Chapter 3

William's POV

In a few months, high school would be over. In just a few weeks, I'd turn eighteen, and if all went according to plan, I would meet my fated mate, then take over as Alpha after graduation when my father passed down the title.

My future stretched before me like a well-mapped road, each milestone carefully plotted since my birth.

I walked into the packhouse kitchen, the smell of fresh coffee hitting my nose before I even crossed the threshold.

My best friend and future Beta—Benjamin, was already there, lounging against the counter with a knowing smirk on his face.

"Hey man, what's up?" I grabbed a mug, pouring myself a generous serving of coffee.

"Good morning, Alpha. How are you feeling?" His smile was filled with a strange amusement.

This bastard! He must have seen Ava sneaking out of my room earlier.

Last night had been... intense.

Five rounds with her, and I still woke up ready for more.

Sometimes I wondered if I was a breeding stallion.

"Being the Alpha's condom supplier must be quite the honor," Benjamin laughed, slapping my shoulder. "But careful—if your mother finds out..."

He didn't need to spell it out.

We both knew Luna Mia would skin me alive if she discovered my extracurricular activities. She was old-fashioned that way, always preaching about waiting for my fated mate before engaging in anything physical.

"She won't find out," I said confidently, grabbing my keys and ignoring his teasing. "Riding with me today?"

"Yeah," he answered, following me outside toward my custom black Porsche—a gift from my father for my seventeenth birthday.

The drive to school was short. Our school sat on the border between our territory and the Wildfire pack's land, serving as neutral ground for both packs' younger members.

Silver Moon was the second-largest werewolf pack in the country, boasting over 500 members. We might not be the biggest, but we were undoubtedly the strongest.

My father was a powerful Alpha, and I was a powerful Alpha heir. Technically, we had two Guardians, though I'd never met the daughter of the man and woman who saved my family's lives. But I'd grown up hearing stories about them.

My mother had erected a memorial for Scarlett Ward, the Guardian who sacrificed her life to save my mother and me.

She visited at least once a week to place fresh flowers, saying it was to let Scarlett know her sacrifice hadn't been forgotten or in vain.

Whenever I thought about it, I silently thanked Mrs. Ward, promising to take care of their daughter Grace.

My father had dinner with Jackson Ward every Thursday. I'd tried to join my father once, but he'd said it was his and Jackson's time. Not even my mother attended.

For years, my father had tried to get Jackson more involved in pack activities, even offering him the position of Chief Warrior Trainer, but he never budged. Somewhere along the line, people started calling him the "Selfless Sentinel."

He had been our pack's best warrior before becoming paralyzed. He'd been in a wheelchair for nearly thirteen years now. He and his daughter lived on the edge of our pack territory, and the entire pack had been ordered to give them space. According to my mother, his daughter was about my age. I guessed she spent all her time taking care of her father.

We pulled into the school parking lot and walked inside. Benjamin and I were immediately surrounded by girls, all hoping to become the next Luna or Beta's mate. We'd slept with most of them, and we were more than happy to indulge them.

But the truth was, unless she was my destined mate, I would never let any of them become my Luna!

Though I eagerly enjoyed an active sex life, I couldn't accept the idea of my fated mate not being a virgin.

Double standard?

Fine, call it what you want—but I'm the Alpha, damn it!

Two senior girls had approached me earlier, asking to meet after school at our usual spot—that little copse of trees behind the school corridor.

I'd lost count of how many women had given me hand jobs there.

All day, I couldn't focus on anything but the images of ravaging them. Finally, I really couldn't take it anymore and skipped the last class.

Only when Jessica took my cock in her mouth did my endless desire begin to subside.

I never left my seed inside these women, preferring to finish on their mouths, faces, or breasts.

If my mother ever found out I'd gotten one of them pregnant, she'd flay me alive!

As I watched Jessica swallow the last drop of my release, she handed me a card. "Umm, my friends and I are going to Howling Moon on Friday. We were hoping you and Benjamin might join us. It'll be... fun." She gave me what she clearly thought was a seductive look, and I knew exactly what kind of "fun" she meant.

I agreed, then straightened my clothes and prepared to leave.

That's when I saw her—she had the most beautiful green eyes I'd ever encountered.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe!

She was the most stunning woman I'd ever seen. Beautiful brown hair with thick, luscious curls, emerald-green eyes, and lips made for kissing.

My wolf, Thalos, sat up and tried to lunge forward in my mind.

What the hell, Thalos?

"I don't know, I like her," he answered, and I swear he was wagging his tail. This was surprising since Thalos had never shown interest in any female before.

But I sensed the hostility in her stride as she deliberately crashed into my chest and even tried to attack me.

Impressive. This one was interesting! I quickly restrained her wrists.

Had I done something to offend her?

James ran over to smooth things over, but my attention remained fixed on her. Regardless, publicly challenging me in front of pack members undermined my authority.

I coldly said, "James, control your friend. Make sure she doesn't cause trouble in our pack!"

The next second, I turned and walked away, but I immediately regretted it.

Thalos growled in my mind: Hey! William, go back and introduce yourself. That boy is no match for us—we're the Alpha. Or just drag her into the trees. I like her!

"Dude, chill out! We're at school." I pushed him to the back of my mind. He was getting too excited. "I should repeat: I like fucking women, but that doesn't make me a rapist!"

Thalos criticized me: Prude! Look at what's hardening in your pants, and didn't you just finish? I need that female wolf!

I felt heat rising in my groin and my face flushing red! "Shut up," I muttered under my breath. "I'll find her next time!"

As I walked away, her scent lingered in my nostrils—wild and enticing, like forest rain on warm earth.

She was completely different from those girls who threw themselves at me.

Although she was full of hostility, perhaps because of this, I found myself already planning how I'd approach her again.

But first, I needed a cold shower.

Thalos couldn't stop savoring those green eyes, and I had to admit—neither could I.