Chapter 1 - One
The wind carried laughter from the gardens. I could hear the voices of my stepsister, Mayla, and her mate, Garin. They were chasing each other like children, even though they were already mated for a year. And they now live a block next to our father’s house.
I smiled a little but it didn’t reach my heart. Their happiness only made the hollow feeling in my chest worse.
The house behind me was full—full of voices, footsteps, stories. Full of family. Yet I had never felt so alone.
"Luciana!" my father’s deep voice echoed from down the hall. "Come join us for dinner!"
I didn’t move right away. I stayed at the window a moment longer, watching the sky darken. Another day had passed. Another day I hadn’t found my fated mate. Another day stuck here, feeling like I didn’t belong.
"Luciana!" Father called again, sharper this time.
I sighed and pushed away from the window. "Coming," I said, though my voice was soft and probably lost in the thick walls of the old pack house.
When I reached the dining hall, the long wooden table was crowded. Pack members filled the chairs, and laughter bounced from wall to wall. I slid into my usual spot at the end of the table, hoping no one would notice me.
Of course, that was too much to hope for.
"There she is!" Mayla called, waving her hand dramatically like she hadn’t seen me in years instead of hours.
I smiled weakly. "Hi, Mayla."