Kimberly's POV

"Has he made his appearance?" I asked Mona, my stepsister, as I got up from the bed and walked to the front door.

"Not yet, but he should be here soon." Mona glanced up from her spot by the window.

My brows furrowed, my face stiffened, and my eyes leveled out. I leaned out the door, trying to catch a glimpse of Alpha Derrick Wilson, who was known for making dramatic entrances.

And there he was, walking in with his followers.

As usual, Alpha Derrick wore his black robe, which only added to his intimidating look. His presence was overpowering; everyone seemed to shrink back, shivering as he passed by, too scared to even look him in the eyes.

I quickly stepped back into the room, stealing one more glance at him.

Despite his fearsome reputation, there was something about him that drew me in. His eyes had a certain light, and his face, though stern, carried a gentle warmth that I couldn't quite ignore.

Alpha Derrick was the famous leader of the Night Walker Pack, feared by many. After tonight, he would become the youngest Alpha to control an entire city.

Our Moon Stone Pack owned a part of downtown Perth, dominating all other packs except the Night Walkers. For two years, my father, Alpha Darwin, had been giving Alpha Derrick a portion of everything we had to build an alliance.

To ensure more control, Alpha Derrick asked my father to step back from managing the rest of downtown. Not just that, he also asked for my hand in marriage.

Without hesitation, my father gave me away along with the other half of the city.

After tonight's engagement, I'd be joining the Night Walker Pack, starting a new chapter in my life.

I hoped I wouldn't regret this.

"You're nervous, aren't you?" Mona's voice pulled me back from my reverie. She walked in front of me, her eyes full of concern.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" I rolled my eyes and shrugged. "This whole thing is Dad's doing."

Mona instantly took my hands, squeezing them gently.

"Relax, Kimberly. Tonight is your night. You're the luckiest woman in the world to have Alpha Derrick's heart."

I scoffed, pulling my hands away.

"We both know I didn't win him over. Dad just handed me over like a business deal."

Mona looked at me, her gaze soft but firm.

"Alpha Derrick isn't like that. He wouldn't have agreed if he didn't have some feelings for you."

"Feelings?" I laughed bitterly. "He just wants the city, not me. If he cares about anything, it's the power that comes with it."

Mona shook her head. "No... You know he's not driven by self-interest. He's a leader who puts others first."

"You sure sound like you know him well," I teased, and we both laughed. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that Mona knew more about Derrick than I did.

"You messed up your makeup," Mona noticed, wiping the smudged mascara from under my eyes.

"You should look perfect for him tonight."

"Thanks…" I managed a small smile as she fixed my makeup. Despite being three years younger, Mona often acts like the older sister, always looking out for me.

When I first had my shift under the full moon at eighteen, Mona, though only fourteen at the time, stayed with me the entire night. She wasn't scared at all; in fact, she playfully tugged at my wolf's tail until she fell asleep.

Now, I'm twenty-one, and she's seventeen. I'm excited for her eighteenth birthday, her first shift, and the chance to meet her mate.

"I'm going to miss you so much," I whispered, the words slipping out without me even realizing.

Mona pulled me into a tight hug. "I'll miss you more. But remember, I'll always love you and be there for you."

I felt my cheeks heat up, and I pulled back, brushing her hair lightly. "Will-"

Luna Catherine, Mona's mother, suddenly barged in, cutting me off.

"Why are you still here?" she snapped, her brows furrowed. "Kimberly, you need to get downstairs now!"

"Mom!" Mona shot her a glare.

"Alright, Mom-I mean, ma'am," I corrected myself quickly.

Luna Catherine hated it when I called her mom, though it was hard not to. I'd called her that for years until she asked me to stop.

My real mother died when I was three, and my father, as Alpha, remarried quickly to keep the pack stable.

Luna Catherine was loving at first, but after Mona was born, everything changed. She seemed to resent me, maybe because my father always doted on me. She saw me as competition for his attention, wanting it all for Mona.

Mona, though, was nothing like her mother. She's always been sweet, treating me like a true sister. We couldn't stand to be apart for long.

"I still don't know why your father chose you," Luna Catherine sneered, her words stinging more than I expected.

I clutched the white dress in my hands, fighting back tears. Even though I was used to her harsh words, this one hurt deeply.

Truthfully, I didn't feel worthy of being Alpha Derrick's mate. He was everything I wasn't-strong, confident, and admired by everyone.

I was just the girl who never found her mate after her first shift, a rarity in our pack where most she-wolves find their mates right away.

"There's still time to back out," Luna Catherine muttered, looking at me with disdain. "You can save yourself the embarrassment."

I clenched my fists as I nodded my head. "I'm sorry."

"That's enough, Mom!" Mona interjected, glaring at her. Luna Catherine rolled her eyes and left the room, muttering under her breath.

"Don't let her words get to you, Kim," Mona said softly, turning to me. "You're beautiful."

"Thanks, Mona." I forced a smile.

I wasn't going to let Luna Catherine's words ruin this night for me. I hadn't experienced what it was like to have a mate yet, and I was desperate for that connection everyone else talked about.

I was hoping tonight would be different.

"Let's go before Dad starts looking for us," I said, taking a deep breath.

Mona nodded and led the way out of the room. My heart pounded in my chest as we walked down the hall towards the main gathering.

The pack house was buzzing with activity, new faces from the city mingling to the sound of music.

I spotted my father first, busy negotiating with the other Alphas gathered around a large table. I scanned the room, feeling a pang of anxiety. Alpha Derrick wasn't there.

"Where could he be?" I muttered, scanning the crowd.

"Huh?" Mona looked at me, confused. "Who are you looking for?"

"Alpha Derrick. He's not here."

Mona smiled and pointed behind me. "Look, he's over there."

I turned around slowly, and my breath caught in my throat. Alpha Derrick's piercing blue eyes met mine for the first time.

Goosebumps ran down my arms, and I couldn't look away. It felt like his gaze had trapped me, holding me in place.

He was even more stunning up close. A tall, muscular figure with broad shoulders and an effortlessly handsome face. He was exactly the kind of man I had always dreamed of.

"Kimberly!"

Mona's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, then I realized Alpha Derrick is just a step away from where I stood. Glaring at me.

"I… I'm Kimberly," I stammered, waving awkwardly at him.

Alpha Derrick's expression immediately soured slightly, and he didn't seem impressed. I could feel my hand hanging awkwardly in the air as he stared at me.

His eyes held a hint of annoyance, making me question what was going on.

"Who is this?" Derrick finally spoke, turning to one of his followers with a glare.

My heart sank at his words. He referred to me as "this," and I felt a pang of regret.

My wolf stirred inside me, angry at the disrespect, but I kept her in check. We didn't stand a chance against the strongest Alpha in the city.

Before I could respond, Mona stepped forward boldly, her eyes flashing with defiance.

"She's my sister, and you're going to be engaged to her soon!"

I stared at her in shock, not believing what she had just done.

"What are you doing, Mona?" I hissed, quickly pulling her behind me. I turned to Alpha Derrick, bowing my head.

"I'm sorry for her behavior."

Alpha Derrick chuckled, stepping closer. I froze, unable to move as he reached out and lifted my chin with his fingers.

My heart skipped a beat at his touch, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from his.

'What is he doing? Is he testing me?' I wondered, my thoughts racing.

"I think she's lovely," Alpha Derrick announced loudly, his voice echoing in the hall, drawing all attention to us.

"I'm choosing her to be my mate."

I felt a surge of warmth at his words, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. But then, to my utter shock, he shoved me away.

He pulled Mona forward, raising her hand high. "She will be my future Luna."