The Connor estate stood at the edge of the Moonveil Woods, its rustic charm starkly contrasting the treacherous wilderness that surrounded it. Beta Connor, a steadfast leader with a heart weighed down by the loss of his mate, Kayle, clung to the peace of his home and the presence of his only daughter, Selina. Life was simple but bittersweet—until Alpha Lucas, the formidable leader of the Crimson Fang pack, announced an unexpected visit.

After dinner, Connor sat silently, lost in the depths of memory, as Selina swept the kitchen floor with rhythmic strokes. She glanced at him, sensing his mind elsewhere. Her voice, as soft as a night breeze, broke the silence. “Dad, what’s on your mind?”

Connor straightened, his face marked with both pride and sorrow. “You remind me so much of your mother,” he admitted. “Beautiful, fierce, and caring. I only wish she were here.”

Selina smiled faintly, though her heart ached. “I wish I’d known her too,” she replied. “But I still wonder why you never remarried. Don’t you ever feel lonely?”

His chuckle was dry but affectionate. “You’re all I need, little cub,” he said, patting her hand. “Besides, Kayle and I took an oath before mating—one bond for eternity. But that’s not why I wanted to talk to you. We’re expecting guests tomorrow.”

Her broom clattered to the floor. “Guests? Who?” she demanded, suspicion flashing in her eyes.

Connor hesitated. “Alpha Lucas... and his son, Jackson.”

Selina froze. “Alpha Lucas? Here? Why? He doesn’t leave his fortress unless it’s for war or the coronation of a new Alpha!”

Connor held up a hand to calm her. “It’s just a visit,” he assured her, though even he seemed unsure. “We’re allies, and as Beta of this pack, it’s an honor to host him. They’ll arrive before moonrise. I’ll give you a list of supplies to pick up at the market tomorrow.”

Selina wasn’t soothed. She stormed to her room, muttering under her breath, her distrust of the Crimson Fang Alpha and his bloodline unshakable. Rumors of greed and cruelty surrounded Alpha Lucas, and Jackson—his son—was infamous for his arrogance and unchecked power. “I’ll be polite,” she vowed to herself, “but I want nothing to do with them.”

The dawn creeps in like a painter with trembling hands, brushing the canvas of the horizon with hues of saffron and pearl. Each stroke chases away the remnants of night, the world blinking awake under the light's gentle insistence. The dawn was filled with golden sunlight spilling across the misty fields. Selina rose reluctantly and threw herself into a whirlwind of chores, hoping to exhaust her mind and body before the evening’s unwelcome event. She cleaned the house, fed the geese, and prepared breakfast before venturing into the bustling market. She returned with the freshest produce of fruits and vegetables, and finest cuts of meat, though her heart remained heavy.

As sunset approached, Selina's nerves frayed further. Dressed in a silky peach gown her father had gifted her, she felt trapped by the expectations placed upon her. The dress clung to her figure, accentuating her trim form, and her plaited blonde hair gleamed in the dimming light. “Why do I have to impress them?” she muttered, slipping on pearl earrings and casting one last reluctant glance at her reflection.

By the time the heavy knocks echoed on the wooden door, the table was laden with roasted meats, pasta, and fruit-laden desserts. The air inside the house was thick with the scents of spices and apprehension. Connor greeted Alpha Lucas with a warmth that didn’t reach Selina’s guarded expression.

“Welcome, Alpha Lucas,” Connor said, clasping the Alpha’s forearm. “It’s an honor to have you here.”

Alpha Lucas, a towering man with sharp features and a gaze like steel, stepped inside, his son following closely. Jackson was broad-shouldered, with a confident smirk and piercing gray eyes that seemed to pierce through Selina when she finally entered the room.

“This must be your daughter,” Alpha Lucas remarked, his tone both curious and knowing. “She’s grown into a striking young woman.”

Selina’s cheeks flushed under the scrutiny but maintained her composure. “It’s an honour to meet you, Alpha Lucas,” she murmured before quickly taking her seat.

Dinner proceeded tensely, with Alpha Lucas steering the conversation toward politics and territory disputes. Connor responded respectfully, though Selina noticed the unspoken tension in his tone. Meanwhile, Jackson’s attention rarely wavered from her. She could feel his gaze like a physical weight, sparking unease deep within her chest.

When their hands brushed over the wine goblet, Selina’s wolf stirred for the first time, whispering urgently in her mind: Mate.

Selina’s breath caught, and she quickly withdrew her hand, her heart racing. But Jackson’s smirk softened into something almost tender as their eyes met briefly.

After dinner, Selina fled to the backyard, determined to avoid Jackson and the unsettling feelings his presence awakened. She busied herself with laundry, hoping the mundane task would ground her. But moments later, she heard footsteps behind her.

“Still working?” Jackson’s voice was low, tinged with curiosity.

Selina spun to face him, her jaw tightening. “What do you want?”

“To talk,” he said simply, his hands raised in mock surrender. “I’m not here to fight.”

A scoff unexpectedly escaped her lips. “Talk about what? Your father’s next conquest? Or the rumors about how you crush anyone who defies you?”

Jackson winced but didn’t rise to her bait. “I know what people say about me,” he admitted, his voice unexpectedly soft. “You don’t know me, Selina. Not yet.”

“And I don’t want to,” she retorted, returning to her task.

But Jackson stepped closer, his presence commanding yet strangely gentle. “You feel it too, don’t you?” he asked, his tone barely above a whisper. “This pull between us.”

Selina froze, her wolf howling in agreement. She turned to meet his gaze, vulnerability flickering in her dark eyes. “Even if I did,” she whispered, “I don’t trust you.”

Jackson sighed, his expression sincere. “Then let me prove myself to you. I don’t want a mate who fears me.”

Before Selina could respond, Connor’s voice broke the moment. “Selina! Jack! Come back inside.”

The spell shattered, and Selina hurried past Jackson without another word. As she stepped into the house, Alpha Lucas’s chilling words reached her ears: “We need her to strengthen the pack.”

Selina’s heart sank, her mind spinning. She was no pawn. Whatever Alpha Lucas’s plans were, she would uncover the truth—even if it meant defying her mate and risking everything she held dear.

In the shadows of the forest, a lone wolf howled—a sound of warning that sent a shiver down Selina’s spine. Something was coming, and Selina couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was about to change forever.