Erin’s POV

I was deep in a dream of running through a moonlit forest when my bedroom door was suddenly flung open. I didn’t even need to open my eyes to know who it was.

“Wake up, Erin. I told you last night I needed to get to the Darkwood Estate early today.”

I groaned and pulled the covers over my head. “God, Aaron! Why are you always like this? I’m getting up.”

My brother Aaron Blackwood yanked my blanket off. He stood before me, already dressed in his Enforcer uniform. The silver badge of the Darkwood Pack gleamed on his collar, the new badge he’d recently earned and never stopped flaunting.

“Tomorrow is your 18th birthday,” he said, his tone softening slightly.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes. “And the day after that, Bradley is coming to talk to Mom. We’ve been over this a thousand times.”

Aaron’s jaw tightened at the mention of my boyfriend’s name. “That Stone kid isn’t good enough for you.”

“He’s the brother of our Pack Alpha,” I snapped, jumping out of bed and heading to my closet.

Aaron retorted, “You know I don’t like him.”

I whirled around. “Please, he’s my boyfriend, you don’t need to like him. Bradley and I have been together for almost a year! We’re in love.”

“In love,” Aaron scoffed. “You’re not even eighteen yet. You don’t know what real love is in our world.”

“Tomorrow is my first full moon as an adult. That magical moment when I might sense my so-called ‘Soul Bond.’ But I could feel Bradley is my love and soul bond,” I shot back, yanking out a sweater and jeans. “Not everyone needs Luna to tell them who they should be with.”

Aaron leaned against my doorframe, arms crossed. “I hope so. Come down quickly.”

After he left, I quickly changed, ran a brush through my hair, and applied a touch of mascara. One more day until I would experience my first full transformation under the moonlight. The thought made my stomach churn with a strange mixture of excitement and pure terror.

—

As we drove away from our home at the edge of Pack territory, I stared out the window at the dense forest surrounding our property. The Blackwood mansion wasn’t as grand as the Darkwood Estate, but it had been in our family for generations.

“I don’t understand why you insist on going to Silvermoon Academy,” Aaron broke the silence. “Most Pack members your age have already started training for their roles.”

“Maybe because I want a normal education before diving into Pack duties?” I replied. “Besides, Bradley’s there too.”

Aaron’s grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles turned white. “Bradley Stone. The little brother of the Alpha who thinks he can take whatever he wants.”

“He’s not like that!” I took a deep breath. “Bradley is nothing like Derek. He’s kind, considerate, and—”

“Weak,” Aaron finished. “Which is why he’ll never be a leader.”

My temper flared. “Not everyone wants to be a leader, Aaron. Kindness isn’t weakness.”

“In our world, it can be,” he said flatly. “Derek Stone understands that. That’s why he’s been such an effective Alpha since taking over from his father.”

I couldn’t argue with that. Under Derek’s leadership, the Darkwood Pack had grown wealthier and more powerful. But his ruthless methods terrified most people.

Still, whenever his name came up, I felt a strange flutter in my chest that I couldn’t quite explain—something beyond the natural respect owed to our Alpha.

“Speaking of Derek,” I said, trying to change the subject and ignore that peculiar feeling, “I heard he finally found his mate.”

“A Soul Bond is essential for an Alpha,” Aaron said gravely. “If the Pack Alpha rejects his soul mate, not only would he be demoted, but his soul mate would lose her life because of it.”

What if the moon guided you to someone you couldn’t stand? Someone mean or cold, or just completely wrong for you?

For a moment, I felt a surprising wave of sympathy for Derek. Despite his power and position, he had no choice in who his mate would be.

The idea of being forever bound to a stranger by ancient magic seemed almost cruel, even for someone as formidable as our Alpha. I quickly pushed the thought away, confused by my sudden concern for a man who struck fear in the hearts of most Pack members.

“Well, I’m glad Bradley and I don’t have to worry about all that,” I said firmly. “After my birthday, when I’ve gone through my first full transformation, we can be together officially.”

Aaron’s expression darkened. “Don’t be so sure, little sister.”

The rest of the drive passed in tense silence. When we finally reached Silvermoon Academy, I practically jumped out before the truck had fully stopped.

“I’ll pick you up after school,” Aaron called out.

“Don’t bother,” I shot back. “I’ll ride with Bradley.”