*Lucca's POV*

Grabbing my keys, I speed walk out of my house and drive as fast as possible to the Silver Woods Pack. Their Alpha, Leon Butler, gave a group of us clearance to enter the pack for Xander's party. As I pass through, I notice the guards eyeing me warily. No doubt they can tell I'm a rogue. Grinning goofily, I flash them my middle finger and drive through the gates towards the house.

I bang on the front door, wiping my palms nervously on my jeans and pray to whatever fucking deity actually exists that Landon won't slaughter me in front of everyone. The door swings open, revealing a very unamused former roommate of mine.

"You're late," Landon scolds me. Ryland, his mate, stands at his side while the guests congregate together in the living room. "He's already here."

I wince apologetically. "Sorry. I had a problem to take care of."

"What kind of problem?"

Smiling weakly, I wave him off. No need to make him feel bad about moving out and leaving me to deal with my unstable wolf. "Nothing you need to worry about. Hey, where's that birthday boy?"

"Lucca!" A head of soft blonde hair pops out from the crowd of guests. Xander smiles as he runs up to me. "You made it!"

"I wouldn't miss one of your birthdays, kid," I grin back, lifting him up into a crushing bear hug. "Happy birthday!"

Squealing, Xander's cheeks turn pink as he kicks his legs and begs me to put him down. I laugh at his cute reaction and obey him, but only because it's his birthday. Being eight years younger than me, I see Xander as the adorable little brother that I always want to protect and make happy.

"Oh! You still haven't met Kai yet, right?" Xander asks, and I tilt my head quizzically.

"Kai?"

"My brother," Ryland fills me in.

"Ah! No, I haven't. Is he here?" I inquire, pausing when I notice a strange tugging sensation at my chest. What the fuck...?

Xander nods and looks around. "He went to the bathroom a while ago but he should be down any second... oh, there he is!"

My eyes follow where Xander is pointing — towards the source of the tugging — and my breath catches in my throat. The world slows down around me, giving my mind the opportunity to think of three fundamental truths within a few mere seconds.

One. The wolf walking down the stairs is hands-down the most stunning creature I've ever seen. His fluffy brown hair flops across his forehead, nearly dipping into his dark, round eyes. Somehow, he's able to be adorable and sexy at the same time. And he's a... he.

Two. Beyond his tantalizing scent of oranges and caramel, I'm able to detect that he's an Omega.

Three. As if my sudden and new connection to him isn't proof enough, Lincoln begins barking, 'Mate!' in my head like crazy. 

My mate.

Hold up, I have a fucking mate?!

The wolf before me has slowed his steps upon seeing me; my surprise mirrored in his shining eyes. Clearly, he wasn't expecting to meet his mate today either.

"Kai?" Xander's voice breaks through my daze. Wait, this is Kai??

"Mate," Kai whispers, staring right at me.

"Wait, what?" Ryland chimes in, brows furrowed in confusion. "What mate? Who...?" 

The group around us follows Kai's lovestruck gaze, which is still focused on me. I've never seen group of people look more shocked in my life. It would've been comical if I wasn't about to lose my fucking mind.

"Shit," the curse slips out as the reality of the situation slams into me.

And Kai smiles wickedly.

~~~