Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts

Jade Nightshade My life was perfect. No, really, it was. I could feel it in every fiber of my being, and anyone with eyes could see it too. Being the Alpha’s daughter had its perks—respect, admiration, power. It gave me a confidence that other girls could only dream of. And sure, I hadn’t yet found my mate, but I was still a few weeks shy of eighteen. It didn’t bother me because I was confident I already knew who it would be. Rowan. He and Darius, who was two years older and had been away training to become a warrior for the past five years, had been my best friends for as long as I could remember. But Rowan and I were closer, practically inseparable since birth, being the same age. He was set to be the next Beta, and if things worked out perfectly, he might one day be Alpha by my side. It made perfect sense. I mean, what more could I ask for? "Jade!"? My mother's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, pulling me back from the pleasant daydreams of my future with Rowan. "Stop daydreaming about that boy and take this to the pack children." I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks. Had she guessed what—or rather, who—I was thinking about? "I wasn’t—" I started to protest, but the look on her face said it all. She wasn’t buying it. With a knowing smirk, she handed me a basket filled with candy. "Uh-huh, sure you weren’t," she teased, rolling her eyes playfully. I laughed and accepted the basket, trying to hide my embarrassment. The truth was, I was always thinking about Rowan. How could I not? The thought of him sent butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach. He was everything I wanted—strong, loyal, and soon to be officially named Beta. But he had been on my mind more than usual lately. We’d grown up together, been through everything side by side, and now that we were on the cusp of adulthood... it felt like something was about to change. Something big. "Don’t take too long," my mother called as I headed for the door. "I won’t!" I flashed her a grin before pushing the door open with my hip, stepping out into the warm, sunlit afternoon, and the familiar sights of our pack grounds greeted me. Kids were running and laughing in the open field by the training grounds, while a few older wolves sparred in the distance. Our territory was vast, stretching far beyond what the eye could see, with sturdy wooden buildings lining the well-worn paths. My father's house stood at the centre, its towering structure a symbol of strength and authority. Surrounding it were smaller homes, barns, and training areas, all meticulously arranged. To the north was the packhouse—a communal building where we gathered for meals, meetings, and celebrations. Everything had its place, every part of the pack moving like a well-oiled machine. I made my way toward the packhouse. People nodded or smiled as I passed, but I couldn’t help noticing the glances—some admiring, others more critical. Being the Alpha’s daughter meant I was always under a microscope, and there was no escaping the expectations that came with it. Especially when it came to Rowan. Most of the girls in the pack had a crush on him. I saw the way they looked at him during training or when he passed by with that confident swagger of his. It was one of the reasons I didn’t have many friends. No one wanted to be too close to the girl who might end up with Rowan. The unspoken jealousy hung in the air like a cloud. Pushing those thoughts aside, I stepped into the packhouse. The sound of laughter and children’s voices echoed through the hall. The young ones were scattered around, their eyes lighting up as I approached with the basket of candy. "Jade!" one of the Omegas called out, smiling warmly. She was overseeing the children, keeping them entertained while their parents were busy with pack duties. "They’ve been waiting for you." I smiled back, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach as I handed out the candy. The kids crowded around me, their small hands reaching eagerly into the basket. As they thanked me, I felt a sense of warmth. This was what it meant to be part of the pack—taking care of each other, growing together. But the moment of peace didn’t last long. "Hey there, Alpha's daughter," a familiar, teasing voice said behind me. I didn’t even need to turn around to know who it was. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile creeping onto my face. "Rowan," I said, spinning around. "You’re all sweaty and dirty!" He grinned, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. His dark hair was damp from training, and his shirt clung to him in all the wrong ways. But instead of listening to me, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me, ignoring my protests. "Gross!" I laughed, trying to push him away, but he was too strong, and I secretly loved it. Before I could stop him, he started peppering my face with kisses. "Rowan, stop!" I squealed, trying to dodge his lips, but my laughter betrayed me. "Never," he whispered, his breath warm against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. The kids, of course, chose that moment to start giggling and teasing us. "Eww! They're in loooove!" one of them shouted. I felt my face burn as I pulled away from Rowan, flustered. He winked at me, clearly enjoying how flustered I was. "Meet me at our spot tonight," he whispered, leaning in close. "It's a full moon... I have a surprise for you." I glanced up at him, my heart skipping a beat. "What kind of surprise?" "You’ll see." His lips curved into that familiar, teasing smile. And just like that, I knew I’d be counting the minutes until tonight. I hurried home once I was done, and when I entered the house, I found her in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared dinner for my father. He only ever loved eating the meals she made, and she happily cooked for him every night. I leaned against the doorframe, watching her for a moment before stepping inside. "The children loved the candy," I said, smiling as I walked over to grab a glass of water. My mother smiled back, her eyes softening. "I'm glad. The little things always make a difference." I hesitated for a moment, debating whether to tell her what I was really planning for tonight, but I already knew how that conversation would go. Instead, I forced a yawn and said, "I think I’ll head to bed early tonight. It's been a long day." She glanced at me, narrowing her eyes a bit. "Already? It’s not even dark yet." "Yeah, I’m just really tired," I said, shrugging and trying not to sound too suspicious. "Don’t disturb me, okay? I need to rest." Her lips pressed into a thin line, a clear sign she didn’t entirely believe me, but she didn’t push it. "Alright, but remember what I’ve always told you, Jade. You need to wait until your 18th birthday to see if Rowan is truly your mate. Don’t rush into anything serious." I nodded, suppressing the urge to roll my eyes. My mother was traditional—old school to the core. She believed in the sacredness of the mate bond and how it shouldn’t be taken lightly. She never outright said she disliked Rowan, but she always had that cautious look whenever I mentioned him. "Got it, Mom. Night," I called over my shoulder as I made my way upstairs, feeling the excitement bubbling up inside me. As soon as I reached my room, I shut the door firmly and leaned against it, letting out a breath. My heart was racing, not just because I was sneaking out, but because I couldn’t wait to see Rowan. We’d been meeting at our secret spot for years, but tonight felt different. I could feel it in my bones. I quickly stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower, the warm water calming my nerves. My mind raced with thoughts of what Rowan's surprise could be. Maybe he had something special planned because of the full moon... maybe tonight would change everything. After drying off, I slipped into one of my favourite dresses—the one Rowan always said made me look beautiful, though I’d never tell him that out loud. It was simple but hugged my curves just right, with soft fabric that swayed when I walked. I applied a little makeup—nothing too heavy, just enough to make me feel more confident. I glanced at myself in the mirror, smoothing down my hair. "Okay, you’ve got this," I whispered to myself before quietly opening the window. I glanced down at the ground below. It wasn’t a far drop, and with Alpha blood running through my veins, I was stronger than most in my human form. I swung my legs over the sill, gripping the edge of the window, and gracefully jumped down, landing silently on the soft grass. The cool evening air brushed against my skin as I took off running toward the woods, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. The moon was already high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the trees as I weaved through the familiar path. When I reached the cliff—our secret spot—Rowan was already there, standing with his back to me, gazing out over the valley below. The sight of him bathed in moonlight made my heart skip a beat. His broad shoulders, his dark hair tousled from the wind—everything about him was perfect. He turned around as soon as he heard me approaching, his blue eyes lighting up the moment he saw me. "You’re late," he teased, though his grin softened the words. I shrugged, a smile tugging at my lips as I walked up to him. "Had to make sure I looked perfect for your surprise." He chuckled, pulling me into his arms without hesitation. "You always look perfect." His lips brushed my temple, sending a familiar warmth through my body. "Ready for your surprise?" I nodded, my excitement growing. "What is it?" Rowan's smile widened, but instead of answering, he pulled me closer and gently pressed his lips to mine. I melted into him—it felt so natural, so right. Despite what others thought and regardless of my mother's concerns, I knew deep in my heart that Rowan could never do anything wrong. He was perfect—far better than any unknown mate the Moon Goddess might have in store for me. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else, and I was certain the Moon Goddess herself understood that too.