Chapter 1 Male . I dropped the plate I was holding to the floor but couldnt care to watch it shatter . My eyes were too busy soaking in the man standing before me .. The future Alpha of the Nightwake , Landon Walker , is my mate . Landons eyes were blown wide as he stood there staring at me . The emotions rolled off him like waves ; love , lust , confusion . fear and happiness all packed into one . He was frozen stiff mirroring my posture . Neither of us expected this outcome . It took us completely by surprise . Why did we just find out we were bound ? We shouldve known we were mates at sixteen . It shouldve been instantaneous . We didnt know . Until now , that is . But it didnt happen . We Both of us were passed that ripe age of sixteen me nineteen as of today , him twenty one but never felt this pull until now . But why ? Why now ? Why not before ? Selene- Landon began quietly . The way he said my name had chills running down my back . I opened my mouth to say something when the sound of approaching footsteps stopped me . It was Hestia . Wisps of her blonde hair swayed back and forth as she entered with a skip in her step . Her bright blue dress fell charmingly down her hips ; highlighting the feminine curves she was blessed with . The air of cheeriness and glee she brought along with her presence cut the tension seeping into the kitchen just moments before . I immediately felt my throat constrict as I watched her wrap her arms around Landons waist and snuggled into his chest . A pang of jealousy flared inside me but I squashed it down . I reminded myself . Theyre just friends . No matter how close they were , they were simply friends . Landon seemed a little taken aback as he shifted on his foot and wrapped his arm awkwardly around her . His expression a mask of conflict . There you guys are ! Ive been looking for you two . Cant have the birthday girl isolating herself . Hesita smiled brightly at me , baby blue eyes shinning and all . She looked absolutely stunning . My baby sister was glowing with happiness as she basked in his affection . In that moment , I could feel my heart rage with growing envy . It was wrong , so wrong for me to want her as far away from him as possible , but he was my mate . It was instinctual to be territorial . It was in Chapter 1 my nature as a wolf to desire him for myself regardless of what my human side told me . Against my morals , better judgement and all sensical thinking . I wanted nothing more than to just stake my claim . I wanted to tell H Hestia that he was my destined one and that I was his . But I couldnt . I couldnt do that to my sister . At least , not yet without explaining it to her. We had to have a proper conversation about this . knew it would break her heart and that was something I wasnt ready to do . I doubt I ever could be . In that instant of clarity , became part of me . A part that couldnt belong to no one else but me . Not even my sister . I knew then and there , that it was selfish thinking . They were only friends yet I was trying to separate them . While I wanted to run away and hide , my wolf wanted to fight for what was hers . Instinct or not , it felt wrong . I hated the bond for it . Selene ? Are you okay ? My gaze flickered to my sister , her eyes shining with concern as a slight frown tugged on her lips . For a brief second , my gaze fell to their closeness before lifting back to hers . I choke out . What a damn lie . She didnt seem to notice though . She simply smiled and gazed up to my mate . No matter how many times Ive chanted it in my head that they were simply friends , the wolf side of me refused to acknowledge it . Not when I knew Hestias feelings for Landon went beyond friendship . She was so sure she was in love with him . I suppose I could only be thankful now that they never seemed to cross the line . That Landon never took the bait . I never understood why wolves bothered getting into relationships with the intention of going longterm when they still have yet to meet their mate . People like my sister . Those who underestimated the power of the mate band and the Moon Goddess will , would try to take fate in their own hands . A Noble thought , but otherwise messy . They would seek out other wolves who thought similarly and plan a long term future together . Some went as far as marking and mating but it never ends well . When one of them finds their mate , everything they planned would fall to ruin . No one could resist the mate bond . It was embedded in their soul the moment they were born to be unable to defy it . It would only serve to strain relationships . No matter how much one loved someone who wasnt their mate , theyd soon change their mind when they meet their fated one . To have your mate is a feeling completely incomparable to forged relationships . Which is why I didnt understand why Hestia would bother pin after Landon When she realized Landon wasnt her mate , she was unbothered . She didnt care whether or not they were mates . Sure , it wouldve been easier if they were but shed decided long before that he was the one for her . It just didnt make any sense to me . It was utterly pointless . t even have to be me . No amount of love ove would overpower the pull She had her own mate out there while he did too . It didnt of mates . Ive seen it happen countless of times . Chapter 1 With clenched fists and a tight lipped smile , I darted my gaze toward Landon who averted his attention from me and ded down at my sister . I could see through his facade but Hestia appeared not to . With a small kiss to the cheek , he soothingly ran his hand up and down her arm before clearing his throat . Isnt it time that we let Selene here , open her gifts ? Hestias eyes twinkled with delight as she clapped her hands together . As much as I was in no mood to open gifts , she made a face that was hard to say no to . The obvious excitement in her expression made me weak to her wishes . I gave in , smiling softly before nodding as Hestia looped her arm around mine and dragged me to the living room . I forced myself not to bristle when she touched me .