Chapter One

ARIA

The night air bit through the thin fabric of my dress, making me shiver as I snaked through the crowd that was gathered in clusters around the bonfire. The fire's warmth wasn’t quite reaching me where I sat, so it wasn't long before the cold chill began working its way through my skin. I rubbed my arms and glanced around but no one noticed I was leaving, and even if they did, they wouldn't care. It wasn't like I had anyone waiting to talk to me anyway. Most people here barely knew my name or if they did, treated me as more of an afterthought than anything else. I was used to it now, but it didn't make things any easier.

Trying to distract myself, I decided a warm drink might help take the edge off the cold. There was a bar inside the main lodge nearby- it was a large establishment reserved for gatherings, meetings, and events like tonight's bonfire. I was so focused on getting there that nothing around me caught my attention, and that's when it happened- a solid thud, followed by a faint, woodsy scent, like pine needles and fresh earth.

"Ouch!" I cried out, tipping forward as my heartbeat stuttered, but before I could even think to brace myself for the impact, strong arms closed in around me and held me firmly in place before pulling me up, and close. My breath caught as I looked up to meet the dark, piercing eyes.

For a second, all I did was stare. His hands were on my waist and while the other steadied my shoulder, and for some reason every point where he touched felt electric, like a spark dancing from his skin to mine. His face was so close, and his jawline sharp from the firelight.

"Are you okay?" His voice was low, smooth and I couldn't tell if it was the chill in the air or his voice, but a shiver ran through me.

"Uh-yeah." My cheeks flushed as I stuttered. "Sorry... I wasn't paying attention."

His red, full lips curved into a smirk as he brushed stray hair off my face and pulled me back up to stand. "You sure you're okay? Didn't mean to run you over."

Even at five foot 10, he was easily a head taller than me and his shoulders looked broad enough to hold up the sky. I let out a chuckle, feeling strangely comforted and flustered all at once. "Yes," I said, breathlessly, forcing myself to stand straight. "I'm good. Promise.”

"Where are you headed?"

"There." I nodded towards the Oakland Hall. He finally let go of me, just as a guard stepped into our path.

The man cleared his throat as his eyes darted to him. "Hey, both of you. The meeting is starting soon. The Alpha expects everyone to be present, especially..." His voice trailed off a nervous edge to it.

He didn't move, just suddenly wound his arm around my waist and pulled me close before shifting his gaze to the guard. "I don't recall needing permission to take a walk with my girlfriend."

The words came out smooth but they were also laced with a hint of warning. "And I didn’t ask for your opinion."

"Did he just call me his girlfriend?!" The words nearly ripped out of my lips but I took it that he was just helping me out.

"Apologies, sir... it's just... the Alpha-"

"Isn't here," He finished, as his grip tightened just slightly around me. "So I’ll ask you once more. Are you saying I should rush because you told me to?"

His eyes were cold, cutting, and subtle but there was a deadly calm in the way he stood- unmovable, unbothered. I could almost feel the temperature drop as he stared the guard down. The guard visibly faltered as his mouth opened and closed like he wasn't sure what to say.

He finally nodded and backed off, practically stumbling over himself in hurry to retreat.

Wow!

His whole demeanour changed the second he turned back to me, softening in a way that made my heart flip. A smile tore out of my lips, I was thrilled at how he could be so commanding with others but so gentle when he looked at me.

"Meatheads," he chuckled.

I nodded, still staring.

"Sorry about that. Some people don't know when to mind their business."

I was a little breathless. "It's okay. You handled it... well."

His lips quirked into a grin. "Did I now?"

His hand was still around my waist and standing this close, I could take in every detail- the heat from his body, his warm, rugged earthy scent with a hint of something wild. The buttons of his fitted black shirt were undone just enough to reveal a tan, defined chest and a silver pendant tucked under the collar. It was impossible tearing my eyes from the way the light caught on the chain, just enough to make it glint as he moved. Everything about him radiated strength, danger, and a sort of restrained power, yet somehow, it felt like it was all held back just for me. His eyes flicked over my dress with an approving gleam before pausing at chest, still holding me close like I was something precious. "You are... beautiful,"

I glanced down, feeling a little shy. I wore a light, flowy dress tonight- a soft lavender colour colour fell just above my knees, with thin straps over my shoulders. "Thank you. I'm Aria"

I murmured, before he finally let go again. "Come on," he said, "Let's go get the drinks."

"What's your name?" I asked, jogging after him.

He glanced back and smiled. "Connor."

The bar was tucked into a cozy corner, framed by dark wood counters and rows of glass bottles that gleamed under the soft light. I took my seat, still warming my hands on the mug when he ordered mulled wine. I raised an eyebrow, surprised. He shrugged before sliding the drink towards me.

"Noticed you were feeling cold."

"Need anything else?" The giant behind the counter with arms like tree trunks, asked.

"Not yet." I cut in before Connor would reply.

"So," he asked after we'd sat in silence for a long while. "What's on your mind?... or is that too nosy?"

"Not at all," I said, glancing at him. "I was just... thinking of my dad. He loved these kinds of gatherings. Made me miss him, I guess."

"What happened to him?" He asked, suddenly dropping his mug as his demeanour took a sullen dive.

I shook my head, fighting the lump that had settled in my throat now. "He.. he died in a rogue attack."

There was a pause in him after I said that, but it only lasted for a few seconds. "I'm sorry,"

"No, it's... it's okay. He taught me to be a rogue hunter, but I wasn't just cut out for it. And he used to say I'd be terrible at rogue hunting because I was too nice."

He grinned. "Na... can't picture that. You seem tougher than that."

"I'm not that tough." I replied, catching him staring at my lips.

"Mine was everything to me, tough as nails, but he had a heart. Taught me a lot. He also died in a rogue attack."

"I'm sorry," he waved me off, before staring into the fire. There was a wildness to him, like he'd seen things, been through battles I couldn't even imagine. And even though he was at least a decade older than I was, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

That night marked the beginning of something that would change me forever. We saw each other after that, and every single encounter only made the pull stronger. The casual meetings slowly melted into late-night talks by the river and date nights.

One night, at the Pack’s annual mating ball, everything came full circle. I hadn't expected anything out of the ordinary but as I looked across the room, I saw him watching me from the gallery upstairs. I held back the urge to sprint up the stairs to meet him.

"You are so..." he paused for a second, at a loss for words. His dark eyes mooned over my cleavage before returning to my face. "Gorgeous."

That was the moment he suddenly stepped back, like he'd been sung. His eyes were wide in shock and his jaw hung open. "Aria, I didn't think.. I didn't know." That was the first time I ever heard him stutter.

"What are you talking-" My words were cut off when the air shifted, and I felt it before I even fully understood.

"Mate! Mate!" My wolf purred. I couldn't speak, all I could do was look up at him as my heart raced away. My entire being was aware of him- his woody scent, his possessive touch, and the soft look in his eyes. I felt like I was on fire, but it was a fire that didn't burn. It only warmed like the sun breaking through after a long, cold night.

He leaned, slowly resting his forehead on mine and for a moment, we just stood there, breathing each other in, letting the world fade away. Then, slowly, he tilted my chin up and brushed his lips on mine. It was soft, slow, and tender.

But when he kissed me again, this time deeply, I felt whole, I felt complete, like the first rain on a parched earth after a long, long drought.