Chapter 1

• Hailey's POV
• The roar of the airplane faded into the background, replaced by the bustling noise of Los Angeles.
• Walking out of the airport, I was welcomed by the blinding sun. As I shielded my eyes, the glitzy scenery came into my view.
• Edifices scrapping the sky; streets buzzing with traffic; pedestrians wearing chic and stylish outfits…
• Everything here was a world away from the Mountain Pack I was most familiar with. I was totally amazed and thrilled.
• Digging in my backpack, I took out my acceptance letter once again. Actually, I had flipped through it like a hundred times, just to confirm that heart-racing news—I'd been admitted to UCLA!
• The school wouldn't be starting till a month later, but you didn't always get a cheap flight. So I booked a ticket as soon as I saw a discounted one and arrived in Los Angeles ahead of time.
• I got the acceptance letter from UCLA about a week ago. Thrilled, I showed it to Alpha Johnny immediately.
• The news brought a joyful smile to his weary face.
• "Hit those books hard, and you'll be able to stay in L.A. after you graduate," he told me.
• I didn't get it. Why would I stay in L.A.? "This is where I belong. I gotta come back," I replied.
• "We're too strapped here, Hailey. Your sponsor's the Alpha of the Blade Pack, the largest deal in L.A. That's where you belong. We don't wanna hold you back," he persuaded.
• Alpha Johnny's amicable face then blurred in my mind, replaced by the images of the pups in Mountain Pack.
• We were legit poor, as our pack was in an underdeveloped region. But I couldn't just leave my family and friends behind.
• Every time I recalled the expectant looks of those pups in my pack, my resolve stiffened.
• I gotta find a way to get schooled without bailing on Alpha Johnny and my pack.
• I couldn't let those kids turn into rogues due to poverty.
• Screech—
• The sound of tires grinding jerked me out of my contemplation. Startled, I jumped back a bit.
• A black luxury sedan I couldn't name pulled up right in front of me.
• The car door opened, and a guy in a black suit stepped out. After a bow, he said, "Miss Carlson, Alpha Frank invites you to join him for lunch."
• "I'm sorry?" I exclaimed, widening my eyes in surprise.
• I'd never told Frank that I was coming here in advance, yet somehow he just found out about it. He always seemed to have the inside scoop.
• With a nod, I got into the car.
• The guy took me to the restaurant, where I met Alpha Frank, who was dressed in casual attire and looked just as kind as I had imagined.
• "Hailey, you're the best student among all the werewolves I sponsored. I'll keep funding your uni," he smiled.
• "Thank you so much!" I said sincerely, tears welling up in my eyes.
• Frank grinned before nodding in satisfaction. "Remember when I asked if you wanted to marry my grandson Connor and become his mate? You haven't given me your answer. So have you made up your mind?"
• I tapped my chest, blurting out with determination, "It'll be my pleasure."
• I'd given it serious thought—a favor earned should be returned in due course.
• Frank had been sponsoring young students from underdeveloped packs, and I was one of them. Had it not been for him, I couldn't have become who I was now. So it was only reasonable that I did my best to repay him.
• Frank felt like retiring a long time ago, but Connor just couldn't find a mate no matter what. Without a Luna, Connor wouldn't be able to take over the Blaze Pack even if he was the rightful heir. Frank was worried sick.
• So I felt I gotta help him out. I knew I might seem like a fool, sacrificing my marriage simply for the sake of returning a favor. But I ain't got no boyfriend, not to mention a mate.
• And let's face it, tons of werewolves couldn't find their fated mate nowadays. If I married Connor, Frank would be my family. So why not?
• Hearing my answer, Frank nodded in satisfaction. "Well, now that you're here, we might as well get it done today."
• With that, Frank stood up and told the chauffeur to head for the Blaze Pack.
• A while later, the car stopped in front of a swanky three-story villa. I guessed this was their pack house.
• I followed Frank inside, and before long, a hunk about my age came downstairs. This must be Connor, I assumed.
• As Frank introduced us to each other, I was a bit dumbfounded. Since Frank kept talking about how difficult it was for Connor to find a mate, I always pictured him as someone physically unattractive.
• I never expected he would be this hot.
• Holding back my amazement, I gave him a polite smile.
• Connor got the same scent as Frank, something powerful and exclusive to those of Alpha blood.
• Oddly, Connor's gaze toward me was far from friendly. While I was wondering why, I suddenly felt a chilling aura emanating from around him.
• He was unleashing his oppressive Alpha aura over me.
• I was no stranger to it, for I had encountered powerful rogues before. So I didn't panic at all.
• My wolf, Iris, let out a howl in my mind. Then, I unleashed my aura as well.
• Connor looked at me in disbelief. It seemed he didn't expect me to fight back. Did I look like a pushover to him?!
• Just as I was about to speak, Frank cleared his throat. Guessed he tried to ease the tension for a bit.
• "Let's get started," he announced, standing off to the side.
• The werewolf beside him piped up, "I'm the Beta of the Blaze Pack. Today, I'll be tying the mate bond for you two."
• As the ancient prayer ended, a warm feeling wrapped around me. And I sensed a faint connection between me and Connor.
• "If you wanna stabilize the mate bond, you could mark your mate," the Beta told Connor.
• "I ain't marking her yet," Connor replied, his voice icy.
• I shrugged, saying, "Well, cool by me."
• It was even better, in fact. Being marked meant I'd sense Connor stronger. I gotta go to college in a month, so I didn't want him to get into my head all the time.
• "I won't go public with this either," he added.
• "Enough, Connor!" Frank interrupted him with a scowl. "Whether you mark Hailey or not, she's the only future Luna of the pack. If you don't want her as your mate, then you can forget about inheriting the pack."
• With that, Frank was called away by another werewolf.
• I watched his back disappear from my sight.
• When I turned around, I saw Connor marching up to me.
• With disgust in his eyes, he whispered in my ear, "You snake."