His hands framed my throat, his thumb tracing my racing pulse. Desire darkened his gaze. “Say it,” he whispered, raw and commanding. “Say who you belong to.”

“You,” I gasped, voice breaking into a moan as his rhythm consumed me. “I’m yours.”

His mouth claimed mine, all fire and hunger.

⸻

Talia never expected her worst nightmare to be her destined mate.

Cassian — the boy who made her life a living hell, the one she swore she’d never forgive — turned out to be the one fate chose for her. Now bound by a force stronger than hate, she must decide if love can bloom where pain once lived… or if some scars run too deep.

But fate isn’t done with her yet. Because in the shadows waits another bond, a second mate whose touch feels just as forbidden… and just as inevitable.

Prologue

“Stop !” I yelled, eyes wide with horror.

“Stop?” He chuckled, the sound low, twisted. His eyes were wide with glee as he opened the book, my secrets and shame bare to him.

“My mummy hates me… aw” he pouted mockingly “trouble at home?”

The crowd laughed, amused by him, by my humiliation. I glared at him, refusing to back down.

Cassian Cross, my arch nemesis. He and his minions: Kira and Nicole made my life a living hell. They followed me through elementary school, middle school and now high school, making it their mission to humiliate me.

He flipped another page of my diary. I grew impatient, agitated. My eyes filled with tears, horror and desperation making me tremble. I darted my eyes around, searching for someone, anyone to help me, to stop him. But they all had their attention on him, eagerly waiting for the next line of humiliation. I could almost see them salivate.

“Oh, check this out” he smiled, showing the page to Kira “ he bullies me all the time, I hate myself for it, hate him for making me feel this way…” my heart sank.

“No ! Stop !” I screamed, lunging at him but was held back by two random boys. I struggled, trying to break free, tears of humiliation flowing down my cheeks. Please not that page, anyone can read it but not him, not Cassian.

“But why…” he continued “why do I feel this way ?” No. I tried to break free, scratching at their arms but it was no use, they were stronger than me “why does he make me feel this way?” His eyes widened, surprised. He looked away from the page for a moment, locking eyes with me. His eyes softened for a split second then it hardened again, hatred boring into my soul. He went back to destroying me “Why do I like him? Why do I want him?” He finished, shattering my heart and my dignity. My resolve crumbled.

The crowd “ooed” at the revelation. I glanced around, their faces blurred by my tears. The boys let go of me and I crumpled to the ground in defeat, my strength gone just like my dignity.

I looked up at him to find his eyes already trained on me. His expression was unreadable. Then he smiled. I averted my gaze to the ground.

I hated him, I hated him so much. Why was he so cruel?

I felt a soft hand grab me. I looked up to find blue eyes staring down at me. Her blonde hair cascaded down her face as she bent over. Her expression was soft, sad.

Tasha

My twin. My lips wobbled and I broke down completely. She knelt in front of me, holding me tightly. Her arms were soft, comforting. My body trembled as I sobbed, not caring where I was. I couldn’t care.

“It’s okay,” she whispered into my hair. “Let’s get out of here.” She helped me up and pulled me in the opposite direction, away from him and the crowd.

I could hear them laughing behind us, laughing at me and my foolish crush on my bully. My heart tightened, my hatred stronger. I would never forgive him.

Never.

: Return

“Mum made a feast for you with your favourite dishes,” Tasha said without once taking her eyes off the road. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, a telltale sign of her anxiety. She hated driving, always did. It made her anxious, but she insisted on picking me up from the airport today. She said she wanted to be the first to welcome me.

My sweet sister.

“Oh yeah ? I can’t wait,” I replied, watching her face brighten.

The truth? I couldn’t have cared less. I hated the idea of being here, back in this place that held so many memories. Bad memories.

I’d left a week after high school graduation, suitcase in one hand, resentment in the other. My mother tried to stop me. She’d raged, manipulated, pulled all the cards in the book, even reported me to the Alpha, Alpha Black himself.

He summoned me to his office, demanding I stay back in the pack and get a job. I handed him my report card with my 5.0 GPA and told him I’d be wasting my potential by staying back. To my surprise, he let me go. He wished me well.

I had returned home to find my mother livid. We got into a huge argument that ended in her beating me so badly, I almost missed my flight.

It’s been four years since then and I’m back. Not on my own accord but by a decree. The Alpha issued a summons for all pack members abroad to return home, to witness the crowning of a new Alpha, his son Cassian.

The person I hated the most in the world. The person I swore to never forgive.

“We’re here !” Tasha announced, pulling up to our driveway. The house was exactly the way I remembered it, a three-story masterpiece that held so many memories. The lawn was trimmed to perfection, the fresh scent of roses thick in the air. Warm light spilled from inside, welcoming me. If I didn’t hate it here, it’d feel good to be home.

“Come on in,” Tasha invited, running inside excitedly. Her childish excitement brought a smile to my face.

I heard a twig snap and froze, my hand on the door. I frowned, glancing around. The street was silent, still. The warm light from inside bleeding into the street. The tiled pavement was spotless, the neighborhood perfect, just as it always is.

I focused on the door again, wanting to go in but I couldn’t bring my hand to twist the knob. There was something eerie about the atmosphere. I could sense it, a pair of eyes watching me. It made the hairs on my nape rise. I just didn’t know where it was coming from.

I let out a slow breath then pulled my hand away from the door. I could hear Tasha’s laughter echoing through the walls, warm and inviting but I stepped off the porch, moving along the side of the house. My boots crunched softly on the gravel lining the edge of the garden. I passed the rows roses, and followed the narrow path that led to the backyard.

It was exactly as I remembered it, tall trees looming and welcoming. It called out to me, inviting me to explore it. The woods had always been my comfort place, a place a ran to whenever my mother started her tantrums or when school became too much to bear. Tasha was always the one to find me and bring me back home, holding my hand tightly and scolding me.

I heard another twig snap then whirled around, searching. I knew that sound, it wasn’t a squirrel, or the wind. It was someone. Someone was here, watching me.

It was creepy.

Something brushed past my shoulder in a blur. I whirled around again, growing agitated. What the hell is going on ? My gaze swept the area, in search of something, anything, a clue as to who it was.

I looked down and noticed a large imprint on the muddy ground. A paw. I looked up slowly, in the direction the paw led to. Then I saw it, a pair of glowing yellow eyes hidden behind bushes.

A wolf.

It growled, the sound sending a chill down my spine.

It wasn’t just any wolf, I knew it in my bones. No normal wolf looked at you that way, like it knew you, recognized you.

Who is that ?

: mate

I glared at the wolf, completely annoyed by its intrusion.

"Who are you?" I tilted my head to the side, trying to figure out if I knew it. I could tell it was a male. Its fur was brown and black, its size was way above the average. It stared at me menacingly, but I wasn't bothered; I didn't feel threatened one bit.

A wolf lurking in my backyard, staring like a creep? I couldn't take that seriously.

I scoffed and turned around, to return to my house, when it growled. It had me stopping in my tracks, the sound travelling straight to my soul, making my heart rate increase. What is this ? Why am I reacting this way to a random wolf ?

The growl was a warning; he hated that I turned my back to him. I took another step forward, defiantly, and it growled again. This time, the sound was closer. I hadn't noticed when it moved or heard anything. He was stealthy.

I took another step forward, then bolted. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. I could hear the sound of his heavy paws hitting the hard ground from behind me. He was after me. I didn't get far before I felt a heavy weight on my back, making me crash to the ground. My chin hit the ground, drawing blood.

"Damn you !" I growled, rage brewing. He was on top of me, sniffing at my neck. His paw was heavy, one of them directly above my shoulder.

"Get off me !" I tried to push him off, but his weight was too much for my 5’7” figure. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. The scent of blood and mud invaded my senses, accompanied by a strong scent of sandalwood mixed with something sweet. It was enticing, calling out to me. My heart thudded, my nose sniffing violently, trying to get as much of the scent as possible. Then I noticed it, the sparks dancing underneath the skin where he touched. It made my entire body tingle.

My eyes widened in realisation. He continued sniffing my neck, purring in satisfaction.

Mate. My wolf howled. Mine.

My breathing became much heavier. This shouldn't be happening. I don't want to be mated, I don't want to be tied back to this pack. Damn it.

His touch made me shiver involuntarily. I was drawn to him, as much as I hated it. My hands itched to rub his fur.

Mate. My wolf was restless, fighting to come out. No. I need to focus. I don't want him, I don't want a mate.

I heard the sound of the front door shut, and footsteps approaching. He got off me and in a flash, was completely out of sight. So fast.

I found myself missing the sparks from the mate bond.

"Talia ?"

It was Tasha. She sounded concerned. I imagined how ridiculous I looked, lying on my stomach in the dirt, blood trickling down my chin.

"Are you okay?" She rushed to my side, her nose probably catching the scent of my blood.

He hurt me. That's a valid reason to reject him, right ?

"Yes." I groaned, getting up on my feet. "I tripped." The lie slipped out naturally.

She stared at me, concern etched on her features.

"Let's get you inside so you can clean up and have something to eat. The food's getting cold and Mum is waiting for you."

Shoot. I completely forgot about that woman and her feast. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, for my sister's sake.

“Sure."

She held my hand, leading me down the pathway that led back to our front door. I turned around, looking at the woods once more.

My eyes locked with a pair of glowing yellows. He was watching. It sent chills up my spine.

: dinner with the devil

"You should be more careful" Tasha reprimanded as she used a Cotten pad to wipe the blood off my chin. The wound had healed but she insisted on cleaning me up to look presentable for dinner. I don't know why she made such a fuss about it. It's just dinner.

I heard soft footsteps approaching and braced myself up for drama. My mother walked into the bathroom, her hands folded on her chest with a scowl on her face. She looked the same, her red hair tied up in her signature slick bun, her 5'9 frame standing tall, menacing.

We locked eyes and I could see her disapproval. Nothing has changed.

"Still incompetent I see"

Still a bitch I see

"Mother."

I couldn't bring myself to say anything else. What could I say ? Good to see you ? It wasn't good to see her. Seeing her brought back memories, memories I've spent the last four years trying to bury. Memories of her sneering down at me after beating me to a pulp.

She lifted her chin, looking down at me with those judgmental, holier-than-thou eyes, the same ones she used to look at my report card like it personally offended her.

"Talia", her eyes swept my frame "you look well."

A compliment? That's unusual

"Come down for dinner" she ordered. Her eyes drifted to Tasha and I could see it soften "and you too"

With that, she turned around and walked away. It has always been that way. I was the terrible daughter and Tasha the perfect one. I sighed and followed after her, Tasha close behind me

The table was indeed filled with my favorite dishes. A large, steaming dish of baked ziti sat in the center, the top layer of cheese perfectly golden and bubbling. The smell hit me like a wave, tomato sauce, garlic, basil, and melted mozzarella, warm and familiar, almost comforting.

Beside it, a basket of garlic bread wrapped in a clean towel to keep it warm. The scent of butter and roasted garlic made my stomach growl, loudly enough that Tasha heard it and smiled softly.

I was basically drooling at the sight before me.

Even the Caesar salad was perfect, crispy romaine, shaved parmesan, crunchy croutons, and just enough dressing. I found it hard to believe my mother had done all this for me. It was most definitely Tasha’s doing.

“Still not acting like a proper lady I see”

Again with the judgment. I gritted my teeth, trying to keep the peace for my sister’s sake. I sat down and dug in immediately, not caring about my mother’s opinion. She’d judge me anyway, might as well make it worth her while.

“Is this the culture of the peasants you associate yourself with?”

She asked, making reference to the people from school.

“Yeah. We act like people. Not robots with no real personality”

“It is expected of us to act our best. We are royalty !”

I snorted. Royalty my foot. My mother considered herself royalty because she married into power. My father, the Beta of the Crimson Pack, our pack. She’d been outraged after he died and the title was passed on to another candidate due to the lack of a male heir to inherit it. The resentment had turned her into… whatever she is.

I continued eating, completely ignoring her.

“You’ve gained weight”

“Mother !” Tasha reprimanded, her eyes wide with shock. “Don’t do this”

I wasn’t surprised, I expected this. She’d do everything in her power to piss me off. It was her favorite sport.

“I’m only stating the obvious”

“Yes mother. I have. I’m starting to look a lot like you now”

Her nostrils flared, her eyes widening in anger. She took her looks seriously and I had directly attacked her, insinuating that she was fat.

Her grip on the fork she was holding tightened, knuckles white.

“What did you say ?” She asked through gritted teeth. It was amusing to see her so riled up. I had two options, repeat myself and damn the consequences or back down for the sake of Tasha.

I glanced at my sister, her eyes already trained on me, pleading. I picked up my fork, forcing a piece of bread into my mouth, an obvious surrender.

My mother got the message, going back to her food in satisfaction.

“Hope you’re ready for tomorrow” she glared at me “you’ll both be representing our family. You must look your best and act it”

I rolled my eyes internally.

“We must make a good impression on the new Alpha, Alpha Cassian.”

I froze at the mention of that name, completely losing my appetite.

Tomorrow is the day I’ve dreaded the most, the day I see him again, the boy that made my life miserable.

I couldn’t wait.