I'm seventeen, the only daughter of Alpha Mike of the Silvermoon Pack.
Around here, that name means something—power, legacy, expectations.
It means I don't get to be normal.
Tomorrow is my eighteenth moon—the night of my first shift. The night I officially become a wolf. The night I might meet my fated mate.
For most wolves, that's a reason to celebrate.
Me? I just want to breathe.
Most girls in the pack spend their last day as "pups" dreaming about who fate will tie them to. They swoon over future Alphas and fantasize about powerful, protective mates. I've seen them giggle and blush, seen the way their eyes linger on Kye—the Beta's son.
I've heard my wolf, Ria, in my head since I was twelve. Strong, steady, and fiercely protective. But until I shift, she's just a voice. Just a part of me waiting to be whole.
My name is Liana Rivers.
And in less than twenty-four hours, everything I know is about to change.
But not me.
Because if fate truly cared about what I wanted, it would've let me stay invisible.
Especially from the Bloodfang Pack.
"Lia!"
The sound of his voice pulled me from my thoughts. Only one person called me that.
Kye Langston—son of Beta Damien, my best friend since I was six and threw a rock at his head for calling me a crybaby. Tall, broad-shouldered, and annoyingly charming. He always showed up when I least wanted him, but most needed him.
"You're ditching training?" he teased, falling into step beside me.
I shrugged. "Not in the mood."
"You? The daughter of the fiercest Alpha Silvermoon's ever seen? Not in the mood for training?" He clutched his chest in mock betrayal. "I'm heartbroken."
I rolled my eyes. "You'll survive."
He bumped his shoulder into mine. "You're nervous."
"No," I lied. "I'm fine."
"You're lying," he said simply.
Of course I was.
Tomorrow I'd find out if I had what it took to stand beside my father. To lead. To be a real part of this pack.
And worse? I'd find out who fate had chosen for me. Someone I couldn't choose. Couldn't change. Couldn't fight.
Maybe that's what scared me the most—the lack of control.
Kye reached into his pocket suddenly and pulled out a thin leather cord with a small silver wolf charm in the center.
"I made it. It's dumb, but… a good luck thing," he mumbled. "Figured your wolf might want something to hold onto."
My heart softened. I took it carefully, the cool metal pressing into my palm.
"Thanks," I said. And I meant it.
His eyes searched mine—for a longer thank you, maybe. Or something more. But all I gave him was a smile. A friend's smile.
He nodded and looked away.
That evening, I stood alone in the Alpha's training ring, arms aching and legs sore.
My father had decided tonight was the night to remind me of my "potential."
"You're sloppy," he barked, circling me. "Again."
I gritted my teeth and swung. He blocked.
Again.
Blocked.
Again.
This wasn't training—it was punishment. It always was.
He said he wanted to prepare me. But sometimes, it felt like he just wanted to prove I'd never be good enough. Not strong enough. Not Alpha enough.
"Tomorrow, the whole pack will be watching," he said. "And you will not embarrass this bloodline. Do you understand me, Liana?"
I nodded, chest heaving.
"Say it," he snapped.
"I understand."
He stepped closer, eyes burning. "You don't get to fail. You don't get to hide behind Kye or pity or excuses. You are my daughter. And you will rise like a damn Alpha."
I swallowed hard and nodded again.
Later, when I escaped to the edge of the forest, I clutched the silver wolf charm Kye gave me, its cool surface grounding me as I whispered into the trees:
"I don't want to be controlled. Not by my father. Not by fate. Not by a mate I didn't choose."
My fingers tightened around the charm.
"And definitely not by the Bloodfang Pack."
I raised my eyes to the sky. The moon was rising—soft and full, casting silver light over the leaves.
Ria stirred in my mind, her voice quiet but present.
You're stronger than you think.
I smiled faintly. Because deep down, I knew what I wanted
I wanted to be an Alpha.
A strong one.
My Alpha.
On my own terms.
But fate doesn't care what I want.
And the bond of the Moon Goddess waits for no one.