Chapter 1

Amy

“You can do this,” I whisper to myself as I stare up at the luxurious gates belonging to the mansion where my mom lives.

I haven’t seen my mom in two years. I’ve lived with my grandma in another city and belonged to the Summer pack instead of the Autumn pack while I’ve been gone, but now I’m back in Cherry Hills, and being here might be a mistake.

After my dad died, my mom remarried and became the wife of Jonatan Bulgari, the wealthy Lycan Beta from the Autumn pack. Every pack member, including myself, was shocked when they became a couple.

My mom and I are werewolves. Lycans and werewolves usually don’t get into romantic relationships since Lycans are bigger than us and shift into these massive creatures that walk on two legs rather than on four. But I actually don’t have anything against my mom’s husband being a Lycan. Jonatan is quite nice, but I loathe his devilish son.

Noah Bulgari.

His mere name sends shivers down my spine. Back when I still lived here in Cherry Hills, Noah was my bully—the popular jock set on this earth to destroy me.

At the beginning of middle school, I had a crush on Noah. He was pretty, and he played football. I loved watching him from afar. It baffled me how he could turn off his lycan strenght and play like a human and still be so good at the sport. As his number one fan, I would show up to every game he played, but while I was a fan of Noah, he wasn’t a fan of me.

I was chubbier than most other werewolves, and being an athlete, I guess Noah saw me as a joke. Even his teammates teased him for having a fat fan. Still, it didn’t stop me from ogling Noah, and his response was to walk straight up to me.

Naive little me thought he was going to tell me something nice for always rooting for him, but he smirked down at me and said, “Look, Fat Amy, I appreciate that you’re a fan, but if you think you have a chance with me, then you’re delusional. I don’t date fat chicks. Please stop watching me on the field. It’s embarrassing seeing you cheer for me.”

All of his friends laughed when Noah told me that, and the whole school started calling me “Fat Amy” or “Ugly Amy,” and Noah would use those nicknames, too.

It broke my heart, and sadly, the mean nicknames stayed with me during my freshman year of high school. Cherry Hills High was hell on earth. Noah became prettier. He shot up several inches, and his pimples vanished, replaced by a face so beautiful one could mistake it for having been sculpted by an angel.

This led to the girls in the pack fawning over him like he was their idol, giggling whenever he glanced their way. They watched him play football, and during each hunt, they would group around him like they were his worshippers and he was part of their religion.

Meanwhile, I remained a nerd without friends, and Noah didn’t let me forget my place. He would “accidentally” spill milk on my clothes in the cafeteria or steal my diary to read it out loud, especially the names of the boys I found attractive.

Embarrassingly enough, Noah’s name was still in my diary in high school, and the memory of him laughing at me still having a crush on him is a sharp dagger twisting in my gut.

Shit, what am I even doing here?

It was dumb to come here. I can still turn around and find a college in another city. Sure, I’m all out of money and my mom’s and Jonatan’s mansion would be the perfect place to live during my college years. Living in the dorms as a shifter is stupid since I could easily blow my cover when I leave during the night. This is the ultimate home for me, but I don’t want to live with my stepbrother!

“Amy? Is that you?”

Every single hair rises to stand on the back of my neck, and a familiar yet unwelcome wave of fear settles into my bones.

Slowly, I turn around. And there the devil stands, the source of my nightmares—Noah Bulgari.

With his blue bedroom eyes and handsome face, he looks like a movie star...if you look away from his intimidating size.

He is way larger now, thanks to his Lycan genes. I’m not surprised. Lycans are naturally much bigger and stronger than werewolves, but my werewolf genes have nothing to do with Noah bullying me. I’ve seen him behave around other werewolves in the Autumn pack. It’s just me that he hates.

“Well, hello there, Amy,” Noah’s deep voice got me shifting uncomfortably on my feet. “I thought I recognized your tiny little self. I just didn’t think you would dare to set foot anywhere close to this estate.”

Somehow, I dare to meet his blue eyes. “I…I need a place to live during my studies.”

“Obviously,” he glances up at the tall gates surrounding the estate as if bored of me already. “I just didn’t think you would be brave enough to return to Cherry Hills after I became the Alpha of the Autumn pack. You’re brave…or stupid. I can’t decide.”

I almost choke. “Y-you’re the Alpha?” I blurt out. “B-but how? Your dad was the Beta!”

Noah shrugs. “I beat Henrik Douglas in a duel. He was supposed to become the Alpha, but after seeing him lose so easily, the elders deemed me more fitting to lead. Simple as that. Henrik is my Beta now.”

While Noah’s tone is nonchalant, I can sense the swelling pride inside of him. He likes to hold power over me. The guy probably relishes it, and my heart sinks. Life here is going to be more difficult than I thought.

“I see,” I manage to say, fighting back the fear that threatens to overwhelm me.

As if sensing my discomfort, Noah smirks. It’s the same arrogant smirk I used to see every day in those torturous corridors of Cherry Hills High. The memories hit me like arrows, sharp points piercing my already fragile confidence.

“But don’t worry, Amy,” he continues, his cocky expression staying on his handsome face. “I wouldn’t let my personal issues interfere with the management of my pack.”

My mind reels at his audacity. Personal issues? Is he serious right now? I’ve done nothing to him, and he is acting like I’m the problem?! What a prick!

I want to slap him, but before I can even say anything, Noah goes on. “You’re quite the talk of the pack, you know? The genius werewolf who is starting college one year early. You’re only seventeen, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am,” I reply, a thread of irritation seeping into my voice. Who does he think he is to judge my achievement? And why does he sound so shocked at me being smart?

A chuckle rumbles in his chest. “Impressive, Amy. Very impressive.” The mocking tone of his voice makes me grit my teeth in fury. “Too bad brains can’t make up for everything else.”

“Everything else?” I ask. I normally wouldn’t dare to raise my voice at him, but I’m seeing red.

Noah knows this, and his smirk widens. “You’re still…chubby and quite plan-looking. But don’t worry, I’m sure your future mate is going to be someone from the bottom of the pack. They always end up together,” he drawls.

A wave of numbness washes over me, making Noah look very satisfied with himself. He slaps his palm against a keypad by the gate, and after the gates creak open, he walks off without another word while I’m left standing there, alone.

Tears sting at the corners of my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Refuse to give in and show myself weak in front of this bastard of a stepbrother.

Is this how my life will be from now on? A repetition of the past?

Frustration courses through my veins, and my wolf whines inside of me. I’m tired of being bullied by Noah, and before I can stop myself, I shout, “And I bet you haven’t even found your mate yet because the moon goddess can’t decide on which poor female lycan to bear the burden of being mated to an arrogant, self-centered Alpha like you!”

Noah freezes mid-stride, his back stiff. I can barely decipher the sudden change in his posture. Is he...surprised? Angry? Or both?

I keep staring at him, witnessing how his broad shoulders turn tense as if some invisible force has turned him into a statue. It makes me realize he is shocked, and I am, too. I can’t believe I voiced my thoughts out loud!

Did I just seal my own death sentence?

Slowly, Noah turns around to face me. The corners of his lips are curled up into a twisted smile. “Did Amy Lovesong just raise her voice and speak her mind?”

My throat runs dry when he strides over to me because I didn’t REALLY consider his height and size before.

But I’m seeing it now.

Noah got to be at least 6’8. He is unrealistically tall and towers over my 5’2 frame with his inhuman and all-lycan size. His body is even more muscled than it used to be, and his steel-like eyes only add to the intimidating picture he paints.

He could destroy me so easily.

“You’re such a shocker, Amy,” Noah laughs when he stands right in front of me, which only adds to my fear and confusion. “Finally found your spine, have you?” he mocks lightly and reaches out a hand to lift one of my red curls.

But instead of fear, anger bubbles up within me. “Better late than never,” I quip back, my voice sharper than I intended. I can’t believe I am standing up to Noah - the guy who has bullied me for years.

Noah raises an eyebrow at my defiance, and goosebumps prickle over my skin when he lets my hair fall and instead goes for my face. Long fingers grab my chin, forcing me to meet his intense blue eyes.

“Why do you put foundation over your freckles?” he asks.

Why does he care?

“Because,” I growl, and to my utter surprise, a smile breaks over Noah’s face.

“Such a waste,” he purrs. “I like seeing your freckles. They are pretty, just like your red hair.”

I blink, taken aback by his unexpected compliment. There’s seriousness lingering in his voice, a sort of affection it has never carried before. Is he playing some sick game?

When I say nothing in return and just gape up at him like a goldfish out of the water, he chuckles and releases me from his hold.

“Stay out of my way, Amy Lovesong, and don’t raise your voice at me again. If you do that, we might just get along.”

With that, he strolls away, back straight and head held high. I watch his retreating figure until it disappears through the open gate. His words echo in my ears, leaving me dumbfounded.

Did Noah just...compliment me?

No, this is Noah we are talking about. He is a prick, and my wolf is quick to growl and remind me of the sick games he played on us in the past. There’s no way there could be peace between us. Those compliments were meant to scare me, and my best bet is to attend another college far away from Noah.