Lone wolves were strictly not invited to the Elders' Ball. But despite the threat of death looming over my head, it didn't stop me from attending.

Concealed within the shadows, I watched as a group of werewolves in masquerade walked by, heading in the direction of the Elders' Institute.

Initially, I hesitated to come. My invitation had been rescinded when I was banished from my pack. But an overpowering sensation, an intense tug on my heart, compelled me toward the event.

It was a warm summer evening as I crossed the tree lined drive and hid within the concealment of a dark path leading to the back entrance of the institute. Nerves made my hands tremble, a mix of adrenaline and an unsettling restlessness. I craved a cigarette to calm my nerves.

It was stupid and dangerous being here as a wolf without a pack. I lacked protection, having no one to watch my back. If I was caught, I could be killed for trespassing. Yet my wolf had guided me here, and I was never one to deny my wolf's desires.

The institute was a large white mansion surrounded by a thick forest on the outskirts of town and was constantly patrolled by wolves. As an omega wolf came down the dark path, I swiftly took shelter in an alcove. He paused, his nose wrinkling as he sniffed the air and whirled back around.

Surprise etched his face as he saw my silver eyes glowing in the shadows. Before he could cry wolf, I pounced, my arms coiling around his throat, ensnaring him in a chokehold. Guttural gasps escaped him as he struggled to breathe.

He resisted, elbowing me against my chest. But within moments, he fell unconscious, and his limp form crumpled to the ground with a thud.

Securing my arms beneath him, I hauled the young wolf behind a dumpster, and departed the scene in search of an entrance.

Circling the building, I took in the vibrant lights and the resonant strains of music emanating from the hall where the annual ball unfolded.

There was no way in without getting caught and it didn't help that my banishment from the Silver Moon Pack still lingered on my mind, blurring my focus. I could still see the look of dread on my father's face when he had me cast out, and the ache in my heart weighed heavily upon me.

The memory had my wolf howling at me, clawing at my soul like a caged animal desperate for freedom. Urging me to find a way inside by whatever means possible.

"I'm trying!" Frustration coursed through me, erupting in a growl that unleashed my claws.

I lashed out. Leaving four deep gouges marred in the white wall. I inhaled deeply, catching my breath, and calmed myself and my wolf. But the release wouldn't be enough. I needed to get inside now.

At that precise moment, a catering truck arrived, and the back entrance to the kitchen burst open. The head chef came running out and berated his staff for being late. I advanced towards the truck, hugging its side as I peered round the rear.

Amidst the commotion, a staff member retrieved platters from the trunk, distributing them out to the waiters. I smiled at the perfect opportunity, and slipped between the chaos of the staff, snatching a tray and hoisting it high to mask my features and followed the line of staff across the asphalt and passed the wolf stationed by the doorway.

At last, I stood within the confines of the institute.

Inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly, I placed the tray upon the counter. A veil of steam enveloped the kitchen, infused with mouth watering aromas. The staff were unbothered by my presence; too busy preparing the food.

A sense of ease washed over me. The hard part was over. Now to find out why my wolf wanted me here.

I whisked past the line of champagne flutes, and grabbed one, acting like a guest who'd found himself lost and slung it back in one gulp.

To my advantage, this year's masquerade theme played into my hands. The mask I held was midnight black, decorated with silver swirls around the eyes and the bridge of the nose. Mirroring a wolf's silhouette.

I tugged the mask on. It offered both anonymity and mystery, and I found it ironic that I, Nate Silverman, who had been stripped of my identity, found solace behind a disguise.

I navigated my way through the institute, guided by the magnetic feeling that pulled at my heart. Guests remained indifferent as I strolled past. My transformation from a lone wolf lurking outside to a guest arriving in style seemed seamless.

Confidence swelled within me, proud that my mask had successfully concealed my true identity. The nerves that had once gripped me disappeared as I graced the hall.

The walls were adorned with silver and gold, reflecting the half-moon's gentle light that filtered through the windows, casting a celestial aura upon the werewolves who graced the masquerade with their presence. It was a night of enchantment. A facade designed to preserve the peace between the feuding werewolf packs of Havenwood.

The Elders' Ball saw hundreds of testosterone-fuelled werewolves, hailing from Havenwood's four packs, gathered in one hot, stuffy room. Heated arguments, accompanied by passive-aggressive glares, and territorial disputes became the norm throughout the night.

What was supposed to bring peace, inevitably ended in a heated confrontation, especially between the two most dominant packs: Silver Moon and Black Wood.

I swallowed back my glass of champagne and snatched another from a passing waitress. I stood amidst the group, feeling both captivated and alienated by my surroundings.

I didn't miss the politics behind pack mentality. But what I did yearn for, though, was the comfort and security of belonging to a pack. As my eyes swept across the sea of guests, their identities concealed behind elaborate masks, I couldn't help but envy the profound sense of belonging they seemed to possess.

That's when I felt the tug on my heart. An unexplainable force beckoning me to look through the crowd.

Lucius Nightshade stood as the beacon of power. The Alpha of the Black Wood Pack, he carried the weight of leadership with regal grace. His tall and imposing figure was wrapped in a tailored suit. His eyes sparkled amber, and his brown hair fell in an artful disarray as he laughed alongside his friends. He was both confident and approachable. It was no surprise he ended up as Black Wood's youngest Alpha at only 28 years old.

I hated Lucius Nightshade.

Yet I took a step forward, enchanted by his presence... drawn to him.

Every opportunity Lucius had, he pressured me into fighting with him, and humiliated me in front of the other packs when he won, and Lucius always won.

It only fueled my growing hatred toward him. I couldn't help but envy Lucius for his strength, popularity, and the love he received from his pack. No matter how hard I trained, striving to make myself stronger and prove that I was just as strong, Lucius always remained that much more powerful. I resented him deeply for it.

So I couldn't understand why my gaze was suddenly, irresistibly drawn to him. It was as if an invisible thread linked us, pulling me towards his magnetic energy. I was intrigued and yet apprehensive, unsure of the powerful connection I felt towards the Alpha of a rival pack.

As I gazed at him, long and hard, I noticed him becoming aware of my intense stare, causing his laughter to taper off. He pivoted on his feet to face me. Embarrassed by my lack of restraint, I averted my gaze downward, feigning interest in my shoes, trying to rationalize the attraction I'd felt.

I was just curious, I tried to convince myself, nothing beyond an innocent fascination with my rival.

But the urge to meet his gaze overwhelmed me, and when I finally did, I found myself captivated by a pair of fierce amber eyes.

The world around us seemed to fade away as time slowed, allowing us to share a profound moment from across the expanse of the ballroom. My heart pounded faster, as if echoing the intensity of the connection that sparked between us.

I wasn't aware if Lucius liked men; his reputation boasted a string of different women clinging to his arm, all yearning to become his Luna. His date this evening was Cara Crescent from the Crescent Moon Pack.

The way she held him, with her arm snaked around his waist, it made my throat curl, agitated by her close proximity to him.

Lucius excused himself from his friends, moving through the crowd with an aura that radiated power and confidence—truly an Alpha in the making. One who commanded respect without uttering a word. His face remained unreadable. Concealed behind a red mask adorned with gold trimmings. Leaving his emotions a mystery.

I couldn't help but wonder if he had also felt the connection. The force that seemed to beckon us toward each other. Unable to resist the magnetic draw that guided me, I found myself navigating through the guests. Both intrigued and captivated.

We stopped by the bar. Standing mere inches apart. I found it difficult to tear my gaze away from his lips, which curved into a captivating smile. Though we were of similar height, both towering over six feet, Lucius held a slight advantage. He stood an inch taller than me and sported a more robust build than mine.

The lively sound of laughter and music seemed to fade into the background. All I could hear was the subtle rhythm of my heart. Which quickened with each passing moment in his captivating presence.

As fate would have it, we both reached for the same glass. My fingers grazed Lucius' hand – a simple touch, accidental in nature, but it sparked an electric jolt that surged through both of us.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to..." My cheeks flushed with an unexpected blush. It was a foreign sensation for me to feel shy in front of someone. My usual confidence seemed to waver, but then again, this was Lucius Nightshade.

"Here." Lucius offered me the glass with a dimpled smile.

My heart skipped a beat as I observed his warm and friendly demeanor. He didn't normally act this kind towards me.

"Thanks." My hand wrapped around the glass, and my fingers brushed against his once more.

The familiar electric jolt shot through me, leaving me both exhilarated and unsettled by the connection that seemed to intensify with each fleeting touch. For the life of me, I couldn't understand what was happening?

"The masks lend an air of mystery, wouldn't you agree?" Lucius' voice resonated with a deep, velvetiness. Emanating a calming aura that I hadn't realized I needed until now.

"They allow us to hide our secrets and become someone else for the night without fear of consequence." My eyes landed on his lips.

It was like my inner wolf had come out to play and wanted to flirt with him. My behavior surprised me. But I was enjoying it.

"And what secrets might those be?"

His fingers curled around his glass before bringing it to his lips for a sip. I couldn't help but notice the gentle bobbing of his throat as he swallowed, and an intrusive image of me kissing his neck captured my attention.

Suppressing the tempting thought, I reminded myself firmly that he was my rival—a person with whom I had a history of confrontation. Nevertheless, I couldn't ignore the fact that he appeared to be at ease in my presence.

It surprised me that our interaction was not met with the usual tension and conflict. Feeling the heat, I ran a finger along the damp collar of my shirt. The sudden rise in temperature seemed almost suffocating. Prompting me to wonder if it was merely the room or my proximity to Lucius that made it feel so hot.

"Some secrets are better left in the dark."

Lucius' eyes held a hint of amusement. "You intrigue me."

"I have that effect on people." I smirked.

"No, this is different." He leaned closer, his head tilting slightly to the side. His gaze studied me with an intensity that left me feeling insecure. "I can't explain it but I feel..."

"Drawn to me?" My heart thudded alive when he nodded.

A genuine smile graced both our faces, and that unexplainable feeling of connection resonated within my heart, enveloping me in its warmth.

"I'm Lucius, and you are?"

My smile faded as realization dawned on me—Lucius didn't recognize me behind the mask.

I would have thought he'd recognize me instantly like I'd recognized him. I guess the nightmoss I took to mask my scent had worked. I found myself feeling oddly relieved that he remained unaware of my identity. Given our history and my current social status, he would likely distance himself from me or confront me like he usually did.

"I know who you are, Lucius Nightshade."

"But I don't know you," he took another sip from his drink. "Tell me, who hides behind the mask?"

My heart raced, and my cheeks flushed with warmth. Talking with Lucius was something I could never have foreseen happening this evening. The risks alone set me on edge. If our packs caught us, we would be shunned.

Yet, the undeniable bond between us seemed to intensify with each passing moment, pulling us closer together. Unable to resist the magnetic connection, I stepped closer. My hand brushed past his gently, provoking another surge of electric excitement that coursed through my body. I shivered with delight, savoring the blissful sensation.

I could see it in his widening eyes. He'd felt it too. He inhaled sharply, and a low rumble heaved from his chest. His hand shot up to cover his nose as he tried to contain his growl.

The wave of emotions hit me hard, like a broken artery had snapped back into place within my heart. My senses went into overdrive, his touch, his scent, even his emotions. I could feel it all and wanted nothing more than to take him for myself.

My nose flared. He smelled amazing. I could barely keep myself together, reminding myself Lucius was my rival and we were in a room full of wolves that hated each other. I shouldn't be near him, let alone touching his hand.

The heat from his touch intensified and my breathing went ecstatic. The entire room faded. It was just him and me.

My soul recognized the signs immediately. A rare phenomenon. He was my fated...

"Mate," Lucius growled.