Prologue

     Rylee was nervous. Her palms felt clammy with sweat and her heart was pounding in an accelerated manner. Tonight was the mating ceremony for mateless pack members who were eighteen years of age and above. This was the second time Rylee was taking part in the ceremony. She had attended the previous year's ceremony but had failed to find her mate. Now, she was nineteen and was hoping that she would be able to find her mate this time. 

"There you are! We've been looking for you!" Sarah, one of Rylee's friend piped as she rushed towards her with their other friend, Lana. 

"I'm nervous" Rylee said to them when they got to her. 

"Loosen up, sweetie. We're all going to find our mates, this time. So, cheer up, baby girl" Lana said and Rylee nodded. 

"Speaking of mates, who do you think you're going to end up with?" Sarah asked and Rylee shrugged.

"I don't know"

"Who do you want to end up with?" Sarah probed, wriggling her eyebrows. 

As soon as Sarah asked the question, one person came to Rylee's mind. 

Nathan. He was her childhood bestfriend. But, lately, she was starting to see him in a different light. Infact, she had feelings for him but lacked the courage to tell him about it. 

She was snapped out of her thoughts when her friends squealed, their eyes filled with delight. 

"We knew it! You have feelings for Nathan, don't you?! It's written all over your face!" They echoed. 

Rylee's cheeks heated in embarrassment. 

"Can you not raise your voices? This is embarrassing" she mumbled and they burst into laughter. 

"Oh, honey. You are whipped" Lana cooed. 

"Speaking of Nathan, have you guys seen him tonight?" Rylee asked and they shook their head. 

"He's a little late. I'm sure he'll show up soon" Sarah said. 

"That's right. When he does, he's going to find you and your wolves will recognize that you're mates. How romantic" she continued with a dramatic sigh. 

"Exactly. The dance is about to begin, girls" Lana said as the beating of drums filled the night. 

"Rylee! Nathan's here!" Sarah whispered and Rylee blushed hard. 

"He has seen us. He's coming over" Sarah said, waving at a tall young man with dark brown curls and an undercut. 

"Damn, Nathan is so dreamy. Look at him" Lana breathed, nudging Rylee in the rib. 

"Stop it, guys. You're embarrassing me" Rylee said and they chuckled. 

Nathan finally got to the trio, a big smile on his face. 

"Hey, Nathan" Rylee said, making subtle eye contact with him. 

"Hey, Rylee. You look great tonight" he said, his voice deep and raspy. 

"T-thanks" Rylee stuttered, her cheeks warming. Her friends couldn't help but laugh. 

While they listened to the Alpha's speech, Nathan held Rylee's hand. The dance finally began. Mateless pack members stepped into the arena and began to dance with beautiful movements. The moon had graced them with her presence, her light radiating all over the place. It was midnight and the werewolves felt it. Rylee became even more nervous as she noticed that some of the pack members had started to find their mates. 

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes while she joined in the dance. Her wolf was stirring within her as she danced to the music. She felt the tug deep within her, but refused to open her eyes yet. 

Suddenly, an intense chocolate scent filled her nostrils. Alarms went off in her head and her wolf was fully alert now. Her mate had arrived. 

A smile curved her lips as she felt someone hold her hand. She was feeling the sparks now. The heady rush of ecstasy that came with recognizing her mate's presence. 

She inhaled deeply, his chocolatey scent filling her nostrils. She leaned into his touch as his hand rested on her waist. She had been waiting for this moment all her life. 

Rylee took a deep breath and opened her eyes, her brown eyed gaze meeting green. Her eyes widened. 

"Nathan?" 

He grinned. 

"In the flesh"

"You're my mate" Rylee gushed, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"That's right. The moon goddess knows what she's doing" he said and she smiled. 

"I... I have feelings for you" Rylee confessed. 

With a tender look in his eyes, he brushed her hair out of her eyes. 

"I'm well aware of that, love" he told her. 

She leaned in for a kiss and he pulled her closer to himself. When they pulled away, he gave her a kiss on the forehead. 

"Let's celebrate our new relationship status" He said and she grinned. 

"I know a good place where we can do that. It's in the outskirts of the town" Rylee said and he nodded. 

"Alright, let's go" 

They both left the pack house hand in hand. Rylee was still so excited about Nathan being her mate. 

In the car, they continued to hold hands. 

"You came quite late to the ceremony" Rylee pointed out. 

"Oh...that. Well, I was meeting up with someone to discuss the Crescent Creek Pack..."

"Come on, Nathan. I told you to be careful. Right now, you're the first person to find out about the plan of the Crescent Creek Pack. Do you think they will be pleased to know that you're aware of their secret?" 

"I'm being careful, Rylee. You don't have to worry so much. I'm gathering evidence. I just need a little bit more before I can inform the council" 

Nathan parked the car in a gas station and Rylee gave him a questioning look. 

"We're running out of gas. Please stay in the car" he said and turned off the ignition.

Rylee was anxious now. She didn't know why. She watched her mate as he unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car. 

Two minutes passed and Rylee's anxiousness was growing. Then, she heard it. 

Nathan's scream.