Our lips met, and I tasted him—sweet and pure.
For a fleeting moment, it felt as though the world had stopped turning, leaving only the two of us standing in its quiet center.
My legs weakened as his lips brushed against mine again. I parted my lips instinctively, and our tongues met, moving together in a slow, unhurried waltz. It felt deeper than desire—like our souls had reached out, touched, and merged in a majestic fusion meant to exist beyond reason.
Then—
A sound shattered the moment.
Clapping.
We pulled apart and turned in perfect sync.
Our mothers stood a short distance away, watching us with proud, knowing smiles.
"They're so sweet together," one of them commented, as if we weren't standing right there.
Heat rushed to my face, my cheeks burning red.
"Mooom!" I protested, caught between embarrassment and shyness.
Kale, however, looked completely unbothered. He laughed easily and gave an exaggerated bow, as if performing for an invisible audience.
"You really do belong together," his mother said, exchanging a meaningful nod with mine.
"Thank you," I muttered. "Now… could we maybe have a little privacy?"
"Sure, sure," they replied in unison, raising their hands in mock surrender before finally walking away.
As their footsteps faded, a strange certainty settled in my chest.
I was starting to believe Kale might truly be the one for me.
I'd never had much luck with relationships. For a long time, I thought I would never find my mate. My family was prestigious, yes—but I was only a Beta, and no wolf I had ever met felt right. There was always something missing.
But now… now it felt like fate had finally decided to surprise me.
I'd always been skeptical of arranged marriages.
But maybe—just maybe—my mother had done something right for once.
Once we were alone again, Kale took my hand, and we resumed our walk beneath the soft evening sky.
"So," I asked lightly, raising an eyebrow, "what about your family? Is it really as perfect as it seems?"
He chuckled under his breath. "Far from it. I don't usually talk about this, but my brother… he's what's wrong with my family."
"Brother?" I frowned. When I'd researched him, there'd been no mention of one.
"Yeah. Not many people know about him," Kale said, his voice darkening. "I have a brother—but he's evil incarnate. After years of cleaning up his messes, my family finally gave up on him. He was banished from the country. There's a restraining order now. I haven't seen him in years."
"Oh…" I murmured, hiding my shock.
"He's my brother, sure," he continued, jaw tightening. "But if you knew the kind of person he is, you'd understand. He's manipulative. Cruel. He hurts people for fun. My mother sent him to a remote island, and I hope I never see him again."
"I see," I said quietly, though unease stirred in my chest.
"Anyway," he added, forcing a smile, "aside from that, we're a normal family. My father is strict—he trained me hard—but he made me the wolf I am today."
He glanced at me. "Parents have their own ways of showing love, don't they?"
I nodded. "I guess so."
After a long conversation, we returned home. It was time for Kale to leave.
We agreed I would visit his castle over the weekend and stay for a week—to see if our bond was strong enough to confirm the wedding.
When the moment came to say goodbye, my heart ached. An unfamiliar emptiness settled in my chest.
It was absurd. How could someone I'd only just met already matter this much?
Kale pulled me into a hug and pressed a tender kiss to my cheek.
"I can't wait to see you again, Eve."
"Me too," I whispered. "Have a safe trip home."
I turned to his mother. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Layla."
"Likewise," she said warmly. "You're a good one. See you at the wedding." She winked.
When they left, my mother closed the door and released a relieved sigh.
"Good job," she said, clapping her hands. "He's crazy about you! And his mother—she's paying for the wedding and gifting us her property in Northern Ireland. We can sell it and buy back our old house. I can't wait to spread the news. Just imagine their faces when they hear you're marrying a wealthy, powerful Alpha!"
She beamed with delight.
I'm glad you're happy for me, I thought bitterly.
I said nothing and went straight to my room.
That night, sleep refused to come.
My wrist felt warm. Too warm.
Frowning, I lifted my arm—and froze.
The bracelet was glowing.
Not bright. Not steady. Just a faint pulse, like a heartbeat struggling into existence. The ancient runes shimmered once… twice… then faded into dull silver.
My breath caught.
"That wasn't Kale," I whispered.
With him, everything had felt safe. Comfortable.
I curled my fingers around the bracelet, dread tightening in my chest.
If Kale wasn't my true mate…
Then who was?
Outside, the wind howled against the night like a warning.
Something had awakened.
And it was coming for me.
--
DEMON'S POV
"Do I have to repeat the plan?"
The pack shook their heads, "no we are clear."
"Good," I frown, "because I have no intention to fail this time. I counted up to nearly 60 guards around the Island borders. We have 10 guards to beat down each. If things go according to plans the money will be send straighty to your bank account."
They all nod in unison.
It took me one entire year to plan everything perfectly and I have to make sure those idiots remember each steps perfectly.
My mom send me here to rot and die and I will take my revenge on all them.
"They have lots of guns..." He says with a glimpse of worry in my voice.
"I made sure to hire all the MOST powerful Alpha in the country, are you suggesting you're not One of them? They are humans and weak, all you have to do is not let then shoot you. Is that too much?"
"In sorry I... I am ready."
"Good. Lunch Is ready."
We all run to the bonfire where raw venison was cooking.
"My favorite." Ryan says throwing himself to the food as id he hadn't eaten in decades.
Matt, my most loyal and trusted wolf sits near me and take a a huge bite of the meat.
"I don't get you. Why do you want Revenge so had, you could escape and get to some new country. Why get back there just to be sent to another prison?"
"I heard my brother is marrying in one week, I want to ruin the wedding and take everything from him."
"Okay, I get that." He takes another bite and blow the bone out, "but then what? Flee again? We can't slend all Life fleeing."
Me and Matt had been friends since we were kids and we never let each other since then. He had always been my family, my brother even if we dont have the same blood. He was the only one who knew all my sides, especially the bad ones and still accepted me and stayed by my side. I would give my Life for him.
"We will set somewhere I promise."
He nodded. "Do you trust them? "
I frowned che king at the pack I gathered for my plan.
"I don't trust anyone you know that. But I ned them and they need the Money."
"Who is your Brother marrying to?"
I shrug. "Some beta girl from a tragic family."
"She had always valued marriage much. He must love her."
"Hope so. At least he will be more hurt when I destroy them both."
Matt takes a laugh and shakes his head, "its crazy how the only time I see your eyes lit up is when you're thinking about doing bad to others."