

Before turning 25, the pack elders use the mind-link 99 times to forcibly summon me. I have to bond with a mate before my 25th birthday or face an arranged marriage to serve the pack. When I tell Jacob Fulton, our patrol captain, he just scoffs. "I've never heard of any pack having a rule like that. Wendy, you don't need such a pathetic tactic to test me. I was going to mark you, but seeing how desperate you are, I've changed my mind." He tosses the protection necklace I hand-crafted for him to his childhood friend, Yelena Shaw, and walks off without a second glance. Yelena blushes as she offers the necklace back to me. A triumphant glint flashes in her eyes. I step back, refusing it with a soft voice. "You can keep my trash." Ignoring her sudden paleness, I turn and walk away. I don't want the necklace anymore, and I don't want Jacob, either. What Jacob doesn't know is that I'm the sole heir to the Darkmoon pack. Once I turn 25, I must return to fulfill my duty—to take my place as Alpha Female and bond with a mate. Only this time, Jacob won't be the one I choose.

Six years ago, Annie Sparks shares a one-night encounter with the drugged Ian Locke and becomes pregnant, but goes to prison to protect her pregnant sister Joyce McDonnell. Joyce uses half a pendant to marry into the Locke family under false identity. Six years later, Ian and his father return to the country. Andy Locke discovers the bullied child Charlie bears striking resemblance to the Locke bloodline and confirms he is Ian’s biological son. Joyce attempts to eliminate Annie and her son to conceal the truth. After Annie reunites with Ian, the family of three finally recognizes each other through numerous trials. Annie exposes Joyce’s crimes, and Joyce faces legal consequences. Annie becomes the rightful young madam of the Locke family, holds a proper wedding ceremony with Ian, and achieves family completeness.

Harold and daughter Demi are critically injured in a riot,with Demi fighting for her life. When the hospital faces a Type A blood shortage, his wife Violet signs away the life-saving blood to save Jack, son of her first love Nate, who claims the boy has leukemia. She abandons her dying daughter without hesitation.Heartbroken after six years of devotion, Harold resumes his hidden identity as heir to the powerful Summit Group. He saves Demi and disappears. Finding Harold's abandoned phone filled with loving messages and final farewell, crushing regret overwhelms Violet.