Adaline has always followed the rules. As a chosen wolf, her life has been meticulously controlled by the pack's leaders. She believes in their guiding principles of truth, loyalty, and unity, dedicating herself to their demands without question. But as the weight of her responsibilities grows heavier, Adaline's strength is pushed to the breaking point. Despite constant surveillance and endless tasks that drain her, she endures, trusting in the pack's greater good-until a shocking revelation shatters the trust she holds so dear. Jax, the future Alpha, has been forced to keep his distance, hiding the truth that Adaline is destined to be his Mate. Cold and distant, his only way to protect her has been through silence. But when an unnatural shift in the supernatural world throws Jax and Adaline together, they begin uncovering dark secrets that threaten not just their pack, but the balance of the entire supernatural world. Jax becomes Adaline's only tether to healing, but it may already be too late. Pushed too far, burned out, and broken, Adaline may never accept the mate bond-as Jax must confront the possibility that the very secret he helped keep may cost him everything.