Dylan
I woke up suddenly, breathing hard.
Sweat clung to my skin as I looked around the room before realizing I was in my bed. The dream again.
The same one that had haunted me every night since I became Alpha.
I rubbed my forehead, wincing slightly. My head still throbbed from last night. Craig had dragged me to a club and I'd ended up drinking more than I should have.
Just as I was about to get up, I felt something move beside me.
My brows furrowed, I was certain I had gone to bed alone.
I turned my head and groaned. "Tiffany."
She stirred slowly before opening her eyes. "Hey… you're awake."
"How the hell did you get here?" I demanded.
"You called me last night," she replied lazily. "You were drunk, and we had sex, like a normal couple."
I frowned, trying to remember, but my memory was blank.
Tiffany was my fiancée, but not my mate.
My father and the pack elders had chosen her because at twenty-five, I still hadn't found my Goddess-chosen mate. An Alpha needed heirs, and Tiffany came from a strong bloodline.
She would make powerful pups. That was all that mattered to them.
I didn't love her, I only tolerated her.
"Leave before I come out of the shower," I muttered before walking into the bathroom.
When I returned, the bedroom was empty.
Good. I dressed quickly and headed downstairs, only to stop when I saw Tiffany in the kitchen wearing nothing but my shirt while cooking breakfast.
"What are you still doing here?" I asked coldly.
She smiled brightly. "Breakfast is almost ready."
"This is my house," I said flatly. "You don't get to decide when you leave."
Still, I sat at the counter.
Later that morning, my driver dropped Tiffany off at her place.
Tomorrow was our engagement party. She and my brother's mate and wife, Nia, had been planning it obsessively.
If it were up to me, there wouldn't be a wedding at all.
My wolf had been restless all day, growling inside my head for no reason.
To clear my mind, I drove to the airport to pick up my father. His flight had been delayed, leaving me waiting inside the terminal.
That was when I smelled it. A scent drifted through the air.
It was faint, and sweet. Citrus and chocolate.
My wolf instantly stilled, then it surged forward with excitement.
The scent felt… familiar. Just like home.
Without realizing it, my feet began moving as I searched for the source. Then another smell hit me.
My wolf growled sharply.
Neotides. The bittens.
Disgust curled in my stomach.
They were nothing but trouble. Abominations who had no place in the werewolf race. If it were up to me, every single one of them would disappear.
But the sweet scent returned, stronger this time.
It drowned out everything else. My attention snapped forward just as two people approached.
The man was instantly recognizable. Rodrigo Aragon.
One of the most wanted men on my list. The self-appointed leader of the Neotides.
Hatred burned in my chest.
But the woman beside him was the one who held my attention.
She wore black pants, a grey hoodie, and dark sunglasses that hid most of her face.
Yet the moment I saw her— My wolf exploded with excitement.
Mine!
The word echoed violently in my mind. My chest tightened.
No. That wasn't possible.
Rodrigo was holding her hand when they stopped in front of me.
"Dylan Gasper," Rodrigo said with a smirk. "Fancy seeing you here."
"Rodrigo," I replied coldly. But my eyes never left the woman beside him.
My wolf was practically clawing at my mind, desperate to reach her. But something was wrong.
The scent, mixed with her sweet smell… was the unmistakable scent of a Neotide.
My jaw clenched. Fucking Impossible.
There was no way the Moon Goddess would give me a Neotide as a mate.
No fucking way.
She seemed to be staring at me as well, though her sunglasses hid her eyes.
Despite the layers of clothing covering her body, she was breathtaking.
My body reacted instantly. What the hell was wrong with me?
I needed distance immediately, so without another word, I walked past them.
My wolf howled angrily in my head, furious that I was leaving.
But I ignored it, because there was no chance in hell I would accept a Neotide as my mate.
**
"Son, are you alright?"
My father's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
He had asked the same question three times during the drive home.
"I'm fine," I muttered. He didn't push further.
We arrived at the pack house where my father and brother lived.
I had moved out years ago after my mother died. The manor never felt like home after that.
"Welcome back, Father," Thiago greeted as he approached us. The two exchanged greetings before we stepped inside.
Thiago studied my face and snorted. "You look like shit."
I ignored him and walked straight to the bar, pouring myself a glass of scotch.
I finished it in one swallow. My mind returned to the woman at the airport.
My mate. A fucking Neotide.
The thought alone made my wolf restless.
What if she belongs to Rodrigo? my mind whispered.
My wolf growled violently at the idea.
"Hope you're ready for tomorrow," Thiago said while pouring himself a drink. "Tiffany is extremely excited about the engagement."
"Don't fucking remind me," I snapped.
**
Kara
Rodrigo and I stepped out of his private jet and into the busy airport terminal.
It had only been a week since I left the city, but it felt much longer.
His beach house was four hours away from the city, so he insisted we use the jet.
I didn't argue. My mind had been focused on one thing since the day my life changed.
Finding the man who raped me. And making him pay.
But first, I needed answers.
We walked through the crowded terminal when suddenly a scent hit me.
It was intoxicating, warm, and powerful. My body reacted instantly.
Goosebumps spread across my skin as my heart began beating faster.
I looked ahead and saw a man standing near the corner of the terminal.
Tall with broad shoulders, and dark hair. Even from a distance, his presence commanded attention.
Rodrigo gently pulled me forward. The closer we got, the stronger the scent became.
My wolf stirred inside me, restless and curious.
When we finally stopped in front of him, recognition hit me.
Dylan Gasper.
I had seen him once before at the club during Kelly's birthday party. Up close, he looked even more intimidating.
Sharp features with cold eyes.
Power radiated from him so strongly it made my skin tingle.
Our gazes locked. Even through my sunglasses, I could feel the intensity of his stare.
For a moment, my entire body felt drawn toward him.
Like gravity itself was pulling me closer, It took everything in me not to step forward, and touch him, to breathe him in.
It felt insane. But the feeling was undeniable.
For the first time in my life—
I felt completely drawn to a man. My wolf stirred inside me, restless. Mine!
The word echoed in my head. But before I could even process the feeling, Dylan suddenly walked past us without another glance.
Like I didn't exist. A strange ache spread through my chest.
"Rodrigo," I whispered quietly.
"Yes?"
"Why did he smell like… one of us?"
Rodrigo was silent for a moment. Then he sighed.
"Because he is."
My heart skipped. "Not just any wolf," he added.
"He's a Pureblood Alpha."