Prologue
Judith laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she slid into the backseat. The car was already buzzing with chatter and music, the energy electric. She glanced up at the house, catching Lori watching from the window—her sister’s face half-hidden in shadow, but the tension in her shoulders unmistakable.
“Everything okay?” Lynn asked, following Judith’s gaze.
“Yeah,” Judith said, forcing a smile. “Just Lori.” She didn’t mention the jealousy, the way it simmered between them like something unspoken—something wild and restless, the way only werewolves could feel.
Lynn squeezed her hand. “You deserve a night out. No use worrying about what-ifs.”
As Judith was about to close the car door, a sharp voice cut through the music.
“Judith, wait.”
Lori stood on the porch, arms crossed tight over her chest. The porch light cast long shadows behind her, making her look taller, angrier, than she really was.
Judith hesitated, one foot still inside the car. Lynn and the others exchanged glances, the party vibe suddenly on pause.
“What’s up?” Judith asked, trying to sound casual.
Lori’s jaw tightened. “If you come back too late, don’t bother coming back inside the house. I mean it.”
Judith blinked. “Seriously?”
“Dead serious.” Lori’s voice was low and firm, the kind of tone that sent a ripple through the pack—a warning.
Lynn squeezed Judith’s arm. “You okay?”
Judith forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She turned back to Lori. “I’ll be home on time.”
Lori didn’t answer. She just turned and walked back inside, letting the screen door slam shut behind her.
Judith sighed as she slid into the car. The music started up again, but the mood had shifted. Lynn gave her a sympathetic look.
“Sisters, huh?” Lynn said, shaking her head.
Judith leaned her head against the window. “Yeah.”
The car screeched to a stop outside the old community center, its windows glowing with colored lights and the pulse of bass already rattling the pavement. Judith and Lynn tumbled out, their laughter bouncing off the night air as they joined the stream of friends heading inside.
The moment they stepped through the doors, the heat and sound hit them like a wave—music so loud it vibrated in Judith’s chest, laughter and shouts tangled in the air, bodies moving everywhere. The scent of sweat and perfume and something wild—something only werewolves could sense—filled the space.
Lynn grabbed Judith’s hand, pulling her toward the dance floor. “Come on, let’s show them what we’ve got!” she shouted, her eyes flashing with that familiar, mischievous light.
Judith let herself be swept into the crowd, her pulse racing as the music took over. She moved with a freedom that only came when she let her wolf side out—not in fur or fangs, but in the way her body remembered every beat, every rhythm, as if the wildness inside her was dancing too. Her senses sharpened: she could hear the laughter of her friends over the music, smell the excitement in the air, feel the energy of the room crackling around her.
They spun and laughed, bumping into each other, their movements bold and unapologetic. Lynn howled playfully, and Judith joined in, their voices lost in the music but their spirits soaring. Around them, others caught the mood—grins widened, eyes glowed with something feral and alive, and for a moment, everyone moved together, caught in the wild joy of the night.
Judith’s cheeks ached from smiling, her heart pounding in time with the music.
Judith let the music take her, her hips swaying in time with the beat, her body moving with a confidence that drew every eye in the room. The lights flickered over her skin, casting shadows that made her seem almost otherworldly—wild and untamed, even in human form.
She danced close to Lynn, their laughter mingling as they teased and twirled, the bond between them as strong as ever. Lynn’s eyes sparkled with mischief, and for a moment, Judith forgot everything but the joy of the night.
But then—she caught it.
A scent, sharp and intoxicating, cutting through the heat of the dance floor. It wrapped around her, impossible to ignore, sending a shiver down her spine. Her pulse quickened, her senses sharpening in a way that only happened when fate was about to change everything.
She stopped mid-step, her breath catching. The world around her blurred, the music fading into the background as her wolf side stirred, drawn to something—someone—she hadn’t seen yet. Her heart thundered, wild and hopeful, as she searched the crowd for the source.
For the first time, Judith understood what it meant to be enthralled.
Judith’s heart pounded as she followed the pull of that scent, weaving through the crowd, her breath quick and shallow. The world around her blurred—laughter, music, flashing lights—all fading into the background as the wild instinct inside her took over.
And then, she saw him.
Cesar stood near the edge of the dance floor, his dark eyes scanning the crowd as if he, too, felt the pull of something undeniable. Their gazes locked, and for a moment, everything stopped.
Judith didn’t think—she moved. She stepped closer, her body drawn to his as if by some invisible force. Cesar reached out, his hand brushing against hers, and the moment their skin touched, a jolt of electricity surged between them.
Time seemed to freeze.
Judith’s breath caught in her throat. The scent, the heat, the feeling—it all made sense now. The universe had spoken. They were mates. Unmistakable. Irresistible.
Cesar’s eyes widened, realization dawning in them just as it did in hers. His voice was barely audible over the music, but she heard him all the same. “Judith...?”
Their eyes locked, and in that instant, the world seemed to stop. The scent, the heat, the undeniable pull—it was all there, pulsing between them. Judith felt her heart hammering, her skin tingling where Cesar’s hand had touched hers. She saw the shock, the recognition, and then—just as quickly—the fear in Cesar’s gaze.
He didn’t have to say a word.She didn’t either.
They both knew.They were mates.
And they both knew they couldn’t tell anyone.
Not now.Not like this.
Because Lori was Cesar’s girlfriend. Lori, her sister, who already carried so much jealousy and insecurity in her heart. Judith couldn’t bear the thought of hurting her—couldn’t imagine the pain that would come if Lori found out. Cesar’s eyes clouded with guilt, and Judith saw her own fear reflected back at her.
Without a word, Judith stepped back, his fingers slipping from hers. He turned away, disappearing into the crowd. Judith stood frozen, the music and laughter swirling around her, but all she could feel was the ache in her chest.
She didn’t want to hurt Lori.She couldn’t.
So she swallowed the truth, forced a smile, and let herself be swept back into the dance, her heart heavy with a secret she wasn’t sure she could keep.
Judith’s heart was still pounding as she walked up the front steps, the cool night air clinging to her skin. The house was quiet, the windows dark except for a faint glow seeping from Lori’s room. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the doorknob, before turning it.
Locked.
She knocked softly, then louder. “Lori? It’s me. I’m home.” Her voice caught in her throat, the words heavy with everything she couldn’t say.
Silence.
She tried again, her knuckles rapping against the wood. “Please, let me in.”
Nothing.
They both knew the rules. If she came home too late, she wouldn’t be coming inside.
Judith stood there, the night pressing in around her. She could feel the weight of the secret she carried—the scent, the touch, the unspoken truth about her and Cesar. The thought of hurting Lori twisted inside her chest.
She pulled out her phone, her fingers shaking as she typed a message to Lynn.
Judith:Hey, can I stay with you tonight? Family stuff.
Lynn’s reply was almost instant.
Lynn:Of course. You okay?
Judith let out a shaky breath, her eyes burning.
Judith:I will be.
She turned away from the door, her footsteps soft on the porch.
