CELINE'S POV

I felt a sudden pain in my chest and the next thing I know I lost my consciousness.

When I woke up I was in the school's infirmary.

"How are you feeling dear?" A nurse asked.

"I-I am fine, how did I get here?" I questioned.

"Some one in library saw you and brought you here," she answered gently.

"Thank you, can you tell what's wrong with me?" I asked.

"Oh don't worry. It sometime happens with the new shifters. New shifts are not easy, you should take proper rest. I am writing you a note so that you can take a day off," she said and I sighed in relief.

After what I saw in library I really needed a break.

Dropping a quick text to my sister I decided to leave.

On my way out I met the guy who helped me.

"I-thank you for helping me," I thanked him. I didn't know who he was, I don't think that we share any classes together.

"It's fine. Are you feeling better now?" He asked and I nodded.

"I am going back home, its better I take some rest," I said awkwardly and he nodded.

"Take care. By the way, I am Evan." He then introduced himself.

"I will and I am-"

"Celine, I know. You are in my sister's class, I have seen you." He said.

"Your sister?" I asked.

"Yeah, Aurora." I nodded in realization and thanked him once again before parting ways.

I had been feeling off ever since I received my wolf. Shouldn't I feel relieved that I had a wolf now? That I wasn't alone anymore? That I finally had someone who shared the same feelings as me?

But instead, there was an unshakable unease within me, like something lurking just beyond my reach, waiting for me to acknowledge it. It wasn't fear, not entirely, but a gnawing sense that something was changing-something I wasn't prepared for.

When I reached home, I was surprised to see my father still there. He was almost always busy, rarely home during the day. But he wasn't alone. Beta Gregor and Gamma Elias were with him, their expressions grim as they sat in the living room, deep in discussion.

They looked serious-too serious.

I hovered near the entrance, curiosity pulling me closer. Whatever they were talking about, it wasn't casual. I could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating, like the weight of an approaching storm. I should have just gone upstairs, ignored it, but something told me this conversation was important.

I took a careful step forward, trying to listen. But just as I shifted my weight, the floor beneath my shoes let out a soft, treacherous squeak. My breath hitched, and within seconds, three pairs of sharp eyes snapped toward me.

My father frowned, his brows drawing together. "Celine, what are you doing here at this time?" His voice was firm, but there was something else beneath it-concern? Annoyance?

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Oh, I wasn't feeling well," I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended. "The nurse advised me to go back home and rest."

For a moment, he just studied me, his intense gaze making me shift uncomfortably. The Beta and Gamma were watching me, too, their expressions unreadable. My skin prickled under their scrutiny, a feeling I couldn't quite place creeping up my spine. Why were they looking at me like that?

After a pause, my father sighed. "Alright, then. Go back to your room and get some rest."

Dismissed. Just like that.

I hesitated for a fraction of a second, but their stares made it clear I had no choice. Nodding, I turned on my heel, forcing myself to move at a normal pace. But instead of heading straight upstairs, I slowed my steps just enough to stay within earshot.

The moment I was out of sight, I took a deep breath and focused my hearing-one of the many gifts that came with being a shifter. I tuned in, letting the conversation filter through.

"Its about time you tell her," Beta Gregor's voice was low but firm. "She's in danger."

My heart skipped a beat.

There was a beat of silence before my father's voice, weaker this time. "It's-it's too soon."

"No, it's not." This time it was Gamma Elias who spoke, his tone calm but unwavering. "Our warriors at the border have already spotted other supernatural beings. This is a danger to the pack, and you know it. More will come if we don't act."

Other supernatural beings?

I sucked in a sharp breath. My mind immediately flashed back to the library-the piercing, unnatural eyes watching me from the window. Could it be connected?

My father let out a weary sigh. "Okay, okay, fine. I'll tell her. But we need to make a joint decision before anything is done."

Tell who? Tell me?

I didn't have time to hear more. The conversation seemed to be wrapping up, and I knew they'd be moving soon. My heart pounded as I turned and bolted up the stairs, slipping into my room just before their footsteps echoed from the living room.

Shutting the door behind me, I pressed my back against it, trying to steady my breathing. My mind was racing, a hundred different thoughts colliding at once.

What did they mean by danger?

Were the other supernatural beings here because of me? Or was this about Seraphina? Was she in danger again?

I rubbed my temples as a dull ache formed in my head. It was too much, too fast. I needed answers, but I also needed time to think. Slowly, exhaustion crept over me, and before I knew it, my heavy eyelids slid shut.

I woke up to a family meeting going downstairs and by the way they were going at each other, I was glad they didn't call me early to be a part of it.

When I walked downstairs to ask my sister what was happening she was already crying.

"Dad, Mom?" I called them.

"Oh Celine, thank goddess. You need to cut your classes too." My mother ordered.

"Wait what?" I questioned.

"Seraphina has already agreed but we can't let her stay alone, so you will be accompanying her," My mother answered.

"But why?" She didn't answer so I turned to look at my father.

"Dad, can you tell me what's going on? I have plans, I am not going to cut short my classes because of something you are not sharing with me." I declared and that got their attention.

"Celine, Seraphina its important for both of you to understand that things aren't going to be the same from now on. Seraphina will be joining the main pack warriors from tomorrow along with her school. And you will accompany her, your presence is not required in pack house but I will be at ease if you can look after her." My father explained.

"But she is only sixteen, we are both sixteen. Why do we have to be at the pack house? What kind of training are we talking about here? Pups chose to be the warriors at eighteen and that's when their training starts so why now?" I tried to fish out more information.

"Celine, you have done so much for your sister. We are family, and family does things for each other. Do you really need a reason to protect your sister?" My mother asked softly.

Family.

That's it.

That's how I have to leave everything for my sister, sacrifice everything for my sister because she is family. But every time, I want something it is always brushed aside.

I was fed up, but had to endure fearing that they might not let me leave when my time comes.

"Okay." I agreed in a small voice not knowing that the worse was yet to come.

ven as I drifted into unconsciousness, one thought haunted me.

Something was coming.

And I wasn't sure I was ready for it.

CELINE'S POV

Seraphina didn't find her soulmate, and now she was even more heartbroken that she had to cut her classes short because of something our father decided.

At least we were on the same page about this decision.

I had better things to do.

The school seemed normal to us both, but the decision to cut our classes short raised questions in the minds of some students. But we had nothing to tell them when we ourselves didn't know what to say.

All of this seemed too sudden and shocking.

But they were doing it for Seraphina, and somehow my plans were suffering because of it.

After school, a van came to pick us up.

We both sat in silence, nervous about our visit to the packhouse. We were only allowed to visit during pack meetings or special celebrations. This was the first time we would meet the Alpha in person.

"What if we find our mate there?" Seraphina whispered in my ear, her voice barely containing her excitement.

I turned to her, frowning in confusion.

Is this what was going through her mind right now?

Really?

This is what really concerned her about this whole situation?

"What are you saying, Seraphina? Are you stupid?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

"No, think about it, Celine. We didn't find our mate in school, maybe because they don't go there at all. What if this is the Moon Goddess's way of arranging our meeting with our mates?" she questioned, her eyes gleaming with hope.

"Whatever, Sera. I am not really sure about that. Do you want an old man to be your mate?" I asked sarcastically.

She gasped dramatically. "No, silly. Only old people don't live there. Maybe our mate is not in our age group. Maybe he is slightly older than us, maybe he is a new warrior or someone else from the packhouse. It's not uncommon."

She wasn't wrong.

It wasn't uncommon for wolves to be from different age groups.

"Sera, we are not going there for a mate hunt, but if we do find our mates there, let's consider ourselves lucky," I said, shaking my head.

She rolled her eyes but nodded in agreement.

With that thought, she seemed slightly less nervous than before. But my heart was not at ease. I knew Seraphina had a purpose there, but what would I do?

Something told me this wasn't just about her training.

Something told me I was about to be dragged into something much bigger than I ever imagined.

________________________________________

The van pulled up to the packhouse, an enormous structure that loomed over us like a silent guardian. The air around it was heavy with authority, and even Seraphina, who had been giddy moments ago, quieted as we stepped out.

Two guards escorted us inside. The halls were quiet, eerily so, and the sheer grandeur of the place made me feel small. We were led to a meeting room where the Alpha waited.

His presence was commanding, his gaze assessing as he looked at us. "Seraphina, you will begin training tomorrow. You have a structured schedule with detailed instructions on what is expected of you."

She nodded, determination flickering in her eyes.

Then, his eyes turned to me. "Celine, you have the option to join your sister in training or sit it out."

I hesitated for a moment before making my decision. "I'll sit it out. I'll support Seraphina from the sidelines."

He didn't seem surprised. "That is fine, but there are rules. You are not allowed to wander freely around the packhouse or its grounds."

I nodded in agreement. "Understood."

Since it was our first day, we decided to take things slow. A guard was assigned to give us a tour. The packhouse was massive, with grand halls, training grounds, and even an enormous library that immediately caught my interest.

The moment I stepped inside, I inhaled the scent of old books and ink, a place I could easily lose myself in.

But just as I was about to follow the guard to another section, an intoxicating smell hit my nostrils. It was unlike anything I had ever encountered-rich, alluring, and overwhelming.

My heart raced, and I lost all sense of my surroundings.

Something inside me shifted, as if waking up from a deep slumber.

And that's when I knew.

My mate was here.

I followed the scent, my feet moving of their own accord, ignoring the Alpha's warning. It led me to the gym, where only one person was working out. His back was turned to me, but the way his body stiffened told me he sensed me too.

A low growl rumbled through the air as he turned around.

Before I could react, he moved-faster than I could comprehend.

In an instant, I was pinned against the wall, his strong hands holding me firmly. My breath hitched as he leaned in, his nose skimming the curve of my neck, inhaling deeply.

I froze at the first contact, my body betraying me as a shiver ran down my spine.

And then, he whispered, his voice a low, dangerous rasp.

"Mine."

CELINE'S POV

The van ride back was filled with Seraphina's nonstop scolding.

"Celine! What were you thinking? You could've gotten us in so much trouble," she hissed beside me, her arms crossed tightly against her chest.

I barely heard her. My mind was elsewhere-stuck in the moment when Tristan, the Alpha heir, had turned around, his piercing gaze locking onto mine before he had me pinned against the cold wall, his body pressing firmly against me. My skin still tingled where his hands had gripped me, my heart still raced from the sheer intensity of it all.

Tristan was my mate.

And what had I done?

Like the socially awkward disaster that I was, instead of staying to talk to him, I shoved him away and bolted like a frightened rabbit.

"Sera-I get it. I'm sorry, okay?" I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.

She flinched slightly before nodding, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Fine."

A moment of silence stretched between us before she muttered, "I know this is hard on you too, having to give up everything because of me."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's not that. Our parents are definitely hiding something from us. They want us to give up our lives because of this precious secret they refuse to share."

She frowned. "Why would you think that?"

"Isn't it obvious? They suddenly want us to cut short our school time to be at the packhouse for some kind of training. Why now? Especially right after we shifted?"

She hesitated. "It must be something else."

She didn't sound convinced, though. I knew she wanted to believe our parents had good intentions. But I wasn't buying it.

But none of that mattered now.

Because my life had just changed in a way I never expected.

Tristan was my mate. And I had no idea if he would let me pursue my dreams, leave the packhouse, or even continue my studies outside the pack.

Tomorrow, I would have to face him again.

And I don't even know what to say to him.

***********************************************************************************************

The moment Seraphina and I stepped into the house, our mother's voice echoed through the hall.

"Straight to your rooms after dinner," she ordered, leaving no room for argument.

Dinner was a quiet affair. The tension in the air was suffocating, thick with unspoken words and secrets they weren't willing to share. Seraphina and I exchanged glances, communicating silently. Not now. Our parents were quieter than usual and neither I nor Sera had the guts to questioned them.

As soon as I entered my room, I sighed in relief, shutting the door behind me. For the first time that day, I felt like I could finally breathe.

I didn't know why I was hiding the fact that I had found my mate, but something deep inside me was stopping me from telling the truth. It wasn't fear, nor was it shame. It was something else-something unfamiliar that clawed at my chest, whispering that it wasn't time yet.

Shaking the thoughts away, I decided to focus on something else. I pulled out my books, determined to distract myself by studying. But as I flipped through the pages, I felt a strange sensation crawl up my spine, like I was being watched.

I turned my head sharply toward the window.

And there he was.

Tristan.

Standing outside my window, gazing at me longingly.

My heart skipped a beat, then raced wildly in my chest.

He followed us.

The moonlight bathed him in silver, accentuating the sharpness of his jawline and the intensity in his dark eyes. His expression was unreadable, but there was something possessive about the way he looked at me, like he had been waiting for this moment all night.

Without thinking, I rushed to the window, fumbling with the latch. The last thing I needed was for someone to see him standing outside my room like this.

As soon as I swung the window open, a cool gust of air rushed into my room, but it did little to soothe the fire burning beneath my skin. "What are you doing here?" I whispered harshly, my voice barely above a breath.

Tristan didn't answer. He didn't need to.

In one swift, effortless motion, he climbed inside, landing with the grace of a predator. The moment he straightened to his full height, the space between us shrank into nothingness. His scent-rich, woodsy, and undeniably intoxicating-swirled around me, sending my senses into overdrive. My heart pounded, but whether in fear or something far more dangerous, I couldn't tell.

His gaze held mine, intense and searching. "You ran away. You pushed me."

His voice, deep and edged with something raw, sent shivers racing down my spine. He wasn't just angry. He was hurt. The realization sent a pang through my chest.

"I-I didn't mean to-"

"I don't like it when my mate runs away from me," he murmured, his tone quieter this time, almost vulnerable. But there was something else there too, something dark and possessive lurking beneath the softness.

I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way my body reacted to his presence. "I wasn't running away," I said quickly. "I was just-caught off guard. That's all."

Tristan didn't move, but his gaze roamed my face as if searching for the truth in my words. Then, he took a step closer, his body heat mingling with mine, making the air between us thick with tension.

"I don't believe you." His voice was softer now, but no less intense.

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could say anything, he reached out and tucked a stray strand of my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my skin. My breath hitched.

"I-I am sorry," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes darkening. "Your scent..." His breath was warm against my skin as he leaned in closer, inhaling deeply. "It's so... addicting."

My pulse thundered as his lips hovered dangerously close to my neck, his breath fanning against my skin. I hesitantly placed my hands on his firm chest, feeling the powerful muscles tighten beneath my touch. He was warm-so incredibly warm, and it sent a shock of awareness through me.

"Yours too," I admitted softly, my voice betraying me.

His expression shifted, something flickering behind his eyes at my confession. For the briefest moment, I thought I saw relief. But then it was gone, replaced by something else-something deeper, more primal.

"Then why did you run away, mate?" he asked again, his voice barely above a whisper, yet the weight of his words pressed heavily against me. There was an unmistakable sadness in them, and my heart clenched painfully.

I made him feel unwanted.

"I-I didn't run away from you," I rushed to say, desperate to make him understand. "My sister, your father's orders, the time crunch... I was overwhelmed. It wasn't about you, Tristan."

His name felt foreign yet familiar on my lips, and something in his gaze flickered at the sound of it.

But before I could say anything else, his arms wrapped around me, pulling me flush against him in one swift movement. A gasp left my lips as I found myself pressed against the firm planes of his body. His grip was strong, secure, yet careful, as if he was holding something fragile.

"Tristan-" I started, but my voice faltered when I felt his nose brush along the curve of my neck, sending another wave of shivers through me.

"Do you have any idea what it did to me when you ran?" His voice was a husky whisper against my skin, making my knees weak. "My wolf-he went feral. The moment you pushed me away, I wanted nothing more than to chase you down and claim you."

His words sent a jolt of panic and something else-something warm and dangerous-through me. "T-Tristan, this is too fast-"

He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, his own swirling with emotions I couldn't quite decipher. "I know," he admitted, surprising me. "But tell me you feel this too. Tell me I'm not the only one losing control here."

I opened my mouth, but no words came. Because he was right. I wasn't unaffected. My entire body was betraying me, drawn to him in a way that defied logic. But I couldn't just let myself fall-not when so much was uncertain.

"Tristan... I don't know what to do," I whispered, and for the first time, my voice cracked. "I am just not even sure if I wanted a mate before meeting you. It's just my dreams-"

"Your dreams are now my dreams just like you, I am not shallow, just don't run away from me. Ever." He said and hope ignited inside me.

Does that he would let me fulfil them.

"I won't, I promise," I said.

But before he could respond, a sudden sound from downstairs made me stiffen.

Tristan's eyes darkened instantly, and he stepped back. "I should go."

I nodded, feeling an unfamiliar ache settle in my chest at the thought of him leaving. "Be careful."

His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned and moved toward the window. Just as he was about to slip out, he glanced back. "I meant what I said, Celine. Don't run next time."

And then he was gone, leaving me alone with a heart that was now completely out of my control.