The grand hall of The Frostwood Pack House gleamed with brilliant lights as pack members and invited Alphas from other territories gathered for Alpha Jonas's welcome ceremony. After four years at the prestigious Alpha Academy, the entire pack eagerly anticipated their Alpha's return.

Freya Gilbert stood in line at the entrance, nervously adjusting her red dress, her palm unconsciously pressing against the stain on its side. It was her only decent dress; she had no other options.

She watched guests ahead of her enter effortlessly while her anxiety mounted, afraid they wouldn't let her in. As her turn approached, her palms grew sweaty, her heart raced, and panic surged through her.

"Freya, calm down," her wolf, Vicki, warned in her mind. "The more nervous you are, the more likely you'll mess things up."

Freya knew she should remain composed, but it felt impossible.

Tonight was her last chance.

A month ago, returning home from art school, she had discovered several vehicles parked outside, with strangers bustling around her front door.

"I'm sorry, Miss Gilbert, this house will be repossessed and auctioned," one of them informed her.

"What? There must be some mistake!" Freya was frantic as she watched the workers post the auction notices. "My father is just away on a business trip. He’ll be back soon to take care of this."

The court officer gave her a pitying shake of his head, handing her a property seizure notice. "Mr. Gilbert emptied all accounts and fled with the money. We've notified the police. According to investigations, he left with your stepmother and sister."

In that moment, Freya's world collapsed entirely. She stared at the document in disbelief, each word piercing her heart like a dagger.

Gut-wrenching agony twisted within her. For the first time in her twenty-two years, she realized how utterly alone she was in this world. Her father had chosen her stepmother and half-sister, discarding her like garbage. All he left her were mountains of debt and a house about to be seized.

"Miss, you have 30 days to vacate. However, if you can clear all debts during this period..."

"How much?" The words tasted bitter on her tongue.

"Including principal, interest, penalties, and court fees, the total is $2.8 million."

Freya's stomach churned and she nearly lost her balance hearing that figure, the room spinning as if she might faint.

$2.8 million! It was astronomical to her. But she knew she had to keep this house.

As a senior art student yet to graduate, she couldn't even complete job applications without a permanent address. And as an Omega in the pack, good jobs were basically impossible to get.

Now only three days remained until the deadline. Alpha Jonas's return was her only hope. They had grown up together, and when she was downgraded to Omega because she was too weak, Jonas was the only one who still cared about her. Perhaps, just perhaps, he might be willing to help.

"Take a deep breath, Freya," Vicki gently guided her in her mind, pulling her back from painful memories.

It was her turn next. Freya lifted her dress, preparing to enter the hall.

"Excuse me, miss." A burly security guard blocked her path, looking her over with contempt. "This event is restricted to pack members and invited guests only."

"I am a pack member," Freya lifted her chin. "My name is Freya Gilbert."

"Oh, Beta Matt's daughter, the downgraded one." He sneered. "Sorry, but Omegas can't come to high-class events like this. So. Fuck. Off."

Freya felt blood rush to her head, humiliation and desperation mingling. "I have to get in! I have to talk to Alpha Jonas!"

"Talk to him?" The guard scoffed. "What's an Omega got to say that matters? Everyone knows your father ran off with debts. Trying to latch onto our Alpha now? Fat chance."

Passing pack members began whispering and pointing.

Freya heard their cutting remarks,

"That's her, Beta Matt's pathetic daughter..."

"I heard she’s actually homeless now..."

"Karma’s a bitch, isn't it? Especially with a dad who screwed everyone over..."

The humiliation stung, her dignity trampled in public, but she couldn't afford to care.

"Please, I'm begging you!" Freya's voice broke. "Alpha Jonas knows me—we grew up together! He'll see me. This is urgent!"

The guard, irritated, pushed her away. She lost her balance and fell to the floor, scraping her hand on the ground. Sharp pain shot through her palm. "Don't disturb the other guests. I told you to fuck off!"

Freya huddled on the cold floor as impatient guests streamed past her. Some cruelly stepped on her red dress, leaving muddy footprints. They looked down their noses at her as if she were nothing but an eyesore.

Three days. She had only three days left.

If she couldn't even see Jonas, she truly had nowhere else to turn. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back fiercely. Choking on a sob, she scrambled to her feet, trying to force her way inside.

"Enough of this shit," the guard growled, roughly grabbing her arm and trying to drag her away.

Just then, a staff member in formal attire hurried over, hissing at the guard, "Alpha Jonas is about to make his entrance! What the hell is going on here? Get this mess out of sight—now!"

Hearing Jonas’s name, Freya realized it was now or never. She wrenched herself free from the guard’s grip and rushed toward the banquet hall. "Jonas! I have to see him!"

"You crazy bitch!" The guard and the staff pounced on her, their hands clamping down on her arms like iron vices. "Are you trying to ruin the Alpha’s welcome ceremony?!"

Freya thrashed wildly, her red dress ripping apart with a harsh tearing sound. Then, through all the chaos, a scent hit her. Rich. Intoxicating. Overwhelming. Sandalwood and pine flooded her senses.

Her breath hitched. Her heart hammered against her ribs, pulse thundering in her ears, while Vicki surged within her, restless and wired.

Inside the banquet hall, Alpha Jonas walked gracefully away from a group of admirers. He looked like the epitome of a perfect Alpha—his black hair perfectly styled, his gray suit tailored. Those warm brown eyes and gentle smile reminded Freya of simpler times, when she was still a cherished daughter protected by her Beta family.

"Welcome our Alpha!" Enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd.

Every unmated female in the room was under his spell, and Freya was no different. Throughout her life, Jonas had been more than just a childhood friend; he embodied all her teenage dreams and fantasies.

Suddenly, Vicki let out a deafening howl. "Mate!"

Freya's eyes snapped wide, staring at Jonas. What the hell? No way. Could it really be him?

Pure, desperate joy exploded in her chest. If Jonas was truly her fated mate, she was saved! He would never reject her! She'd be protected as an Alpha's mate. Those crushing debts? Gone. The threats, the humiliation, the fear—all of it would vanish like a bad dream.

And the best part? She'd always been in love with him!

But as Jonas moved through the crowd, that intoxicating scent didn't get stronger. It didn't follow his movements. Confused, Freya looked around.

"Good evening, everyone," Jonas's commanding voice carried throughout the room. "Thank you all for such a grand welcome ceremony."

That's when Freya spotted him—another man near the side entrance, and her world instantly tilted on its axis.

He was a towering, imposing Alpha in a bespoke black suit, with tawny hair and cold, piercing eyes. He was devastatingly handsome but looked lethal. He gave off a dangerous, oppressive aura that made people bow their heads in fear. On his arm was an elegant brunette woman; together they looked like models from a fashion spread.

When this unknown Alpha's gaze locked onto hers, he dropped his companion’s hand without a second thought and walked straight toward Freya.

Each step made that scent grow more intense, nearly suffocating her.

"Alpha, the party's already started," a guard tried to block his path, his voice trembling.

The Alpha didn't even glance at him, stopping right in front of Freya.

Paralyzed by fear, the guards who had been pinning Freya down instantly released their grip, scrambling backward to get away from the crushing Alpha aura rolling off him.

Up close, Freya could see his sharp jawline and the possessive look in his blue eyes.

Freya felt her knees buckle under the weight of his stare.

She dropped to her knees. She raised her head and looked up at him.

Not Jonas. This stranger. This powerful, terrifying man was her fated mate.

She couldn't stop herself from whispering the word in front of everyone.

"Mate."