Arden Blackwood was a legend at West Crest University.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dangerous in a way no one could explain.
People said he had eyes like a storm and a voice that could break rules written in stone.
But no one knew the truth.
He wasn't just powerful.
He wasn't just feared.
He was Alpha of the Blackwood Pack — a title that came with blood, dominance, and a destiny he never asked for.
And she walked into his life on an ordinary Tuesday.
Mira Hale.
A college girl with soft eyes, messy notebooks, coffee-stained sweaters, and zero idea that supernatural creatures walked on her campus.
She didn't know wolves existed.
She didn't know she had stepped directly into the path of one.
Arden smelled her before he saw her.
The moment she crossed the courtyard, the wind carried her scent—warm, sweet, something he couldn't name but felt deep in his bones.
His heart slammed against his ribs.
Mate.
The word echoed through him like a command.
But she had no idea who he was.
What he was.
Mira turned a corner and collided with his chest. Her books scattered. Arden caught her wrist instantly, the touch sending heat ripping through him.
"S-sorry," she breathed, looking up.
Arden froze.
Her eyes were wide, innocent, unaware of the world she'd just stepped into.
She didn't flinch under his gaze—everyone else did.
She didn't look away—everyone else did.
He swallowed hard, voice gravelly. "You should watch where you're going."
"I didn't expect someone to be standing right in the middle of the walkway," she said, a little annoyed.
Arden's lips twitched. No one talked to him like that.
"You're new."
"You're intense," she shot back.
He stared at her—really stared.
Her pulse fluttered under her skin.
Her cheeks turned pink.
She didn't understand why her heart raced when he stepped closer.
She didn't know it was because her body recognized him even if her mind didn't.
"You have no idea who I am, do you?" he murmured.
"No," she said honestly. "Should I?"
Arden leaned in.
"No," he whispered. "And that might be the only thing keeping you safe."
Mira blinked, confused. "From what?"
Arden forced himself back, using every ounce of control not to drag her into his arms.
"From me."
But the universe didn't care about his restraint.
That night, when Mira walked home through the quiet campus path, she heard something in the trees.
A low growl.
Slow, heavy footsteps.
The air thickened with danger.
"Hello?" she whispered, fear creeping up her spine.
A wolf—huge, dark, eyes glowing silver—stepped into the moonlight.
Too big.
Too intelligent.
Too focused on only her.
Mira stumbled back, breath shaking—
Then the wolf shifted.
Bones snapped. Fur receded. Light flashed.
And Arden stood there instead, bare-chested, fierce, eyes still glowing like the beast inside him.
Mira's lips parted. "Arden… what—what are you?"
He walked toward her slowly, like approaching something precious that could break.
"I'm your Alpha," he said quietly.
"And you… Mira Hale… are my mate."
Her heartbeat thundered.
Her knees nearly gave out.
The night wrapped around them like a secret.
"I don't understand," she whispered.
"You don't have to," Arden said, reaching out, brushing a finger along her jaw.
"I'll teach you everything.
I'll protect you from everything.
Even from myself… if I have to."
But the hunger in his eyes said he didn't want to.
Not anymore.