Fated

Chapter One

I breathe deeply, letting the crisp air of Gravewick fill my lungs. There's a certain magic in the air here, a blend of earthy pine and an undercurrent of something more primal, more raw. My fingers grip the steering wheel as I navigate the narrow, winding road leading to our new apartment complex. Hudson sits beside me, his presence a comforting anchor.

"This is it," he whispers, his voice tinged with excitement. His ginger hair catches the sunlight streaming through the car window, making it appear like a halo of fiery light. He turns to me, his blue eyes filled with warmth. "Our new home."

I smile, the corner of my lips curving up in a way that I know crinkles my nose. "Yeah, our new home," I echo, feeling the weight of those words settle into my bones. Gravewick, a town known for its inclusivity between wolf shifters and humans. A place where I hope to find the balance I've been searching for my entire life.

We pull into the parking lot of the secluded apartment complex. It's quaint, surrounded by tall trees that offer a sense of privacy and tranquility. As we step out of the car, the reality of our decision hits me. This is a fresh start, a chance to embrace my wolf side while building a future with Hudson.

"Ready to do this?" Hudson asks, his hand reaching for mine. I nod, squeezing his hand in reassurance. Together, we begin unloading the car, carrying boxes filled with our life into our new apartment.

The place is small but cozy. A perfect blend of modern comfort and rustic charm. We spend the next few hours unpacking, settling into our new space. Hudson hums a tune as he arranges the kitchen, and I find myself getting lost in the rhythm of organizing our bedroom.

"Hey, check this out," Hudson calls from the living room. I walk over to find him holding a picture frame. It's a photo of us from last summer, taken just after he proposed. The memory brings a smile to my face.

"That was a good day," I say, leaning in to kiss him. Our lips meet, soft and familiar, and for a moment, everything else fades away. He pulls me into a warm embrace. His arms were the only home I would ever need. Hudson has always been easy. He always felt right. Perhaps everything else in my life felt out of place, but not Hudson. Not this kiss.

Just as our kiss deepens, a knock on the door breaks the moment. He lets out a groan, pulling me closer, which makes me laugh. We pull apart, exchanging curious glances.

"Can't we just... ignore it?" His eyes travel to my lips, probably swollen by the kiss we just shared. I shake my head.

"I'll get it," I say, moving towards the door. When I open it, I'm greeted by a petite girl with dark hair and striking green eyes.

"Hi, you must be Gaia," she says with a bright smile. "I'm Mia Stone, secretary of the Gravewick wolf pack. Welcome to the neighborhood!"

"Hi, Mia," I reply, a bit taken aback but pleased by the warm welcome. "This is Hudson," I say, gesturing to my fiancé. Fiancé! It still feels surreal to even think about it. Hudson stands behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Nice to meet you, Hudson," Mia says, her smile unwavering. "The pack is having a gathering tonight, a sort of welcome party for you, Gaia. We'd love for both of you to join us."

My heart skips a beat. "A welcome party? That sounds great. Thank you for the invitation."

Mia nods, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "We've been looking forward to meeting you ever since you applied to join the pack. It's not often we get someone with your unique background. Our inclusive system is something we take pride in, and having humans in our community is a big part of that."

I glance at Hudson, feeling a surge of gratitude and hope. This could be the place where we belong, where I can embrace both my human upbringing and my wolf heritage. "We'll be there," I say, feeling a mixture of nerves and anticipation.