Chapter 1
“Taylor! Breakfast's ready!” Emma called out, flipping the scrambled eggs while pouring two cups of coffee.
Emma was already dressed for work, wearing a black blazer and pants, her strawberry-blonde hair swept up in a high ponytail, makeup perfectly in place.
Taylor shuffled out of her room, her hair a mess, jeans on, but still in her pajama top.
“Jeez, Emma, you sound like my mom.”
"After five years as your roommate, I get where she's coming from," Emma laughed. "Honestly, she deserves a medal for putting up with your morning moods."
"Guess both of you can expect medals for Christmas, then,” Taylor joked, taking a sip of coffee. “You should know by now Emma that I am not a morning person."
"Oh, I know," Emam replied, smirking. "But I can't let you miss work. And I can't head out without waking you up first, or you'd sleep right through the day."
"What would I do without you?" Taylor teased.
“Not much, I imagine," Emma laughed.
Checking her watch, Emma quickly hugged Taylor and grabbed her laptop bag, heading to the door.
“Gotta run. See you tonight at my parents' for dinner?”
"Of course! I wouldn't miss our Thursday night family dinner."
As Emma left, Taylor finished her coffee and breakfast, smiling to herself about the comfortable routines they'd built over the past five years.
Emma and Taylor had been friends since they were ten. They first met at school when Taylor’s family moved to town for a fresh start, and they have been inseparable ever since.
They shared everything; teenage heartbreak, boy troubles, school dramas. After graduating high school, they stayed in their hometown and became roommates. It wasn't easy to convince Emma's family, who lived in the exclusive “Mystic Moon” gated community and hoped their aught who stay there. But together, they managed to persuade everyone.
If opposites attract in friendship, then Emma and Taylor are a perfect match. Emma was the grounded one, the calm presence, always seeking consensus, always the voice of reason. With her tall, graceful figure, alabaster skin and delicate features, she looked almost ethereal, like someone who might grace a magazine cover. Beneath her beautiful exterior, lay the instinct and strength of a werewolf, a truth she guarded carefully. To the outside world, she was a software engineer, and a brilliant one, recently promoted to head of department at just 24.
Taylor, on the other hand, was all fire and impulse. College couldn't contain her; she dropped out after the first year, convinced her heart lay in working with her hands. She'd opened her woodshop with a couple of friends, and together, they'd transformed it into a thriving business.
Taylor didn't need claws or fangs to make her presence known. She had a fierce loyalty and a fearless heart, never hesitating to stand up for the people she loved.
With her rich chocolate caramel hair, big hazel eyes that sparkled with mischief, and infectious energy, Taylor had a magnetic presence that drew people in wherever she went. Though she was shorter and curvier than Emma, and just a human, she was physically stronger.
Later that evening, Taylor sat down to dinner with Emma’s parents and brother.
“So how was work today, Taylor?” Patricia, Emma’s mother, asked.
“No, no, Mom, you should ask her about her love life,” Peter, Emma’s younger brother, teased. “Or better yet, ask her which number she's up to now!”
Mrs. Jackson shot Peter a warning glance. “Behave, kid.”
Taylor smirked. “I'm at number 21 and counting. I'm not giving up. I'll find Mr. Right, just you wait!"
She caught Peter rolling his eyes and couldn’t resist. “Yeah, yeah, I’m not like you. I don’t believe in this whole ‘love-at-first-sight, destined mate’ thing. I actually have to work hard to find my soulmate.”
Despite being Emma’s best friend, Taylor had no idea about one of the biggest secrets Emma kept hidden from her. That she is a werewolf. In fact, all the residents of the Mystic Moon gated community were werewolves. The “gated community” wasn't just a fancy neighborhood, it was a werewolves’ pack.
It is forbidden to reveal the existence of the supernatural world to humans. This is one of their most sacred laws. If a werewolf ever exposed their true nature to a human, whether by accident or on purpose, the human would be killed on the spot to protect the secret. As for the werewolf, they could be cast out, and branded a rogue. Being a rogue was like a death sentence, they'd either be hunted down by another rogue or killed by a pack if they trespassed on their territory.
The Jackson family considered Taylor one of their own, fully embracing her friendship with Emma. This bond began in public school, where Mystic Moon pups attended as well. Taylor would often hang out after school at the pack house, have sleepovers there, and make friends with all the kids in the pack.
The residents of the Mystic Moon pack were happy to have Taylor in their territory, even if it meant they had to be extra cautious to keep their secret safe.
Taylor remained unaware of the true nature of the Mystic Moon community. However, as she frequently visited and participated in their activities, she couldn’t help but notice their peculiar customs and rituals. One that particularly caught her attention was the "soulmate ritual," where two people would lock eyes, shout "mate," and—just like that—become a couple.
Over time, Taylor came to believe that these practices were simply part of a cultural tradition passed down from their ancestors or perhaps some kind of odd sect. After all, everyone in the gated community seemed to share the same beliefs and special customs. Despite the unusual nature of their ways, Taylor loved them all dearly and had come to respect their traditions.
When it came to love, Taylor believed the chances of randomly meeting her soulmate were incredibly low. And the odds of love at first sight? Even smaller. She knew what she wanted, and unfortunately, it wasn’t the guys she went out with. Typically, she’d give them two dates, and if she didn’t feel a connection, she’d move on. The longest relationship she’d ever had lasted just five months.
Peter, like a brother to Taylor, knew all about her dating life and the streak of bad luck she’d had. That’s why he liked to tease her, calling her a “serial dater.”
“How are your parents doing?” James, Emma’s father, asked, shifting the subject.
“They miss you all,” Taylor replied. “But they’re happy with their decision to move to Miami for an early retirement. They promised they’d come for Thanksgiving and Christmas to keep the tradition of celebrating with the Jacksons.”
Dinner continued with lively conversation. As they laughed and chatted, Emma’s mom asked the girls if they had bought new dresses for the party.
“What party?” Taylor asked, her curiosity piqued as she looked from Mrs. Jackson to Emma.
Emma suddenly looked guilty.
“What did you do, Emma?” Taylor asked warily.
“Well, you got an invitation from Derek to attend our ball,” Emma confessed. “You know, the one we organize every three years, where our communities across the U.S. come together. It’s a chance for young members of our community, between the ages of 20 and 35, to meet up.”
“Oh, Emma, absolutely not,” Taylor said, shaking her head. “You know I don’t do formal parties. Plus, everyone just stands around, ogling each other, waiting for someone to scream ‘Mate!’”
“Come on, Taylor,” Emma’s mom urged. “You can’t turn down an invitation from Derek. He’s our community leader and treats you like family. He won’t take it well.”
“If you really wanted me there, you should have told me sooner.”
“I didn’t tell you earlier because I wanted you to come!” Emma said, rolling her eyes. “Last time, I told you a month in advance, and you nagged nonstop. And, guess what? You still ended up going to the ball. So this year, I’m telling you last minute, so I don’t have to listen to your complaints for too long.”
“Sometimes I wonder if you even understand what ‘best friend’ means,” Taylor teased.
“You know what? I have nothing to wear because you didn’t tell me! So, I have a perfectly good excuse.” She continued.
“Yeah, right. You have a whole closet full of clothes to choose from. And anyway, we can go shopping tomorrow during my lunch break. I need you there with me, Taylor. What if I meet my mate? Please say you'll come with me!” Emma begged.
Taylor met Emma’s pleading gaze and sighed. She gave a reluctant nod.
“Yesss!” Emma screamed, her excitement bubbling over. She was thrilled to have her friend with her for such an important event.
“Oh, by the way, Taylor, I need to remind you...”
“Yes, I know,” Taylor cut her off, rolling her eyes with a smile. “I’ll just talk to you and the members of your community. I’m not allowed to interact with anyone else. Some of the invitees might not be thrilled that an outsider like me is there, and I should avoid any conflict. I know the rules—this isn’t my first party at your gathering.”
Emma nodded, grateful for Taylor’s understanding.
“So, Peter,” Taylor added, shifting the conversation, “are you looking forward to settling down and meeting your mate? You’re getting old. It’s time to settle down.”
Peter’s face went blank, the playful jab missing its mark. He was a hopeless romantic, and the idea of meeting his soulmate had consumed him for years.
“I hope this time I’ll finally meet her,” Peter said quietly. “It’s not easy to find our soulmate. Some never do, which is why we organize these balls and meet-ups.” His voice carried a note of sadness.
“Well, I hope you do find her, Peter,” Taylor said softly. “She’ll be lucky to have you. But hey, if neither of you finds your mate, we’ll start our own ‘mateless’ retirement center. We’ll even keep the famous self-defense and fight classes going. It might be a challenge after a certain age, but I bet it’ll be hilarious!” She joked, trying to lighten the mood.
