chapter 1

"Rachel come down here or else you will walk to school said my foster dadv

"I'll be right down there in a minute." I yelled back,

Since my parents died when I was five, I've been moved from foster home to foster home. But when I turned fifteen, I found myself living with the Williams, and so far it's been fine.

Today is my eighteenth birthday, which means that as a werewolf, I'll most likely meet my mate today. I'm giddy, and I can feel my wolf, Vivian, leaping with joy inside me.

Giving myself one last look, I can't help but recall how my mother used to describe me as "pretty." I believe it myself at times.

My clothes are slightly oversized, but they work. As a foster child, I've learned to make the most of what I have, which isn't always a lot. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are good people, but they have a lot of children to look after, and money can be tight.

"Rachel, the birthday pancakes are starting to get cold." "If you don't come down now, we'll all be late," Jane, my foster cousin, pokes her head through my doorway.

"I'm coming," I say cheerfully as I pick up my bag.

"Oh, and happy birthday, by the way," she says as I approach her at the top of the stairs.

I smile broadly as I drape my arm across her shoulder.

"Are you excited?" "Do you think you'll meet your one true love today?" Jane wonders.

Vivian responds with a silent howl, expressing her excitement.

"I suppose I'm excited. "I just wish my birthday didn't have to be on a school day," I say as I take the last step down the stairs.

Mr. William greets me with "Happy birthday, darling," pulling me into a side hug.

Mrs. William walks into the living room with a stack of pancakes, and I crack a wild smile. My five foster siblings trail behind her, singing the happy birthday song with her.

Mrs. William envelops me in a warm, extended hug as she places the plate of pancakes on the table.

"I can't believe you're meeting your mate today." "I still remember the day I met mine," she smiles at her husband. I can't help but smile back, seeing their love.

I don't ask for much; I'd be happy with any mate as long as they love me as much as the Williams do.

Mr. William drives us all to school and we share the pancakes.

*************

As soon as I walk into the school, I go straight to my locker. Mary, my one and only friend, rushes up to me and hugs me tightly.

"Rachel, happy birthday!" "I hope you find a wonderful mate," she exclaims joyfully.

Everyone seems to be more excited about finding my soulmate than I am.

"I hope so, too," I respond softly.

Mary hasn't reached the age of eighteen yet, so she hasn't found her mate. I wouldn't have met them today if my friend hadn't turned eighteen. When both werewolves reach the age of maturity, usually around the time of their birth, the Moon Goddess blesses them with a mate. Because I was born in the evening, if my mate is already eighteen and nearby, I'll get to meet them soon... I can't wait.

"Look," Mary says, directing my attention to three men entering the school through the main entrance.

Scott Kessler, David Kessler, and Jacob Black. To say they are attractive is an understatement. They are absolutely breathtaking. If I didn't know any better, I'd think they were Lycans.

David, the most striking of the three, is the Crescent Moon pack's future alpha. He captivates everyone he meets with his short red hair and mesmerizing blue eyes.

Scott, David's cousin and future beta, has entrancing blue eyes as well, but his hair isn't as red as David's. He has dirty blonde hair that is often purposefully messy, but it always looks good on him.

Jacob, who is unrelated to the other two, has sparkling red eyes that complement his white hair, which is styled in a quiff. I've had a thing for all three of them since I started at this school.

I'm perfectly content knowing that nothing will ever happen between me and any of them. My crush on them is frequently compared to a celebrity crush.

As they pass by, I let out a breath that I hadn't realized I was holding. These boys would never notice someone like me. They prefer girls from prestigious families with breathtaking beauty, such as David's girlfriend, Laura Ash.

Laura comes from a Lycan family, and her father has powerful connections all the way to the king.

And her appearance—well, to say she resembles a Greek goddess is an understatement. The goddess must have spent a long time perfecting Ash's beauty.

Regardless, it does not bother me. Today, I'll meet my mate, and we'll embark on a beautiful love story together. He'll love me, flaws and all, and I'll love him back.

I'm overjoyed for Vivian, and she's overjoyed for me.

"You're smiling," Mary observes as we walk to class.

"I just have a good feeling," I said, a smile on my lips.

We walk into the classroom and take our regular seats.

The class goes by quickly, and I couldn't be happier. I'm not a big fan of school. I only go because I have no other option. Every day, I look forward to the end. The only subject I genuinely enjoy is photography class, which I gladly chose as an elective. Capturing moments in a single photograph is truly magical, and it is something I am very passionate about. I don't have a camera because I can't afford one.

*****

A delightful Scent reaches my nose. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it's irresistible. I can't take my mind off that enticing scent. I can hear Mary calling my name, but my focus is on the Scent.

I follow its trail, eager to find out where it came from. I eventually end up in the school football field.