodded in agreement. “It’s late, Grandpa. You should rest. I’ll stay around for the next few days to keep you company,” she said gently, not wanting to disappoint him further. “Good. I’m getting old. I just want to see my family living in harmony,” Walter said, his voice heavy with meaning, before heading upstairs. After Walter left, Lila took Edmund to prepare a room for Tessa. In the living room, only Tessa and Winona remained. Winona studied Tessa carefully. <i>She seems different now,</i> she thought. But no matter how much Tessa had changed, she was still the same useless girl she had been five years ago. Back then, Tessa had been the weakest werewolf in the Sinclair family—easy to bully and too timid to fight back. Now, five years later, she was still a powerless failure, nearly an adult and yet still unable to awaken her wolf. Winona, on the other hand, had awakened her wolf three years ago. Taking down someone like Tessa would be as easy as squashing an ant. “Tessa, I can’t believe you had the nerve to come back. Are you looking to get kicked out again?” With Walter no longer present, Winona’s true nature emerged, her words dripping with cruelty and venom far beyond her years. Tessa calmly pulled a piece of gum from her pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth before speaking. “Winona, the same way you kicked me out of the Sinclair family and Frostmoon Pack back then, I’ll do the same to you,” Tessa said coolly. With that, she turned and walked upstairs. Winona was livid. <i>How dare this powerless waste speak to me like that?</i> She glared daggers at Tessa’s retreating figure. <i>Just you wait, Tessa. You’ll regret coming back. I’ll make sure of it.</i>

Chapter 8 The Return of the White Wolf: Tessa's Reckoning The next morning, Mr. Walter personally took Tessa to Navoris High. The principal, Mr. Lambert, was not only the head of Navoris High but also the city’s Director of Education. He was a busy man, not someone easily accessible. However, Mr. Walter’s reputation in Navoris carried weight, and the two waited in the principal’s office for his arrival. It wasn’t until after 11 a.m. that Mr. Lambert finally entered his office. Seeing visitors waiting for him, he immediately had his assistant invite them in. After listening to Tessa’s situation, Mr. Lambert looked troubled. <i>With these grades, it’s not just </i><i>Navoris</i><i> High—even vocational schools wouldn’t want her!</i> “Mr. Walter, I’ve never turned down a request from you, but this time, I really can’t help,” Mr. Lambert said hesitantly. “You know Navoris High is one of the most elite schools, with students aiming for Ivy League universities. With grades like these, it’s just too difficult. I suggest you try vocational schools or other regular high schools, but I doubt even they will take her.” Tessa had never wanted her grandfather to beg for her. She stood up and walked out without a word. Knowing her pride, Mr. Walter quickly followed. But before they reached the door, Mr. Lambert received a phone call from Nathaniel. “Mr. Walter, please wait,” Mr. Lambert called after them once the call ended. “I’ll accept Tessa into Navoris High,” he said, his tone suddenly changed. Even someone as seasoned as Walter was surprised by the principal’s abrupt shift in attitude. <i>What happened?</i> “Mr. Lambert, did I hear you correctly?” Walter asked, his voice cautious. “You did, Mr. Walter. I’ll arrange for Tessa to join a class right away,” Mr. Lambert assured him. He immediately called the academic director to handle Tessa’s enrollment. Tessa didn’t refuse, but she knew there had to be more to this sudden reversal. The academic director placed Tessa in the school’s lowest-ranking class, gave her a uniform, and introduced her to the twelfth-grade Class 8 homeroom teacher. “Mr. Hamilton, please take care of Tessa,” the director said politely. “Of course, sir. You can leave her to me,” Mr. Hamilton replied with a practiced smile. At a prestigious school like Navoris High, the parents of students were often powerful figures—teachers knew better than to offend them. The third period was Mr. Hamilton’s class. He brought Tessa to the twelfth-grade Class 8 classroom. “Everyone, we have a new student joining us today,” Mr. Hamilton announced. “Please give her a warm welcome.” Tessa walked to the blackboard and, with bold, fluid strokes, wrote her name: Tessa Sinclair. “Hello, everyone. I’m Tessa,” she said simply. The murmurs started immediately. “Isn’t she the Tessa who got expelled five years ago?”“Yeah, I think so! She used to be in my class.”“Didn’t she elope with a Rogue at twelve? And wasn’t there something about an abortion?”“It’s true! I heard—”“Alright, settle down!” Mr. Hamilton’s voice cut through the chatter. “Tessa, there’s an empty seat in the back. Please take it.” Tessa walked to the last row, ignoring the disdainful stares from her classmates. Class 8 was a general track class, home to students from influential families who couldn’t make it into the school’s honors track. These students weren’t afraid of causing trouble. After the third period ended, Queenie Locke, one of Winona’s lackeys, approached Tessa. “Tessa! It really is you! I can’t believe you had the audacity to come back to Navoris. If I were you…” Queenie sneered. Queenie had been Winona’s sidekick back in the day, often helping her torment Tessa. “Queenie, shut your filthy mouth,” Tessa snapped, her tone sharp. She was still sleep-deprived from tossing and turning in an unfamiliar bed the previous night, and now she had a pounding headache. “Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?” Queenie sneered, undeterred. “You’re just a useless nobody without a wolf. I could crush you with one hand!” She grabbed Tessa’s wrist, assuming she was still the meek, defenseless girl from five years ago. But Tessa’s eyes narrowed dangerously, a spark of menace flashing in her gaze. With a flick of her wrist, she reversed Queenie’s grip, twisting her arm backward. “Ahh—!” Queenie shrieked in pain. Tessa hadn’t even used her wolf’s strength. “I told you, I don’t want trouble, but I’m not afraid of it either,” Tessa said coldly, her voice steady but menacing. “Queenie, remember this—I’m not the same Tessa from five years ago. No one steps on me anymore.” She leaned closer, her grip tightening just enough to make Queenie squirm. “And don’t forget: everything you did to me back then, I’ll make sure you pay for it. Slowly. One by one.” Tessa let go and shoved Queenie backward. Queenie stumbled and fell to the ground, too stunned to react. Queenie was frozen in disbelief. <i>How can she be this strong? She hasn’t even awakened her wolf! So how could she overpower me so easily?</i> The way Tessa looked at her—it wasn’t human. It felt like the gaze of a predator locking onto its prey. For the first time, Queenie felt fear. <i>I can’t let Tessa stay in </i><i>Navoris</i><i>. If she digs up what Winona and I did to her back then, we’re finished.</i> As Queenie sat there, trembling, her mind unwillingly drifted back to that incident…

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You first saw her in a blood-soaked alley, standing over a dozen mercenaries like a goddess of war. Tessa Sinclair—17, expelled, labeled wolfless, cast out by her own family. You were Landon Thorne, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, poisoned, bleeding, seconds from death. She didn’t flinch. She didn’t bow. She whistled, charged in on her bike, and dismantled your attackers like they were toys.

Then she looked at you.

And everything changed.

Now, days later, you’re healed, but you can’t forget her. Nathaniel found her—Tessa, the Sinclair outcast, back in Navoris. You watch from your car as she shoves Queenie Locke to the ground, her voice icy: 'I’m not the same girl from five years ago.'

You step out, your presence radiating through the courtyard. Students freeze. Teachers stare. But Tessa? She doesn’t even look at you.

Until you say, 'You saved my life. I owe you.'

She turns, chewing gum, blue eyes sharp. 'Don’t. I didn’t do it for you.'

'I know,' you say. 'But I’m still yours.' Your voice drops, low and certain 'Whether you want me or not.'

She takes a step back. 'I don’t need an Alpha. I don’t need anyone.'

'Prove it,' you challenge, stepping closer. 'Then why haven’t you left yet?'