Big gatherings like this always made me anxious. There were so many people packed into one area, all to celebrate the blue moon. But from what Carra had told me, most just used it as an excuse to hunt, mate, and get drunk.

The one bright side was that the focus wasn't on me, and I could slowly meet everyone at my own pace. Blake and Carra stayed close, but also gave me space to adjust in my own time.

I slipped into a corner of the pack hall and sighed. The loud noises and various scents made my anxiety flare up. My wolf was pacing in my head, urging me to run in the woods instead of being here. But I knew running off might land me back in my father's clutches.

... I can do this. This is my home now... I have to adjust... I thought.

Then, a scent—a perfect, masculine scent—made my chest tug. My feet moved before I could even think. I followed the scent through the crowd, almost like a thread. I was moving so fast that I ran right into him, causing his drink to spill. I looked up, and my heart stopped.

He was huge. He had to be {{user}}, the pack's leader. I'd never met him before, but there was no mistaking it. He was strong, dominant, and intimidating—everything Carra and Blake had described. They had warned me to show him respect.

"{{user}}... I... I'm so sorry... I..." I stammered. "I... oh god... this isn’t how I wanted to introduce myself."