Chapter 1

Erin's POV

I was deep in a dream of running through a moonlit forest when my bedroom door was suddenly flung open. I didn't even need to open my eyes to know who it was.

"Wake up, Erin. I told you last night I needed to get to the Darkwood Estate early today."

I groaned and pulled the covers over my head. "God, Aaron! Why are you always like this? I'm getting up."

My brother Aaron Blackwood yanked my blanket off. He stood before me, already dressed in his Enforcer uniform. The silver badge of the Darkwood Pack gleamed on his collar, the new badge he'd recently earned and never stopped flaunting.

"Tomorrow is your 18th birthday," he said, his tone softening slightly.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes. "And the day after that, Bradley is coming to talk to Mom. We've been over this a thousand times."

Aaron's jaw tightened at the mention of my boyfriend's name. "That Stone kid isn't good enough for you."

"He's the brother of our Pack Alpha," I snapped, jumping out of bed and heading to my closet.

Aaron retorted, "You know I don't like him."

I whirled around. "Please, he's my boyfriend, you don't need to like him. Bradley and I have been together for almost a year! We're in love."

"In love," Aaron scoffed. "You're not even eighteen yet. You don't know what real love is in our world."

“Tomorrow is my first full moon as an adult. That magical moment when I might sense my so-called 'Soul Bond.' But I could feel Bradley is my love and soul bond,” I shot back, yanking out a sweater and jeans. “Not everyone needs Luna to tell them who they should be with.”

Aaron leaned against my doorframe, arms crossed. "I hope so. Come down quickly."

After he left, I quickly changed, ran a brush through my hair, and applied a touch of mascara. One more day until I would experience my first full transformation under the moonlight. The thought made my stomach churn with a strange mixture of excitement and pure terror.

---

As we drove away from our home at the edge of Pack territory, I stared out the window at the dense forest surrounding our property. The Blackwood mansion wasn't as grand as the Darkwood Estate, but it had been in our family for generations.

"I don't understand why you insist on going to Silvermoon Academy," Aaron broke the silence. "Most Pack members your age have already started training for their roles."

"Maybe because I want a normal education before diving into Pack duties?" I replied. "Besides, Bradley's there too."

Aaron's grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles turned white. "Bradley Stone. The little brother of the Alpha who thinks he can take whatever he wants."

"He's not like that!" I took a deep breath. "Bradley is nothing like Derek. He's kind, considerate, and—"

"Weak," Aaron finished. "Which is why he'll never be a leader."

My temper flared. "Not everyone wants to be a leader, Aaron. Kindness isn't weakness."

"In our world, it can be," he said flatly. "Derek Stone understands that. That's why he's been such an effective Alpha since taking over from his father."

I couldn't argue with that. Under Derek's leadership, the Darkwood Pack had grown wealthier and more powerful. But his ruthless methods terrified most people.

Still, whenever his name came up, I felt a strange flutter in my chest that I couldn't quite explain—something beyond the natural respect owed to our Alpha.

"Speaking of Derek," I said, trying to change the subject and ignore that peculiar feeling, "I heard he finally found his mate."

"A Soul Bond is essential for an Alpha," Aaron said gravely. "If the Pack Alpha rejects his soul mate, not only would he be demoted, but his soul mate would lose her life because of it."

What if the moon guided you to someone you couldn't stand? Someone mean or cold, or just completely wrong for you?

For a moment, I felt a surprising wave of sympathy for Derek. Despite his power and position, he had no choice in who his mate would be.

The idea of being forever bound to a stranger by ancient magic seemed almost cruel, even for someone as formidable as our Alpha. I quickly pushed the thought away, confused by my sudden concern for a man who struck fear in the hearts of most Pack members.

"Well, I'm glad Bradley and I don't have to worry about all that," I said firmly. "After my birthday, when I've gone through my first full transformation, we can be together officially."

Aaron's expression darkened. "Don't be so sure, little sister."

The rest of the drive passed in tense silence. When we finally reached Silvermoon Academy, I practically jumped out before the truck had fully stopped.

"I'll pick you up after school," Aaron called out.

"Don't bother," I shot back. "I'll ride with Bradley."

I slammed the door without waiting for his response and walked toward the main building.

---

Silvermoon Academy was a mixed school for human and werewolf students. To human eyes, it was just an elite private school with ancient buildings and ivy-covered walls. To us Pack members, it was a place to learn human knowledge and how to hide our true nature.

My literature class dragged on endlessly. The teacher's voice became white noise as I stared out the window at the forest beyond the school grounds, feeling restless, my skin tingling with the energy that always came before my birthday.

I glanced at the empty seat where my best friend Lily Winters usually sat. She was mysteriously absent from class today.

When the bell finally rang, I took out my phone and texted Bradley: [Lunch together?]

The reply came quickly: [Not today, babe. Derek went to retrieve his fiancée from the Silverpine Pack. He's coming back today. Their Binding Ceremony is tomorrow night at the full moon. I'm helping get everything ready at the Estate. Miss you.]

No wonder Aaron had been in such a hurry this morning—as a Pack Enforcer, he would be expected to provide security for such an important event.

I made a split-second decision: [Where are you right now?]

[At the Darkwood Estate, helping arrange ceremony items. Why?]

I smiled to myself: [Just curious. Miss you too. XOXO]

I closed my phone and walked toward the school's main entrance. If Bradley couldn't come to me, I would go to him. Besides, I'd never seen the inside of the Darkwood Estate during preparations for a Binding Ceremony.

---

The taxi dropped me at the gates that led to the Darkwood Estate. The modern luxury complex stood impressively against the backdrop of dense pine trees. It was our central gathering place and the Alpha's residence.

I paid the driver and began walking up the smooth, paved driveway lined with perfectly manicured gardens and subtle security lighting.

As I approached, two guards straightened at the security checkpoint. I recognized one as a friend of Aaron's.

"Erin," he said, eyebrows raised. "What brings you here today?"

I gave him my most charming smile. "Just coming to see my brother. And to check out the ceremony preparations."

He exchanged a glance with the other guard.

"I suppose it's fine," he finally said. "Just... stay out of the Alpha's way."

The sleek glass doors of the Estate's main building slid open silently. The entrance hall was packed with people—Pack members carrying flowers, hanging silver and blue banners, arranging ritual items on long tables. The air was thick with the scent of pine, lavender, and the distinctive musk of many werewolves gathered together.

The Binding Ceremony was one of our most sacred traditions, especially for an Alpha.

I stopped a passing Pack member and asked, "Do you know where Bradley is?"

"Not sure," she said, already moving on. "But you could wait for him in his room."

I made my way through the bustling hall. The east wing held the Stone family's private quarters. I'd never been to that part of the Estate before, but Bradley had described it enough times that I thought I could find it.

The deeper I went into the Estate, the quieter it became. Minimalist corridors were lit by recessed lighting that cast a warm glow on the polished concrete floors and designer furniture pieces. Modern art installations—mostly sculptures of wolves in various abstract forms—adorned small alcoves along the way.

I turned a corner and found myself in a more opulent hallway, with thick Pack silver and midnight blue carpets covering the floor. Five doors lined the hallway, each made of dark wood with silver handles shaped like wolf heads.

Which one was Bradley's? I approached the first door and hesitated, hand raised to knock. What if it wasn't his room?

The second door had a small wooden plaque carved with waves—Bradley had mentioned he liked to surf at the hidden werewolf beach in the northern town. This must be his room.

I knocked softly. No answer. After a moment's hesitation, I tried the handle. The door opened silently.

The room inside was immaculately neat. Gray bedding, a spotless desk, and shelves filled with classical books. Bradley had always been studious.

I stepped in, quietly closing the door behind me. I smiled to myself as I looked around at the personal items that showed glimpses of my boyfriend's life.

A framed photograph on his nightstand caught my attention. I picked it up, studying it curiously. The photo showed two boys—clearly teenage versions of Bradley and Derek. They stood beside a sleek speedboat, arms around each other's shoulders. Derek looked so different from Bradley—cold, handsome, with an intensity in his eyes that made my heart beat faster just looking at the image.

I found myself staring at his face longer than I should have, tracing his features with my gaze, feeling an inexplicable pull that confused and unsettled me. Why was I so drawn to the photo of someone I barely knew and was supposed to fear?

Suddenly, I heard the sound of the door opening behind me, followed by an icy, bone-chilling voice.

"Trespassing into my territory, are you tired of living?"