THE ALPHA WHO CALLED ME MATE

CHAPTER ONE THE NEW BEGINNING The Blackwood mansion appeared through the trees just as the rain began. Amara pressed her forehead against the car window. She had seen pictures of the house before they arrived. None of them had prepared her for this. The enormous building stood on a hill overlooking the city, its dark windows reflecting the stormy afternoon. Tall iron gates surrounded the property, while rows of ancient trees lined the driveway. It didn't look like a home. It looked like a fortress. "We're here," her mother said softly. Amara forced a smile. "Finally." Her mother reached across the car and squeezed her hand. "I know this is a lot." A lot was an understatement. Three weeks ago, Amara had been living in a small apartment with her mother. Now her mother was married to one of the wealthiest men in the city, and Amara was moving into his mansion. Tomorrow, she would begin at Blackwood University. New house. New family. New school. New life. She desperately wanted it to work. The car stopped. Before Amara could open her door, someone appeared beside the vehicle. A young man. Tall. Dark-haired. Dressed entirely in black. He opened the door without saying a word. Amara stepped out. Their eyes met. For one strange second, the entire world seemed to become silent. The young man's expression changed. His eyes widened slightly. Then his jaw tightened. Amara frowned. "Do I know you?" He didn't answer. Instead, he stared at her as though she'd just walked into a room carrying a secret she didn't know she possessed. "Kael," a man's voice called from behind them. "What are you doing?" Kael finally looked away. "Nothing." His voice was cold. Amara glanced toward her mother. "Who is he?" Her mother smiled nervously. "That's Kael. Your stepfather's son." Amara's stomach dropped. Great. Of all the people she could have met first in this enormous house, it had to be the intimidating stranger who looked like he hated her already. Kael walked past her. But as he did, he stopped. Just for a moment. His voice was barely audible. "Something's wrong." Amara turned. "What?" Kael looked directly into her eyes. "I don't know yet." Then he walked away. Amara watched him disappear into the mansion. She didn't know it yet, but those four words were the beginning of everything. Because Kael Blackwood wasn't wondering what was wrong with her. He was wondering why his wolf had awakened for the first time in years. And why it had whispered a single word inside his head. Mate.