Chapter 2

Isabella

I stood before the grand entrance of Erotic Paradise, my heart hammering against my ribs, clutching the mysterious black card like a lifeline. In the moonlight, the smooth obsidian doors gleamed, the silver wolf totem carved into them seeming to watch me with scrutinizing eyes.

What am I doing here? This place is for the elite, not for a low-ranking Omega from the Forest Domain like me. But what if... what if my destined mate is inside? What if the burning inside me is calling to someone?

I smoothed down my simple black dress—the only decent thing in my wardrobe—trying to ignore the trembling in my fingertips. Every instinct screamed for me to turn and flee back to my shabby apartment, but the burning need within me had only intensified as the day progressed.

Tonight was my eighteenth birthday, the night of my coming-of-age ceremony, and my body was betraying me in ways I couldn't comprehend.

"Identification," the expressionless doorman demanded, his nostrils flaring slightly, catching my scent.

I fumbled in my bag, producing my Silver Moon University student ID. "Here."

He checked it briefly. "Do you have an Alpha invitation? Tonight is open for unbonded Omegas."

"I'm an Omega," I said, my voice embarrassingly small. "I'm not bonded to anyone."

His eyes narrowed. "I need to verify your scent."

The doorman released an exploratory aura, and my body immediately responded—my spine arching slightly, head tilting, exposing my neck. Damn it. The textbook Omega submission posture I'd sworn not to display.

His expression shifted almost imperceptibly. "Your scent... you're approaching your ceremony night, aren't you?"

I nodded, heat rising to my face.

"Very well. You may enter." He stepped aside, opening the doors to a world I'd only heard about in whispers.

Just another security check. Part of the wolf pack secrecy oath. There's nothing special about me. But maybe... maybe the mate my body is calling for is waiting behind these doors.

The threshold felt symbolic—stepping from my mundane world of textbooks and minimum wage into a realm of primal power. The air inside was thick with the pheromones of elite werewolves, making me dizzy, my core clenching.

Don't look down. Don't clasp your hands together. Don't act like a typical submissive Omega. Is that even possible?

At the reception desk sat a beautiful brunette, her nameplate reading "Diana." Her gaze swept over me, barely concealing her disdain, her nose wrinkling slightly as if she'd smelled something unpleasant.

"Welcome to Erotic Paradise," she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

"Hello," I managed, hating how my voice trembled. "I heard tonight was open for unbonded Omegas?"

"Yes, that's correct." Diana's perfectly manicured nails hit the keyboard with unnecessary force. "I need to register you and introduce you to tonight's pack counselor. She'll explain our club rules and answer any questions you might have." Her eyes narrowed. "I also need to verify you don't have another werewolf's mate bond on you. You understand."

The way she spoke made me feel like something scraped from the bottom of her designer shoes. Her eyes never quite met mine, always looking slightly over or through me, as if acknowledging my existence was beneath her.

She led me down a corridor decorated with ancient pack emblems and vivid paintings of wild moon nights. With each step, the male energy in the air grew stronger, making my knees weak and my skin hot. The wolf inside me stirred restlessly beneath my skin.

Fuck, my body is on fire. Should I really be here? I'm already going into heat. Why don't other Omegas react this way? Why only me?

At the end of the hallway stood a massive door emblazoned with a silver moon and wolf head. Diana knocked twice, then pushed it open, leading me inside.

The room was dimly lit, and I immediately felt surrounded by the powerful Alpha auras that permeated the air. I had to concentrate to remain standing.

"Violet, I've brought a new Omega. Can you explain the club rules to her?" Diana's tone made it clear she considered the task beneath her station. She practically spat the word "Omega" from the tip of her tongue, as if it tasted bitter.

A woman dressed entirely in leather—knee-high boots, a corset, and what looked like leather gloves—turned and smiled warmly at me. Her welcoming expression was a stark contrast to Diana's cold demeanor.

"Of course, Diana. I'll take good care of our little wolf girl," Violet replied, her voice gentle but with enough authority to make Diana stiffen slightly.

Diana flicked her hair dismissively and left, leaving me alone with Violet. I watched her go, confused by her open hostility. Most werewolves at least pretended to be polite.

"Hello, little wolf. What's your name?" Violet asked, her eyes crinkling with genuine warmth.

"Isabella, ma'am?" It came out as a question.

"In the pack, you can call me Violet directly." Her smile was genuine, making me relax slightly. She gestured for me to sit in a comfortable chair, treating me with the respect Diana hadn't bothered to show. "Is this your first experience with mate bonding?"

"Yes," I admitted. "I've been wanting to learn more about mate bonds, especially since today is my eighteenth birthday ceremony."

Violet nodded understandingly. "It's normal to feel nervous about your first exposure to high-ranking packs. It takes courage to step outside your low-ranking pack territory. Some Omegas bring friends or family along to have company during their exploration."

"I don't..." I hesitated. "I don't really talk about my changes with my parents, and I don't have close werewolf friends in Silver Moon City, except for Julian, but he's gay."

"I see." Violet's gaze softened. Where Diana had looked through me, Violet truly saw me—not just an Omega classification, but a person. "Well, you've come to the right place. Tonight could be very special for you." She gestured for me to follow her. "Let me show you around and explain how things work here."

Something told me tonight would change everything—I just didn't know how much.