Chapter 2

We arrive at the venue, and the atmosphere is buzzing with werewolves from all corners of the country. It's no surprise as parties hosted by the Sky Pack triplets are not to be missed. They are the heirs to the most powerful pack, considered by many as the royal family of the werewolf kingdom, and the triplets themselves are regarded as princes.

Mom and Dad step out first from the car, followed by Helen, who receives assistance from two hands that belong to Cameron and Lorenzo, two of the triplets. Cameron, with jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes, glares at me, while Lorenzo, sporting a similar look, is equally unfriendly. Both have ripped biceps that catch the attention of many she-wolves. The triplets from The Sky Pack have been oddly hostile towards me since I entered high school, despite them being four years older and rarely crossing paths with me before. In our world, all werewolves attend the same school, from nursery to university, regardless of pack affiliation. Even though our interactions were limited to school events and occasional inter-pack gatherings, their animosity was unmistakable. I can't figure out why they dislike me so much, especially since we've hardly interacted, and I don't recall doing anything to provoke their animosity.

“Hannah,” Helen calls, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yes,” I reply, and she grabs my hand, leading me a few feet away from Cameron and Lorenzo. I look at her in confusion.

“I know Mom and Dad said we should stick together at the party, but unfortunately, Cameron and Lorenzo don’t want to be around you. Please understand and enjoy the party alone. I'm very sorry, sis.”

I freeze, unable to believe what she just said, and the fact that she added an apology.

“I promise, once I see one of your friends, I will ask them to come and meet you,” she adds as I stare at her in bewilderment.

"Friends?" I question, recalling that it has been years since the last time I called someone a friend. “No problem. I will be fine on my own.”

She abruptly pulls me into a hug. “Muah.” She kisses the air, and I turn my cheek away before she can land one on it. “I love you. See you later.”

She pulls away and runs over to where Cameron and Lorenzo wait for her. I watch her with a bitter feeling in my heart and, if I'm honest, a twinge of jealousy. I envy the fact that she has friends who welcome her as she arrives.

“Don’t let that bitch make you feel bad,” Kelly says, fluttering into my mind. “You’re an amazing person, and anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend. Too bad all the people around us are too dumb to see that.”

“Thank you, Kelly,” I say, a small smile tugging at my face. She always manages to make me feel better.

I make my way to the entrance of the grand ballroom, my heels clicking softly on the polished marble floor. As I approach, the band's melodic tunes fade away, and a spotlight illuminates the ornate stage adorned with golden filigree. The air buzzes with anticipation; an important figure is about to make an entrance. My steps quicken, joining the crowd of elegantly dressed werewolves as we inch closer to catch a glimpse of the arrival.

Around me, a sea of shimmering gowns in jewel tones sways gently, their wearers' eyes glowing with barely contained excitement. Some werewolves stand tall and proud, their regal bearing hinting at their Alpha status, while others move with a graceful, predatory elegance that betrays their supernatural nature. The scent of excitement and various perfumes mingles in the air, tickling my heightened senses.

My breath catches in my throat as I see him step forward to address the gathering, his presence commanding instant silence. The owner of my heart—Alex King—stands before us, his green eyes scanning the crowd with an intensity that makes my wolf stir within me.

He expresses gratitude for everyone's presence. His aura radiates authority, and even from a distance, the power of an Alpha exudes from him. His features are like those crafted by the gods themselves, a face that leaves no room for imperfections. His jet-black hair is slicked back, allowing every contour of his chiseled jaw to be on full display. His straight nose and red lips add to the perfection.

His captivating green eyes, distinct from his brothers', lock onto mine for a fleeting moment. I hold my breath, unable to tear my gaze away, though he looks away quickly. As he leaves the stage, searching for someone, I wonder who has caught his attention.

The entire ballroom buzzes with admiration for him, murmuring about how he helps his father well in handling pack affairs. Some even speculate that he will be the one to inherit the Alpha title among his brothers after his father passes and might surpass his legacy. Being the eldest among the triplets, he is more likely to take over after their father.

However, a comment from someone nearby shatters my reverie, and my shoulders slump. "I bet Helen is his mate; she is already perfect for him, another perfect match," the person says, echoing my earlier worries. The world seems to have already accepted Helen as his destined mate. Even though it hasn't been confirmed, my heart aches at the realization.

My thoughts are abruptly interrupted as I sense a pair of eyes on me. I look ahead, and my eyes widen—it's him again. Alex, the eldest of the triplets, is staring at me. He's walking toward me, and I swallow hard as panic sets in. Why is he coming towards me? Has he finally noticed me after all these years?

As he approaches, the scent of sandalwood fills my nose, and my heart pounds impatiently. I wait anxiously for him to reach me, my hope soaring. However, my heart breaks as he walks past me, heading towards the person behind me. I spin around to see who it is, and if possible, my heart shatters even more. Alex passionately kisses Helen in front of everyone, disregarding the onlookers. He wants everyone to know Helen is his.

They pull away, and Helen notices me. A big smile spreads across her face, her eyes dancing with delight. Alex looks at her with admiration, and my heart clenches. I turn away, feeling tears sting the back of my eyes.

Today feels worse than any of the days Helen came home to tell me about her dates with the triplets. Those moments couldn't even compare, as I always left the room once she began to talk. But tonight, all I can do is stare as my heart breaks.

A part of me wonders if Helen approached Alex because of me, remembering the smile on her face. I never told her I loved him, but the timing aligns with when I began to develop feelings for him at the age of fourteen. She got close to him and his brothers during that time. I brush the thought away, deeming it useless, as once my mate is revealed, it won’t matter. She can have them for all I care. I tell myself this to feel better.

I move away from them, seeking a quiet spot to pass the time. While I wait, I browse through Instagram on my phone, laughing at funny videos to pass the time.

The cheering of people inside the hall shifts my attention from my phone. Curiosity getting the better of me, I rush inside to see what is going on. I freeze as I step inside, my phone slipping from my hand and hitting the ground hard. The triplets' eyes are red, and they are all staring at Helen. She's their mate. Helen is their fucking mate.

They move to claim her, their expressions clouded with desire and possessiveness. However, a mysterious figure intervenes, blocking their path with an authority that silences the crowd. My brows furrow in confusion. Who’s that? The man speaks to the triplets in hushed tones. My gaze darts between the triplets and the older man, noting the striking resemblance in their face and physiques. It dawns on me that he must be their father, the Alpha of The Sky Pack . The triplets take one look at Helen before moving to exit the hall. My shock intensifies. Whatever he told them made them stop approaching Helen and leave. The man turns to face me, and I meet the intense gaze of eyes identical to Alex’s. A realization strikes me—he is indeed their father, the Alpha George.

He continues to gaze at me and scan the surroundings, half-expecting to find another subject of his attention nearby. To my surprise, the focus remains on me, and a sense of unease settles in.

As the tension lingers, a woman approaches me, her presence commanding attention. She bears an air of authority and sophistication, and it becomes apparent that she is the Alpha's mate—the Luna Marley.

"Come with us, dear," the Luna said with a gentle yet firm tone, gesturing for me to join them.

“Why?” I question, a swirl of confusion marring my features as the Luna insists on our departure from the chaotic ballroom.

“We can’t talk here; just come with me,” she insists, her urgency adding to my confusion.

“We are the Alpha and Luna of this pack. We just want to talk, dear,” the man, whom I deduce is the father of the triplets, asserts as he joins the conversation.

I take another look at the woman and notice the resemblance she shares with Cameron and Lorenzo.

"Okay," I agree, deciding to follow them, curiosity getting the best of me.

"Thank you," the Luna expresses her gratitude, leading the way, and my heart pounds with every step.

As we navigate through the corridors, I wonder what prompts this secretive discussion and why the urgency to distance ourselves from the prying eyes of the ballroom.