Lucas’s coming of age was meant to be a grand event. For most werewolves, the 18th birthday was the day their wolf awakened. But Lucas, like my sister Gloria, had already awakened his wolf early—a rare, powerful omen that only strengthened his arrogance. Today, though, was still special. Today was the day he would be bound to his mate, his destined one.
But everyone knew, including him, that it wouldn’t matter. Lucas had already decided his fated mate was dead—lost forever when Gloria took her last breath in front of me. He had made it clear to anyone who would listen that he had no interest in any other mate, that no one could replace her. And certainly not me.
I knew I should stay out of sight today, keep my head down and pray to the Moon Goddess that no one would notice me. But fate, it seemed, had other plans.
I was serving dishes when I felt it—a sudden, inexplicable pull. It was like a cord tugging at my very soul, commanding my attention, pulling me closer. My breath hitched in my throat, and I almost dropped the bowl in my hand. The air was filled with a scent, something raw and primal, like cedar and rain-soaked earth. It flooded my senses, making my heart race.