CHAPTER 1 One Year
Wren POV
Standing in front of the mirror, I practice the speech one more time. When Alpha Charlie asked me to address his pack I tried to refuse, but then Mom got involved. She threatened to send Dad after me if I didn't do it, and I can't risk going home--Not now that I am so close.
After months of convincing, my parents agreed that I could spend the summer at the Gravestone Pack. I know my mate is hiding out in this pack or near it, and I plan to hunt him down. Either he will accept this bond between us, or he will accept my rejection.
It has been a year since he snubbed me in the Immortal Realm. I tried not to be hurt, but when he never reached out, I got desperate. Being apart from him is hell. I haven't spoken a word to him, and still, my heart aches. I have to find him.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and my mother's face flashes on the screen. For a second, I consider, sending it to voicemail, but she will just call back. I might as well bite the bullet now.
"Hello," I groan.
"Are you prepared?" She chirps. She sounds way too chipper.
"Unfortunately," I reply.
I can hear her sigh through the phone, and I know she is rolling her eyes. I used to be obedient, but I have become reckless after my time in the Immortal Realm. After losing my mate, I decided I want to live life to the fullest. I am doing everything that makes me happy and not caring about what my family thinks.
I made all the wrong decisions and friendships. I spend nights out drinking and partying. My wolf, Jasmine, doesn't approve of my new attitude, but she didn't care for the first one either.
"Being the daughter of the Luna Queen comes with responsibilities," she begins her usual lecture. "One day, the crown will pass to you."
"I don't want it," I spit out before I can stop myself.
"Wren," She gasps.
"It was never meant to be mine," I ignore her outburst. "Edward and Winston..."
"Your brothers are ruling the Immortal Realm with Macy," she cuts me off. "They can't rule both. Plus, they don't belong here. They never did. The Immortal Realm is their home now."
"So you have said," I grumble. "I am doing the stupid speech. Father approved it days ago."
"I know why you picked the Gravestone Pack," she whispers. "But there are more important things than chasing after a man."
"That's easy for you to say," I scoff. "Father and Dad adore you."
"Destin has had a complicated past," she tries to smooth the situation. "He needs time to come to terms with having a mate. Especially one that was given to him by the Moon Goddess. He isn't her biggest fan."
"I have given him time," I snap. "A whole year. I am the last werewolf to be gifted a fated mate. Everyone knows it. I have to make this work. If I don't, I will be a failure."
It is the first time I have admitted the dark part out loud. Having a fated mate is something that every werewolf used to have, but after the war with the Moon Goddess, that changed. After me, Selene won't give another werewolf a fated mate. Not for fifty years.
"Just don't forget who you are," she whispers. "Don't change for him."
"I know what you are thinking," I shout. "I'm not Macy."
"That's not..."
"He is avoiding me because he's in love with her," I cry. "I get it. I will never measure up."
"You misunderstand me," she butts in. "Macy can't measure up to you, and if Destin can't see that, he's a fool."
Tears are streaming down my cheeks. The make-up I worked so hard to apply is ruined. "I have to go."
"I love you," Mom says before I end the call.
I rush to the bathroom to wash my face. After splashing myself with cold water, I feel more like myself. Bracing my hands on the counter, I try to avoid my reflection. When I look in the mirror, I can't help but notice the differences between Macy and me.
Macy is effortlessly beautiful—it is annoying. Because she is Fae, she always looks ethereal. It would be easy to hate her, but she is so nice. I have spent the last year trying to hate her, but as soon as I succeed, she sends me a gift from the Immortal Realm and wins me over again. She is a perfect Queen. She is everything I am not.
I lean closer to the mirror, inspecting my skin. I'm slightly tanned with a spray of freckles across my nose. My dark hair has lightened in the sun to a rich brown. The only feature I like is my eyes. They are a strange shade of blue—a color not normally seen. I assume my Moon Goddess lineage has something to do with it.
Pushing away from the mirror, I sigh. I won't ever be her. I need to come to terms with that.
There's a knock at the door while I put the finishing touches on my makeup. "Come in."
Alpha Charlie pokes his head in the door. "Am I interrupting?"
"Of course not," I smile. "I like your company."
He steps into the room and stuffs his hands in his pockets. He rocks back and forth on the balls of his feet. His brow is wrinkled, and I worry something is wrong.
When I turn to look at him, he frowns. "You've been crying."
"Oh, that," I shrug. "I just spoke with my mother. Any conversation with her can drive the strongest to tears."
"I like your mother," he smiles.
"You have to say that," I roll my eyes. "She is your Queen."
Alpha Charlie sucks in a sharp breath, and I prepare for another lecture. "I know why you chose my Pack," he begins.
"Not you, too," I groan.
"I'm just saying," he stumbles over his words. "Destin is a close friend, but he's an idiot."
"That's my mate you are talking about," I muse.
Alpha Charlie smirks. It is the kind of look that would make any other woman weak in the knees. The years have been kind to him, even after he lost his mate in the war. If I didn't know, I would never guess he is almost ten years older than me.
He holds his hand out to help me stand. His fingers wrap around mine gently, and a comfortable warmth exists between us. I am staring at our hands when Alpha Charlie clears his throat.
"You look beautiful," he whispers.
The compliment takes me by surprise. "Don't be silly," I laugh nervously.
He tilts up my chin, and I gaze into his green eyes. "I may not be fae, but I would never lie to you."