Chapter 1 -The pull
Lucien Maraj
“Are we done yet?” Alric, my best friend and the Beta of my pack, growled through our mind link, since we were in our wolf forms. I had waited centuries to find my soul’s other half and I wasn’t going to rush just because my Beta was feeling hungry.
“Go ahead, I’ll track you down or call you when I need to, but I have to make sure this is where my pull is leading me,” I insisted, narrowing my eyes as if that would provide me with answers. Naturally, that would have been far too simple, I thought, irritation creeping in.
I found myself perched in the woods near a college campus in Newburgh, a quaint suburban town in upstate New York. My instincts had brought me here; although I didn’t recognize her, I felt certain my mate was in that building. A loud bell from the school made my wolf let out an aggressive screech, but he stopped when we noticed humans starting to exit the building moments later.
“Calm down, you’re going to expose us, Gus,” I scolded my wolf. “L is foolish; find our mate now,” he retorted, smugly satisfied with his comment as if it were meant to hurt my pride. Guissepe, my other half, was a black wolf with striking white eyes, standing over six feet even when sitting, and he was on edge. I couldn’t blame him; he was desperate for a mate after being forced to wait 21 years for the bond’s pull. Being 125 years old, I had the unique experience of being born both a werewolf and a vampire, thanks to my parents’ disregard for consequences. My very existence angered the moon goddess, making my life incredibly complicated. But we won’t delve into that right now, as Gus and I have more pressing concerns.
I was about to respond, but we were suddenly frozen like we’d entered a trance. “Run to mate,” Gus insisted, far too excited for my taste. I couldn’t act just yet; we needed to get closer to her, but they were all too near. Even then, I couldn’t simply approach her and ask her to love me for the rest of my days. My ears perked up at a cluster of girls where my pull felt strongest.
“You’re coming to my place tonight, right Love?” asked the tall girl with black hair and purple highlights. She was a witch, radiating an unusual aura. It didn’t help that she dressed like a hippie; all of them did, so that wasn’t surprising, but at least she was a modern one. I didn’t sense anything ominous from her, which was also unusual; the only other witch who gave me this feeling was Alana, a good friend of mine from long ago.
“Are you really serious? You had me keep my birthday free for months; do I even have a say in this, Raven?” My mate replied. She stood at about 5’2” with long locs that reached down to her waist, carelessly tied up in an updo, leaving the back out as if she preferred not to have her hair in her way. Dressed in a jean skirt and a top with thin straps, she exposed too much skin, and I tried to ignore the lingering looks from the guys at school, which was infuriating. I knew this wasn’t the right moment to overreact. Even from a distance, the connection I felt was so intense that it made my heart ache at not truly knowing her. Yet in an instant, I fell for her, vowing that from then on, I would do everything in my power to claim her.
I had spent too long admiring Louve that before I realized it, the group had scattered in different directions. I linked minds with Alric, and shortly after, I heard the heavy sound of his paws; in an instant, he was back at my side. “We need to shift,” I commanded him with a resolute expression. We both transformed and headed back to the car. Once we were dressed, we tracked the scent of my mate to what I believed was her home, pausing across the street to avoid being seen.
“So you’ve found her,” Ric remarked knowingly. “Yes, and everything Alana has told me so far is accurate; today is her 21st birthday,” I replied, sitting up straight in my seat. He let out a laugh. “Don’t you think you’re a bit old for her, Alpha?” He teased while giving my arm a playful slap. Alric was my closest friend, but that didn’t mean he was particularly funny; still, he was the best beta anyone could wish for. When I met him, he was still just a child, a short blonde boy, and like many wolves his age, he lacked control over his wolf. His parents were nowhere to be seen, and he had been on his own for three years. Looking at that 14-year-old boy with no morals and an attitude, I realized I had the ability to rescue him, so I brought him into my estate that very day, and he’s been with me ever since. That was 11 years ago, and our bond evolved into more of a brotherly relationship; he was already growing up after learning to take care of himself, and through training and life lessons, he became strong and intelligent.
Despite my eternally youthful appearance, courtesy of my vampire nature, I face a desperate situation. My destined mate stands mere feet away, yet our connection hangs by a thread. With only 21 days remaining before our mate bond begins to dissolve, her inability to sense me poses a critical threat - she could form a connection with anyone, just like any human. Ric’s suggestion to approach her in a public setting makes perfect sense - it’s our best chance at a natural introduction. But fate tests my resolve as I watch a mysterious car pull up to her house. The sight of a muscular man emerging with bags, greeted by her joyful welcome, ignites a primal rage in both me and my wolf, Gus. Yet I must exercise restraint - one wrong move could destroy any chance of winning her heart. The stakes couldn’t be higher: my actions now will determine whether I gain my soulmate or lose her forever.
“So what now then?” The worry in Gus’s voice mirrored my own inner turmoil. Each sound of her preparations twisted like a knife as she readied herself to visit Raven - with him, the one who threatened everything I held dear. I closed my eyes, my voice steady despite the pain. “We wait.”
Love Fontaine
There I was on my 21st birthday, still juggling college life! Talk about an overachiever – I’d blazed through high school, graduating at 15, then knocked out my MBA in just two years. Now I was chasing my dream of becoming a computer network architect, mere weeks away from adding a master’s in computer science to my collection. Just as I was standing in my towel, debating between lotions, the sound of tires on my driveway caught me off guard. Strange – Ty wasn’t supposed to pick me up for Raven’s for another hour.
Her attempt at surprise was adorably transparent. Heart racing, I peeked through the curtains—just Ty, thank goodness, though ridiculously early with an avalanche of shopping bags. I practically bounced with excitement seeing all my presents, showering him with appreciative kisses. ‘Only the best for my baby,’ he grinned, having raided my favorite clothing and candy stores. The pre-party ritual continued in my room, where we faced the crucial scent selection. His choice of Champagne Toast led to a playful moment as my towel disappeared. The gentle application of lotion turned heated when his eyes met mine, and with one pleading look and my silent permission, the evening took an intimate turn.
My 21st birthday outfit made a bold statement - a stunning see-through dress that stopped just right, complemented by matching lingerie and elevated by carefully chosen jewelry and a sophisticated low ponytail. This wasn’t just any outfit - it was a declaration of my newfound freedom, marking my transition into true adulthood without parental restrictions.
We arrived, the celebration’s venue couldn’t have been more perfect: Ray’s impressive mansion, which had once left me in awe during study sessions, now stood transformed into the ultimate party destination. With balloons adorning every corner and cars lining the streets, the scene promised an epic celebration. Tyler’s gentlemanly escort from the car was just the beginning of what was clearly going to be an extraordinary night, with the massive crowd inside proving this party would exceed all expectations.
It was the perfect birthday entrance, with Alessia Cara’s ‘Here’ creating the ideal backdrop. While my enthusiastic best friend Raven whisked me onto the dance floor, leaving my understanding boyfriend on drink duty, then something extraordinary happened. As DJ Khaled’s ‘No Brainer’ pulsed through the speakers, I discovered two unmistakably captivating figures that commanded attention. The blonde was impressive, but the dark-haired stranger - with his perfect curls, sophisticated jean jacket, and devastatingly handsome features - was impossible to ignore. Their presence was so magnetic that even my whispered question to Raven seemed to reach them, evident in the knowing smile that crossed those perfect features. When they began moving through the automatically parting crowd toward us, it felt like destiny in motion.
