Chapter 1

• I’m the Alpha heir of the White Moon Pack, and I was also the mate chosen for Alpha Nick by the Moon Goddess herself.
• Alpha Nick—leader of the Brown Pack. Twenty-one years old. Ruthless, cunning, feared across countless tribes.
• Now, forced by the decision of the Pack Elders, I must suppress my Alpha scent and live in his pack.
• I have to stay there for three whole months.
• I glanced carelessly at the bracelet on my wrist. It wasn’t just any accessory—it was the token of core bloodline from the White Moon Pack. The witch had cast a spell on it, ensuring its strong Alpha scent was suppressed to the bare minimum.
• After all, to the Brown Pack, I’m nothing—just a low-ranking wolf from some unknown little pack, Wendy Smith. At least, that’s what everyone else believed.
• I don’t care what they think. After all, it’s only three months.
• My grandfather promised that if I don’t form a bond with him after that, he’ll stop interfering with who I choose as my mate.
• Screw the Moon Goddess.
• To hell with this damn Mate Bond!
• Barely had I stepped outside when a driver, sent by Alpha Nick, appeared in front of me.
• “Hello, are you Miss Smith? Mr. Johnson sent me to pick you up.”
• He stood beside the car, head slightly lowered. The gray glow from the Omega-class mark on the back of his neck shimmered faintly. His posture was submissive, but the innate fear in his eyes was impossible to miss—a primal reaction of low-ranking wolves toward those of superior lineage.
• I gave a slight nod and followed him into the car without much thought, fatigue heavy in my bones. I’d had too much fun a few days ago and accidentally got scratched by barbed wire. Though I’d treated it, the lingering burn was still uncomfortable.
• As the car pulled away from the station, I noticed the driver constantly glancing at me through the rearview mirror. His probing gaze was downright offensive.
• What, did he assume I came from some tiny backwater Pack and thus didn’t deserve basic respect?
• I turned my head to the window. Let him think about what he wanted.
• The driver probably saw my simple expression and figured I was some greedy little wolf chasing luxury, which explained his disrespect.
• I slowly opened my eyes and gazed at this strange, bustling city. My heart remained steady.
• We soon arrived at Alpha Nick’s mansion. The driver helped carry my luggage in, but just as we stepped through the gate, we were stopped.
• Standing there was a refined woman with golden curls. She brushed a strand of hair back and glanced me over with undisguised disdain.
• “Santry! Can’t you see there’s a strange wolf here? Bring the spray.”
• “Yes, Mrs. Johnson. Right away.”
• The maid, Santry, obediently approached with a spray bottle in hand. I caught a whiff of the scent of instant wolf’s bane.
• With a swift kick, I sent the bottle flying.
• Mrs. Johnson’s face contorted in rage. She pointed at me and snapped, “What kind of ill-mannered wolf are you? Raising your hand in your host’s home? No upbringing at all!”
• The bottle shattered on the ground, releasing that pungent stench. I raised my hand to block my nose and replied coldly, “Mrs. Johnson, letting a maid spray poison on a guest—or the Brown Pack’s future Luna—how refined is your so-called etiquette?”
• That only made her angrier.
• “Typical of a remote Pack! We’re worried you’re carrying some virus. What if you infected someone here?”
• I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. On any other day, I’d have turned around and left without another word—but I had a deal to honor.
• A promise to a certain old man.
• “Well then, Mrs. Johnson,” I said with a bright smile. “You might want to spray your own mouth, given how… impolite you’ve been.”
• Without waiting for her reply, I walked in with effortless grace.
• “You—!” Mrs. Johnson’s voice broke off in fury as she pointed at me. The maid rushed over to console her.
• Inside the villa, another girl about my age stood with a haughty expression, her outfit dripping in designer labels. She looked me up and down, her eyes landing on my clothes with clear contempt.
• “You’re the rumored fated mate of Alpha Nick—Wendy Smith?” She sneered. “Can’t believe our Pack’s old Alpha approved. He must be losing his mind. I heard you are coming by train. You should’ve told us, and we could’ve bought you a plane ticket. Then again, I suppose your impoverished little Pack doesn’t even have an airport, right?”
• I stared at her like she’d grown a second head.
• Were all Brown Pack wolves this arrogant?
• True, we didn’t have an airport.
• But our old Alpha had chartered a private jet to fly me straight to LA.
• Alone.
• Lonely, to be honest.
• If I wanted anything, our old Alpha could make it happen. But explaining myself to this group? Not worth it.
• I ignored her and headed upstairs.
• Offended, she stormed after me.
• “Nick would never want a clueless little wolf from a tiny Pack as his Luna! He needs a mate like a warrior!”
• I stopped and turned to a passing maid. “Where’s my room?”
• Before the maid could answer, the girl cut in.
• “This one’s yours.” She opened the door and gestured inside. “Bet you’ve never stayed in a room this nice before. You’d better cherish your time here in the Brown Pack. I’m Alpha Nick’s cousin, Enna. So, you’d better start kissing up. If one day—”
• I slammed the door in her face before she could finish.
• Bang.
• This place was… peculiar.
• There were clearly male toiletries in the bathroom and a faint masculine scent, but I thought it was just how Brown Pack wolves lived.
• Still, it didn’t really matter.
• Iit was just for three months. If I could stay with the Brown Pack for three months without forming any bond with Nick, our Pack’s old Alpha said I wouldn’t have to go through with the mate contract.
• After a shower and a simple dinner, I fell asleep almost immediately.
• Apparently, Alpha Nick knew I was arriving today. The old Alpha had asked him to greet me, but he’d used “work” as an excuse to avoid it.
• Which only confirmed that he had zero interest in me.
• Perfect.
• I drifted off peacefully.
• Completely unaware someone had entered the room. I only vaguely registered a familiar, comforting presence beside me—soft, warm, like my childhood teddy bear.
• Without thinking, I hugged it close.
• “Mister Bear, be good, don’t squirm. Time to sleep…”
• And just like that, it stopped moving.
• Good bear.
• Until...next morning...
• I was jolted awake by the loud banging on the door. I slowly opened my eyes… and realized I was curled up in someone’s arms.
• Our eyes locked—and all traces of sleep vanished from my mind.
• I bolted upright. “Who the hell are you?!”
• He stared at me; his dark eyes were brooding.
• “Wendy?”
• “First day in Brown Pack and you’re already in my bed? Does the Moon Goddess know how shameless her chosen mate is? Impressive.”
• I stared at him, completely stunned.
• Me? In his bed?
• Was the entire Brown Pack delusional?
• But remembering the men’s products in the room, I quickly pieced it together.
• This was Alpha Nick’s room. Enna had done it on purpose.
• I got off the bed and spoke coldly, “First of all, I didn’t sneak into your bed. Enna told me this was my room. And Alpha Nick—I have zero interest in you.”
• “Second, I was already asleep when you came back. You didn’t notice someone was in your bed? You cuddled me all night. Shouldn’t I be asking if you had any intentions?”
• Nick’s expression darkened further. His face flushed slightly, and he didn’t reply.
• Maybe it was the mate bond.
• He couldn’t resist my scent.
• I caught him staring again and smirked.
• What, Alpha Nick? Can’t handle the mate pull either?
• “Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t tell me I’ve already charmed you?”
• I fought the instinctive urge to lean closer and instead mocked him.
• Nick snapped back to reality, his voice low and cold.
• “Get out. And don’t ever come into this room again.”
• I didn’t argue. I grabbed my things and walked out, though I felt a strange sense of reluctance in my chest.
• I bit my tongue to kill the feeling.
• First impressions? We hated each other.
• Perfect.