Alpha's Hunt For Love

Chapter 1. Malia

All my life, I thought that my ability to see glimpses of the future would help me. Yet here I stand today, in front of my house, with the Alpha of my pack at my heels, forcing me to take part in the yearly event I've been running from my entire life: the Mating Ball.

My name is Malia, and I am a werewolf. My bloodline was blessed with unique gifts that appear when we're in danger. But we also each carry one gift that is permanent—present from a young age. My mom could feel people's emotions. She told me many times how exhausting it could be, and I prayed I wouldn't inherit her gift. The permanent gift usually manifests around the age of ten. And, right on schedule, mine did too.

On the night of my tenth birthday, I had my first vision—and I saw my mate. Back then, I didn't know anything about him. The next morning, I told my mom. She encouraged me to keep a diary of my visions and use the information only when necessary. She and my dad never once tried to read it. They respected my boundaries and always reminded me how dangerous my gift could be in the wrong hands.

I lost my parents when I was fifteen. My mom was an exceptional tracker, and my dad was a warrior in our pack. You're probably wondering if I saw it coming. The answer is no. They were ambushed by rogues while on patrol—and just like that, they were both gone. I never understood why my mother's bloodline gift couldn't save her.

Their love had always inspired me. They did everything together. From my mom, I inherited her earthy hair and eyes—and her deep connection to nature. I've cared for her garden ever since. From my dad, I got my fighting skills. He trained me privately at home on top of the standard pack training. People often wondered how I could hold my own so well in battle. Maybe they assumed he didn't want me to be defenseless.

At sixteen, I got my wolf—Luna. She knew my pain and always gave me strength when I needed it. I'm small, and so is she. Everyone I know is taller than me, probably because werewolves tend to be strong and imposing. I'm neither. People often mistake me for a healer or a witch. That stereotype made me consider becoming a doctor—or at least a nurse.

Alpha Elijah and Luna Micha took care of me after my parents died. They wanted me to move in with them, but I refused. I was old enough to look after myself. So they gave me an allowance to avoid using my parents' savings.

At seventeen, I started helping Luna Micha more closely with pack duties. That's when I overheard them talking about the ruthless Alpha John. He'd killed the council because they disagreed with how he ruled. That's when I learned that our pack—Silver Moon—wasn't the only one. I had always known there were others, but I never paid attention. Until I heard his name.

John.

The same name from my first vision. My mate.

He was the Alpha of Thunderstorm Pack.

I gathered the courage to ask Luna Micha what pack Alpha John belonged to, and her answer confirmed my fears. From that moment on, I vowed never to attend the Mating Ball. When I turned eighteen, I was still in high school, so I crafted a careful plan. I told everyone I wanted to go to university to study medicine, which gave me a solid excuse to avoid the ball. Beta Josh wanted to send me anyway, but Luna Micha intervened and convinced him to let me stay and study.

I graduated the next year, alongside Alpha Elijah's twin sons, Austin and Tyler. They were always protective of me, so high school wasn't too hard. After that, I left to study medicine—and didn't return for six years. Now, at twenty-four, I've been forced to come back due to increasing attacks on our pack. In the past three months, I've done dozens of stitches and consultations, occasionally asking our pack doctor for help.

As for my mate—every year, a week before the Mating Ball, I get a vision of meeting him. And every year, his surprise grows when I don't show up. But this year was different. He spoke to me. His exact words were: