Chapter 1
Things you need to know before you read it:
- In this book, mates are chosen.
Alpha Luca’s POV
The steady sound of weights clanking echoed through the private gym of the Obsidian Moon Pack mansion. Alpha Luca’s shirtless torso gleamed with sweat as he pushed through another set of reps, his muscles flexing with each movement. The burn in his arms and chest was satisfying—a rare moment of focus amidst the constant demands of running one of the strongest and fastest-growing packs in the world.
A sudden knock at the door barely fazed him. He knew who it was before she even spoke.
“Luca, I need you to drop Ben off at nursery today,” his sister Emma said as she entered, her heels clicking against the floor. She was dressed for business, her expression urgent. “I have a really important meeting and won’t be able to. I need to leave now.”
Luca put down the weights, rolling his shoulders before turning to her. “Yeah, I’ll drop him off. I have some time this morning.”
His nephew, Ben, looked up at him with excitement, his tiny backpack slung over his shoulders. The kid practically worshiped him.
Emma exhaled in relief and pressed a quick kiss to Ben’s cheek. “Have a good day, baby. I love you.”
Ben giggled. “Love you too, Mommy!”
With that, Emma was gone, rushing back upstairs and out the door.
Luca looked down at Ben, who was grinning up at him. “You have breakfast yet?”
“Yes,” Ben said, then hesitated before adding with a cheeky smile, “but I’d like some pancakes, please.”
Luca smirked, ruffling the kid’s hair. “You’re pushing your luck, kid.”
Ben only grinned wider.
Luca called out to one of the maids. “Tell the cook to make some pancakes for Ben.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Ben pumped his tiny fist in victory before running toward the dining table. Luca shook his head in amusement.
“I’m gonna take a quick shower,” he told his nephew. “Eat your pancakes, and we’ll head out after.”
“Yes, Uncle!” Ben said eagerly.
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April’s POV
April woke up early, as she always did, relishing the quiet before the world woke up. She moved through the kitchen, making French toast and fresh orange juice. After plating her own, she left some for her roommate, Jess, before heading out for work.
The nursery was separate from the main school, and she liked arriving before the rush. It gave her time to prepare for the day ahead.
Her assistant, Rikki, was already there, casually scrolling through her phone after finishing her morning tasks.
April sipped her coffee as she organized supplies. The peace lasted until the buzzer at the door sounded.
When she opened it, a familiar little face grinned up at her. “Ben! You’re very early today.”
Then she looked up.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Standing behind Ben was none other than Alpha Luca.
April had seen him before—from afar at pack events, in newsletters, in formal gatherings—but never up close. Never like this.
He was even more dominating in person. He towered over her, exuding pure authority. His sharp, chiseled features were striking, but it was his eyes—those piercing green eyes—that made her breath hitch. His shirt clung to his powerful frame, the defined muscles beneath straining against the fabric.
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Luca adjusted the sleeves of his black dress shirt as he stepped into his nephew’s nursery. The room smelled of paint, paper, and something sweet—like vanilla and wildflowers. His sharp green eyes scanned the space, but they immediately locked onto the woman standing before him.
April.
She was undeniably beautiful—long brunette hair, big blue eyes framed by thick lashes, and lips that looked like they were meant to be kissed. His wolf stirred inside him, intrigued.
“A-Alpha?” she blurted, her heart thudding in her chest.
Ben, oblivious to the tension, beamed. “Miss April, this is my uncle Luca!”
She swallowed hard, pulling her gaze away from the Alpha’s intense stare. She knelt to help Ben with his coat and guided him to a table, giving him some paper and crayons to keep him occupied.
Then, slowly, she turned back to Luca.
“My sister had something important, so I dropped him off this morning,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.
April nodded. “I—I’m his nursery teacher, April. And class starts at 8:30.”
“Noted.”
Her fingers curled against her skirt as she tried to remain professional, but it was impossible to ignore the way her body responded to him. The sheer power radiating off him was intoxicating.
Luca smirked slightly as her eyes flickered over his form, lingering on his broad shoulders and the way his shirt clung to his muscles. She tried to hide it, but he could hear the slight hitch in her breath. More importantly, he could smell it—her arousal.
She was attracted to him.
The realization sparked something primal within him.
She cleared her throat. “Pick-up is usually at three—”
“You’re aroused,” Alpha Luca stated bluntly.
April’s entire body went hot.
Her eyes widened in horror, her breath catching as embarrassment flooded her.
“No—I mean yes—I… I’m sorry.”” She clamped her mouth shut, knowing there was no point in denying it. He was an Alpha. He could smell it.
Luca smirked, stepping closer. “There’s nothing to be sorry about.” His voice was smooth, laced with something dangerous. “In fact, I’d like to take you up on that.”
She stared at him. “Huh?”
“You want me,” he said, voice low and confident. “I want you. No strings. No expectations.”
April’s lips parted, stunned into silence.
A war waged inside her. Logic told her to be sensible—this was the Alpha. But another part of her, the part that had been craving something exciting, something reckless, whispered… Why not?
She hesitated. “But Ben…”
Luca’s eyes flicked toward his nephew, who was busy coloring, completely oblivious to the tension crackling between them. “He’s occupied.”
April turned to Rikki. “Can you keep an eye on Ben? I need to step out for a moment.”
Rikki raised a brow but shrugged. “Sure.”
April turned back to Luca. His smirk deepened. She knew exactly what she was doing, and so did he.
She turned and walked briskly down the hall, the Alpha following close behind.
At the storeroom, she punched in the six-digit code, the door clicking open. She stepped inside, her heart hammering as he followed, closing the door behind them.
Luca turned to face her, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. His voice was dark, teasing.
“Just before we start,” he murmured, stepping closer, “you should know—I don’t do relationships. This is strictly no strings attached.”
April’s breath caught.
“I guess we’re on the same page, then.”
Before she could say another word, his mouth crashed against hers.
April gasped, but she didn’t resist. His hands gripped her waist, lifting her effortlessly as her legs wrapped around his torso. He pressed her against the wall, his body heat overwhelming her senses.
She tangled her fingers in his thick, dark hair, nails scraping against his scalp as a deep growl rumbled from his chest.
“Alpha…” she whispered breathlessly.
“Luca” he said
“Luca…” she repeated
His name on her lips sent something wild through him. He wanted to consume her, to feel her fully surrender to him.
No strings. No expectations.
Just pure, raw pleasure.
And he was going to make sure she felt every bit of it.
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