The following morning, a palpable tension hung in the air during training, as Alpha Anders decided to test my capabilities by pitting me against three of his warriors. But I held my ground confidently, knowing that my father had prepared me for battles against multiple opponents for as long as I could remember. I figured two of them would be a mere formality. Trevor, on the other hand, was a different story entirely. Paired with the ranked wolves, he stood as their most formidable warrior. He was cunning, relying on strategy rather than brute strength—an error many warriors made when facing me. While he observed and analyzed my moves for weaknesses, he still had yet to find my true vulnerabilities, though that didn’t deter his aggression. As they formed a triangle around me, I kept my eyes locked on Trevor, the greatest threat, while maintaining awareness of the other two. The moment they settled into their positions, Trevor lunged forward, aiming a powerful punch toward my gut. I slid effortlessly beneath his outstretched arm and down to my knees, racing towards Richard—better known as The Dick, thanks to his attitude. With a calculated swing, I sent my arm crashing upward between his legs, striking a decisive blow to his family jewels. He crumpled to the ground, incapacitated. Just then, I felt a whoosh of air and instinctively dropped flat on my back, tucking my knees as Kent’s foot swiped over where my head once was. As he turned with the momentum, I swiftly kicked my legs up, trapping the planted leg, and with one powerful twist, I pulled him down, dislocating his knee in the process. His cry of pain cut through the air as he writhed on the ground. Rising back to my feet, I turned my full attention to Trevor. He eyed me meticulously, strategizing his next move. With a confident smirk, I beckoned him forward with a flick of my fingers. He feigned a punch before sliding low, attempting to take out my legs. With a leap, I gracefully soared over him, pivoting to deliver a roundhouse kick aimed at his head. He dodged artfully, mimicking my earlier move on Kent. Ingenious bastard. The standoff escalated into a fierce back-and-forth, with each of us landing blows yet unable to overpower the other. Until finally, I spotted an opening and landed a solid punch to Trevor’s throat. Shock flickered in his eyes long enough for me to seize his arm, twisting it just shy of dislocation to force him to his knees. The rush of victory surged within me as I held him in that vulnerable position, earning a tap-out from Trevor before I could dislocate his shoulder. The rest of the squad erupted into applause, the sound of their cheers cascading over my victory. I helped Trevor to his feet, our rivalry softened by mutual respect. “Nice job, little badass, but just know—I’m coming for you,” he quipped, a cocky grin playing across his face as he turned to assist the injured Kent and Richard. Returning Trevor’s smile, I offered, “I look forward to a real challenge someday.” His laughter echoed as he helped carry Kent away. My gaze drifted towards Alpha Anders, who nodded approvingly, affirming my triumph. The school day unfolded like a blur, too quick to grasp. I noticed Rik’s gaze lingering on me several times, yet I managed to dodge him, aided by his constant entourage. On our way home, Jason’s voice cut through my thoughts, excitedly relaying plans for our night at the Dark Moon, the club where the packs of Canyon Ridge and Shadow Falls mingled. Friday nights had become our tradition—a spirited release after a long week. Having celebrated my seventeenth birthday nearly a year ago, I had been a regular at the club ever since. It was here that I often met Alpha Liam. What we had wasn’t officially labeled. Friends? More than friends? He understood that I was waiting for my destined mate, so the concept of friends-with-benefits didn’t apply. Despite the age gap—he was twenty-four, while I was just seventeen—Liam respected my journey, contributing to the tension that crackled between us. He was keenly aware of my status and the choices I was making, but there was an unspoken hope that perhaps we were meant to be. I found myself drawn to him—his charm, intelligence, and wealth of strength made him a remarkable alpha, and undeniably attractive. Every time he flashed that smoldering smile my way, my heart raced, igniting a warmth that I couldn’t deny. After a brisk training session, I devoured a quick bite before rushing upstairs to freshen up. My phone chimed with a call from Lacey, a fellow warrior-in-training, checking in to make sure I was attending tonight's escapade and asking if she could tag along. I assured her that it was Jason’s turn to drive, and she agreed to shoot him a text, rallying to join. Choosing my outfit with care, I slid into a snug pink criss-cross top that tied alluringly at my back, paired with low-rise black jeans. A pink scarf cinched at my waist added a pop of color, accentuating my curves, while my stiletto heels—a sultry pink and black combination—lengthened my legs. I left my hair to cascade down, showcasing my natural curls, and applied just enough makeup to enhance my features for a night of dance without overdoing it, a smoky eye bringing out my emerald green eyes. As I descended the stairs, my phone buzzed—Jason was waiting outside. I bid my father goodbye, stepping into the evening air to find Jason had already picked up Lacey and another warrior, Dean. Climbing into the backseat, I greeted them with a bright smile. “Hey little badass! Taken down any more alphas in the last twenty-four hours?” Dean teased, his smirk devilish. “Not in the last twenty-four, but the night is still young, Dean,” I shot back cheekily. “What about tonight?” Lacey probed, her interest piqued. “Expecting to see a super hot alpha?” I shrugged nonchalantly, aware that, while I anticipated his arrival, Liam had pressing duties beyond Friday night revelry. He had started to drive me home recently, but I didn’t place too much stock in him appearing tonight, even if I sincerely hoped to catch a glimpse of him. “I can’t be sure,” I replied lightly, “but if I were gambling, I’d wager on it.” A grin spread across my face, the thought of Liam igniting both excitement and nervousness. “Girl, that man is fine! You need to make your move and then dish all the details,” Lacey urged, prompting a laugh from me. Jason’s eyes flicked to meet mine in the rearview mirror, subtly curious; I rarely shared my hopes or the fact that I was saving myself for my true mate. Upon arriving at the club, we were met with a lengthy queue of party-goers, but being regulars, Jason and I effortlessly slipped to the front. The bouncer recognized us and ushered us in, eliciting grunts of dissatisfaction from those still waiting. “Looking sharp, little badass,” he remarked as I walked by, and I paused to return the compliment, even though such attention made me roll my eyes inwardly. Inside the club, the energy was electric. In our wolf culture, there were no restrictions on drinking age, our faster metabolism rendering alcohol less potent than it was for humans. We made our way to the bar and ordered shots, I bypassing beer in favor of something more conducive to dancing. After paying for the first round, Jason placed another order while I scanned the crowded room. Familiar faces dotted the space—wolves from local packs and a few newcomers. Just as I turned for another shot, my gaze met Alpha Rik’s, a jolt of tension shooting through me. “Son of a bitch,” I muttered, quickly clinking my glass to Jason’s, Lacey's, and Dean’s before downing the potent liquid that burned its way down my throat. “What’s up? Who’s got you bothered?” Jason asked, searching over my shoulder, trying to unravel who might taint my night. “Your seven o’clock,” I replied curtly, and he twisted around, a low whistle escaping his lips as he caught sight of Rik’s unmistakable figure. “Think he’ll come over here?” “Don’t care,” I answered dismissively. “I’m heading to the dance floor.” I leaned closer, raising my voice above the thumping bass, “I’m going to shake it out. Anyone joining?” Jason promised to catch up in a minute, and with Lacey pulling me along, we ventured into the pulsating heart of the dance floor. As I began to move, rhythmic waves of sound engulfed me, and I closed my eyes. Surrounded by my fellow warriors, I felt liberated from scrutiny or unwanted advances. In this sanctuary of movement, I relished the knowledge that eventually, Liam would stroll in, searching for me amidst the thrumming crowd. Lacey leaned in, shouting to make herself heard, “Alpha Rik hasn’t taken his eyes off you since we arrived! What’s that about?” My shoulders shrugged in uncertainty. “He hit on me at school yesterday,” I admitted. Her eyes widened in shock, but I gestured for her to lean in closer, leaning over to share, “He has no clue who I am.” As the implication sank in, she paused mid-dance. “No. Fucking. Way.” “Hush,” I urged, leaning closer, “He asked for my name and pack.” Her mouth dropped, clearly incredulous. “How could he not know? EVERYONE recognizes you!” I shrugged again, “Guess I’m just not on the future alpha’s radar.” Lacey shot another glance toward Rik, then back at me. “Consider me Team Liam from now on,” she declared with determination. “That makes two of us,” I replied, feeling warmth surge through me as the next song transported us into pure exhilaration, words fading in favor of movement as we danced freely among friends. As the first slow song of the night began to play, the melody caressing the air around us, I motioned to Lacey that I was heading for another shot. She nodded in agreement, falling in step with me toward the bar once again.