Today is Alpha Liam's seventeenth birthday. After preparing breakfast, I retreated to the attic to avoid the chaos. Luna Lyssa had hired caterers and a party planner who barked orders at the house staff.

I flitted around the kitchen, stacking trays of croissants for the dining area. Eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit, and biscuits were already prepared.

I still hadn't dealt with my missing money. I couldn't tell Alpha Robert or Luna Lyssa. I cleaned my room and found thread, so I spent the day mending pillows and blankets. I'll figure something out later; I still have two months and three days.

I hadn't seen Liam since he bandaged my feet. Thankfully, I was healing faster than usual. The cuts were closed, and most of the pain had subsided. I still didn't understand why he helped me or asked my name. I've always feared him most of all. As an Alpha, he's naturally stronger and faster than everyone else—effortless, really. He trains daily, constantly improving. I plan to leave immediately after graduation because I know he'll expel me otherwise. Living with humans will be preferable to being a rogue.

I finished loading the serving trays and went to the sink to wash up. Finally, I could retreat to my solitude. As I hung up my apron and started to leave the kitchen, Gwen barged in, knocking me backward.

"Oh, it's the little traitor," she sneered. "Better start packing your things. Liam will finally realize I'm his mate today. Once he's officially Alpha, we're getting rid of your traitorous blood."

I looked down, hoping silence would deter her.

"What, no fight left in you now that we took your little money stash?" she smirked. My eyes widened. "Oh yeah, we found it. Cozy little room you had. Too bad you'll be a rogue soon. Oh, and thank you. All that money got me a fantastic manicure to match my dress for tonight. Now I'll look flawless when Liam realizes I'm his mate."

My heart sank. I was utterly helpless.

"You're pathetic," she spat, kicking me in the side. I yelped. More kicks followed. I curled into a ball, but it did nothing to stop her. She only ceased when the kitchen door swung open again.

"Oh, hey Liam! I was just looking for you!" she said hopefully, turning to him.

I peeked up. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw concern in Liam's eyes, but it was gone so quickly I might have imagined it.

"Let's just go," he said, and left. Gwen followed, clearly distressed by his lack of enthusiasm.

I slowly stood, clutching my side. She'd definitely cracked a rib. I made my way to the attic, needing to bandage myself before lying down. Two months and three days

Liam

This party is dreadful. I'm not sensing a mate connection, despite the she-wolves constantly vying for my attention. I don't care anymore. I slipped away to the pack house for a break.

It's not that I don't want a mate—I do. My parents are amazing, but their mate bond makes them unstoppable. They grew up together, so falling in love was easy. I want that; I just want to be Alpha first. I want the initial hard work out of the way before finding my mate. I don't want the distraction of courting someone while consolidating my power.

I went to the kitchen—Mom would kill me if she saw me. I raided the fridge aimlessly. The door swung open, but I ignored it.

I closed the fridge empty-handed. Then it hit me. The most exquisite, delicate floral scent filled my nostrils. Gavin, my wolf, stirred excitedly. I turned to find the source—her, standing by the ice machine. Gavin roared "Mate!" in my head, but I blurted out, "Shit."

She seemed lost in thought and didn't hear me. I hesitated, unsure whether to approach her. The mate bond pulled me toward her, but I couldn't understand it. The Moon Goddess wouldn't do this—give me a girl with traitorous blood and no wolf as my mate and future Luna. The pack would never accept it.

"That's your mate! Talk to her!" Gavin insisted.

"You don't understand! I can't!" I argued.

Possessiveness surged from Gavin. I wanted to protect her. I watched her hold an ice pack to her side. What happened? Did someone hurt her? The last time I saw her, she was on the floor with Gwen, but she seemed fine then.

The mate bond overwhelmed me. "Hi, Azalea," I said softly.

She gasped, dropping her ice pack. Terror filled her eyes. They were dull, lifeless. I wanted to comfort her, to heal her, but I hesitated.

She backed away, shaking her head. "Wait! No," I said, wanting her to stay. "It's okay, really."

"I-I'm so-sorry, Alpha. I just n-needed a little b-bit. I won't d-do it again, Alpha," she stammered.

"Really, it's okay," I said, picking up her ice pack. Each step I took, she retreated further. I stopped, holding out the ice pack. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, looking at the floor. Her aversion pained me.

"How about I leave this here and leave you alone? You can go back to what you were doing." I placed the ice pack on the counter and started toward the exit. She stiffened as I passed.

"Wait," she whispered.

I froze, turning to see her still looking down. I barely heard her. I don't think I've ever heard her speak loudly.

"Thank you," she whispered.

I nodded. "What for?" I stupidly asked.

She shook her head, grabbed the ice pack, and quickly darted past me. My possessive Alpha wanted to hold her, but I knew better. I would have to reject her. There was no other way. My father would be furious. I couldn't make her a rogue; I'd need another solution.

I stood there, my chest aching as my mate fled, the thought of rejecting her heavy on my heart. I'd felt this for a while—my body knew she was my mate before I felt the bond.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned, finally getting up and throwing on a sweatshirt and shorts.

I wandered the pack house, eventually ending up at the bottom of the attic stairs. It had been a struggle to get up there the other day. She had to be there, right? I could just check on her

I quietly climbed the stairs and peered into the attic. She'd cleaned up our mess. Guilt washed over me. I saw her, a small figure on the old mattress. Her breathing was labored. Her scent filled the room. How had I never noticed it before?

I approached her quietly. She'd pulled her patched blanket to her feet and lay on her side, clutching a pillow. She looked so small and fragile. I'd never known a she-wolf so slight. She ate in the kitchens, right? Mom wouldn't let her starve.

Her shirt was pushed up, revealing a bruise on her side. A growl rose in my chest. She stirred, and I quieted myself.

"Gwen hurt mate! She was on the floor! Gwen did this!" Gavin growled.

"But what can I do? She's a traitor. She can't be our mate. If she had a wolf, this would be healing!" I retorted.

"So? She's our mate! She was made for us!"

"The Moon Goddess has to be wrong. She can't be my mate, my Luna. No one will follow her. I'll lose my pack. I've worked too hard."

"You're an idiot sometimes."

I paused, looking at her on the lumpy mattress. "I'm starting to agree…" I sighed. My body ached to hold her. Mate's touch ignites pleasure, soothes, heals. She wasn't seventeen yet, was she? I couldn't remember. If I touched her, I should feel sparks, not her. Maybe my touch could heal her bruise.

I reached out, pausing over her ribs. If she woke, she'd be terrified. I was invading her sleep. But I had to touch her. To feel her, just once. If my touch could lessen her pain, I owed her that, especially since I'd have to reject her tomorrow. She couldn't stay; it would kill me.

I lightly touched the bruise. Her skin was so soft. Pleasurable sparks erupted in my hand—the best feeling ever. She sighed in relief but didn't wake. I enjoyed the feeling of her against my palm. I needed to leave. This would only get harder.

I started to pull away, and she stirred. Then I did the stupidest thing. I lowered myself onto the bed, engulfing her. Her body relaxed against me, her breathing eased. She looked pale, but not scared. I held my hand to her side, and she leaned into me.

I lay there, listening to her breathe. Her nose scrunched, her face contorted oddly. I cupped her cheek. She relaxed into my hand. I knew I had to get her out of here tomorrow. To protect her. She didn't deserve this, and I couldn't subject her to being my mate. The sky outside began to lighten. I had to go. She couldn't wake up like this.

I needed a run, then I'd talk to my parents. A plan formed in my head. I quickly left, not looking back.

Azalea

I woke feeling cold, as if the most wonderful warmth had vanished. A lovely forest scent lingered.

I felt well-rested for the first time in ages. My ribs didn't hurt much. Maybe my wolf was still in there somewhere. I checked my watch. I needed to shower and get to the kitchen. I grabbed clothes and hurried down.

I rushed home from school, wanting to finish my chores. In the laundry room, Luna Lyssa waited, looking unhappy.

"Good afternoon, Luna," I said, bowing.

"Azalea, I need you to come with me," she said.

"Yes, ma'am," I replied, following her to Alpha Robert's office. This couldn't be good.

I stood before Alpha Robert's desk. Luna Lyssa stood beside him. I saw Liam standing near his father; a small suitcase sat on the desk.

"Azalea, some concerning things have been brought to my attention," Alpha Robert said. I looked between him and Liam. Liam seemed to be staring over my head. I nodded, unsure where this was going.

"You've become too much of a distraction. We must make decisions in the pack's best interest. We believe you're no longer beneficial. You will leave tonight. Liam has packed your things. We've arranged transport to the human side of the territory. You won't be made a rogue if you stay in human territory and don't return." The color drained from my face. I couldn't speak. Luna Lyssa shook her head sadly. Liam continued staring blankly over my head.

I nodded, unsure what else I could do.

"Here are your things; Liam will take you," he said, indicating the suitcase. Liam picked it up and headed for the door.

"Thank you for everything, Alpha, Luna. I'm sorry," I said quietly, bowing. Alpha Robert dismissed me, and I followed Liam.