Even as a Beta, Valentin had always pushed himself harder than anyone else in the pack. Being born mute meant that every mistake, every hesitation, every weakness felt magnified under the watchful eyes of others. He refused to give anyone the chance to pity him—or worse, doubt him. So he trained longer, fought harder, and ran farther. If the pack expected strength from their Beta, then he would give them nothing less than perfection.

Among wolves, communication wasn’t as difficult as outsiders assumed. The mind-link allowed pack members to share thoughts clearly without speaking. Words weren’t necessary there. Still, in the physical world, the silence clung to him. Meetings, gatherings, celebrations—those were the moments he stayed at the edges, quietly observing while others laughed and talked.

Valentin had grown used to being the silent shadow beside his Alpha.

Thaddeus, his Alpha and closest friend since childhood, had never treated him differently. To Thaddeus, Valentin’s silence was simply another trait, no more defining than the color of his fur. Valentin respected him deeply for that. If Thaddeus gave an order, Valentin followed without hesitation.

Most of Valentin’s days were filled with duty—training the warriors, patrolling the borders, and leading hunts through the deep forest where rogue wolves sometimes wandered too close to pack land. The work kept him busy, and more importantly, it kept his thoughts occupied.

Because thinking too much led him to things he believed were never meant for him.

Like a mate.

Every wolf dreamed of finding their fated partner, but Valentin had long ago convinced himself that fate wouldn’t be that kind to him. What she-wolf would want a mate who couldn’t speak? A Beta who had to rely on mind-link just to communicate something as simple as hello? It was easier not to hope.

Today, however, something felt different.

Another pack was visiting their territory. Alpha business, Thaddeus had said earlier that morning with his usual calm confidence. Valentin hadn’t questioned it, but a strange unease had followed him since he woke up. It sat heavy in his chest, like the forest itself was warning him that something was about to change.

Now he stood near the pack border, tall and still, his sharp eyes fixed on the distant treeline. Behind him, he could feel Thaddeus approaching with a few warriors through the steady hum of the pack bond. Everything was normal.

Until he spotted movement ahead.

Several figures were walking toward them, their silhouettes slowly becoming clearer as they stepped out from between the trees. Valentin immediately recognized the formation—an Alpha leading the group, his Luna at his side, a Beta slightly behind, and a few warriors surrounding them for protection.

Routine.

Expected.

But then a scent drifted through the air.

Valentin’s body went rigid.

It was faint at first, barely noticeable beneath the earthy smells of the forest. But as the wind shifted, the scent grew stronger—warm, sweet, and impossible to ignore.

Cinnamon… and strawberries.

His heart slammed against his ribs as his wolf surged forward inside him.

Mine.

The word echoed instinctively in his mind.

Valentin inhaled sharply, his gaze snapping toward the approaching group again. His eyes scanned them until they landed on her.

She walked a few steps behind the visiting Luna, her movements calm and graceful. Sunlight caught in her hair as she moved, making it shimmer softly. There was a quiet confidence in the way she carried herself, as if she belonged exactly where she was.

And she was the most beautiful she-wolf he had ever seen.

The scent wrapped around him, intoxicating and overwhelming. His pulse quickened as the realization settled heavily in his chest.

Mate.

Valentin stood frozen at the border, unable to look away as she drew closer with every step, completely unaware that she had just turned his entire world upside down.