One little word. One big concept. An unbreakable bond. Hunter Rivered, the most powerful werewolf, never believed in the fate of a mate. He prefers destruction and domination. Rosalyn Edwards, a simple, sweet, and dreamy wolf, never imagined her life would take such a brutal turn. What happens when the fearsome Hunter claims her territory? Will Rose, too gentle to fight, have to sacrifice everything to protect what she loves? Opposites attract. Mates are forever.
Chapter 1 01
01
Scanning through the rows of students, I couldn't find a single empty seat. After making awkward eye contact with many of the students, I lowered my gaze down to the floor instead. My palms were clammy, and my heart raced inside my chest like a trapped bird desperate for escape.
« Rosalyn Edwards, am I right? »
I tilt my head up at the sound of my name and nod stiffly toward my new English teacher, trying not to squirm under the weight of so many stares.
I never did like first days - especially not when it's the first day at a new school and a new pack. All that attention felt like tiny needles stabbing into my skin, making it harder to breathe. It wasn't just the eyes or the whispered conversations behind cupped hands. It was the newness of it all, the unknown pressing in from every side.
My mother just had to drag both my sister and me with her to this pack, forcing us to leave our old life behind. As much as she claimed it was for a "fresh start," I knew better. I never minded our old pack. I had friends there, a rhythm to my days that made sense.
The only one who really needed a fresh break was my mother.
After all, her mate - my father - had died.
I wanted to be angry with her for making us leave, for uprooting everything and pulling us into this strange, small town where nobody knew us. But every time I thought of the grief she must have carried, every time I remembered the hollow look in her eyes, the anger melted into something heavy and sad inside my chest.
My father... he was a complicated man. We were never too close. It was no secret that he had never cared much for children - at least not his own. I wasn't born out of love or dreams of a family. I was born because my mother had always wanted a daughter, someone to love fiercely and protect. My younger sister, on the other hand, was more of an accident - an unexpected blessing or a mistake, depending on who you asked.
Still, despite everything, I loved him. He was my father after all.
« Would you like to say something about yourself? » the teacher asked politely, his smile forced but not unkind.
Despite the overwhelming urge to answer negatively, I smile and nod, more to get it over with than anything else.
« Well, my name is Rosalyn, but I prefer Rose. I moved here from Canada and I'm a werewolf. »
The room stayed silent for a beat - and then I heard some boys snicker at my last comment.
« Obviously, » one of them muttered under his breath, loud enough for the whole room to hear.
Heat crept up the back of my neck. Ignoring him, I looked down shyly, pretending to focus on the scuff marks on the floor. It wasn't like my admission was shocking. This high school was one of the few designated educational institutions for wolves. Everyone here was a werewolf. It was as common as breathing.
Just east of Amherst, Massachusetts, Pelham was a small town drowning in trees and forests, practically hugging the edge of the Quabbin Reservoir. It was the perfect place for the Silver Heart Pack. Their population was small, their territory vast and beautiful, filled with hidden trails and secret glades where a wolf could run free without fear. The lake was a bonus too - shimmering, wild, and inviting on hot days. It sounded idyllic, really. But right now, under the scrutiny of a hundred eyes, it felt more like a trap.
« Go take a seat, Rosalyn, » my teacher, Mr. Rogers, instructed kindly, gesturing toward the full classroom.
« It's Rose, » I mumbled quietly, but I didn't think he heard me.
Turning back to the class, the same problem remained - there were no empty seats left.
My peers stared at me like I was some exotic animal at a zoo, something strange and mildly amusing. My stomach twisted painfully.
« You can sit here with me, baby, » a boy in the fourth row called out, patting his lap suggestively. A few of his friends snickered, egging him on.
I almost shivered with disgust.
And we wonder why our generation is so messed up.
I ignored his offer and instead grabbed a lone chair sitting abandoned at the back of the room. Without a desk, I just plopped down onto it, trying to shrink myself into the smallest possible space. Maybe if I made myself invisible enough, they'd forget I was even there.
The teacher cleared his throat awkwardly before launching into the lesson, sparing me further humiliation for now.
I tried to pay attention, but it was impossible. My mind kept drifting - to home, to the life we had left behind, to my sister who had been lucky enough to start middle school without the judgmental stares of teenagers who had already established their cliques. I wondered if she was doing better than I was, or if she was sitting in some classroom right now feeling just as isolated.
The minutes dragged on painfully slow. I tapped my foot lightly against the floor to stay awake, counting each tick of the clock like it was a small victory.
A crumpled piece of paper hit my shoe. I blinked, startled, and bent down to pick it up.
You're cute when you're shy.
I glanced up quickly, but I couldn't tell who had thrown it. Several boys smirked at me when our eyes met, but none of them took responsibility. My stomach twisted again - this time with a different kind of discomfort. I crumpled the note tighter in my hand before shoving it into my pocket.
Welcome to Pelham, Rose, I thought bitterly.
The bell finally rang, and the classroom exploded into chatter and movement. I stayed frozen in my seat for a second, hoping the crowd would thin before I had to brave the hallways.
« Don't mind them, » Mr. Rogers said gently as he packed up his things at the front of the room. « Kids can be cruel when they sense someone different. It'll get easier. »
I nodded, though I didn't really believe him. Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't. Either way, it wasn't like I had a choice.
Dragging my chair back to where I found it, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and slipped out into the crowded hallway, feeling like a lone wolf among strangers.
The scent of too many wolves in close quarters filled my nose - sweat, perfume, excitement, nerves. It was overwhelming.
I tightened my grip on my bag and pushed forward.
First days sucked.
And I had a feeling this wasn't going to be an easy start.
Chapter 1 01
28/04/2025
Chapter 2 02
28/04/2025
Chapter 3 03
28/04/2025
Chapter 4 04
28/04/2025
Chapter 5 05
28/04/2025
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