An accident during my Bloodline Awakening Ceremony made me miss the chance to awaken my wolf.

My inner wolf was severely injured as a result. To survive, I had to rely on suppressants, barely clinging to life.

I lost my staunchest supporter—my father, the Alpha of the Moonfire Pack.

After my father's passing, his best friend, Matthias Kane, took me into the Shadowpine Pack.

As the most powerful Alpha on the continent, he had the ability to protect me.

Just as I was at my most vulnerable, my most trusted friend, Scarlett, stole the music I had composed in my youth.

These songs became a massive success in both the human and werewolf worlds, and she became the industry's hottest new artist.

The songs were about a charming Alpha. She claimed he was her secret crush.

Now, my three mate candidates are tripping over themselves for her, each arguing that he was the muse for her songs.

When they mention me, their tones turn impatient, filled with contempt for the weak.

"Her wolf will never awaken. How can she still dream of being our mate?"

"The princess of the Moonfire Pack? Ha! She's nothing more than a charity case living off Matthias's generosity!"

"Should we provoke her again? Maybe she'll finally lose control of her wolf and go feral."

"Haha! Then none of us will have to marry her, and we can just divide up her territory."

I stood outside the door, the wolf that had lain dormant within me for years beginning to stir.

They didn't know that the suppressants' effects were fading, and my true awakening was just around the corner.

I had never loved any of them.

They were merely pawns, ready to be discarded.

The communication crystal chimed. It was Matthias.

"Aurora, have you decided? Of the three candidates, who are you going to choose as your mate?"

"Alpha Matthias," I said. My fingers traced the patterns on the doorframe, a cold smirk playing on my lips. "Are these three my only options?"

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1

"The muse Scarlett sings about in her songs is definitely me!"

"Dream on! Blonde hair, blue eyes, tall and strong. She's obviously singing about me!"

I stood in the doorway, the joy and anticipation I'd felt for our reunion instantly crumbling to dust.

On the other end of the communication crystal, Matthias heard every word. His breath hitched, but he remained silent.

"You can choose someone else. I trained them, hoping one might prove worthy of you," Matthias said.

The three of them—Derek Cross, Nathan Rivers, and Marcus Stone—were my mate candidates.

When he was alive, my father had doted on me. He hoped someone would protect me and help me lead the Pack in the future.

Matthias Kane, my father's most trusted friend and the Alpha of the Shadowpine Pack, selected three wolves from his Pack.

He trained and mentored them so that I could one day choose one as my mate.

We had grown up together and were incredibly close.

However, the appearance of Scarlett Hayes shattered everything between us.

Ever since my wolf was injured, my status in the Pack had plummeted.

They began to ostracize me, taking cruel pleasure in my torment.

I had returned from my recovery, hoping to surprise them, only to overhear them plotting my downfall.

"Alpha Matthias," I asked softly, a playful hint in my voice, "since none of them will do, could... you be my mate?"

Silence stretched on the other end of the line.

After a long moment, his voice came through. "Aurora, don't worry. They have failed you. I will find a better solution. You don't have to rush your choice." I could hear the suppressed anger in his voice—anger directed at those three idiots.

Ending the call, I crept quietly downstairs, pretending I had just arrived.

Suddenly, the door upstairs was thrown open.

Seeing me standing in the first-floor living room, all three of them froze, staring as if they'd seen a ghost.

"How is she back?" Derek snapped out of it, his hand flying to his mouth in horror. He whispered in Nathan's ear, "If Aurora Sterling is here, Alpha Matthias must be back too."

"We're so screwed. She's already going to choose a mate!" Nathan clutched his forehead, his expression twisted with worry.

"Derek, you're the oldest. You should step up," Marcus said, turning his gaze on Derek.

"Don't you dare try to pin this on me. You think I'd take someone's leftovers? A weakling with no wolf," Derek retorted, the disdain in his eyes undisguised.

I pretended not to hear, letting them continue their pathetic little charade.

They treated me like a pitiful burden to be passed around.

"Stop arguing. I want nothing to do with her. Let's just slip out the back," Marcus suggested, gesturing for them to leave.

"She's already here. If we ignore her, Alpha Matthias will have our hides," Nathan said, pointing in my direction.

The three of them continued to shirk responsibility, finally deciding to draw lots.

"Aurora, what are you doing back?" Nathan, the loser of the draw, asked helplessly, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Nathan! I missed you all so much, so Alpha Matthias arranged a car for me," I chirped, feigning excitement and surprise.

"How long have you been back?" Nathan pursed his lips and waved his hand, signaling the two hiding behind him to get lost.

"They have missions today, so I'll take you to your place. We can throw a welcome party for you when they get back," Nathan lied without batting an eye.

"It's okay. Alpha Matthias said he'll come to pick me up later," I said, feigning concern as I watched their reactions.

"Alpha Matthias is coming?"

All three of them looked horrified, their faces draining of color.

"Yes!"

I flashed a brilliant smile, the very picture of innocence.

"He said he's going to arrange my bonding ceremony."

A dead silence fell over the room.

The next morning, Derek showed up at the door of my villa, his expression grim.

"Aurora, I'll be your mate."

I wasn't sure if Matthias had pressured him or if he'd lost a fight with Nathan and Marcus, but either way, Derek sullenly declared he would be my mate.

Seeing his sullen expression, I had to stifle a laugh.

Scarlett emerged from behind Derek, casually looping her arm through his.

"Aurora, it's so good to see you again."

"Scarlett?"

I feigned surprise and took a few steps forward. I deliberately stumbled on the steps, and the recording device in my hand tumbled to the ground.

When Scarlett heard the familiar music clips playing from it, her eyes widened in panic.

"Oh dear! My device! Those are songs I wrote a long time ago. I heard this style is popular lately. I was planning to put together these old tracks and release them."

I bent down to retrieve the device.

Scarlett grew anxious, her fingers gripping Derek's sleeve tightly.

"Aurora, don't embarrass yourself with that little hobby of yours. People will laugh at you. You think you can be like Scarlett?"

Derek shot me a contemptuous look and sent the device skittering across the floor with a kick.

"Are you belittling me, Derek? Don't you want to be my mate?" I looked up, my eyes brimming with hurt.

"If it weren't for Alpha Matthias, which of us would volunteer to be your mate!" Derek crossed his arms, glaring at me scornfully.

"Are you so sure no one wants me?"

I clenched my fists, glaring back at him.

"You're just an unwanted weakling, yet you're so arrogant! Only I am willing to stoop to be your mate. Ugh! What rotten luck!"

Derek didn't even bother looking at me, just grumbling as he turned away.

"Derek! Aurora is still recovering. Don't say things like that to provoke her."

Suddenly, Scarlett raised her voice at Derek, once again playing the part of the concerned friend.

"What did he just say?" I feigned disbelief, my eyes welling up.

"It's nothing, Aurora. I know the latest trends. That style is so dated; nobody's going to listen to it. Why don't you try another genre?" Scarlett tried to distract me.

"Oh? Alright then. What a shame. I poured my heart and soul into those songs."

Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief and quickly helped me inside.

"You just need to focus on your recovery and prepare for your bonding ceremony with Derek. You don't need to worry about anything else."

"But I want to keep composing. It's always been my dream to be a musician."

Seeing my hesitation, Scarlett grew nervous again.

"Well... I can help you. I know a lot of record producers who can help you organize your work," she said, but her feigned support was betrayed by a flash of greed in her eyes.

"Aurora, you're so lucky. Scarlett is the most popular young singer right now. People are dying for her guidance. You'd better not throw a fit. Don't be so ungrateful!"

Before I could speak, Derek warned me not to disrespect Scarlett.

I wanted nothing more than to slap these two shameless hypocrites across the face. But since I had to maintain the pretense of my weakness, I would let them have their moment of triumph for a few more days.

I couldn't wait to see the look on Derek's face when he found out the hit songs he so admired were stolen by the very woman he adored.

"Sign here." Derek handed over a parchment scroll.

I glanced at it and saw "Mate Bond Agreement" written at the top.

Derek had agreed to be my mate only because he craved Matthias's support. And Matthias just wanted someone to be my guardian and help me take over the Pack.

Despite that, every clause in the agreement was outrageously unfavorable to me.

After becoming my mate, Derek even wanted to become the Alpha of the Moonfire Pack. If I were to terminate the agreement, he would have the right to kick me out of the Pack and choose a new mate.

His shamelessness was beyond my imagination.

"Oops! I'm so sorry, my hand slipped."

I took the parchment, pretending to look for a pen. As I stood, I feigned a stumble over the sofa. The coffee in my hand sloshed all over the scroll, blurring the ink instantly.

"Aurora, you—" Derek's face went purple with rage.

"I didn't do it on purpose," I explained pitifully. "I'm just not fully recovered yet and lost my balance."

Seeing his plan ruined, Derek slammed the door and stormed out in a huff. Scarlett immediately ran after him to comfort him.

The moment they left, the innocent mask I wore fell away.

I contacted Matthias using the communication crystal. "Alpha Matthias, I think I have my answer. Those men... they're not worthy."

Matthias threw a grand banquet for my return. He was preparing to announce my full recovery, and that our two Packs would merge, making me the sole heir of the new, combined Pack.

Derek, Nathan, and Marcus would all be under my command, and Matthias would take my father's place as my most powerful backer.

Nathan and Marcus were ambitious, hoping to prove themselves and branch out. But Derek's idea was more direct—he wanted to control me to control everything.

"Aurora, this is a gown Alpha Matthias had custom-made for you last year. He personally selected every single moonstone on it," the makeup artist said admiringly as she adjusted my skirt.

The leaders of all the major northern Packs were to attend the banquet.

Soon, all the guests had arrived in the banquet hall.

"Scarlett, you look stunning today," Derek praised.

"Scarlett, what would you like to drink? Champagne?" Marcus quickly added.

"Scarlett doesn't want your champagne. Let's get some fruit instead." Nathan brought a slice of cut fruit to Scarlett's lips.

Scarlett wore a red, form-fitting gown that accentuated her graceful figure, making her as radiant as a flame.

The three men waited on her hand and foot, vying for her affection and completely forgetting who the guest of honor was.

"Alpha Matthias, they look so close!"

I took Matthias's arm and deliberately walked past them.

Matthias shot them a withering glance. Annoyed, he guided me a few steps away.

"Those fools. They deserve each other."

"Alpha Matthias, what do you plan to do with them after this?" I looked up at him, my fingertips ghosting over his arm.

"What do you think? I'll follow your command," he said, his gaze intense as he looked down at me.

"Hmm... I'll have to think about it."

I winked at Matthias and turned. Gathering my skirt, I walked toward them.

"Isn't that the princess of the Moonfire Pack? I hear she's useless now."

"Alpha Matthias took her in after her father died. She's such a beauty. It's a pity her wolf can't awaken."

"I also heard that Alpha Matthias initially planned for one of his three heirs to be her mate."

"I bet no one wants a mateless wolf. But whoever becomes her mate will be the Alpha heir of the Pack!"

The surrounding chatter buzzed like flies.

Meanwhile, Derek was trying to curry favor with Scarlett by introducing her to the northern Pack leaders in attendance.

When Derek saw me, his face stiffened. "Aurora, with your precarious position, what are you doing over here? This is a formal event. You'd better not cause any trouble and embarrass yourself."

"What are you all talking about? I'm curious. There are so many reporters and important Pack members here. I'd love to introduce Scarlett to them. Her talent deserves to be appreciated by more people," I said with a smile.

"Don't cause trouble here. You don't know anything, so just stay out of the way!"

Marcus impatiently shoved me aside, so hard that I stumbled.

Fortunately, I caught hold of a chair. I struggled to suppress the fury of my inner wolf.

"Isn't this banquet being held for me? But you're all having such a lovely chat without me," I said with a cold smile.

"That's right! Stop following me around. You all haven't seen each other in a while, go and keep Aurora company."

Scarlett forced a smile, pretending to be considerate and coming to my defense.

"You all stay with Aurora. I could use a moment to myself in a quiet corner. It's really fine."

As soon as Scarlett finished speaking, she put on a pained expression.

"Scarlett, you don't have to do this. She's not the high and mighty princess of the Moonfire Pack anymore. Why should we still have to grovel for her?"

Derek hastily put a hand on Scarlett's shoulder to comfort her.

"She should know her place and stay on the sidelines, not bother us."

I could no longer control the wolf within me. My hand, clutching my skirt, tightened until my nails nearly pierced the fabric.

"It seems the three of you are quite dissatisfied with my arrangements?"

Matthias's cold, rasping voice, laced with an Alpha's command, sounded from behind me.

"A-Alpha Matthias..." Derek tried to explain, but the words died in his throat, and a cold sweat instantly drenched his back.

Matthias's icy gaze swept over the crowd, and the chatter instantly ceased. The message was clear: shut up.

Seeing how young and handsome the Alpha of the Shadowpine Pack was, Scarlett straightened her back and deliberately puffed out her chest, taking a step forward.

"Don't blame them. They were just worried that Aurora hasn't fully recovered. It's crowded in here. If something were to happen, her wolf might lose control..."

"Who are you?"

Matthias glanced at her sideways, cutting her off coldly. He pulled me to his side, wrapping an arm around my shoulders protectively.

"I... I'm Scarlett, Aurora's best friend. Don't you remember me?" Scarlett's tone was awkward, the smile on her face frozen.

"Scarlett?" Matthias raised an eyebrow, staring at her mockingly.

"Those songs that are popular in both the human and werewolf worlds, did you write them?"

Scarlett had stolen my work and released those songs.

Derek, Nathan, and Marcus had been endlessly debating who Scarlett's secret crush was in her songs. The laughable part was, I wrote those songs, and the man who inspired them was standing right beside me—and it wasn't any of them.

"Yes. They're the hottest singles in the human world right now," Scarlett said, her eyes shining with vanity.

"What a coincidence. Aurora also enjoys composing."

When I discovered my work had been stolen, I had told Matthias. He wanted to intervene, but I stopped him. I wanted to settle this debt myself.

"Scarlett's talent and her amazing feel for melody are something a person with no talent could never achieve," Derek went on, fawning over Scarlett's supposed genius.

Just then, Marcus saw the mocking look in Matthias's eyes and quickly nudged Derek, who finally shut up.

The emcee took the stage to announce the start of the banquet, and Matthias went up to give a speech.

I sat in the audience, waiting for Matthias to announce me as the Pack's heir.

Just as Matthias was about to make the announcement, and I had just gathered my skirts to walk toward the stage, Scarlett suddenly bumped into me. The red wine she was holding sloshed all over me. "I'm so sorry, Aurora. I was distracted and didn't see you."

Scarlett produced a wet wipe from somewhere and began dabbing at my face.

My makeup was ruined, and my white gown was streaked with red stains.

"Aurora, let's go get you changed. I'll have my makeup artist touch you up. I'm really so sorry."

I saw a sly smile playing on Scarlett's lips and tried to refuse. "Oh, but Alpha Matthias is about to announce—"

However, Derek exchanged a look with the other two and quickly interjected, "Are you going to shame the Pack by going on stage looking like that? Go get changed!"

"Yes. Come with me. It'll be quick."

Before I could answer, Scarlett pulled me away.

She led me to an abandoned warehouse in a corner of the parking lot.

"There are some drinks and desserts here. You can have some."

With that, she took a piece of candy from the table, unwrapped it, and pushed it into my mouth. The taste was faintly bitter; I knew it was laced with wolfsbane.

"You wait here. I'll go see if the makeup artist has arrived."

Scarlett turned and left, locking the warehouse door behind her.

I quickly spit out the candy, only to realize I had left my communication crystal behind.

Just then, the warehouse door burst open, and two unfamiliar rogue wolves stormed in.

"Well, well. This she-wolf is a noble, and a gorgeous one at that," the wolf in front said, his eyes glinting with lust.

"No wonder Matthias took her in. I hear she doesn't have a wolf? That just makes her a human plaything. Let us show you a good time."

The two of them advanced on me, licking their lips with lecherous grins.

"Stay away from me... Stay away!"

I grabbed anything I could reach and hurled it at them.

The situation was so dire I could no longer suppress the wolf within me, nor did I want to.

My eyes instantly blazed gold, and my nails elongated into sharp claws.

"Hey, her wolf has awakened!"

"That bitch lied to us! Said she was a weakling!"

"What do we do now?"

"What else? Get her! Or we don't get paid!" The rogue lunged at me with a ferocious snarl.

Forced into a corner, I shifted into a white wolf and fought back. I used all my strength to send one of them flying, then crashed through the warehouse window and sprinted toward the banquet hall entrance. Shattered glass sliced into my fur.

Outside the warehouse, I shifted back to human form, a wave of dizziness washing over me. The wolfsbane was taking effect.

I shouted with all my might. In the distance, several security guards heard my calls and rushed toward me.

Using the last of my strength, I reached out to Matthias through our mind-link, "Matthias! Help me!"

My vision went black, and I collapsed.