'No. Not today, Isabelle.' Draven's tone was chilly and distant, and his eyes remained fixed on Jessica's petite face as if he was looking for something. Isabelle refused to give up just yet. She had been trying all her life to get Draven to spend time with her, and she was determined to keep trying. 'How about the day after tomorrow? Isabelle inquired, her voice hopeful. 'I'll have meetings to chair and difficulties to deal with,' Draven said, not even looking up at her. Isabelle's shoulders dropped in despair, yet she couldn't stop herself from trying one more. 'Okay, but what about—'Before she could finish her statement, Draven erupted, his patience plainly fraying. 'Not now, Isabelle,' he replied, his voice cold and piercing. Isabelle fell silent, her heart full of resentment at Jessica. Yes, Isabelle and Draven had grown up together and were close in their own way, but she couldn't deny her jealousy. She'd never had Draven pay her so much attention. And who was Jessica, anywa

The sun, peering timidly through the curtains, gave a warm warmth to Jessica's face as she awoke from her nap. Despite the early hour, she couldn't shake the heaviness that hung over her like a thick blanket. She could not recall the last time she had slept comfortably. The previous night had been filled with a cacophony of agonizing wails and blood-curdling roars that seemed to seep through the walls and into her bones. She had never heard the sound since joining this pack, but it still sent shivers down her spine. Jessica entered the living room, greeted her parents with a tired grin, and sat down at the dinner table. Warm scents floated through the air, indicating that her mother, Vivian, had already begun breakfast. She couldn't help but be grateful for her parent's reassuring presence. Although she was a self-sufficient young woman, the prospect of facing the world alone was scary. "Good morning, my mockingbird," Vivian said with a smile that lit up her whole face. "Good morn

Alpha Draven, with his broad shoulders and honed biceps, towered over the three girls standing in front of him. His eyes, ordinarily sloppy and hazel, were suddenly a flaming red. His look was so intense that anyone would have cowered in dread. He was clearly not a man to be messed with. His presence was so strong that it appeared to fill the entire space. It felt as if all the air had been sucked out and replaced with a sense of domination and threat. With just one look into those flaming red eyes, it was clear that this man could instill both joy and dread in everyone who crossed his way. For a minute, It appeared that the Alpha's control was going to snap. His powerful arms stiffened, poised to attack. But then his attention fell on Jessica, the newest of the girls, and a subtle shift occurred in him. Slowly, his eyes returned to their normal hazel nature, and his body relaxed. Isabelle, Chloe, and Jessica all bent their heads in deference, unwilling to face the Alpha's eyes. The

*CHAPTER 17*It was the night after the night of the blood moon and surprisingly enough, Alpha Draven was out and about, this seemed to puzzle the pack members. It was usual for the Alpha not to be seen sometimes even up to three days but here he was, sitting in front of a cabinet meeting he had called abruptly. Draven Cole sat at the head of the table in his usual garments of a long black coat, although he was outside his quarters the next day after the blood moon, his face appeared tired and stressed out with lines under his eyes to mark his tiredness. On the Alpha's right side sat his Beta Asher who was always neatly dressed corporately with shoes highly polished. On either side of the long wooden table sat other cabinet members and their newest member, Sebastian. "We all know that an Alpha's true power comes from the fear and dread that he commands upon his subjects and other packs." Alpha Draven spook out. "Our spies have brought in news that one of the neighboring packs, the

Jessica woke up the next day feeling as if she had not even slept at all. She was totally tired and stressed out that morning. At the kitchen table, Jessica did not say much at all making her parents even more worried about her. On her way to school, Jessica walked without even paying attention to where she was going. It was almost as if her legs knew the familiar path to school was taking her there while her body came absent-mindedly. Among the many thoughts that disturbed Jessica that morning was the thought of having to train with the Alpha himself. This was something Jessica was looking forward to as she made her way to school that day. Alpha Draven had faith in her. Draven believed that no matter how late it was, her wolf still lurked within her waiting to be found. Perhaps she would find her wolf under the Apha's training. Jessica heard her parent's discussion the night before and Jessica was even more desperate to find her wolf now. Her parents talked about a war that was li