The first thing Elnira Wolfsrein heard that morning was the sound of bells. One. Two. Three. The deep chimes echoed through the vast corridors of the Wolfsrein Manor, rattling off the stillness of the ancient halls. She opened her eyes. For a few heartbeats, she remained on the bed staring up at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting away with another bell ringing somewhere far away from her room. Twenty bells. Twenty years. Her birthday. Elnira sighed and sat up. Outside of the large windows, the Wolfsrein estate was bathed in pale morning sky, with towering black trees circling the manor. Beyond them the stone walls that marked the territory of Wolfsrein stood. It was beautiful. It was also a prison. She pulled herself out of the bed and moved to the mirror. A pretty young woman stared back at her. Long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, catching the early sunlight. Her eyes were the same deep blue as her mother's, but the sharpness of her face was all Wolfsrein. Twenty years old. The Heir to the most powerful human family in the supernatural world. And apparently old enough to be married off. Elnira frowned. "Happy birthday to me." A knock came at the door. Without waiting for an answer the door opened. "Lady Elnira." Mira, her personal attendant, entered with a long ivory dress in her arms. "The family has already awoken." "Of course they have." Mira smiled. "Your parents requested that you dress formally." "On my birthday?" "Especially on your birthday." Elnira turned towards her. "That sounds suspicious." Mira's smile was gone. That was answer enough. Elnira crossed her arms. "What happened?" "Nothing happened." "Mira." The young attendant looked away. "Your father has summoned you to the ancestral hall." Elnira's stomach twisted. The ancestral hall was not a place her father called to without a good reason. It was where the Wolfsrein family deliberated on matters that could affect entire kingdoms. Or entire species. "At what time?" "Immediately." Elnira looked towards the window. The bells had stopped. Twenty chimes. Twenty years. She had a feeling she would remember this birthday for the rest of her life. The Wolfsrein Manor had stood for more than eight hundred years. Its walls of dark stone, its huge windows, and decorated halls that housed portraits of generations of Wolfsrein heirs. Elnira walked through these halls with Mira several steps behind. Each portrait seemed to watch her. Each ancestor looked upon her with the same cold face, filled with power, control and unreachability. The Wolfsrein family had never been an ordinary human family. Their greatest secret was the reason why werewolves obey them. For centuries the werewolf clans had possessed incredible strength, speed, senses and healing abilities. Humans should never have been able to control them. But the Wolfsrein bloodline was different. A Wolfsrein could influence a werewolf's instincts. Not control every thought. Not turn them into mindless servants. Something subtler. A command from a Wolfsrein had a weight that a werewolf's instincts recognized. The older the bloodline, the stronger the influence. That gift had allowed the Wolfsrein family to unite the werewolf clans centuries ago. Four great bloodlines eventually rose above the others. The Alphas. The Omegas. The Moon Bloods. The Fang Betas. Four families. Four traditions. Four powers. And every three generations the Wolfsrein heiress was expected to choose a mate from them. Elnira knew the history. She had been forced to study it since childhood. She had never expected the ancient tradition to become her problem so soon. She reached the ancestral hall. Two guards opened the huge doors. Inside her parents waited. Her father stood by the long table, dressed in black. Her mother sat near the fireplace. Neither looked especially happy. Elnira stopped. "Whatever this is, I would like to remind you that today it my birthday." Her father gave her a tired smile. "We know." "Then perhaps we could pretend this is a normal family celebration." Her mother looked at her. "You know it isn't." Elnira's smile disappeared. She walked into the room. "What happened?" Her father gestured towards the chair opposite him. "Sit." "I'd rather stand." "Elnira." "I am twenty, Father, Not twelve." Her father's expression hardened for a moment before softening again. "You are right." He waited until she finally sat before placing an old silver pendant on the table. Elnira recognized it immediately. The Wolfsrein crest. A wolf surrounded by a crown. Her father's fingers rested on the pendant. "The Moon Tides begin in six weeks." Elnira said nothing. She had expected those words eventually. She just hadn't expected them today. Her mother continued. "You know what that means." "I know." "The covenant must be honored." Elnira looked at the pendant. "The mate selection." "Yes." Her jaw tightened. Every three generations a Wolfsrein heiress was required to choose a mate from on of the four great werewolf families. The chosen family would receive the ancient grace of Wolfsrein. They would rule alongside the Wolfsrein family for six hundred years. Six centuries of influence. Six centuries of political authority. Six centuries of being the family closest to the throne. All because of one woman choosing one man. Elnira stared at her parents. "And if I don't choose?" Silence. Her mother looked towards the fire. Her father did not answer straight away. Finally, he said, "You will choose." "That wasn't my question." "Elnira." "What happens if I refuse?" Her father's expression became colder. "The covenant does not recognize refusal." "So I have no choice." "You have a choice." She laughed bitterly. "Between four families who have probably been preparing their sons for me since I was born?" Her mother sighed. "There are five." Elnira blinked. "Five?" "The Fang Beta family has two heirs." Elnira had forgotten. The twins. Kael and Kieran Draven. The only pair of brothers in generations to inherit the Fang Beta bloodline together. She leaned back. "Wonderful." Her father ignored the sarcasm. "The Alpha family will send their heir. The Omega family will send theirs. The Moon Bloods will send theirs. The Fang Betas will send both twins." Elnira stared at him. "Five men." "Yes." "And I am supposed to choose one?" "Or two, depending on the Fang Beta tradition." That caught her attention. "What?" Her mother finally looked directly at her. "The Draven twins are permitted to share a mate." Elnira stared. "You cannot be serious." "It is their bloodline's custom." She rubbed her forehead. "This is insane." "It is tradition." "Tradition is an excuse people use when they don't want to admit something is ridiculous." Her father almost smiled. Almost. Then his expression became serious again. "This is bigger than marriage, Elnira." She knew. That was the part she hated most. The decision would not belong to her alone. If she chose the Alpha heir then the Alpha family would gain six hundred years of authority. If she chose the Omega heir then the balance of power would shift. If she chose the Moon Blood heir then an ancient and secretive bloodline would rise. If she chose the Fang Betas then the twins would bring their family into the heart of Wolfsrein rule. Her choice could change the supernatural world. Elnira looked down at her hands. "What if I don't love any of them?" Her mother was silent. Her father answered quietly. "Love has never been part of the covenant." Something inside Elnira went cold. She stood. "Then what am I?" Her father's eyes met hers. "The Wolfsrein heiress." "No." Her voice shook. "I asked what I am to you." Her father did not answer. Elnira turned away. For twenty years everyone had told her that she was special. Powerful. Chosen. The future of Wolfsrein. But standing in that room, she finally understood what those words truly meant. She wasn't being prepared to inherit freedom, she was being prepared to inherit responsibility. And responsibility came with a price. A sudden knock interrupted the silence. The doors opened. A nervous servant entered. "My Lord." Her father turned. "What is it?" "The first delegation has arrived." Elnira's brows furrowed. "Already?" "They requested an audience." Her father exchanged a look with her mother. Then the servant stepped aside. A man entered the hall. He was young. Tall. Impossibly composed. Long white hair fell around his shoulders, almost silver beneath the light of the chandeliers. His eyes were pale and sharp. He stopped several feet from Elnira. For a moment neither spoke. Then he looked directly into her eyes. "So you're the Wolfsrein heiress." Elnira slowly raised her chin. "And you are?" The man's lips curved into a faint smile. "Aurelian Veyr." The Alpha heir. The first of five. And suddenly Elnira's birthday didn't feel like a birthday. It felt like the beginning of a war.

Aurelian Veyr did not look like some who had traveled several hours to ask for a woman's hand. He looked like some claiming a kingdom. Elnira studied him from across the ancestral hall. His white hair fell nicely around his face as it contrasted sharply to the black uniform he wore. Silver embroidery ran along his collar and shoulders, forming the crest of the Alpha family. A crowned wolf. The same symbol that had once appeared in Wolfsrein history books for generations. His posture was perfectly straight. His expression was calm. Too calm. Elnira immediately disliked him. She wasn't sure of why exactly. Perhaps it was the way he looked at her. Not like some strange, not even like a potential wife. Like he was examining something that already belongs to him. Aurelian's pale eyes glanced over her before settling back on her face. "Elnira Wolfsrein." She raised an eyebrow. "You know my name." "Everyone knows your name." "That sounds unfortunate." The corner of his mouth moved. "Perhaps." Her father cleared his throat. "Aurelian, you arrived earlier than expected." "I prefer arriving before expectations." Elnira almost rolled her eyes. In fact, she almost did so. Her mother stood. "Welcome to Wolfsrein Manor, Lord Veyr." Aurelian inclined his head. "Lady Wolfsrein." He then looked back towards Elnira. "Congratulations on your twentieth birthday." "Thank you." "I brought something for you." Elnira blinked. "You did?" Aurelian gestured to one of the guards standing outside. The man entered carrying a long black box before setting it on the table. Elnira came cautiously before stopping. "Should I be worried?" Aurelian's expression never changed. "Only if you dislike gifts." She opened the box, revealing a silver necklace. A small white stone hung at the center, framed with delicate metalwork shaped like wolf claws. It was actually beautiful. Elnira didn't want to admit that. Her mother stepped closer. "The stone..." "Moon quartz," Aurelian said. "Found in the northern mountains." Elnira touched the necklace, not removing it from the box. "Why give me this?" "Because I was told I would be meeting my future mate." Her fingers stopped. The room grew silent. Elnira slowly looked up. "Future mate?" Aurelian met her eyes. "That is why I am here." There was no hesitation in his voice. No uncertainty. No embarrassment. Elnira closed the box. "You're very confident." "I have no reason not to be." "As well as what makes you think I would choose you?" Aurelian's expression changed slightly. For the first time, it almost seemed like some human within his expression. Interst. "Because I intend to give you a reason." Elnira folded her arms. "That sounds like a challenge." "Perhaps it is." Her father appeared between they two to stop any further conversation. "The formal introductions will take place tonight." Aurelian nodded. "I understand." "The other families have not yet arrived." "I know." Elnira looked at him. "You know?" "The Alpha family receives information quickly." "That sounds suspiciously like spying." "Information is not spying." "Depends on how you obtained it." Aurelian smiled. "You're exactly how they described you." Elnira narrowed her eyes. "And what did you, describe?" "Stubborn." She stare at him. "Who told you that?" "Your father." Elnira turned toward her father. He appeared to be rather uninterested to where is currently focused in the fireplace. "Traitor." Her father coughed. Aurelian's smile only grew. It somehow irritated her even more. --- By the time the sunset appeared, Wolfsrein Manor had been transformed. Hundreds of candles illuminated the halls. Servants bustled between rooms, preparing the evening feast. Guards stood at every entry. The arrival of an Alpha heir was no small affair, but it was one of politics, of which Elnira had come to understand it all too well now. She stood before her mirror, Mira adjusting the final piece of jewelry around her neck. "You look beautiful," Mira said. Elnira stared at herself in the mirror. Her dress was a deep blue with silver embroidery down her sleeves and waist. "I look like someone prepared for execution." Mira laughed softly. "Lady Elnira." "What?" "You should not say such things." "Why not?" "Because people are listening." Elnira looked toward the door. Her two guards stood there. She sighed. "Of course they are." Mira lowered her voice. "Is he handsome?" Elnira looked at her through the mirror. "Who?" "The Alpha heir." "You saw him." "From a distance." Elnira hesitated. Aurelian was handsome, an annoyance. There was something weirdness about the way he held himself that was almost unnatural. "He's tolerable." Mira grinned. "That's not what I asked." Elnira turned around. "I don't like him." "You've known him for several hours." "Exactly." Mira laughed before another bell rang from downstairs. It was the first of those having dinner guests. Elnira breathed. Tonight wasn't going to be much of a start. --- The dining hall was crowded as Elnira entered. The Alpha delegation occupied one side of the enormous table, with Aurelian sitting in the center. Several of their older family members surrounded him as they engaged in hushed conversation. As soon as she entered, the conversation stopped. All eyes were on her. She hated this. She made her way to her seat nonetheless. Aurelian stood. Everyone did the same. Elnira looked around. "Do you all do this every time I enter a room?" One of the older Alpha men smiled. "It is respect." "Then you can sit." They did. Aurelian stayed standing until she was settled before returning to his seat. As dinner began, conversation was strangely formal between all of them. Trade agreements, territory boundaries, reports of werewolf population, political alliances. Elnira simply listened. Then one of the eldest Alpha spoke. "The covenant has always prospered from an Alpha-Wolfsrein union." Elnira placed her fork down. "Has it?" The man looked at her. "Of course." "Then perhaps you can explain why." He smiled. "The Alpha family possesses the strength to protect the Wolfsrein dynasty." Elnira leaned back in her chair. "And what makes you thinks Wolfsrein needs protection"? Silence. Aurelian looked at her. The elder's smile disappeared. "We are just discussing tradition." "Tradition seems to be everyone's favorite word tonight." Aurelian spoke before the elder could respond. "The Alpha family does not intend to force your choice." Elnira looked at him. "Really?" "Really." "Then why did you bring an army?" Several individuals gave a glance toward the windows. Elnira had noticed them earlier. Dozens of Alpha warriors surrounded the estate. Aurelian did not refute his claim. "Because I am the heir of the Alpha family." "That's not an answer." "It is the only one you need." Elnira's eyes narrowed. Aurelian leaned slightly closer to her. "The world outside of these walls is changing, Elnira." His voice was quieter now. "The old balance is weakening." She frowned. "What does that mean?" Before he could respond, a strange type of energy passed through the room. Elnira almost stopped there. Her heartbeat change. Something was wrong. The werewolves surrounding the table became unnaturally still. Even the heads all turned simultaneously toward the entrance of the manor. Elnira felt it as well. A presence, powerful powerful and ancient, unknown. Aurelian's eyes narrowed. One of the Alpha warriors ran into the dining hall. "My lord." Aurelian stood. "What happened?" "The northern gates." The warrior swallowed. "Another delegate has arrived." Elnira's heart sank. "Which family?" The warrior looked at her. "The Omegas." Aurelian's jaw tightened. Outside, another set of bells began to ring. Elnira slowly stood. The game had finally begun, and judging by Aurelian's expression, he already had an enemy

The bells were still ringing. Elnira stood at the entrance of the dining hall, gazing over the backs of the hurried guards that scurried across the courtyard beneath her. The Alpha delegation was silent. Even Aurelian, who had been relatively relaxed since his arrival, was fixed on the doors. Then they opened. A group of men filed into the manor. The clothing and demeanor of these strangers were far more elegant than what was expected to see among the Alphas. Rich creams and browns were embroidered with golden thread, and every movement was smooth and deliberate. A young man came up to the front of the group. Golden-brown hair framed his angular face, hanging just a breath past his ears. Warm ambers eyes were shadowed by an unexpected sharpness hidden behind the amiability of his gaze. He smiled at the sight of Elnira. Not a courteous smile. A proud one. He approached to stand a few paces away and gave a sweeping bow. "Lady Elnira Wolfsrein." Elnira narrowed her eyes. "You're the Omega heir." "Cassian Aurelis." At ease, the young man gave her a charming smile. "I was starting to think I'd missed your birthday." "You're late." "I prefer to think of it as dramatic timing." A couple of the guests chuckled. Aurelian, however, did not. Elnira caught this. Cassian caught it as well. His grin widened. "So, this is the infamous Aurelian Veyr?" Aurelian's gaze did not change. "Cassian." "Still as charming as ever, I see." "We've never met." "Yet you already look disappointed." Elnira almost laughed. Cassian turned back to her. "I apologize for interrupting your meal." "You don't seem the least bit apologetic." "You're right." Elnira's breath caught in her throat. Cassian chuckled. "What's with the pretense?" Elnira studied him. Where Aurelian was a locked door. Cassian was an open window. The problem was she didn't know what lay within. Her father stepped forward. "Lord Aurelis, your family was expected to arrive tomorrow." "We changed our plans," Cassian shifted his gaze to Elnira, "because I heard that the Alpha family had arrived already." Aurelian's expression darkened. Cassian continued, "I didn't want them to get too comfortable." A few members of the Omega delegation tittered in amusement. Elnira exhaled. "This is what the next six weeks are going to be like?" Cassian looked her in the eye. "Probably." "Wonderful." The meal resumed. Cassian seated himself at the empty chair across from Elnira. Aurelian was several places down the table. For the next few minutes, the men said nothing at all. Elnira forced her attention back to her plate. She failed. She could feel their eyes on her. After a long pause, Elnira looked up. "Is there something on my face?" Cassian chuckled. "No." "Then stop staring." "I was admiring your necklace." Elnira ran a finger over the moon quartz pendant her boyfriend had given her as a gift. This? "An Alpha gift." Cassian's gaze drifted to Aurelian. "Interesting." Aurelian calmly picked up his glass of wine. Cassian returned his attention to Elnira. "You should be careful with Alpha gifts." "Why?" "Because Alphas rarely give something without expecting something else in return." Aurelian put the glass down. "Coming from an Omega, that's surprisingly considerate." Cassian gave Aurelian a charming smile. "And yet, you know I'm not wrong." Elnira studied the two men. "Do all werewolves talk like this?" "Only when your around, Aurelian," Cassian replied. "I could say the same for you," Elnira groaned. "Please not start brawling at my birthday dinner." Neither of them responded. Elnira jabbed a finger at the two of them. "I'm being serious." Cassian waved his hands in mock surrender. "Peace." Aurelian merely continued eating. Elnira shook her head. They were the heirs of the most powerful werewolf bloodlines. They acted like hormonal adolescents fighting for the last piece of cake. Cassian leaned in closer. "May I ask you a question?" Elnira nodded. "Do you actually want this?" Elnira paused. The world around her seemed to fade away. What? "The mate selection." He lowered his voice. "Do you want to choose one of us?" Elnira glanced around the room. No one seemed to be paying attention. Elnira leaned in. "I don't know." Cassian studied her. "That's an honest answer." "Most people don't care if you like it or not." "That's because most people think you're the key to six-hundred years of power." Elnira was surprised. He wasn't joking. You understand that, don't you?" "Of course." "Then why are you here?" Cassian's gaze never left her. "Because I want to see what kind of woman is capable of making four families fight over her." Elnira's heart skipped a beat. That's not exactly reassuring," "It wasn't supposed to be," He smiled. Before Elnira could get a word in, a loud crash echoed throughout the great hall. A glass had been shattered. All eyes were on the Alpha warrior who stood a few feet from the door, his hand clutching at a bleeding wound. He was staring toward the windows. "What happened?" Aurelian demanded. The warrior turned to face him. "There's someone outside." All the werewolves in the room tensed. Elnira stood. "Who?" "I don't know." Aurelian was already walking toward the doors. Cassian was right behind him. Elnira watched the two of them leave. For once, the rivalry between the young men had vanished. Something had frightened them. The courtyard was shrouded in darkness. Aurelian stood near the large gates, flanked by Alpha warriors. Cassian stood beside him. Elnira forced her way past her protesting father and into the courtyard just as Aurelian was looking toward the trees. "There's no one there," Cassian shook his head. "That's not true." Aurelian glanced at him. "What are you sensing?" "Rain," Aurelian frowned. "That's all?" Cassian's expression tightened. "No." Elnira came closer. "What is it?" Neither of the men responded. Then the trees shifted. Not the branches. Something in between. A shadow passed through the darkness. The warriors instantly drew their weapons. Elnira felt a strange sensation in her chest. Her Wolfsrein senses were tingling. There was someone near by. Someone powerful. Aurelian pulled her behind him. "Stay in the back." Elnira narrowed her eyes. "I don't take orders from you." "This isn't the time." Cassian came to stand on her other side. "For once, I agree with him." Elnira turned to glare at both men. "I can take care of myself." "We know," Cassian's gaze was still focused on the trees. "That's why we're worried." A howl echoed through the trees. Every werewolf in the courtyard froze. It wasn't the howl of an ordinary wolf. It was a strange, distorted sound that almost resembled a human wail. Aurelian's expression tightened. Cassian muttered something under his breath. Elnira couldn't hear what it was. "What?" Cassian turned to her. "Nothing." Elnira didn't believe him. Neither did Aurelian. The howl came again. Closer this time. Then... silence. A few seconds later, a black wolf entered the courtyard. It came to a stop near the front of the gates, its golden eyes glowing in the darkness. Elnira stared at the creature, transfixed. The wolf looked her directly in the eye and then suddenly lowered its head. Not to Aurelian. Not to Cassian. To her. The entire courtyard fell silent. Elnira's heart pounded against her ribs. She took a step forward and the wolf instantly backed away, vanishing into the trees. Aurelian turned to face her. "What did you do?" "I didn't do anything." Cassian studied her closely. "Maybe that's the problem." Elnira frowned. "What are you talking about?" Cassian didn't answer. Aurelian did. "The wolf recognized your blood." Elnira turned her gaze toward the trees. "That's impossible." "It's not," Aurelian said quietly. Later that night, Elnira stood on her balcony. The manor had finally fallen silent. The moon hung over the forest. She traced the pendant that hung from her neck. The Alpha gift suddenly seemed far heavier than it had moments before. She couldn't stop thinking about the strange wolf. It had bowed to her. Why? A knock came from the other side. Elnira turned to see Cassian standing in the doorway. "You're still awake."So are you." He came to stand beside her on the balcony. "I wanted to apologize for coming in and causing trouble." "For what?" "For arriving and causing the trouble with the wolf." "You didn't cause the wolf to appear," "No, but I think someone did." Elnira gave him a confused look. "What are you talking about?" Cassian's expression darkened. "The four families didn't come here only because of the covenant." Elnira's stomach twisted into knots. "Then why?" Cassian looked her in the eye. "Because something is happening among the werewolves."