Kael strides into the ballroom, and it feels like the air shifts.
He’s breathtaking, his dark suit perfectly tailored to his broad, muscular frame, his sharp jawline and piercing steel-grey eyes commanding attention. His silver hair shimmers under the lights, like threads of moonlight woven into perfection, adding an almost otherworldly allure to his presence. There’s something about the way he moves, effortless yet powerful, that draws every eye in the room. Even the murmurs of the guests falter as they turn to watch him, awestruck by his Alpha presence.
I can’t look away. My heart flutters, and as if in response, my wolf Eira stirs, her presence brushing against my mind like a warm breeze. Her purr vibrates through me, soft and satisfied, as Kael strides into the room. My pulse quickens, and I press a hand to my chest, trying to steady myself.
“Happy birthday, Talia,” Eira says, her voice rich and soothing, filled with a warmth that comforts me.
“Eira…” My voice wavers in my head. “You’re… here.”
“Of course I’m here,” she says, her purr deepening. “You’re eighteen today. This is a special day. Destiny awaits you, Talia. You’ll find your mate tonight. I can feel it.”
Her words hit me like a thunderclap, and I shake my head slightly, my heart thudding painfully. “No, Eira. Look at me. I don’t belong here. I don’t deserve—”
“Enough.” Her voice sharpens, cutting through my self-doubt. “Do not speak of yourself that way. You are more deserving than you know, Talia. You’re beautiful, fierce, and worthy of greatness.”