Chapter 7

William's POV

She wasn't from another pack?

This strange, green-eyed beauty was from Silver Moon? Impossible!

Since I was a pup, my father had drilled one lesson into me above all others: "As Alpha, you must remember the name of every pack member. They are the ones who make the pack strong. Call them by name, and they will follow you anywhere."

I'd taken that lesson to heart, memorizing the name and face of every single member in our territory. And I was absolutely certain I'd never seen this girl before.

Who the fuck was she?

It hit me like a brick to the face—she hadn't submitted to me. If she truly was from Silver Moon, she should have exposed her neck like James did. Every werewolf instinctively submits to their Alpha, especially when formally introduced.

So why didn't she?

Goddamn it, I didn't even get her name. I was too caught up in those fierce green eyes and the way she leaned into me, her breath warm against my ear. The memory of her scent—wild, earthy, and feminine—made my wolf pace restlessly inside me.

William, what's that? Thalos's voice interrupted my thoughts, drawing my attention to the floor.

I looked down and spotted something that made my pulse quicken—a sheer three-piece lingerie set, the kind that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination.

I swear, even the wildest girls I'd bedded hadn't worn anything this provocative.

The delicate fabric would barely cover nipples and ass.

As I bent to pick it up, a wicked smile spread across my face.

So the fierce little warrior had a naughty side.

Interesting, very interesting. She'd just earned herself a spot at the top of my hunting list.

Sooner or later, I'd have her in my bed.

Smell it! Thalos urged in my mind, his excitement evident. I can smell her arousal on it. Has she pleasured herself while wearing this?

"Hey! I'm still the Alpha here!" I muttered under my breath, though I was just as curious. My wolf was going crazy, tail wagging frantically at the prospect. "I'm not going to stand in the school hallway sniffing women's underwear."

You can do it privately...

She was touching herself, Thalos growled possessively. Who was she thinking about? Whoever it was, it needs to be us from now on!

Thalos had never shown this kind of possessiveness before. I pushed him to the back of my mind and pocketed the lingerie discreetly.

Just then, Benjamin pulled up in my Porsche, honking twice to get my attention.

"Did you get her name? Find out which pack she's from?" he asked as I slid into the passenger seat.

As the engine roared to life, I shook my head. "She implied in her words that she's from our pack."

"What's the problem then?" Benjamin asked, pulling away from the school.

"The problem," I said through gritted teeth, "is that I don't know her. If she's from Silver Moon, how the hell don't I know her?"

I watched my future Beta's face mirror my own surprise and frustration. "What do you mean you don't know her? You know everyone in the pack. Shit, I know everyone in the pack."

The car stopped at a red light. "Exactly! That's what's so fucking weird about this!"

Benjamin frowned, deep in thought. "I know it's unlikely, but do you think she could be lying?"

I stared at him like he'd lost his mind.

"I know it sounds crazy," he continued, "but some female wolves out there save themselves for their mates. Maybe she was worried about catching your attention and lied about being from our pack."

I considered this possibility. "She's James's friend."

"But she clearly hasn't been in training," Benjamin pointed out.

That was another mystery. The training of new warriors fell to me and Benjamin. We'd never seen her in our sessions, yet her fighting skills were nearly on par with mine. Was there another exceptional trainer in our pack that I wasn't aware of? Impossible.

I lit a cigarette, my mind filled with images of her—those soft brown curls, those sharp eyes, and that electric jolt I felt when we touched. I wanted to say it was the mate bond, but I wasn't even eighteen yet. That shouldn't be possible.

"Maybe we can ask James about her next time we're training," Benjamin suggested.

I gave him a "are you fucking kidding me" look!

"First off, I'm an Alpha. I don't chase females—they chase me. Second, I don't need to ask a warrior about a female wolf. I'll figure it out myself."

Benjamin just shrugged. Before today, I'd rarely failed with women. All I had to do was crook my finger, and they'd practically race each other to my bed.

This she-wolf was different, and my cock twitched at the thought of the challenge.

But a failed flirtation wasn't going to ruin my day. I still had a night of debauchery to look forward to.

"Benjamin! Let's head to Howling Moon. I can't fucking wait!"

Benjamin raised an eyebrow. "Hey, my dear Alpha! Before that, aren't you forgetting something?"

"Oh! Fuck!" I slammed my palm against the car door. Today was the day my mother visited Scarlett Ward's memorial to lay fresh flowers. For the past thirteen years, every week at this time, she never missed it. And she demanded the same punctuality from me.

She always reminded me: "William, your life was saved by Scarlett! Never forget that." My memories of that time were hazy, but I could see in my mother's eyes that Scarlett was a true hero to our pack.

"Still want to go to Howling Moon?" Benjamin teased.

This guy was getting more and more insolent, daring to mock his own Alpha. I bit down hard.

"What do you think? Back to the packhouse!"

"You got it!"

Benjamin grinned, the car accelerating through the city streets, the engine roaring as we sped toward home.