Devon’s POV + 

“Alpha, today is the day we meet with the Shadow Wolves.” Liam, my Beta, stated, his voice clipped and efficient. + 

I nodded, acknowledging his report. “Good. Ensure all our warriors are prepared. We need to project dominance.” I dismissed him with a wave of my hand. + 

Liam didn’t waste words. That’s why he was my Beta. Direct, reliable, and unflinchingly honest. + 

I leaned back in my office chair, the leather cool against my spine. + 

The Shadow Wolves. + 

My pack’s enduring rivals. They always seemed to achieve a triumph that eluded us. But I had changed that, over years of relentless effort. My father lacked the strength to elevate our pack, but I’d driven us to become the strongest in the world. + 

I still don’t understand why the Shadow Wolves persist in this futile struggle. They’ll never surpass us, not while I draw breath. + 

I’d made a pledge: as long as I ruled, the Shadow Wolves would never prevail. + 

… + 

I stepped from the car, watching our pack warriors march toward the Shadow Wolves’ headquarters. I straightened my tie, a small, deliberate adjustment. + 

My wolf sighed, a low rumble of discontent. + 

I don’t understand why I wear these suits. It infuriates my wolf. + 

“Don’t worry,” I muttered. “As soon as this meeting concludes, I’ll strip naked.” + 

“Can that be now?” my wolf demanded, impatience edging into his voice. + 

“Not yet,” I replied, suppressing a smile. + 

“This will take a while,” he grumbled. + 

I entered the compound alongside my warriors. The scent of pine needles and damp earth greeted me, a familiar, earthy fragrance. + 

I glanced around, shaking my head slightly as several female wolves brazenly flirted with me. + 

I’ve never been interested in the alpha’s traditional “rights.” The idea of claiming every female in the pack disgusted me. It felt… unprofessional. + 

Which brings me to the inevitable: I haven’t found my mate. + 

I wish I had. What was taking so long? + 

I imagined her: the most beautiful, most alluring, most fiercely independent woman I’d ever meet. I’d cherish her, spoil her, give her everything. But since that day hadn’t come, it gnawed at me, questioning if I’d ever find the missing half of my soul. + 

I sighed, and my wolf whined in sympathy. + 

We entered the boardroom, and I took the seat at the center of the table while the Shadow Wolves’ members settled around us. Minutes ticked by, and my impatience mounted. I let out a guttural growl, silencing everyone. + 

“Where is Vanquez?” I demanded, my voice laced with steel. + 

Vanquez, the previous Alpha, and I had never been allies. He was my competition, my rival. I couldn’t believe I was even seated in this room. + 

“Vanquez has stepped down,” Stephan, the Shadow Wolves’ Beta, announced. “He’s relinquished his role. It’s been passed down.” + 

“Who’s the Alpha now?” Liam asked. + 

“She isn’t here yet. She was dealing with rogues who’d crossed the border. She’s Vanquez’s daughter.” + 

“She?” I asked, my brow furrowing. The new Alpha was female? + 

I remembered Vanquez, consumed by grief since his wife’s death. It seemed impossible that he’d even managed to run the pack, let alone raise a daughter. + 

“Stop it!” my wolf snarled. + 

“Okay, fine,” I grumbled. + 

“Honestly, I’m starting to regret coming here. Why did you summon us?” I growled, addressing the Beta. + 

“We need your territory, Alpha. We’re the stronger pack, evolving faster. We need more space.” + 

If I weren’t bound by restraint, I’d leap across the table and tear his throat out. + 

“I’ll give you five minutes to retract that nonsense,” I said, my voice a low, dangerous rumble. + 

The room shook violently with the force of my power. + 

“My pack is the most powerful in the world. I will never surrender a single acre, let alone to my rivals. Worry about consolidating your own territory.” + 

“But Alpha De—” a voice cut him off. + 

“We won’t back down because the Midnight Wolves refuse to yield. More drastic measures are required.” Just then, a woman emerged from a side door, clad in a black training suit. + 

She tied her hair back into a ponytail, her movements fluid and graceful. She strode to the center of the room, ensuring everyone had a clear view. + 

I growled, low and menacing. + 

Who did she think she was? + 

Who *was* she? + 

As our eyes met, my expression shifted from cold fury to stunned shock. + 

My question answered. + 

Who was she? + 

My elusive, intoxicating mate… + 