Chapter 0002

The school hallway buzzed with energy between classes. Pack members greeted me as I passed, their voices calling out my new nickname. I forced a smile and nodded in acknowledgment.

Nathaniel caught up to me, slinging an arm over my shoulders. "Hey, Firecracker, what's the plan after school?"

I groaned. "Don't start with that name."

He grinned, unrepentant. "Too late. The whole squad's calling you that after yesterday. Might as well embrace it."

I stopped walking and shot him a glare. "You're joking." His smirk told me he wasn't. Damn it.

"Anyway," he continued, undeterred, "after school?"

"Same as always. Training with Dad."

His eyebrows rose. "So you do train with the most lethal warrior this pack's ever seen. That's your secret, huh?"

I ignored his question, my attention snagged by Adrian Grey and his usual entourage of admirers. "His fan club's getting bigger," I muttered, nodding toward them.

Nathaniel followed my gaze. "Can you blame them? Future Alpha, built like a god—what's not to love?"

I rolled my eyes. Yes, Adrian was genetically blessed—jet-black hair, piercing glacier-blue eyes, a frame that looked carved by the gods themselves. Every unmated female in a fifty-mile radius was obsessed.

But I refused to be one of them.

My path was set: become the strongest warrior in Blackthorn Pack, stronger than even my parents. My legacy was to protect the future Alpha, just as my father had.

The irony? Adrian had no idea who I was.

My parents were the reason his family was still alive. Their sacrifices were the reason he could parade around like some untouchable prince. And one day, I'd be sworn to protect that arrogant—

Focus, Evelyn.

Selene, my wolf, stirred. 'You're staring.'

I snapped my gaze away just as Adrian's icy eyes locked onto mine. A jolt of electricity shot through me.

What the hell was that?

Selene practically purred. 'Alpha energy. Can't help it.'

'Not you too,' I groaned internally, shutting her out.

Nathaniel waved a hand in front of my face. "Earth to Evelyn. You zoning out again?"

"Sorry. What?"

He sighed. "I said, yeah, his harem's growing. His birthday's coming up—everyone's hoping they'll be his fated mate."

I snorted. "There can be only one."

Nathaniel laughed, recognizing the Highlander reference. "Nice. Now, back to my question—after school?"

"Thursday. You know Alpha Alistair comes for dinner."

Every Thursday, without fail, the Alpha shared a meal with my father. A small gesture, but it meant everything. After Mom died and Dad lost the use of his legs, he'd wanted to leave. Instead, Alpha Alistair built us a house on the edge of pack lands—close enough for protection, far enough for peace.

Nathaniel winced. "Right, forgot it was Thursday. Clubbing tomorrow, though?"

"Obviously."

"Perfect."

We walked into class, the weight of my future pressing down.

One day, I'd stand beside Adrian Grey as his guardian.

And I had no intention of being just another girl in his orbit.