Chapter 1: The Girl Behind the Books
Alice Rae preferred books to people.
Books made sense.
They had beginnings, middles, and endings. Heroes and villains were easy to identify. Problems were solved within a few hundred pages, and nobody expected her to make awkward small talk.
People, on the other hand, were complicated.
Especially the people at Silver Ridge High.
Alice adjusted her glasses and tucked a loose strand of chestnut hair behind her ear as she hurried through the crowded hallway. Around her, students laughed, shoved each other playfully, and discussed last night's football game.
Or more specifically, Jake Hunter.
"Did you see that touchdown?"
"He's definitely getting a college scholarship."
"Jake Hunter is so hot."
Alice rolled her eyes and tightened her grip on the three books pressed against her chest.
She couldn't understand the obsession.
Sure, Jake Hunter was attractive.
If someone liked dark hair, broad shoulders, and a smile that could probably convince people to commit crimes.
Not that she'd noticed.
At all.
The final bell rang.
Alice let out a sigh of relief.
Lunch.
Most students headed toward the cafeteria.
Alice headed toward her sanctuary.
The library.
The moment she stepped through the doors, the noise of the school faded away.
Her shoulders relaxed instantly.
This was her place.
Rows of bookshelves stretched around her like old friends welcoming her home.
Mrs. Bennett, the librarian, smiled as Alice entered.
"Back again?"
Alice grinned.
"Where else would I be?"
Mrs. Bennett laughed.
"Fair point."
Alice settled into her favorite corner near the back window and opened the mythology book she'd checked out the week before.
The pages were filled with ancient legends and supernatural creatures.
Most people thought mythology was just stories.
Alice wasn't so sure.
There was something fascinating about the way different cultures shared similar tales.
Wolves.
Moon gods.
Fated souls.
Destiny.
Her eyes landed on a highlighted passage.
"When moon and blood unite, the Alpha shall find his mate where he least expects."
Alice snorted.
"That's dramatic."
She reached for her notebook and began jotting down observations.
Hours passed without her noticing.
Outside, students celebrated another football victory.
Inside, Alice was completely lost in her research.
Until a loud crash echoed through the library.
She jumped.
The stack of books beside her tipped dangerously.
"No, no, no—"
She lunged to catch them.
At the exact same moment someone rounded the corner of the bookshelf.
Alice collided directly with a solid chest.
The books flew everywhere.
Papers scattered across the floor.
Strong hands grabbed her waist before she could fall.
For one horrifying second, Alice froze.
Then she looked up.
And up.
And up.
Jake Hunter.
Of course it had to be Jake Hunter.
The star quarterback.
The future Alpha of Silver Ridge.
The guy every girl in school seemed obsessed with.
Heat flooded Alice's cheeks.
"I am so sorry," she blurted.
Jake didn't answer.
His hands remained on her waist.
His eyes were locked on hers.
Something strange flickered across his face.
Shock.
Confusion.
Wonder.
His breathing suddenly became uneven.
Alice frowned.
"Jake?"
He inhaled sharply.
The scent of vanilla, old books, and something uniquely Alice filled his senses.
His wolf surged forward instantly.
Mine.
The possessive growl nearly escaped him.
Jake's entire body went rigid.
No.
No way.
Not here.
Not now.
Not her.
Yet every instinct screamed the same thing.
Mate.
The realization hit him like a truck.
His mate.
His Luna.
The girl everyone overlooked.
The quiet nerd who spent her lunches hiding in the library.
Alice shifted nervously under his stare.
"Are you okay?"
Jake swallowed hard.
For years, he'd imagined what meeting his mate would feel like.
Nothing had prepared him for this.
Nothing had prepared him for Alice Rae.
A slow smile spread across his face.
One that made Alice's stomach flip unexpectedly.
"Alice Rae," he said softly.
Her heart skipped.
"You know my name?"
Jake chuckled.
Know her name?
He suddenly wanted to know everything about her.
Her favorite color.
Her favorite book.
What made her smile.
What made her cry.
Every single thing.
"Oh, sweetheart," he said quietly.
"I definitely know your name."
And deep within him, his wolf howled in triumph.
Mate.
