Chapter 1
Taylor
The memorial stone sat at the edge of the woods, just off the gravel road that led out of pack territory. It wasn’t fancy—just a smooth river stone with her mother’s name carved into it:
Aerin Hale — Loved Wife and Mother.
Taylor parked her car and stepped out, the air thick with late-summer heat. She carried a small bouquet of white lilies she’d picked up from the store in town. The flowers weren’t her mother’s favorite, but they were what she could afford.
She knelt in front of the stone and brushed away a few leaves. The rock was warm under her palm. “Hi, Mom,” she said quietly.
It had been seven years since the rogue attack. Seven years since her mom’s laugh had filled their house. Taylor still came here when she needed to think. Today felt different though—final. She’d be leaving for college in the morning.
“I wanted to say goodbye,” she said. “At least for now.”
The woods were quiet except for the rustle of leaves. Taylor let her fingers rest on the carved letters. Sometimes she could feel a faint buzz under her skin, like the earth responding. Her mom’s fae magic had never passed to her fully, but every now and then, it hummed around her like static.
“I think you’d be happy about this,” she went on. “College, a fresh start, people who don’t already have their minds made up about me.”
Her voice wavered. “I’m trying not to feel guilty for being excited.”
She glanced down at the flowers, adjusting them so they leaned against the stone. “You gave up so much for Dad and for me. You left the fae courts to live here, and after you were gone, the pack treated me like an outsider. It’s been hard, Mom. Really hard.”
She looked toward the road where her car waited. “I need this. I need to see who I can be somewhere else.”
For a second, a light breeze passed through the clearing, brushing her skin like a touch. Taylor smiled faintly. “I’ll come back one day,” she whispered.
She stood, gave the stone one last look, and walked back to her car. The air felt heavy but also lighter somehow—like she’d made peace with leaving.
-----
When Taylor walked into the house, her father was in his usual spot—on the couch, watching the news. The sound of the TV filled the silence that had taken over their home years ago.
“You’re back,” he said without looking away from the screen.
“Yeah.” She kicked off her shoes by the door. “I went to visit Mom’s memorial.”
He nodded but didn’t respond. His expression didn’t change. There was no warmth, no acknowledgment. Just the flicker of the television reflected in his eyes.
He turned the volume down slightly. “The future Alpha’s coming home today. The pack’s having a celebration tonight.”
“I heard,” she said.
“You should go.”
For a moment, she thought he meant it—like maybe he wanted her to have fun, to be around people before she left. Then he added, “You’re the Head Warrior’s daughter. It’d look bad if you didn’t show up.”
And just like that, the hope dropped out of her chest.
“Right,” she said flatly. “Wouldn’t want anyone talking.”
He didn’t notice the edge in her voice. “It’s important to show support. Alpha Lucas will take over the pack soon.”
She stared at him for a long second, searching for something that wasn’t there. “I’ll go,” she said finally.
“Good.” He turned the volume back up, ending the conversation.
Taylor walked upstairs slowly, the familiar ache spreading through her chest. It wasn’t that he didn’t care at all—he did, in his way. But since her mom died, every time he looked at her, it was like he saw the ghost of the woman he’d lost. Taylor had learned to stop asking for more.
Her room looked like a storm had passed through. Open suitcases covered the bed. Clothes were stacked in uneven piles—some to keep, some to donate. She picked up a framed photo of her mom at the full moon celebration, smiling in a white sundress. Taylor ran her thumb over the glass and felt that same small spark of energy under her skin. Her fae side, faint but real.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Lilly:
On my way. You better not have packed everything without me.
Taylor smiled. Taylor recently got a phone since she was leaving the pack and won't be able to mindlink anyone once she was gone. Lilly also got a phone and they have been practicing texting, phone calls and video calls.
Lilly has been her best friend since they were 5 years old, even though their families couldn’t have been more different. Lilly was the Beta’s younger daughter. Her older sister, Bianca, was Taylor’s worst nightmare.
Taylor texted back: Don’t worry. I left the hard stuff for you.
Fifteen minutes later, Lilly burst into the room carrying two iced coffees. “I brought caffeine,” she said, handing one to Taylor. “You’re welcome.”
“You’re an angel,” Taylor said, taking a long sip. “Or a saint. Or something better than both.”
“Saint Lilly of Overcaffeination,” Lilly said with a grin. She looked around the room. “Wow, this place looks like a tornado hit it.”
“I call it organized chaos,” Taylor said. “I know where everything is.”
“Sure you do.” Lilly sat cross-legged on the bed. “How are you feeling? About leaving?”
Taylor let out a long breath. “Honestly? Excited. Nervous, but mostly excited. I’m ready to go somewhere no one knows who I am. Where no one cares that my mom was a fae instead of a wolf.”
Lilly nodded, her expression soft. “You deserve that. You deserve people who see you for you.”
Taylor smiled faintly. “Thanks. I just want to stop feeling like an outsider all the time. This pack…” She shook her head. “It’s exhausting.”
Lilly’s tone turned quiet. “I know. And I hate that it’s my sister who’s made it worse.”
Taylor waved a hand. “It’s not your fault. Bianca’s been after me since we were kids. She’ll find someone else to torment once I’m gone.”
“Probably,” Lilly said. “But it still sucks.”
They packed in silence for a few minutes, folding shirts and stacking notebooks. Then Lilly broke it gently. “So… my parents have been talking with the Alpha and Luna again.”
Taylor looked up. “About what?”
Lilly hesitated. “About Bianca. And Lucas.”
Taylor’s stomach turned. “You mean—”
“Yeah,” Lilly said, grimacing. “My parents, well more like my mom is trying to convince the Alpha and Luna that if Lucas hasn’t found his mate, it would make sense for him to take Bianca as his chosen.”
Taylor sat down on the edge of the bed. “That’s insane.”
“I know. My dad said it’s just talk for now, but my mom and Bianca’s acting like it’s already decided.”
Taylor pressed her hands together, trying to stay calm. “If she becomes Luna, she’ll make my life hell. Even more than she already has.”
“I don’t think it’ll happen,” Lilly said quickly. “Lucas isn’t dumb. He won’t pick her.”
Taylor gave her a doubtful look. “You’ve seen the way she acts around him. And he dated her in high school. She’s never let that go.”
Lilly frowned. “He broke up with her before he left for Alpha training. He barely tolerated her then. I think he sees through her.”
Taylor shook her head. Good thing I won't be sticking around to find out.”
“Probably a good idea,” Lilly admitted. “Still—college is going to be amazing for you. New people, new life. Maybe even a cute guy.”
Taylor snorted. “I’m not looking for anyone.”
“Sure,” Lilly said with a smirk. “But if it happens, it happens.”
Taylor rolled her eyes but smiled. “You’re impossible.”
Lilly’s eyes went distant for a moment, then focused again. “Sorry—got a mindlink from Mom. I have to head to the packhouse to help get things ready for Lucas welcome home party.”
“Right,” Taylor said. “The big homecoming.”
“Yeah. But I’ll see you tonight, okay?” Lilly gave her a look. “Promise you’ll come to the celebration, at least for a little bit. Say bye to the people you actually like.”
Taylor hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. I’ll come. Just for a couple hours.”
Lilly grinned. “Good. I’ll find you when I get there.”
She pulled Taylor into a tight hug. “You’re going to do great. And I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too,” Taylor said, hugging her back.
Lilly stepped back, smiling through the emotion in her eyes. “All right. I’ll text you later. Don’t chicken out.”
“I won’t.”
As Lilly headed downstairs, Taylor stood at her bedroom door, watching her go. When the front door closed, the house felt quiet again—too quiet. Tomorrow, she’d be gone. And for the first time in years, she was really happy.
Taylor stood in the middle of her room for a moment after Lilly left, holding her coffee and listening to the house settle. She could hear the low hum of the TV downstairs. Her dad was still in the same spot, probably hadn’t moved since she got home.
She sighed and turned back to her bed. Half her clothes were still in piles. She started folding the last of her shirts, trying to keep her mind from spinning.
Leaving tomorrow didn’t feel real yet. She had wanted this for years, but now that it was actually happening, it felt like stepping off a ledge. She wasn’t scared of being alone—she’d been alone for a long time. She was scared of hoping that things could actually be better somewhere else.
Taylor finished folding, zipped up the first suitcase, and slid it next to the door. She’d already packed most of her bathroom things that morning. All that was left was her laptop, charger, and a few photos from her corkboard. She pulled down the one of her mom, tucking it carefully between folded clothes.
When she reached for the picture of her and Lilly at the summer solstice, she hesitated. It was the last time she’d really laughed—like full, stomach-aching, can’t-breathe laughing. Bianca had made fun of them later for “acting like children,” but Taylor didn’t care. That day had been good. She slipped the photo into a notebook sleeve.
She sat down on the bed, staring at her packed bags. She should’ve felt relief. Instead, she just felt tired.
Her mom’s absence lingered everywhere. There were still faint floral patterns on the old curtains her dad refused to replace. The smell of lemon cleaner and detergent never went away. Her dad clung to routine the way others clung to faith. Wake up early. Train the younger warriors. Eat dinner in silence. Watch TV until he fell asleep on the couch.
Taylor had spent years trying to reach him. Now she wasn’t sure she wanted to anymore.
She stood and went to the window. From here she could see the road leading down toward the main packhouse. Cars were already parked along the side, more arriving every few minutes. People were getting ready for the celebration. She spotted a few pack members setting up lights and tables in the open courtyard.
The packhouse had always been the center of everything—meetings, dinners, ceremonies. For Taylor, it was mostly a place where she was reminded she didn’t belong. Kids whispering, adults looking the other way.
She rubbed her hands on her jeans. Maybe she should skip tonight. No one would notice. But she’d promised Lilly, and Lilly didn’t ask for much.
Taylor checked the time. Almost six. She still had a couple of hours before she needed to go. She sat at her desk and opened her laptop to review her trip plans. Making sure she had the correct address for her apartment and her class schedule along with a map of the campus.
A notification popped up—an email from the university welcoming her to orientation week. There were links to campus maps, clubs, and events. One line caught her eye: Meet new friends and find your community.
Taylor leaned back in her chair and stared at it. Her community. That’s what she wanted more than anything—a place where she wasn’t treated differently because of her parentage.
The front door opened and closed downstairs. Her dad must have left for the celebration. She didn’t check.
She changed into jeans and a simple top, then grabbed a light jacket from her closet. Her reflection in the mirror looked older somehow, maybe because she finally felt ready to stop apologizing for existing.
Her wolf stirred under her skin, restless. It wasn’t loud like some wolves she’d heard about; hers was quieter, steady. “We’re really leaving,” her wolf said softly inside her head.
“Yeah,” Taylor whispered. “We are.”
Her wolf hummed with approval.
