The hottest club in Tannor, Lanus—that's what everyone says. Here I am, turning 19, and somehow my friends have dragged me to this place. Clubbing isn't my thing; I'm not into drinking either. I'd rather be curled up with a good book or binge-watching a series, but my friends, they're different...

"Come on, Ava," my friend Michele beckons, standing by the club's entrance. She must have used her pixie charms to trick the bouncer, who I can tell by the scent is human.

Let me introduce myself. I'm Ava Magnus, a 19-year-old from a family of white wolves in the Northern Pack. My father, Austin Magnus, is the grandmaster—kind of like the city's mayor—and my mother, Adelia Magnus, is one of the elders. They're both white wolves, and me? Well, I haven't become anything yet. No transformation to speak of. Not yet. My grandmother has always said it would happen in the mist, but I've never seen it, even when it rolled through last year. That's why some in our community see me as a nuisance, a soulless one. But I feel it's there... inside me.

"Ava... What are you drinking?" Michele interrupts my thoughts.

"Water," I say, earning an eye roll before she heads to the bar.

"Here, drink this—and no questions," she orders, handing me a glass. I can't identify the contents, but it smells like a high-proof cocktail with ginger and... apple?

"Just drink it, Ava. Don't be a party pooper."

Reluctantly, I sip and feel a jolt surge through my body. I'm not much of a drinker—in fact, I never drink—and I know this will hit me hard. Michele just laughs and heads back to the bar for more.

"Let's hit the dance floor. The guys are about to arrive," she says, dragging me along. I've never danced before; I'm clueless about what to do. I watch everyone moving effortlessly, while I stand stiffly, unsure of how to join in.

"Do it like this," Michele shows me.

"Sure," I respond, loosening up as it is my birthday and the mists return in ten days. Michele floats like a feather on the dance floor while I feel as stiff as a rock. Eventually, the guys show up: Adam, a white wolf and Michele's boyfriend, and Dustin, a childhood friend and cheetah.

"Happy birthday, Ava!" Adam gives me a bear hug. "You owe us a round."

"It's my birthday, remember... But thanks."

"Happy birthday, groundhog," Dustin teases as he hugs me.

"Thanks... Love you guys."

"We're dancing!" Michele shouts, and we're swept up in the rhythm of the music. I'm awkward, but after being plied with drinks, I start to move with the beat. I might not be great, but I'm feeling lighter—a rare moment of peace. If Michele's concoction has a spell in it that gives me a hangover, she's in trouble... Suddenly, my body tingles; a headache mounts, and my instincts sharpen. On the dance floor, I freeze. The alcohol's effect vanishes.

Michele's in Adam's arms, and Dustin's sidled up to a woman who smells distinctly of lynx. Something unsettles me, sending tremors through me. I need a moment. I tell Michele I'm headed for the restroom. My reflection in the mirror reassures me nothing's wrong, but then a heady unknown fragrance hooks me. I steady myself against the sink, overwhelmed and confused, until I dash out of the bathroom. The autumn chill greets me as I exit the club into the cold.

I meander, lost in thought, and end up in an alley with no recollection of my journey. Turning to go back, a shadow startles me. Vulnerable without my wolf or my powers and unable to distinguish if the figure is supernatural or human, I brace myself.

"Who are you... What do you want?"

"Shh, little dog... It'll be over soon," he promises, sending shivers and an ominous twist inside me. His speed is too much; I can't escape, I can't even scream. He whispers foreign words, and I understand just two: 'death' and 'dominance.' Darkness begins to eclipse me.

"No... no... no..." His voice fades as he releases me, and I collapse, hitting my head, consciousness slipping away.

My name is Demetrius Conway, the Alpha Supreme of the North. At 28 years old, I find myself in the city of Tannor attending a meeting. Our cities have come under successive attacks by a rogue entity of unknown origin. It leeches vitality and the mystical essence within; its victims range from wolves in their various forms to creatures such as fairies, witches, elves, and gnomes.

"We must pinpoint where these attacks are coming from," says one of the elders.

"It's a rogue, and we are at a loss as to who it may be. The last victim survived only seconds and spoke of a man..." another elder contributes.

For about a year, we've roamed the northern lands, moving from city to city, mainly in search of information regarding this case.

"We need to predict where it will strike next so we can set up a frontal line and counterattack before it wreaks more havoc."

"Ladies and gentlemen, arguing will get us nowhere. Our Alpha is right—we should fortify our borders and assist in combating this rogue," a senior lady elder interjects, her gaze upon me warm and understanding.

I'm stuck in an interminable meeting that seems to be leading nowhere. I stand, prompting everyone else to do the same.

"We must rest. Our strategies are not in vain. We shall continue tomorrow," I command. All bow before me, and I exit, flanked by Matias, my Beta and childhood friend.

"Today was tense, Demetrius..."

"Indeed it was, Matias. We need to find this rogue before another falls victim in my territory."

We leave the council headquarters and head to a residence provided by the council. We barely arrive when Virginia, Matias' companion and also a pack member—a huntress, a tracker, a tigress—confronts us at the entrance.

"How did it go?" she asks him.

"Tense..."

"Alpha..." she greets me, and I pass by them.

"I need a strong drink," I mutter, heading straight for the house's bar.

"I want to apologize, my Alpha. Last time, I lost the rogue's trail at the cliff," she says, bowing her head.

"Even as a skilled huntress, my love, it wasn't your fault. We can't fathom how he survived such a fall," Matias consoles her, and Virginia lifts her head.

"I was so close. He moved like a shadow. I could taste him in my jaws, and then poof... he vanished. The scent was gone. It was eerie, surreal; scents don't just disappear like that, smoke mixed with earth especially, but it did."

I recall that day; we were in Dommos, further north from here. Virginia sensed something odd, and we patrolled, spotting him—or rather, his specter. A chase ensued through the city and into the forest, and then, inexplicably, the creature disappeared. After extensive searching, we found two victims, paralyzed and pale as snow, their hair color, vital energy, and magic drained. I take a sip of my whiskey, agitated that we were so close but failed.

"We have scouts roaming across the north, going from community to community, gathering more warriors, and are sealing off all routes. This is the last city where the council is prepping defenses. We'll catch him soon," Matias asserts, and frustrated, I slam my glass down.

"I HATE this feeling of powerlessness, I LOATHE losing," I exclaim, standing up.

"I understand, sir..."

"Okay, how about we do this: I hear there's a top-notch club here in Tannor. Let's cool off for a bit. Staying seated here won't serve us; the borders are nearly sealed. Should an attack occur, we will be primed to handle it," she suggests, and after a moment, I acquiesce.

Lanus... those were the letters on the sign above the nightclub. I step out of my car and inhale the air; many species are gathered here—fairies, lynxes, black cats, wolves, witches, all from the supernatural world. Once, our community was exclusively white wolves, but after relentless human persecution, our numbers dwindled. My great-grandfather, the Alpha King, chose to open our doors to other communities and we flourished, dominating the entire northern region. Community after community unified. Humans are part of our society, but only those granted council permission.

Entering the club through an exclusive side, we head to the VIP area with its wall-to-wall glass.

"My Alpha..." A man, clearly a Siberian cat by his scent, approaches us. "I'm Malcon, and it's a pleasure to have you in my club." He bows deeply, then lifts his gaze to ours. "I'll send someone to attend to you at once, sir." He departs, and a vampire woman soon arrives, bearing drinks and snacks for us.

"I love this song—come dance with me, Matias," Virginia beckons, pulling Matias, who looks to me for approval before they leave. It's endearing how the Moon Goddess granted Matias his mate; I've yet to find mine in these 28 years. The council also pressures me about this—Alphas should start their lineage early, but I haven't started mine nor felt the soul connection I've witnessed between Matias and Virginia. I remember as if it were yesterday—we were on patrol, and suddenly, he stopped, looked aside, and spotted Virginia at a lake. He's never left her side since... I take another sip of my whiskey as they return.

"I liked it here," she beams.

"The club is quite good," Matias agrees.

"No... I was referring to the community. You need to tour it; the main elder has done well. It's clean, tidy, the houses are well-maintained, and no signs of the homeless. You should commend him, Demetrius."

"I will..." I reply and glance ahead through the glass, something catching my eye. I stand and move forward, pressing my face against the glass.

A woman with golden blonde hair, a smile both enchanting and shy at once; her aura shone bright amid the throngs of people on the dance floor. She moved with an adorable, clumsy grace that made me laugh, and even from a distance, her scent—exciting and perfect—reached me. Then she opened her eyes, and with my sight, I saw the blue depths within them...

"Demetrius... Something's happened..." Matthias speaks, but I can't take my eyes off her.

"That woman..." I point towards the dance floor, and he searches.

"Which one... There are so many people there."

"The one in the blue dress with blonde hair..."

He looks forward and can't see her—why does she only appear to me? I look ahead, and something catches my eye: her gaze is filled with fear, and an odd sensation chills my body, raising goosebumps all over.

"There's something wrong..."

I leave the VIP area, head outside, and the locale, a scent unlike any I've smelt before makes my wolf stir within me—on the edge of my subconscious, it whispers: "Our Luna..." The sensation is so overwhelming it makes me nauseous...

"Demetrius..."

"I don't know..." I try to reach out to her mentally, but all I see is red. I feel her emotions—she is terrified—a feeling I can't comprehend... I descend the stairs, inhaling deeply as I search for her scent, trying to reestablish our mental connection, but there's no response. As the Alpha Supreme, I should have dominion over all beings, but not with her...

Matthias and Virginia move down with me. Many bow as they see me, others clear the path, and I catch her scent again, just a glimpse of her exiting through the club's door.

"Demetrius... What is happening..."

Virginia speaks, but I am at a loss myself. I step out of the club, her scent stronger outdoors. I smell fear—her fear—and suddenly, her pain.

"There's something wrong, Matthias..." I say to my Beta, who stands alert, his companion by his side.

I strengthen our mental connection, feeling her overwhelming fear and agony. Searching for the source, I detect the scent of death...

"He's here..." Virginia speaks and bolts into a transformation, prompting me, Matthias, and three other guards to transform as well.

We run together, and the feeling in my chest burns. I must control myself to prevent succumbing to the darkness of fear...

As we reach an alley, we hear a male voice screaming...

"No... No... You..." Virginia reaches us first, and as she closes in, the specter vanishes like the last time.

She growls out loud in frustration.

"Noooo..."

I come to her side and see the woman. She isn't dead; her heart still beats, albeit feebly, while Virginia stays beside me, Matthias steps out of the alley.

I pick her up, her scent of coconut intoxicating, and my wolf howls in my head... LUNA... LUNA...

"She's still alive, take her to the family clinic as fast as possible."

I speak, and Virginia, transformed back, hurries with her to our waiting car.

Transforming back into my human form, Matthias approaches, offering me fresh clothes.

"Here, sir, again we're close by."

"Yes, but she's not dead. She's frail but alive," I say, heading towards another car waiting for me.

"What happened, Demetrius?" he asks.

"I don't know, I've never felt anything so strong. Her emotions were mine, yet I couldn't see what she saw."

"Maybe she's a human..."

"She's everything but human. Her animal is there—I felt something powerful—but I don't know what it is."

We arrive at the family hospital, and Virginia appears, finishing dressing.

"Where is she..."

"The doctor's finishing all procedures," she reports.

Her scent fills my nostrils, and I force myself to stay put.

"Alpha..." a woman speaks as she enters the room. "I'm Rafaela, the doctor, and the lady you brought in is stable. She is weak but will do well; she just needs to rest, and she'll be fine as soon as she wakes up."

"May I see her?" I ask.

"Yes, sir, this way..."

She leads me to the room where the woman rests, my Lycanthrope stirring within, dizzying me. As I enter, I'm struck by the sight of the most celestial and perfect being.

Her golden blonde hair, skin as white as snow, beautiful freckles, perfect body, and her scent... Ah, it's perfect...

I sit by her side, smooth her hair, adjusting a few stray strands, feel her heartbeat as if in sync with mine. I notice a burn mark on her wrist, a blemish on the other, cursed specter...

Virginia and Matthias enter the room, watching me.

"I can hear your thoughts, Matthias..." I say, because I heard many questions in his head—why am I sitting, touching her hair? Even I don't know...

"Alpha, the doctor said about the burns and the blemish—they're treated, and in time, they'll heal," Virginia informs.

"What is she..." Matthias wonders.

"I have no idea," I reply when something else grabs my attention—a thought that's neither mine nor my friends'. I look at the woman before me and stand abruptly...

"Demetrius... what is it..."

I see a wolf, flames engulfing its form. It's not my vision—the darkness and the fiery wolf approach me. My wolf becomes so agitated within that I grasp the edge of the bed to avoid falling... her scent is overpowering, the vision of the flaming wolf so omnipotent that I kneel down, my wolf cowering in silence.

"Demetrius..." I hear Matthias speak, trying to sever the connection with the woman in front of me, but it's like quicksand, drawing me in deeper by the second, and I collapse.