Emily's POV.

"Ple-e-e-a-se, Emily!" Mila, my best friend, begged over the link. "I really want to go!"

"I'm not standing in your way, Mila. You are welcome to go and attend the pack dance," I linked back. "Go and have some fun with Jax."

Jax was Mila's mate, and even though we got along just fine, I always felt like a third wheel, tangling long.

"But you know it wouldn't be the same if you weren't there!" Mila sulked, her voice quivering. "And you owe me one!"

I sighed, annoyed.

I knew she would draw the "you owe me one card" sooner rather than later to force me to go.

The only reason I owed her was that I needed to copy her homework when my shift ended late. I was exhausted that night and had even skipped dinner.

"So you are cashing in on a favor I owe you?" I growled, frustrated.

"Is it working?" she asked, giggling.

I pinched the top of my nose, shaking my head—this friend of mine! She knew exactly how to manipulate me into saying yes!

Mila and I had been friends since kindergarten, but we only became best friends recently. She was the only friend I had left after my birthday.

I internally sighed as tears welled up in my eyes.

I had lost all of my friends and the respect of the pack in one night.

"You are the world's worst best friend," I growled. "You know that!"

"Does that mean you consider going?" she chirped, hopeful.

"Yeah," I replied sourly. "But I'm not staying out late. I have training in the morning!"

Mila squealed out of joy over the link.

"Deal!" she said, letting out another high-pitched squeal. "I'll see you in a bit!"

"Whatever!" I said, closing the link and plopping down on my bed.

It wasn't that I didn't want to go to the pack dance—I love dancing—it was just that I felt kind of strange, as if something was about to happen.

I knew it couldn't be my wolf; I didn't have one, and my parents, including Alpha Cole, believed that I was just a late bloomer.

I, on the other hand, believed that I was punished by the goddess and would not get one.

I sighed, closing my eyes.

I wish I had shifted on my birthday. I wish I had a wolf like the rest of the pack members.

I could just imagine how beautiful she would be—big and strong, and her fur silver under the full moon. She would have a no-nonsense attitude and wouldn't submit to anyone, including Alphas.

But that was just a dream, not my reality.

My mind drifted off to all the possibilities of having a wolf.

Maybe then the pack wouldn't see me as more than just a misfit or a liability.

Maybe then I could claim my rank as Beta.

A knock sounded at my door, and my eyes flew open. I turned my gaze disoriented toward the alarm clock on my desk.

7 p.m.

My eyes widened. I was late!

"Emily?" Mila's worried voice came from the door. "Are you in there?"

"Sh*t!" I growled, jumping off the bed and rushing towards the door.

Another knock, this time more urgently, echoed through my quiet room.

"Yeah," I said, rubbing my eyes as I opened the door.

Mila knitted her eyebrows together, and her gaze silently moved over me.

"Why are you not dressed and ready?" She shrieked, disappointed.

"Sorry," I muttered. "I fell asleep."

Mila rolled her eyes at me and sighed.

"Come on," she said, dragging me back into the room. "We had better get you ready. We only have a few minutes before we'll need to leave, or else we'll be late!"

Mila's eyes glazed over—probably linking Jax to telling him I was late—again.

"What are you waiting for, girl?" Mila barked when I didn't move. "Get your ass in the shower now!"

I took a deep breath, grabbed my towel, and stalked toward the bathroom.

Ten minutes later, I was back in my room.

"Get dressed," Mila ordered, handing me a short, knee-length dress.

"There is no way I am wearing that!" I snapped, pointing at the dress.

"Oh, yes, you are!" she said, "Get dressed! We have a party to attend!"

"It's a bloody pack dance, Mila, not prom!" I argued.

"It's not just any pack dance, Emily," she said adamantly. "Don't you know whose back?"

"Who?" I asked, folding my arms around my waist. Did I miss the pack memo?

Mila sighed, giving me a look of annoyance, pushed me down on the chair, and started drying my hair.

"Alexander is back," she said.

I froze in my seat, hearing Alex's name.

I had a huge crush on him for as long as I could remember, as did every other unmated she-wolf.

He never seemed to notice me, and he always had the most beautiful or popular she-wolves on his arm.

It broke my heart, but I believe that one day he will eventually notice me and see me for me.

I sighed as I remembered the day Alex left for Alpha training—that was two years ago.

I felt miserable and cried myself to sleep. I was even heartbroken when I found out that he wasn't allowed to visit the pack during the holidays.

"Alpha Cole's son?" I asked carefully; by this time, Alex must have found his mate.

Mila's green eyes lit up in excitement.

"Yes," she said, grabbing my brush.

"When did he return?" I asked, feeling a knot form in my throat.

"This morning," she answered, and she caught my gaze in the mirror. "This is his welcome-back party, Em."

My stomach felt as if someone had turned it upside down.

Alexander was back.

Alexander Black, the boy whom I had a major crush on, has returned to his pack.

"Mila, I think I should take a rain check on the pack dance." I slowly said.

Mila narrowed her eyes.

"Aren't you curious about what he looks like now?" She asked, confused. "We haven't seen him in a while! He must look different from all his intensive training at Alpha Camp."

"Yes, but..."

"Besides," Mila cut me off. "Alpha Cole has arranged the welcome-back party in hopes that Alexander will find his fated mate. He is due to become Alpha soon, and without his mate, he can't claim the Alpha title."

I kept quiet.

I wasn't Luna material. I was barely a warrior, and I knew Alex needed a beautiful and strong Luna to rule at his side. The likelihood of me fitting into those criteria was slim.

"Come on!" Mila said, excitedly. "It will be fun!"

Half an hour later, I was fully dressed in the black dress that Mila had picked for me.

"Let's go!" she said, grabbing my arm and pulling me out of the room.

What occurred at the pack dance would haunt me for the rest of my life.

Emily's POV.

The trip down to the pack house was quicker than I had hoped, and before I knew it, Jax stopped the car in front of the pack house.

Jax got out of the car and went around, opening the car door for Mila. He held his hand out and carefully helped his mate from the car.

"Mila, my love," Jax said, kissing the top of her hand. "I will be right back. Wait for me!"

My heart pinched at the tenderness of his voice. He spoke to her with so much love and care.

Mila nodded her head, and Jax got back in the car and drove off.

Two minutes later, the dark-headed wolf appeared next to Mila.

"Ready?" he asked, taking her hands in his.

Mila giggled like a typical schoolgirl and blushed.

I turned my gaze away, giving them some privacy.

Some days I wish I had what Mila and Jax had. Their love for one another was so tender and unconditional.

A small smile followed at the corners of my lips, remembering the night Mila found out Jax was her mate.

We were all in the clearing, waiting for her to shift, when the single word 'mate' slipped from her lips.

Jax came forward, answering her call. He knew all along that Mila was his mate. He found out the year before and kept it a secret while keeping a watchful eye on her.

My gaze moved to where the two lovebirds stood. The tall, dark-headed wolf had his arms around his blond and beautiful mate and his lips devouring hers.

Mila was the first to pull away, turning her gaze toward me and blushing.

"I'm sorry," she said. "We can't help it!"

I nodded, smiled, and got closer.

"I am used to it by now," I said, gesturing between the two of them. "No worries."

Jax's gaze moved toward the huge double doors and back to us.

"They are about to start," he announced.

Mila took my hand, and the three of us headed together toward the entrance.

The same unholy feeling crept up inside me, and my heart rate increased, warning me I shouldn't be there—I shouldn't have come.

We came to a stop a couple of feet from the door, and Jax let go of Mila's hand, opening the door.

I took a deep breath, trying to get my racing heart under control and force my anxiety aside.

As soon as Jax pushed the double door open, a scent so intoxicating hit my nostrils—apple crumble.

It was the most delicious scent I have ever smelled.

My mouth watered to have a taste of it.

The scent suddenly started to smother me, and I felt dizzy. I took an unwilling step back, turning my face away from the smell and seeking fresh air.

"What the hell?" I muttered to myself.

Mila turned to look at me, and concern crossed her eyes.

"Are you alright?" Jax asked worryingly.

"I-I-I don't know," I stuttered nervously.

"What's wrong?" Mila asked.

"There is this sweet smell of apple crumble coming from inside. It's overwhelming," I explained.

Mila knitted her eyebrows together, confused, and lifted her nose to the air, taking a whiff.

"I don't smell anything," she said a moment later. "Do you?" She asked, turning her gaze to Jax.

Jax, in return, shook his head.

"I don't smell anything out of the ordinary," he said.

"Maybe the kitchen is making some pies and desserts," Mila offered as an explanation. "Alpha Cole did mention that he was going out of his way to welcome Alexander back."

I nodded, and the scent suddenly cleared, giving me room to breathe.

I followed Mila and Jax into the pack house and down to the community room.

The community room was a huge room where we mostly had functions and packed meetings; tonight it looked more like a ballroom fit for a king.

"Wow!" Mila gasped, "It's Wow!"

"It's something, alright," I said, moving my gaze up the walls to the roof. Alpha Cole surely decorated the place beautifully.

We were just in time to see Alpha Cole leave the stage, and seconds later, the music started again.

I moved my gaze over the sea of people, hoping to get a glimpse of Alex, but he was nowhere to be found.

Did he leave already?

"Let's go dance," Mila said, interrupting my thoughts and grabbing my hand.

We were on the dance floor for about an hour when Mila said she wanted to go to the ladies' room.

"Jax, baby, we will be right back!" Mila shouted above the music.

He nodded, and we headed toward the exit.

"It seems like you are enjoying yourself after all," Mila said when we were in the hallway.

"You know I love dancing," I said. I felt more myself, and my anxiety was long gone.

"Yeah, I know," Mila chirped, seriously. "You do know that every unmated wolf was checking you!"

I was taken aback by her words. I didn't even notice that people were looking at me.

"Well, if they are," I said sourly. "They are chicken sh*t for not asking me to dance."

"Maybe it's for the best," Mila said, pushing the ladies' room door open. "We both know you are way better than them."

I couldn't help but smile. Mila always knew how to cheer me up.

I watched Mila disappear into the bathroom while I waited for her outside. The pack members came and went, ignoring my existence—they didn't even glance at me.

Some days I wish people would just notice me. I didn't disappear. I was still there and part of the pack.

A group of ten young adults passed me next, heading toward the exit of the building. They were my friends before my birthday. I used to be part of that group, and my Beta rank made me popular too.

I sighed.

"Don't beat yourself up." Mila's soft voice sounded behind me, and I froze. "They are not worth your tears."

Did she see the longing and sadness in my eyes?

Don't get me wrong; it wasn't that I didn't appreciate Mila's friendship—I did. I treasured our friendship. It stung to be shunned and turned away from my friends because I did not have a wolf.

Why was I part of a pack that didn't accept me the way I was?

My heart pinched, and my hands flew to my chest. The painful feeling made me feel numb inside.

"Em, are you coming?" Mila asked, taking my hand.

I lifted my gaze, and Mila smiled kindly at me, wiping the warm tears from my face that I didn't know had spilled over.

"Do you want to go home?" she asked, concerned.

I shook my head. If I went home now, my parents would think that something had happened, and I wasn't in the mood to answer their questions.

"No," I whispered. "I'll be fine. Just give me a minute."

Mila softly patted my shoulder, giving me time to gather myself.

"Feeling better?" she asked, and I gave her a weak smile, reading the pity in her eyes.

"Good," she said, and I slowly followed her back to the community room, but just as we passed the double doors going out to the gardens, I froze in my tracks.

It was as if everything inside me screamed to be outside.

"What's wrong, Em?" Mila asked, looking back at the door. "What are you looking at?"

I slowly turned my gaze to meet hers, and her hands flew to her lips as she gasped, taking a step back.

"Nothing," I said, my voice sounding higher than usual in my ears. "I just need to go check something. I'll meet up with you in just a few minutes!"

Mila blinks a couple of times before she reacts. She then turned on her heels and dashed off toward the community center, as if someone were chasing her.

As soon as she was out of sight, I turned toward the door.

What happened next left my world spinning out of control.