Chapter 2

NOVA'S POV I woke up to the sound of laughter. My best friend, Mira's voice filled the air as she slid open the door to my bedroom with the excitement only a best friend could bring. The scent of vanilla and something sweet made my stomach rumble, and I turned over, wiping my eyes. It was my eighteenth birthday. "Happy birthday, Nova!" Mira said with a wide grin as she held up a beautiful cake. It was a large vanilla one with lavender frosting and delicate flowers across the top. "Thank you," I murmured, sitting up in bed as I ran my fingers through my messy hair. Mira placed the cake down on my desk. I admired how beautiful it was. "I know you've been talking about this day for months, so I figured you'd want a little celebration, even if it's just the two of us." She said. I giggled "You're right. It's perfect." Mira poured me a glass of water and handed it to me. Her bright green eyes sparkled as she spoke. "So, what's your wish, Nova? What are you hoping for on this special day?" I paused, looking at the cake. My thoughts circled back to the same old wish. "I just... I hope I find him. My mate." She chuckled softly, setting the water down on my nightstand. "Always the hopeless romantic." She raised an eyebrow. "Do you really think someone's out there, though?" "I don't know. But I feel it, Mira. It's like... something's missing, you know? Like there's someone I'm supposed to meet. Maybe he'll be perfect for me, maybe not. But I want the chance to find out." Her eyes softened as she looked at me. "I know, Nova. And I believe you will find him." I smiled but it felt hollow. I wasn't just dreaming about the bond that people always spoke of—the incredible connection, the undeniable pull between mates—but the sense of belonging. I longed for it. I wanted to find someone who would love me and care for me, who would see me for me. "I think you're going to be amazing, no matter who you find," Mira said, reaching out and squeezing my hand. "You're strong, and you deserve all the best. Don't let anyone make you doubt that." I felt my heart flutter at her words. Mira always knew how to make me feel better, no matter how uncertain I was. She stood up, gathering her things, and looked at me "Oh, I almost forgot! I've got something for you, too!" "What's that?" Mira pulled out a small folded envelope from her bag and handed it to me. "It's from Finn." I took the envelope curiously, tearing it open. Inside was a small card and on it was a ticket with gold lettering. "Wait, what is this?" I asked. "You're going to get a private tour of the Alpha palace!" Mira exclaimed, barely able to contain her excitement. "Finn pulled some strings and got you in. He said it was a birthday present." My heart skipped a beat. A tour of the Alpha palace? I could hardly believe it. The palace was a place I'd only seen in the distance. It was so beautiful that elites and royals came to our pack just to get a glimpse of it. Only a few pack members were chosen to get a tour of it once in every five years. How did Finn do this? He really was the best brother in the world. To think I'd get to see it up close, to experience the life that came with being so close to the Alpha... My mind began to race. "Are you serious?" I whispered, barely able to hold back my smile. "I swear," Mira replied "You're going to love it." I couldn't help but feel excited. This was going to be so much fun. - The palace was even more beautiful than I imagined. The hallways were long and decorated with lovely paintings on the way. My heart raced as I walked down corridors lined with marble and gold décor. A few times, I felt like I might get lost, but I didn't care. I was in awe. My guide, a soft-spoken man who worked at the palace, was kind, but I could tell that he was keeping his distance from me, probably due to my low status. He gave me brief explanations about each room we passed but I was too absorbed in my own thoughts to pay much attention. I dreamt about what it would be like to stand at the heart of this place, surrounded by power, and maybe—just maybe by the mate I'd been searching for. It wasn't until I was deep in the heart of the palace, turning down a hallway that looked familiar, that I realized I'd gone off the tour route. I had no idea where I was. I looked around as panic gripped me. I wasn't supposed to be here. But before I could turn around and retrace my steps, I saw it. A door. A dark wooden door, that was slightly open. There was something magnetic about it, like it was calling to me. Without thinking, I pushed the door open. And that's when I saw him. Alpha Kade. The moment I stepped into the room, I froze. It was like the air shifted around me. I hadn't expected to find anyone here, let alone the Alpha himself. He stood in front of the massive window with his back to me, staring out at the view as if lost in his own thoughts. His presence was impossible to ignore, like he radiated power and authority without even trying. My breath caught in my throat as I felt it—an intense, unexplainable pull, something I had only heard about in stories. My heart began to race, and I could feel the energy between us crackle like electricity. I could feel the weight of his energy before he even turned to face me. And when he did, I couldn't tear my eyes away. I had never seen him up close before. How could I? I was just a common pack member but from the power he radiated, I knew it was him. He was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on. His dark hair fell just past his ears, messy but perfectly so, like he didn't care to tame it, yet it added to his allure. His eyes were the most beautiful shades of blue I had ever seen. It felt like I was staring into the ocean itself. His eyes seemed to see straight through me, and for a split second, time stood still. My breath caught in my throat as I felt it—an intense, unexplainable pull, something I had only heard about in stories. My heart began to race, and I could feel the energy between us crackle like electricity. My heart raced. It felt like every cell in my body was waking up, coming to life in a way I had never felt before. I tried to steady myself, to make sense of the sudden sensation, but it was impossible. I knew who he was. The Alpha. The king that people always spoke of with fear. "What the hell are you doing here?" His voice was as cold as ice. He took a step forward, looking at me intensely. I froze. I was stunned by the rush of emotions I felt. I felt pulled to him in a way I had never felt with anyone. At the mere sight of him, my wolf came alive in a way it never has in years. The connection between was undeniable. My mind screamed at me to apologize, to explain myself, but my words wouldn't come. Finally, I bowed my head slightly. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't mean to intrude." He stood still, as if calculating something. I could feel the resistance in him, but I also felt his eyes on me. "Mate" my wolf called out. That explained it. That explained the pull I felt to him. I believed he felt it too. "I don't want anything to do with this," he muttered, as if talking to himself. "It's a curse. A goddamn curse." My chest tightened. Was he talking about the mate bond? How could something so beautiful be thought of as a curse?. I wasn't about to let him dismiss what we had. I had waited too long for this, and I wouldn't just walk away. Slowly, I took a step forward, my eyes locking with his. "You feel it, don't you? The mate bond." Kade looked away, jaw clenched. "I don't care what I feel." I took another step closer. "But you do care. Why? Why fight it?" His eyes flashed with something dangerous. "It's a curse. It ties you down. Restricts your freedom. And I'm not going to be anyone's prison." I stared at him in disbelief "You're wrong. It's not a curse. It's a gift. You just don't see it." Kade's expression grew darker "You don't understand." "I understand more than you think." The words came out before I could stop them. The bond—the connection—was too strong to ignore. Too powerful to deny. I was drawn to him in a way I couldn't explain. My wolf pushed against her cage, wanting to get close to our mate. His sweet scent calmed me. I walked toward him until we were inches apart. My breath hitched, and before I knew it, I was on tiptoe, leaning in. He didn't move, didn't pull away. I pressed my lips to his and kissed him.