Chapter 1

Grace's POV

The final bell rang, its harsh tone echoing through the halls of Montana's most prestigious private high school. I shouldered my backpack and made my way through the crowded corridor, expertly weaving between groups of students eager to escape the confines of education.

My enhanced senses picked up on something before I even turned the corner—a breathy female moan, followed by a deep, masculine growl of pleasure.

Most humans wouldn't have caught it over the cacophony of slamming lockers and teenage chatter, but I wasn't most humans.

I slowed my pace, curiosity getting the better of me as I peered around the edge of the building toward the secluded copse of trees that bordered the eastern edge of campus. What I saw made me freeze.

William Davis—future Alpha of the Silver Moon pack, student body president, captain of the football team, and a certified asshole—was entangled with not one but two girls from our senior class.

His broad, muscular back was to me, jeans pushed down just enough as he buried his face in one girl's exposed breasts, sucking on her nipple. The other knelt before him, her head bobbing rhythmically as she enthusiastically performed oral sex on him.

"Come on! Faster!" William groaned, his voice husky with need as he gripped the standing girl's waist.

"Well, well... looks like our future Alpha has quite the appetite. Two females and he's still hungry. Let's hope you're never added to his collection."

I rolled my eyes at my wolf's commentary.

Seraphina always had something snarky to say, especially when it came to William.

"I would NEVER become one of his conquests," I shot back mentally.

He may be our future Alpha, and yes, Dad constantly reminds me that as a Guardian, it's my sworn duty to protect him, but that doesn't mean I have to spread my legs for him!

I watched with disgust as the three continued their forest tryst.

How could anyone have so little self-respect? At eighteen, every werewolf had the potential to find their fated mate—their other half. Yet William treated sex like a recreational sport, collecting women like trophies.

"I refuse to disrespect my future mate that way," I thought firmly.

"On that, we are in perfect agreement," Seraphina replied, her presence in my mind. "If you ever disrespected our mate that way, I'd never forgive you. I can't wait until we turn eighteen to find him."

My wolf was even more eager than I was to discover our destined partner.

At seventeen, I stood on the precipice of adulthood. Once I hit eighteen, I would officially take over my father's Guardian responsibilities, which meant spending significant time with our promiscuous future Alpha.

The only way out would be finding my fated mate from another pack, which would transfer my loyalty to their Alpha instead.

"Hey, Little Savage! What are you up to after school?"

I turned to find James jogging toward me, his golden hair disheveled as always. My best friend since elementary school, he was one of the few people who didn't irritate me on a daily basis.

His eyes flicked to the scene I'd been watching, and he immediately grabbed my arm, pulling me away from my vantage point.

"Grace, come on," he hissed. "That's our future Alpha. We shouldn't be spying on him like this."

I let out a cold laugh.

Alpha bloodline granted them control over every pack member—a biological imperative to obey that was written into werewolf DNA. Every pack member except Guardians, that is. My bloodline was immune to Alpha commands, which was precisely why we were entrusted with their protection.

"If it weren't for my parents, he wouldn't be here enjoying his little threesome," I spat. "He'd be nothing but a gravestone for insects to crawl over. Let the bugs give him a hand job instead!"

James sighed, clearly used to my hostility toward William. I was about to launch into my usual rant when he cut me off.

"Okay, okay! I know you're about to tell me the 'Selfless Sentinel' story again," he said, raising his hands in surrender. "Your dad was indeed the strongest warrior in the pack, that doesn't need repeating! This explains how he raised such a fierce little wolf. You took down four male warriors simultaneously during last month's training! I swear Mr. Ward must be giving you extra lessons on the side."

I raised an eyebrow. "No need to wonder. He absolutely does."

James dramatically placed a hand on his chest and affected an exaggerated feminine voice.

"So tell me, daughter of Silver Moon's most powerful warrior—" he deliberately paused, "are we still on for the Howling Moon club tomorrow night? I need a female bodyguard, you know. Gotta keep those gay guys from hitting on this fine specimen."

I rolled my eyes at his ridiculous performance.

"Of course. I could use a night out."

Just then, a particularly loud growl erupted from the trees as William reached his climax.

I glimpsed him painting one of the girls' faces with his release, her tongue darting out to taste it like it was some kind of prize.

James grimaced and tugged harder on my arm.

"Grace, stop looking. Let's go, seriously."

James pulled me away, but my mind was churning with bitter thoughts.

Mom, is this really the person you died protecting?

This arrogant, sex-obsessed jackass? Was your sacrifice really worth it?

Thirteen years ago, my mother gave her life protecting William and his mother during a pack conflict.

Thirteen years ago, my father's spine was shattered, confining him to a wheelchair for life.

And for what? So William Davis could screw his way through the female population before taking his place as Alpha?

Sometimes the injustice of it all felt like it might suffocate me.