Chapter 1

Noland’s POV

Morning sunlight poured through the kitchen windows, catching on the dust motes floating in the air. Another Monday, another routine…but for me, routine was survival. The pack saw me as Alpha, but in this house, I was something more: father, guardian, family. Tiara’s father. At five, she depended on me entirely. At twenty-six, I should have been chasing freedom, girls, maybe even mates. Instead, I was flipping pancakes and tying curls. Somehow… Tiara made it worth it.

“Nol, what are you making?” Tiara’s big brown eyes looked up at me as I moved around the kitchen. She sat perfectly in her high chair by the island with her doll toys. Her thick curly hair was neatly tied, some strands falling over her forehead.

Her biological mother, Tasha, was actually my stepmom, but she’d died giving birth. My father went wild after that, and I had been playing Tiara’s only family for five years now. She had asked me multiple times why her hair looked different from mine. I told her the truth, in part, but not the whole story. Tasha had loved her fiercely while pregnant, and she didn’t need to know the details about her true father.

“I’m making your favorite.” I handed her a stack of pancakes drizzled with strawberry syrup.

“Thank you, Nol,” she mumbled through a mouthful. I chuckled and took off my apron.

I threw on my dress shoes, completing my usual outfit: blue slacks, black button-up, belt, my favorite chain—a gift from my dad and mom, and a wristwatch.

Our house wasn’t much: three stories, four bedrooms, three bathrooms. Just enough for us. That’s what small packs do…we make do. We had taken a small town in the middle of the south coast and turned it into our pack, Hollow Creek.

There were thirty-seven members now, not including the kids. One of everything: schoolhouse, general store, community hall, clothing shop, tiny art room, and our family coffee shop.

The pack house was rustic but organized: first floor for recreation, second floor for offices. Being Alpha, I had my own office, and the third floor held the rest of pack matters.

“I’m done!” Tiara yelled. I cleaned her off and picked her up.

“Okay, sweetie. To the car and daycare we go.”

Small packs had their limits. Dating and finding mates were tricky; many members had to travel pack to pack. Funds were tight, so most didn’t, but just hoped maybe something would happen.

“I don’t want to go, I want to stay with you,” Tiara screamed as I buckled her in.

This was our Monday routine. We spent so much time together on weekends that being apart was hard… for both of us.

Just us. And, of course, Maya.

“We can watch a movie tonight and eat mac and cheese if you behave.” She immediately quieted, knowing how special it was. I made it homemade, a special recipe from Tasha, to keep her connected to her mother.

The drive to the schoolhouse took fifteen minutes. Only six other kids her age, and they all got along.

“Morning, Noland,” Maya said as I carried Tiara in, backpack and lunch box on my arm.

Maya was pretty…long chestnut hair, dark eyes. We were dating, planning to marry at twenty-eight, since neither of us had found our mates yet.

“Hi, Maya,” Tiara said, hobbling into the classroom.

Maya had been teaching the little kids since she was twenty.

“Hello, Bunnie,” she chuckled at Tiara’s pronunciation.

“Busy day today, Noland?”

“Yes, today is busy. I should get going so I’m not late,” I said, though Lucas was always late.

She looked at me like I was the best thing in the world—a strange feeling, especially since it wasn’t from my mate. I had no idea how I’d ever mate with her knowing my true mate was out there. And I felt she might feel the same way, her true mate somewhere beyond our sight.

Maya and I had a sort-of relationship for about three months, just to get acquainted. Fenrir, my wolf, disagreed strongly.

“Please give Alpha Lucas my regards.” She squeezed my arm and stepped into the room.

Alpha Lucas had become a close friend. He and his pack had stumbled upon us during a hunt. Rogues had broken out, and their pack came to help. We welcomed them in, fought alongside them, and fed them. Just four months ago, we had grown close.

His pack, Shadow Moon, was four hours away but massive compared to ours..about a thousand strong, dripping in wealth.

At the pack house, Lucas stood in shorts and a polo shirt, messy hair, looking overly relaxed.

“Hey my man! Noland!” He hugged me.

“Hello, Lucas.” I smiled.

We walked to my office; my beta and delta were in theirs. Lucas sat across from me.

“Not that I don’t enjoy your visits, but why are we here?” I asked curiously.

“I need you to come to something—you can’t say no.” Already hated this idea.

“There’s a Moon Council this Saturday. I invited alphas for a weekend of fun and networking,” he said seriously. “It might help expand your pack. Make a good impression; they might send unmated wolves to you as well… or let you send yours.”

Fenrir perked at “mates” but stayed quiet.

“Get out of this town. Spend time with men your age. You never know.”

I wanted to say no, but something made me pause. Fenrir agreed, strangely, since he hated leaving the pack.

“It’s just a Saturday. I can have someone watch Tiara if you bring her. Claire and I would love to have you and the pretty little guy. Claire would probably volunteer all throughout Saturday.”

Claire was Lucas’ mate—they’d been in love since sixteen. Jealous, of course. I am.

“I’ve thought of everything. Five other alphas, small affair, but fun.” I took a deep breath. “Yes. How can I say no?”

Lucas’ face lit up.

“Wonderful! I’ll tell Claire. She’ll definitely be happy knowing there’s Tiara around.”

“Lucas, it’s been twelve years. Give Claire some grace.”

Claire was also my friend, small in stature, but just a friend to me. Lucas and I were like brothers.

“How do you do it? Playing the role of a dad?” Lucas asked.

“I still don’t think I’m good, but looking at Tiara, I try my best. As long as she’s happy, I’m doing right.” Lucas nodded.

“Maybe little Tiara around wouldn’t be so bad.”

Tiara loved Claire and Lucas, calling them Auntie and Uncle. It warmed my heart.

“Who will be at the Moon Council?” I teased.

“Alphas from here, one from the west coast,” Lucas said.

“You can bring Maya if you want.” Grateful for the option.

“Joining us will be Alaric, Kaelen, Evander, Darius, and Lucien. First four known; Lucien unknown.”

“Who is Lucien?” Fenrir was curious.

“Cool guy, funny, a bit intense until you know him.”

“If he’s cool, he’s cool.”

“Can’t wait for you to meet everyone!”

⸻

Back at the house later that evening.

I had to fulfill my promise to Tiara about the movie and mac and cheese.

“Is it done yet?” Tiara popped her head up on the couch. I carried plates into the living room.

Movie night..Tiara chose Cinderella. The doorbell rang, and Tiara’s face lit up.

“Maya!” Tiara yelled, hugging her.

We wanted Tiara used to her around before our marriage.

She tucked under my arm; she knew her way.

“Daddy made mac and cheese, and we watch Cinderella!” Tiara yelled. Maya chuckled and joined her.

“How was the meeting with Lucas?”

“He invited us to meet other alphas this Saturday.”

“Uh oh, did you say no?” Maya laughed.

“Yes. Especially for unmated wolves. Good for the pack.”

I walked around the couch with plates.

“Want to come with me?” I asked.

“I’d love to. Fun family trip.” Family—what we are now.

Tiara dug in. I sat between them.

‘She’s not supposed to be here,’ Fenrir growled