Chapter 1

Cara

I woke up to a sore lower back, every muscle in my body feeling like it was on fire. I knew I had overdone it yesterday, but I had to get all my work done, or the Luna would be upset and punish me. The last thing I wanted was for the Luna to be angry; otherwise, my dreams wouldn’t come true.

I am an orphan. I lost both my parents in a rogue attack many years ago. The Luna took me under her wing and allowed me to live in the pack house on the condition that I would serve the alpha and his family. Being a young girl with no other options, I agreed.

Most of the time, the alpha and his family ignored me, treating me like just a fixture on the wall. The Luna, however, was harsh on me. I never understood why the Luna, who had offered to take care of me, had such a strong dislike for me.

I don’t want to be just a servant for the rest of my life; I have dreams.

My biggest dream is to be a teacher. In order to achieve this, I need the alpha and Luna’s permission to enroll in a program that would allow me to go to an allied pack and learn how to teach alongside the teachers at their school.

For some reason, when I brought up this opportunity to the alpha and Luna, the alpha said that as long as I could prove my loyalty by completing all my work and causing no problems this summer, he would agree to let me participate in the program when the school year begins in the fall.

The Luna was more reluctant but ultimately agreed with her mate. Now it seems I have more work than I’ve ever had before. I knew I had to get it done and avoid causing any issues because all I wanted was to become a teacher.

A small hope also lingered in my mind that I might meet my mate in the allied pack. I was grateful for my pack and for the Luna and Alpha providing for me, especially after I lost my parents.

But I felt like I didn’t belong there, and all I wanted was a chance at a new life away from the heartache I experienced in the Blood Rose pack.

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Jace

I woke up early to get in some morning training. As the son of the alpha and the one slated to take over for him next year, I felt immense pressure.

I have to be better than the warriors. My father demands the best from me. After training, I’m expected to go to school and excel there as well.

My father wants me to participate in sports that he believes will make me a better alpha. He insists that sports have strategic elements that can lead to victory and that they will enhance my fighting skills in the event of a battle.

In addition to football, I was on the soccer and wrestling teams as well. Naturally, I was the star of each team.

You have to be the strongest, the fastest, and of course, the best if you want to lead. That’s all I’ve been taught; it is my destiny, and I have to accept that.