On the day of the incident, I was filled with excitement and nerves as it was my first time leaving Europe to travel to the United States. Looking at the maps, the vastness of the country seemed alien to me, and I couldn't wait to experience new landscapes and meet different people. As a werewolf, my life had been mostly secluded within my family and pack, which left me feeling somewhat isolated. I longed for adventure and exploration, but my parents, especially my father, were very protective of me as the youngest and only daughter in the family.

My father often warned me about the dangers of the human world, emphasizing that humans could be cruel if they discovered our existence. His cautionary tales had always quelled my desire to venture beyond our territory. However, this time, I managed to convince him to let me accompany them on an alpha business trip, feeling that it was essential to understand how a pack worked, even though I had no intention of becoming a pack leader myself. With three older brothers, the responsibility of inheriting the pack rested solely on their shoulders.

Reluctantly, my father agreed to let me go, but he insisted that I stay close to him or one of my older brothers throughout the trip. It frustrated me at times, making me feel like a little child instead of a twelve-year-old who wanted to be treated more like an adult. My mother, on the other hand, would remind me that acting responsibly was the first step toward earning such treatment, urging me to focus more on my grades at school.

Yet, the truth was, I was a restless Gemini, constantly craving new experiences and easily bored by mundane tasks. I yearned to be out in nature, living life to the fullest, rather than solving math problems that seemed irrelevant to my future. The idea of going to college after high school didn't appeal to me either; it felt like it would only restrict my freedom and limit my experiences. Spending my whole life in one place, I felt that time was slipping away, and pursuing a career through years of study would only make it even more limited.

...

"Stay by my side at all times, and never go to the forest alone. There have been reports of rogue sightings, and they could attack at any moment. Do you understand?" My father repeats his warning, which frustrates me. How am I supposed to enjoy my freedom now? The adults here are so overprotective.

I respond with a growl, expressing my annoyance, as Mark, my dad's beta, parks the car outside the packhouse of the American pack we're visiting.

"Don't growl at me, young lady," my father warns before leaving the car to meet the pack's alpha. He's always on edge when we're outside our own pack's territory, knowing he can't keep an eye on me constantly.

Noah nudges me to get out of the car, and I comply, feeling irritated. One day, they'll regret treating me like this. I feel like a burden, like that bag of groceries no one wants to carry because it's too heavy or smells bad. All I want is to be appreciated. Is that too much to ask?

We're greeted by the alpha of the pack and a woman who appears to be a maid. She leads us to our guest rooms, and I'm grateful to have one all to myself. I need some time alone.

Once I've unpacked my belongings, I leave the room and close the door behind me. I start heading downstairs, following the path the maid took us through earlier.

As I walk around, I feel a bit shy and uncomfortable being in a place that doesn't belong to me, surrounded by people I don't know. I'm not even sure if I'm allowed to roam freely in the house.

"Can I help you?"

I jump in surprise at the unfamiliar voice coming from behind me. Turning around, I make myself smaller, feeling intimidated by the large man standing there.

"Uh, hi, yes," I mumble and then clear my throat to sound more confident. "I'm looking for my father, the alpha of the Silver Moon pack from Russia."

He nods, understanding what I said, and smiles, which looks odd on his rugged face.

"They're outside. Let me guide you," he says, placing a big hand on my shoulder, and we walk through the packhouse until we reach the gardens. There, my dad is sitting with the alpha of this pack, smoking a cigar. Noah and another guy around Noah's age are also present.

The conversation stops when they spot me, and suddenly, I feel nervous.

"Alpha," the big man says, bowing his head before leaving. I want to call him back, feeling like I need some backup. He exudes trust and warmth, despite his imposing appearance.

"I want to join," I say with as much confidence as I can muster, though my fingers betray my nerves as I fidget with them.

"Not now, Riley. We are discussing pack matters," my dad dismisses me.

My heart compresses and explodes at the same time, and my cheeks turn red from anger and disbelief.

"But you said I could come to get to know about pack business," I protest, my voice coming out a bit squeaky.

He sighs, clearly annoyed by my persistence.

"Riley, that may have been your excuse for coming, but let's be honest, you wanted to come to America with me. You don't really care about pack stuff," he says calmly.

He's not entirely wrong. While I don't have aspirations to lead a pack, I am curious about pack matters and believe that, as an alpha's daughter, I should have some basic knowledge about our community. Plus, I want to be taken seriously, and engaging in adult discussions seems like a good way to do that. It's frustrating that they assume I don't find pack business important.

"Fine. Whatever you say, father," I reply, emphasizing the word "father" to express my annoyance. For me, "dad" is a warmer and more personal term, so when I call him "father," he knows he's upset me.

I'm fuming, and my wolf feels restless. She's young and eager to run freely, just like me, and that's exactly what I intend to do.

Leaving the packhouse behind, I head towards the forest, its tree tops visible in the distance. I walk with determination, feeling like I'm in charge of my own destiny, even if I'm just a twelve-year-old with limited control over my life.

Once in front of the forest, I make sure no one is watching before I go deeper into the woods, finding a safe spot to leave my clothes. I shift into my wolf form, embracing the freedom and sense of control it provides. Being an alpha's daughter comes with its own set of challenges, as my dad's protective instincts can sometimes be overbearing, especially towards me, the youngest of the family.

I growl as my thoughts race in my head. I feel trapped and suffocated, craving more freedom and to be taken seriously. I want to be treated like a capable individual, not a naive child.

But my growl is interrupted by another growl that is not my own.

My heart races as I turn around to face a silver-haired wolf with wild red eyes, growling menacingly, ready to attack me.

Oh no! The rogue wolves! I had completely forgotten about my dad's warning in my anger and frustration.

Without a second thought, I whimper and dash away from the rogue wolf, even though I know I can't outrun an adult wolf, especially one that seems rabid.

I keep running, howling loudly, desperately seeking help. I don't stop until I reach the edge of a cliff. I come to an abrupt halt, realizing that there's no ground left beneath my paws.

I turn around, refusing to expose my back to the enemy. The rogue wolf growls, baring its fangs, and fear courses through me. I hear another howl in response to my distress call, but I doubt they'll arrive in time.

Before I can react, the rogue wolf lunges at me.

Instinctively, I jump back, trying to avoid the attack and certain death, but there's no ground left, and I plummet down the cliff. Mid-air, I shift back to my human form to be able to swim and breathe, but as soon as I hit the raging river below, pain envelops my head, and darkness consumes me.

Alec's POV

I wipe the sweat from my forehead using the hem of my shirt. Training with the guys was challenging, but nothing I couldn't handle. Today was particularly amusing, watching Carter attempt to coax Carmen into exercising while she only wanted to relax and munch on some chocolate chip cookies. Rebecka made sure to capture it all on video, and I knew it would lead to some playful arguments later in the day. It was all in good fun, and I enjoyed witnessing their banter.

My attention is diverted when I see my mother rushing past me, visibly upset and murmuring to herself. I try to call out to her, but she's out of sight before I can intervene. Worried, I make my way towards my father's studio.

I enter without knocking, knowing it would slightly annoy him. "What's wrong with mother? She seemed as if someone died," I inquire with concern.

My father glances up with a lazy smile on his face, and my frown deepens. "Remember the young she-wolf that went missing about a decade ago?" he asks.

Of course, I remember. The case was serious and remained unsolved for years, putting the entire kingdom on high alert. I recall my mother befriending the missing pup's mother during that time. It was difficult to witness her sorrow, and the thought of something happening to my younger sister, who was just thirteen at the time, made my wolf angry.

"Yes, I remember. What about it?" I reply, waiting for an explanation.

My father's smile grows wider. "Just this morning, the pack's patrol found her wandering alone in the big forest close to the pack. Isn't that amazing?"

I'm left speechless, trying to process the unexpected news. How is this possible? Why has she resurfaced now? Didn't she go missing in a state in the United States? My mind is full of questions, and it's hard to make sense of the situation.

"They didn't provide many details over the phone, too astounded themselves, I suppose," my father adds, still seemingly in disbelief. "I'm actually on my way there now. I need you to be on high alert in case anything requires my attention, okay?"

I nod in acknowledgment before heading to my room to take a shower. Once there, I quickly make my way to the bathroom. The hot water soothes my tense muscles, but as I near the end of my shower, I turn the water cold to distract myself from the swirling thoughts that threaten to overwhelm me.

In front of the mirror, wrapped in a layer of vapor with a towel around my hips, I can't help but wonder about my true identity. Stripping away the partying, alcohol, and casual relationships, who am I at my core? I've lived for over two centuries, and despite enjoying my bachelor lifestyle with carefree nights and different women, being surrounded by my mated friends makes me yearn for someone special to share my life with. The loneliness gnaws at me, and each passing year adds to the fading hope of finding my destined mate. Perhaps she hasn't even been born yet, and that thought only adds to my frustration.

My parents are growing impatient, pressuring me to mate with Elena, the daughter of the prime minister. However, I can't stand her spoiled and entitled attitude. I refuse to settle for anyone other than my true mate, but time is running out, and the pressure is mounting.

With my mood dampened, I put on some clothes and make my way to the living area where my friends are already gathered, looking refreshed. Ignoring their cheerful greetings, I head straight to the bar and pour myself a humble glass of whiskey, seeking a moment of solitude to reflect on my life and the uncertainties it holds.

"Hey, man, everything okay?" Carter's concerned voice reaches my ears, and I respond with a grunt. Slumping lazily onto a nearby couch, I spill a little of my drink on the carpet without much care.

Felix brings up a topic, and I furrow my brow, clueless about what he's talking about. "What are you talking about?" I ask, trying to catch up with the conversation.

"That she-wolf who went missing eleven years ago was found this morning," Rebecka informs me. News and gossip spread like wildfire in the palace, and I find myself nodding in acknowledgment.

"Yeah, my father told me after training," I reply, feeling like I'm not fully engaged in the discussion, but my mind is preoccupied with other thoughts.

Carmen seems to have a lot of questions about the girl's return. "We'll probably find out more tonight," Rebecka says with a smile. Both Carmen and Rebecka are curious and love gossip, just like cats.

Confused, I inquire why the revelation will be made tonight. Carmen explains that Annie, our friend, had informed her that the queen is throwing a welcoming party for the she-wolf. As my mother is still with her friend's daughter, the responsibility of event planning has fallen to my sister.