Chapter 1

Lucia was going for a run on a chilly night. Her paws struck the ground rapidly, causing her heart to race. Thump, thump, thump. She forced herself to go more quickly, and her grey fur gleamed in the moonlight.

At the next wolf race, she had to defeat Gabriella Adams, and she was not going to let her lose.

Though she valued winning more than competing in races, Lucia nevertheless enjoyed racing. Her sister was able to take part as well, but she was too busy getting ready to take on the role of Blood Moon's new Luna.

Yes, it is correct. Being the next Luna in the pack, her sister Mirabel was in a special position.

Even if Mirabel wasn't the Alpha's mate, their intense love makes it irrelevant. Because Mirabel is beta-blood, the pack has come to terms with it, but the elders are not so much. Though Lucia is sorry for Blaine's partner, she understands how horrible this will be for them.

LUCIA LORENZO

As I approached my house, I forced myself to move more quickly. I hid behind a tree and changed into my white tank top and grey sweatpants before entering my house.

With a loud thud, the door behind me closed, releasing the aroma of my mother's cooking.

My mother yelled from the kitchen, "Are you trying to break into my house?"

I said, "It was the wind!"

She overacts.

"Go clean yourself up; your father is returning with the Alpha for dinner."

"Do I have to?"

"You really must! And for once, please dress formally."

"Fine."

I took a long, hot shower, changed into a nice dress, and styled my hair before going downstairs to eat.

"Daddy!"

I sprinted over to hug my dad tightly. He had been gone about a week on pack business.

"There's Erizo Amado."

I turned to face the Alpha and lowered my head in deference.

"Alpha."

"No need for that, Lucia; we're all family here."

The conceited jerk who will soon be my brother-in-law answered, "Yeah, Lucy, we're all family here."

In addition to being my future Alpha, Blaine De Lombardi is the love of my sister's life. He and I have been involved for as long as I can remember. Though it's a different scenario for me, he's my sister's boyfriend and my brother's best friend. He gets along wonderfully with the other Lorenzo siblings, so it doesn't make sense that we never get along.

In my opinion, I don't like him. His ego is larger than mount Everest, and he is far too attractive. I won't lie; ever since we were young, Blaine and Mirabel have had a burning romance, and I have no doubt that he would sacrifice his life to save my sister. That she has someone like him watching out for her makes me happy. There is enough pain in this girl's body to last a lifetime.

"Don't call me that, Blaine," I scoff. Maybe rolling your eyes at the Alpha in the future is rude, but I'll give it because he's also my brother-in-law in the future.

"What? Is Lucy not your name?

"Ugh!"

I reach over to grab a pillow off the couch and hurl it directly at his nasty face.

That is untrue; his appearance is so attractive that it ought to be illegal.

Ava, please stop talking!

How come? It is accurate.

My wolf ought to be on my side, right?

The mind-link between my wolf and I took me by surprise, to the point where I was unaware of the pillow being thrown at me.

Do not misunderstand me. Even though my arm is enormous, it pales in comparison to Blaine's alpha genes.

"Ouch!"

My mother cries, "Lucia and Blaine, cut it out!"

"She started it!"

"No, he did!"

My father remarks, "It's like they're still children."

"You'd think he would be more mature considering his alpha title is only 2 years away," Gilbert says.

Blaine shouts, "Screw this; I'm out," and slams the backyard door shut.

What a drama queen!

"I apologize for his behavior; it's just after Kharis's death that he hasn't been himself."

Blaine was sixteen years old, and I was approximately fourteen when Luna Kharis passed away three years ago. Our park flourished because she was the light of the pack, spreading her radiant warmth to every corner. As a Luna, a mother, a lover, a giver, and a defender, Luna Kharis embodied all that was necessary for her. She was our Alpha's deterrent because of her fiery nature, which also made her a really fun person.

She resembled Mirabel.

They were really made for each other. She had what Alpha Gilbert lacked, and he had what she lacked. Every wolf's dream was to have a love like theirs, and they were ideal.

Then we lost her on that terrible June 25th day. She passed away as a hero. She sacrificed her life to save hundreds during the rogues' onslaught, and we will always remember her for that. She sadly left a vacuum in the pack, and even though everyone has gone on, the sadness remains. It is in Blaine's eyes when he is reminded of what he lost; it is in Alpha's eyes when he speaks to pack members; and it is in all of us.

The Alpha says, "This is the issue I'm talking about, Steve; he needs his mate."

"What? Are you implying that my daughter is inadequate? Although, as far as I know, he is not the biggest lover of the union, my dad defends Mirabel. He and my mother have consistently instilled in us all the value of finding our soul partner." Not at all; Mirabel will make a fantastic Luna, but he needs a partner. I don't know whether you've noticed, but Mirabel isn't what he needs—someone to hold him accountable and help him tame his wild side."

From my father's throat came a roar.

Snarling at the Alpha? Extremely forbidden.

"Steve!"

My dad displays his submission by lowering his head. Despite their friendship, Luna is the only one who can match Alpha's strength.

"So, Lucia, how do you feel about turning 18 soon?" Alpha Gilbert tries to steer the subject in a different direction by asking.

People in my pack have asked this question more times than I can count. I, for one, don't give a damn whether my significant other can smell me now that my actual aroma is "coming out."

My life's ambitions are quite straightforward: I want to pursue a medical degree, start my own practice close to the pack, and continue my education. I don't have time for a mate because they would just make things more complicated.

"Not much."

"Not much? You might meet your soulmate."

"I don't want a mate."

"But you're a female, Lucia; you need a male to survive."

The snarl emerged from my throat this time.

"Stay in your place, she-wolf."

As though I were beneath him, the words shot out of his mouth like poison. Yes, an alpha beats a beta in ranks, but my wolf would not back down. Ava was a powerful wolf, but she was also obstinate. She would not put up with rudeness from anyone. "My daughter does not need a male to survive; she is perfectly capable on her own. Don't get me wrong, I loved her for this trait, but I also knew it would cause problems down the road." My father clenched the fork tightly in his hands and whispered, "After all, she is a Lorenzo."

"I didn't mean to offend you; it's just."

"Let's end this conversation right here, Gilbert."

Lucia envisioned the details of her birthday celebration when she sat on her windowsill and gazed at the night sky. She and Mirabel were the focus of a lavish celebration because they would soon become adult wolves. Her mother, who had started preparing a month earlier, had always been one for big things. Large gatherings, pricey ball gowns, opulent meals, and elaborate décor are all hallmarks of Claire Lorenzo.

But the younger Lorenzo did not inherit these materialistic values. Although Lucia liked to get dressed up and look good, she did not like being the center of attention.

She could already picture the excruciating agony of having to pretend to be happy about turning eighteen.

Even though she wanted to concentrate on the party concept, questions began to race through her head like a storm.

Will she meet her soul mate? What would become of Mirabel and Blaine?

For Lucia, a partner wasn't ready. Lucia did not want a pup anytime soon, despite the fact that most males want a pup at the female's very first heat. Then she remembered Alpha's questions. Was she able to live without a partner? Without her spouse around, a woman's heat might be fatal. She has even heard that wolves would occasionally cease communicating with humans if they felt rejected.

Was she able to survive without Ava?

The concept was too much for her. Ava was the perfect complement to her. If she were gone, it would feel like living alone.

Oh, Goddess, please! Do not curse me with a mate, please." Lucia hoped Elena would hear her prayer.

All she wanted was to savor her final month of being seventeen. A girl who is free of concerns and issues and has a partner. All she wanted was to be Lucia Lorenzo, the beta female werewolf capable of taking out the most formidable members of her pack.