Chapter 1:The Scent That Vanished
The Blood Moon hung high above the Blackthorne Pack, bathing the ancient forest in crimson light.
Tonight was another Mate Gathering.
Hundreds of unmated wolves from powerful packs had traveled across the Northern Territories, hoping the Moon Goddess would finally reveal their destined partners.
Inside the grand hall, laughter echoed beneath glittering crystal chandeliers.
Music filled the room.
Young wolves danced.
Alphas discussed alliances.
Lunas chatted excitedly.
Yet one man stood alone on the balcony overlooking the forest.
Supreme Alpha Kael Blackthorne.
Tall.
Powerful.
Untouchable.
Every female wolf secretly dreamed of becoming his mate.
But Kael ignored every admiring glance.
For six years...
He had attended every Mate Gathering.
Every Full Moon Ceremony.
Every Alpha Summit.
Yet the Moon Goddess had remained silent.
No mate.
No bond.
Nothing.
Behind him, his younger brother Damon sighed.
"You're leaving already?"
Kael didn't even turn.
"She's not here."
"You don't know that."
"I would know."
Damon crossed his arms.
"You've rejected invitations from every Alpha's daughter."
Kael's silver eyes reflected the moonlight.
"They weren't mine."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Suddenly...
Kael froze.
His wolf exploded with excitement inside him.
*Mate...*
A scent.
Sweet.
Wild.
Like rain after a storm mixed with moonflowers.
His heart pounded violently.
His wolf roared.
**MATE!**
Kael spun around.
His sharp eyes searched every corner of the gathering.
Nothing.
The scent drifted through the open balcony doors.
Not inside the hall.
Outside.
In the forest.
Without another word, Kael disappeared into the night.
Damon cursed before chasing after him.
The scent grew stronger.
Closer.
Kael ran through towering pines at impossible speed.
His wolf howled with excitement.
She was close.
Very close.
Then...
Another scent invaded the air.
Cold.
Ancient.
Sweet like blood.
Kael stopped so suddenly that leaves scattered around him.
His expression darkened.
"A vampire..."
There hadn't been vampire territory anywhere near the Blackthorne lands for centuries.
So why...
Why could he smell one now?
His wolf snarled furiously.
Protect the mate.
Kill the vampire.
Kael followed both scents deeper into the forest.
They led toward an abandoned stone road swallowed by vines.
The mate's scent became stronger...
Then weaker...
Then stronger again.
As though she was moving quickly.
Or running.
Kael's chest tightened.
She was in danger.
Far ahead, hidden among the trees, a young woman stumbled onto the lonely road.
Selene Ashford clutched her injured ankle as panic filled her eyes.
She had been driving home after visiting her grandmother when her car broke down near the forest.
Thinking she could find help, she had wandered down an old trail.
Instead...
She had become hopelessly lost.
A strange feeling had followed her for the last hour.
Like someone was watching her.
She looked over her shoulder.
Nothing.
Only darkness.
Then came a low growl.
Not from one direction.
From several.
Her breathing quickened.
Glowing golden eyes appeared between the trees.
One pair.
Then three.
Then seven.
Rogue wolves.
They stepped from the shadows, circling her with hungry smiles.
Selene backed away until her shoulders struck the trunk of an ancient oak.
"W-Who are you?" she whispered.
The largest rogue laughed.
"Wrong question."
He licked the blood dripping from a scratch on her hand.
"The right question is..."
"Who's going to save you?"
The rogues lunged.
Before they could reach her—
A blur of black swept through the clearing.
One rogue's body slammed into a tree.
Another crashed into the ground with a broken neck.
The others staggered back in shock.
Standing between Selene and the rogues was a tall stranger wearing a long black coat.
His pale face was calm.
His crimson eyes glowed in the darkness.
A vampire.
Lucien Draven slowly raised his gaze to the terrified wolves.
"You've chosen the wrong prey," he said softly.
The clearing fell silent.
Even the rogues hesitated.
Because every supernatural creature knew one terrifying truth—
Only an ancient vampire could possess eyes that burned that deep crimson.
And somewhere beyond the trees, racing toward the clearing, Alpha Kael caught the unmistakable scent of vampire blood.
His wolf erupted with murderous rage.
He burst through the forest—
Only to find his mate standing behind the very creature he hated most.
