CHAPTER 1
1334 Words
Aurelia POV
The parchment trembled in my fingers as I read the requirements for the tenth time. My heart sank deeper with each word that followed.
Royal Werewolf Family Physician - Requirements: - Medical Degree (Alpha Medical College preferred) - Minimum three years residency in Supernatural Medicine - Extensive knowledge of werewolf anatomy and physiology - Must possess a wolf
That last line. That damn last line. The words seemed to grow bolder each time I read them, mocking me with their simplicity and the impossibility they represented.
"Must possess a wolf."
I crumpled the paper, then immediately regretted it, smoothing it back out on my desk. The position had been my dream for as long as I could remember—the prestige, the respect, the ability to help the most powerful werewolf family in the country. I'd worked my ass off for years, graduated top of my class, spent endless nights studying advanced werewolf biology when others were out running in their wolf forms under the moon.
And now this. The one thing I couldn't control.
I was born an omega, but unlike most wolves who manifested their animal forms during puberty, mine never came. No transformation abilities. Just an omega with heightened senses, the omega instincts, and a burning desire to prove myself in a world that constantly reminded me I was incomplete.
The knock at my apartment door pulled me from my spiral of self-pity.
"It's open," I called, knowing it would be Cecil.
My best friend breezed in, carrying two coffees and wearing that knowing smile that told me she could already sense my mood. Cecil was a beta from a respected pack. We'd been friends since freshman year when she'd saved me from a group of alpha jerks who thought it was funny to intimidate the "half-wolf omega" in their advanced anatomy class.
"Let me guess," she said, setting the coffee next to me, "you're obsessing over the royal family position again."
I gestured to the wrinkled paper. "Did you see this part? 'Must possess a manifested wolf.' How exactly am I supposed to do that? Grow one? Order one online?"
Cecil took the paper, her eyes scanning it quickly before she sighed. "You know there's a way, Aurelia."
"Don't start."
"You need to find a mate. An alpha mate. The bond would trigger your wolf to finally manifest." She took a sip of her coffee, her gaze knowing. "It's not just myth or rumor. It's in the Book of Omega Law—omega wolves with late or suppressed awakenings can trigger wolf through bonding with a fated alpha."
I rolled my eyes.
"So I should just what—go find some random alpha to mate with? Hook up with the first hot wolf I see?" My voice cracked a little, betraying my frustration. I instinctively touched the silver omega pendant at my throat, the symbol that marked my rank to all wolf-kind.
"I mean, would that be so terrible?" Cecil arched an eyebrow. "Not random, but maybe someone you're attracted to?"
I stood up, pacing my small apartment living room. "You know I can't do that. I've always wanted to find my true mate. The one wolf meant for me. Not use someone just to trigger my transformation."
Cecil's expression softened. "Aurelia, you're my best friend and I love you, but sometimes you're painfully idealistic. Remember Ryker?"
My chest tightened at the name. Ryker. The alpha I'd dated for two months last year. Hockey captain, Alpha of the Howard Pack, with midnight black fur when transformed, amber eyes that glowed when he laughed, and a confidence that made my omega instincts respond despite my missing wolf. I'd thought he genuinely liked me—he'd pursued me so intensely at first, showering me with attention.
"How could I forget?" I said, my voice smaller than I intended. The memory still stung like a fresh wound. "I actually thought he cared about me, and he would be my perfect mate."
"He was using you," Cecil said bluntly. "For your brain and your...other talents."
I flinched. It was true. I'd helped him pass three classes he was failing, spending hours tutoring him when I should have been focusing on my own studies. All while he was cheating on me with Tasha, a beta from his pack.
"The worst part wasn't even finding them together," I said, the humiliation washing over me afresh. "It was how he humiliated me afterward. Told everyone how the desperate omega was good for homework help and a night's fun. But when I confronted him about Tasha..." I swallowed hard. "He laughed in my face. Said no alpha in his right mind would tie himself to a defective omega when he could have a strong mate."
Cecil's eyes flashed with anger at the memory. "I still think we should have let Ryan beat the crap out of him at that pack gathering."
I sank back into my chair, the wound of Ryker's public rejection still raw. The way he'd announced to everyone that I was just a charity case—a pity date. How he'd mocked me for thinking an Alpha of his status would ever consider me mate material. The cruel laughter from his hockey teammates. The pity in other omegas' eyes.
"It left me broken, Cecil," I admitted quietly. "I was devastated for months. I almost dropped out of the program."
"But you didn't," Cecil reminded me. "You got stronger. And you became top of the class while that i***t barely graduated."
I sighed. "That doesn't change the fact that no alpha wants a mate who can't shift."
"So what are you supposed to do? Just find some hot alpha on campus and proposition him?"
Cecil grinned, standing and grabbing her purse. "Now you're getting it. Start with someone hot. Chemistry matters. And for the record, I've heard that when an omega's wolf finally manifests during mating, it's... transformative."
"Cecil!" I threw a pillow at her, which she easily dodged, laughing.
"I'm just saying, you might enjoy the process. And the result could be your wolf... and your dream job." She winked, heading for the door. "I'm meeting Max for lunch. Come with me. The café near the medical building is always packed with eligible alphas."
I sighed, grabbing my own bag. Maybe just getting out would clear my head. "Fine. But I'm not propositioning anyone."
"We'll see," she said, swinging the door open.
I stepped into the hallway, mind still swimming with frustration and possibilities, when my body collided with something—someone—solid and warm. Strong hands gripped my shoulders, steadying me before I could stumble.
I looked up into the most intense green eyes I'd ever seen, and my omega instincts immediately sparked to attention, sending a rush of warmth through my body.
"Careful," said a deep voice that seemed to vibrate through me.
Caesar Kane. The future Alpha of the Kane pack, one of the most powerful in the city. Known across campus for his intelligence, his impossible good looks, and his complete disinterest in the usual alpha games of collecting omega conquests. His dark hair fell across his forehead as he looked down at me, his expression unreadable.
"Sorry," I managed, my face heating. "I wasn't looking where I was going."
His nostrils flared slightly—scenting me, I realized with embarrassment. Could he smell my omega pheromones? My frustration? The fact that I'd been crying earlier?
He nodded once, then released my shoulders and stepped around me. "No harm done."
I watched him walk away, his broad shoulders and confident stride drawing my eyes until he disappeared around the corner.
Cecil grabbed my arm, her eyes wide. "Holy Moon Goddess, Aurelia. Caesar Kane just touched you."
"He was just being polite."
"No, I mean—" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "He's exactly what you need! He's an alpha from one of the strongest pack. Imagine the wolf you could manifest with him as your mate."
- Writer
