The night air was cold but it felt good against Amani's skin. She had been out on the balcony that overlooked the garden for nearly an hour just watching the sun set.

Today was her eighteenth birthday and a party was to be held in her honor. A few of the highest ranking packs will be attending and one of those just happens to be the the pack of the Royal Kingdom, Blackclaw.

Her parents had never hosted parties at their Manor nor did they allow her to venture out of it much. This night would be different though and Amani’s father wanted all the notable packs present so that he can announce her as the future Alpha of Bloodmoon. For as long as her kind has existed there has never been a female Apha, until her.

She had been born with the mark just like every Alpha before her and tonight would be her first shift. Lycans have their first shift at midnight on their birthdays anywhere from the age of sixteen to eighteen. Alphas usually shifted younger but Amani had not. No Lycan has ever shifted after the age of eighteen.

Amani's parents had hopes that she will find her mate tonight. She won't feel the mate bond until she connects with her wolf but if her mate has his wolf, he'll sense her long before that hour arrives. Finding a mate was the least of Amani’s troubles and furthest from her thoughts. She was nervous about being in the presence of so many Lycans that she's never met before.

She would be in the presence of the Alpha King, Zander Savage, who she’d heard was just that, a savage. To him all was fair in love and war. The Luna Queen Cara was just as fierce and savage as her Alpha. They had one son, Prince Malakai, their heir and future Alpha King. He was a fierce warrior and everyone heard stories of how his strength and skill in battle was unmatched second to his father’s. The Prince had his first shift when he was 13 years old which is the youngest shift to date.

At twenty-four years old, Prince Malakai is well acquainted with his wolf which has only made him stronger and faster, even in his human form. A true force to be reckoned with, he’s known for his dark, menacing demeanor. It's not certain whether he's respected for his title or because he is feared and his presence demands it. Men don't dare look him in the eye and she wolves fall at his feet.

He's extremely handsome and perhaps the most handsome Lycan that has ever graced the land of the living.

He has a reputation for being quite popular with the she wolves, taking numerous to bed and then discarding them like they're nothing afterwards. Still, she wolves would kill for just one night with him.

Amani found it absolutely absurd how a lady could be so desperate to jump in bed with him if he treated them as nothing more than objects. She's never met him but his reputation was nothing to get excited about. She would never be one of those females and will be keeping her distance from him tonight.

All of the sudden something unsettled her even more. She didn't know what it was but she had this sudden and strange feeling of dread. Perhaps, it was only the nerves taking over. Amani was pulled from her thoughts when she looked down into the darkness of the garden and stared into what she believed was a pair of the bluest eyes she's ever seen.

She squinted her eyes a bit so that maybe it'll help her make things out a little clearer. Those eyes stared back at her with an intensity that almost made the skin on her entire body flush. She stared back just as intense and fell into a hypnosis. Their eyes were locked as if they both had just signed some silent agreement to never look away again.

"Amani! There you are!" Her mother called grabbing Amani's attention towards her. "I have been looking all over for you, what are you doing out here? The guest are soon to arrive anytime now."

"Sorry mother, I uhm..." Amani looked back down into the garden but the blue eyes she had met had vanished. Did she imagine it? She furrowed her brows.

"I was just getting some fresh air before the party started." She turned around to face her mother and the Luna gasped.

"What?!" Amani asked wide eyed.

Tears filled her mother's eyes, "you look absolutely beautiful."

Amani resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She was in a long silk red dress that had one sleeve that draped her left shoulder and the other shoulder bare. It hugged her body and accentuated every curve making her feel extremely on display and uncomfortable. She wore matching red heels that if her feet could talk would be screaming at her to set them free. Her long dark, caramel hair was let down in loose curls but pinned up on the right side.

Her maids had painted her face beautifully with make up that brought out her emerald green eyes even more. She felt ridiculous, like a jester that was hired to pop out and start doing a show for everyone to laugh at. She decided she would let her mother have this moment though.

“Do you like it? The dress?" She asked with a forced smile.

Luna Selene nodded as she gently fanned her tears so she didn't ruin her own make up. "It looks gorgeous, you look gorgeous. Like a mature and esteemed Lady. When did you grow up so fast and how did I miss it?"

Amani smiled sweetly at the woman who birthed her. She walked towards her and wrapped her in a tight hug. "I'll always be your baby girl, mother."

They shared a loving smile until they both heard an uproar of commotion and bloodcurdling screams.