Maya woke up with Luna Evelyn's warning still ringing in her ears. Today was the day Liam would return, and for some reason, that thought made her stomach twist into knots.
She got dressed quickly and headed to the training grounds earlier than usual. Maybe some exercise would clear her head.
"You're up early," Caleb said, joining her with two cups of hot tea. "Thinking about what Luna said?"
Maya took a cup gratefully. "Yes. Why would she warn me about Liam's return? It doesn't make sense."
Caleb shrugged. "The alpha's son has always been trouble. Remember when he pushed Sam into the river last winter?"
"Or when he made those younger kids fight each other for his entertainment," Maya added with a scowl. "That's why I can't figure out Luna's warning. What does Liam have to do with me turning eighteen?"
Before Caleb could answer, they heard excited voices coming from the main grounds. Maya's sharp hearing picked up the words "he's back" and "alpha's son."
"Looks like the royal pain has returned," Caleb muttered.
Maya's curiosity got the better of her. "Let's go see."
They jogged toward the commotion. A crowd had gathered near the alpha's house. In the center stood Alpha Marcus with his hand on the shoulder of a tall young man.
Maya's breath caught in her throat. Liam had changed during his six-month journey. He was taller, broader, with muscles that showed even under his black t-shirt. His dark hair was longer now, falling across his forehead. But his eyes were the same - piercing blue and overflowing with confidence.
"My son has completed his solo training," Alpha Marcus announced proudly. "He returns stronger, ready to one day lead this pack."
The crowd cheered. Maya didn't join in.
"He doesn't look any different to me," she whispered to Caleb. "Still has that smug look."
As if he'd heard her, Liam's eyes suddenly snapped to Maya's. The moment their gazes locked, a strange jolt shot through Maya's body. She nearly stumbled backward.
"What was that?" she gasped, placing a hand over her racing heart.
Liam's eyes widened slightly. Had he felt it too? But then his surprised look turned into his familiar smirk, and he turned away to accept congratulations from the pack members.
"Are you okay?" Caleb asked, steadying her with a hand on her arm.
"Fine," Maya lied. "Just... surprised to see him back, that's all."
After the welcome ceremony, Maya tried to focus on her training, but her mind kept wandering back to that strange moment. Why had looking at Liam affected her that way?
"You're distracted today," Helen commented as Maya missed an easy block. "That's not like you."
"Sorry," Maya said. "I'll do better."
By mid-afternoon, Maya decided to take a break. She headed to her favorite spot - a small clearing near the creek where she could be alone with her thoughts. As she approached, she heard voices.
"Come on, it's easy. Just do it!"
Maya recognized that voice immediately. Liam.
She crept closer and peeked through the bushes. Liam stood with his arms crossed, watching three younger boys who looked about twelve years old. One of them was trying to cross the creek on a narrow, slippery log while the others watched nervously.
"I don't want to," the boy said, his voice shaking. "The water's too fast."
"Are you a wolf or a chicken?" Liam taunted. "If you can't do this, how will you ever be strong enough for this pack?"
The boy took another shaky step on the log. It wobbled dangerously.
Maya had seen enough. She burst from the bushes and stormed toward them.
"Get off that log right now!" she called to the boy, who gratefully scrambled back to solid ground.
Liam turned, surprise flashing across his face before it settled into irritation. "Well, if it isn't Maya the protector. Always sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
"And you're still pushing around kids half your size," Maya shot back, stepping between him and the boys. "Go on," she told the younger wolves. "Go back to the pack grounds."
They didn't need to be told twice. They ran off, shooting grateful looks at Maya.
Liam's eyes narrowed. "You've got some nerve, interrupting me on my first day back."
"You've got some nerve, acting like a bully the minute you return," Maya retorted. "I thought maybe your journey would have changed you."
Liam stepped closer. He was almost a head taller than Maya now, forcing her to look up to meet his eyes. Those startling blue eyes that somehow made her pulse quicken despite her anger.
"What I do is none of your business," he said, his voice dangerously soft.
"It is when you're hurting others," Maya replied, refusing to back down. "A true leader protects the weak, not torments them."
Something flashed in Liam's eyes - was it hurt? But it was gone so quickly Maya thought she'd imagined it.
"You know nothing about being a leader," he growled.
"I know enough to see you'll be a terrible one if you keep this up," Maya shot back.
Liam moved even closer, and that strange feeling returned - like electricity running through Maya's veins. They were only inches apart now, their angry breaths mingling in the air between them.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Liam whispered suddenly, his voice changing.
Maya stepped back, confused. "Feel what?"
A slow, knowing smile spread across Liam's face. "You'll find out soon enough."
Before Maya could respond, a voice called from behind them.
"Maya! There you are!" Caleb jogged up, then stopped short when he saw Liam. "Oh. Him."
"Caleb," Liam nodded coldly. "Still following Maya around like a lost puppy, I see."
Caleb's hands curled into fists, but Maya put a calming hand on his arm.
"He's not worth it," she said. "Let's go."
As they turned to leave, Liam called after them. "See you at the bonfire tonight, Maya. I have a feeling it's going to be... interesting."
Back at the pack grounds, Maya tried to push the encounter from her mind, but Liam's words kept echoing. What had he meant? What was she supposed to be feeling?
"You should stay away from him," Caleb advised as they helped set up for the evening bonfire. "Liam's always been trouble."
"Trust me, I'm not looking to spend time with him," Maya assured him.
As darkness fell, the pack gathered around the huge bonfire in the center of their grounds. It was tradition to have a celebration when a pack member returned from their solo journey.
Maya sat with her family, trying not to watch as Liam mingled with the pack members, accepting their good wishes. He looked so at ease, so confident - nothing like the angry boy at the creek earlier.
Alpha Marcus stood and raised his hands for silence. "Tonight we celebrate my son's return. Liam has proven himself worthy of his future role as alpha."
The pack cheered. Maya resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"And as is our tradition," Marcus continued, "the full moon brings possibilities of new bonds. Any wolf who has turned eighteen may find their mate tonight."
Maya froze, remembering Luna's warning. Her eyes shot to Liam, who was already looking at her with that same knowing smirk.
Suddenly, Alpha Marcus gestured for Liam to join him. "My son has something to announce."
Liam stood tall beside his father, his gaze sweeping the crowd until it landed on Maya. The smile that spread across his face sent chills down her spine.
"During my journey," Liam said, his voice carrying across the silent crowd, "I had a vision. I saw my future mate."
Whispers erupted among the pack. Finding one's mate through a vision was rare and considered a powerful sign.
Maya's heart pounded so hard she was sure everyone could hear it. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
"Tonight," Liam continued, his eyes never leaving Maya's face, "under this full moon, I will claim what's mine."
The crowd murmured in excitement, wondering who the lucky girl might be.
But Maya knew. Somehow, she knew. The strange feeling when their eyes met, Luna's warning, the electricity between them at the creek - it all made terrible sense now.
As if drawn by an invisible force, Liam began walking through the crowd, straight toward her. Each step he took made the strange sensation in her chest grow stronger.
No, Maya thought desperately. Not him. Anyone but him.
But as Liam stopped directly in front of her, the truth became undeniable. The pack fell silent, all eyes on them.
"Maya," Liam said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "you are my mate."
The world seemed to stop spinning. Maya looked into the eyes of the pack bully, the boy she'd despised for years, and felt the mate bond snap into place between them like a chain.
And in that moment, Maya knew her life would never be the same again.