Chapter 1
‘Damn it! Why the hell is it so cold!’ I swear in my head as I break into a sprint from the campus library towards my cabin in the woods. The wind is howling like a beast, flinging tiny sharp snowflakes at my face as my boots sink deeper into the thick white snow with every step I take.
It's literally a blizzard! Oh my, I need to shift! The path ahead is nearly invisible. But then the campus policy prohibits rogues from shifting on campus as a so-called ‘safety measure.’ Safety my ass! Freezing us to death doesn’t exactly seem in line with their so-called policy to me!
“Lia, shift! I am sure we can handle the consequences!” My wolf, Layla, literally barks in my head.
‘Don't even put such ideas in my brain, Layla! It's just a 10 minute walk. I can handle it.’
I swear, on days like this, I regret my decision of getting the farthest cabin on campus, from the bottom of my being. But in my defense, when I first arrived here, my only motto was to stay away from the public eye. Mingling with other wolves, making friends, hanging out with them, I have never been one to feel particularly excited about such things.
My plan was simple: attend classes and then run back to my little hiding abode.
It's all I have known my entire life. To hide. To hide myself. To never let anyone see who I truly am.
My snowy trial comes to an end, as my cabin comes into view. A deep sigh of relief escapes me, and I hurry to unlock the door, nearly stumbling inside. With a swift motion, I slam the door shut behind me, making sure not a single snowflake follows me in.
As I step further into the cabin, I realise the trail of water that I am leaving behind. Thankfully, Isabella isn’t here today, otherwise she would have managed to wake up at least half of the cabins in our 1km radius, with one of her signature shrieks. Because when I say she’s obsessed with cleanliness, I seriously mean it. Sometimes I wonder if she needs to get her obsession clinically evaluated. But then, thanks to her, our cabin is squeaky clean most of the time. Except on days like today.
Shaking my head, I walk to the first floor, deciding to completely ignore the wet trail. I will deal with it later, after I have taken a long hot shower.
It was a tiring day today. On top of it being the coldest day of the year, and being assigned the duty to clean out all the paper junk from the library; the power went out, when I was only halfway done.
With no heater, I was literally freezing the whole day. Yes, our wolfy abilities, and the fact that I have spent my entire life living in extreme areas of the mountain range, more often than not with no power and proper clothes, does give me some extra immunity. But nevertheless it was so damn cold!!
Wrapping the towel tightly around myself, I step out of the bathroom and into my room, only to freeze in horror this time.
“Aghhhhhhh!” I shout, as I spot a figure sitting on my bed.
“Aaahhhhhh!” He shouts as well, as he turns around and notices me half naked.
“Face away!!” I bark.
“Why in the world are you half naked?” He yells, covering his eyes dramatically.
“Because I just took a shower, you idiot! Why can't you ever come through the front door?”
“That's just not fun, you know. Plus I love surprising my little sis!”
Rolling my eyes, I jump to my dresser and pull out my strawberry nighty and hurriedly put it on, muttering gibberish, trying to put sense into his brain.
“Are you done?” he asks, tapping his feet impatiently.
“Just a second.” I reply. “Do you know the meaning of the word, Privacy?”
“I was just waiting for you.”
There is no point of arguing with this adamant bastard. This is my third year studying medicine at The Mc’Neige University, but not once has he entered through the designated door. He’s always jumping balconies and startling me.
Finally, I allow him to turn back around and he does so with exaggerated caution, only to meet my sharp glaring eyes when he does.
I plop onto my bed and cross my arms. “So, to what do I owe the honor of your dramatic entrance?”
“What? Can’t a loving brother just check on his dear sister?” He places a hand on his chest, feigning deep offense. “Maybe I was just concerned about your well-being!”
I narrow my eyes. “Right. And maybe cows have started doing calculus.”
He gasps. “You wound me.” Then, grinning, he takes a step forward, arms outstretched. “Now come here and give your big brother a biggg hug…”
“Oh, hell no.” I grab the nearest pillow and chuck it at his face. “I just showered!”
“Ugh, fine.” He dramatically stomps his foot like a child denied candy.
I sigh. “Alright, now tell me the real reason you’re here. You wouldn’t risk your life jumping my balcony just for small talk.
His lips curl into a mischievous smirk. “You know me too well, don’t you, sister?”
“Oh, painfully well.” I sigh, yet again. “Now, now, what is it? And keep it short, I have a test tomorrow.”
“I’m hungry, and I don’t sense your roommate. Maybe we should continue this conversation over some finger-licking, decadent food?” He grins.
I shrug. “I’m hungry as it is.”
“Good.” He strides toward the kitchen, and I follow, slipping onto a barstool as he starts pulling out ingredients.
Tossing a grape into my mouth, I ask, “How’s everyone? Uncle Dante? Mary?”
“They’re holding up. As well as they can, considering the constant attacks on our people.”
“Hmm.”
A mischievous glint flickers in his eyes. “Aren’t you going to ask about Viktor?”
I roll my eyes. “Why are you here?”
He smirks. “You know he loves you, Lia.”
“And I, dear brother, am waiting for my true mate. Tell him to give up.”
“Fair enough.” He leans against the counter, crossing his arms. “Uncle Dante sent me with a special task for you.”
“For me?”
“Yup.”
I narrow my eyes. “What is it?”
“You know the Alpha of the SilverCrest Pack?”
“Who doesn’t?” I shrug. “Alpha Xavier. Everyone knows him. What about him?”
“One of our insiders confirmed that he and his little group will be taking a war strategy and aftermath course at your university this year.”
“Good to know.” I say, indifferent.
He grins. “And you’re going to take that course too.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You have to, Lia. You need to get close to them, to him. You have to help us.”
My stomach twists. “You want me to spy on them?”
“Yes.” His voice is firm. "It's about time all those years you spent studying your ass off here, instead of fighting alongside us, actually paid off. Our people need us."
I shake my head. “No. I’m not built for this. You know that.”
He slams his palm against the counter, making me jump. “None of us were built for this life, Aurelia! But we fight anyway. Our people are tired of being rogues, of hiding in the shadows. They need action. They need progress.”
“I…”
“Lia.” His voice softens, but his eyes remain intense. “They’re counting on us. All you have to do is watch them, keep us informed. The uprising is coming, and we need every advantage we can get.”
I swallow hard, my throat dry.
“Good girl.” He pushes a plate of my favorite spaghetti toward me.
We eat mostly in silence, exchanging small details about the uprising between bites and he very casually mentions that he has already enrolled me in the course. Class starts tomorrow.
By 1 a.m., he’s gone, disappearing into the night, the same way he arrived, through the balcony.
To say I am dreading today would be a gross understatement. Layla, on the other hand, has been restless ever since Alaric mentioned that Alpha yesterday. It's as though she's too eager to meet him, and no matter how many times I try to instill some sense into her, she just won’t calm down. She’s practically jumping to be let free. If only I would, she would run to him right here and then.
In sharp contrast to her, there's a constant gnawing feeling deep within me that I just can’t shake. It’s a heavy sense of dread that seems to grow with each passing moment, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it's like something is slowly making its way towards me, and no matter how desperately I try to avoid it, I won’t be able to escape it.
I didn't sleep a wink last night. And therefore I was very very late to the morning lectures, giving my lecturer a chance to punish the unfortunate rogue. It's not much, I just have to finish a month's worth of homework in two days. Freaking despotic! Though I can already imagine his lightning struck face when I hand it in, finished and completely error-free. Oh, it would be so much fun. And yes, I am confident I can complete it on time, what else do I have to do anyways.
I realize how wrong I am, the moment I step outside the lecture hall into the vast amphitheatre, surrounded by towering pine trees.
There is a weird commotion today. People are hushing and talking about something amongst each other, more often than normal, plus the increased safety. I have gotten at least 10 sideways glances by newly positioned warriors. Mr. Mayers almost, just almost caused me to overlook it.
But then the realisation hits me. They must be here. The alpha and his team are here.
“Lia, let's go see him. I have heard that he’s quite the charmer!”
‘Stop it already, Layla.’
“Come on Lia. I am not telling you to go and offer him your hand. Just let's go and see him from afar.”
‘No!’
“You are no fun!”
‘That I know.’
Ignoring her, I decide to find a quiet spot to get started on the homework. A gust of chilly air sweeps past, causing me to shiver. A sigh escapes my lips, the spot is definitely not the amphitheatre.
Walking back inside, I navigate the corridors, hoping to find an empty classroom, but with no luck.
As I pass the cafeteria, I notice the chaos inside, louder and more frantic than usual. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I stop to inspect the commotion.
Then it hits me.
A scent, deep, rich, intoxicating, as it fills my lungs, floods my senses. Iris root.
My body stiffens. Layla stirs. No, she rages. My heartbeat pounds in sync with the raw urge rising inside me and my feet move before my mind can even catch up.
I walk toward the scent, drawn like a moth to a flame.
"That's Alpha Xavier, right?" a girl squeals beside me.
"Yes! In the middle!"
"Oh, my wolf, he's so handsome!"
Their words barely scrape the edges of my consciousness. Layla’s howling, relentless, demanding.
The scent pulling me deeper, closer, until my gaze lands on him.
And then it happens.
Our eyes meet.
Just for a flicker of a second. But it’s enough.
Everything inside me shatters and rebuilds in that single moment.
“MATE!”
