The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, a familiar comfort that now felt alien. I stood at the edge of the forest, the moonlight painting the ancient trees in shades of silver and shadow. Every rustle of leaves, every distant howl, sent a fresh wave of unease through me. It had been two weeks since I was brought to the Blood Canine Pack’s territory, two weeks since my life irrevocably shattered, and yet, the memory of that night clawed at my insides like a trapped beast.

My new 'home' was a sprawling mansion, opulent and grand, a stark contrast to the small, cozy pack house I once knew. But luxury couldn't mask the chill that settled in my bones whenever Nate, Tiger, Damon, or Richmond were near. Their gazes were like daggers, their words venomous. Only Duke offered a flicker of warmth, a rare kindness that felt like a lifeline in this new, terrifying existence.

Tonight, though, was different. Tonight marked my eighteenth birthday, a milestone that held a dual promise: the awakening of my wolf and, perhaps, the discovery of my fated mate. A tremor of both excitement and dread ran through me. What if my mate was one of them? The thought alone was enough to make my stomach churn, but a strange, undeniable pull urged me forward, deeper into the moonlit woods, towards a destiny I couldn't yet comprehend.