Alpha King of My Heart

The first time my childhood friend Nathan Sinclair awakened as a werewolf, our friends called me over to help him through his heat.

But Nathan shook his head. "I really don't want her to get this so easily. Werewolf love is loyal above all, and the first person I mark becomes my only mate for life. When Bella shows up, I won't give in even if she begs to help me."

He waited and waited, but I never came.

Nathan didn't know that his brother's bodyguard, Liam Smith, had already flooded my phone with messages.

"Ms. York, Mr. Theodore has already claimed you as his mate. Please, can you come and give him a kiss?"

It turned out that I had fallen while skiing and died five years ago. His brother, Theodore Sinclair, marked me and gave me half of his lifespan, pulling me back from the jaws of death.

That night, I wrapped my arms around Theodore's neck and teased him, "Theo, stop holding back. Tell me, how many years have you secretly been in love with me?"

My childhood friend's family were all werewolves. After turning twenty, they would enter a heat cycle every full moon. The first person they mark would become their one and only mate for life.

I always thought Nathan Sinclair would choose me.

When he first awakened as a werewolf, his friends called me over to help him through his heat.

But before I could go in, I heard Nathan's irritated voice from inside the room.

"I really don't want her to get this so easily. I've got my eye on the school's most popular girl, but she's not the type to fall for anyone. Unlike Bella, who's always hanging around me like some lovesick puppy that's always at my beck and call. When she shows up, I won't give in even if she begs to help me. I'm not about to ruin my life over one stupid night and end up wrapped around her forever."

I froze outside the door, my mind completely blanked.

Nathan was the boy who grew up next door, the one I'd known my whole life. Never in a million years did I think he would see me that way.

His friends laughed, and it was loud and cruel.

"So she's just a plaything to you, huh?"

"Want me to call her and tell her not to come? Wouldn't want her taking advantage of you and trying to get ahead by sleeping with you. Honestly, girls like her aren't worth it."

Nathan stopped them, though his voice sounded strained, and his breathing uneven.

"Forget it. If you tell her not to come now, what will she think? Even if she's just a toy, I've spoiled her since we were kids, and I can't bear to see her getting hurt. I'll see if I can resist her when she shows up. There are some things I'd rather not spell out. This is the perfect chance to make her see