Chapter 1 Chapter One

-Malakai's POV-

As I stepped through Alpha Tiberius’ pack house something felt different. I have been here a million times, but I suddenly feel nervous and jittery. Quickly scanning the crowd, I try to calm my nerves. Nothing seems out of the norm. Alpha Tiberius greets me with a handshake, before pulling me in for a hug.

We have known each other since I was fourteen. At the time Tiberius was turning eighteen. The night of his coming-of-age party my parents drug me to the party to meet the new alpha to be. I had snuck upstairs against the rules only to find Tiberius sitting alone in his room. I watched him for a second before realizing he was crying.

I ran in to comfort him and ask why he was crying. He stared at me for a minute, tears streaming down his face before telling me he was terrified of what would happen at midnight. “What’s going to happen at midnight?” I asked with confusion.

The boy looked at me for a minute before sniffling and saying, “At midnight I shift for the first time. Everyone told me it hurts really bad, and I don’t want to do it.” My eyes widened in shock. My parents told me the future alpha would be shifting for the first time tonight and we needed to celebrate him with the rest of the pack. “You’re the future alpha?”

The boy shook his head very slowly before saying “I’m Tiberius.”

I smiled. Tiberius, I like that name. “I’m Malakai, it’s nice to meet you.”

I watched as Tiberius dried his tears. “Don’t be scared, my parents told me the first shift is painful, but they say it gets a lot easier after that.” I tried in a reassuring voice.

Tiberius smiled for the first time since I met him. He pulled me in for a hug “Will you stay here until I get back from my run?”

“I nodded. I will have to ask my parents but I’m sure they will let me stay with you.”

Tiberius released me from the hug. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I smiled again. “Let’s go get some cake.”

We ran down the stairs. That night we celebrated Tiberius as the future alpha, and I made a lifelong friend. Tiberius is forty-one years old now and tonight we are celebrating his own daughter’s coming of age party.

“Are you okay Malakai?” Tiberius asked as he pulled out of the hug.

My face twists in confusion. “I’m okay. Why do you ask Alpha?” Is my nervousness that obvious?

“Your heart is racing, and you seem anxious.” Tiberius looks at me with concern.

“Honestly, I don’t know what’s wrong. I was fine on the way over here but as soon as I stepped through the door, I got really nervous and jittery. I can’t seem to calm down.”

Tiberius chuckles. “What’s so funny?” I ask.

“Your mate is here tonight.” Tiberius smiles as he places his hand on my shoulder.

“My mate?” I ask more to myself than to Tiberius.

“Yes, your mate is here tonight. You are finally going to meet your happily ever after.” Tiberius grins from ear to ear.

“I’m thirty-seven why now of all times would I suddenly meet my mate? I gave up on a mate years ago. You know this.” I shake my head in disbelief.

“I told you for years be patient. When the time was right you would meet her. Now go mingle figure out who she is.” Tiberius waves his hand at the crowd.

“How will I know it’s her?” I asked, getting more nervous by the second.

“When you get close enough, your heart will seem to skip a beat, you will feel an overwhelming urge to be near her, and most importantly her eyes will seem to glow when they meet yours.” Tiberius nudges me one more time. “Quit stalling, go find her.”

I take a deep breath before heading into the crowd, greeting each pack member as I pass by. The majority of our pack members have already found their mate and started families. Not wanting to waste my chance I try to seek out the single members of the pack.

I’m stopped by a group of our pack protectors right as I’m about to engage in conversation with a young lady with black hair that I’ve never met before.

“Good evening, Beta Malakai.” The pack protectors greet me in unison.

Forcing a reluctant smile, I greet them “Good evening boys, what can I help you with?”

The oldest one Alec hesitates.

Growing more impatient by the second I say, “We don’t have all night boys.”

Alec sucks in a deep breath, as he fidgets with his fingers. “We found some unclaimed territory east of our line. We were wanting to know if we should claim it, or leave it be.”

The pack protectors know Alpha Tiberius is very particular about his territory lines. He doesn’t like to expand often due to the potential for war amongst other packs. Tiberius lost his mate in an unnecessary war due to territory lines. They also know if Alpha Tiberius isn’t in the right mood he will snap and give them unnecessary work as punishment.

“I will talk with the alpha and get back to you boys. For now, leave the land untouched.”

They all nod in understanding. “Thank you, Beta Malakai.” Alec says before leading the pack protectors away.

I look around for the girl with black hair, I can’t find her anywhere. Shit. Well, if she was my mate maybe we will get another chance to meet. Sighing I take another quick look around. I need a drink. Tiberius has a bar set up in the ball room where the majority of the party is taking place, but I head to the kitchen instead.

There are only about four people in the kitchen, talking amongst themselves. After making sure no one is watching I reach into the cabinet above the refrigerator. Tiberius keeps the good scotch hidden here for himself. Scotch is the only drink strong enough to give a werewolf a small buzz. Due to our extremely high metabolism it’s nearly impossible to get drunk. I take a few swigs straight from the bottle. 

The crowd in the main party area goes silent, Leilani must be making her grand entrance. I head back into the ballroom just in time to see Leilani and her father descending the grand staircase. The carpet on the stairs is black which makes her royal blue floor length gown pop. Her usually wild hair is curled and pulled into a half up half down do. She is wearing light makeup for the first time ever, and from how slowly she is walking down the stairs she must be in heels. She looks stunning.

I can’t help but tear up seeing the beautiful woman she has become. After her mother’s passing when she was only six years old, I helped Tiberius raise Leilani. I helped make sure he didn’t fall apart after the passing of his mate. Many people would have tried to overthrow him as alpha while he was weakened but I couldn’t do that to him.