Chapter 10
Kyle’s POV
“You all thought she was human,” Dad said calmly. “But she wasn’t. Winter Moon blood takes time to awaken–around eighteen. Before that, they seem… ordinary. But once they shift,
everything changes. Their scent. Their aura. Their strength. Even their personality sharpens.”
Helena’s lips were pressed thin. She still didn’t get it.
“She was–you know–adopted,” she said, weakly.
“Even if just in name…”
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I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. Was she serious?
W
Dad wasn’t amused either. “Oh, now you
remember that? Years ago, you took her. Stole her. If it were a human child, maybe the punishment would be light. But she’s not Chapter 10
ordinary. And even if you raised her, blood knows
blood. Once she awakened, she would’ve
remembered everything. You can’t claim her just because you changed her diapers once.”
Helena didn’t argue that.
“Alpha,” came Jenika’s voice, soft but curious. “How did she prove she was one of them?”
Dad looked at her, obviously displeased with the question, but I answered before he could.
“It’s the eyes,” I said. “Winter Moon wolves are born with purple eyes. No other pack has them.”
Jenika looked away. Her face looked dull. She used to shine–but now, compared to Aaliyah, she was… forgettable.
Kayden broke the silence again. “Alpha, what do we do now?”
“What do we do?” Dad growled. “You tell me. You Chapter 10
and Helena destroyed our only shot.”
Kayden stayed quiet. Unsurprising.
Then Helena spoke again, her voice firm.
“Alpha, she’s not one of us. Why should we chase a girl who doesn’t belong? Jenika is stronger.
She’s still part of our pack. Kyle already chose
her. Why not move on and bless them?”
I clenched my fists.
This woman was unbelievable.
Dad chuckled–but it was cold. “Good job, Kayden,” he said sarcastically. “Your mate is a gem.”
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Kayden turned to Helena with obvious disgust.
Jenika tugged her mother’s sleeve. “Stop, Mom, seriously.”
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D
Dad raised his hand. “Everyone out,” he ordered. “Kyle stays. I need a word.”
The room emptied fast.
I stood silently, waiting.
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“Kyle,” Dad said, “do you even see where you
messed up?”
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“Yes,” I answered, ashamed.
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“It’s not just you. We all did. We were blind. That girl-”
“Her name’s not Irina,” I interrupted. “It’s Aaliyah.”
He nodded briefly. “Aaliyah. She rejected you, yes. Fiercely. But you two are fated. Mates. You can’t break what the Moon Goddess herself created.”
“But Dad,” I argued, “she hates me. She won’t even look at me. And now that she knows who
Chapter 10
she is… It’s worse.”
Dad narrowed his eyes. “Since when did my son back away from a challenge? This was our first attempt. It failed. So what? We try again.”
My heart stirred with cautious hope. “How?”
“There’s an event next month. The Hunter’s Ritual. It happens every five years. All young wolves will be there. Including her.”
I stared at him. “You think she’ll
go?”
“She has to. It’s tradition. Trust me–this is your shot. Use it. Show her who you really are. Win her over.”
Hope flickered in my heart. “I won’t fail this time. I’ll bring her back.”
“Good,” Dad said, voice firm. “Because our future depends on it.”
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And just like that, something inside me fired up
again.
A month.
One shot.
I’ll make it count.
Aaliyah’s POV
Kiya placed a fresh cup of coffee in front of me.
“Stop thinking about those losers,” she said cheerfully. “They’re not worth another second.”
I stirred the coffee, shoulders slouched.
“I just… didn’t think they’d come back.”
She smirked. “You’re shocked they’re shameless? Please. I mean, they never treated you right
Chapter 10
when you were there.
”
I nodded slowly. “True. I kept convincing myself they cared. I didn’t see it until it was too late.”
“They don’t matter. You’re with us now,” she said, squeezing my hand. “And you matter here.”
I smiled. Grateful. She was right–and funny–and a little sassy. No wonder my brother adored her.
A deep voice called her name. Right on cue.
Kiya glanced toward the field. “Oops. Looks like my eagle’s getting restless.”
I chuckled and waved my hand dismissively. “Go. Before he comes nagging.”
She laughed and ran off.
I watched them hugging like they were in their own world. My chest ached a little.
Not because I was jealous–but because… | remembered that kind of touch once. A long time ago.
I lowered my head, eyes drifting toward the open training field.
I was taking a break under a tree when a soft voice called out to me.
“Sister Aali!”
I turned to see Avery, her face bright and round
like the moon.
“What is it, little cub?” I gently held her arm.
“You’re alone, so… I wanted to sit with you,” she said shyly.
I laughed and pulled her closer, then pinched her chubby cheek.
Her eyes went wide. “Nooo, Sister Aali, stop!
Chapter 10
Mommy says I’m a big girl now!”
I teased her more until a loud roar echoed from
the woods.
Both of us turned sharply toward the sound.
Several pack members rushed toward the
source.
“Avery,” I said, “your training is over. Go home now.”
She obeyed in an instant and ran off.
I jogged toward the squad.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Roar from the forest,” one replied. “Could be a wild beast.”
Possibly headed this way,” another added.
I nodded. “Gather a team. But don’t harm it
unless we must.”
“Young Alpha just left,” someone said, clearly trying to stop me.
“So?” I asked, folding my arms.
“Miss, you shouldn’t lead. The Alphas won’t like it…”
I glared at them. “Do you think I can’t? That I’m not strong enough?”
“No–of course not. You’re more than capable. But the Alpha-”
I rolled my eyes. “Enough. Who’s leading here? You or me?”
They didn’t argue again.
led the team into the forest. Sunlight streamed down through the trees. The ground was soft
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underfoot.
“Direction?” I asked.
“Sounded like south.”
“No. We split,” I ordered. “It’ll be faster.”
They hesitated.
“No more arguments. Move.”
I walked alone toward the northern edge, where the trees began to thin. Flowers bloomed under large branches, and the forest floor shimmered in soft golden light.
Then I saw it.
I froze.
A Blue Tiger.
Majestic. Real.
I’d only seen sketches in books. Its thick silvery- blue fur shimmered under sunlight. It lay lazily
beneath flowered branches.
Then its eyes met miné.
Vibrant. Sharp. Intelligent.
My heart skipped.
I stepped forward, mesmerized.
Suddenly, cold fingers clamped over my mouth.
A strong arm circled my waist.
I kicked out, but air escaped my lungs as I was yanked backward.
A strange scent invaded my nose. My vision blurred.
The last thing I saw was the Blue Tiger rising, its tail swishing, eyes watching me vanish into
