My Hidden Mate

ars

ured. I shook my head in denial, realizing he was slipping away. The fear that d

se to him, gripping his hand ti

her slender figure trembling as she stood next to her mother. Her mother w

them, but the effort only made him cry out louder. Sweat dripped from his forehead and soaked his body, the me

crushing leaves filled the air, accompanied by deep growls and violent thrashing. The chao

st but even his strength couldn't stand up to hundreds o

authority, though weakened by pain. His glowing red eyes lo

please." I begged, my voice breaking. Before I could resist further, I felt Layla's

ves finally emerged, Layla's mother stepped forward, shielding us. She turned back bri

s my dad. Over her shoulder, I caught a fleeting, heartbreaking glimpse of him, a

urring my vision as I cried. Layla dropped to the ground beside me, but she didn't cry.

the pain. My dad was gone, and I'll never see him again, I screamed and crie

s, abandoning the remnants of our pack. Together, we sought refuge on t

ging it down in vain, hoping it would reach my knees. I

pulled the dress from her closet and insisted it was the best choice for me. The way it clung to my hips, accentuating my curves and cleavage, had made

d agreed to tag along still felt surreal. Layla, meanwhile, seemed entirely at ease, typing furiously on

ggy clothes I'd originally planned on. But she was too absorbed in her phone to pay attention. I could have refused outri

onlight Pack was a big deal, an achievement worth celeb

hed the car parked a few steps from the house. Layla's mate, Mark, lean

ed each other in hugs and kisses briefly. Mark's gaze

smile that quickly faded when hi

and together, they looked like a picture-perfect couple. Meanwhile, I was still mate-less, even though I'd turn

le stood outside, sipping drinks and chatting. Tonia is the Beta's daughter and Layla best friends, she had a connecti

s with Mark as they headed toward the entrance. I followed

vibrating through the walls. Layla and Mark disappeared to grab drinks, leaving me standing awkwardly by myself, tryin

walking up to me with a half

No, I'm fine. I do

n playful. "Relax for once. To

iumphantly. "See? That wasn't so hard. Just don't mak

d, dazzling in a red sequined dress.

she asked, glancing at

s is my sister, the one I told you about. And gue

he shook my hand. "That's

alled her name from across the room. She excused herse

nd saw her glaring at her Mark's direction as he chatted with a girl in the corner, without a word she

cool night air was a welcome reprieve from the stifling atmosphe

Layla's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "I wa

air," I replied, finishing

ur first party. But we're here to celebrate you, and we can't do that sitting outside. Beside