“Wakey, wakey human.” I groan, clutching the pillow tighter over my head. The one thing I hate is being woken up in the mornings, especially when I’m hungover to death. I only wish that Celeste, my wolf, would get the memo.

“Celeste, shut up!” I moan as she chuckles in my head.

“Na ah, no can do princess. Today’s the day, we will find him. Our mate.” if I didn’t already have a banging headache, I would certainly have one now. She is bouncing on her paws, letting out excited yips and playful barks.

“No, we won’t. Or have you forgotten? We don’t have one.” I snap at her as I roll over, pulling the quilt higher, when my hand brushes against something cold. She whimpers.

“Of course we do. Now we are 21, we will find him. Now, up, up, up shower, brush your teeth and, brush your hair.” I crack my eyes open and remove the quilt. I chuckle, still a little bit drunk, as I find the empty bottle of wolf’s brew.

Today is my 21st birthday, and it is safe to say I got carried away with the pity party I had by myself in my favourite tree. When I was 16, I shifted for the first time. Mom and dad were shocked that it happened, and it didn’t take a genius to know it was too soon.

My training has changed and become more intense since then. In preparing me for my future of Alpha of Alpha’s.

The worst period of my life, if I’m being honest. My best friend, well, my only real friend, Malachi, who is 6 years older than me, wouldn’t speak to me, let alone look at me after I shifted. I don’t understand why the sudden change. I texted him and called, but he never responded, so I gave up. Some friend he is.

When I turned 18, I began shadowing my parents. The mighty Alpha Destinee and Alpha Titus Blackwood. Aura, my mom’s wolf, is the wolf that once belonged to our Moon Goddess, Selene. But still they are both great parents, but whenever I bring up the fact that they have twin sons and they can have the title, it always causes arguments with them both.

I may be alpha born and Selene declared my future. But I don’t want it. If anything, one of the twattlings should take over. I hate it; I hate being here. I just want to live a normal life. Travel, make friends because of who I am and not for my title or what they can gain from me.

Sighing, I get up, standing on wobbly legs as I stagger to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I chuckle to myself. I’m so attractive.

My long brown hair is a tangled and matted mess. I have mud and twigs sticking to it. Mud on my face and down my legs. I chuckle as I remember I fell out of the tree, landing in a muddy puddle. Good times.

I begin removing the debris as my head pounds before I stagger into the shower to try to feel more alive.

“Come on, hooman, we need to find him. I think you may be pleasantly surprised.” I groan, banging my head lightly against the tiles in the shower.

“Please, just stop. For the love of the Goddess, just shush!” I snap at her when she clicks her tongue and sticks her snout into the air. Oh, here we go.

“You’re mean you know that. I have put up with your moody ass for the last five years Dah and today we could find our mate and you aren’t even bothered. What happened to you?” she asks, and I ignore her. Because even I don’t know the answer to that.

After my long shower and I feel more human, I throw on my yoga pants and sports underwear. May as well hit the gym. I told my parents after what happened on my 16th that I won’t be celebrating my birthday anymore, much to their dismay. How can I when tomorrow is the anniversary of the war against the rogues. Many died that day, so it doesn’t feel right celebrating my birthday when the wolf community still feels that loss even 21 years on.

Making my way down the hall, I put in my ear buds and crank the music up, placing my phone in my pocket. I bypass everyone as I head to the gym. When pain begins to bloom in my lower belly. I bite my lip as I keep moving.

Celeste whimpers in my head.

“Cel, what is it?” I ask with a groan as I place a hand on the wall. My teeth pierce my bottom lip as I taste the metallic on my tongue. She whines louder. My knees give way and my breath catches in my throat. My hands move to my stomach.

She howls in my head, and I scream out as I fall down. My body convulses on the floor as my claws erupt as the pain moves to my chest, and I claw at my chest to stop it.

“Mate, is with another.” She whimpers as I roll onto my side, blood coating my chest when the pain stops. I pant and groan out. My hands shake as a growl rips from my throat.

Werewolves have something called a mate bond, not only do we find the other half of our soul, or as humans call it a soulmate. It means they have been bonded to us by our Goddess. The one who is perfect for us. But we can also feel their pain, their emotions and can find them by the bond or their unique scent.

He was with another? That means I know who he is. The pains of his betrayal, him cheating with another she-wolf.

He will regret this. I pull myself up with a growl as I stagger to my feet. My fingers dripping with blood as my chest heals and I move, my vision doubling as I make my way to the front of the packhouse and outside into the blinding sun.

I fall down the steps and land harshly, winding myself as the air leaves me in a long huff. I pull myself up and see the looks on some of the pack member’s faces they are whispering. The looks they give me show nothing but pity!

“Oh my Goddess, she looks terrible.” One says and I snarl as I move forward.

“Poor thing never stood a chance, and she won’t now,” another said. They knew! They all knew!

I take off into a staggered jog, pushing faster when I catch the scent as I skid to a stop. Celeste perks up.

“Mate, he is here.” She says, and I look around before closing my eyes and breathing in the scent of leather and something earthy. I let my nose guide me.

“He is close.” She says with a whimper.

I follow the scent to the training ground. Looking around for the one who it could be when my eyes land on him. Tall, muscular, with tattoos on his bare chest and down his rippling muscled arms. His dark hair, tanned skin, those eyes. The deep brown like dark pools of chocolate, I could get lost in them.

Everything around me fades as our gazes lock, when I shake my head as I look into his eyes. I back away slowly. No!

I can’t accept this. I can’t accept him! He knew who I was to him! He knew! He caused me pain! The pains of betrayal!

Malachi!

.

My vision blurs with tears when I feel rage, sadness, shock.

“Why?” my chest heaving as he gets closer. He reaches for me and I take a step back and he sighs, dropping his hand. He looks at me sadly. But I won’t fall for it.

“I asked you a question, Malachi. Why?” I snarl out, wanting his blood.

“Dahlia, listen. I’m sorry ok! I was going to tell you. I couldn’t. I’m sorry, my love.” I scoff as I look away, my fists balled and my nails drawing blood.

“You knew for a long time. Yet, you ran like a pussy. You refused to look at me, you refused to speak to me. You were my best friend, Mal. But I know it meant nothing to you. I can’t do this.” I say as the tears leave my eyes, but I wipe them away angrily.

He sighs as he clenches his fists. Even now, he can’t offer me any form of comfort. It’s for the best.

“Dahlia, I’m sorry. I never meant to cause you any pain.” I slap him across his face and I glare at him. Celeste wants his head.

“You never wanted to cause me pain, pup! Well, you should have kept your thing in your pants. Was it worth it for a quickie? You are a disgrace. You knew, we didn’t.” I spit at him as I stand up straight as he looks at my chest where the white sports underwear is stained red.

“What did you do?” He practically screams at me.

“What I had to, to stop the pain of your BETRAYAL!” I say, my chest heaving as he looks away in shame. “Well, she can have you. I, Alpha Dahlia Blackwood …”

His lips crash onto mine, stopping me.

I struggle to get him off me. I shove him and bite his lip with a growl when he bites me back and I gasp.

“How dare you!” I growl at him as I take a step back again.

“Dahlia, please don’t do this. I want to be with you. Things are just complicated right now with me and Sapphire. Please, I will explain. Just give me time. I have always loved you. Don’t do this?” he is for real? This isn’t love.

“What’s there to explain? If you loved me, you would have told me from the beginning. If you loved me, you wouldn’t have slept with her this morning, knowing I would have felt it. You ruin us by being a coward. I can’t have you as my mate.” I say to him and he looks away again.

“If you reject me, I won’t accept it. Let me explain. Please!” He begs me and I feel uncomfortable with this.

“Dahlia, what is going on?” Sapphire runs to him and launches herself at him. My lips pull back up over my teeth, warning her. Celeste and I have never liked Sapphire. She is the pack bike.

“Sapphire, don’t.” Malachi tells her and takes her hand in his. Celeste whimpers at this, that he would comfort her, but not us. He never cared about us.

“No, Mal. She has to know she can’t do this to you, to us. You are mine, well, ours!” she places a hand on her belly and my eyes widen as I look at him and he slumps in defeat.

“You knew who he was to me?” I ask, my world falling apart.

“Yes, he told me. But Dahlia, he is older than you. You didn’t expect him to stay celibate, did you?” She chuckles and I growl loudly at her, pushing my alpha authority over her. And she whimpers before bowing her head in respect.

“Are you pregnant?” I ask, my voice breaking. A new pain builds in my chest.

“Yes, and it is Malachi’s. We found out this morning. He was going to mark me this morning, then he felt your pain. Dahlia, it is nothing against you. We love each other. I’m sorry this is hurting you, but whatever, he is mine.” She says with a shrug, and I take a step back as I look at him.

“I, Alpha Dahlia Blackwood, reject you Malachi Greyson as my mate.” I say when Celeste howls in my head as he clutches his chest. He gasps for breath, his teeth clenched. I look at him, not looking away.

“Mal, accept her rejection. She doesn’t deserve you. Think of our pup.” She says when he looks up at me.

“No, I don’t deserve her. I’m sorry, Dahlia, for what it’s worth. I have loved you since we were pups. I can’t do this. I’m so sorry Dah, please.” He whimpers as tears leave his eyes. The fact I haven’t spoken to him or seen him in five years makes this easier.

“Accept it, Malachi, or I will make you.” We all turn to see Gaia standing there. My cousin. The little devil of the family. She is only ten, but she is powerful.

“Stay out of it, Gaia.” I tell her when she steps forward, her blue eyes turning red.

“Accept her rejection. You are not worthy to be her mate!” she spits as she uses her magic.

“Gaia, enough!” I say to her.

“I, Malachi Grayson, Accept you rejection, Alpha Dahlia Blackwood.” I gasp as I turn to look at him when he roars as the bond breaks and Celeste growls before she takes over and shifts.

Standing in my wolf form, I look at Malachi and Sapphire. They bow their heads to me. I am the Moon Goddesses wolfs child. I howl loud and long before we turn and bolt towards the forest.

I sit back in my mind, my knees to my chest as I sob.

“It’s ok Dah, I’ve got you. Rest. Let me take the pain.” Celeste is a white wolf with a blue hue through her fur she has a crescent moon on her forehead. She is beautiful and powerful. She holds the power and right now she needs to release it.

We run, leaping over fallen logs and dead branches until we reach the lake. She trots forward, scanning the area before she takes a drink.

“I’m sorry Cel. I’m so sorry.” I sob out and she whimpers before she lays down her head resting on her paws.

“No, don’t do this to yourself. You did the right thing. He isn’t who we thought he was. What do you want to do now?” she asks and I wipe my eyes and lay down in her mind.

“I can’t be here anymore. We need to leave.” I say to her and she huffs, agreeing.

“We need to decide what you want to do with the title. I know you have never wanted it …”

“I’m taking the title. I will live up to my fate. Celeste, we will be the Alpha of Alpha’s.” The title I never wanted. Well, I need it more than ever right now. It is my ticket out of here for a while.

It is my fate, for I am Dahlia, the first female to be crowned as Alpha of Alpha’s.

.

We shift back and make my way back to the packhouse. I need to speak to my parents and tell them what I want to do.

I can’t let the pack see how much this has hurt me, so I suck it up. Hold my head high, chest out, and strut. This is my pack, my home, and I won’t be made to feel like I don’t belong here.

Walking past the wolves who lower their eyes, I ignore them as I continue to walk to the packhouse when I hear a crash and my father’s furious voice. I groan as I take the steps two at a time and jog towards his office. Beta Marcus and his mate Beta Kendra are standing outside his office when I hear another crash.

I burst through the door and see my father his hands planted on his desk, his fangs elongated and his green eyes shining. I look around for the danger and see Malachi and Sapphire sitting in front of his desk. I look to the left and see my mom, sitting there looking unimpressed with what is happening in here.

“Ok, what is going on?” I shout as all eyes turn to me. I ignore the glares as I move towards my father’s bar and grab a bottle, twisting the lid and dropping it to the floor. I glare at my father as I bring the bottle to my lips and down it.

“Dahlia, are you ok?” Dad asks before he whimpers and I roll my eyes.

“Just dandy. Why wouldn’t I be?” I ask as I look at Malachi and he looks down in shame.

When I look at my father and he looks away, too. Hold on. “You knew, didn’t you?” I ask, not believing this.

“Dahlia, it isn’t what you think.”

I scoff, turn and throw the bottle at the wall behind my mother, and my father tackles me to the ground.

“Have you lost your mind? Apologise to her right now!” he screams in my face when I growl at him.

“No! Everyone in this pack knew who he was to me and not one of you told me! So don’t I deserve an apology, hmm? What else have you been keeping from me?” I say as I roll us and pin him to the floor. Orion, his wolf in his eyes as he whimpers.

I shove his chest as I stand up and turn to face my mother. I spit on the floor.

“I’m done. Right now, I can’t look at any of you. Some family you lot are. You pushed me to be what I didn’t want to be. You knew he was my mate and didn’t tell me! All of you can get off. I’m done.” I storm out of the office, ignoring the calls of my parents and that of Malachi as I storm up the stairs and into the bedroom before I enter my closet. Grabbing my suitcases down, I throw them on the bed and begin packing my clothes and toiletries.

Taking my passport, documents, and cash. I pack them too. Grabbing my laptop, chargers, and everything else I will need. When I come back, they will learn.

I zip up my suitcases, give one last look at the room I have had since I was a child. I turn and walk out the door, rolling my luggage behind me. Grabbing the straps, I carry both down the stairs to the front door.

“Dahlia, wait!” I stop at the front door and turn to face my mother.

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m so sorry, we should have told you …”

“Save it. You knew he was sleeping her, that I would eventually feel it and guess what I did. But unlike you, I’m not weak. Goodbye Destinee.” I turn and walk down the steps and towards my car.

“Dahlia, where will you go? You have nowhere to go! You are meant to be Alpha. Act like it, instead of a drunken brat!” I whirl on my mother and walk towards her.

“I am Alpha and I will take my title and not because you or dad wanted me to. I will take it because it is mine. It is the only thing that is. Now, go back to your mate, mother, and do what you’re good at. Brushing things under the rug while you’re on your knees.”

The slap she gives me is hard and loud. Stars burst into my vision as I spit blood.

I turn and look at her. But I chuckle and shake my head.

“Dahlia, I’m sorry.”

“Goodbye Destinee, next time I see you pray, I don’t end you.” I climb into my car and drive away.

My mother is a born alpha. She was trained from a young age, being the first female alpha. She always wanted the title. But me, I never wanted it. It was forced on me by Selene when she declared me Alpha of Alpha’s. My life was never my own. But now the title I never wanted is all I have.

I drive through the city towards the border and pull over. I punch the steering wheel and release a scream before it turns to a howl. Wolves in the area all respond to my pain and heartbreak.

I wipe my eyes and floor it as I cross the border and drive away.

“We will be ok. We need to do this, Dahlia. We will return and we will be stronger. Trust me on this,” Celeste tells me, and I nod at her words.

We drive down long roads, not passing anyone. The sky is clear and the stars look so beautiful in the night sky.

We drive for a while longer when my belly grumbles at me. I haven’t eaten since last night. So we need food and a bed for the night and figure out what to do and where to go.

We pull up at a hotel and park the car. I grab my suitcase out and lock the car and head inside.

This place is cosy, the smell of food wafts in the air and my mouth waters and my belly grumbles loudly.

“Welcome to the sunset house. Are you checking in?” I turn to the woman at the desk and I smile at her. She is human.

“Hey, yes, but I don’t have a reservation. Do you have any rooms available for a couple of nights, please?” I ask her and she smiles before checking her computer. I lean my forearm on top of the desk and wait patiently.

“You’re in luck. We had a cancellation an hour ago, so, yes, we have the room for you. Will you be paying in cash or card?” she asks, giving me a smile.

I open my luggage and grab out my purse and hand her the money as well as my ID.

“Fabulous. You are all set, Miss Blackwood. Carl will help you with your bag, and here is your key. The room is on the third floor.” I thank her and take the card key as the man I assume is Carl takes my suitcase from me and I follow him up the stairs to the third floor.

“So, Carl is it? What’s going on here? There seems to be a lot of people.” I ask, being rather interested. As different scents fill my senses.

Wolves!

“Oh, yeah, there is some kind of conference called ALPHA or something. So we have a few guys here and they are all huge. Must be a football thing.” He says and I stop in my tracks. An Alpha conference?

“Sounds exciting. Where will it take place?” I ask. Because I wasn’t told about anything, so yet another thing my parents kept from me.

“I believe it is at the football stadium in the next town over. Why the interest?” he asks as he stops outside my room.

“Oh, no reason. Just making polite conversation is all.” I say with a smile as he rakes his gaze up and down my body.

“He better stop looking at us like that, or I will pluck his eyes from his head.” Celeste snarls, and I smile at that.

“Well, here is your room. Dinner is being served. If you’re quick, you may just make it in time.” I thank him and head inside.

I rip open my suitcase and run to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, I use the toilet and then get a quick shower. When I’m done I get changed into jeans and a vest top, pulling my hair into a long sleek ponytail, putting my converse on I grab my purse and the keycard and head out. My phone vibrates on the nightstand, but I ignore it.

Walking down the stairs towards the dining room. I stop in my tracks and take it all in. There are nine different Alpha’s here with their Beta’s. The room turns silent as I smile, making my way to an empty table. I sit down and look each of them in the eye and each of them looks away except for one.

I offer him a small smile as I pick up the menu. I’m starving.

A young woman approaches me and asks me what I want, and I order several dishes and her eyes widen at how much I’ve ordered. I smile shyly as she blinks rapidly.

“Someone is hungry.” I look up into the eyes of the Alpha who was looking at me.

“Yes, I like my food. I’m a growing girl.” I say, and he chuckles. His silver-blue eyes flash as he subtly sniffs the air.

“I can see that.” He chuckles as I thank the girl as she places my drink in front of me.

“I have had a pretty bad day, so if you would, please.” I say and he nods his head, offering me his hand. I shake his hand as he leans forward. His warm breath makes me shiver.

“Nice to see you again, Alpha Dahlia Blackwood.” I gasp as he moves back and smiles at me before he turns and walks back to his table.

I sit there in confusion. How does he know who I am? Where have I met him before?